Author Archives: Diana

About Diana

Canadian-Vermonter, Texas transplant. Cowboy boot wearing, maple syrup connoisseur, music lovin', wine and micro-brew drinkin', two-steppin' traveler who loves finding all the hidden gems the world has to offer. Come join me on the ride!

Happy Anniversary!

Thirty-one years ago today my parents got married!
This year they got one of the best gifts (three months early) from my brother and his wife, a little grandbaby – Jolynn!
She is the cutest little pumpkin ever!
Thank you for giving us a great example!
Love you!

Fireside Pies – Yum!

When I find yourself living in a place other than where I grew up, I think I’m always subconsciously keeping an eye out for some of my favorite items from home. Especially, when it comes to food. This is a prime example of success!
Vermont has American Flatbread
Wood fired ovens.
Flatbread pizza.
Fresh ingredients.
Microbrews to go along with the pizza.
Rustic atmosphere.
Absolute deliciousness.
Texas has Fireside Pies
Wood fired ovens – check!
Flatbread pizza – check!
Fresh ingredients – check!
Microbrews – we had wine but they have them too – check!
Rustic atmosphere – check!
Absolute deliciousness – check!
Sold! Diana was in flatbread heaven! It’s always nice to find some comfort away from home.
I actually came across Fireside Pies on a girls night last year. Super delicious and more recently they have been opening up more locations throughout the metroplex. Handy, considering one recently opened up not too far from me. So the other evening, I said to myself, “Let’s have some pizza!” So I ordered to go and it was just as good as being in the restuarant.
 

I went with the “Triple ‘Roni”.
Basic, simple, can’t go wrong.
“Pepperoni, Fresh Mozzerella, Hand-Torn Basil and Truffle Oil”
The “Pie” was fresh, light and oh so good. Now, we should talk about the basil because it was indeed my favorite part. Now, the basil came on the side in a little container, since I got it to go. To be honest, I kind of just threw it on so I could take a picture (I was starving! It’s hard driving home and smelling the goodness!). When I went to actually eat each slice, I tore them into some smaller pieces. The basil brings a kind of sweet kick to your slice. If you go out or make homemade pizza’s, experiement and try it for yourself. I loved it.
If you are into trying new things, be sure to check out their menu as it has many variables. Appetizers, salads, desserts, they even have soda floats!
If you are a little more daring then myself, you can try out something new:
Molten Meatballs with Roasted Red Onions and Roasted Red Peppers.
Homemade Spicy Sausage, Roasted Garlic-Herb, Whipped Ricotta & Chopped Tomatoes.
or you can try
Peta Pie – Mont Chevre Goat Cheese, Balsamic Mustard Portobellas, Arugula, Roasted Red peppers, Roasted Pinon Nuts & Charred Tomato Vinaigrette
The pies are a little pricy so plan on spending between $12-$15 for a pie. It’s a nice way to treat yourself is how I see it. Parking – it’s quite a popular spot so be patient with parking spots and possibly waiting on a table. Keep in mind – if it’s busy, it must be pretty good right?!

Pow! Pow!

A couple months ago, Sy took me to a shooting range to try out his 9mm, for safety purposes really. Honestly, I wasn’t that excited to be shooting a hand gun. They scare me. I feel like I could easily shoot myself as much as anyone else if someone were to walk in. I do feel differently when it comes to shot guns and rifles. Weird, well it could be but I’m a country girl. I grew up with shot guns and rifles in the house. My family is full of hunters. It was a common thing. Hand guns, well not so much. But it’s better to learn late than never!

I have no photo documentation of my gun range experience, only vivid memories that I would, for the most part, like to forget. I was nervous. I was nervous before we got there. Then I became more nervous on the way there when Sy gave me “the breakdown” on how it was going to go down. He doesn’t realize it, but he has this tone and it just made it seem like “don’t make one mistake”. I just wasn’t relaxed (it’s not a good thing when this happens). I really don’t want to discourage anyone from going to the gun range because I truely believe it’s a very good thing to know how to handle and shoot a gun safely (and with some knowledge) but it’s not my cup of tea. It was loud. There were shells flying. It smelled like gun powder. Diana was shaking. Diana wished she was shooting a shot gun rather than a hand gun (if she had to shoot a gun). Diana wished she got the target with the zombies attacking to make it a little more enjoyable. Period. I mean for safety’s sake, wouldn’t you want to shoot a shotgun anyway – it can be used as a gun or a bat (and for a girl who grew up playing softball, it’s good news). All in all, at the close range, I did pretty well. Farther away, I need some work. For a girl who doesn’t run very fast, it would be good to learn how to shoot more accurately at farther distance.

One thing is for sure. I know my brother wishes he could’ve seen this experience. The avid hunter that he is, he is country thru and thru. So when I went home in July, we went outside, set up a target in the field, table on our “bluff” (I suppose it’s what you’ll call it), and brought out the guns. I think the last time I shot a gun may have been a bb gun 15 years ago. So Riley, Dad, Sy and myself went outside and attempted to shoot the target. It was fun. I missed everytime, but it was fun. I guess next time I go home we can practice a little bit more.