Be passionate!

My favorite place for dining and entertainment in Johnson City is The Friendly Bar Bistro at 106 N. Nugent Ave., just down the block from the bank. The Friendly Bar has a storied past, but Ed Thompson, manager and chef has turned the stories from the days of old on their ear. In a small establishment, Ed turns out delicous dishes with fresh ingredients sourced from all over. If you stop in once, you’re a regular, and Ed will know your name before you leave. Ed turns out amazing food from a tiny kitchen where the chef is your server, and every plate is inspected by the chef as it goes out. Last Friday night I had the Cesar salad and the crab cakes, Awesome all the way around. As I was eating alone at the bar, I watched Wheel of Fortune, chatting with the lady next to me Judy Moore, who is half of the Dos Amigos Band I was about to watch. We both wondered how much Vanna White makes, knowing it was more than we make since she has had her gig almost 20 years. Vanna is the same age as me, but I’m thinking she may have had a little work done, since she looks cover girl fresh at 54 years old.
Ed always has fantastic bands that play at The Friendly Bar Bistro. It reminds me of the 70’s in Austin, when you could sit down and have a beer and chat it up with whoever had the stage on a particular night. Ed is passionate about his little Bistro in Johnson City, and it shows, take a look and see for yourself.

http://friendlybarbistro.com/

Lake on Flat Creek 2-13-11 3:00 pm

One of the really nice things that I love about the Texas Hill Country is a peaceful, sunny, late winter Sunday afternoon that feels like spring and warms you with sunshine. And spending that day on a crystal clear lake, perfect for catching fish, and letting your mind wander as far away as the Moon. It’s hard to beat.

Bee day
2-6-11, I knew the bees needed a helping hand after the nasty weather last week. Today was nice, got to 70 degrees in JC. I mixed the bees a couple of gallons of food which should see them through the worst of winter, and put back 2 of the 3 frames I owed them in the honey super. The bees had built their own honey comb in the rest of the space. Most of it was empty and they had obviously been living off that honey. There were a few dead soldiers at the hive entrance, but the hive was surviving despite the recent cold temps. I removed the comb they had hanging from the hive top, but there was still a large piece of comb at the bottom of the honey super that was left for the bees. I still get rattled by the buzzing bees, knowing they are pissed to be disturbed. My new dome hooded bee suit is awesome, and keeps me protected, but once you have come face to face with a bee inside your bee suit it (and know the inevitable outcome) it is unnerving to hear them buzz so close. I work quick and don’t linger for a photo op.
Here is one I took at home:

Am I in central Texas???

Yep it's February 3rd at the BEE Ranch in Texas, but the weather feels like we're in the Arctic! It's been below freezing going on 3 days, and it snowed last night right after the sleet quit. Before it froze, 60 mile an hour winds ushered in the cold front. I don't know if it was a Blue Norther because it was dark when it arrived, but I do know that what ever you care to call it, this has been one strong sum bitch of a cold front! I hope my bees are doing OK, they survived a strong cold snap last winter, but it didn't last this long.
I'm including a couple of photos to show ny point.

ice ice baby...