ordinary riches

cold weather makes me want to cook.

I don't know about you but cold weather makes me hungry. I want to put on the calories like a thick warm sweater. Hot yummy soups, bread-like substances, warm veggies with a new spice. Winter was made for us to put on a few extra pounds so we could hibernate, right?

So then comes the part about what to cook.
Looking for something new and interesting?

 Try this food journal out.

The photography gets you in the mood. 

Its not pretentious, not complicated... even taught me an easy way to poach an egg.

Even has gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian sections. 

The woman who creates this blog is cute as a button too.

Everybody Likes Sandwiches = Good Food, Good Times.

Lemme know what you think.

fairy princess

hand-made fairy crown.

Karen Elson

beautiful voice. 

cool songs.

mother of two.

super model.

great sense of style.

I'm lovin' some Karen Elson on these cold Winter days.

  

Oh yea, her husband is pretty cool too.

Hope Farmer's Market

Good People, I love the whole Farmer's Market movement. I am so down with eating organic food and supporting local farmers. I like knowing the people who grow my food that I feed my children. The list of reasons why to eat organic, locally grown food is so long that I won't go there today.

I just have one teeny-weeny complaint about Farmer's Markets. I have a lot of stuff to do on Saturday mornings. I can't always make it from 8am - 1pm on a Saturday to do my grocery shopping. I've got garage sales to visit, kiddos' social calenders to coordinate and simple house-cleaning duties to complete.

And that's why I'm really digging the Hope Farmer's Market in East Austin. I like the Sunday from 11am - 3pm approach. It fits my groove just a little better.

Might I recommend The Gardener's Feast Chiapaneco tamale. Super tasty organic masa envelopes are stuffed with a yummy combination of chicken, spicy mole, raisins, and prunes. (Sorry there's no image, but the evidence was down the hatch before I could snap a picture.)

And of course, the veggies from Johnson's Backyard Garden are always awesome. 

I dig purple cauliflower.

  Good, local cheese. Ain't that something.

How about incredibly chic feather hair pieces for you and yours?

$4 a strand!
 

So...if you find yourself looking to buy some fresh turnips and taste lots of yummy food samples on a Sunday after 11am, Hope Farmer's Market is the place for you.

The vendors are ever-changing and always good.

PS: A live DJ booth providing cool jams and free margaritas this past weekend was a nice touch too.

Callahan's General Store.

If I have to explain why Texas is cool as sh*t, then this blog posting isn't for you.

I love New York and have lived there twice. I love Los Angeles and wanna spend more time there. I love DC and its rich history, cosmopolitan atmosphere and urban street culture.  I love San Francisco and its amazing art, food, wine, and technology scene.

But nothing, I'll tell you NOTHING, has that certain earthy, down-home, funky flavor of Texas - like Texas. You can walk out of your house... wearing a jog bra, a wife-beater, chanclas with socks and hop into your minivan listening to some Girl in a Coma full blast while on your way to pick up some chicken feed, and no one will say a word. Trust me.

But, say for instance, you aren't from Texas and happen to be in Austin? Well, you can drive on down to Callahan's General Store and earn your Texas badge of honor and wear it proudly, on the inside.

 Right off 183 and 71.

 Cutest little buggers. 

Come in on Thursday to get the best selection.

 My dream fridge.

Two haystacks fit in the back of a Toyota Matrix.

So next time you need to go to Home Depot, do yourself a favor and swing by Callahan's instead. 

That's right you're not from Texas
But Texas wants you anyway. 

maria.

 natural beauty.