Austin ModHouse

kat and I woke up bright and early saturday morning, we dug holes, filled the holes with plants, weeded etc.  finished just before another big rain storm moved into the area.  that was Ok with us, we had indoor plans. 

a fine dining restaurants near us was having their one year anniversary party.  entry included food and sixteen wines for sampling.  we all sipped, savored and selected our favorite wines and turned in a score card.  the top rated wines will be added to their wine list.

I've recently heard a few negative things about the offerings and service over at eleven plates and wine, but everything was perfect for our experience. 

the fried shisito peppers were especially good and appreciated. 

close evaluation and comparisons yielded two clear favorites, one from calathus and scout's honor from saddleback cellars. 

then kat had the urge to make pasta and harvest her empty heart (water spinach)

I think she has the upper hand on this pasta process!

#2 son lended a hand as well and cranked it up a notch. 

WOW!  the cool temps and regular rain prompted her empty-heart (water spinach) to grow like crazy!  she was so happy as she harvested and carefully tripple rinsed it all.  a weeks worth of home grown garden fresh greens.  I stir fried a batch with lap xuong and garlic. 

those kids love the noodles.  I made a sauce from slow roasted tomato, garlic, onion and capers.

and sunday I resumed lumberjacking at wimberley, with #1 son as my helper. 

I'd asked kat which cedar trees she wanted removed, and which ones can stay.  the verdict, "I want them ALL CUT DOWN".  no pardons or second chance.  it was a solid death sentence.  I have most of the big ones near the cabin down.  my chain saw is a couple years old and I may upgrade before I finish the cedar execution/slaughter.  the oak trees are enjoying the justice system process and are happy that they will no longer be threatened and abused by the cedar trees.

then it was a race back to austin to get cleaned up for school functions.  kat took #2 son to a birthday party while the daughter and I took #1 son to a class function at the local pizza joint.  they had at least 8 bottles of wine open for sharing, so I sampled a few. 

the daughter and I spent half the time at a distance, being anti social.  several of the parents watched us with a curious eye.  one kid commented on my manner of dress, said I looked like I was going to eat mexican food.  then a few friendly faces showed up and we clustered around the... samples. 

then it was off to botticelli's!  austin restaurant week is nearly done and we were really glad to get this one in. 

$15 corkage and I took one of kat's favorites.  old vine zin from lodi, she likes fruit forward wines and this one went well with the food. 

roasted beet and goat cheese napolon salad.  pretty and delicios. 

seared duck breast with duck confit ravioli and a fig sauce.  we also had lamb chops with a molasses glaze.  our fruit bomb wine went well with these offerings.