New books to read!
Chili supper with family last night
Loving this seasonal ale!
Weekend poker game…I came in 2nd! (Yes, those are Smirnoff Ice playing cards…random!)
I recently started watching Sherlock via Netflix. I’m on season 2 and am in loooooooove with Dr. Watson.
Last night, I was reading Entertainment Weekly and there was a blurb about The Hobbit. I stared at the picture for a solid 30 seconds. Wait what?! Dr. Watson is The Hobbit!? The Hobbit is Dr. Watson?! Worlds colliding…p.s. I’m weird.
So, then I had to, of course, IMDB Martin Freeman. The porn star stand-in guy from Love Actually?!
I’m not sure if my observation skills were severely lacking or if it’s a sign that Freeman is a good actor. I’m going with the latter.
For Christmas this year, I stayed in Austin. My parents came down to spend the holiday with me and my aunts & uncles.
Haley loves visitors!
Family brunch at Kerbey Lane Cafe. Everyone loved it!
My aunt & uncle at the Armadillo Christmas Bazaar
Every arts & crafts fair should have a live band!
Shopping at the Domain
Dad & I taking a break from shopping to sit outside & enjoy a beer.
Love this new dish towel that my aunt Ann got me!
My Dad asked if we were going to have our breakfast date at Whole Foods to get coffee and a muffin like when they visited this summer. Yes yes! A new tradition! 
Brunch at Magnolia Cafe
I made Christmas Eve spaghetti & meatballs!
New owl nightlight lamp from my parents! My owl obsession is going strong!
My cousin Kristy has had a great 2012….getting fit! I’m so jealous proud of her!
My cousin-in-law makes a great turkey!
Mom & Ann
I made fudge for the first time!
Thanks again Mom & Dad for making the long drive down to spend Christmas with me. But next year…leave the flu at home.
On Saturday, I went with my Aunt Jill & Uncle Carl to Wurstfest!
Wurstfest is a 10 day festival in New Braunfels that celebrates German culture, food, drink and music. It’s held in Landa Park.
It was a great day to enjoy the weather and the Comal River.
But we were really there to eat and drink!! We did a lap around the festival grounds before deciding what to devour.
Naegelin’s Bakery is the oldest bakery in TX.
I couldn’t convince anyone to try the chocolate dipped pickles. Anyone ever had one???
Deep fried sauerkraut balls. You have to deep friend something-or-other when you’re at a festival! They were pretty good!
We each got the 5 kinds of sausage on a stick from New Braunfels Smokehouse. Oh sausage on a stick! SO GOOD!!!
So much beer, so little time
Official Wurstfest beer steins dating back to the 1960′s to current
We took a beer break to go up on the ferris wheel. I’m pretty sure I haven’t been on a ferris wheel in over 10 years!
After our carnival fun, we went under the tent to listen to music and…
..drink more beer!
We also shared some German chocolate pie. I’m not a fan of German chocolate cake, but this pie—yes!!! It’s like pecan pie filling, but no pecans, plus coconut. Yum yum yum yum!
I’m glad that I went to Wurstfest and will definitely go again!
So will my uncle.
Pumpkin Carving Party at Mary’s. I didn’t carve this pumpkin, but was so impressed by it!
This was probably after I told Jessica that Flight of the Conchords weren’t relevant anymore.
On Saturday morning, I went to a clothing swap party. There was a lot more loot to go through than just in this picture.
In addition to some clothes, I also brought Mimomas & muffins!
The best part of a party from 10 am – 2 pm is that you can start with cinnamon rolls & then advance on to cheese straws and hummus!
Someone also brought kolaches! I’ve had sweet kolaches before, but this was my 1st savory kolache with cheese, peppers, and sausage. So good!!
In addition to the clothing swap, it was also a Stella & Dot party!
I got these jade earrings pictured and 2 necklaces. But at least my clothing swap items were free!
I got 2 tank tops, 2 shirts, and a cute black Express skirt that I love.
Saturday night Halloween party at Jessica’s. I was a black cat. Meow!
Eyeball apps!! Mozzarella and olives for the eyes drowning in marinara sauce for the blood.
Blinged out trophies for the costume contest winners.
This evening, I went over to my aunt & uncle’s for dinner for my cousin-in-law’s birthday. My aunt sure knows how to pour a generous glass of wine!!
Chili & corn bread muffins…perfect Sunday night fall food!
Strawberry cake with strawberry icing & strawberry ice cream, my fave!
Happy Birthday, Cary!
My thoughts exactly!
Aren’t 3 day weekends the BEST?!
And when your birthday falls during one?? SCORE!
Mom, I hope you have the best day!! Enjoy some cake and have fun with the grandkids!!
My Mom & Dad came to visit me in Austin a few weeks ago!
Some of the highlights:
–dinner at Jack Allen’s
–lunch at Hula Hut
–boat ride on Lady Bird Lake
–shopping at the outlet mall in San Marcos
–day trip to San Antonio to the Alamo, Riverwalk, and Market Square
–lunch at the Salt Lick
Dad & I at Jack Allen’s
Mom, Dad, & I at Hula Hut
Aunt Ann & Uncle Bob
My cousin, Kristy, and I at Threadgill’s
Aunt Jill & Austin
Family boat ride on Lady Bird Lake
Pre-sunset
Post-sunset
Alamo
Beautiful grounds at the Alamo
Mi Tierra
Breakfast at Whole Foods
Brothers!
Cheers!
I do have a complaint from my 3rd month living in Austin. No, it’s not the heat. I’m a Kansas girl, so I’m used to the heat.
It’s the dang crickets!!! No one forewarned me that crickets come out in vengeance in June! It’s been ri-di-cu-lous! Crickets everywhere! Outside….INSIDE my apartment….INSIDE at work. Supposedly, Austinites are just used to such grossness. I, however, have spent the last few weeks being creeped out and peering around corners wondering if yet another cricket will be in my bathroom. Eww!
Luckily (knock on wood), I’ve only seen about 2-3 crickets a day over the past few days. So, fingers crossed that I won’t have to battle them again for another year!
What Has Julie Been Up to Her 3rd Month in Austin!
1. My parents came to visit me!! It was so great to see them and show them around my new city.
2. Restaurants/Bars I’ve Been To:
Uchiko
Cover 3
Jack Allen’s
Hoover’s
Ten Oak
Eddy V’s
Highball
Opa!
The Broken Spoke
Blind Pig Pub
Amy’s Ice Cream
Polvo’s
Evangeline Cafe
The Salt Lick
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewery
Contigo
Little Woodrow’s
Patsy’s Cowgirl Cafe
Magnolia Cafe
La Madeleine
3. New Experiences
Wonderful multi-course dinner at Uchiko called The Dessert Project…benefiting the Austin Food Bank
Google Austin Mac & Cheese Tour — loved!
Took my parents down to San Antonio. It wasn’t new to me, but new to my Dad to check out the Alamo and the Riverwalk.
If you missed Month One and Month Two of Living in Austin, check them out!
Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom!!!!
Can’t wait to see you in a few weeks.
Love,
Your Pumpkindoodle
One of my former bosses at work (hi Cherisse!) used to make tortilla pinwheels for every work food day.
And I would devour them every work food day. I’d also ask her every time…..how do you make these?
But I never followed through. Until I saw these on Julie’s blog! It was a blast from the past.
I IMMEDIATELY made them the next day for a family lunch. I brought them to my parents and put them in the refrigerator. My brother eye-spyed them and asked, “Are these okay to eat NOW or do we have to wait?”
I said, “Sure, go for it!” And brought them out for my brothers, nephews, and sister-in-law to munch on.
Cut to about 15 minutes later, I came back into the dining room and there were only THREE lonely pinwheels left.
I freaked out! ”You guys ate them all and our aunts and uncles aren’t even here yet!!! You have to eat these 3 pinwheels right now before they get here, so they don’t know about it! I can’t leave 3 pinwheels on the plate, that’s weird!”
They happily obliged and said that I should be happy that they loved them so much. And um….make a double batch next time.
Tortilla Pinwheels
Recipe adapted from Julie’s Eats and Treats
Ingredients:
8 ounces light sour cream
8 ounce package reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
4 ounces can diced green chilies, drained (I added several more ounces.)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onions
garlic powder, to taste
seasoned salt, to taste
5 10″ flour tortillas
Instructions:
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients except for the tortillas. Mix well.
Divide your mixed filling onto your tortilla. Spread evenly. Roll up tortillas.
Roll each tortilla in plastic wrap to secure the shape. Place prepared tortillas into the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning (or several hours later), remove tortillas from plastic wrap. Cut into slices and serve.
Yields about 30-50 slices depending on the thickness of the slices. Just make a double batch; you won’t regret it!
I took my nephew, Noah, to see Alvin & the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked yesterday.
That movie is too cute!!
The songs are so fun and peppy too. I seriously want to buy the soundtrack. But I won’t. I mean…can a 32 year old single lady buy an album with songs sung by the Chipmunks? The answer is NO. Believe me, I’ve tried to justify it in my head all day.
So, instead I’ve just spent the day listening to previews of each song over & over on iTunes.
It’s a fun mix to listen to while in the kitchen too.
Creamy Bacon Dip
Recipe from Daisy
Ingredients:
8 ounces softened cream cheese
2 cups sour cream
6 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup chopped green onion
Instructions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a bowl, combine all ingredients and mix well. Place prepared ingredients to a 1 quart baking dish. Spread evenly. Cover with foil and cook for 25-30 minutes.
Garnish top of dip with more green onions and crumbled bacon, if desired.
Serve with pita chips or whatever you desire!
Dip can served warm or cold. I preferred the dip cold the next day!
