Food Stuffs
Spicewalla – (Thank you Mick and Leslie!). Out of Asheville NC, this is a boutique spice company run by 5-times James Beard Award nominee MEHERWAN IRANI. Boy are they fantastic spices! https://www.spicewallabrand.com
Burlap and Barrel – I just ordered a few spices from this company, as I am continually on the hunt for great products that don’t break the bank. I have high hopes and will keep you posted. https://www.burlapandbarrel.com
Bolner’s Fiesta Brand – Ok. I admit it. I have a soft spot for this company. Part of their family lived just two doors down from me in New Braunfels, and these spices are a go to brand for my TexMex tastes. Love you guys! https://www.fiestaspices.com
King Arthur Flour and Baking – https://www.kingarthurbaking.com. My preferred flour, complete with an online storefront. I am drooling over their cooking class offerings … Vermont, London, Paris, Italy.
Colman’s Mustard – This is my favorite dry mustard to use. When I can find it, the prepared mustard is wonderful. https://colmansusa.com. Spicy, unique, and better than all the others.
Recipe and Food Blogs
Divas Can Cook – Can they ever! This site houses a several of my favorite from scratch recipes. https://divascancook.com
Eat your Books – Another project and resources. If you have been to my home lately, you know all about the bookcases (IKEA post later) full of cookbooks. This site helps bring these gems to your fingertips! https://www.eatyourbooks.com
Epicurious – I have been using this website f-o-r-e-v-e-r! https://www.epicurious.com
The Gumbo Pages – Chuck Taggart, originally from New Orleans, has a mighty fine collection of traditional Creole / Cajun recipes. I just love this site, and I use many of his recipes as jumping-off points and research for authentic combinations of flavors. https://www.gumbopages.com
King Arthur Flour and Baking (yes listed again) – https://www.kingarthurbaking.com. My preferred flour, complete with an online storefront. I am drooling over their cooking class offerings … Vermont, London, Paris, Italy.
Love Swah – Not only does she make me want to go to Australia, she has some delish recipes. Try the Guinness Layer Cake. Yum! https://loveswah.com
The Mediterranean Dish -From Suzy Karadsheh, her cookbook and blog are full of recipes I cannot wait to try. (Thanks again, Mick and Leslie). She has a free cookbook and a newsletter for subscribing. https://www.themediterraneandish.com
Muy Delish – This is a new one from the folks at work. Can’t wait to try it out! https://www.muydelish.com
The New York Times – Always a great resource! https://cooking.nytimes.com/search
The Piped Peony – I just signed up for these classes, and I have already learned so much! https://www.thepipedpeony.com
A Pretty Life in the Suburbs – https://aprettylifeinthesuburbs.com. I found JoAnna when researching frostings and cake recipes. Beautiful site.
The Homesick Texan – https://www.homesicktexan.com Strawberry Rice Krispie Treats and Banana Pudding Ice Cream… need I say more?
Inspiration
Buttercream Bake Shop – https://buttercreamdc.com. #1 for delicious confectionary treats
Chocolat by Adam Turoni – http://www.chocolatat.com
MilkBar Store – https://milkbarstore.com – #1 for originality
Restaurants and Food Memories. We all have them. Memories enhanced by our five senses. The best meals cover them all.
Acme Oyster House – New Orleans LA – https://acmeoyster.com
Bohanan’s Prime Steak and Seafood – San Antonio TX – https://bohanans.com – downstairs for small plates!
Café Degas – New Orlean LA – https://cafedegas.com
Aldaco’s – Stone Oak TX – https://www.aldacosrestaurants.com
Chicago Pizza and Over Grinder Company – Chicgao IL – https://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/menu/
City Tavern – Philadelphia PA – https://www.citytavern.com/our-story/
D-Bar – Denver CO – https://www.dbardenver.com
Dahlia Bakery – Seattle WA – https://www.dahliabakery.com
Doe’s Eat Place – Greenville MS – https://www.doeseatplace.com
Dreamland BBQ – Tuscaloosa AL – https://dreamlandbbq.com
F. Scott’s Restaurant and Jazz Bar – Nashville TN – unfortunately now closed
Fat Mama’s Tamales – Natchez MS- Go for the Knock-You-Naked Margaritas – https://fatmamastamales.com/fat-mamas-tamales-restaurant-menu/
George’s Tavern – Baton Rouge LA – http://www.georgesbr.com
Green Door Tavern – Chicago IL – https://www.greendoorchicago.com
Hye Market – Hye TX
Joe’s Dreyfus Store Restaurant – Livonia LA – unfortunately now closed
Juban’s – Baton Rouge LA – https://www.jubans.com
La Gloria – At the Pearl in San Antonio TX – https://chefjohnnyhernandez.com/restaurants/la-gloria/la-gloria-pearl/
La Hacienda de Los Barrios – San Antonio TX – http://lahaciendabarrios.com
Lea’s Lunchroom – Le Compte LA – https://www.leaslunchroom.com
Lee’s El Taco Garage – San Antonio TX – https://www.mysanantonio.com/food/restaurants/article/Lee-s-El-Taco-Garage-a-critically-lauded-15918675.php
The Lobster – Santa Monica CA – https://www.thelobster.com
Mansur’s on the Boulevard – Baton Rouge LA – https://www.mansursontheboulevard.com
Morton’s – San Diego CA – https://www.mortons.com/location/mortons-the-steakhouse-san-diego-ca/
Papa Dante’s – Converse TX – https://papadantes.com
Portillo’s – Chicago IL – https://www.portillos.com/index.html
The Purple Pig – Chicago IL – https://thepurplepigchicago.com
Redbud Cafe – Blanco TX – http://redbudcafetx.com
Rotier’s Cafe – Nashville TN – unfortunately now closed
Serious Pie – Seattle WA – https://www.seriouspieseattle.com/
Tamale Boy – San Antonio TX – https://satamaleboy.com
Texas Pride BBQ – Adkins TX – https://www.texaspridebbq.net
The Travelin’ Lobster – Bar Harbor ME – https://thetravelinlobster.com
Warehouse No 1 – Monroe LA – https://www.warehouseno1.com
Wines and Wineries
Coming Soon!
Things to do and Places to see. I have been very lucky to travel and to experience places and people outside of my town. Many wonderful memories. These are the ones that left lasting impressions.
Alabama
–Lake Gunther
Alaska
Arizona
–Phoenix AZ
Arkansas
–Arkansas State Capitol – Little Rock AR
–Crater of Diamonds State Park https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/parks/crater-diamonds-state-park
–Hot Springs National Park – https://www.nps.gov/hosp/index.htm
California
—Fisherman’s Wharf – San Francisco CA – https://www.fishermanswharf.org
–The Golden Gate Bridge – San Francisco CA
–Grauman’s Chinese Theatre – Los Angeles CA
–Santa Monica Pier – Santa Monica CA
–Rodeo Drive – Beverly Hills VA
–The Presidio – San Francisco CA
–San Diego CA
–Coronado CA
Colorado
–Breckenridge CO
–Denver CO
–Durango CO
—Mesa Verde – https://www.nps.gov/meve/
–Pagosa Springs CO
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
–Panama City Beach FL
–Walt Disney World, Orlando FL
Georgia
–Plains GA
–Atlanta
–Stone Mountain
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
—The Chicago Institute of Art – Chicago IL – https://www.artic.edu
–The Bean
–Chicago Skyline Cruise
Indiana
–Indianapolis 500
Iowa
Kansas
–Kansas City
Kentucky
–Blue Ridge Parkway
—Mammoth Cave – https://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm
Louisiana
–Baton Rouge
–Lafayette
—Louisiana Old State Capitol – Baton Rouge LA – https://louisianaoldstatecapitol.org
—The Myrtles Plantation – St. Francisville LA – https://myrtlesplantation.com
–New Orleans
–Nottoway Plantation
—Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie LA – https://www.oakalleyplantation.com
Maine
–Bass Harbor Light Head on Mount Desert Island
–Acadia National Park
–Bar Harbor
Maryland
Massachusetts
—Boston Public Library – Boston MA – https://www.bpl.org/art-architecture/
—The Freedom Trail – Boston MA – https://www.thefreedomtrail.org
–The Old North Church
—The Museum of Fine Art Boston – Boston MA – https://www.mfa.org
–Orchard House – Concord MA
–Boston
–Concord
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
–Biloxi MS
–Natchez MS
–The Natchez Trace
–Rowan Oak Plantation – Oxford MS
–Tupelo MS
–Vicksburg National Military Park
Missouri
–Gateway Arch – St Louis MO
–Hannibal MO
–Kansas City
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
–Las Vegas Strip
–Hoover Dam
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
–The Statue of Liberty – New York City NY
North Carolina
—The Biltmore – Asheville NC – https://www.biltmore.com
–Brevard NC
–Sliding Rock
–Bridal Veil Falls
–Highlands NC
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
—Independence Hall – Philadelphia PA – https://www.phlvisitorcenter.com/IndependenceHall
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
—The Ryman – Nashville TN – https://ryman.com
–The Elephant Sanctuary
–Cheekwood
–The Grand Ole Opry
–Franklin
–The Hermitage
–Memphis
–Graceland
–The Memphis Belle
–Fall Creek Falls
–Tennessee Walking Horse Celebration, Shelbyville TN
–Murfreesboro
–Stones River
–Chattanooga
–Sewanee
–Cades Cove
–Gatlinburg
Texas
–The Alamo – San Antonio TX
–Antique Rose Emporium, Brenham TX
–Bluebell Creamery, Brenham TX
—Gruene Hall, Gruene TX – https://gruenehall.com
–LBJ Ranch – Perdenales TX
—The Majestic – San Antonio TX – https://www.majesticempire.com
–The Texas State Capitol – Austin TX
–The McNay Art Museum – San Antonio TX
–Threadgill’s – Austin TX
–Fredericksburg
–Wimberly
–Boerne
–New Braunfels
–Luckenbach
–The Pearl District – San Antonio
–Garrison Brothers Distillery
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
–Colonial Williamsburg VA
–George Washington’s Home – Mount Vernon VA
–Thomas Jefferson’s Home – Monticello VA
Washington
–Bainbridge Island WA
–Carbonado at the Base of Mt. Rainier
—Pike Place Market – Seattle WA – https://www.pikeplacemarket.org
–Space Needle, Seattle WA
Washington D.C.
—National Gallery of Art – Washington DC – https://www.nga.gov
—National Monuments, by night – Washington DC – https://www.bigbustours.com/en/washington-dc/washington-dc-night-tour-ticket
—The Smithsonian – Washington DC – https://www.si.edu
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Bucket List Items
Braun Brothers Reunion, Challis ID – https://braunbrothersreunion.com
See the Milky Way – https://capturetheatlas.com/where-can-you-see-the-milky-way/
Meet Phil at Gobbler’s Knob – https://www.groundhog.org
See the Northern Lights – DONE! Outside of Reykjavik Iceland October 2021
Cooking Class somewhere fun and delicious.
This one! La Peetch – https://www.lapeetch.com/
The Southern Hemisphere / the Southern Sky –