Happy Birthday Sister...

Shadow Boxed

Birthday Gift

c. 2009-2011

Yolanda was shocked & very surprised by my gift this year.

She loved it & I loved making it 4 her.

Inside the box:

(1) Solid Perfume Brooch

(1) Anthropologie Gift Card

(1) Paper Doll (in her likeness)

My cousin & I took Yolanda to "Birthday" lunch @ Chef's Point.

Chef Franson is an amazing artist in the kitchen

and an awesome person.

He came to our table and we were honored

and enjoyed our dining experience 

from the time we walked in until the time we walked out.

We ordered appetizers as follows:

What Nots

Mushroom caps hand stuffed with 3 cheeses & baked 

in Chef's own savory garlic butter

Fried Green Tomatoes

Fresh green tomatoes deep fried & served with ranch or red sauce

Chicken Wings

Your choice of boneless wings or bone-in wings covered in our 

homemade, kicked up wing sauce with creamy ranch dressing

4 lunch we ordered:

Blackened Stuffed Chicken (featured on Drive-Ins, Diners & Dives)

Hand stuffed with pepper jack cheeses & fresh crab meat

smothered in asiago sauce served over angel hair pasta

Blackened Stuffed Pork Chop (featured on Drive-Ins, Diners & Dives)

(same as above)

Better Than Sex Fried Chicken

Old fashion buttermilk marinated,

flour coated tender chicken with a secret ingredient

to make it "better than sex" 

served with mashed potatoes & gravy

Words alone cannot tell you how good this food is!

You have to go and eat 4 yourself...and  

the chicken IS BETTER THAN SEX!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOLANDA!

new hair product review no.2

Pooka Pure and Simple
Shea n Olive Hair Butter

 This blend of Shea Butter & Olive oil moisturizes hair and scalp.

 Rosemary essential oil stimulates hair growth and Lavender essential to soothe the scalp

4oz $14.00

********************

So I saw this back in August @ Whole Foods ( I was there to purchase a gift only) & tried the sample. I rubbed it in my hands, smelled it (smelled sweet & yummy), put it in my hair & fell in love. I didn't buy that day & I've been thinking about it ever since.

Well, this past weekend, I bought it!  I combed my hair out & applied a little to each

section that I two-strand twisted.  When I un-twisted my hair the next morning I loved it! My hair is soft, smells yummy & above all moisturized!

That was on Monday...as of today I have not put any product in my hair and it is still amazing.

I twist my hair & sleep in my Satin Sakk EVERY NIGHT!!!...my nightly richual takes discipline I know, but this works 4 me.

If your looking for a great hair butter,

check this one out here or @ your neighborhood Whole Foods.

Restaurant Week 2010 Stephen Pyles...Review

STEPHEN PYLES RESTAURANT
1807 Ross Avenue Suite 200
Dallas Texas

4th Restaurant Week Menu 2010
$35.00

$55.00 w/Wine Parings

******************

So...Angie, Yolanda & I went to our final Restaurant Week choice.  Our dinner reservation was @9:15 p.m. & we arrived early (around 8:45).  We were told that we would be seated asap.  We had to stand, due to no waiting area for guest who did not want to sit @ the bar, the bar was full.

The time now is 9:15 and we check our reservation again and was told the same thing.  I started to feel like the Sex and the City episode where Carrie & Samantha waited to be seated  for dinner and the hostesses just stood behind a podium & glared @ you as she seats others who arrived after you. 

As I watched 2 other parties be seated before us, I started to compare the wait experience here w/my wait experience @ Craft.  Craft had a great seating area for you to wait in & we arrived there early too, the wait was not even 5 minutes. 

Anyway, back to Stephen Pyles, we were finally seated @ 9:25.  Could this experience get any worse you ask? 

**********************

1st Course

Roasted Texas Corn Soup with Laughing Bird Shrimp and Huitlacoche
Acrobat, Pinot Gris, Oregon 2008

Local Farmer’s Vegetable Salad with Paula’s Hoja Santa Goat Cheese and Honey Comb
Ladoucette, “Les Deux Tours”, Sauvignon Blanc, Loire 2007

Heirloom Tomato Salad with Mozzarella-Stuffed Squash Blossom, Basil and Balsamic Gelée
Pazo San Mauro, Albarino, Rias Baixas 2009

(Additional Course – Central Market Coupon)...we used our coupon thanks  to Jeff @ Central Market!

Cilantro-Crusted Cod with Eden’s Farm Summer Squash and Caramelized Texas Onion Soubise
Tablas Creek, “Cotes du Tablas Blanc”, Rhone Blend, Paso Robles 2008

2nd Course

Grilled Coulotte of Beef with Charred Red Pepper Purée,Tempura Hen of the Woods and Fresh Bay Demi
J. Vidal-Fleury, Cotes du Rhone 2006

Barbecued Juha Ranch Chicken with Grilled Watermelon, Pickled Rind and Heirloom Potato Salad
Pedroncelli, “Mother Clone”, Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley 2008

Grilled Tomato-Pork Tenderloin with Humita and Tropical Black Bean Salsa
Laetitia, “Estate”, Pinot Noir, Arroyo Grande 2008

3rd Course 

Banana-Peanut Butter Mousse Cake with Strawberry-Peppercorn Jam
Dr. Pauly-Bergweiler, “Noble House”, Eiswein, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 2007

Mexican Chocolate Tamales with Roasted Cherry-Vanilla Ice Cream Sambuca -Milk Chocolate Sauce
Warre’s, “Otima 10”, 10-Year Tawny Port

Mascarpone-Black Mission Fig Empanada with Balsamic Sabayon and Jamon Serrano Ice Cream
Albala, “Gran Reserva”, Don PX, Sherry 1982

*******************

The food was superb.   Chef Stephan Pyles has mad skills in the kitchen and it showed with every bit I took.  Although the food was excellent, the overall experience was not.  

Life is filled with experiences, good & bad.  If given a choice, which would you prefer?... 

You Have My Keys Sister...

I was sleeping so good this morning when I missed the 1st call from my sister Yolanda @ 7:51a.m. She called right back @ 7:52 and I answered..."hello".

Yolanda:  "I think my keys are in your purse".

Me: "Let me go look.  No, your keys are not in my purse".

Yolanda: "They must be in your car".

Me:  "Let me go look.  BINGO...they are in my car".

Yolanda: "Sorry sis', I'll buy you breakfast & gas".

Me:  "I'm on my way"!

So, I get ready 4 the day and head to my sister's boyfriends house where she is held captive with no keys to her place or car.  I get there and we head out for breakfast.  She takes me to a place in Dallas in the White Rock Lake area called:

 Green Spot Market and Fules

The Green Spot is the first of its kind Healthy Convenience store and gas station with regular unleaded gas, diesel gas blended with biodiesel and B100 biodiesel.  The Green Spot offers healthy, organic, natural food and beverages as well as some personal care products. Also come to The Green Spot for organic and fair trade coffee, a natural soda fountain, fresh produce, sandwiches, tacos for breakfast and lunch and more.  The Green Spot utilizes eco-friendly cups and utensils made from corn plastic and other compostable materials and other eco-friendly supplies. Consider it ecovenience.™

The Green Spot has B5 biodiesel available at the pump and B100 available in a 1,000 gallon tank to pump directly into a vehicle or other container.

We both had a breakfast taco w/steak, potato, egg, fresh spinach & hollandaise sauce.

We took our taco's to go and ate @ White Rock Lake...it was a beautiful morning.

Restaurant Week 2010 The Craft...Review

The Craft @W Hotel
Dallas Texas

Let's start with the lovely gifts Kachelle & Kalisha, our hostesses, had waiting 4 us @ our table.

  

 Our waiter, Joshua Smith, appeared on the scene to welcome us to Craft & present us with our menus.  He explained to us that we get all 3 courses . 

Restaurant Week Menu

For The Table: 

Heirloom Tomato, Arugula & Watermelon Salad Charcuterie Plate

**Choice of One:

Braised Pork Shoulder & Mustard Greens

Wagyu Petite Tender & Bordelaise Sauce

Roasted Scottish Salmon, Horseradish & Smoked Tomato

Diver Scallops, Sweet Corn & Leeks

**(we each choose 1 choice)

For The Table:

Assortment of Farmer's Vegetables

Assortment of Roasted Mushrooms

Fingerling Potatoes, Caramelized Onions & Applewood Bacon

For The Table:

Trio of Fruit Sorbets & Vanilla Tuile

Chocolate Bread Pudding, Hazelnut &

Brandied Cherries

ALL 4 COURSES WERE CRAZY GOOD!!!!  WE COULD NOT BELIEVE WE RECEIVED ALL THE ABOVE COURSES  FOR $35.00 per person...CAN YOU BELIEVE ALL THAT FOOD, THAT'S NUTS.  THE ENTIRE STAFF @ CRAFT ARE AWESOME & SUPER ATTENTIVE.  JOSHUA EVEN TOOK PHOTO'S 4 US AND MADE A CAMEO IN ONE.

Overall, Chef Tom Colicchio's  food was so good we forgot to order wine. The food was intoxicating enough and just when we thought it couldn't get any better, Joshua sent us home w/muffins 4 breakfast in the morning!!! Who does that?...CRAFT, THAT'S WHO.

 I was on a foodie high all the way home & if you want to experience over the top food intoxication, service and abidance (omg the place is gorgeous) I suggest you go to Craft & GET YOU SOME! 

I'm happy, full & sleepy so no sketching tonight...will sketch in the morning after I eat my breakfast muffin, thanks again Joshua :)

the results...

I washed my hair on Monday evening with the J.R. Liggetts shampoo bar and I love it!  I cannot believe how much lather it produced and the scent was a very light clean smell.  My hair feels SUPER CLEAN and this shampoo bar will be part of my regiment.

I'm using the Shikai Mist & Go conditioner but have nothing to report at this time.  I like the product but do not notice and wow factor.  I will monitor a while longer and hopefully I can share my experience.

new hair product...

"The Original Formula"

J.R.LIGGETT'S OLD-FASHIONED BAR SHAMPOO $5.99

The formula for this incredible and unique bar of shampoo was discovered loosely placed in and old New England Cookbook many years ago by J.R.LIGGETT.  

Its 100% vegetable oil formulation lathers quickly, cleans well, and rinses out and easily, leaving you with healthy, beautiful, and clean hair. It will not strip the natural oils from your hair (there are no detergents) for this reason most people do not need a conditioner! It just smells clean.

NOTE: To store multiple shampoo bars and perpetually maintain freshness, place in resealable plastic bag and store in freezer.

Shikai Mist & Go Conditioner $8.99

Mist & go conditioner spray on & leave on.  This natural spray-on conditioner uses panthenol and soy protein to detangle damp hair or to refresh & defrizz hair mid-day.  Natural sunflower extract ( Heliogenol) and UV filters extend the life of color treatments. Glycerin and panthenol (provitamin B5) moisturize and nourish hair.

I found both @ my Central Market...will try these and report back!

buttons...

Yolanda & I took our cousin Angie to Buttons for dinner tonight and let me tell ya it was sooo good.  The Buster Brown band was live on stage with great jazz and the place was jumpin'.


We had the following:

Buttons' Famous Chicken & Waffles:

Chef's special hand battered fried chicken & homemade Belgium
waffles. Served with blueberry infused butter, fresh berry compote, sweet potato pomme frites and collard greens.

Salmontine:
Fresh grilled salmon over fried potatoes & onions, creamed spinach & artichokes, lemon butter drizzle & Dijon cream sauce.

Buttons' Fried Maters:

4 thick, farm fresh, green tomato slices, deep fried, topped with Andouille sausage, an egg over easy, red eye gravy & béarnaise sauce.

All hail Chief Keith Hicks...it was all delish.   I'm full, i'm sleepy...good night!