Picnic at Northwest District Park
Rami and I stayed close to home for this weekend’s picnic, at Northwest District Park in the Shoal Creek neighborhood of Austin. This park is one of my favorites in the city, and it’s the perfect place for families to hang out on Memorial Day Weekend. Northwest District Park has lots of picnic tables, a pool, a pond, basketball courts, and a large playground. It’s a huge park, with two entrances: one on the east side of the park at 7000 Ardath Street, and another on the west side of the park at Shoal Creek Blvd. between Dover and Pinecrest Blvd. The park has many grassy...
Read MoreLocal Box Super Bowl Menu
I saved a bunch of great produce from my Local Box Delivery to make a feast for the big game tomorrow. I don’t particularly care who wins the football game, but I do feel very strongly about watching all the commercials. I’ll probably knock out most of the cooking for this early tomorrow afternoon so that I’ll have plenty of time to catch the commercials in all their glory starting during the pre-game show. Here’s what’s on the menu: I’m using the avocados and cilantro to make my own version of Bob Armstrong Dip: a bowl of queso topped with a scoop of...
Read MoreA Bookish Baby Shower
Last weekend my mom and I co-hosted a book-themed baby shower for my sister Beth. The party was a big hit, and I had a blast putting together the menu: dishes based on foods from popular children’s books. We carried the book theme through other aspects of the party, too, by writing a nursery rhyme-themed game for everyone to play, and by asking folks to bring Beth a copy of their favorite children’s book instead of a greeting card. We were amazed that with about 15 guests at the party, there were no duplicate books. Everyone has a different favorite baby book! Here’s...
Read MoreThanksgiving 2010 Recap
There is so much to be thankful for this year. A new husband, a happy home, more blessings than I can count. Rami’s and my first Thanksgiving as a family was magical. We shared a wonderful meal here at home with our friends the Russells before heading over to the Pittel’s home for dinner number two. Around both tables we shared hours of conversation and laughter with good friends. The joy and love I felt was utterly humbling. Food, of course, played a huge part in making yesterday great. Cooking with local, sustainably produced ingredients made the meal delicious and...
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