Pumpkin Soda

I'm not sure whether it is the enticing labels or the flavors that float my boat (it's both!), but Maine Root sodas get me every time. And with it being October, the first full month of Fall with Halloween just around the corner, I'm a sucker for their Pumpkin Pie.

The soda has a warming sensation with a finishing zing to its flavor. Definitely gets you in the mood...

But better yet, you can try making your own Pumpkin Soda! If you're into that kind of thing, which I am... The easy way? Buy some pumpkin syrup and club soda. Add 3-5 pumps of syrup to the soda, and taste to your liking. Voila!

Alternatively, you can go really homemade with it. If you take a little extra time and put in a little extra effort, you'll have more control over the flavor and contents. Remember, as warm and inviting as pumpkin sounds, the squash itself is actually quite bland, so you'll need a spice or two, but then it's just three simple steps.

Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon all-spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Pumpkin Puree (homemade or canned)

Directions:
1) In a small pot, combine the water, spice, and sugar.
2) Bring it to a simmer on top of the stove until the sugar is dissolved into a simple syrup consistency.
3) Remove the pot from the heat and add the pumpkin puree.

After the mixture cools, add as much, or as little as you'd like to a cup of club soda for a homemade Halloween treat! The mixture will hold best when refrigerated. Or better yet, freeze some cubes of the mixture and add to soda for that extra flare.

Cheers!

Shaker Boxes

Handsome and helpful - all in one.

Lockhart, TX

All you need to do is look around to see that Lockhart is your quintessential Texas town.

The city is old, but many of the original buildings still remain, like the Courthouse in the middle of town square. Some of the shops have transitioned into different stores, but that classic western style, and even some of the old signage, still remains the same.

Lockhart, Texas Courthouse

When it comes to eatin' in Lockhart, you best be bringin' your appetite.

Known by some as the best BBQ in Texas, and actually entitled such by the Texas legislature, there are three main stomping grounds: Black's, Smitty's, and Kreuz's.

Black's is a classic BBQ joint with a line out the door and a sign that says they are open 8 days a week. Again, Texans take their BBQ very seriously.

Smitty's is housed in the spot previously occupied by Kreuz's. They have kept the original set-up for display, and have plenty of mesquite lined up to fill their wood-burning BBQ pits.

In Lockhart if you go by the Texas theme that bigger is better, then Kreuz is King of BBQ. It's new location may be outside of the town square, but the building itself is hard to miss.

In Lockhart it's a no frills mentality. This kind of BBQ is No Sauce, so don't even ask. But don't worry, the meat itself shines on its own, and before you know it you will be asking for more. They always do...

Y'all come back now, ya hear.

A Gulf Coaster

How great are these?!

#gulfcoaster

It's Fall, again

We have come up once again upon my favorite time of year... the Fall!

It's so heartwarming when the leaves start to change to different colors of red, yellow, orange, and green.

The Roosevelts: An Intimate History

Following the intertwined lives of Teddy, Eleanor, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, Ken Burns has done it once again. 

Pictured above: Theodore Roosevelt, his direct niece (Anna) Eleanor Roosevelt, and her fifth cousin turned husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Teddy Roosevelt, an East coaster turned Westerner.

Teddy and Edith Roosevelt with their children, including the oldest daughter Alice from Teddy's first marriage.

Karma Chameleon

A song to get stuck in your head... TGI Friday!

Drinks at Searsucker

Austin is HOT in more ways than one... Sure, the summer sees temperatures of triple digits, but it's the city's scene that's driving the force of attention these days.

And adding to the Austin heat - both figuratively and literally when the kitchen caught fire during it's first days of opening - is Searsucker.

So killing two birds with one stone, beat the summer heat at this new hot spot with one of many tasty sips to choose from:

Peter Rabbit (pictured left) - Pimm's #1, basil lemonade
Snake in the Grass - cucumber gin, bruised mint, lime, soda
Pear 75 - Grey Goose le poire, lemon, prosecco
Leopard's Tail - apricot whiskey, all spice, lime, orgeat, pineapple, bitters
Skinny Jenny - citrus vodka, lime, lavender syrup, ginger beer
New Fashioned - Searsucker Angel's Envy, orange, bitters

Searsucker Austin

415 Colorado Street

Austin, TX 78701

(512) 394 - 8000

True Prep (The Official Preppy Handbook v2)

'Nuf said... Highly Recommended.

The Brekky Special at Jo's

It's a "special" so it isn't always available, but man is it good!

Potted Beef Hash with Fried Green Tomatoes, roasted peppers, a fried egg, and Goat Cheese

Jo's
242 West 2nd Street
Austin, Texas

The Houses of Seaside

If you've ever been to Seaside in Florida, you know it is a magical place. 

And much of that starts with the houses, each unique in its own way. Seaside is a beach town, so the houses portray their environment with sturdy shutters and porches galore.

Each house is kept in such pristine condition, with colors so bright and beautiful.

 

 The houses are just one of the many reasons that it makes perfect sense to film a movie like The Truman Show in Seaside. Recognize the Truman house?

Dockyard, BDA

A visit to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda is a step back into history with all the splendors of the present. 

Whether it be the shops, the food, or the ferry, whatever brings you to dockyard, the views will not disappoint. 

Dockyard is filled with beautiful boats:

And a fine looking boat ramp: