Cold Brew Coffee

I tried this cold brew fad over the weekend. I did a 2:1 (4 cups to 2 cups) ratio of water to coffee grounds and left it at room temp for 24 hours, per one of the recipes I found. After it had steeped, I figured out why people don't do this often. You think you can pour what simply looks like concentrated liquid coffee through a coffee filter into a pitcher and it's done. But no. It literally takes hours for that "coffee concentrate" to go through the filter. I didn't even try to put the wet grounds in there. Ha! We'd still be staring at it today!

I got a few cups of concentrate out of the experience. Next was the taste test.

I poured a little into a cup and added the same amount of water (1:1 per the recipe), then took a sip. Totally bitter. Of course, I never drink black coffee, so it probably wasn't a fair comparison to any coffee I'm familiar with. So I gave it a second chance.

I poured a half mug full and added the same amount of milk (another suggested recipe), then added some sugar. NOW we're talking. It was definitely much smoother and less bitter than any of the coffee or coffee drinks I've had. It did have a lot more milk than I'm used to, so who knows. It was good.

Was it worth all that effort? Nope! There are some contraptions that help with the long filtering time, so you don't have to babysit it so much, but I'm guessing they don't work well enough to make it worth the time and mess.

Cold brew coffee gets two thumbs up, but only if someone else makes it for you.

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Restaurant Review Time!

The Burger King next to Chik-Fil-A at 290 and Mopac has been leveled. When a neighbor asked on the FB group, "What are they going to put there?" another neighbor replied, "Gosh I hope it's another Chik-Fil-A!" Ahahahaaaaa! (That Chik-Fil-A is really overcrowded.)

While we're on the subject of local restaurants, I have to say that Cuba 512 earns a huge two thumbs up every time I go there. The restaurant at Westgate and William Cannon has a fabulous El Cubano Cuban sandwich, of course, but so far every single dish I've tried has honestly been exceptional. The ceviche could be lunch for two, served in a large goblet with crispy plantain chips. Boniato frito (sweet potato fries) are delicious with Cuban aioli. Mariquitas (fried plantain chips) with mojo are yummy. Their mojo is simple garlicky goodness. Tostones (plantain patties) are my favorite side, also good with mojo. Kathy and I had the Cuban churrasco (wagyu beef with caramelized onions and chimichurri) once, which was tender and wonderful. Last weekend I tried the lechon asado (Cuban pulled pork), and it was fall apart deliciousness with yellow rice. Yummo! Get over there and get some!

We tried the new Mad Greens in Sunset Valley yesterday. It was excellent! It's a chain, but so is Austin's beloved Torchy's now, so don't automatically wave it away, y'all. They have about ten pre-selected salad combinations with various themes. You can also make your own by choosing ingredients as you walk through the line. They also have hummus and pita that rocks. My favorite was the garlic hummus. Jeff's was avocado. One of my favorite things on earth is sun-dried tomatoes, but oddly the sun-dried tomato hummus lacked flavor. Overall, a great lunch spot! (Tip: The regular sized salad is plenty for a meal, so don't feel like you have to go for the large.)

Time for another Saturday 9--


Saturday 9: Listen to the Music (1972)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.
1) The lyrics say, "What the people need is a way to make them smile." What song lifts your spirits and makes you smile every time you hear it?

Still Counting Crows "Accidentally In Love" and it has nothing to do with Shrek, I just LOVE that song! It's so happy!

2) Lead vocalist/composer Tom Johnston reports that he's made a lot in royalties because so many radio stations use this as a jingle. Tell us a jingle that sticks in your head.

OOOOOH-OOOH it's a summer full of fun yeah! The Corpus Christi tourism commercial always in my head.

3) The Doobie Brothers got their start in San Jose, California. San Jose is the largest city in Northern California, thanks to all the tech companies that have headquarters there. Let's talk about the device you're on right now: are all your applications up to date?
I'm on the MacBook. Of course the apps are up-to-date!

4) When they were still a local band, the Doobie Brothers had a strong following among bikers. Are you attracted to biker culture?

Not really. I haven't had much exposure to it.

5) This week's song is from Toulouse Street, which is considered their "breakthrough" album. Tell us about a moment in your own life that you consider a "breakthrough."

Going back to work in the same job I left 20 years prior. I was never sure I'd have the opportunity to pick up where I left off after that much time away. It was completely due to maintaining friendships with old coworkers.

6) In 1987, the Doobie Brothers did a benefit performance for Vietnam Veterans at the Hollywood Bowl. Next to the Beatles, it was the fastest-selling ticket in Hollywood Bowl history. Which group do you listen to more often -- the Doobies or the Beatles?

Beatles

7) In 1972, when this song was popular, Wranglers were America's best-selling jeans. Are you brand-loyal to one jeans manufacturer?

Nope. There are a few brands I try first, but the perfect fit could be one brand, could be another. Could be one I've never owned before.

8) Grocery stores saw seafood prices fluctuate wildly in 1972 because of a series of confrontations between the United Kingdom and Iceland regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic. (Iceland won.) What was the most recent seafood dish that you enjoyed?

I had a bagel with lox this morning.

9) Random question: Which of these "top ten" lists would you prefer to be on -- the sexiest, the smartest or the richest?

Smartest. In the sexiest or richest groups, you have to be careful that the people around you are true friends and not just people who want something from you. Being among the smartest people doesn't come with that issue.

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Grocery Store Adventures

So I get into a regular checkout line this morning with 16 items in my grocery cart (that's one over the fast lane limit), behind a woman with a completely full cart. She immediately turns around and sees me. Five full minutes later, when she's about three-quarters unloaded onto the conveyor, another woman shows up with a completely full cart and pulls up next to us.

Original woman with full cart (to me): She's with me. We have two big cart-loads of groceries today. Sorry!

She couldn't have mentioned that... oh... I don't know... as soon as I walked up?

So rude.  What is it with this social climate where inconsiderate dunderheads run free? I blame Trump.

In other news... we saw The Big Sick last weekend. It is really good! Fun date movie!


Saturday 9: The Joker (1973)
Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this song, Steve Miller claims he's a picker, grinner, sinner, lover, smoker and joker. Do any of those six words describe you?

grinner, lover, sinner, joker

2) He maintains he's still a midnight toker. When's the last time you got high?

at least 30 years ago

3) The lyrics include a reference to peaches. Name your favorite fruit.

watermelon

4) This song had a big impact on the character of Joey on Friends, who had an imaginary friend named Maurice with the occupation of space cowboy. Did you ever have an imaginary friend? 

nope

5) Steve Miller is the pride of Milwaukee, WI. What else is Milwaukee famous for?

beer

6) Steve Miller considers himself a serious blues guitarist. When did you last feel like singing the blues?
Wednesday, when I was looking at the rules for a program for which Lauren may be applying. There is so much legal jargon in the informational material that my head was spinning. I had the head spinnin', forehead smackin', "shall therein be referenced as the revocation of these statutes" bluuuues.

7) In 1973, when this song was popular, you could buy a portable 8-track tape player for $44.50. On what device do you listen to music most often?
my phone

8) A Curious George book packaged with a Curious George plush toy was a big seller at Christmas 1973. Tell us about a toy -- either given or received -- that brightened a holiday or birthday for you.

I remember giving Lauren a Skip It. 

Not Lauren.

It was really cool, because it's basically the Lemon Twist I used to have when I was little. I played with that thing until the lemon fell apart from being scraped on the driveway. 

Remember these? Superfun!

9) M*A*S*H was one of TV's top-rated shows in 1973. Who is your favorite M*A*S*H character?

I've seen every episode in repeats. They're all so great. I'll say Henry Blake.

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Fanthorp Inn

We've started watching Veep on Amazon Prime. Ohmigosh... hilarious! Only the first two seasons are free, so it looks like we'll have to ante up for the rest on HBO, once we finish those. I've changed the Quote of the Week in the blog sidebar to Veep, because there so many funny quotes per episode. (Sorry, This is Us!)

I forgot to mention in my last post that we went to the Fanthorp Inn Historic Site in Anderson (about a half hour outside of College Station) last weekend! It was a private home that the family turned into a hotel in the mid 1800's, because the town had a stagecoach stop. The inn is very well appointed, with all the rooms (family home, lounge, dining room, bedrooms) staged as they would have been, even including some original family furniture.

Our Texas Parks and Wildlife guide was very knowledgeable and led us on a full tour. It was just him and us, probably because it was a rainy day and the town is off the beaten path.

The inn is built in a dog trot style, where there is a breezeway between two sides of the building. I am not kidding you- it felt like the AC was on full blast when you stood in that open space. No AC anywhere! It was damp and warm outside, but there was a ton of cool air flow there. Mind boggling.

The slaves were freed during the time the inn was operating, so we talked a lot about the logistics of that situation, for the former slaves and the family. Learned about daily life in the mid 19th century as well. Very interesting! It was a great little trip out of BCS.


Saturday 9: I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)

1) This week's song was performed by James Cagney in the famous movie of the same name. Do you plan on going to the movies this holiday weekend? 

Yep! We're going to see The Big Sick.

2) Though known for his larger-than-life screen presence, Cagney was only 5'5". How tall are you? 

5'4"

3) During the Revolutionary War, General Washington celebrated the 4th of July by giving his troops a double ration of rum. Will you imbibe any spirits this holiday weekend?

It's likely.

4) American history was one of Crazy Sam's best subjects in school. Science was her worst. In which class did you earn your worst grades?

Any kind of history.

5) The Fourth of July means we're in the middle of summer. Are you careful about applying sunscreen?
Yes

6) Mosquito bites can be a major summer annoyance. Are you scratching any itches right now?
No, thank goodness.

7) Emergency rooms report an increase in wrist injuries in summer, with people falling off bikes and skateboards and jamming their wrists catching hard-hit softballs. Have you recently been to the ER or Urgent Care?
No- knock on wood.

8) New York is home to Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest every year on the 4th. Will hot dogs be consumed in your household this weekend?

I don't think so.

9) Atlanta hosts a 10K Peachtree Road Race every 4th of July. Are you a runner?

Only if I'm being chased by something. 

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Weekend in Review

So there is this Corpus Christi tourism commercial on every now and then with the most catchy song ever. I loved it so much and had it stuck in my head for so long that I finally tried to find out what song it is, but I couldn't find a darn thing on it. Soundhound and Shazam had no idea either. I decided it was just a jingle.

WELL. Today, I saw Vitamin Water's new commercial... with the same song and different lyrics! This time, there are articles written about it and a YouTube video and all sorts of things! Woohoo!

Here is the actual song, which is used in the Vitamin Water ad:


I still can't find a single online item referring to the Corpus commercial, so if you're not in the Texas tourism market... the alternate lyrics are something like:

Oooh-oooh, it's a summer full of fun yeah
So come on and feel the sun yeah
Go and tell everyone yeah baby
Oooh-ooh (*bah-bah-bah BAH BAH*)
Oooh-ooh it's a summer full of fun yeah!

And now it's in my head again. Whew! I thought "Despacito" would NEVER get out of there.

Spent the weekend in College Station. It was superfun! We hit Mad Taco for Friday night dinner, then sat outside and had really amazing drinks at the hotel.

Oh, the hotel was fabulous! The Stella is really modern, but warmed by what I call Hill Country decor. (They probably call it Brazos Valley chic.) Lots of wood and warm colors, but a very modern vibe overall. I took a photo of the hotel room doors, because they are so pretty! Go to the website and see the photos!

Our view was over Lake Atlas and the golf course. The other view is College Station and Kyle Field, which is also cool. The bars were friendly and beautiful. The meeting spaces were upscale and modern.

My one minor complaint was an issue we had with the room service hours. The room service menu clearly states on the cover that room service goes until 11 pm. Inside, there are various times listed for the different meal menus. Dinner ends at 10 pm, but the snacks page (including sandwiches and other substantial fare, if you need it) says it is available until 11pm. We came back from town at 10pm Saturday night and called down at exactly 10:04 to see if the restaurant was still open. They said no. I said I would just order room service. The guy at the restaurant said the kitchen closed at 10. When I said the room service menu says 11, he said that was a typo. Well, it would have to have been two typos.

It sounds like some people wanted to go out an hour early on a Saturday night to me. We had to get back in the car and go into town to find something to eat. Not. Fun. Confirm room service hours when you arrive.

We visited Messina Hof winery on Saturday evening. We did a historical tour and also a wine blending class. I learned two new things at Messina Hof, which is a lot, considering how many wineries I've visited and toured.

1) Almost all wineries purchase most of their grapes from independent farmers. Many don't grow ANY of their own grapes. Even if they do have a vineyard, they don't grow all the grapes they need to make all the wines they produce. I've always wondered why so many "wineries" don't have vineyards. I figured you grow your own grapes to make your own wine. Not so. It's the processing of the grapes that makes you a winery.

2) Almost all red wines are mixtures of different wine grapes. There are rules for what percentages of the mother varietal grape have to be in your blend to call it Merlot or Malbec or whatever (usually 75% or higher), but varietals are mixed with other grape types to create the masterpiece that is your brand's bottle of that type of wine. You can also have blends with no specific type, which gives you your Sweet Red or Rioja or Rosé sorts of wines. Whether a varietal or a blend, the blending is the art of enhancing some flavors and dampening others for a perfect taste.

We broke into 4 teams of six people each for the class. We blended three pure red wines- 100% Mourvedre, 100% Merlot and 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (that's Cab Sauv to those in the biz)- to create our own wine. The four teams submitted their entries... and we won!! Whoop! Our prizes were bottles of our very own winning blend. Supercool.

I definitely recommend that tour/class combo. There is also a separate tour where you can taste wine from the tanks. That one's next on my list!

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Myyyyy Heart Gave Me Awaaaaay

Some Zen for my Wednesday... from 1987. Glass Tiger- SUPERawesome! This was probably my favorite song of theirs, although I like almost all of them.



"You're What I Look For"

When you walked into the room
I saw their faces
You made it seem like time was standing still
And I felt fascination
Though I knew you just casually

So I slowly made my way to where you were standing
The hounds were gathered near
I didn't care
You sensed desperation
My heart gave me away

And then you said
You're what I look for
Je pense que je t'adore
You're what I look for lately

When our eyes met in conversation
Oh, I tried to smile, you looked the other way
You made situations seem like love affairs

And then you said
You're what I look for
Je pense que je t'adore
You're what I look for lately


I feel like I know some of those people in the crowd. Don't you? Hello, 80's people!

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Summertime and the Livin' is Easy

I got my hair chopped off for summer! It was about halfway down my back and now it's above my shoulders. It always takes a surprisingly long time to get used to the difference. You know how you keep flipping your hair, but there isn't any to flip? Weird!

It does reduce hair drying time by half. Styling time- half. It's GREAT.

Speaking of "Summertime," we saw the Billie Holiday musical Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill at Zach Scott Theater  a few weeks back. The singing was really amazing, but I wasn't a big fan of the musical itself. It was slow, and really more like a concert. I think if you go into it thinking you're going to a nightclub singer's show, it's probably a better mindset than expecting showtunes on a big stage. I had no idea what it was and it was just a'ight for me.

Saw In the Heights at Zach last week. I've seen it once before, when the traveling Broadway show came to Austin a while back. The dancing and music are so much fun! Enjoyed it!

Saw Wonder Woman this weekend with the Jeffs. It was very entertaining. Loved Chris Pine's line about being above average. Ha! Agreed.

Now I'm just eagerly waiting for The Big Sick at the end of the month. *drumming fingers*



Y'all know I'm loving this:



*snort*

(Does anyone do the asterisk actions anymore? I miss them. *shrugs*)

Soon we're headed to College Station for my second weekend vacay there in two months. Well, it's a cool place! Jeff and I are going to a Messina Hof winery event, which will be fun. We're staying at one of the brand new hotels in town. There are three, of which two are open so far- The Stella Hotel and Cavalry Court. The George will open later this year. They definitely need the rooms!

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Cats and Bathrooms

Our cats have a fascination with the toilet. They do that typical behavior where they want to come in whenever anyone goes into the bathroom, to watch you go, or... whatever it is they're doing there. (I Googled it and there are many interesting and amusing theories.) When you flush, they put their front paws on the seat and watch the water disappear.

Another bathroom thing they do that really cracks me up is when they find something like a little piece of paper or plastic wrap or ribbon, etc., they will pick it up, run into the bathroom, put their front paws on the seat and toss it into the water. SO funny. Luckily, so far anyway, they haven't tossed in cash or jewelry.

Sunday Stealing: The Random Questions, Part 683

1. How old do you look? Most people comment that I look younger than 50, so I'll say 45.

2. Where do you live? Austin

3. Are you waiting for something? Trump's resignation

4. What’s one pet peeve of yours that is not common? Wood floors covered with rugs. What you have there is carpet at more than twice the cost.

5. Do you want/have kids? We have one daughter.

6. Have you ever thought about converting your religion? no

7. Last shocking news you heard? London terror attacks

8. What was the last thing you drank? milk

9. Who do you most look like in your family? my dad

10. If you could have something right now, anything, what would it be? a foot massage

11. Where does most of your family live? Texas

12. Where did you grow up? in the south Houston area

13. Where do you want to go on vacation? Italy

14. Have you ever had a panic attack? twice- once at the mall with my mother-in-law and once at Zach theater with Jeff

15. What can’t you wait for? football season

16. When’s the last time you told someone you loved him or her and meant it? I tell Jeff and Lauren most days.

17. Have your parents ever smoked pot? No, but my mom's friends almost convinced her to try it while Laura and I were there once. That would have been hilarious! She was going to do it, but when her friends were about to go get it, she said she'd never smoked pot her whole life, so there was no reason to do it now.

18. Want someone back in your life? I wish our old Bunco group was still getting together every month!

19. What do you order at the bar? Mexican Martini or a glass of Riesling

20. When was the last time you cried really, really hard? it's been a while

21. What are your nicknames? This question reminds me of many years ago, when the director of the Foundation thought I made up the word "Webmistress" as a nickname for myself. Bwahaha!
There isn't a nickname that anyone calls me by today.

22. What is your favorite thing to eat with peanut butter? apples

23. Where were you on July 4th, 2008? Thank goodness for blogs. We were on the Liberty of the Seas on our east coast/Canada cruise:
...July 4th in New London, CT: Such a nice little town. We met the Mayor downtown in the square. Had clam chowder at a restaurant overlooking the harbor. Visited Nathan Hale's schoolhouse, even upstairs where the wood and everything is original. Jeff, Lauren and I tied with two other teams to win July 4th Trivia on the ship that night. Woo!...
24. If you could go forward in time, how far forward would you go? 150 years. Not so far that no one has a clue what was going on in 2017, but not so soon that not much has changed.

25. If you could go back in time, how far back would you go? Back to about 1995, when Lauren was a toddler, and we were doing all those superfun little kid activities, like Children's Day Art Park (still going this summer!).

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Uh Oh... Kathy Griffin Rant

But first... Why does Lisa Bloom (and her mother before her) always seek the spotlight and become the story when she represents someone? So annoying. She needs to move over and let her clients speak for themselves.

So. Let me understand. Kathy Griffin holding up a horrifying bloody Trump head is an artistic reference to his comment about Megyn Kelly and "blood coming out of her whatever?"

Mmmmmmmkaaay.  It must have been one bummer of a brainstorming session, if that's all Bloom's team could come up with as an explanation.

Also, Donald Trump didn't "ruin Kathy's life." People were immediately shocked and disgusted by the photo, before he even responded. The vast majority of us don't give a flying pigmonkey about Trump's feelings. People and businesses are responding on their own, making decisions based on their own feelings. CNN doesn't make business decisions based on what Trump thinks.

For me personally, there are three things that are beyond disturbing about that photo:

1) It's overly realistic and revolting, for no apparent purpose.
2) It emulates heinous photos of terrorists holding up heads.
3) It's the President of the United States. (Chelsea Clinton says that's vile and wrong. I'm with her.)

It's pathetic that Griffin had a press conference declaring herself a victim, and it only serves to draw this out far longer than necessary. In light of Trump's withdrawal of the US from the Paris Climate Accord, this drama should already have been yesterday's news. (Well, he does something just about every day that should make this yesterday's news.)

She should just acknowledge her regrettable choice and move on. She'd be fine. Whatever she does, I just hope she doesn't rescind her apology a la The Dixie Chicks. Have some friggin' balls and don't apologize in the first place, if you don't want to!

smh

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27th Anniversary!

Jeff and I have been married for 27 years as of last Friday! We went on our first date 30 years ago, on January 28, 1987, to a Baylor/A&M basketball game.

The drama from some men over the gals only showing of Wonder Woman at the Alamo Drafthouse is one of the most ridiculous things I've seen in a while.  Girls night out is a sexist travesty against men? Are you INSANE? Read Mayor Adler's Response to an Email on the Matter. Yes!

Kathy Griffin. Good lord. What. Was. She. Thinking. I don't even have words for that.

Netflix rec: Watch Kathleen Madigan's "Bothering Jesus" comedy show if you haven't seen it. It's very funny!


Friday 5: MVP

1. What’s the most important single ingredient in trail mix? M&Ms
2. What’s the most important single topping in a taco? cheese
3. What’s the coolest instrument in an orchestra? timpani
4. What’s your favorite animal at the zoo? chimpanzee
5. Which are the best pieces in a sampler box of chocolates? ones with nuts

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