AUSTIN WEEKEND and WINNING RECIPES

"What you surround yourself with

 should bring you

peace of mind and peace of spirit."

 ~Stacy London

THIS....my loves.....is a gift of the day...

The Divine Miss M captured this stunning sunset out her back window

last Monday evening....it is indeed breathtaking isn't it?

It was a beautiful weekend down in our state capital ....

sunshine and perfect weather for cocktails on the patio....

We had Sunday brunch at our favorite 24 Diner

before heading home to watch the Superbowl...

I am such a creature of habit and always order the same...

one slice of sourdough toast with fresh jam and

the yummy yogurt parfait with fruit and homemade granola...

Do you notice that darling little syrup dispenser on the table
at 24 Diner.....well....I just loved it....
so.....I found one just like it on Amazon!
Luke loves my french toast, so I plan to use it for his
morning breakfast..just darling...it's a little beehive look!!!

I wanted to try someplace new to us for dinner,

and Moonshine Grill was my selection....

I will say, when in Austin, you will never run out

of fabulous restaurants...

It is always a treat to us to spend a weekend with our youngest....

we never fail to have a great time.....

Saturday night is busy everywhere these days but the wait

was only about 15 or 20 minutes....

great atmosphere....

Let's see....we dined on Ribs, Shrimp, Grits and Salmon....

We dashed into an HEB quickly so I could pick up a few jars of

this Green Chili Stew...my plan is making

Nick's Chicken Spaghetti which has become his specialty when

providing dinner for either the football team or basketball team....

yes, he feeds the entire team!!!

Now onto some fabulous recipes which I know you will love.....

we sure did!

CUBAN SANDWICHES

BANANA BREAD

PASTA JAMBALAYA

Are your thoughts jumping forward to Spring.....
I love thinking about that time of year, when all
the nasty winter weather has left us until next year...
we have a ways to go, but it's good to plan
for the gardens and for Easter Sunday!

I cannot wait to hang this on our backdoor.....
perhaps not until April......

Mae Mobley just seems to get prettier every day....
gosh I just adore her!
Hope y'all have a great week...thanks for stopping by today!

GAME DAY...NOW SERVING "THE SWAG"...AKA....HOT PIMENTO CHEESE DIP

We started the weekend with Friday Night Lights

to watch Grandson Noah play football.....

There is nothing better than high school football on Friday nights

here in the great state of Texas!

He was able to celebrate a birthday with a good friend

by attending the TEXAS A&M football game down in College Station!

Whoop!!!

Speaking of birthdays.....

our youngest celebrated with friends down in Austin!!!

Sunday morning, the darling was golfing

and I prepared a little football tailgate party

for him and our middle son.....

just da'boys and me...

cheering our Cowboys on to a win over Washington!!!

Now...for this fabulous southern hot dip
featured in one of my Atlanta cookbooks!!!
Divine......

THE SWAG...aka.....HOT PIMENTO CHEESE DIP

1 (8 ounce) cream cheese

1/4 (4 ounce jar) red pepper jelly

8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese

1 egg

1 clove garlic, minced

1 (4 ounce) jar pimentos, drained

Combine all ingredients. Pour into a greased baking dish.
Bake for 40 minutes at 350 degrees F.
Serve with crackers.

AUSTIN GOOD TIMES....GREAT MUSIC, FOOD AND MOVIES

Hello Loves!
I trust everyone had a good October weekend....I hope you all did
something fun and exciting!
We certainly did....as we had a full weekend of events
in the fabulous city of Austin!

Our youngest invited his dear ole' Daddy to experience

the music of Paul McCartney who was appearing Friday night

at the ACLmusic fest.....boy did they have a ball!!!!

I, on the other hand....spent a relaxing evening at our favorite hotel

and enjoyed a few glasses of wine and having a catch-up phone call

with dear Ms. Judy down in Pensacola.

I love watching a few favorite TV shows on Friday night

away from the thousands of music festival fans down at

the park....the darling said I never would have made it!!!

So, should I place an order for room service?

Of course I should....a huge treat for moi!

I was in heaven......pj's, wine and a fabulous dinner......

This is going to make you hungry....

the food was so DELICIOUS and BEAUTIFUL, I thought I would share

the experience...this lovely fresh side salad

with a balsamic vinaigrette....

the best Fettuccine Alfredo I have ever tasted.....

and a scrumptious Bourbon Pecan Tartlette!

Then Saturday morning we were off to experience yet another

favorite bistro.....24 DINER!

This is a hot spot for locals....

Let's start with a beautiful Bloody Mary.....

along with Mimosa's and hot coffee.....

This gorgeous and bountiful breakfast lasted me until dinner......

Rob and I went off shopping while the darling relaxed at his apartment....

we had tickets to a matinee movie that Rob was dying to see

and let me tell you.....I LOVED THIS MOVIE!

We all did....just WOW! Another five star rating!!!!

We also began the new Netflix series of

The Haunting of Hill House....

we are hooked.....all of us.....

Then it was back to the hotel to change for dinner

and enjoy the cocktail hour.....this has become our tradition

and I love every minute of it!

It was a beautiful night in downtown Austin.....

We returned to one of our favorite little Italian bistros.....

a perfect night to dine on the patio.....

As always, our hearts are full spending time

with one of our children....it was a wonderful, wonderful few days!

Someone is very happy and content

that we are back home and all is right in her world again....

Lastly, just a closing thought of our California family
and how much we miss our BoBo....he is so handsome don't you think?

A WHOLE LOTTA WEEKEND FUN!

Hello Loves!

How in the world are all of y'all doing today?

We had a busy, busy weekend....full of sports and good food!

Miss Abbie's new college Volleyball team had their first

formal game this weekend way down in Irving!

It was fantastic to see her and watch such an exciting 5-set match,

which they won 4-1

It was obvious to see that her training and skill level

have brought her to a college level!

WAY TO GO ABBS!

Luke the Duke had his first of the season football game....

this age is learning the game at a pretty in-depth understanding

and I am just thankful it's "FLAG FOOTBALL!"

I added another new beauty product from FLOWER

and this finishing powder is just lovely...

I really am loving this product line!

I am gathering ideas for my wardrobe

to take to California....going to be 

very fall like weather over there....so darn exciting!

The California kids took a little weekend trip

over to Monterey...looked beautiful and a bit on the chilly side.....

I am taking my time working on fall vignettes....

and loving every minute of it!

The BIG event was that Rob came home from Austin to celebrate a

friends birthday and they celebrated by SKYDIVING....

NO, his mama was not in favor of it...but...if you have boys....

they someimes live close to the edge.....

he landed safely......I told him....there should be no repeats...please!!!!

I picked up a bottle of 19 CRIMES....

oh baby....this is beyond neat....

download the app and the label will speak to you

as if you are watching a movie....

the convicted felon featured on the label will 

explain the crime and punishment to you....

so, so cool....and a bit startling...

what a genius marketing theme.....

this particular wine is a Chardonnay!

for Sunday morning, we enjoyed homemade popovers, applewood smoked bacon

and fresh fruit.......

just butter my popover.....a southern delight!

Miss M and her handsome hubby enjoyed a date night......

She said it was fantastic...they even took a spin around the dance floor.....

hope you enjoyed the weekend and

did something to make it special!