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Saturday, December 31, 2011

Cookin’ it up in Texas!

4am comes awful early but that is the time I needed to be up to catch this flight yesterday morning! It was still dark when we took off….this beautiful picture is taken from my plane window as we passed over Richmond, Virginia --- just awakening to a new dawn.  Isn’t it gorgeous?

I love watching the scenery from the plane window…and it was such a clear morning that I could easily see where the rivers lead –I’d never caught this perspective before. I was lucky this time!

I also got plenty of hexagon sewing in ----feels good to be back at it!  Just a few more rows and this section will be ready to add to the “Mother Ship”.  Maybe by the time I get home?  We’ll see!

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Janet picked us up at the airport, baggage and all – and drove us to Plano, straight to Fabric Fanatics!  I have HONESTLY never seen so many batiks in one place in my life!  That’s all they have!  If you are looking for batiks, you won’t need to go any further than this.

Dave’s brother Myron met us for lunch, and we all went to a Tex Mex place to get our TEXAS on!

After that, we checked into our hotel, and the guys went shopping while I took a nap.

I can hardly believe that it’s been 9 years since we moved away from Texas. And it’s been that long since we’ve seen DH’s brother and his wife --- we are in contact via phone, via facebook, via text --- but there is nothing like sitting down with family and talking and laughing and enjoying each other's company in person!

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There is this huge country western place called Southern Junction that we loved to visit for special occassions when we lived out here. It’s the most unique place I’ve ever been!

First off, it’s out in the middle of nowhere, past Rockwall ---and it looks like nothing more than a storage warehouse on the outside --- but you go INSIDE and this place is HUGE!  It’s got a stage for concerts and live music, THREE bars, places to play pool, a mechanical bull, and the best part ---you get to choose your own steak and cook it on the grill yourself.

How come it is not as much fun to cook at HOME as it is to go out and stand along side a flaming hot grill with complete strangers?

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Here’s DH --- picking his T-bone off of the tray! From here you take it to the little seasoning area ---

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There’s garlic salt, seasoned salt, all kinds of peppers – butter for basting your meat –—I have no clue who this random stranger is, but she sure seemed to know what she was doing with her seasoning routine --- ((Can we say that she was “well seasoned”?? LOL!)) So I just followed her lead and put on whatever she put on!

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Big long grill, and boy those coals are hot!  Yes --- coals!  It’s not a gas grill – there’s a real coal fire there with briquettes and everything.  The smell of the meat cooking was heavenly!  One thing about cooking your own dinner though --- if you burn it? TOUGH COOKIES!  Mine is the shish-kabob there at the far right.

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DH’s brother, Myron, and his wife Pam!  Of course along with a steak the size of Texas, you get to grill your own Texas Toast --- as much as you want--just don’t burn that EITHER! We also had salads, and there is a "Load it up yourself" Baked potato bar!  I about needed a wheelbarrow to get myself out of there!

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Dave, the steak-master, shows us how it’s done! When he turned 40, I gave him a surprise birthday party here.  Fun Memories.  Ummm..that was almost..12 years ago!

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I know it’s crazy, but it IS more fun to cook with strangers than it is to cook at home!  And I didn’t have to do the dishes after!!

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But I did have to stop and have my picture taken with Buster, the Mechanical Bull! And NO, I did NOT ride him ---I’m not THAT crazy!

It was a fun first night!  Today we rev up for our first workshop, Love Shack and Crumb Piecing!  Bring on the scraps!  What a way to start off New Years Eve celebrations!

Don’t forget that tomorrow ((Sunday, New Years Day)) is the release of Part 8, the FINALE of our Orca Bay Mystery!  You won’t want to miss it!


21 comments:

  1. Was that beautiful view from first class or coach?

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  2. Well Bonnie, that looks like a great place. I wished we had one here! Hope you and DH have a great New Year together and your classes go well! I have 3 days off, YEAH and I'm going to sew on OB and try to catch some! Can't wait to see the ending tomorrow, even if I won't be catch up!

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  3. Anonymous8:39 AM EST

    Hope the hubster enjoyed first class; by the looks from the hexies picture, your legs are extremely close to the next seat! Assume you were not sitting "up front" at the time.
    Enjoy Texas, although I am not sure I like the idea of paying a "whopping Texas price" for a meal I had to pick out, and cook myself!! haha
    Happy New Year to you Bonnie and may all your patches be square!
    Faye
    abusyquilter@yahoo.com

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  4. Anonymous9:00 AM EST

    That place looks terrific and a fun place to eat.
    Heading to the mole hole to sew the remainder of the day. Having freezing rain here. Just returned from LLBean's and slid right past my road. Happy New Year.
    Maryella

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  5. How did you enjoy your First Class seat, Bonnie? While you were sewing, did they thread your needle for you?

    Great pictures, looks like you started your Texas time off with a bang!

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  6. Looks like a fun place! Hope you have a Happy New Year!

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  7. Looks as though you're having fun! I love TX (am here now). Used to live in the area you are visiting and there are lots of fun places to visit. Have a ball!! Happy New Year!

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  8. Hi Bonnie,
    it really looks like you have had fun in this place! I keep that in mind, if I ever will come to Texas!
    Have a nice time and I wish you all the best for the New Year.
    Hugs Doris

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  9. You can take the girl out of Texas but you can't take Texas out of the girl! Hope you had your boots and hat along for the trip!

    Happy New Year!

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  10. That place looks like fun!! I have never been to a grill your own place. Enjoy the rest of the trip.

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  11. WOW! I guess it is true--everything is BIG in Texas--looks like you had lotsa fun--good deal. Thanks for sharing your fun with family....Julierose

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  12. Oh that place looks like fun!! But you didn't mention how you solved the first class ticket situation?

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  13. What a gorgeous shot of the sunrise from your plane window!
    Looks like a very unique, cool place to spend a night out. Great fun!!

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  14. HEY!!! I live just outside Rockwall ! I guess you're right, we're kinda in the boonies. I would have joined you last night but I was already in my jammies when I saw your post.
    Have fun at your workshops this weekend - wish I could be there.

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  15. Hope you have a great time in Texas! Family starts leaving tomorrow ;-( so I'll have more time!

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  16. Hey Bonnie, can you tell me where you picked up your hexie punch?? I would really appreciate it. Happy New Year!! Sandie

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  17. No where but Texas! Welcome to The Lone Star State and her "big" ways.

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  18. I am a bit jealous of your being there. I lived just north of Plano in Frisco for 10.5 years but now live closer to your neck of the woods in Huntsville, AL. We never did make it out to Southern Junction and have to say now I sort of am regretting it. It looks like you had a blast. Enjoy your visit!

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  19. Anonymous7:02 PM EST

    Bonnie will that be 12 midnight Eastern time.
    Or Just sometime on the 1st?
    Happy New Year! Your not suppose to be working is it a Holiday?

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  20. Looks like a lot of fun is being had in Texas! But did you get there by first class or not? Doesn't look like it, from your hexagon photo....

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  21. Anonymous4:29 PM EST

    Bonnie said:
    And I didn’t have to do the dishes after!!

    and THAT is why cooking with strangers is so much fun... you know there will be NO dishes....pots...or pans.

    Welcome to Texas !

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