Tag Archives: Texas

Hyatt Lost Pines – The Food

I’ve mentioned quite a bit about how beautiful and fun the outdoor atmosphere is at the Hyatt Lost Pines but I’m leaving something incredibly important out… the food (and I’m not even kidding.)

The Hyatt Lost Pines have a few dining options at their resort. I had the please of eating at the Firewheel Café and if you have the opportunity to dine there, do not pass it up!

When walking into the restaurant, as with the rest of the resort, you get the outdoors, indoors. It is especially apparent in the restaurant with large windows and special features throughout. One of the special features is the painted glass windows featuring some of the native flowers in the area (painted by a local artist). You will find yourself looking at them. They’re beautiful. Comfortable, relaxing, perfect for a solo, couple or family / group meal.

To get the most out of what was to offer (so I could share it with all of you) – I got the buffet. For $24.99, this all you can eat feast is well worth the price (if not for the dessert alone) and allows you to try a little bit of everything.

Warning: Do not judge by the amount of food that I tried (and I did go hiking prior to dinner so I’ll use that as an excuse of how I burned up an appetite).

Salad Bar – Everything is prepared. Three types of leafs, mushrooms, green peppers, tomatoes, sliced cucumbers, carrots, eggs, croutons and by all means try out the raspberry vinaigrette!

Bread and Cheese – Three types of breads, two types of cheese. I mean, you really can’t go wrong with bread and cheese.

Main Dishes and Sides
Sweet Potato Casserole – This.Was.Perfection. The absolute best sweet potato casserole I’ve ever had. Sweet, but not overly sweet and was as smooth as could be.

Meats
Grilled Salmon was well done, flaky and moist.
Grilled Chicken
Sliced Beef – We are in Texas, right? It was extremely moist and I suggest pairing it with the BBQ sauce.

Soups
Jalapeno Corn Chowder – Creamy, creamy and delicious. I’ve noticed this as a Texas staple since I’ve moved here so everyone from out-of-state must try. When in Texas, do as the Texans do.

Baked Potato Bar
I think this may have been the first time I’ve seen this at a buffet (or maybe I just don’t frequent enough buffets). Regular baked potato or a sweet baked potato with all the fixings. I didn’t have enough room to try this but I’m going to take a guess and say it was pretty tasty. When is a loaded baked potato not savory? … Exactly.

Dessert
Don’t judge.
I have a sweet tooth and well, I have a sweet tooth. To be honest, I’m pretty sure I tried almost all of these. I mean, a girl can taste right (plus don’t forget I went hiking prior to dinner). Plus, all the desserts were in the “Mini” version, so it’s ok, right?!

Red velvet whoopie pie, pecan pie tart, lemon square, fresh whip cream, apple cobbler, brownies, lemon tarts and my favorite, the maple panna cotta. It tasted like maple pudding consistency but not an overwhelming maple flavor with fresh whip cream and a blackberry on top.

If dinner isn’t enough for you, each night in the large fire pits outside, you can enjoy s’mores, an outdoor favorite. (I obviously had to pass.)

Other Dining Options:
Stories Fine Dining – Elegant dining.
Old Bucks Place – Next to the pool, enjoy some fresh BBQ.
Shellers Barrelhouse Bar – Rustic, Austin inspired atmosphere. (Go here for nightlife.)
Major Neighbors Grill – Take the golf experience inside at the clubhouse.
McCade’s Emporium and Ice Cream Saloon – General Store feel, breakfast, candy and ice cream treats.

Note: For extra savings, be sure to check in with FourSquare. I believe I got a free beverage at McCade’s with my first check-in. Don’t pass it up!

Disclaimer: I was not compensated but did receive a complimentary meal at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa in return for this post. All photos and opinions are 100% my own.

How I Got To Texas: My Story

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It’s pretty amazing the people that we meet in life and how we get to the place we’re at. I’m pretty intrigued with hearing people’s stories and thought about how we all got to where we’re at. I’ve decided to start a series called “How I Got To Texas” which will introduce you to some of my fellow blogging friends and learn a bit about their background and how they got to the great state of Texas.

Back in sixth grade, I tried to convince one of my friends that we were going to move to Texas together when we “grew up” and write country songs. She didn’t go for it and the dream quickly dissipated. Never would I have thought how it would all pan out (minus writing the country songs – at least not yet.)

My Story

My story actually starts back in 2006. One of my good friends (Heather) graduated college a semester early and moved to Texas in January 2006. That May, as a graduation gift to myself I had planned a trip visiting friends throughout the country and Texas was on the itinerary. A week after I saw Heather at our college graduation, we met up again in Texas. I hated it. I said I would never move here. It was busy, over populated and it was busy.

Mama always said, “Never say never!”

Fast Forward – October 2007

I had wanted to move out of Vermont for, well, a really long time. I grew up there, went to college there and then was working there for a year and a half after graduation. I just wanted to try something different. Where to go? Heather happened to be getting married (in Texas) in October of 2007 and I took another opportunity to make a multi-stop trip. On the way to her wedding, I took a detour to Colorado/Wyoming to visit another friend from college. I found myself driving all over Colorado and Wyoming for three to four days and realized, as much as I loved the landscape, I didn’t know a soul.

Then I arrive in Texas, ready to have the time of my life at this wedding, because, well, I wasn’t going to see these people again. Let’s make the most of it. (It’s probably a good idea to just start laughing about this now.) Everyone knew I was thinking about moving and everyone had a plan – to get Diana to Texas. First, it started with Heather’s dad and sister. Then it progressed to a few other friends. To make a long story short, by the end of the weekend, I had pretty much made my decision… I was headed to Texas.

In March of 2008, I packed up my belongings, filled my car, said my “see-ya-laters” and left Vermont on a very cold morning. I think it was about -10 Fahrenheit. Pit stops and must see destinations were made along the way (NYC, Philadelphia, Louisville and Graceland). Then on St. Patrick’s Day, after driving hours through tornado weather in East Texas, I had arrived.

Fast Forward – 2013

Traveling and exploring new places have apparently always been something that I’ve enjoyed, although not necessarily something that I knew I was keeping up with as a hobby. I started my blog as a way to show my family everything I doing and then it’s evolved into something a little bigger and I’m glad I get to share my experiences with all of you.

Texas, especially in the last year, has really grown a special place in my heart. Although, Vermont will always be my number one, Texas is a close second. There’s just something about it, the rural country, the cowboy boots, the music, the Western lifestyle, the fact that there’s something going on all the time or that this place is so big and there’s every type of landscape. Luckenbach, Gruene, dancehalls, Texas Rangers baseball and those old windmills in the fields just do it for me.

I’m now familiar with BBQ, Mexican menu’s, and making sweet tea. (Although, I typically stick to enchiladas on the menu’s and I’ve been reminded that I am a Yankee and I need a Texan to tell me what good BBQ is.) I enjoy eating stuffed jalapeños and can make some pretty good chicken enchiladas. I’ve got two stepping down and could dance all night if I had a good partner. I own cowboy boots and I’m not scared to throw around a good “y’all” or “right quick” every now and again. I like to think it’s a great blend of the North and the South.

I’m not entirely sure where life is going to bring me but I’m glad that life brought me to Texas.

Volkswagen Car Rally

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While I was visiting Fredericksburg in April, there happened to be a Volkswagen convention in town. There’s literally a different event every weekend year round in Fredericksburg. (Check out their calendar. It’s packed!) It was like walking into the 1970’s seeing all these cars. I think the best way to describe this is to let the photo’s speak for themselves. There were one to two hundred cars around, a great variety.

Here ya go!

Growing up, I use to want a bug – I thought they were so cute. Now, if I had to pick I’d go for the Thing.

This dune buggy – I’d love to take for an off road drive!

I have no idea what this is (below), but it really reminds me of the Bat-mobile.

Texas Tuesday link up with Amanda from Princess of the Panhandle and Crystal from Masons Mama. This is a chance for any blogger to participate in a post on the greatness of Texas! There’s so much to explore!