Guero's Taco Bar, Austin TX

A couple of us were in Austin, Texas a little over a week ago. We had a delicious lunch at Guero's Taco Bar

Here are a couple of photos of our lunch:

Of course there was bottomless chips and salsa, too.

Monday, 1-23-2012: Beef Stroganoff

A main topic of conversation yesterday was an easy crock pot recipe, beef stroganoff, courtesy of Kraft.

 http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/slow-cooker-beef-stroganoff-60834.aspx

2

lb. beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes

10

oz. fresh mushrooms, halved

1

 onion, chopped

1

clove garlic, minced

1

cup beef broth

2

tsp. paprika

1

tsp. salt

1

cup sour cream

2

Tbsp. flour

1

Tbsp. Dijon mustard

1

pkg. (16 oz.) egg noodles, uncooked

2

Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

PLACE meat, mushrooms, onions and garlic in slow cooker. Add broth, paprika and salt. Cover with lid. Cook on LOW 7 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours).

MIX sour cream, flour and mustard. Stir into ingredients in slow cooker until well blended. Cook, covered, on LOW 15 min. Meanwhile, cook noodles as directed on package.

DRAIN noodles; place in large serving bowl. Add meat mixture; mix lightly. Sprinkle with parsley.

 

Underwear and Neighbors

Names are changed to protect the (insert appropriate adjective).

Today, Hannah told a story about her father-in-law. Some years ago, he remarried and moved in with his new wife. The house is a mid-century 20th century ranch, with large corner windows in the living room.He has a habit of walking around the house in just his underwear. He sits in front of those windows to read the morning newspaper.

That Christmas, the doorbell rang. A nicely wrapped present was sitting on the doorstep, addressed to him. He opened it to find a robe. All the neighbors pitched in to buy it for him.

You think he was embarrassed? No! He was angry. Go figure.

Bullies

At the lunch table today, we ended up talking about bullies. This is a group of women who range in age from approximately 25 to 55. Everyone single one remembers bullies from school.

One person was slapped across the face by the girl sitting in front of her for "staring at her." The teacher and principal both ignored the incident.

Another was beat up by another girl because she sewed better. Yep. Sewing envy.

Nasty writing on the windows of a car were experienced by one of our group.

Rocks being thrown at a person while walking home from school is yet another.

The meanest thing mentioned today? One girl was tormented by another pasting tampons all over her locker when she experienced her first menstrual cycle.

We all wonder if these bullies ended up working at the DMV, or somewhere similar, as adults.

Perfect Rumor Mill Fodder

Today's notable comment:

"Not that I want you to think anything by this, but can you use HSA funds for having a child?"

Tuesday Topics, 12-27-11

In addition to talking about all the goodies people received for Christmas, we talked about a co-worker's photographs in the Wall Street Journal, along with one of his videos: Neil Bloom's "Her Flower"

Another topic on the table was kids who were surprised by their dads coming home unexpectedly:
Girl Tells Santa She Wants Dad Home From Iraq, Doesn't Know Santa is Dad





Also discussed, a co-worker recently went on a first date with someone she's been talking with online and through Skype. How comfortable would you be meeting someone face-to-face for the first time, in a city other than your own, without any friends or family nearby?

Sex, Single Rooms, and Funnoodles

Today's dilemma: what do you do when your new apartment roommate is "getting busy" in the room adjacent to yours, and you're having trouble sleeping as a result?

That tidbit led to a discussion about college life. Another person at the table told us about how her freshman roommate had no problems having sex with the boyfriend while our lunch table mate was trying to sleep in her own bed. You know, just a few feet away. Those experiences led our lunch table mate to request a single room at the new semester.

That story led to another lunch table person telling a tale about a family trip to the east coast. Two sisters shared one room; their brother and his wife was in the adjoining room. It was difficult for the sisters to sleep because the headboard in their brother's room hit the wall quite a bit the first night. The sisters' solution? They purchased long foam pool floaties and put them between the headboard and the wall. They funnoodled him!