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!

4 Years Ago Today

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Although most people are out celebrating St. Patricks Day, today has another meaning to me. Four years ago today, I arrived in Texas and low and behold, I am still here.

It’s crazy to think how fast times passes by sometimes and everything that happens within a four year span. Back in Vermont, I quit a job that I hated without a job lined up in Texas, left probably the best roommate I could’ve ever asked for, packed up my belongings and what I could fit into my car, I did and took off for a state that is so much bigger than Vermont by size and population.

On the way down, I took advantage of the opportunity of moving 2,000 miles from the place I grew up. I stopped in Philly to visit a close friend from college and her now husband for a couple days and went into NYC for one. Then it was a stop in Kentucky in which we drove thru some of the most beautiful farmland I’ve ever seen (which rolled into TN). Final leg of the trip was to Texas but I wasn’t about to drive from Kentucky to Texas without a pit stop – we were going to Graceland!

I remember the night we drove into Texas. From Texarkana to Dallas-Ft. Worth, it was stormy and we kept getting calls to keep an eye on the weather. We later found out that there were tornado’s roaring thru East Texas. This didn’t help my infatuation with them.

Well, I made it to Texas. I found a job within a month after I moved which I still have. I’ve had opportunities that I probably wouldn’t have had back home including starting up this blog. Although, I do miss my family and friend’s back home (there’s never enough vacation time is there), if I didn’t move it would’ve only eaten at me so it was bound to happen at one point or another. I’ve met some of the most wonderful people and have had some great experiences.

So in honor of the anniversary of Texas being blessed with my presence, yes – I said it – it’s only fitting that this week I try to give a recap of my travels from Vermont to Texas. So stay tuned.

And Texas – you are welcome!

Happy St. Patricks Day Ya’ll!

This Past Weekend…

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We traveled down to Houston yesterday to our friend’s dad’s house for a crawfish boil. Unfortunately, I didn’t end up taking one picture the entire time we were there. It was pouring down rain from the moment we left up until about an hour from where we live on the way back home. As much as the rain kind of put a damper on things the drive wasn’t so bad.

On the way down and who are we kidding here, on the way back too, we stopped at the Czech Stop in West. If you are looking for a good pit stop off Interstate 35, this is it. Yes, it’s going to be busy – that’s not uncommon but stop anyway… trust me on this one. If you would like some recommendations – try the Lemon Cream Cheese and the breakfast sausage Kolache. Yummy!

When we hit Waco we swung over to Route 6. This has to be one of my favorite drives in Texas that I’ve been on so far. It really gets you into the country, shows you a few glimpses of history and is a pretty easy drive. You end up going thru a few tiny towns like Hearne and Calvert and if you pay attention you will even see a yellow statue of a biker (Lance Armstrong). These little ole Texas towns are places that I love driving thru and on days like this weekend, getting into the country is even better. You’ll pass many historical landmarks and those large entrances to Texas ranches. Although it was pouring down rain, the fields were as green as could be, bluebonnets were blooming on the side of the highway and those lone tractors, solo old barns and solid oak trees out in the middle of the fields with the cows are screaming for pictures to be taken. However I was not screaming in excitement to get out of the car in pouring rain…so it had to wait for a better day. We even ran into some big ole trucks shipping windmill propellers (they’re huge!) and a lone coyote running across the highway. I think it was my first time seeing one of them!

And for the event that we were waiting for… the crawfish. Just as good as last year!

Now… it’s time for a nap.

Check out the links on this page to check out my visits to these places in the past year!

Breaking New Grounds

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I was looking through some pictures and I completely left out one of my favorite stops while I was in New Hampshire – Breaking New Grounds in Portsmouth.
One of the things that I miss most about Burlington and I guess its common throughout New England are coffee shops, especially in the winter. Walking into a small shop, fresh smell of coffee, fresh muffins and pastries just waiting to be eaten – does anything get much better. The atmosphere is warm and cozy and it’s just the place where you could find yourself sitting for hours, reading, doing homework, relaxing, playing card games or just catching up with friends.
Obviously, the sweets have got this guy intrigued. Who wouldn’t be?!
Now I will be honest and say I don’t drink coffee (but I do love the smell) and how stuffed I was from my great lunch at the River House, I settled for a hot chocolate. Let me tell you, it was probably the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life. Chris said he thinks it was made from real chocolate. I don’t know, I don’t care but it was so delicious and most importantly the temperature was just right. Don’t you hate it when you go to take a sip of a hot drink and you end up burning your mouth and cursing yourself. Didn’t happen folks. It was perfection in a to-go cup! As for the coffee you ask – Chris and Cody both got one and they found them fantastic. What did they have? I have no clue but I’m pretty sure you’ll be satisfied with whatever you try – I mean, look at the line….

So if you find yourself in Portsmouth and it happens to be a cold chilly day, I’m pointing you in the direction that you need to go, or at least the place that I would go. And it’s located right in downtown, you can’t be in a better location. Try it out and as always, let me know if you liked it!