Category Archives: Food

Natty Flat Smokehouse

When I was checking out the World’s Largest Rocker, it was suggested that I walk over to Natty Flat Smokehouse right next door for lunch. Can we say best idea ever for one of the best days?! I’m so thankful that they suggested it in the store next door.
First, just take a look at this place. How original is this?! Rustic, western and the down home feel. I loved it! How could I not?! Inside is no different. It just has a certain kind of charm, doesn’t it?!

Inside you’ll find pretty much everything that you could be looking for. Salsa, dry rubs, bbq / hot sauce, fudge, jams and ice cream. So many items, but I was here for one thing – BBQ! Natty Flat’s has a wide array of meat and side options but I settled for chopped brisket and a side of slaw. (Check out the menu for the full list.)

To be completely honest, the brisket didn’t even need the BBQ sauce. The meat was moist and delicious. The BBQ sauce just ended up being the frosting on the cake. On the walls there was some memorabilia on the smokehouse. Natty Flat was a man who loved his BBQ. He worked in many different restaurants, either working them or starting them up and soon enough he developed a place of his own, Natty Flat Smokehouse. The man knows his BBQ.

You have the choice to sit inside or outside. There’s a fair amount of seating but the atmosphere and the customer service is what makes this place so great. Everyone is so nice and it’s truly relaxing to be there on such a beautiful day. Country livin’ folks!

Here’s one of the best parts…. the bathrooms are outside. Don’t worry, there are real toilets in there. It’s not that rustic!

Texas Sized Rocker

Look at me up in that giant chair!!!! Yep, what you’re seeing is exactly right. I’m sitting in the World’s Largest Rocking Chair in Lipan, Texas. See, things really are bigger down here! During my Saturday perusing, this was another destination that I wanted to check out and you definitely can’t miss it! I mean, if you miss seeing this giant chair on the side of the road, you really shouldn’t be driving at all! Let me tell you a little more…

This giant rocking chair can be found off Highway 281 (near I-20) just west of Fort Worth at the Texas Hill Country Furniture & Mercantile. It’s in the country so if you’re looking for a little country drive, this is the place to go! As soon as I walked into the store, to be honest I wished I was rich so I could fill my imaginary house with all of these items. Classic, Texas furniture made literally right behind the store. The furniture is BEAUTIFUL and they can make you anything you would like, custom-made just for you. Check out a few of my favorite items!

This bathtub. Check this out – wooden bathtub and it’s absolute perfection. Pay attention to the details – do you see the legs?! Yes – this would most definitely be in my home and it could be in yours too for $8,000.
Now, kitchen tables! There were two kitchen tables that I loved (who am I kidding, I loved every piece in the store). The table above had a built in lazy susan in the middle however my favorite part is the “legs”. It’s actually a tree trunk. Makes my hippie heart melt!
As you can see, it doesn’t matter what part of the house you need furnished, you will find something here. It’s not all about furniture though, they have every detail you would need for your home. I even found a couple things for mine!
I actually bought the cow on the top right. She is beautiful! The one on the left was a favorite too but, well I only have so much room in my apartment at the moment!
Hangers, antler chandelier (I definitely want one of these someday) and the kitchenware was beautiful. They even had some hand painted pieces.

From Top, L-R.
1. Rocking Stools – Who wouldn’t want a rocking stool?! Let’s not kid ourselves here!
2. I now have an itch to make a Texas themed quilt. I know, I said I was never going to make one again but as mama always said “Never say never”.
3. For the love of windmills! Yes, please!
4. Crosses. Turquoise. Need I say more?
5. I thought of my dad when I saw this. He took me to prom in an old Model T like the one in the picture only I didn’t have a cowboy next to me on his horse.
6. Need a hanger for your bathroom (or anywhere in your house)? You’ll find one here!
7. Can we get anymore creative with this lamp?!
8. I’m in love with the wallet in front. It’s seriously beautiful. Can I say I want? Did I just say want, I meant need. My half birthday was on February 15th … just saying. haha!
9. Milk stools. I seriously contemplated buying this for my short self and for my nine month old niece. It’d make getting into those cupboards and shelves so much easier, for both of us!
Outside, you will find what looks like 50 rocking chairs. They are gorgeous!
(Below) These two items really caught my eye as well!
Back to the World’s Largest Rockin’ Chair.
The chair actually made the Guinness Book of World Records on September 20, 2003.
Measurements:
25 ft 10.5 inches tall
12 ft 7.375 inches wide
5,672 pounds
Made to scale.
I’m not even kidding when I say getting into this chair was the hardest / scariest part. Have I mentioned a fear of heights? So how it works, just so you know, is that there are logs/bars (kind of like the ones you see under my feet) on the side just like a normal sized rocking chair. You basically have to climb up, wrap your arms around them and pull yourself up. Then once on the seat, crawl or if you’re brave enough stand up and scoot over to the edge.
Honestly, if you have a chance to swing by, definitely do! The people here are so incredibly nice (I mean, they came out and took a picture of me IN the chair) and the furniture is gorgeous! Give yourself plenty of time to check out the scenery in the area, the store and if that’s not enough, there’s a smokehouse to eat right next door (more on that tomorrow)! I definitely plan on stopping back in at some point. There’s so many beautiful items and who doesn’t need a good rocking chair for their porch? I’ve been thinking about it ever since I left.

28 in 28, 6 Month Update

So today marks the six month mark since turning 28. I thought it would be a good time to revisit my 28 in 28 list to see how I’m doing! Apparently, I’m not doing too well…. I’ll be picking up the slack in the coming months! I’ve got plenty of time!
Here’s the update!

1. Get Christmas cards out on time! (Does December 18th count?)
2. Visit one new place each month.
August: Gruene, TX
September: Bardstown, KY
October: West End, Dallas, TX
November: Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth, TX
December: Grapevine Christmas Wine Train and Farina’s Cafe
January: Random Trip to Austin (Austin in a new way)
3. Sign up / walk for Alzheimers Walk. (Completed)
4. Let’s go for 12 crafty projects. (0/12)
5. Start a private blog for my niece. (In Progress)
6. Save money. (Tax Return?)
7. Get this wardrobe together. (In Progress)
8. Revisit music scene. (It’s coming up – look at the schedule!)
9. Run 5k.
10. Get blog to 6,000 views per month. (Getting closer! Come on folks!)
11. Hike Enchanted Rock.
12. Try one twelve new recipes per month. (3/12)
Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Brisket
Chicken Enchiladas
Broccoli Rice Casserole
13. Organize recipe book.
14. Find a new, more challenging job.
15. Lose 10 pounds. (Completed)
16. Start etsy shop and sell some photos.
17. Get my picture taken in the blue bonnets!
18. Send one 12 handwritten notes per month. (Check your mailboxes.) (3/12)
19. Get a dog or pet (I’m going to say sea monkey’s count). – (This was the plan in August but I’m going to say this is probably out the window.)
20. Get a watch.
21. Get a new phone. (Completed)
22. Find and attend one Texas antique car show. (Completed)
23. Do something out of the ordinary, on a whim.
24. Write one children’s book.
25. Go horseback riding / visit a ranch.
26. Go canoeing / kayaking.
27. Keep on traveling! (In Progress)
28. Focus on me. (In Progress)