Kevin and I were up bright and early this morning for a trip to Mertens, Texas for an auction. If you have not heard of Mertens, it is a tiny, one-horse-town located southeast of Hillsboro at the intersection of Highway 22 and FM 308. According to the city limit sign, the population is 146.
I love Smalltown, USA.
I wish I had taken my camera today. The scenery was stunning. Our drive took us from the busy and congested Interstate 35, near outlet malls (on tax-free weekend no less), to wide-open farm land filled with combines harvesting corn, cotton, and maze. The dust was all around, but the air smelled so much like home. The auction was located on a beautiful ranch with rolling hills, several ponds, and many heads of cattle. Kevin had his eyes on several pieces of equipment and implements, while I had my eyes on dragonflies and grasshoppers. The homestead set on top of a large hill overlooking a pond and there were several large oak trees all around too. One tree in particular was tucked away behind an old garage and away from the auction crowd. That's where I setup my own personal oasis for the day. It was perfect. A beautiful view, an awesome breeze, my big-fat-comfy lounge chair, and sweet tea from the local cafe. I drifted to sleep twice, it was so peaceful.
Another reason for my camera: We passed a small house with a hand-written sign in the front yard, "Farm fresh eggs, honk for service." Honk for someone to bring you a basket of eggs or honk for the hen to do her business?!?!?!
The auction was a bust for Kevin, implement prices were much higher than he was willing to pay. For the first time, in a long time, we came home with an empty flatbed trailer. Oh well...
Just when I thought the day had blessed me with enough goodness, I got to chat with Rev. L, read a thank-you note from Evelyn and Nate for their wedding gift, and the Monajami's came over for dinner. It was nothing fancy, just carryout pizza. I promised Cameron that if he ate at least one slice of pizza, I would take him to get a snowcone. He held me true to the promise and we both enjoyed a treat from the Joshua Sno-Ball. He wanted strawberry and I, of course, got banana. Have I told you lately how much I love these liquid sugar treats? YUM-MEE!!!! Driving back Cameron says, "Tank you Aunt Co, I wuv you."
Today was just too cool not to share with somebody. How is YOUR weekend going?
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Southern staple, Sushi Sticks, and Julia Roberts
Serious question: what beverage best compliments sushi? Well, sweet tea my dear!!!!!!
Last night was pretty darn incredible. I spent all day yesterday cleaning my disgusting house (how can dust accumulate that much and that quickly?) waiting for my favorite Cali-Texas girl to arrive (Kim H.) for Girls' Night. I had been looking forward to last night for several days. There were six ladies total and we had a FABULOUS evening! We met at Hibachi for dinner and later watched "Eat Pray Love," the new movie with Julia Roberts, based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert.
Dinner at Hibachi was nice. The service was great and the food was delicious. Plus, it is a great place for a variety of food palettes because not everyone likes sushi. Kim and I shared edamame (steamed soybeans) while the others had soup and salad.
For dinner, the ladies ordered items from the Hibachi and let me tell you: that was a HOT show!!!! The chef (I guess he was a chef, he prepared their meal?) was great though, I would like to know where he got his water bottle because I want one in my kitchen too. The scallops looked AMAZING - they were huge! Too bad everything on Hibachi was slathered in garlic butter, or I might have had to get me a little taste of the deliciousness. Kim and I shared several sushi rolls.
Tiger Roll - Salmon and tuna inside with tuna, salmon and eel, eel sauce and crunchy on top
Scorpion Roll - Shrimp tempura, cheese, green onion, cucumber, jalapeno, topped with avocado, crab stick, and flying fish egg
Rainbow Roll (pictured above, right side) - California roll wrapped with sashimi and avocado
Los Angeles Roll (pictured above, left side) - Snow crab, mayo, masago, avocado, cucumber ***Let me just say that the snow crab featured in the Los Angeles roll is actually Krab with a "k." Yeah, we rolled in high-style last night!
I learned something last night about myself: I'm not a fan of sashimi. I mean, last night the sashimi was too thick. There were "steaks" of salmon that would have been perfect portion-size for someone's Hibachi entree. I think my omega-3 intake for the month was consumed last night, geesh!
As for the movie, it was good. I liked the book better. I have to wonder though: what would a person think - who had not read the book - about the movie? Would they understand it?
Like the book, the trips to Italy, India, and Bali are separate and their own stories. Gilbert's story could be printed into three books and portrayed into three movies. The transition is abrupt. As for the experience: I loved it!
Note to General Hospital fans: James Franco is in this movie. He totally surprised me too. I was wondering, "where's the dead bodies and crime scene art?" Weird, apologies for my diversion.
I wish I had more Italian in my genes....maybe I would enjoy the journey of life more. Perhaps I could become a master of il bel far niente - a sweet Italian expression that means "the beauty of doing nothing." Although, most recently, I have gotten good at doing nothing!
Thanks to the girls that made Girls' Night so much fun: Kim H., L.D., M.J., C.Z., and D.K. We have to do it more often - and invite more friends!!!!!!!
Note to Premiere Cinema: turn the volume DOWN.
Last night was pretty darn incredible. I spent all day yesterday cleaning my disgusting house (how can dust accumulate that much and that quickly?) waiting for my favorite Cali-Texas girl to arrive (Kim H.) for Girls' Night. I had been looking forward to last night for several days. There were six ladies total and we had a FABULOUS evening! We met at Hibachi for dinner and later watched "Eat Pray Love," the new movie with Julia Roberts, based on the true story of Elizabeth Gilbert.
Dinner at Hibachi was nice. The service was great and the food was delicious. Plus, it is a great place for a variety of food palettes because not everyone likes sushi. Kim and I shared edamame (steamed soybeans) while the others had soup and salad.
For dinner, the ladies ordered items from the Hibachi and let me tell you: that was a HOT show!!!! The chef (I guess he was a chef, he prepared their meal?) was great though, I would like to know where he got his water bottle because I want one in my kitchen too. The scallops looked AMAZING - they were huge! Too bad everything on Hibachi was slathered in garlic butter, or I might have had to get me a little taste of the deliciousness. Kim and I shared several sushi rolls.
Tiger Roll - Salmon and tuna inside with tuna, salmon and eel, eel sauce and crunchy on top
Scorpion Roll - Shrimp tempura, cheese, green onion, cucumber, jalapeno, topped with avocado, crab stick, and flying fish egg
Rainbow Roll (pictured above, right side) - California roll wrapped with sashimi and avocado
Los Angeles Roll (pictured above, left side) - Snow crab, mayo, masago, avocado, cucumber ***Let me just say that the snow crab featured in the Los Angeles roll is actually Krab with a "k." Yeah, we rolled in high-style last night!
I learned something last night about myself: I'm not a fan of sashimi. I mean, last night the sashimi was too thick. There were "steaks" of salmon that would have been perfect portion-size for someone's Hibachi entree. I think my omega-3 intake for the month was consumed last night, geesh!
As for the movie, it was good. I liked the book better. I have to wonder though: what would a person think - who had not read the book - about the movie? Would they understand it?
Like the book, the trips to Italy, India, and Bali are separate and their own stories. Gilbert's story could be printed into three books and portrayed into three movies. The transition is abrupt. As for the experience: I loved it!
Note to General Hospital fans: James Franco is in this movie. He totally surprised me too. I was wondering, "where's the dead bodies and crime scene art?" Weird, apologies for my diversion.
I wish I had more Italian in my genes....maybe I would enjoy the journey of life more. Perhaps I could become a master of il bel far niente - a sweet Italian expression that means "the beauty of doing nothing." Although, most recently, I have gotten good at doing nothing!
Thanks to the girls that made Girls' Night so much fun: Kim H., L.D., M.J., C.Z., and D.K. We have to do it more often - and invite more friends!!!!!!!
Note to Premiere Cinema: turn the volume DOWN.
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Goal Setting 101
Youth lesson tonight on goal-setting and I heard "sacred echoes" for my own life. Based on James 4:13-16 ~ goals are good to have, as long as God is glorified and main priority. My plans (up to this point) have been disappointing because I forgot a major Truth: God fully exists and His will be done; the future is in his hands.
How could I forget this? Rather, Lord please forgive my stubborn, self-centered plans...they obviously failed because You were not my focus. I pray for grace and forgiveness - and another chance. (insert do-over button here, please)
Open doors that I have not seen; illuminate paths I've been too hesitant to trek...show me your way. Your will be done.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 - patience is better than pride. To finish what we start takes hard work, wise guidance, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone can start a project, but vision without wisdom results in unfinished projects and goals.
What are your goals? Have you ever felt like you were on the wrong path and going in the wrong direction? How did you rearrange your route? Are you confident in your decision? Do you have an unfinished project that you would like to begin again?
How could I forget this? Rather, Lord please forgive my stubborn, self-centered plans...they obviously failed because You were not my focus. I pray for grace and forgiveness - and another chance. (insert do-over button here, please)
Open doors that I have not seen; illuminate paths I've been too hesitant to trek...show me your way. Your will be done.
Ecclesiastes 7:8 - patience is better than pride. To finish what we start takes hard work, wise guidance, self-discipline, and patience. Anyone can start a project, but vision without wisdom results in unfinished projects and goals.
What are your goals? Have you ever felt like you were on the wrong path and going in the wrong direction? How did you rearrange your route? Are you confident in your decision? Do you have an unfinished project that you would like to begin again?
Sunday, August 1, 2010
I tried it.......and liked it!!!
My mother always said, "try it once, if you don't like it...don't eat it!" Well, I tried something last night I had never eaten before: SUSHI; and, it was really, really delicious!!!!!!
N and S invited me along to celebrate S's 30th birthday - C was my date! - and we went to The Fish, a Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Dallas' West Village. The restaurant was spectacular: very modern design with black, white, and red decor. The waitstaff was very thorough and their attention to our service, and my dairy allergy, was appreciated. Because of this excellent experience, my expectations of future sushi meals are very high!
As soon as we sat down and began looking at the menu (it was all Greek to me!), I immediately said, "I will try whatever you order, except for eel." I also needed help with the chopsticks. I failed miserably at trying to hold my own, so the gracious waiter brought me a set of kid's sticks. The sticks were bound with rubberbands holding a folded piece of paper at one end, very clever idea for this sushi novice. I had an a-ha! moment before dinner also, if I had to eat with chopsticks everyday, I would lose a lot of weight!!!!!!
We began the meal with appetizers - scallops and calamari. The calamari was dipped in a tempura batter (made with milk), so I could not eat the squid. Rain did not fall on my parade though, I've never been a fan of squid. However, the pan-seared scallops in sake soy sauce with jalapeno were incredible!!! The scallops were sweet as sugar but the jalapeno was kickin' hot. N and S enjoyed the miso shiru soup while I enjoyed the house salad with a ginger sesame vinegarette. C ate all my crunchy wontons, carrots, and cherry tomatoes, but the lettuce and dressing were delicious! Bonus feature: the waiter brought me a fork for my salad, bless her precious heart!!!!
The star of the evening: SUSHI. I don't remember every sushi roll, but here are some that we ordered:
Lickitty Split - Spicy tuna and soft shell crawfish topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and avocado
Not one of my favorites, I think I enjoy softshell deep-fried the best!!!
California Roll - Crab, avocado, and cucumber
Very simple and light. Of course, by the time this arrived I was stuffed to the gills (no pun intended!) I loved the black sesame seeds in the rice too, very tasty.
Tiger Eye Roll - Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and jalapenos rolled in soy paper
This was an "off limits" option because of the cream cheese, but N and S really enjoyed this one.
Sea Diver - Fresh water eel and avocado w/ snow crab, avocado and cucumber inside
Remember that comment I made earlier, well - yeah, I tried eel and LOVED it. So much, in fact, I thought it was bacon. And I love bacon!!!! HAHA I'm not kidding, I couldn't make this up if I tried. After the first bite, I asked, "this is really good, is that bacon on top?" N and S reply: "no, it's eel!" (everyone cracking up laughing, even C).
Cheeseburger Roll - Crab, avocado, cucumber inside topped w/ tuna, escolar, avocado and spicy sauce
Excellent name for a sushi roll without cheese. The cool and crunchy cucumber paired with the spicy mayo was perfect with the crab and tuna - very flavorful. Another one of my favorites.
Sooooo.....I'm really liking this sushi thing. Never in a million years would I have thought to say those words, but hey, I'm full of surprises. Thanks N & S & C for a fabulous dinner, I hope S has a wonderful 30th birthday too. I'll send Kevin away more often so we can enjoy more sushi dinners!!!!!
Blessings,
Nicole
P.S. Are you a fan of sushi? What's your favorite kind of roll? Can you use chopsticks without help from the Kiddie Table!?!
N and S invited me along to celebrate S's 30th birthday - C was my date! - and we went to The Fish, a Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar in Dallas' West Village. The restaurant was spectacular: very modern design with black, white, and red decor. The waitstaff was very thorough and their attention to our service, and my dairy allergy, was appreciated. Because of this excellent experience, my expectations of future sushi meals are very high!
As soon as we sat down and began looking at the menu (it was all Greek to me!), I immediately said, "I will try whatever you order, except for eel." I also needed help with the chopsticks. I failed miserably at trying to hold my own, so the gracious waiter brought me a set of kid's sticks. The sticks were bound with rubberbands holding a folded piece of paper at one end, very clever idea for this sushi novice. I had an a-ha! moment before dinner also, if I had to eat with chopsticks everyday, I would lose a lot of weight!!!!!!
We began the meal with appetizers - scallops and calamari. The calamari was dipped in a tempura batter (made with milk), so I could not eat the squid. Rain did not fall on my parade though, I've never been a fan of squid. However, the pan-seared scallops in sake soy sauce with jalapeno were incredible!!! The scallops were sweet as sugar but the jalapeno was kickin' hot. N and S enjoyed the miso shiru soup while I enjoyed the house salad with a ginger sesame vinegarette. C ate all my crunchy wontons, carrots, and cherry tomatoes, but the lettuce and dressing were delicious! Bonus feature: the waiter brought me a fork for my salad, bless her precious heart!!!!
The star of the evening: SUSHI. I don't remember every sushi roll, but here are some that we ordered:
Lickitty Split - Spicy tuna and soft shell crawfish topped with tuna, salmon, yellowtail, and avocado
Not one of my favorites, I think I enjoy softshell deep-fried the best!!!
California Roll - Crab, avocado, and cucumber
Very simple and light. Of course, by the time this arrived I was stuffed to the gills (no pun intended!) I loved the black sesame seeds in the rice too, very tasty.
Tiger Eye Roll - Smoked salmon, cream cheese, and jalapenos rolled in soy paper
This was an "off limits" option because of the cream cheese, but N and S really enjoyed this one.
Sea Diver - Fresh water eel and avocado w/ snow crab, avocado and cucumber inside
Remember that comment I made earlier, well - yeah, I tried eel and LOVED it. So much, in fact, I thought it was bacon. And I love bacon!!!! HAHA I'm not kidding, I couldn't make this up if I tried. After the first bite, I asked, "this is really good, is that bacon on top?" N and S reply: "no, it's eel!" (everyone cracking up laughing, even C).
Cheeseburger Roll - Crab, avocado, cucumber inside topped w/ tuna, escolar, avocado and spicy sauce
Excellent name for a sushi roll without cheese. The cool and crunchy cucumber paired with the spicy mayo was perfect with the crab and tuna - very flavorful. Another one of my favorites.
Sooooo.....I'm really liking this sushi thing. Never in a million years would I have thought to say those words, but hey, I'm full of surprises. Thanks N & S & C for a fabulous dinner, I hope S has a wonderful 30th birthday too. I'll send Kevin away more often so we can enjoy more sushi dinners!!!!!
Blessings,
Nicole
P.S. Are you a fan of sushi? What's your favorite kind of roll? Can you use chopsticks without help from the Kiddie Table!?!
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