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Master BathAllergies
Austin has helped me to develop an awareness of my allergies. I’ve always had mild allergies (to something that’s in the air), but since I’ve been in Austin, they have become more pronounced! Everyone tells me it’s cedar. Maybe they’re right. I just want them to go away!
Juan in a Million
Since I moved to Austin, people have been telling me to try Juan in a Million on Cesar Chavez St. I finally made it there for breakfast over the weekend. It is very modest, no-nonsense looking place. In fact, if you didn’t know better, you would probably keep driving by.
We found out as we went inside that there are actually two buildings and patio seating areas. Since the weather is so nice, we chose to eat on the patio. I ordered something a bit different, since they didn’t have sausage, egg and cheese tacos. Instead I went all out and had bacon, egg and cheese tacos. I was expecting regular bacon, but instead it was a thicker bacon, almost ham-like. Mike ordered the special tacos. They asked if he wanted additional tortillas. He thought that was strange until they brought out his plate. There was SO much food that he didn’t even finish. My friend had the migas. They looked good too.
The place was crowded and I would venture to guess that is the norm for this restaurant. The wait was really short and worth the time!
Jane’s White Elephant Gift Exchange
Saturday night I was invited to a friend’s mom’s White Elephant Gift Exchange Party. I wasn’t too sure what kind of deal this was going to be since I had only met her mom once several years ago. Additionally, the party was out in San Antonio, which is a really long drive. My husband and I were already off to a bad start since we were running late. I was really worried since I would know noone there and I’m suprisingly a little shy when it comes to meeting new people, especially if I’m late.
Right when I walked in, two ladies were at the front of the house and they welcomed me in with open arms. Neither of them were my friend’s mom. They asked if this was the first one of Jane’s parties I’d been too. They told me all about how much fun they were. We went a little further in to the party and I found that there were lots of people enjoying themselves throughout the house.
We sat down to eat dinner and we began talking to an interesting man I’ll call Dean. He was very right-winged in his ideals. I found him to be very strange, but we continued talking to him. He became instant friends with my husband, who entertained his ideas and came up with a few of his own.
Then the white elephant gift exchange began. We were given the rules by a guy that you could tell has never broken a rule to a game in his life. I chose my number and waited for my turn. I was number 8, a terrible number in the WEGE. I decided that I would be the first to steal. I stole some golf balls for my husband. The game progressed and someone stole from me. So I went and got the gift that I had brought, a blanket with snowflakes on it. I made mention that I had brought the gift and the rules guy was visibly upset. When it came time for him to go, he came and stole my blanket. THEN, Mike trying to help me, stole the blanket back for me. At this point, somehow I had the golf balls and Mike had the blanket. The end of the game was near. The number one person got to choose another gift. Number One was the rules guy’s wife. She went and stole the blanket and gave Mike a headband with lights. I didn’t get my blanket. The game was over. HAHA! It was really a lot of fun!
I really had a great time at the party. I love doing the gift exchanges. We’re going to do another one at my work party. I hope I end up with something good this time! 🙂
Fiesta in the making
It’s easy to see why this burger joint was chosen to be a backdrop for the 70’s inspired movie. It doesn’t look like much has changed since that time. You can choose to eat inside the restaurant or get your food delivered to your car by a carhop. We made the choice to eat inside since my husband doesn’t really like to eat in the car!
We got to Top Notch Burgers at 1:30 on a Saturday afternoon and the place was PACKED! I got a burger and fries on this time around. Unlike in the movie, the fries were not soggy. They were actually quite crispy, just the way I like them! My husband couldn’t resist the fried chicken plate. He said that it was the best fried chicken he’s had in a long time! (They even have a veggie burger for those of you that are vegeterians).
Overall, we had a great experience there and if we ever are on Burnet in North Austin again, we will probably return! If you go, make sure to bring cash. They don’t take credit cards, but they do have an ATM on site if you’re short on funds!
Garfield
We went to Garfield, Texas for a party last night. Where is Garfield, Tx you ask? Good question that I would probably not be able to answer. It was somewhere past the airport. We went to a friend’s house for a Christmas party. They have a big house out in the middle of nowhere. It is decorated really cute if you like a country style home. Whoever cleans it does a really great job! 🙂
Suggestions
Please feel free at any time to give me suggestions or feedback of what you would like to see in my blog. I’ve been racking my brains of ideas of what to write about and I decided that I’d like to write about what you would like to read about!
I also LOVE to get comments. It totally makes my day when I log in and find comments on my blog. So please comment often! Also, this should be a part of your favorites so you will remember to return at least daily.
Those of you that know me really well, know that my favorite movie was filmed here in Austin. I plan to go to the Top Notch Burger place and eat this weekend. Does everyone know what movie I’m talking about???
Music
You would think that Austin, being the music capital of the world, would have some good radio stations. That is just not the case. I don’t really like hip-hop or top 40, so what’s left? I spent a long time listening to classic rock, but that got old fast. I really prefer to listen to alternative rock. Thank goodness I found Bob! At least there is good music about every 5th song. I miss the Edge in Dallas! I’m going to have to get my satellite radio installed soon!
Baby A’s
I have now been to Baby A’s on Parmer Lane three and a half times. The first time I went I had a great time. The food was good, the Mexican Martinis were great and we had a wonderful server. Since it was so fun the first time, I went back for my birthday. We sat out on the patio and watched a band. We had a grand old time. No food, but the drinks were good.
Then we decided to go back for another friend’s birthday. We went during happy hour and there was a big group of us. This time we sat for at least 20 minutes and noone ever even brought us chips. One of the girls went to actually get the chips for us herself, but they wouldn’t let her and said they’d bring it right over. They finally brought us chips but only brought hot sauce for one of the buckets. Then they didn’t come back for at least another 20 minutes to get food orders and drink orders. Then we got a huge bill! Way overpriced for what we got. Plus since it was a big group, they added in the gratuity. It was very annoying.
We went back for another girl’s birthday a couple of weeks ago and we sat in the lobby for 1 1/2 hours waiting for a table. Finally, I decided to go home. I haven’t had that great of an experience here to wait that long for bad service! The food is good though if you ever get any!
Marshalls
Those of you that know me know that I am addicted to Marshalls. It’s very rare that I buy something from another store. They have name brands at a lower price. The clothes are very stylish and they have additional things like housewares, shoes, furniture and much much more. It’s a place where you can shop for the whole family.
Knowing this, imagine my disappointment when I got to Austin and found that there was only one Marshalls in the whole area. Let me tell you, the amount of money that I spent on shopping went way down! I basically quit shopping for a couple of months! (In Dallas I hit the Marshalls at LEAST once a week, sometimes more!)
Well, now in addition to the Marshalls in Round Rock, 2701 Parker Road, Bldg A, Suite 300, there is one on Mopac, 10515 N Mopac Expwy Bldg F and in Bee Caves, 12909 Shops Pkwy Suite 300 . I’ve been to both of them, but I doubt I’ll be back to the Bee Caves one often because it is GU, (geographically undesireable). I also noticed that they are building one on the east side of 35. It’s still a shell, but I spotted their sign a mile away!
The great thing about the one on Mopac is that right next door is a DSW!! SHOES!! Happy shopping!
Fabulous after FIFTY 