Pinot Noir. Garnacha. Rioja. AND let's throw in champagne.

So, I'm absolutely a fan of red wines.  However, I've found it more difficult to enjoy the heavy Cabernets and Merlots I visit with during cooler months.  Even my favorite, a Malbec, doesn't seem like a great choice to my [I suppose developing] wine palette.

My mission lately, among about four hundred other things: locate fabulous summer reds (and a champagne or two) at lovely, pocket-friendly prices. For (A GREAT) example, Central Market is running a special until... well, maybe it's just this week... on Erath Pinot Noir.  Now, this wine, usually priced at 17.00 is only 10.  A deal!  Well, at least to me.  I'm the person who will get asked twenty times in the wine section, "Umm, are you finding everything ok?"  And I respond "Why yes, I'm just looking for a better deal then the $21.00 Garnacha.  Thank you!"  There is nothing wrong with looking and scouring for a better price on well-rated wine.

I like sharing.  And I will happily share a list soon.  Lists are just fun.  Period.

Eat in Austin. You really should....

So, I have grown to love Mediterranean food.  A LOT.  And here are some pictures of one of my favorite places...

HUMMUS, how I love thee! Oh, and the dolmas.  SO LOVELY!

Happy Eating!  And try Phara's the next time you are here (I am MORE than happy to join you, and I'll even bring the wine!)

Ok, maybe we will both come.  We LOVE it!  And, I think you will, too...

Happy day!

Isn't everyday, in one way or another, a happy day?  There's always something to be most happy about... I will list a few:

Tomorrow... tomorrow I get to make a LOT of cookies for foster families in Austin.  I hope they feel blessed (and I hope they have a great southern flair!) And besides, one never knows what a tomorrow will bring.
Flowers... the other day James and I were walking and... there they were!  A "field" of flowers along the path we take to the grocery store.  So lovely.  So very, very lovely.
Joy... I can't help but feel elated when small moments of joy unexpectedly appear amidst the day.  Jesus loves to fill the day with these moments.  It's found in lending kindness to a stranger or hearing the laugh of a child or finding shapes in fluffy clouds.  I love it.
Sincerity... this, too, comes at random times and can be unnoticed.  But, try and notice it.  Genuine sincerity is something I dearly treasure. 

And so many more things make the day better (if you allow them to)... food discoveries, stars, the breaking of dawn, family, friends, shoes, wine, chocolate chips, peanut butter, gardens, farmers markets, boyfriends, laughter, and above all hope in Him.  Hope is a wellspring of life and an anchor for the soul.  Look in Hebrews... that, too, will bring you a happy day.
 - Love, Betsy

I just want to wriiiiiiiiite.

My friend Britney.  She always has the BEST posts.  And after reading them, I'm inspired to take pictures and write.

Friends, can I share with you that today is just one of those days where I think everything is going to make me cry?  That is no fun, and makes work interesting - one can only say SOOOO many times, "it's just allergies... or my contacts bothering me..." or something else so quick and witty and an on-the-spot excuse.

Hmm.  There is that "hmm" again; I find I use it often.  Perhaps it should now be titled a "filler word."  Honestly, it does work well when other more profound and exciting vocabulary has gone missing.  You are now free to use my "hmmm" at your leisure.  I must share...  I got a NEW MIXER.  It looks a lot like this: 



and this....

And friends, I am excited.  EXCITED.  I want to make a vanilla bean cupcake.  I bought one because it was $2 dollars off, and I will get more before that sale goes.  If you like to bake, you, too, understand the excitement such a find can bring!