Washington, TX: Down on the farm

One day during our visit to Austin, we decide to venture out. You already heard about our trip to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Factory. After the tour, we drove a few miles down the road to Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park, which houses the Barrington Living History Farm.The former home of Anson Jones (the last President of the Republic of Texas) was built in the 1850s and in the 1930s it was moved to this site from it’s orginal location nearby. Park volunteers keep the farm going as it did back then, based on the entries from Jones’ daybook. We learned what it was like to live in Central Texas during this time period, and even participated in some of the chores. The highlight of the day was probably driving the oxen, but if I had to do it all the time as they did back then, I am certain the novelty would wear off pretty quickly.

We learned how to carve wooden tools, feed chickens, steer oxen, “do” the corn and all sorts of other useful tasks. Because there was only one other small family there at the time, we were able to get a lot of attention and ask many questions, getting many interesting answers. If we ever return some day (which I would love to do) at another time of the year, we may have the opportunity to harvest the fruits of our labor.

Feeding the chickens

Even the little ones plowed the field

Ethan helped me plow too.

“Shorty” poses for a photo with Caleb. “Slim” can be seen in the background.

Little hands working on the corn

The main house, with the detached kitchen closest, and the smokehouse/slaughterhouse further back.

One of the two slave quarters on the farm.

Austin: What we do part II

Our visit with Danielle and Allison continued with more fun, as promised. I was determined not to make this blog so much about eating and food, but it just turned out to be that kind of a visit. On top of our visit to Whole Foods, we went to Culver’s a second time, mostly because I just can’t get enough of the stuff. The second time it was “only” for ice cream and not so much lunch.

This is my adorable niece Avery and energetic nephew Caleb enjoying their favorite concoctions.

To help make up for our ice cream consumption, we went to the gym where Allison is a member. After a rigorous workout (I did the stationery bike for 20 minutes before climbing 30 flights of stairs on the Stairmaster!), Justin and Caleb took on the rock wall. Then we all went to the pool, which was a fabulous reward. Justin went on the water slide and I got to sit in the hot tub for a while. We got back late, but thankfully Danielle and Chris (Allison’s hubby) had already started dinner for us.

Despite all attempts, we weren’t able to eat ice cream every day, but we did manage to do it most days. On Friday we went to Benham, Texas where we took a fascinating plant tour of the world-famous Blue Bell Ice Cream factory after enjoying lunch at a local diner (I had fried pickles!). We learned how the 800+ employees at this headquarters location create our favorite frozen delicacies, watched many of them at work, and then afterwards enjoyed a larger than expected helping of our favorite flavors. Justin chose Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and I decided to have the Brownie Explosion. Let me tell you, I have never had such fresh, delicious ice cream, and probably won’t ever again.

Justin and Caleb in front of the plant; big silos filled with granulated sugar, cream and all sorts of scrumptious ice cream ingredients.

Before heading home, we went a little further up the road to Washington, Texas where we visited a working farm. I’ll write more about that later, but here’s a tease.

After a long and loud drive home (hey, it’s a lot to ask the little ones to sit in the car for such a long ride), Danielle, Allison and I went out to dinner at Taverna downtown. It wasn’t as good as we remembered it, and our service was not so hot, but the company more than made up for it.

Saturday, our final day, came too soon. With an 8pm flight, we were able to make the most of it, and went downtown to Congress Street to visit an old fashioned candy store called Big Top. They had modern-day candy mixed in with old-time confections, so Justin & I stocked up on a few of our favorites.

Justin in front of his namesake boot shop on Congress.

After that, we browsed a couple of the other area shops and finished off the trip with a stop at “Hey, Cupcake!” an Airstream converted into a roadside cupcake stand. After all this food, it’s time to get my “run” on!

Surprisingly, we did not get barbecue – probably the first time I’ve visited Texas without doing so. I didn’t really miss it, but when Justin and I had to catch dinner at the airport, the Salt Lick kiosk was the one and only food outlet open. I was able to have a chopped brisket sandwich after all. It was then that I knew, my trip was complete!

Austin: What we do part I

We stop at Culver’s only minutes after landing.

We gape at musical fruitmobiles.
 

We get tangled in wish webs.

We participate in the “Big Draw”…

…even if we’re at a loss for words.

Then we write some more.

We watch a cool parade…
 

…where jugglers play with fire.

We bundle up…

…because it’s too cold to watch fireworks.

We hang out in our jammies…

…and swing around the toy room…

…but some of us would rather just watch.

We make meatloaf…

…and mashed potatoes, and salad, and more.

We play outside on the swingset…

…in the sandbox…

…on the trampoline…

or just wrestling in the grass.

More fun to come!

Pics from Austin

Here are a few pics from my recent (?) visit to Austin. This first one is me with three-time Olympic medal winner Josh Davis. Josh was captain of the US swimming team in Australia and while in the trials for it, set the American world record (click on his name above and see the race). The sportscaster who interviewed him after the race comments that his wife is pregnant with their third child, but as I learned from working with him, they have since had a total of five! He is a really nice guy – very down to earth and a great speaker as well. He passed his medals around the room during his speech! Afterwards he stayed until the very last person left the room, just so he could chat with them – and he insisted I wear his gold medal for the photo. Cool, huh?

Here are some photos from my visit with Allison & Danielle – where I spent the weekend after my meeting:

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Playing catch-up

Well I finally finished my travel journal about my trip to Rome. I hope you enjoyed reading it. In case you hadn’t figured it out, I have been backdating them. This entry is in “real time” :)

Today I am at my sister Allison’s house in Austin. I had a meeting in Kerrville, Texas earlier this week (which went very well) and extended through the weekend to spend time with her and her kids, as well as my other sister Danielle.

We’ve gone for pedicures, visited the wildflower center and last night went out to dinner at an Italian place called La Taverna. It wasn’t like what I enjoyed in Rome, but it was good! I had the caprese salad and margherita pizza, followed by creme brulee. Allison also let me have a taste of her balsamic ice cream which was excellent. The restaurant had a nice ambience but was very loud. They also had sidewalk seating for those who didn’t mind the passing traffic. Afterwards we changed into our jammies and watched “The Devil Wears Prada”. The weather has been grey and wet, but that’s OK, it’s a nice diversion from hot & sunny Phoenix.

Allison’s kids are getting big – her smallest one is about a year and a half now, and getting into everything. She’s constantly chasing after him to keep him out of trouble. I remember those days and I don’t miss them. Of course, he’s also an adorable little guy, as are her other two.

I will be returning home on a 6pm flight tonight. It’s been a nice – though short – visit, but it will be even nicer to get home. My next trip is to Spokane for a meeting but since I’m not the lead on it I will be taking orders instead of giving them – a little bit less stressful. Once I return from that trip I have a week before I leave for Orlando for a huge meeting that I am the lead on – so I’ve got a lot to do over the next couple weeks.