Category Archives: Beverages

Weekends Should Be Like Mini Vacations

If we’ve met, you’d know I like to stay on my feet. The world is an amazing place with something new always to be seen and experienced. The sounds go hand in hand with the sights. There’s an experience to be had around every corner. More reasons to turn weekends into mini-vacations.

Don’t get me wrong, we all have a million things going on but it’s doable! It doesn’t have to take all day, break the bank or be hundreds of miles away. It only has to be so much fun to make you forget all of your worries and be in the moment. Here’s a glimpse into my last weekend!

Friday:
Friday evening after work I headed over to Farmers Branch, Texas to the Bluegrass Heritage Festival. I was about as excited as a kid in a candy store. Bluegrass isn’t something that I get to experience as often in Texas as I did back home in Vermont but I grabbed hold of the opportunity.

Rhonda Vincent and the Rage

Saturday
Saturday morning I was up and at ’em early. First, a 15.5 mile bike ride on the Trinity Trails in Fort Worth. These trails seem endless and I pass thru so much – Backwoods Rentals, the park for picnics, basketball and the Pillar Project. Farther downstream following the Trinity River, I came across fitness groups, live music and even a few fly fisherman. All smart folks – enjoying every ounce of the amazing weather!
Trinity River Basin, Fort Worth, Texas Next up – a brewery tour!
Who doesn’t love a good brewery tour?! This is one of my favorite things to do. Each location is a new experience for your sights, sounds and tastes. This afternoon I met a couple friends at the Bearded Eel in Saginaw. The stout – yum! Delicious! Who doesn’t love a Saturday afternoon spent with good friends, hearty laughs with a cold brew in hand!
Fort Worth Brewery, Texas, Fort Worth, Stout Evening arises…
This calls for a girls night to see Gone Girl. Beyond twisted. If you haven’t seen it – it’s good. You’ll get a taste of what “crazy” really looks like.

Sunday
Sunday Brunch. Brunch has to be one of my favorite meals. On this Sunday, I ate at one of my favorite places, Cat City Grill in Southside Fort Worth. Eggs Benedict – you make my belly so happy!
Fort Worth, Southside Fort Worth, Texas, Benedict The afternoon brought a choo-choo! Can you ever go wrong with a ride on a miniature railroad? I think not! Transfixed back to my younger years. Everything was right in the world! (Read more by clicking on the link!)
Fort Worth, Miniature Railroad, Afternoon / Evening.
While everyone was watching the Cowboys game, I made these tasty, delicious and fresh out of the oven blueberry muffins (and my apartment smelled the best)!
Cooking, Muffins What’s the best way to prepare for a five day work week? Make sure you have a weekend that gets you even more excited for the next!
What are your plans for this weekend?

Summer Grilling with Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CollectiveBias
For more ideas on how to create your own #BackyardBash, check out the tumblr page at www.drpepperbash.com.

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Summer in Texas is usually unpleasantly hot however this past weekend the temperature was unheard of – a cool high of 82 degrees! PERFECTION!!! That only calls for as much time in the summer air as possible! I headed to Walmart and picked up everything I needed for a delicious Dr Pepper BBQ sauce and #BackyardBash!

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Friday night, I whipped up my Dr Pepper BBQ sauce (see below for the recipe). This recipe is super easy and definitely made for great grilling! Quick, flavorful and perfect for any event or preparation time. (This recipe was based on a recipe I found online however I made a few changes and it still turned out fantastic!)

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Saturday was spent having fun outside! First up – a little bocce ball and a lot of fresh air at the park! It’s so nice to be outside in Texas in July, and still see green!! It was super easy to grab everything in one swoop with my cooler and a small snack. Plus it wouldn’t be a Texas summer without Dr Pepper as it is the official drink of Texas!

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Next up, it was time to try the Dr Pepper BBQ sauce and enjoy the grilling season. First, we coated the chicken with some of the sauce then placed the chicken on the grill. Throughout the cooking process, we coated the chicken with additional sauce to savor the flavor. Juicy with great flavors and spice enhanced by the one of a kind Dr Pepper flavor! #BackyardBash #Shop #Cbias #Recipe The summer weather made it so nice to be outside enjoying the fresh air! The view wasn’t bad either!

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What’s your perfect way to spend a summer day? Do you have any fantastic Dr Pepper recipes?

Dr Pepper BBQ Sauce

Great on all meats or as a dipping sauce.

Serves: 3½ cups

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 1 hour

Total time: 1 hour 15 mins

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter (I used salted)
1 large yellow onion, chopped
2 tsp minced garlic
1 cup ketchup
3 Tbsp tomato paste
One 12-ounce can Dr. Pepper
½ cup cider vinegar
⅓ cup Worcestershire sauce
½ cup packed light brown sugar
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt

Directions

In a large saucepan, melt butter.
Add chopped onions and garlic. Saute until onions are translucent. (About 10 minutes.)
Whisk all remaining ingredients in a bowl, add to saucepan. Bring to a boil for about 10 minutes. (Stir occasionally to avoid sticking.)
Simmer under a slow boil for 30 minutes. The sauce will begin to thicken. Stir occasionally. Seasonings may be adjusted per taste.
Remove from heat to allow to cool for 10 minutes (or until warm but not boiling hot.)
Puree with blender. This will thicken the sauce.
Let cool.
Keep tightly sealed in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

Crazy Water

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Mineral Wells, Texas, Texas Day Trip, Health, Mineral Water

What brought everyone to Mineral Wells? It’s what they call crazy water!

In 1880, Mr. and Mrs. James Lynch drilled a well on their property in Mineral Wells. The water tasted funny but it was harmless, it was actually beneficial. Their ailments slowly started to decrease. It’s also said to have helped alleviate an old woman’s dementia (crazies). Thus we have “crazy water”.

In 1881, another well is drilled with the same water presiding and a growing number of people arriving, ready to buy a glass of this healing water. By 1900, Mineral Wells has visitors traveling from all over the world coming to drink and bathe in the mineral water springs. By 1913, Mineral Wells had over 21 different mineral water companies. Multiple bath houses, wells, sanitariums and numerous hotels. Mineral Wells, Texas, Texas Day Trip, Health, Mineral Water The mineral water holds many different natural minerals including zinc, magnesium, calcium, manganese, and silica to name a few. No mineral can be added to mineral water. With the minerals being in the drinking water, it allows the minerals to be absorbed into the body easier. Allowing folks to stay hydrated and recover faster. (If Mike Modano loves mineral water, it must be great!)

Throughout the years, mineral water is proclaimed to have many health benefits. Although business and the number of open wells has decreased (only two wells are currently open), mineral water can still be found today at one of the original pavilions – Mr. Dismuke’s Famous Pavilion.

Mineral Wells, Texas, Texas Day Trip, Health, Mineral Water

Step on inside, to hear a bit of history, see products and photographs from the prosperous days when mineral water was first introduced and sample some of the mineral water for yourself.

Mineral Wells, Texas, Texas Day Trip, Health, Mineral Water

In case you’re curious, the water tastes a little thicker than normal water and silky. There’s definitely a different taste but it’s not bad. There’s also different levels of the mineral water with hold various mineral contents (and taste).

Mineral Wells, Texas, Texas Day Trip, Health, Mineral Water

Have you ever had or heard of the crazy water?

Crazy Water
209 N. W. 6th Street
Mineral Wells, Texas 76067
Tel: (940) 325-8870