Better Than Your Two Front Teeth

When I think about Christmas and finding the perfect gift for Firas, all I can think is, "How will I ever top this?"

Any ideas?

SPEC'Stacular Idea

I finally made it to Spec's wine tasting last week, and it definitely exceeded my expectations! I laughed as I pulled into the crowded parking lot, watching people swarm towards the lit up store, each one with wine glass in hand. It was like observing a herd of wino zombies. And I was quick to join the herd! Spec's offers a wine tasting on the first Tuesday of every month. If you bring your own wine glass, you receive 20 samples of wine for free. And not only that... but they offer an amazing selection of cheese, chips, crackers, sandwiches, and dessert. All for free! Excellent marketing... I walked away with three bottles of wine, along with most of the people in our group. My only complaint would be the wine-pourer at one station who clearly hated the world. Okay, maybe just her job. But she was a serious stick in the mud. When we approached her table, she was pouring the second of two wine samples for another group, unbeknownst to us unfortunately. As I extended my wine glass in her direction, she quickly snapped, "Would you like the FIRST wine before you try the SECOND?" Woah cowgirl. Sit me in time-out already. Another employee approached her about how crowded her table was and she (loudly enough for all to hear) commented, "If these people would act less like ANIMALS and form a line, I might be able to serve them quicker." I didn't know whether to be angry or scared. I was a little bit of both. She had a glass bottle in her hand, and all I had was a glass with two sips of white wine in it. But in all seriousness, Spec's needs to get a hold of that wino witch... because even if I had liked the wines she was serving, I would have refused to buy them just to make a stand. Take that!

Other than that one episode of poor customer service, the Spec's wine tasting was fantastic! The wines were delicious, and even more so at a discounted price that night. The food was a nice surprise as well... wine tasting is always a bit more enjoyable with cheese, crackers, and..... flan. Random, right? But definitely the best flan I have ever tasted.

I urge you to go to Spec's on the first Tuesday of next month.... and if you do decide to join the herd, I'll see you there!

When the Moon Hits Your Eye Like a Big Pizza Pie

In my opinion, an afternoon that includes pizza, eating outside, and Frank Sinatra is almost perfect. Firas, Susan (Firas's Mom), and I enjoyed one of these perfect afternoons at Coal Vines, a new pizza and wine bar, just a few weeks ago. The weather was ideal for a Sunday afternoon - jeans and a t-shirt kind of day. I knew that I loved it from the moment we walked in, as Frank Sinatra crooned "Fly Me to the Moon" throughout the restaurant and patio. I was also a fan of their decor.... red and black furniture, exposed brick, and countless bottles of wine lining their walls. And of course, their huge coal oven where they fired our delicious pizza. We opted to sit outside on the patio and for our pizza we chose the "White Special" - mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, sliced tomatoes, fresh garlic. Yum! A quick glance at our leftovers...

The pizza was thin, crust was perfect, and my favorite part.... how thin the tomatoes were sliced! Nothing more awkward than taking a bite out of pizza and not being able to bite through the freaking tomato, causing you to pull off the entire layer of cheese and toppings with just one bite. Am I the only one that this happens to? On top of the thin tomatoes, the prices were totally reasonable and it is a prime location for people-watching in downtown Austin.

I am aware that I look like an apprehensive, blue version of "Where's Waldo?" in this picture, but there was only one other taken... and it's even worse.

If you live in Austin (I also think they have restaurants in Dallas and Houston), I strongly suggest you check out Coal Vines. How can you go wrong with a slice (or two or three) of pizza and a glass (or two) of wine?

Yes, Dean Martin....that's Amore!

Apology Note

Dear Guy in the White SUV:

I'm sorry that you tailed me this morning in an area where I know police are lurking, preying on the people who are late to work and flying down the highway at 75 MPH in a 55. I feel awful that I was going only 60 MPH, forcing you to detach the front of your SUV from the back of my car and peel out into the other lane with such determination and speed... only to be greeted by flashing lights in your rearview mirror. And I'm sorry that I smiled as I watched it all go down.

Sincerely,
Jaclyn

Hope that your Friday didn't start off with sirens!

Will Bike for Pizza

Firas and I challenged ourselves to a lengthy Sunday afternoon bike ride, knowing that we would be rewarded with Salvation pizza once we reached our destination. When this Groupon hit our inboxes, we were quick to jump on it. I've been to Salvation twice before, and their pizza definitely makes the cut. As always, we waited until the last few days to use our Groupon... but we called before leaving to make sure that they were open on Sunday and would still be serving at 6 pm. They told us that they were open until 10, so we were on our way....

We rode from South Lamar to the 2nd street district of downtown, where we made a pit stop at Bar Chi's happy hour for a quick appetizer and beer. Call it halftime if you will. We continued on our ride through downtown, across UT campus, and finally to 34th street. At this point, I'm semi-exhausted. Sweating just a tad. We've just witnessed two cars have a nasty fender bender nearly seven feet from our bikes. But we know what lies ahead.... pizza and beer at Salvation. We traveled a short ways down 34th street, and pulled up to Salvation to find this pitiful note attached to their gate:

Are you serious?! We had just biked nearly ten miles in the September (think July for a normal state) heat, only to be greeted by this tragic handwritten note. We stared at it in disbelief for a good five minutes before we came to terms with the fact that we would not be enjoying Salvation pizza and beer on this particular Sunday evening. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO. Just kidding. Sort of. But in all seriousness, my "lower body" was ready for a break from the bike seat. Damn you, procastinators, for using your Groupon so late. We thought we were the only guilty ones...

I pulled Firas off the ground, wiped away his tears, and we made our way back toward UT campus. Lucky for us, they have about a million restaurant options. We first stopped in at Mellow Mushroom, a Charlottesville classic, but only ended up getting two tall-boy PBR's. We're classy like that. And I'm pretty sure they were $1.50 each... gotta love college specials. We ended up eating dinner at a little Greek joint, where we really enjoyed ourselves and our meal. Take THAT, Salvation Pizza.

The ride back was less exciting. And by less exciting, I mean that we tried to catch a bus home (don't judge) but right as we pulled up to the bus stop, a man swooped in front of us and placed his bike in one of the two racks in front of the bus. What a sweetheart. The next bus wasn't coming for another hour, and at this point we were ready to be home. We eventually made it back, and I must say that my "Wicked Witch of South Lamar" days are behind me, for the most part anyway. I might have made a few comments under my breath, but all in all, I'm becoming a better sport.

Let's hope for better luck next time. Or at least for better planning...

Welcome to the World, Charlie Hayes

People have always told me how exciting it is to have a niece or nephew, but it is one of those things you can't fully comprehend or appreciate until you have one to call your own. On September 27th, at 2:03 pm, I officially became Aunt Jaclyn... Aunt Jac.... Aunt Jax.... Aunt Jemima for all I care. I'm just excited to become an aunt! Charles Hayes Jones is one of the most beautiful babies I have ever seen, and I'm not being biased. He is near perfect. See for yourself... the many faces of Charlie Hayes.

And for one of the most special pictures of all -- Nana, Mom, Nicole, and Charlie -- Four Generations!

It is always good to be home, but having Charlie there with us made it the most exciting trip to date. I am so proud of Nicole for bringing him into this world with such strength and grace; I will spare the details of her labor, but just know that she is a champion. Seeing him for the first time when they picked me up from the airport, bundled up in his car seat between me and Nicole, I had no doubt that there is a God up above. He truly is a gift, and with Nicole and Tony as parents, Charlie is going to be very loved.

Out of the Desert, Into the Sun

Well this is definitely the longest I've ever gone without blogging. I guess I've been experiencing a similar drought to Texas. Only mine is a little less dangerous, I suppose.... it has just been a result of being preoccupied and not feeling the "itch" to blog. I've decided to care a little less about when to use a comma or a semicolon, and focus more on the material that makes up each post. I obviously didn't create this blog to be discovered by a publisher, but rather to keep friends and family posted on life here in Austin. I've been known to throw a funny story into the mix once in a while about one of my elderpals or a strange encounter that I may have had in this city that insists on "staying weird".

On that note, I will make a *cyber* (ha!) pinky promise to catch you up on the happenings of my life over the past two months or so.... most importantly, my new baby nephew who is the most perfect "bundell" of joy in the whole entire world. Along with my second (and better) ACL experience, our accidental 20 mile bike ride, my most delectable meals that I've enjoyed, and so on.

For now, I will leave you with a little fall treat from my residents. Some had no trouble using their imagination while painting pumpkins...

...while others just seemed a bit stuck. When I asked my football guy to sit with the group and paint a pumpkin, the conversation went a bit like this...

Me: "Ron, do you want to paint a pumpkin with us?"
Ron: "No, not really."
Me: "Well, give it a shot. We always enjoy your company!"
Ron: "I guess. What should I paint on it?"
Me: "Anything you want. You could write your initials, UT, maybe draw a longhorn..."
Ron: "Ok."
Me: "What colors would you like?"
Ron: "Red, white, and blue."

(10 minutes later = Finished Product = see below)

Me: "RWB....? OH, the R is red, the W is white, and the B is blue. Clever, Ron."
Ron, laughing: "Thanks."

(Fast forward 30 minutes later: I walk the pumpkin down to Ron's room after the paint has dried)

Me: "Here's your pumpkin!"
Ron, looks confused: "Great.... thanks! RWB.... what does that stand for?"