Category Archives: Food

Paradise Bistro & Coffee Shop

One of the things that I love doing the most is taking a drive. Sometimes I feel like I can just drive and drive. It’s relaxing, it clears your mind and you get to explore the world while you’re doing it.

Last weekend, I took a drive out towards the Hill Country region. Once out of the metroplex area, you are soon surrounded by absolutely nothing and to me that is one of the most relaxing and peaceful sights.

Soon down highway 377, I found myself in the small town of Granbury. I’ve been here before but the Christmas spirit was all around this time. One of the things that I miss about Vermont is all the small coffee shops, especially in small towns. I can’t seem to find too many down here that doesn’t involve a huge chain name. Although, I don’t drink coffee, I love small coffee shops. The smell. The relaxing atmosphere. The people. So once I spotted this place, I had to go in, find a non-coffee flavored beverage and just enjoy a few moments to myself.

I found my way to Paradise Bistro & Coffee Shop.

Right in the town square, this is a quaint, relaxing coffee shop with very friendly staff. Not only do they have a coffee bar but you can also order food. If you like their Facebook page, you save 20%. Can’t beat that. I tried out a vanilla frappe. Cold and rich with vanilla flavor, can we just say Yum! It hit the spot on a sunny Saturday afternoon!

If you happen to be passing thru Granbury, whip on into the town square and head on in. Treat yourself to a beverage of choice, like them on Facebook and save a bit of money and just enjoy the day!

2nd Annual Christkindl Market, Arlington

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The 2nd Annual Christkindl Market is currently going on outside the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. It’s free, entertaining, has great food and quite frankly there isn’t an excuse not to check it out. Did I mention that it’s free?

This is the first Christkindl Market that I’ve been to. My friend, Leah has been to events in Germany around the holidays and said that it’s pretty much the best thing in the world to check out so getting a little slice of it here in Arlington is pretty special.

The market has entertainment (live entertainment on the stage anywhere from carolers to dancers), shops (looking for some merchandise?), food and beverages. Since we had never been, we weren’t sure if the area would be super packed but it turned out to be just right. Once within the market, it turned into your own little world. The tents were evenly spaced, picnic tables were in the middle of the aisles (space was easily available to sit and eat), not too many people, it was just about perfect.

Now for the food and beverages had to be bought using tickets. Tickets could be bought for $1 each (there were no special deals so if you bought 10 tickets, it was $10). Personally, I thought this was good as it didn’t leave you feeling like you spent too much with leftover tickets and you could purchase only as many as you needed (works great if you’re on a budget). Beer was about 6 tickets. Food ranged from 6-9 tickets. Not too bad since this is a special event.

I’m not going to lie, I relied on Leah for suggestions. We tried out the Warsteiner beer (it was great fun for this Canadian trying to figure out how to exactly pronounce Warsteiner). The beer was great! Light and it went perfectly with my bratwurst.

Meal of choice. Jalapeno and cheese bratwurst. I know, I know. The lengths I’ve come with ordering anything with jalapeno but it was DELICIOUS and incredibly filling…

… but this caught my eye when we did our initial walk thru when picking out what we wanted. Crepes. I had to save room. Even if there wasn’t much room left, I had to have one and it was worth every bite! This was a cinnamon and sugar crepe. Leah got the nutella crepe. YUM! One just wasn’t enough. We wanted endless amounts! Humm… where can we pick up a crepe maker? Calorie free, right?

The Christkindl Market was a great event in Arlington. It’s just the right size, perfect amount of people (although I’m sure it’s going to grow) and it goes on for two weeks so there’s plenty of time to check it out at least once (if not twice). It’s free, there’s entertainment (be sure to check out the schedule) and go treat yourself to some German food!

(And to top it all off, pick up your Christmas tree at the Rangers ballpark! It looks just like the places in those Hallmark movies.)

Update: 28 in 28

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So today marks the three 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!

Here’s the update!

1. Get Christmas cards out on time! (I get kind of close every year!)
2. Visit one new place each month.
August: Gruene, TX
September: Bardstown, KY
October: West End, Dallas, TX
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.
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.
11. Hike Enchanted Rock.
12. Try one new recipe per month. (3/12)
August: Dr. Pepper Crock Pot Brisket
September: Chicken Enchiladas
October: Broccoli Rice Casserole
13. Organize recipe book.
14. Find a new, more challenging job.
15. Lose 10 pounds.
16. Start etsy shop and sell some photos.
17.
18. Send one 12 handwritten notes per month. (Check your mailboxes.) (1/12)
19. Get a dog or pet (I’m going to say sea monkey’s count).
20. Buy 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!
28. Focus on me. (In Progress)