That's what I would call a beignet....

Today I'm thinking of some favorite things, in a very random fashion.

One thing that comes to mind is a book titled "If You Give a Pig a Pancake".

I can only describe this book as just delightful. It begins with "If you give a pig a pancake, she'll want some syrup to go with it.....", then the syrup leads to something else, and then something else again, and before you know it , you've forgotten about the pancake all together. The illustrations by Felicia Bond are brilliant, and yes, I know. I'm an adult and this appears to be a childrens book. Silly rules, I pay no attention to them. This is on my book shelf at home!

Something else I like: undefeated MO football teams. MIZZOU! CHIEFS! I love Fridays, that lead to Saturdays with Mizzou ball on ESPN, which lead to Sundays with Chiefs playing at home. (against the Raiders. sshhh. No jinxing. Let's just enjoy the 5-0 record, okay?) and let's not forget baseball, Go Cards!

I seem to have missed the boat on a few t.v. shows (what's new) that I hear I need to check out. I don't have enough hours in the day, and what little I do have I refuse to give to watching t.v. 100%. With that said, I've seen the first episode of the first season of Breaking Bad, see how behind I am?, I have not seen Scandal or The Walking Dead, or Downton Abbey. I'm sure there's more. I usually give it 3 episodes before I decide if it's for me or not. So maybe by next year I'll be caught up to the point where everyone is right now, and of course they will then be watching the latest and greatest and I'll be behind again. Ah well, such is life. My point is, I like knowing that there are lots of things out there for me to watch when the mood hits. Just like books waiting on my shelf at home, for me to read, that I haven't started yet.

October. Just the entire word. I love this month. Fall leaves. Pumpkins. Halloween. Decorations, orange and purple lights, crisp air if you're lucky. I'm getting a few pumpkins so I can roast seeds tonight, this is my favorite item on the "things I like" list today. I love the smell of roasting pumpkin seeds. AND watching scary movies!

I love this word: Serendipity
'the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way'
"In general, serendipity is the act of finding something valuable or delightful when you are not looking for it". I can't think of anyone that doesn't enjoy a a fabulous something that they were not expecting. Of course, it must also be mentioned that I love the movie too.

Speaking of movies, I like movie quotes. I've mentioned before that I can have entire conversations with my sisters (and cousins and friends) using movie quotes. Does this make us weird? I think not. I think we're cool people quite frankly.

Sara: "Um, favorite New York moment?"
Jonathan: "This one's climbing the charts"

I like New York. I specifically like Manhattan.What needs to be done about this, though, is that I actually experience it. I mean, BE THERE. I've never been to Manhattan. Until I am able to be there, I can still say, I like NY. I want one of those "I heart NY" t-shirts. I'm the best tourist you'll ever meet, I don't care if it's touristy, if I want it, I'm buying it.

It's that whole "when in Rome" idea. For example, I just got back from a four-day vacation in New Orleans. I'm not a sweet eater, I just don't crave sweets. But, I've never had a beignet at Cafe Du Monde. So of course I had to do this at least once. I think they taste like a funnel cake, but in the shape of a pillow. A powdery white, funnel-cake pillow treat. That's what I would call a beignet.

 

Cafe Du Monde is a cute little cafe that serves wonderful coffee and beignets, and that's it. You won't have to spend a lot of time perusing a menu here. Just as I like it, when on the move during a vacation when trying to see an entire city in four days (can't be done, by the way).

So I'll add NOLA to my list. I like NOLA. I don't really like humidity, but Tropical Storm Karen has to be blamed for most of that, this trip anyway. Walking the streets of the French Quarter in the early morning hours was quite good for the soul.

 

And the JAZZ! Oh man, it was everywhere and I loved it. These people have nothing but time, and musical talent, and a great big smile to give you. I really enjoyed moving along to the jazzy beats, and turning each corner and hearing even more Jazz playing. So fun.

Does this conclude my entire list of likes in my whole life? No way. But Friday afternoon is about to become evening and it's time to wrap things up and be on my way.

I hope you have a weekend filled with many of your "likes".

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS Coffee and Jazz make a perfect breakfast combo. No, really!

"Where did popcorn come from anyway?"

This is one of those random September Tuesdays where I'm wanting Fall temperatures, no, the REAL Fall temperatures, not 93 degrees with humidity, and..... I'm all over the place with thoughts about random things.

Like popcorn for instance.

I love popcorn. Fluffy white (I prefer white over yellow) kernels being popped over intense heat and then lightly seasoned with salt and butter. REAL butter, not the "I can't believe it's not".

"Where did popcorn come from anyway?" I said to myself. Out loud. When I work from home I tend to have entire conversations with myself.

So I googled it. Because google is a verb.

Our good friends at popcorn.org provide this:

Popcorn is scientifically known as Zea mays everta. It’s a type of maize, or corn, and is a member of the grass family. Popcorn is a whole grain and is made up of three components: the germ, endosperm, and pericarp (or hull). Of the 4 most common types of corn—sweet, dent (also known as field), flint (also known as Indian corn), and popcorn—only popcorn pops! Popcorn differs from other types of corn in that its hull has just the right thickness to allow it to burst open.

Each kernel of popcorn contains a small drop of water stored inside a circle of soft starch. Popcorn needs between 13.5-14% moisture to pop. The soft starch is surrounded by the kernel's hard outer surface.

As the kernel heats up, the water begins to expand. Around 212 degrees the water turns into steam and changes the starch inside each kernel into a superhot gelatinous goop. The kernel continues to heat to about 347 degrees. The pressure inside the grain will reach 135 pounds per square inch before finally bursting the hull open.

As it explodes, steam inside the kernel is released. The soft starch inside the popcorn becomes inflated and spills out, cooling immediately and forming into the odd shape we know and love. A kernel will swell 40-50 times its original size!

Now you know. You can carry forth in your journeys to favorite-snack-land, "in-the-know" about popcorn and what makes it "pop".

Aren't you glad you visit Tiffany's?

I must go now. I've got corn to pop, and I WILL use REAL butter. Okay, just a little. But still.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I could eat popcorn for breakfast, if only it wouldnt get stuck in my teeth so much. Sigh.

Signs

A good friend and I were talking outside at work today, about this beautiful rain we're getting in Dallas, and noticed that the car that had just driven past us had a sticker on the back that read: "New Driver On Board, please be patient"

We began discussing whether it would be a hindrance to have that sticker or would it make people more helpful and patient towards the driver of the car. I've seen road rage unfold, it's never pretty. I myself don't suffer from this and I'm glad, but I do understand how frustrating it can be when people are simply not paying attention when they're driving. Or sometimes they're just plain rude. Whatever the case, many accidents are avoidable, if we would all just slow down a little bit and be more aware of what's happening on the road.

I thought to myself, (and said out loud to my friend), "wouldn't it be cool to have life signs to wear like that, that came with either warnings or suggestions about ourselves?"

Mine might say things like this:

"I'm going to drive the speed limit, if this angers you please drive around me in a safe manner"

"I like bacon" because, you know. It might help someone to know this.

"Fall is my absolute favorite season of the year, I am at my happiest during this time"

"I do not like rude behavior, or jokes being told at someones expense that hurt their feelings, please do not ask me to participate in this sort of thing"

"The sound of Eddie Vedders voice calms me"

"I have trouble understanding people that won't allow others to finish what they're saying, before they begin talking"

I guess these are the "good-to-knows" about a person, those lists where we mentally check off what we can say about ourselves.

But really, what I wish for, is that we could all just ....be kind anyway. Without knowing what the person is going through in their life, because we all have our issues, just be courteous all of the time. Also, be more understanding. The person that cut you off in traffic this morning might have just learned that they have a life threatening illness, and they are not themselves right now. They could have lost a loved one, or a friend. Can we forgive them for the rude traffic gesture? Of course. I mean, it's possible.

I would.

The waitress that didn't bring you the food or drink that you ordered, fast enough for your liking, might be worried about how she is going to pay her bills this month. Can you be kind to her anyway?

I would.

I definitely think there is something to that whole "life is too short" thing. Spending energy on the things that really don't matter, robs us, and we are left with little energy for the things that do.

I'm choosing to be kind to everyone I meet this weekend. Whether it's in the grocery store, at the car wash, or some fabulous event that I might end up going to, I am going to be courteous to every single person. No matter what.

Join me!

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS I'm not kidding about the bacon. I do try to mostly avoid it, but the want is there, people!

It's probably damn good BBQ.....

"I won't set my alarm or anything, but I really hope I don't sleep way in tomorrow because it's supposed to be another nice, cool morning and I want to enjoy it...." the words are practically hanging over my head in cartoon bubbles as I say good night to my friends, hugs all around, after a fun get together at one of our favorite haunts, on Friday night.

Saturday morning dawns and with it, the promised, much-cooler temps and my body clock did me a favor for once. I woke up at 7:00am!

After practically racing around the house, opening windows and patio doors, I settled down to enjoy the nice morning breeze, mentally going over ideas of things I wanted to do today. My favorite kind of Saturday is the unplanned one. This is difficult to achieve if the to-do list is long, but I was pro-active this week, getting things checked off that list. It suddenly dawned on me that I haven't been to Farmers Market in a while....hmmmm. To seal the idea, my Dad texted me with, "I bet Tiffy goes to Farmers Market and spends most of her morning outside, am I close?"

Ha! He's a smart man. "Right you are Dad, I was just thinking of doing that very thing".

Penny gazed out beyond the patio screen, I watched her decide that since it was so nice, she wasn't going to taunt the squirrel that harasses her. Not today. She was just going to let him be, and watch from inside the door. I told her I was proud of her, and that I would be home soon.

After the obligatory Starbucks run, off I go. What a beautiful morning! Windows down, driving east, I didn't feel the usual hurry up feeling as traffic got heavy the closer I got to Dallas. Usually by the time I'm close to the Commerce St exit I'm ready to drive right off a bridge the traffic is so bad. What is with people and the no signaling before changing lanes?! No matter, it's not that day, not today.

As I pulled in to find parking at the Dallas Farmers Market, I could smell the smoker(s) going at what I knew was probably Pecan Lodge.

You're familiar with Pecan Lodge, yes?

If you're not, please sit down and listen to everything I have to say. Okay, read everything I have to write. I mean I could call you, and you could listen, but what if you get distracted and stop listening and I start that babbling that I'm prone to do and the next thing you know, today becomes tomorrow and we've accomplished very little.

When you google Pecan Lodge you will find things like, "Pecan Lodge serves award-winning BBQ and southern cuisine", "I love Pecan Lodge so much I would marry it and have little half brisket babies with it if I could".....yes, it really says that. "They do brisket to perfection, must be the wood that delivers such a unique flavor compared to the traditional mesquite"

And the winner for todays discussion? "Word of caution, go on Saturday or Sunday and arrive by 10am or you will have a good chance of waiting for day and them running out of food"

Okay, now that I've met one of the owners, ahem, let's adjust the above advice. Be there no later than 9:30a to get in line. Yes, I know. They open at 11am. Let me repeat, be there no later than 9:30a to get in line.

I got in line at 10:35am. People were talking animatedly about the brisket, what they did the night before, who was getting married the next day, what the hipsters are wearing these days.....you name it. When you stand quietly in line, you can learn a lot about people, you know? I'm very patient.
It was a nice cool morning inside shed 2 at the Market. I've also known this place to be nothing short of a microwave oven and WE are the popcorn. Not so today. I said to myself, I know this is going to take some time. I'll be here for a while. I wasn't even going to do this today, I was just going to grab some tomatoes and cucumbers and locally made honey, amongst other things, and be on my way. I can be in and out of Farmers Market in less than thirty minutes.

But when I smelled that smoke drifting in and out of the sheds, I had no other choice. If you see a snaking line of upwards of 70 people or more, what does that say about the establishment they are waiting in line for? It's probably damn good BBQ.

It's 11:15 and I've moved two feet. Barely. The couple behind me asked me if I knew when they opened, I told them that unless something changed, they open at 11am. She said "man we're not moving at all, this could take a while". Hi understatement, it's nice to meet you. I smiled at her and said, "you're right, I hear it's worth it but this will test your patience before it's over I'm afraid".

Notice that many chairs are missing from the table. People were grabbing them to sit in while in line.
As I s l o w l y move forward I'm trying not to look at my watch. I scroll through Twitter, read the news, check my email.....you know, the time-killing things we do when we're sort of stuck but refuse to give up the good fight.

At 11:57am (I've been in line for an hour and twenty minutes), I glance up and see:

 

"I am not drinking beer this morning!" I think to myself. No!

Man that sounds good, a nice cold beer. (I didn't do it).

At 12:37p (yes, 40 minutes later) I see this guy walking towards me purposefully. I didn't know what to make of it, but pulling off nonchalance is difficult after you've been standing in line this long. He smiled at me and said, "well let me begin with, your lunch is free today".....what! "so if you wouldn't mind to hold this sign while you wait, and I'll explain what it means. You give this to the cashier when you finally make it to the counter and he'll take care of you"

Folks this never happens to me. The biggest streak of luck I've ever had was when I won like 6 cakes in a cake walk during Fun Night when I was in the 5th grade.

It turns out that this was none other than Justin Fourtin, the owner of Pecan Lodge, a very personable guy I might add. Justin explained that the sign says "Slim Pickens" because I mark the portion of the line that means, if you're standing behind me, you will more than likely have slim pickens for your choice of meat when you order. He said that it was possible that would change a little, depending upon what people in front of me ordered, but that he would check back in with me and let me, and others close to me, know how it was going.

I'm pretty sure I heard someone behind me start to sob.

But then......All I  really heard was, free lunch and you may not get that brisket your craving today. Well good grief! I've been standing in line for two hours Justin! haha I say this kindly, it's not his fault that he makes great brisket. To be fair, they advertise accordingly. "When we run out, we run out!". Okay then. Well. I can't give up now, after all of this? No way. I'm not a quitter. I knew it was more than likely going to reach the point where all he had was "a hot mess" , some sides, and their famous southern-fried chicken.

Besides what I call my hair, the Hot Mess is this:
Jumbo sea salt-crusted sweet potato, South Texas barbacoa (shredded brisket with southwestern seasoning), chipotle cream, cheese, butter, green onions.
Whew! Is that legal?

The fried chicken had rave reviews when I finally reached the corner and was able to turn and see the signs on the wall. Which is a good thing, since.....yes you guessed it. Justin came toward me again and said, "well, we're all out of Brisket, Pulled Pork, and Sausage. We have all of our featured sides, and fried chicken. Thank you for waiting in line so patiently".

You know what? Not one single person moved out of that line. I could tell by conversation that most of these people had tried Pecan Lodge before. Although they really wanted some Brisket, they would settle for a "Hot Mess" or some Southern Fried Chicken. Now that, is dedication. I overheard one guy say "This is the best BBQ I'ver ever had. I sampled the 2 meat combo. Ribs and brisket. Whatever they put in that rub.... it's amazing".

I wanted to GET that Brisket thank you. But it's okay, I'll give it a go again sometime, and obviously get in line way earlier than I did today.

My review on what I did get today:
The banana pudding....dear God. I swear I heard harps playing and angels singing when I took the first bite, and I am not a big dessert person at all.
The collard greens.....hands down the best greens I've ever tasted and I'm a huge fan of greens.
The Hot Mess.....I almost can't put it into words, the bursting flavors of this concoction. I almost fainted.
The macaroni and cheese.....so delicious it melts in your mouth. The flavors are not overdone, its just perfection.
The southern fried chicken......well blended spices make it very flavorful, and the rolls that come with it are ligher than goose-down.

Is it because I was starving when I took the first bite? I don't think so, I had a light breakfast, I wasn't dying or famished by any means. Was it because I was so relieved to finally be at the register, where the check-out guy had me laughing when he called me slim-shady? (Slim Pickens sign, stay with me), no.... but I loved his sense of humor, very infectious.

In summary: I waited in line for over two hours, on a whim, to receive chicken instead of Brisket that was craving, learned more about strangers than I ever have in my life, ending up with the meal on the house and tired legs.

Will I go again? Will I give Pecan Lodge a 5 star out of 5 rating?

You bet I will.

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS Breakfast At Tiffany's....while waiting in line for an hour and thirty minutes for lunch? Sure, we could do it! Just bring coffee, your e-readers, or your fully charged phones. We could always talk about the meaning of life. Or play cards. Or....something. Let's plan it!

It's a healthy fear.....

"It's a carcaradon carcharias. It's a Great White" -Jaws

I don't have a solid reason that I am so fascinated with not only sharks, but creatures of the sea in general.

I remember watching Jaws on HBO, surrounded by sisters and cousins, at my Grandma's house. We were all so excited to see the movie that I can't think of any other time that we did not move a muscle, or make a sound, for almost two hours.

Shark Week begins this Sunday on the Discovery Channel, and I'm already searching for episodes to record in the event that I can't watch them "live".

Maybe it's because Sharks are so unreachable (and uh, I'll keep it that way thank you),  or are so out of the norm from what I can see in my daily life. You won't find me joining expeditions where one can "swim with the sharks", I'll just continue to admire them from afar, that is, through my t.v. screen or at an Aquarium at some random city by the sea. If I'm on a large enough boat, out on the ocean horizon, and I'm able to see one, I don't think I would mind that. But that's as far is it goes.

They simply fascinate me.

Wikipedia says:

Sharks are a group of fish characterized by a cartilaginous skeleton, five to seven gill slits on the sides of the head, and pectoral fins that are not fused to the head.

Scientific name: Selachimorpha

Rank: Superorder

 

Random fact-based reading produces all kinds of Shark trivia, such as; A shark can hear a fish in the water from more than a mile away. Or, there are over 350 different kinds of sharks!

 

It's amazing to think of how many sea creatures we may not even know about yet. I think shark fascination has come a long way these days. With scientists and oceanographers, marine biologists and the like, studying them, swimming with them, observing their behavior in their own habitat. 

 

So here's to Shark Week 2013! (of which I will comfortably participate from my living room). It's a healthy fear people. 

 

Until next time,

Tiffany

 

PS I watched Sharknado during Breakfast last Saturday morning. I'm not sure that I can put into words what I think of this "movie". How about no, and don't. =) 

 

I just hope I'm using all of my gifts....

Last Saturday morning dawned bright and early for me. I normally like to sleep in a little as the work week catches up with me to the point that I'm not only drained mentally, but physically too at times. It was a pretty morning, puffy white clouds hovering over the horizon as if they were suspended by invisible ties to the universe. I've been doing a lot of cloud gazing lately, I see something in each cloud every time. I think this one looks like a grandma in a hurry, she's wearing her hair in a bun. Do you see her?

As I drove to Starbucks, because, hello weekend, I had to pull over for a funeral procession to drive by. Car after car, with their flashing lights, slowly going by.....each one filled with people that were probably not having the same kind of morning that I was.

It's not that I never think of death, and losing loved ones. Of course I do, I'm human. I don't dwell on the thoughts, but this morning I remember thinking, I hope whoever is gone did all they could. Used every gift they were given. Shared love and all of their happy, with those around them. I felt sad.

These days, every time I turn on the news, I feel sad. I want to shout, "for once, tell me something good!" That sounds like I've given up hope that this world we live in, is void of anything good, any great news to share. The thing is, I can't ever give up hope like that. I absolutely refuse.

So every night before my eyes close, I'm thinking thankful, grateful thoughts. No matter what madness the day brought, no matter what bad news the interwebs and television reported, I'm still happy to be here. "And I think to myself.....what a wonderful world"

I just hope I'm using all of my gifts. And sharing them. Even when I feel like I don't have any. Everyone has something to offer, don't you think?

Have a good week friend,
Tiffany

PS It's becoming a little too warm for breakfast on the patio in North Texas. But so far, I've refused to give it up. Take that mother nature!

What has been going on lately?

I've heard that writing can be cathartic. Depending upon the intended goal, I've heard that writing can be difficult, because of the pressure we tend to place on ourselves. Short essays, long novels, poems, blog posts, shiny quotes stuck to bathroom mirrors, love notes.....can a shopping list be considered writing? ha! Well. I'm not sure about that.

I get very excited to see new books being published from my favorite famous authors, and also from authors that I actually know in real life. Self-publishing is the dawn of the new age and I am a big fan, if simply to have my friends have a vehicle available to them to get their stories out there, for the world to read.

I've mentioned before that I don't have a goal in mind with this tiny blog other than to have an online diary of sorts, to come back to, and read what I was thinking at the time. Apparently I did have a Scholastic Rock childhood, and I'm glad I wrote about it. http://momentsofapiphany.blogspot.com/2010/07/where-knowledge-is-power.html

Who wouldn't want to visit Conjunction Junction I ask you? But I won't go on and on about it here. If I want to remember it fondly, I'll just go back to my 2010 post.

There are times I have many things to say all at once, and other times where I'm sitting quietly with not much to say, both equally rewarding. Well, for me it is. The listener may grow tired of my babbling on the days filled with a hundred themes to discuss. I think I've learned how to be a good listener so hopefully the art of conversation skill is intact. At the prodding of a few friends, I realized that I haven't posted a blog since April, oh the horror. I don't mean to neglect my blog, it seems that life does get in the way often, seemingly without us realizing it.

So dear friend, what has been going on lately, you ask? Well let's see. Dallas didn't have much of a Winter, which quickly turned into Spring and Mother Nature's apparent wrath through the midwest. A group of friends and I went away for a weekend getaway to a cabin in the woods in April. It was so awesome, I've added this to my "must do again" list.
Those days looked like this:

Broken Bow, Oklahoma is the place to be, if you want to have such adventures. This is something I highly recommend for those that need serene downtime, with little internet exposure. Just the trees. And a campfire in the evenings.

The beginning of June brought a weeks vacation by the seaside. Pompano Beach, FL, and a short visit to my sister's house in Satellite Beach, FL;  both amazing photo-opportunity places if sunsets and sunrises over the ocean are your thing.

Those days looked like this:

When light hits the water, making it appear to resemble colored glass, I'm prone to take a hundred pictures of it. You lucky people that live near the shore, I hope you always treasure it.

I love flipping the calendar over to Jan 1 of each new year, and seeing it fill up with travel plans and get-together events with friends and family. If plans don't go awry I'll be home (Missouri) for July 4th, with more travel to come in October, New Orleans being the destination. My family decided that Nashville would be a great place to spend New Years so I'll ring in 2014 in Tennessee.

During the in between days you'll find me at work through the week and more than likely at the pool on the weekends. North Texas summertime can be brutal temp-wise so if I want to enjoy being outside, it's the only way to go. An air conditioned museum or theatre are other great ways to spend a hot summer afternoon. And then of course, my favorite: book stores!

Now that I've caught you up to speed on the happenings at Tiffany's, I hope your summer plans are firming up and you have a fabulous one!

Until next time,
Tiffany

PS Breakfast at Tiffany's has been dubbed "Berry Breakfast" of late, strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are in full swing around here. Smoothie anyone?