Texas Thanksgiving Part Deux

November 22, 2010

The eyes of Texas are upon you
All the live long day
The eyes of Texas are upon you
And you cannot get away
Do not think you can escape them
From night till early in the morn
The eyes of Texas are upon you
Till Gabriel blows his horn


We woke up a little late.  I had picked out a place for breakfast and had asked the concierge if we could walk.  He said not really so we took the car.  The parking lot was on the backside so we drove around for a little while before we found it.

We had breakfast at The Guenther House.  The house was built in 1859 by Carl Hilmar Guenther, the founder of Pioneer Flour Mills.

  http://www.guentherhouse.com/

We had the Guenther's Platter.  The food was really good and then we walked around the store and bought some souvenirs.

We went back to the Omni and checked out.  On the way to Austin we stopped and did some shopping at the outlet malls.  Didn't really buy anything, but Bridget got a great deat on some jewelry.

The hill country of Texas was really pretty.  Sonic on the way again, DCL.  We got to Austin and found our hotel. 

Part of the building was the hotel and the other part was offices.  I liked watching the people work, well some were working.

We walked down to the capitol and looked around and also checked out restaurants for dinner.  There sure were a lot of Confererate statues there.  We also walked down to 6th Street but it was too early.

We picked out Perry's Steakhouse and Grille.
http://www.perryssteakhouse.com/

We shared a Tomato and Mozzaella Salad.  I had the Cowboy Ribeye and Bridget had the Symphony Kabob, with filet mignon, lobster and shrimp.  Dinner was excellent and we were very happy with our choice.  After dinner we walked down to 6th Street again.  Some bands were playing but we were full and tired.  We walked around for awhile the went back to the hotel.

Texas Thanksgiving Part 1

Nov 21, 2010

Deep in the Heart of Texas
The stars at night, are big and bright,
deep in the heart of Texas,
The prairie sky is wide and high,
deep in the heart of Texas.
The sage in bloom is like perfume,
deep in the heart of Texas,
Reminds me of, the one I love,
deep in the heart of Texas.


We were invited to Courtney and David's home in Dallas for Thanksgiving.  We flew out on Nov 21, 2010 but we wanted to see some of Texas as C and D had to work.  I lived in Texas as a 3rd grader while we waited to join my dad in Spain.  Gatesville, Texas.  Certain thing are really strong in my memory.  Porter Wagonner TV show, thistles, horned frogs, the city square and football.

We flew to San Antonio, Texas.  We arrived at the airport and got our rental car.  David has connections with Omni and booked a room for us.  We were hungry after the plane ride and were looking for some place to eat.  Why is it there are no restaurants by the airport?  We finally found a Sonic.  There are not many Sonic's in California.  Recently 2 have opened in San Diego County but not really close to where we live.

We ordered some food and diet cherry limeades.  Heaven.  We then headed to the hotel right on the River Walk.  Omni La Mansion del Rio.

It was a great hotel.  We walked all along the River Walk paying close attention to the restaurants for dinner.  We also walked over to the Alamo.
http://www.thealamo.org/

I had been there before but Bridget had only been through the panhandle of Texas on the way to see relatives in Oklahoma.  It's funny, in Keith Richard's book, Life, there is a picture of the Rolling Stones in front of the Alamo.

We decided to have dinner at Rita's on the River.

It was really good Mexican food with a great view and good music by a family of musicians. 

They had all the lights up for Christmas at the River Walk but were not turning them on until later in the week.  We were leaving San Antonio for Austin tomorrow.

We went back to the hotel tired and stuffed.

Rebecca Newberger Goldstein

11/15/10

I went To Carlsbad to listen to a lecture by Rebecca Newberger Goldstein about her book, 36 Arguments for the Existence of God, a Work of Fiction.   It was a great lecture that I enjoyed very much.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rebecca_Goldstein

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/01/21/books/21book.html

USC 110610

We met to the Brown's early becaust we had reservations for Lawry's Tailgate.  It was a little expensive but the drinks were included.  We got there and had a nice table just outside the coliseum.  The food and drinks were good.  Can't complain about a thing.

Went to the game.  USC finally pulled out a close one this year.  We won 34-33.  Good times.

Noah was home for a wedding so we drove back home after the game.

USC Homecoming 2010

10/30/10

We have not had much luck at Homecoming the past few years.  We got up early and headed to USC.  Lots of things to do on campus for Homecoming.  B won a Marshall School of Business Pack and Russ won a certificate for courses at USC.  Winner winner chicken dinner. 

The game was close in the first half, but Oregon took over and won 53-32.  They have a quirky offense that allows them to win during the regular season, but given time for defenses to prepare, like in the Bowl games they lose.  Last two years, just saying.

We ate dinner there at the Coliseum then back to the B and B. 

It was not fun but you always support your school.  We live to play again. Fight on USC.

Niece's 40th B Day

Oct 24, 2010

Betsy was throwing a 40th B Day party for Christine at Connie and Russ's house.  It was a little early because of USC football.  We arrived early to help with the setup.  Her sister Denise came from North Carolina with her daughter Lauran.  It was going to be quite a surprise if we could pull it off.  Everything was going fine until it decided to rain and we had to move everything inside.

We had a great setup outside on the patio.  We quickly moved everything inside.  The guest started to arrive and we were anticipating the arrival of the guest of honor.  I was upstairs looking out a window watching for them to pull up in the drive way.

I saw the car and quickly alerted all guest.  Christine was so surprised when she opened the door.  I was still upstairs so I personally didn't see her reaction to Denise and Lauran but the photos I saw was great.  It was truely terrific surprise.  The guest list included friends young and old.

There was one person at the party that truly deserves mention, Johnnie Colter.  He came with Missy and he was an infectious person.  He was so happy and was quite a personality.  He talked to everyone there and made everyone feel like he was their friend,  and it only got better after a little alcohol.  Johnnie is the lead singer of Scifin, a LA rock band that plays some pretty good music.  He also played basketball at Virginia Tech and is 6'9".  He towered over everyone there.

"I love you man" became the mantra of the night.  I love that and will not forget that.

Jen and Brian were there and please see their blog for pictures listed below.

 

http://www.facebook.com/pages/SCIFIN/121386651125

http://jenandbrianingram.blogspot.com/2010/12/cousins-surprise-40th-party.html
 

USC vs Cal

Oct 16, 2010

The game time was 12:30 so I took Friday off and we headed to Orange County to do some shopping then to my sister's to spend the night so we could get an early start on Saturday.  We got up Saturday and had a quick breakfast then the four of us headed for the Coliseum.  USC was 4-2 coming off 2 straight losses.  We were afraid we were going to get some major sunburn, but the weather cooperated and it was cloudy and overcast.

USC played great and we walked away with a 48-14 victory.  I like those kind of games.

I wanted to try a new restaurant in West Hollywood for dinner after the game so I made reservations at Ketchup right on Sunset Blvd. 

http://www.dolcegroup.com/  then click on Ketchup

We started with a threesome.  And for those of you whose minds are in the gutters, no it wasn't that.  Garlic parmesan, sweet potato and cajun fries with 5 different ketchups- BBQ, Mango, Ranch, Maple And Chipolte.  It was really good.  We ate BBQ Baby Back Pork Ribs, Chicken Florentine and Shrimp Scampi.  The dinner was good.

 We took this one from our table.  Great houses on the hills.

On the way back to the B and B we took a different way and I missed the freeway onramp and we got stuck in the Halloween traffic at Universal Studios Haunted House.  Finally made it back.  That was a long day.