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Over the weekend, Lovey and I had the opportunity to go out to dinner
as Kiddo was out doing Kiddo things. Our decisions always go a little
something like this:
- Should we order in or shower and go out?
- Pasta? Sushi? Mexican? Chinese? What?
- How far do we want to drive?
We decided on go out, Mexican and not far which led us to Talavera in Coral Gables. As you may know, I LOVE Mexican food (Tex Mex also although it's not Mexican) and basically 99% of everything about Mexico. (See also, wedding there in June and lived there for a couple of years.) I even learned to love tacos off the street that I would have previously turned my nose up at. I am plotting a trip to Chicago simply so that I can visit Frontera and XOCO.
It
was still relatively early (for Miami) when we arrived at about 7:45pm.
While there was no wait, the restaurant was still pulling in a good
crowd. They didn't reach a wait while we there, but the steady flow of
business was maintained. We were warmly greeted and given our choice of
several open tables.
Chips
and salsa arrived promptly for us to munch on. Talavera provides two
types of chips and two types of salsa. Right, I neglected to take a
picture of the chips, but one looked like a flour tortilla that had
been cut into smaller pieces and fried and the other was blue corn.
The salsa on the right had a slightly sweet taste to it with a kick. I honestly don't know what was in it. The salsa on the left tasted like tomatillo and cilantro and had a mild spice. Both salsas tasted better with the blue corn tortilla although I'm not sure why.
The menu has plenty of choices and we refrained from gorging ourselves on the first visit. As appetizers, we both had a cup of soup. The cups are normal sized cups with just enough soup. Lovey had the black bean which looked fantastically hearty and tasted just as well. I had the tortilla soup. I will admit that at first glance, I was put off by my soup as it just didn't look anything like I thought it should, but after the first taste, it didn't matter what it looked like. Tomatillo was certainly utilized in the tortilla soup but it gave the soup a light and refreshing quality. Each of the soups had small strips of tortilla and a sprinkling of cheese in them.
Before moving on to the main course, of course we had margaritas!! Lovey had The Original and I had The Ambitious. While I didn't try his, I had my hands full with my own. Let's just say that the bartender makes a damn good drink.
After much indecision, I finally settled on Tacos de Chilorio and Lovey had the Mexico City Beef 
Tacos, left and right respectively.
Wow! Let me start with the rice. I love when Lovey's mom makes rice. I don't know what she does to it, but it's fantastic. Talavera is giving her a run for her money. Each order of Tacos de Chilorio comes with a small side of guacamole which was also quite tasty. You would think that five tacos is an awfully large serving, but after you eat the first one, you know you'll have no problem finishing the rest. The pork was soft and delicious.
The Mexico City Beef Tacos are just as delicious. Although you can't see them, the tortillas are the same size as the ones you see on my plate and they're hiding in that little silver basket. I don't know if it's the cut of meat or what they marinate it in, but the beef was just plain fantastic and I don't really care for red meat. Lovey had no problem putting them all away.
I believe the dessert menu changes often as our server explained them to us rather than providing a menu. The only sadness of the trip was that they didn't have the fantastic sounding churro dessert. We instead had a chocolate souffle with a scoop of ice cream. It surprised us with just a touch of spicy, just like it might in Mexico.
The bill came in at the regular price it does when we go out for a meal and have three courses and drinks, so I didn't find it to be overpriced, or even expensive, especially considering that 40% of our bill was liquor. All in all, it was a lovely meal in a lovely environment and I can't wait to try it out again.
My niece has been talking about doll houses for weeks! She wants one for christmas and she is making sure everyone knows!
While I am sure my sister is going to get her a nice big one, I came across this Winter Village and decided I was going to make her a little recycled one.
I had a small cardboard box and made the roof with a cereal box. I cut a door flap (kind of wide to make it easier to play inside) and started to paper mache.
I think instead of people I am going to make guinea pigs for occupants. She has a guinea pig and this way I wouldn't be trying to compete with the people doll house that her mom will be getting her.
I have this picture on my computer of guinea pigs I want to make. I don't remember where I saved it from... probably craftster.org... but I will use it as my inspiration.
I will add photos of the house after I take them.
Honeymoon with my brother - I first heard of this book on the today show many years ago and then a few years ago I found it at the thrift store so I picked it up. It has sat on my shelf and collected dust since. I decided I was going to throw in a few of the books I have on my shelves and mix them up with the awesome books I get from the library.
This book was a solid good. He talked about the journey he and his brother were on, but also the inner journey he was on. We all have our own personal journeys to make and I was able to connect with many of his feelings.
Enjoyed it!
I tried the Make it do recipe for white chocolate peppermint popcorn the other night. I had enough stuff on hand to make a small batch.
The ingredients...
I had leftover Wiltons white chocolate melting chips (leftover from making zombie fingers for halloween!). I had leftover Peppermint chocolate bits from last christmas (still tasted yummy!) . I took a few candy canes from the christmas tree. Popcorn is a staple in our house since we discovered how easy it is to make kettle corn!
Mixed it all together following the recipe... and Voila!
It's delicious! It would have been better with more chocolate but I didn't want to go to store and just used the amount that I had (much less than the recipe called for).
Would make nice addition to food gift basket for christmas.
The NFL season has reached its ¾ mark and is heading down the homestretch for the playoffs. So, this seems like as good as time as any to review the teams that look to have a shot at the playoffs. For this analysis, I didn’t only look at the record, but also tried to assess the “Have they beaten anyone any good?” question, because let’s face it, there are a lot of bad teams in the NFL this season.
In baseball parlance, I’m calling a “quality win” a win against a team that is currently playing 0.500 or better. We’ll also look at the remaining schedule to see how many “quality” teams are left to play.
NFC East
Dallas – currently 8-4, owns tie-breaker with Eagles due to their win in November. Actually, when you look at the Cowboys, the only other QW they have is against ATL. Their remaining schedule is brutal with SD, NO, and PHL. Another December swoon (which started yesterday in their loss to NYG) and I think Wade Philips is toast.
Eagles – as much as I love them (and hate them), they are also at 8-4, but the only QWs they have are NYG and yesterday’s demolition of the injury-depleted Falcons – so I’m not even sure how to count that one. Tough games against NYG, DAL and DEN remain, with only a home game against the almost-eliminated Niners as one that “ought” to be a win. Have I mentioned how that other-universe-ish loss to the Raiders in October is gonna bite them?
Giants – at 7-5, they might have saved their season with a good win vs DAL yesterday. They have another make or break against the Eagles this week, a couple of winnable games and then a finale against the may-not-be-playing-for-anything Vikings. In addition to the ‘Boys, they have 3 total QWs (the most in the division) due to beating DAL twice and ATL. With the tough PHL and DAL games ahead, I can totally see them grabbing a playoff spot, with one of the other two teams shut-out.
NFC Central
Minnesota – so, Vikings fans, did last night’s clunker against the Cardinals make you worry? The Vikes have 3 QWs (GB twice and BAL) but haven’t had one since Nov 1st. At 10-2, they’ve got an easy enough schedule after a tough game with CIN this weekend and making the playoffs – and even getting a bye shouldn’t be a big deal. After that?!?
Packers – At 7-4, the Packers have shown that if they can keep Aaron Rogers on his feet, they’re pretty good – though their only QW is against DAL a couple of weeks ago. Their position relative to the Giants will be determined with their game against BAL tonight – though they have a tough schedule remaining. They’re going to need help I think to make the playoffs. Man, that inexplicable loss to TB may haunt them.
NFC South
Saints – is there anyone in this division except the Saints? We all watched with horror as the Redskins found a truly I-wouldn't-believe-it-if-I-hadn't-just-seen-it way to crap away a game they’d won, but I’m not worried about the Saints. They have more QWs than anyone in the NFL – MIA, ATL, NE, PHL, NYJ and NYG, which is pretty remarkable. I actually wonder if the loss might have done them well, since they wouldn’t have any “undefeated” distractions. With homefield almost certainly going through the Superdome, these guys are gonna be tough to beat if they stay healthy.
Atlanta – at 6-6 they’re still a viable playoff team, but with their injuries, they’re done. Their only QW is against the also 6-6 Dolphins, and after yesterday's wipeout, they’re going nowhere.
NFC West
Cardinals – another 1-team division, with the Cardinals cruising at 8-4. They have QWs against JAX, NYG and MN and are starting to look more like the Superbowl team they were in January and less like the mess that started this season. The win vs the Vikes may play out for a bye if the Vikings stumble as the only game they have left against a team with a winning record is a final week match-up with the Packers. Would the Packers throw a game (if they were already eliminated) to screw Brett and Vikings --- oh, you know it!
To me, I think the playoff picture will pan out with the Saints as #1 seed, and the Vikings will hold onto #2 (I think they’ll win a game or two and the Cardinals won’t win out even when they should). I have a weird feeling that the winner of next week’s Eagles-Giants game will win the NFC East. I think that Dallas’ schedule will sink them, though if the Pack loses to the Ravens tonight, they should be able to squeak in as a WC. If the Pack wins, I think that last spot is a toss-up.
AFC musings tomorrow!
The power is out in my building and it looks like it's out in the entire area. Cops are directing traffic at the intersection.
The elevators aren't working but at least the common areas have emergency lighting. Even in my Big Window Office, it's too dark to get any reading done.
If I wanted to go home, I would need to go outside and then down the ramp into the garage. I'd rather sit in here where it's dry, goof around on my bberry and watch the happs going on below.
It's just like being safe and dry in a blizzard, or as close as I'll get to it in Phoenix. *warm fuzzies*
*UPDATE* - The power is back on. I didn't even finish my hot cocoa. Harumph. Guess I'll have to get back to work.
It's a dark, dreary and damp day in the desert.
I love it. I'm always more productive under gray skies. <-- I double checked the spelling of gray/grey just now. "Grey" is the color but "gray" is the Americanized spelling. Maybe I should get an American dictionary instead of this British Oxford English one sitting here on my desk.
My ruling: Whatever floats your boat should be the version you use. There.
Anyway, we're supposed to have blizzard conditions in what we refer to as the 'high country'. Cool. I love a good blizzard, especially when I'm safe and warm. Good luck to the peeps up there in the higher elevations in riding out the storms!
Because I have nothing else of import to report and I need to knuckle down here at work, I'll leave you with some bad Christmas music. This is a repeat for some of you so you may choose to skip it. For the rest, enjoy and make sure you have sharp instruments handy to gouge out your eardrums!
Yes, I do not have cable tv. And after this weekend of dogwatching and having cable, I realized this is the best possible thing for me. I would be seriously broke!
They sure do show a whole lotta informercials in the wee hours of the morning and damn, those products sure look good.AND in my half-awake state, if I had my phone and credit card conveniently placed by my bed, I would probably have ordered these products:
- The YUDU! What can You Do?!?! - it's a screenprinting machine...all in one and even professional screenprinters are using it!!! OMG!
- The Slice - it's digital, it's cordless, it slices stuff oh so nicely!
- P90x - It's a gym..in my house! it's extreme! That guy's like 80 years old and he looks like he's 40! This one just sucks me in because I'm addicted to fitness...kind of...
- The Principal Secret - Reclaim - I know this will probably burn my skin off but it's Victoria Principal people! Does anyone even remember her?!?!
So, yes, i should not have cable tv because everything in my house would be a tv product....
And also this morning I caught the most hilarious episode of Supernanny EVER! It was the British one too on Style TV. Seriously, if Supernanny doesn't stop people from having children I don't know what will! It's more powerful than birth control! Anyway, so in this episode, which I really wish there was a clip for, Supernanny has to deal with the most evil little 9 year old I've ever seen! And hello, aren't British children supposed to be super proper and respectful? This completely shattered my view..but then again there is Amy Winehouse and Lily Allen so there...
This girl was 9 with 2 younger sisters. Her sisters were super cute and it came to the part where Supernanny has to lay down the rules and also the consequences. The oldest girl, who sounded like she was 16, starts screaming "That's for sissies! That's stupid! Big Babies!" and then gets sent into the Reflection Room. Ok, there were no g.d. reflection rooms, my parents spanked me and honestly, thank god because I would have been a monster! So, they send the girl to the Reflection Room and she is just raging. Her dad walks in and asks for an apology and Supernanny is standing there. The girl starts yelling "She's not even a member of this family!" Then climbs over the table and attacks the Supernanny, literally kicking and punching and then takes Supernanny's arm and starts scratching up and down it like a cat and then ..get this..the monster BITES her! BITES!!!! Then Supernanny is remaining calm and saying in the most soothing tones "This is just [monster] being angry. She's just angry." WTH?!?!?!?! OH! NO! Later in the episode, she ends up calling Supernanny at B*(&(! and then also walks over to her sister and just smacks her in the arm for no reason. Oh my gosh she was awful! Her mom grabs her and then says "you pinched [your sister]" and the monster says "I didn't pinch her. I punched her." La la la.
Seriously, if that isn't a demon spawn I don't know what is. Awful and yet, pretty hilarious because it was so appalling.
See, I don't want to know this about British and/or American families. No thank you. and no thank you cable tv. I'd be broke and I'd think everyone had bad parenting skills...and children are monsters...
I'll stay uninformed in those areas thank you very much.
