Hudson's on the Bend & Cilantro

Sunday we went to a cooking class at Hudson's on the Bend. It's the fantastic little restaurant way out of the way (by lake travis) but it continually gets voted the #1 Austin restuarant year after year. Impressive feat for a city that takes eating out so seriously. We've had reservations there a couple times, but have always opted for something a bit closer in. BOY were we missing out.

The class is at the owners' house which overlooks lake travis-- really cool house. You sip wine under a canopy and they go over techniques and tools while teaching you several great recipes (which they give you a printed copy of to take along your merry way). Most noteably was the most incredible lobster ever: they steam it briefly then "cook" it in 3-5 pounds of melted butter in a sauce pan over the stove. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. They they showed us their hot & crunch way of battering -anything- and smoked quail, various sauces, berries flambee, to name a few. Incredible. Smelled divine. And the owner and head chef were awesome- very knowledgeable, down-to-earth and entertaining, too.

Then we all went to the restuarant and enjoyed a full 4 course meal of everything we had just learned to cook. Amazing. FANTASTIC afternoon- I highly recommend it to anyone cooking enthusiast, foodie or restauant junkie for a special occasion, a random weekend or learning. Can't wait to go back. Okay... done gushing~

Here's the kicker: SO.... we learned during the class -among many other handy tidbits- that cilantro is the only natural substance known to actually REMOVE metals from our bodies. Sure enough! Who knew? This little bit of trivia keeps popping up in my head. Can't get it to stop. So I FINALLY have a way to remove all that mercury I've been harboring from eating so much sushi through the years. WHEW~ Don't know about you, but I'll sleep better knowing this!

And it removes aluminum and lead, too. Didn't even realize I could have that in here, too. But now I can happily get rid of it all while consuming a lovely little herb.

I kept thinking about this magical little fact until I decided to Google it to learn more about it... so I found article (among others) to learn more about this history of this brilliant finding. Which lead (no pun intended) me to learn about Chelation which is a fancy word for removing heavy metals from the bloodstream. Anyway, I sure Annie is proud of my research.

I don't know that i'll be making that incredible butter-cooked lobster in the price household anytime soon... but you can guaran-damn-tee that I'll be cookin' up a boat load of cilantro pesto and pico. Let me know if you're interested and I'll share the new cilantro recipes I discover =)

Tell me somethin' good...

Good news #1: Georgia's test have come back clear - the tumor did not spread! And that sweet little baby turned one on the 19th without that nasty tumor and wearing a precious little pink tutu.

Really, I think I could stop here, because hearing this news made my WEEK last week. Just forgot to post about it.

Good news #2: In spite of being diagnosed with breast cancer at age 29, my college roomie is as brave and determined as anyone could possibly hope to be given her situation. Her double masectomy is scheduled for Friday and all she can say is how confident she is in her treatment, looking forward to her new tatas and how even if she ends up with chemo- she'll have a bald head just in time for the summer heat. Now, seriously... how's that for silver lining. Such a tough cookie.

Good news #3: Our air conditioner is fixed AND I don't have to sleep in the cabana tonight. =) Still don't have the bill - but whatever, I'm not melting.

Life is good.

Hot and Hotter

All-in, we had a magnificent Memorial Day weekend. Joe didn’t work the whole time (in spite of the trial starting on Tuesday) and we had a sun-filled, action packed weekend. Hot days in the sun and at the lake… and for some reason, the heat wasn’t that bad. I didn’t even mind the 100+ heat index outside.

But for some reason, I find the 85 degree temperature in my house at 11:30 at night completely unbearable. The bloody A/C quit working and no one could come work on it until tomorrow even though we called on Sunday) and now I am cooking in here and for some reason feel about 40 degrees hotter than when it really was 20 degrees hotter. So for the first time in a year and a half, we will be spending the night in the cabana. Yes, for all my b!tchin’ about the cabana and how much I hated living in it during the renovation… I simply could not be happier for it tonight because that cute little a/c is kickin’ out there and it is already MUCH cooler than it is in the house (and as it happens- it is actually hotter inside the house than it is outside right now).

Now I just have to face my fears of that little bathroom again. But I’ll choose my battles... And tonight I choose air conditioning.

3rd anniversary: Yearbook style.

In honor of those senior pages where you pool your money with your BFFs, buy some space at the back of the book and cram in as many event references, inside jokes or borderline inappropriate content as possible…. I present our 3rd year recap:

A return to Judge's Hill. Cattle herding debacle-glad that one’s over! Road trip to Houston & back – all in under 12 hours-Congrats to Landon & Alex. Keep drivin’ ‘cause we’re not there yet: Law School Cha-Cha in East Texas. Fanks! Supper club in full effect: too much drinky = time warp. Welcome Sebastian! Em’s quick trip to NYC. Delta reunion, GHS reunion. Bonjour Montreal! Diable- cette montagne est un cauchemar! The stadium renovation done in time: Texas, Texas, yeehaw. Welcome Madeleine! If your tired you take a Napa, you don’t GO to Napa. The infamous 2nd rock comes out of hiding. Is that a potato tree? ACA. Feth & Shrum beat Joe & Jerry…again. And again. The weekend of 30th bdays. Congrats MK & Skylar! JJW in Gruene: 11 years and counting. Xmas lights, supper club, carriage rides & hot cocoa. 1st Annual Cookie-thon. Family Xmas Debauchery. Best UT Basketball game ever. Congrats Sara T & Boyd! Abbott. COACH to INDIA. Seriously. Welcome Jane Ann! Congrats to Shelby & Vern! The triplets turn three. Viva SanAntonio. Feliz Boda, Trey & EB! Fun times at PT. Pray for Georgia. Dinner at Wink. I -heart-U JAP!

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Not nearly as wild as it might have been, say 12 years ago. And I suppose as our 3rd anniversary, this would really only pass as our Junior year. But technically we’ve been together for 8 years, so I figure it’s time. What can I say... school's out for summer.

And I can’t miss the shout out to Court, Shelby, MK, Gilbert and the other Senior Divas. Holla! (or whatever it was we would say back in ’97) Thanks for the inspiration.

Babies, Babies, everywhere

So, yesterday two- count ‘em, TWO friends informed me they were preggers and Due Nov 2. Very excited for them =)

And speaking of bebes.. how stinkin’ precious is my niece?? Took these pictures while working from home—my mom would come check on me and bring Maddie over for entertainment.














And more Maddie pictures if you just can't get enough...
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Now -- on a more serious note -- during my ode to bebes: sending out heartfelt wishes and prayers that little Georgia's tests come back clear. I cannot even imagine what Em & Kipper must be going through right now-- absolutely heart wrenching. Everyone I can think of is saying prayers for the best news possible and for peace of mind during her recovery. I can't stop thinking about you guys. The worst has got to be behind us now.

'Roids

I cannot for the life of me understand why people would take these things intentionally…

Remember those merry-go-rounds on play grounds when you were a kid? I don’t know if they are still around anymore—prolly to dangerous or something. Anyway- I feel like I’m on one of those, going REALLY fast, hanging out from the edge, with my head upside down. I think that’s the best way I can describe the dizziness. Don’t get me wrong- I’m grateful for those wretched little pills… without them I might not be walking yet… But I could really do without the caffeinated feeling too. Seriously- I don’t even care for espresso all that much, but I feel like I’ve had about 3-4 pitchers of it. Uggh. I want off!

Out and about... well, kind of.

Friday night was supper club. God bless supper club. The Griers made a place for me to "sit" and a good time was had by all. I told Joe I NEEDED to get out-- he didn't argue.

Shea & Dre in town so we meet for happy hour at the Four Seasons last night! Unfortunately, the picture is kind of out of focus – but actually, that’s quite perfect, because that’s fairly reflective of how I 'm feelin'. Good times, good times.

We went to dinner at an Italian place (if I could remember the name, I would of course include it...) on the east side, but that was about all I could handle and hobbled back home. But the wine was delicious. Who says you shouldn’t drink with these things?

Trey and EB & The Ceiling

We had a rip, roarin' good time in SA, ese... got the whole crew to the river walk to celebrate Trey & EB finally getting married. The wedding was magnificent, everything was beautiful, the drinks didn’t seem to end and a good time was had by all.

Good thing we had such a great time… Sunday morning we were on our way down to the brunch at Pat O’s and I coughed (as I have been doing since returning from India) and managed –for the first time in 4 years- to completely throw my back out. Why do they call it that anyway? So, I’m feeling very old and pathetic right about now… a trip to the doctor, massive amounts of meds, and a few days later -- I am still spending 99% of my time laying on my back, staring at the ceiling. Sitting is still not a possibility… but at least I can shuffle to the kitchen every once in awhile. Thank God for the steroids.

Some pics from the soiree… also known as the last time I was able to move.

(L -> R) Trey and his cake -- Em & Lee -- Walker getting ready for his big walk down the aisle

(L -> R) Trey & EB at the altar -- Mission San Jose -- Joe and Kim *trying* to behave at the reception

Meeting Jane Skaggs

Sweet baby Jane came into this world EARLY last Saturday morning. We got the good news as we boarded our plane bound for Shelby's wedding. Our first meeting with this sweet baby was fantastic- she's beautiful & perfect. Little think slept the whole time we were there. Truly an outstanding accomplishment considering the shenanigans the rest of us were up to.























Now that he's a big brother, Sam is all grown up and extroverted. I think he's been taking lessons from Reagan. We had a fantastic time chasing down the lizard he found-- much to his delight -- and on the way out he gave me a giant surprise hug and kiss as if to say "I may have a baby sister now, but let's just remember how stinkin' cute I am and how long I've known you now..." (or something to that effect). Anyway, it worked. I -heart- Sam.

Laughing till it hurts...

Funniest. Day. Ever.


Who would have guessed that a trip to –Oklahoma-- of all places… would have ended up being easily one of the funniest days of my life. Here I am, a couple days later, still smiling and still with a sore stomach and jaw from laughing all day. I think my neck even popped.



I have these fine ladies to thank for the raucous good time.















What a lead-up to Shelby’s Wedding day. I’ll post some goodies from Shelb’s weddin, but need to finish uploading first…