"Show Us Your Shoes"

Fiesta San Antonio started in 1891 as a one-parade event and has evolved today into one of this nation’s premier festivals with more than 100 events and an economic impact of almost $284 million for the city.

Fiesta is “The Party with a Purpose.” Each event is produced by a nonprofit organization selected by the Fiesta San Antonio Commission.

During the 11 days of Fiesta and leading up to it- the whole city goes into Fiesta mode! Businesses are decorated and close early for certain events, people wear ribbons and flowers in their hair- It's like our own Mardi Gras. 

Fiesta includes so many different types of events, there is truly something for everyone. Art shows, balls, dances, fashion, food festivals, luncheons, galas, music, parades and much more. 

With so many events it was overwhelming to pick which to go to! So this year we started off slow and picked one, but I think it was the best! Every year on the last night of Fiesta, they end with the biggest parade, The Fiesta Flambeau Parade. The Fiesta Flambeau Parade is one of the largest illuminated parades in the U.S., with an estimated 600,000 spectators along the streets of San Antonio and another 1.5 million in the television viewing audience.

It was really fun- and we had seats on bleachers!! Making it even better!

My favorite part was finding out a little Texas tradition. I find that for every famous parade they have a famous saying. In New Orleans at Mardi Gras it's, "Throw me something Mister". Well in San Antonio it's, "Show us your shoes!"

As Miss Texas rolled by on a beautifully decorated float, wearing a gorgeous gown, she lifted up her big dress and showed her boots! At first I thought this was a little forward of the beauty queen but as the parade went on I saw the trend. 

According to MySanAntonio.com: ‘Show us your shoes!’ is more than just a directive, the plea screamed along parade routes is actually a tradition all on its own. Knowing that excited parade-goers will want to know what’s hiding underneath their dresses and gowns, Fiesta’s leading ladies participating in the parades typically wear unique and elaborately-decorated footwear to show off to the crowds.

Most of these shoes were decorated boots, of course!

Angela and I in our Fiesta wreaths!

I know it's hard to see but they are "showing their shoes". See both there feet lifted?

 

These bugs were so cool!

A Sip of Wine for The Kids

Last Friday night Matt and I were invited to go to a charity event for the Boy and Girls Club of San Antonio. The best part, it was free for us and a great cause.

The event was a wine tasting. Ten of the world's best wines with food pairing from award winning Chef Jeffrey Balfour. Now before the event I decided to Google Chef Balfour. My findings were very intriguing....

"Born and raised in Galveston, TX, Jeffery Balfour developed a love for his native cuisine and the freshest ingredients, all of which are evident in his ever-changing menu. Citrus' menu features the freshest, and most sustainable, ingredients from farmers and fishermen around the state."

So I thought....real texas food from the land, cool?

What we got was definitely interesting and surprisingly yummy.

It was a 5 course "meal" (they were very small portions of each) and were paired with two appropriates wines. We got to be the judge of which we liked best.

First course: Uni and Osetra Cappacion, Sea Urchin and Caviar in a rich seafood broth
Paired with Krug Champagne Vs. Dom Perignon

Verdict: The soup was really good, well the broth that is. I tried a bite of the sea urchin (because Matt made me) but I did not like the texture. Between the two champagnes, Krug is more expensive than Dom. I actually like Dom better. For once in my life I choose the cheaper one!

Second Course: Butter poached black cod, saffron sauce, hydroponically grown watercress; paired with Oliver leflaive-puligny montrachet 2008 vs. Rudd-chardonnay bacigalupi vineyard 2006.

(I forgot to take a picture of the cod, sorry!)






Verdict: Fish was pretty good, nothing great but the wines delicious! The Oliver one was my favorite of the night. The other wine was good to but the winner is definitely Mr. Oliver Leflaive.

Third Course: Deconstructed Texas rabbit ravioli. parmesan dijon cream paired with vieux telegraphe-chateuneuf du pape 2006 vs. Tablas creek-esprit de beucastel 2008.

Verdict: I know what you are thinking... deconstructed rabbit! Pretty harsh wording, I agree, but it was really good. Of course tasted like chicken. I think it was my favorite thing of the evening. Poor little Easter Rabbit. As for the wine I like best Vieux telegraphe-chateneuf du pape 2006

Forth Course: Pan roasted Texas Antelope, potato hash, smoked tomato salsa paired with chateau de pez-st. estephe 2007 vs. Napanook-Meritage 2006

Verdict: Both of the wines were really rich and yummy but I had to go with the Chateau De Pez-St. Estephe 2007- if I have to pick! As for the antelope... well this was a first but a good one. It was very good and Matt's favorite!

Last course: French blue cheese and creamed tuscan honey paired with Chateau cantegril-sauternes 2006 vs. Far niente dolce.

(Sorry no pictures- I think a speech was going on)

Verdict: Did NOT like the dessert wines. Very sweet, almost like a syurpy apple juice with lots of sugar. No bueno... as for the blue cheese, I am not a huge blue cheese fan myself but for those of you who are I am sure you would have liked it. 

Well that was our first experience at the a wine tasting event. It was very nice and everything went to a great cause! =)

Look at all these glasses on our table!
When we walked up we were amazed!

My glasses =)

    

Going Gruene

A couple weekends ago we took a journey out to a historic little town called Gruene (pronounced green). A little town only 30 minutes away, thats modo is "Gently resisting change since 1872." To me any town like that is worth visiting!

In the mid-1840's German farmers became the first settlers in Gruene, Texas. Like Matt and I, spreading our wings after marriage, Ernst Gruene and his bride, Antoinette reached the newly established city of New Braunfels in 1845. But because acreage was scarce, he purchased land down the river and built the first home in Gruene.

Gruene build houses in various styles. The first mercantile store was built in 1878 and a cotton gin powered by the Guadalupe River was soon added. Further construction included a dance hall and saloon- Gruene Hall- which became the center of the community's social life.

The death of Henry D. in 1920 marked a downfall of Gruene development. 1922 the original cotton gin burned down and was replaced with a newer electric model. (shame! I would have loved to have seen that!) The economic depression was too much and the family businesses went under, except for Gruene Hall, which has never closed.

Today Gruene is once again a thriving community.  Gruene Hall is the oldest dance hall in Texas and many country-singing stars and legends have performed there over the years.  Willie Nelson, George Strait, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lyle Lovett are some of the well-known singers.  A complete list of the singers is displayed inside the hall.

It was a great little town to visit for the day! Can't wait to go back and next time hopefully bring you!

Weekend At Boerne

Last Sunday we took our first adventure outside of San Antonio to a little town called Boerne (actually pronounced like Bernie). It was a great 30 min get-a-way. The town was quaint, had a little strip of clothing shops, antiques and the cutest old fashion candy shop. We ate lunch at a place called the Creek.  

Love this picture! Im thinking an old frame. Classic

Gotta love a good old fashion candy store. 

Floats, Boats and Beads!

3/5/2011
Matt and I started at La Villita, a cute little area by the River walk. In celebration of Mardi Gras they had a band on stage, boat tours going by and food and drinks. Matt and walked around the little village, grabbed some drinks and sat down in the grass stadium (that was surprisingly comfortable) and enjoyed the sun and tunes.                  

It was getting close to the parade time so we decided to walk the River Walk and scope out a good place to perch. Our "perch" ended up being a little Irish Pub called, "Dirty Nelly's". Although we were outside of the bar the sound of the piano bar playing sing-a-long songs and drunken singers started to carry outside. We couldn't help but laugh at the slur of "Sweet Caroline" and it was only 3pm!

Decorated floats soon came down the river. There was probably about 5 or 6 that were decorated and throwing beads. It was no New Orleans but it was cute and fun and made for a nice Saturday afternoon. =)

New FUR-ends

After weeks of not working out, I had to do some type of physical activity. It was a pretty day today, a little cooler than it has been, so I thought I would go for a walk/run around the neighborhood. A little into my walk- just when I started feeling a little lost and lonely, two fur-ends showed up to accompany me in my walk. =)

I was so happy to have some companions with me. Neither of them had collars so I figured they were stray dogs. They walked with me for a while. At one point both of them were on either side of me walking! I called Matt, he said we couldn't have them. So I called Sarah, who loves animals and told her the situation. We decided I would "coral" them into my back yard and maybe we could call someone. Before I got that far I passed by a lady outside her house who recognized the dogs. "Texas and Rusty, you got out again!" she said.

Texas and Rusty were far from what I had already named them, Spot and Benji, but I went with it. I asked her where they lived and she said a couple houses down. They were returned and I was lost!

The dogs had completely distracted me from which roads I had taken. A little later I found my way back.

Thank you Rusty (aka Benji) and Texas (aka Spot) for walking with me today! Maybe see you tomorrow?

 

Lets Rodeo San Antonio!

Diving head first into the Texas Cultural, we headed to our first rodeo! I wasn't quite sure what to expect. As we approached, the familiarity of carnivals and fairs drove a connection. Carnival rides, games and food were set up outside the arena. The smell of BBQ, funnel cakes and french fries pulled us into the food first. As a new comer, I felt it was only my duty but to try a few things. =)

As I sat and ate, I noticed how big of a minority my flip flops were. Big, small, pink, brown, leather, pleather... they came in all shapes and shades and were everywhere. My flip flops were in a sea of cowboy boots!!  As I stepped into a puddle of mud my bare toes became wet and dirty, I realized why they were wearing boots. But once a flip flop girl aways a flip flop girl. Sorry boots.

The actual rodeo was really pretty exciting. I have no idea how they do it or why they would want to be slung around like a rag doll on a live animal, buy hey, to each is own right? It was fun to watch.

During a break they let some kids, young inspiring "rodeo-ers?" chase calf's around the arena and try to catch them. This seemed like a different world from what I was doing as a little kid. Body surfing and rolling around in the sand, catching sand fleas and building sand castles. It's fun to experience the difference.   

Next year I legitimately get to say "This isn't my first rodeo."