ramblings from an arkansas farm girl
When I was a kid, Momma always said “Home again, home again, jiggity jig,” whenever we pulled into the carport. Actually, she still does, and so of course, sometimes I do too. After a week in Austin with my daughter, it feels good to be home from Texas.
But Austin was fantastic as Austin always is. I felt a tinge of nostalgia driving home, and realize there are definitely things I miss about living in Texas. Things that are uniquely Texas. A feeling more than anything else.
If you’re looking for a fancy-ish salad for Easter or any special gathering, try radicchio stuffed with goat cheese and walnuts. The combination of sweet and salty pairs well with most any protein. These radicchio salads can be eaten the traditional way (with knife and fork), or the naturally cupping radicchio leaves can be wrapped and eaten as a finger food or appetizer (i.e. lettuce wrap).
This recipe calls for both goat cheese and balsamic vinegar—two staples in my house. My favorite goat cheese comes from White River Creamery in Elkins, Arkansas. If you live in Northwest Arkansas, find it HERE.
Also, I highly recommend De Nigris 1889 balsamic vinegar. The 1889 in the label refers to the year Armando de Nigris founded the first vinegar works in Naples, Italy. The rich, flavorful vinegar will take your dish up a notch. Find De Nigris EVERYWHERE.Continue Reading
Meet Blue. Blue belongs to my daughter, Kelsey, and she belongs to him, and they live in Austin where the bluebonnets are in full bloom. It’s a great relationship except for the fact that she broke her ankle and he’s a puppy with tons of energy and they live in an upstairs apartment and she’s in law school and I’m sure you can understand why I might be in Austin for a few days. While there’s never a good time to have a broken ankle, it worked out well for me considering the bluebonnets.
So Blue and I go for walks in the bluebonnets.
U.S. News and World Report named Austin, Texas the #2 place to live just ahead of #3 Fayetteville, Arkansas (where I live). I’m pretty sure the bluebonnets pushed Austin ahead of Northwest Arkansas. Bluebonnets and Tex-Mex food, no doubt. And, of course, all of South Congress.Continue Reading
