All About a Beer Pairing Dinner

We bought tickets to a private beer pairing dinner, hosted by Chef Kent Rathbun's Hickory restaurant and Franconia beer.

The event was one of many celebrations during National Beer Week in the north Texas region.

Hickory features Kansas City-style barbeque. I happen to know a little something about that.

Franconia's owner/beer master extraordinaire, Dennis was there. Kelly had a fanboy moment.

While we waited for dinner to start, we noshed on yummy meatballs and the most amazing smoked trout crostini that I've ever had. I could have just eaten that for dinner. No.Lie.

Before each course, Dennis would describe the beer we were going to try and why it had been paired with that particular food item.

First course: German kielbasa sausage and Franconia IPA fondue sauce. It was served with a Franconia Amber.

We also had pretzels (the menu called them sticks, but well...these aren't exactly sticks!) to help clean up the fondue.

Second course: Salt roasted beet salad with creamy lemon buttermilk dressing and herbed goat cheese. It was paired with a Franconia Kolsch. I loved this course. It doesn't get much better than beets, fresh greens and goat cheese.

Third course: Hand-delivered by the pitmaster, the table enjoyed a chef's cutting board serving of hickory-smoked spare ribs, prime brisket and BBQ chicken. It was accompanied by a Franconia Dunkel.

There was so much food that it wasn't possible to eat it all - Kelly and I took home a large box. We love leftovers!

Oh and the sides...creamed corn adn fresh Brussels sprouts. YUM. (Maybe I have a little something for vegetables?)

The arrival of damp warm towels and fresh lemon sliced indicated we were ready to move on to our final course.

Fourth course: Although we were stuffed, we made room for roasted apple-pecan cobbler, topped with Henry's ice cream and Booker's Whiskey-caramel sauce. It was served with a Franconia Fallin' Bock. So tasty. I wish I wasn't so full.

So, so good! 

Fall Festival: Steinfest in Plano

Plano started a new fall festival tradition - Steinfest in Downtown Plano.

Even better - it's an Oktoberfest-like festival that actually happens in October, instead of the traditional September. It's the perfect time of year to avoid other cities' festivals while also enjoying the wonderful Texas fall weather.

Downtown was packed with food vendors, games and communal dining tables - 15th Street was shut down for the occasion.

A local potter made steins (signed and dated) for the event. Beautiful! I may use it as a vase.

There's nothing like sitting together at tables in the middle of the street.

We shared an order of delicious pork shanks from our favorite BBQ joint, Lockhart BBQ.

And we braved the line at Ye Ole Butcher shop for a bratwurst burger.

It was worth the wait! (We shared, of course.)

There were tons of games for kids and adults (Giant jenga! Painting! Keg rolling! Chicken dances!) We stopped by to watch the stein race.

What's that, you say? Well...

Then it was back in line for more food. This time, caramel apple french toast from Kelly's Eastside. YUM!!

Then a final wait in line for a cup of homemade hot chocolate from Jorg's Cafe Vienna (we still need to eat a meal there...wonder why it's taking us so long to get around to doing that?).

Again - the wait was worth it. Is that freshly whipped topping I see? Yes, yes it is.

Our thoughts on Steinfest? We hope this becomes an annual festival in Plano. It's so much fun and was a really relaxing way to spend the afternoon. Plus we ran into so many friends as we hung out - it made it feel like a giant town party rather than a stuffy festival.

Fall Festival: Oktoberfest in McKinney

We love going to Addison's Oktoberfest but had never made time to go to McKinney's version. When Kelly learned that his favorite beer, Franconia, was the exclusive McKinney Oktoberfest beer, he put it at the top of our must-attend list.

McKinney definitely has more of a small town festival feeling than the "event" vibe that you get in Addison. People seem to know one another and pets are allowed to get in on the action. (Hello -dogs in tutus!)

It's probably also the first time I've seen sno-cones served in a portable pirate ship.

The lines were equally intense as we'd find in Addison. We didn't think the food selection was as varied, but it was delicious all the same.

We loved it! Bring on the town square, the people and the fun.

Just look at the deliciousness of this brat and kraut. It tasted just as good as it looks.

We also had traditional Belgian donuts. Yum, yum, yum.

Would we go back next year? Absolutely. McKinney's Oktoberfest is our new favorite!

Pi Day at the Hayley House

We love quiche. Quiche is pie, right?

State Fair 2014: A Photo Roundup

As a running friend says, You're either a fair person, or you're not a fair person.

I'm a 4-Her. I am definitely a fair person. Thankfully, Kelly is, too.

Big Tex - the fair wasn't the same without you in 2012.

Texas dairy farmers making free strawberry smoothies...yum.

We pet a baby crocodile!!!

Me: Can I have a pet chicken?
Kelly: You ask that every year. And every year the answer is no.

I'll bet people who loved her never said she couldn't have a pet pig. Life is so unfair.

Canstruction moved from NorthPark Center to the State Fair this year. It was convenient for us to tour all of the can sculptures while we were there, but I'm not sure the exhibit overall got as much foot traffic as it used to.

Kelly: Can I have the new 2015 Mustang? 
Me: Yes - when you can pay cash for it.

Fletcher's Corny Dog - the original, with mustard, as God intended.

Weird State Fair Food #1: Funnel cake beer. Oddly, it did taste like funnel cake and it had powdered sugar on the rim.

Weird State Fair Food #2: Fried Chili Frito Pie. Good but dry unless you used sour cream.

Weird State Fair Food #3: Fried pumpkin pie. Ah-maz-ing.

State Fair portrait attempt #1: Why does he goof around every.time.I.take.a.photo!?!?!

State Fair portrait attempt #2: That's better. (And that's a wrap for the State Fair of Texas 2014!)

Beware

Best Surprise Gift EVER

There was a package waiting in the mailbox when I got home last night.

After I ripped off the outside, I found a little gift card:

What was in the package you wonder?

Only the BEST SURPRISE GIFT EVER.

Ever.

EVER.

(And proof that my dad reads my blog and has a great sense of humor.)

In case you're wondering, both Kelly and I can attest that the Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Smiling Smart Phone does in fact make you laugh (loudly) and smile (a lot).

Kelly hopes that it helps me learn not to drop my actual iPhone as well.

Staycation Time

So our niece, A, came to stay with us for a week - her first-ever flight, her first-ever long week away from family, her first-ever time to stay alone with us.

Good times.

Really - it was good times. We only had one bout of homesickness, no preteen meltdowns and a remarkably sunny attitude from both niece and aunt despite incredibly hot and humid weather.

We did all sorts of things around town, like get photobombed by a giraffe at the Dallas Zoo:

Ordered our own customized-pizzas:

Played around with new hairstyles:

Rode the trolley:

Got a 500-foot view of the city (that one was a little scary):

Got pedicures (and manicures!):

Helped Papa Holiday feed the catfish:

Got a princess-for-a-day makeover:

Had nail art done - twice!

And went swimming - lots and lots of swimming.

But my favorite part of A's trip happened this week - long after she'd returned home.

She sent me an IM, saying:

I hope you will be as fun as you were this time next time.

I hope so too, sweetheart.