Today is my Texas anniversary! It’s hard to believe that seven years ago today, I arrived in Texas. Little did I know where I would be in seven years from that date – here I am still in Texas!
Since I’ve moved to Texas, I thought it would be fun to do a little recap of what I’ve learned, how I’ve changed and some of my favorite spots in this state. If you’re a Texas transplant, I’d love to hear what you have to add as well!
Here we go!
(These are just a few, feel free to add your own.)
2008: Mexican menu’s might as well be written in Japanese. Vermont + Mexican = Confused.
2015: Queso is a must. A Tex-Mex fix is in order before every trip back to Vermont and upon returning. Let’s not even get started on taco’s!
2008: BBQ? Hamburgers and hot dogs, right?
2015: Delicious, melt in your mouth meat that’s been smoking and cooking for hours on end. Brisket, ribs, pork, turkey, must be accompanied by potato salad. If you can get your hands on an end piece, you’ve just won the Hunger Games.
2008: Jalapenos? Don’t come near me.
2015: Stuffed jalapenos varieties are endless. Dip in a little ranch. May have a little kick but it’s so worth it!
2008: Kolaches? Dunkin Donuts please!
2015: Breakfast, lunch and dinner can be found in the form of a Kolache off Exit 353 (35S)
2008: Ranch dressing on everything? What’s the obsession with fried foods?
2015: Ranch isn’t a necessity on everything but in certain cases, yes. Fried foods – I could skip the state fair. (No change.)
2008: Country music = anything main stream. Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, etc.
2015: Texas County is the only country. This is where the great songwriters start and musicians play for passion and love. Let’s talk a little Dirty River Boys, Robert Earl Keen.
2008: Four seasons. Attempting to be prepared for the brutal summer heat, wishing for fall foliage and snow in the winter. More or less praying I don’t melt away in the summer.
2015: Four seasons can happen in one day. 98 feels glorious after an over 100 degree run. Running in the summer and relishing the (maybe) 24 hours of snow we get during the winter. The cold wind though – I may be from the north but it this wind is no joke – packs a bite to the bones.
2008: Coming from a small private college with no Greek system or college sports. What do you mean – who’s my team (football in the fall).
2015: Greek system is a part of most people’s lives and brings friends for life (similar to my hometown friends.) Pick a team, stick with it. You’ve just signed up for a life commitment as a fan. It gets brutal. Looks like I’ll be rooting for UT.
2008: Where’s the hockey?
2015: Dallas Stars games are a lot of fun and it’s pretty privileging to be able to afford seats on the glass when the Habs come to town. The Stars make a great home team too!
2008: Drive where? How? I need directions – North/South? East/West? What does that even mean? What happened to take a left at the church, right by the yellow house and your destination will be next to the big red barn?
2015: I’ve given directions to people who have lived in Texas their entire life and now look at the highway system thru a compass vision – head west on 30, you’ll be in Fort Worth in 20 minutes.
2008: “You guys”
2015: Let’s just stick to “y’all”.
2008: Biscuits with dinner besides chicken and biscuits?
2015: Biscuits – top them with butter and honey. Don’t ever look back. (Thank you John Jones.)
2008: Look at all the cowboys!
2015: They’re not all real… let me pick out the posers.
2008: Where are all the microbrews?
2015: Finally Texas, you’ve caught on!
2008: Nice day outside? Let’s go sit on the grass.
2015: Sit on the grass? Are you crazy? Red ants, poisonous snakes, chiggers – among other things – no thank you.
2008: Real Maple Syrup
2015: Still working on this one. Texas is going to catch on….
What I’ve learned the most about Texas is that it taught me more about myself.
Hot Spots! My personal favorites thus far.
Favorite City: Fort Worth
Favorite Mid-Sized Town: Gruene
Favorite Small Town: Strawn
Where everyone must go once: Luckenbach
Most Unique Dancehall: The Greenwood
Best Way to See Texas: Get off the main roads and just drive.
Favorite Music Venue: Magnolia Motor Lounge
Favorite Musicians: Dirty River Boys, William Clark Green, Walt Wilkins, I mean let’s be serious they’re all fantastic!
BBQ: Billy’s Oak Acres
Queso: Chuys
Italian: Mamma Mia’s, Fort Worth
Taco: Salsa Limon, Fort Worth
Best Brew Tour (Texas): Revolver
Favorite Food Festival: Texas Steak Cookoff and Wine Festival
Best Wine Festival: GrapeFest
Best Hike: Enchanted Rock
2nd Favorite Hockey Team: Dallas Stars (Sorry, staying true to the Habs!)
Baseball Team: Texas Rangers
My Advice: Texas is a state that’s to be seen and explored. Get off the main road, step into that questionable looking BBQ place, hold the doors open, where gentlemen remove their hats to greet you and there’s that special hospitality that only Texas holds. This one has a big ole sky that goes on for miles. Roll your windows down, turn the radio up and grab a cold one on those hot days. Be careful, stay too long and you’ll find yourself saying a few words with that good ole Texas drawl. Go on, take a deep breath and take in the big ole sky that never ends. It’s never too late to be a cowgirl (or cowboy)!
Have I missed anything?!
Happy Texas Anniversary!!! I love this post!!!
Crystal recently posted…{A Grateful Heart // My husband}
Thank you! Texas is one of a kind!