We haven’t lived in Austin, or even in Texas for that matter, for almost 16 years now, but for my birthday, Robert planned for us to be “locals” again ~ which was really fun. First on the list was getting up at 6:30am and driving into town in order to have an early morning run around Town Lake. Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey were nowhere to be found (not a huge disappointment), but there were LOTS of runners out that morning. Many of them seemed to be training for the upcoming Austin Marathon, as they were in groups and there were water stations set up. The marathon is next month, I believe.
There were some really nice views of downtown and the UT Crew Team as the sun was rising.
Yes, I ran the entire 4.5 miles with my camera in my hand, so I guess to the real Austinites it was obvious that we were NOT locals. By the way, did you know that “Austinites” is a legitimate Scrabble word even though Blogger has it underlined as if it isn’t? (I mean, of course it is! Right, Mandy?)
Next, a self-timed photo in the parking lot and then it was off to breakfast at a very “local” place:
There are two Magnolia Cafes in Austin, but this is the original, I believe ~ a five star rating for breakfast cafes in Austin. And I know you’re just dying to know what I ate for breakfast, so here it is:
Migas! It just does not get much better than this. A combination of two of my favorite kinds of food ~ Mexican and Breakfast. These were special Migas, called Love Migas. (Blogger seems to think that “migas” is not a Scrabble word either.) Serrano peppers and garlic were sauteed in butter first, then the eggs were added and scrambled. Tortilla chips were crushed and folded in, and then it was all topped with Monterrey Jack cheese. There were sides of black beans, salsa, and corn tortillas. They even had Tazo Awake Tea! They must have known it was my birthday.
This sign hung almost right above our table. Now, there are PLENTY of vegetarians in Austin, but Texans are pretty serious about their chili. It is so unapologetically full of beef, that if any sort of legume makes its way into the pot, it may no longer considered chili. I love to put beans in my chili, but my father has threatened to disown me over this traitorous act.
I got a little tickled over the thought of people asking me what I had done for my birthday…
“Well, first I got up at 6:30am and went for a 4.5 mile run and then went out for a Mexican food breakfast. Next I went to the Christian bookstore and bought not just one new Bible, but TWO! (I’ll have to tell you about my Bible dilemma later, which involves me not wanting to switch to the ESV, because I love my NASB too much.) Then I also bought a new Beth Moore Bible study ~ Daniel ~ for this year because I had just finished her study on Esther!”
Doesn’t that sound so exciting? Well, it was for me, and actually I know that many of you can relate to this being an exciting kind of birthday ~ especially when you live in a “foreign land” almost completely void of Christian bookstores. Betsy and Karla, if you are reading this, I took the photo of this entire AISLE of Beth Moore Bible studies just for you! Amazing, huh?
After a little more shopping and lunch a Whole Foods, Robert and I met my sister, Melissa, and my old friend, Mike, for coffee at a really fun cafe called Mozart’s on Lake Austin. (I almost said Mike was an old high school friend, but really we’ve been friends (or enemies) since 5th grade ~ that’s 30 years of (mostly) friendship! Mike was just featured on ESPN and you can see why here.)
After coffee we met back up with my dad and the kids and went out to eat at one of our favorite restaurants near my dad’s house ~ the Grist Mill in Gruene (“green”) , TX. ALL of the adults ordered the special which was grilled or blackened tilapia. The kids went for the tortilla soup or chopped steak and everyone devoured their chips and homemade salsa and queso. (All gluten free, by the way!) It was all so delicious and the perfect ending to my 41st birthday.
Robert is completely responsible for the planning of this day. Didn’t he do a great job? On top of all of these treats, he also gave me a gift card for a manicure and massage at a spa near my dad’s house ~ can hardly wait till Thursday for that!) And just when I thought he may be getting bored with the stuff that I like to do, he said he wished we’d had more time to hang out together in Austin! I did too, and I think I’ve already told you how thankful I am for him!
Coming Soon ~ Part 4: More friends, family, Oklahoma, and preaching gigs.
I have to laugh, because on the same day that you had a very Texan birthday, I had a very Western Mass. birthday. We got a pile of snow the night before, so I slept late. When we were all up, we went to the winter farmers' market for organic kimchi and locally grown and milled flour; then to the farm to pick up our winter CSA share; and then to deliver some allergy-safe, nut-free toffee to a friend for her birthday. Later, we went to a locally owned restaurant for some locally grown vegetarian food. The only thing that would have made it more Western Mass. is if I'd hired a Tibetan stonemason and gone through a Reiki attunement.
So rest assured that I was keeping the home fires burning for you while you were hearkening back to your Texan roots. I'm glad you had a great birthday!
Yep ~ it doesn't get much more Western Mass. than that, but you could have at least participated in an anti-war demonstration or a drum circle or something.
🙂
Glad yours was a good one, too!
(P.S. I didn't even know what kimchi was until a few years ago, but I like it! And one detail I left out was that I can get kombucha "on tap" and local at the Whole Foods in downtown Austin ~ bring your own container!)
Thanks for the photo Melanie! Especially since I tried to go to Morning Star Bookstore in Springfield the other day and found it CLOSED!! Was so disappointed!!! Sounds like you had a great day! Looking forward to seeing you soon!
What a wonderful birthday. Every little part of it planned to perfection. What a treat!! Soo happy for you and Happy Birthday. You look great!!
~Cinnamon
Looks like a fun Austin day! 🙂