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Sep 30, 2014

Alison Cook's Top 100 Restaurants 2014

alison-cook-houston-chronicle-food-critic-my-top-5

Alison Cook is the Food Critic for the Houston Chronicle.  She just recently released the Top 100 Restaurants of 2014.  I am excited to say that Pearland is listed twice in the top 22.

Ranked #3 is Killen's Barbecue.  Here is what she had to say about Killen's Barbecue:

"The constant lines outside this exciting Pearland destination attest to the grandeur of chef Ronnie Killen's meticulously smoked meats.  With the support of Patrick Feges, Killen has established his welcoming, shipshape new restaurant as one of the premier barbecue spots not just in Texas, but the nation.  It's an exalted niche that needed filling in Houston, where a recent barbecue renaissance has paved the way for Killen's obsessive degree of attention to differentiated woods and smoking methods, to say nothing of his picky sourcing.  Beef -- always a civic obsession here -- finds its highest expression in Killen's brisket (remarkably, both the lean and the fatty cuts are equally fine) and his mammoth beef ribs, which the chef calls "foie gras on a stick" in honor of their lush, perfectly rendered fat.  Jolly little house-made sausage links are another big attraction, whether laced with jalapenos or spiked German-style, with mustard seeds and coriander, they burst with juice under their snappy casings.  All this, and remarkable side dishes, too: letter-perfect potato salad; briskly Asian-style slaw; unrepentantly sticky mac 'n' cheese; and the sweet, milky creamed corn made famous at Killen's highly regarded steakhouse right down the road.  Even the desserts deliver, from a lifting buttermilk pie touched with lemon zest to a blissfully caramelized peach cobbler.  Despite the crowds, service ticks right along, and free samples and beer under the mighty oak tree out front make it all feel cheerfully tribal."

Cuisine:  Barbecue
Entree Price:  $-$$$
Where:  3613 E. Broadway, Pearland, TX

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Ranked #22 is Killen's Steakhouse.  Here is what she had to say about Killen's Steakhouse:

"Chef Ronnie Killen may be applying scholarly attention to his new barbecue spot of late, but his splendid Texas steakhouse -- still under his watchful eye -- clicks right along in the capable hands of DeeDee Killen and chef de cuisine Teddy Lopez.  The new ideas keep coming, in the form of amusing broccoli-and-cheese "risotto" or fried calamari in a sweet, garlicky chili sauce.  Not every one works (ixnay on the sour/hot Wagyu meatballs), but the classic sides and fried shrimp are as wonderful as ever, the smart retro cocktails rule, and the beef is the stuff of a steak lover's dreams.  USDA Prime cuts from such top-level suppliers as Allen Bros. and Strube Ranch are butchered and dry-or wet-aged in-house, cooked over mesquite, then crusted under a broiler to achieve a great balance of smoke and char.  The low-slung room, with its white linen and attentive waiters, breathes vintage Gulf Coast charm.  Pro tip: Ask for the peerless steak fries."

Cuisine:  Steakhouse
Entree Price:  $$$-$$$$
Where:  2804 S. Main, Pearland, TX

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We have never been to Killen's Barbecue and that is because the lines are out the door, down the sidewalk long.  Our Executive VP at work has gone and raves about the food.  He said the lines move really fast.  Looks like we are going to be going to Killen's Barbecue to taste some of this goodness!

We have been to Killen's Steakhouse several times.  The food was amazing and the service was excellent.  

Chef Ronnie Killen trained at Le Cordon Bleu and honed his culinary skills throughout the U.S.  Lucky for Pearland, he returned to his home town.

Thank you, Ms. Cook, for listing two of Pearland's top restaurants in your Top 100 Restaurants of 2014.

So if you are ever in the Houston area and are looking for a place to eat, be sure and stop by Killen's Barbecue or Killen's Steakhouse.

Take care,

Debbie


Sep 29, 2014

Soccer, Gumbo and Christmas Decorations


 We had a very full weekend starting with Ms. P's soccer game at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. :)
I handed off my camera to Ms. A so I could help with Mr. W.  She  took this photo of Pey.
I think she did a really good job!
Mom tickling Mr. W
Cute pic of Ms. A laughing at her brother
He rarely sits still.
Kevin made his famous gumbo (I'll post the recipe later this week) after the soccer game.  Of course, I helped!  It was delicious.



I made potato salad to go with the gumbo.
I made Salted Caramel Apple Cupcakes that I found on a blog I follow Flavors by Four.  I sent the leftovers to Brad to bring with him to work last night.  They loved them.

They were really good, with and without icing.
  We are all going to Disney World in November so Paw Paw and I gave each of the grandkids a gift to open in anticipation of our trip.
Ms. A got a Darth Vader mug and a Disney gift card.
 We gave Mr. W a Mickey Mouse cup, plate and fork and spoon set.  We didn't think anything of it when we handed him his cup.  Never once thinking that he would think there was something to drink in it, right?  It was so funny.  Brooke handed him the cup and he immediately tried to drink from it.  He could not understand why Nonnie would give him a cup with nothing in it!  I quickly washed it out and gave him some milk.  What were we thinking, right?
Off to the kitchen to get some milk in his new cup.
 Ms. P was so happy to get her Elsa costume.  We have been trying to get her one for several months now.  Brooke (Nonnie) found this one at JCPenney's and put it on hold so Paw Paw picked it up for her.
I asked her to twirl in her new dress.

My favorite photo.
After the Texans' game (go Texans!) Kevin and I brought our my Christmas decorations down from the attic.  I have more decorations in our closets and under the beds.

These are not bags of trash!  They hold wreaths, stuffed animals, linens, etc.






Well I guess you know what I am going to be doing when I get home from work this evening.  That's right...I'll be playing my Christmas music while I am putting up a 9 ft. tree in the family room.  My goal is to be finished in two weeks.  The hubs thinks that is a very unrealistic expectation to have.  I think it is possible since I should not have to rework the garland like I did last year.  We'll see.  You never know if you will run into a problem with lights not working, etc.  My toes and my fingers are crossed!

Hope you have a wonderful day!

Debbie






Sep 26, 2014

Chicken Tortilla Soup


 Yesterday I made Chicken Tortilla soup in the crockpot.  I had found the recipe on Pinterest.  It is so easy to make and is so delicious!  The best part is that it is inexpensive and lasts for several meals. Oh and one more thing.  It's ready when you get home.  Kevin was home when I got home from work.  The first thing he said was "that smells good".  

 Brooke asked her dad to make chicken and sausage gumbo so he is going to make it this weekend.  These girls have him wrapped so tight he can hardly breathe!  :)  Gotta love it!

Do you have any special plans for the weekend?  I am hoping to get started on my Christmas decorations.  Yeah, you heard right.  Christmas decorations.  I am a woman on a mission.  We have a couple of events in the near future and I'd like everything done in time so I can play and enjoy this wonderful season.  Our entire family is going to Disney World in November and I want time to do fun things for and with the grandkids before we leave.
north-pole-elf
Yes, I did get one of these darling elves.  I think I am going to put him in the breakfast room....not sure just yet.  I can't wait to put up my new decorations that I got from Decorators Warehouse.  I'll be discreet about the decorations until the trees in the front of the house are up....then it's game on.  Lights and all!

Here is a new to me Christmas song I found on www.youtube.com recently.  I love it!!!  It is Zydeco Christmas by C.J. Chenier & The Red Hot Louisiana Band.  I'll be dancing all over the house while I am decorating.  :)  Poor hubby!!!  He is so used to it by now!!!


I'd like to know if you decorate for the holidays.  If so, when do you start?

Hope you have a great weekend!

Debbie


Sep 25, 2014

Wedding in McKinney, TX

The colors for the wedding were blue and gray.  Her Maids of Honor were her sisters.  They wore navy blue and the bridesmaids wore the same dress in gray.  This is a great dress to choose because each girl can wear the dress the way she wants and gets a different look.  The flow of the fabric gave off a very elegant look.
Sisters of Bride
Isn't she adorable?  




Sign in table.
One of the new trends in wedding cakes is the "naked cake".  There is no icing on the outside of the cake.  It was delicious!
The bride had "LSU" written on the back side of the cake for her dad.

The groom's cake was chocolate, incredibly detailed and quite delicious!

Head Table
The Father of the Bride gave the best speech I have ever heard.  Pretty much everyone in the room had tears in their eyes.

We all had a great time getting together and visiting with one another.  The guys have been best friends for 35 years now.   Two of them live in Lake Charles, two in Houston, and one outside of Austin or there about.  

The guys usually get together several times a year for LSU football games, golf outings or other events.  Over the years there were times the wives would go to the games, sometimes not, but we all know each other just not as well as the guys.  Well that has changed now!  We spent quite a bit of time together and really got to know one another really well.  Donna and I hit it off so well I think we could have talked endlessly.  We found out that we have a lot in common.  My hubby jokingly told his friends "we are in trouble now."  The guys are all going to an LSU game in November so Donna is going to come down and spend the weekend with me.  We plan on going shopping, sit out by the fire pit, or whatever she wants to do.  We are so excited.  We are hoping that Ashley can get together with us, too.

Have you been to any weddings lately and seen any new trends?

Take care,

Debbie


"I'm not going to limit myself just because some people won't accept the fact that I can do
something else."  ---  Dolly Parton











Sep 24, 2014

Road Trip to McKinney, TX

Last Friday we went on a road trip to McKinney, TX.  It was raining when we left Houston.  In fact, it had been raining all week long.  Once we started travelling north the rain stopped, but it was still very cloudy. 
Cotton Fields
The further north we drove the drier the conditions became.  The grass along side the road was very dry and brown.  In Grand Prairie we saw what used to be a lake that is now all dried up.  Seeing these conditions made us really appreciate all of the rain we had been getting at home.
Dried up lake in Grand Prairie, TX
Waxahachie, TX
Waxahachie, TX - love the name
We stayed at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites in McKinney, TX.  Thanks to hubby accumulating so many points with his previous job we were able to stay two nights for free.
The room was plenty big enough for the two of us and all our my stuff.  These days I am so out of practice in packing for a trip.  I bring way more than I need.  I used to travel for previous jobs so I had it down to an art of what I needed so I didn't over pack.  Now I feel like I need to bring everything just in case I need it.  We are going to Wimberley, TX in a couple of weeks for another wedding and then Disney World after that.  I am hoping that by the time I pack for Disney I will be bringing bare minimum. :)
The bed was super comfortable and the AC worked really well.



The wedding and reception were held at the Grand Hotel.  It is a beautiful hotel.  The bartender said it is 140 years old.



Hotel lobby
Hotel lobby
Room off to side of lobby
Beautiful painting of bluebonnets



The ceilings were gorgeous.  I think the hub and I have decided to go with this look for the game room instead of coffered ceilings.
Bar
This is the room the wedding and reception were held in.
Cocktail area
We had cocktails and hors d' oeuvres while the room was being turned over for the reception.  They served chicken tortilla soup and potato soup in shot glasses.  They were delicious!  There was also a tomato and cheese hors d' oeuvre they were passing around.  The women in our group hung out in here while the guys were watching the LSU game in the bar.
Donna and I toasting our shot glasses of potato soup
We had a great time.  I will share the wedding photos tomorrow.

Take care,

Debbie