Odd eating.

With 6 kids, Jenny and I don’t eat out very often unless it’s because we have managed to run away and escape the kids for a while.

This weekend we went camping about 3 hours away. So we found ourselves stopping to eat a couple of times.

One of those instances, we stopped for brunch and found ourselves enjoying one of the best sandwiches either of us have ever had.

It got me to thinking. About some of the unexpected places that we find the best food.

Here’s a small list of some of the surprise eateries I’ve discovered.

1. Buc Ees.
Yes, it’s a truck stop. It’s where Jenny and I got the most AMAZING BLT I’ve ever ate. There had to be at least a 1/4 lb of thick cut peppered bacon on this thing.

2. Baby A’s in Austin.
They have the typical Tex Mex food you’d expect to find, but the soup is what stunned me. It’s not tortilla, it’s not taco and it sure as heck isn’t menudo. It’s got chicken, broth, and seasoning. You mix in the rice and it will send your mouth to heaven.

3. Sevi’s in Wichita Falls.
This little burrito shop has the best brisket burritos. For about 4 bucks you can get one that’s almost too big to eat.

4. Good Korean to Go in Killeen, Tx.
I’m not sure if they are still there or if they have the same name but this little shack on Veterans Memorial had the most hypnotic Yaki Mandu I’ve ever had!

5. Walburg German restaurant.
In tiny Walburg, Tx this place is standing room only during Octoberfest. They have a German buffet complete with schnizel, spaetzle, hot potato salad and cordon bleu. The only thing you can’t get on the buffet is rinderouladde. It’s made to order and is big enough for 2 or 3 people to eat and still have leftovers.

6. Maharaja in Houston
This Indian buffet has a chicken masala to die for! It’s a little pricy but worth it.

7. Mizo’s in Lakeway, Tx
We would go to Mizo’s on Monday’s for one thing… Sushi. You could get awesome sushi and beer on a Monday night and not spend more that 12 bucks! You can’t beat that.

8. Golden China in Cypress
This place is so small my daughter calls it “Tree Trable Chings” (three table Chings) we went the night we took Louie to her dads and Jenny and I split beef and still have leftovers!

Ever stumbled upon a place that you couldn’t believe was hidden away??

The Rainbow Ranch

Jenny and I have made it back home. Much to our dismay, the kids did not find self sufficiency in our absence, we didn’t manage to win the lottery and none of our unfinished chores were done by a good natured stranger. Because of that, we must return to the daily grind in the morning.

But before we get back to it, let me share the wrap up of our “Great escape”

Day 1 (cont’d)

Now I left our story with Jenny and I snuggled up in the tent, braving the 30 + mile an hour wind gusts.

Well, we sat in the tent until about 1. I decided to get up and walk around a bit and see what all was going on. Most people had retreated to the safety of their tents, RV’s and cabins due to the wind.

For breakfast we had gone in to town and stopped at a little Mexican restaurant. Jenny ordered the Chicken fried steak (which was covered in the nastiest looking, lumpy gravy) and I got the Migas w chorizo. I figured if I’m in a Mexican place, I might as well eat like a native.

The Migas were delicious. Unfortunately, they didn’t like me as much as I liked them.

My stomach was killing me. You know that feeling where you’d rather just throw up and get it over with, than sit there in that miserable position for even a minute longer? Yep. That’s where I was. And to be honest, I had decided that if I had to “force” myself to hurl, I was gonna feel better so we could enjoy the rest of our stay.

I laid down in the tent for a bit. After a while I think the general knowledge that I would just toughen it out was enough to improve my situation.

Jenny and I decided to venture back to town. There were a few creature comforts we wanted to grab and I wanted to get something for my stomach.

By the time we get back, my tummy is much better, the wind had died down and all the other campers were out and about.

As we pull in to our campsite, we notice a couple setting up in the site previously occupied by Michelle and G. Stacy and LouAnn had already pounced on them to assist in setting up so I headed over. Partly to help, but partly to give them my knew disclaimer. “if we help you set up, you better not wake us up at 6 am screaming at each other and then bolt out of here. If you do, you will receive a bill for our time and labor”

Luckily these ladies were prepared. They brought 2 tents. No shit. One smaller on and then a large one the size of mine and Jenny’s.

So in the event of a lovers quarrel, they had a place to go.

It was almost time for the chili cook off to start. Jenny and I were sitting around, chatting with Stacy, LouAnn, Chappy and a very colorful drag queen named Tim.

When he first met us he walked over to us and acted as though he had known us for years. “Hello, beautiful!” he said to Jenny and walked over and gave her a big hug and kiss on the cheek. He’d never met either of us before but treated us as though we were life long friends.

Tim of course was going to be entering his “famous” chili in the contest. We had to give it a try.

As they announced the winners, Tim’s number wasn’t one of them. Now the chili’s were open to all the spectators to sample. Jenny and I tried the winning chili. It was NOT what I call chili. It was a shredded pork with beans and corn. Little to no “sauce”. It was more like something I’d put on a tortilla than in a bowl on a cold day.

My favorite was number 14. It was a shredded beef, beans and spicy. It was chili at it’s finest. It did win 2nd place so at least the judges had some idea of what chili should be.

Tim’s chili was number 5. And in all honesty, if I hadn’t been asked to try it, I would have run away. It was black. Seriously. Black.

Jenny got a big bowl of it. Topped it with some onion and cheese. We both braved the color and took a big spoonful. The proceeded to spit it right back out. The amount of alcohol in it alone was enough to give my good girl a buzz.

Apparently, he had put a cup of vodka AND cocoa in it. He wanted it to taste like mole. Well, it tasted like crap.

About 7 my stomach started to feel horrible again. I am going to blame Tim’s chili. After all, it couldn’t have possibly have helped.

This time it was more of a someone grabbing my gut, squeezing tight, and twisting kind of pain.

I decided to try to lay down again to see if it would help so I could be tip top in time for the music.

It didn’t. Unfortunately, I laid in bed, curled up in pain, hearing the music from the comfort of my tent.

Jenny did go over and enjoy some of the show. I felt bad enough that I couldn’t even stand up long enough to take her over to listen, I’d have been devastated if she’d have missed it all together because I was sick.

She finally came to bed, and we slept through the night.

Got up this morning, had coffee and breakfast and reluctantly decided to pack up and head home.

With all the mishaps, illness, weather, dust, and drama, it was an amazing weekend. It was so good, we’ve decided to rent a cabin and go back for the campgrounds new years bash.

As I’m sitting here on the couch getting ready for bed, I wish I was still in that tent with my beautiful girl.

Good night, all!

A trip to remember.

I promised to keep everyone posted on our weekend getaway. So, in an effort to never break a promise… Here we go!!

Day 1: We got to the campgrounds at just after 10 on Friday night. It’s already cold and dark. About 20 minutes from our destination, Jenny asks, “Did you bring a hammer?”. Well hell no. I was so focused on just getting the hell out of dodge to start our weekend away that I’m lucky I even remembered to pack my underwear. Actually, now that I think about it, Jenny packed my underwear. So never mind that argument.

We were so proud. We brought pots and pans. Some food (we decided to go into town to get the stuff rather than pack it). The tent, flashlights, air mattress. Clothes, electric blanket and extension cord. Everything BUT the hammer. Wtf? We’d be perfectly comfortable in our unsecured tent.

As we pull up, we had trouble finding our site so I had to get out and use the flashlight to find our spot. Once we find it we begin to set up.

As we are fumbling through the tent set up, our camping neighbors came over and what did they have? A lantern and HAMMER!! (insert angelic music here)

Two fellow Houstonian lesbians and their gay neighbor. They helped us set up and Stacy (my new best friend) offered me a beer.

As we got ready for bed, we start to head towards the bathroom. On the way we notice that Stacy, (my new best friend), LouAnn (her partner) and Chappy are helping another lesbian couple set up their tent. We decided to “pay it forward”. We go over, help them with their set up and introduce ourselves.

By coincidence these ladies are also from Houston. So we now think we have met 5 new friends, 3 hours from home that we would have never otherwise met, all because of a mutual love of camping and the urge to be good samaritans.

About midnight, all tents are up, mattress’ are inflated and we are ready for bed. And it was fckn cold.

But it was just me and Natti in our cozy little “love tent”. I was a happy (do I really wanna use the word camper here?) little bugger!!

This morning we both woke up feeling refreshed and rested. We saw the sun coming in through the translucent parts of the tent. Heard two birds chirping in unison. And the always welcoming sound of “FUCK YOU! Get your shit and get out of the tent. I don’t care how you get back to Houston!!”

Apparently our new friends, Michelle and G, were feeling a little discord. Maybe they didn’t find the fresh air and birds chirping at 6:30 as refreshing as we did. Or maybe it had something to do with a girl that someone was “looking at!”. Whatever the case, they were not happy and we all got to hear about it.

Jenny and I both had to pee. Bad! But the idea of walking through that scene made us decide we could wait.

Finally we got up, went to get dressed and decided to drive in to town to get some coffee and breakfast. At the very least we wouldn’t have to witness the Michelle and G drama hour.

We got our groceries, had breakfast, told different stories about the memories we had from when each of us lived in this area, several years ago (we both lived in the Waco area but at different times)

Finally we headed back.

We take few minutes to greet our neighbors Stacy, LouAnn and Chappy. They are just sitting down to breakfast so we said good morning and laughed about the “scene” that took place this morning. Apparently, they hadn’t heard any of it from the insulated comfort of their RV.

Jenny and I had to finish our check in since we’d arrived so late, and as we were walking out of the office we ran into Michelle. I smiled and gave her my cheeriest “Good morning” and it was returned with a scowl and a grunt.

Well, don’t be pissy with me, Ms Thing. Damn!

Jenny and I decided to go for a walk to check things out. We are hand in hand as we start to head down the trail and notice that the drama queens are packing things up to leave.

As we make a circle of the area we are camping in we decided that the wind is a little uncomfortable, so we head back.

Now, our stroll took MAYBE 7 minutes. But by the time we got back, the only evidence of Michelle and G was the dog stake and firewood that they left behind.

After all they work we did helping them get set up last night I almost feel I’d be justified in sending them a bill for my time.

But, at least we don’t have to walk on eggshells all weekend around them or worry about another tantrum at 6 am.

It’s now almost 1 pm. We’ve settled in and are sitting in the tent drinking coffee and hot chocolate waiting to see if the wind will die down.

Did I mention the wind? Yep. That’s me and Jenny being devoured by our tent.

We still have the hayride, concert and chili cook off tonight so it should be an eventful day!

Our great escape!

Jenny and I spend 90 % of our time away from work with kids up our ass.

Ok, maybe that’s not the most eloquent way to phrase it but it’s true.

A perfect example: Last night as soon as I got off work I had to rush home and take Louie to the barn so we could take care of the pig. Then we went to Jenny’s apartment for dinner. Most nights we eat over there because it doesn’t make much sense to have 2 grocery bills.

We tried that but ended up throwing at least 1/4 of the food we bought away because it went bad before we ate it. Now we just swap out who fixes dinner and cook at her place. That’s where 70 % of the diners are anyways so makes sense. At least to us.

Anyways, back to last night.

I get to the apartment and Jenny has just started feeding everyone. Louie and I seldom eat a hot meal when Jenny cooks because by the time we get there the other kids have already scarfed down most of it considerably earlier than we arrive. So to eat when everyone else did was a nice change.

While I’m eating I hear one kid ask that Jenny fix them seconds. Then another chimes in about needing a drink. Then another wants ice cream cause she’s done.

By the time everyone is situated and been served, we really are too exhausted to eat. Well, Jenny is. I’m always ready to eat.

Then after dinner we had to go to Home Depot. Yes, Huey wanted to go so she could see her boyfriend. We also took Louie and Larry. Larry gets in these moods some times. When she does, I’m not a very patient person so I wasn’t really in the mood to deal with a tantrum.

Luckily, that didn’t happen.

After we leave Home Depot, back to Jenny’s. While she was folding laundry, I was sitting on the bed debating if I was exhausted enough to actually sleep sitting up while fully dressed.

Then Moe comes in to use the master bath so he can shower, then Larry was asking her mom to kick the older girls out of the bedroom so she could go to sleep and then Curly decides to start singing some show tune. (off key and very loudly)

Finally, the door is shut and locked. We both start to get ready for bed when what do we hear? You guessed it. A knock on the door. In all honesty, I don’t remember who it was because Jenny dealt with it.

I can’t even tell you what time she came to bed, because I was out like a light!

So our few cherished moments of alone time were robbed from us by sleep. Damn you, Sandman!!!

Well, we’ve been planning a camping trip for this weekend for a couple months now. It originally was going to be us and a group of our friends. Due to work obligations and financial restrictions it looks like only one other couple will be joining us.

A few years ago, I would have been completely disappointed by that. But with Jenny, I know I’ll have fun. Hell, how can you go wrong when you have such great company??

She asked me the other day if I was upset that some of our friends cancelled. Truthfully, I hadn’t even worried about who else would be going. I was (am) just so excited to be getting away, alone, with her that it didn’t matter.

So here it is. 6:45. We have a 2 1/2 hour drive ahead of us. A tent to put up and air matters to inflate in the dark cold air.

I can’t wait!!

We’ll keep everyone posted as to how much we enjoy the quiet!!