Shots Through A Dirty Windshield.... San Antonio Revisited

Knowing that it will be a downhill roll to Christmas from here on (8 Saturdays left until Christmas), I made a quickie trip to see my San Antonio friends. I needed to take her the things I bought for her at her mother's estate sale and I knew that I'd have to wait until January or later, if I didn't do it now. After 58 years, I've finally figured out things like this. 

It was perfect weather for driving so I seized the opportunity to take a few pictures of the scenery. It's pretty dull leaving here, but it does get better as you go along. Lots of plateaus and mesas, with plenty of desert at ground level. By the time you pass Kerrville, the scenery gets much lovelier.

As always, I stayed in *my bedroom*, sleeping in my most favorite bed ever. My friends cooked a lovely dinner on Friday night so I prepared dinner on Saturday night. It was a great, relaxing time. We went to Central Market on Saturday, for dinner and a sundry of other things (intended for here at home). Central Market always makes me buy more than I intend to but I love them in spite of their marketing ploys. Needless to say, I came home bearing gifts. My biggest coup was finding Bufala (Buffalo/Bison) Mozzarella at CM as well as some new wines they were offering with free sample tastings. I know. It was dangerous for me but I came home with some great buys, including 2 bottles of Vampire wine, one white and one red.

After shopping, we drove by the University of the Incarnate Word (it's basically across the street), which has a beautiful campus. I just had to stop for a few indiscreet shots... 

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to Groomer's Seafood because they're closed on the weekends (thank gawd!). I could have done some serious damage there. 

As usual, I missed my turn on the way home, but the scenery was great, so I didn't mind too terribly much. It was only a 45 minute detour and I rather enjoyed it. When you screw up, it's always nice to enjoy it, right? I was still home in time to get the decorations and candy ready for the Trick or Treaters. As always, I traumatized the neighborhood children with my witch hat that has attached scraggly hair. We had a ton of kids and the candy was all gone by 9:00 PM (I even raided my golf-candy-stash for the last group), so I turned out the lights and called it a success....

I Sneaked In A Quick Trip To Groomer's In San Antonio... My Bad?

Yes, it's true. I didn't even unpack from the Austin trip. I just threw my bags back into the car and raced off to San Antonio (just a quick 11 hours round trip) to go to Groomer's for fresh fish. I wasn't disappointed. I totally scored!


We now have fresh shrimp, fresh salmon, sushi grade tuna, flounder, and Red Snapper, to last us at least until Spring.


While in San Antonio, I stayed with my good, good friend, as always. Oddly enough, they had not been able to do their turkey dinner on Thanksgiving, so they did it the following Sunday. I arrived the next day and was richly rewarded with oodles and gobs of leftovers. Yes, I was in total Hog Heaven. Then, to add to my joy, my friend gave me some of her fabulous crawfish dressing and some of her shrimp dressing, both of which are to die for. She had made up a ton of the stuff and it was already frozen. I nearly fainted with delight. So far, I know we're having crawfish dressing for Christmas Dinner. Beyond that, it's a mystery.



So, we arose at the crack of dawn on Tuesday, since we knew that Groomer's opens at 7:00 AM. We finally arrived there by 8:00 AM and watched as our various goodies were prepared by the Groomer's staff. So, we're standing there watching through the windows and I decide to take a few pictures. At that moment, the owner turns to me and says "Are you Snooty?" I was completely blown away by his question but was able to recover in time to say "Ummm... yes." I wasn't quite sure if this was a good question or a bad one.

As it turned out, he had found my previous post about Groomer's by doing a Google search when looking for something else entirely. Then, a new Snooty Fan was born. Is that a hoot or what? He was also sweet enough to throw in a couple of flounder filets for free. Okay, I did spend $151.00 already and the flounder was an afterthought, so he caved. I do love that place!

We weren't able to get any fresh oysters because one of his best customers had been in the day before and bought something like all 4,000 of the oysters they'd had, that were already shucked. Damn! I'd like to be a guest at that party, right? I didn't feel like shucking them personally, so I passed on the oysters. This Time.




The Groomer's guy was just preparing my fresh tuna...

















Then, I had to have some fresh salmon....









Then, they carefully packed all of my goodies into what they refer to as a *cooler*, then loaded it into the car for me. We went back to my friends' house, I packed up my things, and was on the road by 10:00 AM and was home by 3:30 PM.





Lovely Red Snapper....







Lovely Heads-On Shrimp....






If you lived in West Texas you would fully understand why seafood, especially FRESH seafood, is worth an 11 hour round trip drive. Some may call me crazy but I know better....

Arrrrrrrrriba! Mi Tierra Cafe y Mariachi Bar Es Muy Bueno...

I know. My grip on the Spanish language leaves so much to be desired. When I arrived at my friend's house in San Antonio they were ready to head out to Mi Tierra's and frankly, I was born ready. Mi Tierra is much nicer now than it was in the days I had gone there. There were no more formica top dinette sets or linoleum flooring, which was certainly an improvement in my eye.





Over the last couple of decades, they have expanded and it now has richly colored wood in abundance. The walls are literally covered in pictures of Mi Tierra's past as well Mexican and American memorabilia. The ceilings are close to totally covered in hanging flags, bright pinatas and an assortment of other decorative items. There is so much there, that it's hard to actually be able to take it all in and wrap your brain around it.


The first thing you notice upon entering Mi Tierra is the Candle Shop which is a feast for the eyes, with so much to see. You go through the next set of doors and come face to face with a larger than life size fresh pastry and dessert counter. Oh. Yes. Let your imagination run wild and then run some more. All of this before you've even had a Margarita. Pfft! My friends had to pull me past the counter because I was gaping and drooling over the delicacies that laid only feet away from me. Luckily, my friend was able to entice me away with the promise of a huge Marg and tasty appetizers. Since I was nearly comatose, I did as she bade me do.



Once we reached the bar, the spell was broken and we sat down to order, falling under an entirely new spell. What was it with this place? I was captivated and started taking clicks of the bar. I don't know why in the world those people didn't move out of my way for the picture. Perhaps they were in a similar catatonic state of mind. Clearly, it was contagious. Then, the Mariachis came along so we paid a few dollars to play a couple of our favorite South of the Border tunes.













We ordered a round of rather embarrassingly large Margs on the Rocks and a large Bontanas Platas, which was more filling than it looks. Thankfully, I remembered to take some food porn pictures. The Botanas Platter is perfect for three people and by the time we left, there was no trace left of our indulgences.


When we were as full as we could get and still be able to walk, we went out and waited our turn in line to buy the sweet goodies we each wanted. I opted for 6 divine crystalline pralines and a large piece of German Chocolate Cake. And no, I didn't eat any because I'm taking it home to Mr. Snooty. Only then, will I be able to happily pig out in the presence of no one. Well, that's when I like to pig out, ok?






Once we finished eating and drinking we hit the Mexican Market (which is right there) and I bought a few items that I had anticipated needing for the highly awaited arrival of Fred & Bessie who are currently visiting Jeri of In The Gutter. I really want to tell you what I've acquired, but I don't want to spoil the surprise so it must remain a mystery for now. he he...



We finally headed back to their house, ate some of our dessert goodies, then my friend's hubby went to bed and we stayed up talking and giggling until 3:00 AM.



Believe it or not, we were all up by 9:00 AM and started our most excellent adventure for Thursday. To be continued tomorrow...