A Former New Yorker (by way of rural Georgia) arrives in Dallas, Texas.
A blog about the home life, cooking, cheese, day trips and weekend getaways from Dallas, interactions, news, and, of course Texas.
Dan and I are in the midst of buying our first house, and we're smack in the middle of that exhausting time known as the "option period." (Translation = decisions, negotiations, and paperwork, paperwork, paperwork.) So it was especially uplifting to read D Magazine editor-in-chief Wick Allison's editor's letter in the February 2009 issue, which touted the burgeoning vibrancy of Knox-Henderson, the Dallas neighborhood in which we're buying.
For those of you who aren't familiar with it: Knox-Henderson is one avenue. On the west side of 75, it's called Knox; on the east side, it's called Henderson. The west side is anchored by some big-name retailers (Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, and Apple among them). The east side has more of a local feel—restaurants with breezy street-facing patios, well-curated antique shops, a wood-fired pizza joint, a wine bar—you get the idea.
We've liked Knox-Henderson since we landed here in October—especially the Henderson side. While there are still sleepy areas between the bustling pockets of the street, the pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare carries a local vibe and reminds us of our old home, Brooklyn. But it's not one of those city-sponsored "business improvement" districts or pre-planned outdoor shopping malls. Wick’s letter emphasizes the "organic change" that's happening in the neighborhood:
"Organic change—the kind that isn’t planned or city sponsored but advances little by little in fits and starts—always presents a deeper meaning if we try to grasp the forces behind it. In this case, the force is market demand by younger people. Knox-Henderson runs 1.4 miles from the KatyTrail to Ross Avenue, changing from one name to the other as it crosses over Central Expressway. Only a decade ago, Knox Street was a rather tattered shopping street, and Henderson was the northern boulevard of the lower East Dallas barrio, lined with taquerias and beer joints and a Mexican grocery store. But the definition is changing. Urban infill today attracts a younger, more ethnically mixed crowd. The change on Henderson Avenue is patchy, but as the apartments begin to fill, we could be seeing the harbinger of a new lower East Dallas. Unlike a suburban housing development, it won’t pop up overnight. But with more young people wanting a less expensive version of Uptown, my guess is that in a decade, lower East Dallas will be one of the hottest spots in town."
Thanks for your insight, Wick. It feels good to be part of 'hood. Cool photos here.
When it's slow at Molto, I get to play mad food scientist, slicing off bits of any cheese I want and pairing them up with any of a number of already-open honeys, oils, confits, and pestos at my own discretion. With so many fantastic ingredients, it is rare that I make a bad match. Still, it's always fun to have some guidance. Luckily I was working alongside a savvy cheese monger on recent such shift, who recommended I top my slice of yesterday's baguette with Roquefort and Williams Pear & White Wine Confit. Oh. My. God. All you lovers of blue cheese, all you lovers of the mouthwatering combination of sweet and salt—get in the car, drive to your nearest cheese shop (hopefully that's Molto Formaggio), and purchase these two items. Then thank me for changing your life.
Even though it's packed with nutrients and people have been eating it for thousands of years (the Incas considered it sacred, calling it chisaya mama, or mother of all grains), quinoa is staggeringly less popular than other cookable grains. It's light and fluffy, mild, if a bit nutty, and chock-full of things that are good for you, like protein, manganese, magnesium, iron, copper and phosphorus.
Last night I cooked up a pot and split it up into two recipes. First things first, here's how to cook it: How to Cook Quinoa
1 c quinoa
1.5 c water
Dash of salt
Soak quinoa in hot water for a few minutes, then rinse and strain. Bring water to a boil, put the quinoa in, then simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to sit five minutes with the lid on.
The first recipe is a cold salad, which makes a healthy, filling take-to-work lunch. Use as much or as few veggies as you want, and use what you like! In addition to the ingredients I used below, Savvyvegetarian.com recommends snow peas, shell peas, celery, green beans, scallions, raisins, dried apricots, and minced jalapeno pepper. Easy Vegan Quinoa Salad
recipe adapted from savvyvegetarian.com
1 cup quinoa
1 1/2 cups cold water
1/2 tsp salt
2 carrots, sliced
1/2 green pepper, sliced
1 large tomato, diced
1 cucumber, peeled and diced
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley, cilantro, or basil (I used 1 tsp dried basil and 1 tsp dried oregano instead)
1/2 cup toasted cashews (or chopped walnuts, or sunflower seeds)
Handful of dried cranberries
Small container of pitted kalamata olives, sliced
Dressing:
The juice of one lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
Pinch of black pepper
Pinch of garlic powder
Directions
Cook quinoa according to directions above. Set aside to cool.
Steam the carrots and green pepper for 5 minutes.
Chop the tomatoes, herbs and cucumber.
Combine quinoa, veggies, nuts, berries, herbs, and olives in a large bowl.
Blend dressing ingredients with a whisk, then pour over the quinoa mixture.
Cover and chill.
The second recipe is a great way to sneak quinoa and fresh veggies into a classic dish. Pair the meatballs with pasta and marinara sauce—or make a meatball sub!
Yesterday, while the rest of Texas was sinking into the sofa for the Cowboys game, we were driving north on 75 for the next in our series of day trips from Dallas. Our destination? McKinney, Texas, where, on the weekend before the third Monday of each month, hundreds of vendors set up shop at Third Monday Trade Days. Should you be in the market for a handcrafted oak cutting board, an old license plate, or a puppy —this is the place for you. And should you grow weary from browsing, a bounty of state-fair grub—corn dogs, turkey legs, tater tornados—is available for the noshing. We managed to keep to our shoestring budget, picking up only a $1 wall-mountable bottle opener and two wooden bowls ($3 each).
Shopped out, but with plenty of daylight hours still left to burn, we headed to McKinney's downtown square, where we encountered a historic village,
(surprise!) antique shops —and, thankfully, a wine bar where we could take a breather. Now, it was time for our final stop, Rockwall, abutting the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard—30-some-odd miles southeast. We ended our adventure at the Flying Saucer, a taphouse on the water.
It's not quite spring (hell, it's not even close to spring), but the ice has melted from the city's fountains and temps are back up to a cool mid-50s. That, coupled with the current events unfolding at home (Dan and I are in the negotiating period of buying our first house, which actually has a small yard!), and today's Dallas Morning News coverage of all things gardening has got me on a quest for flora, which, until we actually move out of our apartment on April 1, will remain mostly in my imagination.In gardening news today (control your yawns—this is actually pretty cool stuff), San Francisco's much-lauded Flora Grubb Gardens now sells flat, wall-mountable planters designed to hold tiny succulents that create a natural wall decoration. For 99 bucks, you get a 20”x20” tray with 45 slanted planting cells designed to support plants and soil once the thing is mounted. Voila! Vertical Garden. (FYI this is meant to be displayed outdoors) For more enticing photos, see Flora's blog.
In Dallas, two new garden shops have opened: regional chain Under the Sun (7124 Campbell Road), and Downing Hill (3016 Greenville Ave.), which specializes in locally made garden accents, like gurgle pots, and yes, garden gnomes.
I'm finding it difficult to stifle my anger over the ridiculous scenario that's playing itself out at Floyd Elementary School in the Dallas suburb of Mesquite. Four-year-old Taylor Pugh has been exiled from class because his hair is an unacceptable length, according to the school's dress code. (see my previous post here) The latest? If he doesn't get a trim, he will be sent, indefinitely, to in-school suspension.
Instead of working one-on-one with a teacher's aide in the library, Taylor would work by himself at a desk in the Floyd Elementary School office, said district spokeswoman Laura Jobe. "There would be people checking on him from time to time, but it wouldn't be the same attention he has now."
So a child with hair that is longer than what administrators deem appropriate, but who is otherwise perfectly well-behaved, is being punished. Not only that, but surely his education has suffered since the whole ordeal came about in November. Part of going to school as a four-year-old is interacting with the other tikes. And isn't the whole point of a dress code to cut down on distractions? What's more distracting—a kid with shaggy hair or the endless parade of cameramen, photographers, and reporters that have staked out the scene? Some would argue that his parents should bite the bullet and make an appointment at Supercuts. I'd argue that they're doing the right thing. They should continue to fight until Taylor's allowed to go to school with hair any length he wants. The next step, according to the Texas Education Agency, is for the Pughs to file an appeal to the state commissioner of education. What are they waiting for?
I've got a keen interest in all things entrepreneurial, especially since I became an official part-owner of Catskill Lodge, the inn my husband and his brothers own in Windham, New York. I love reading stories of people who are taking on careers that jibe with their real interests after leaving a job or being laid off. I also love reading about entrepreneurial success stories (a la Groupon). So I was excited to read that the University of Texas at Dallas just established a master's degree in entrepreneurship. Now those of us that want to do our own thing can go into with a little more know-how.
A few weeks ago, well, a month ago really, I started up my very own cheese enthusiasts group on Meetup.com (for anyone reading this that doesn't know me: I love cheese, and I spend about 20 hours a week behind the counter at Molto Formaggio, a cheese shop in Dallas).
I call it The Secret Life of Cheese (props to KOE's creative mind for giving me that title—I owe my forthcoming success all to her). With one successful event under my belt, I've just confirmed the details of my second gathering:
http://www.meetup.com/The-Secret-Life-of-Cheese/calendar/12263367/
Last night, Dan and I had the chance to meet Dallas mayor Tom Leppert at a small event hosted by the Young Professionals Group of the Friends of the Dallas Public Library. There weren't more than 30 people there, so the evening took on a casual feel—an unstructured Q&A with Leppert ensued. Some highlights:
The Trinity River Corridor Project is still rolling (slowly) along, Omni's mammoth convention center hotel will be up and running in 2012, DART is the largest light rail system in progress in the nation, in 2013 you'll be able to ride it to the airport (a benchmark that is decades too late if you ask me), Leppert wants to make the city more pedestrian- and bike-friendly (WOO-HOO!), oh yes, and the guy really, really likes Dallas.
While my typical New Year's Day is spent watching movies on TBS and nursing a hellacious hangover, this year I decided to bring in 2010 with an adventure (and that's partially because I didn't have a hangover). Dan and I settled on a road trip to a place that would thrill most six-year-olds (and minimally excite most 26-year-olds)—Dinosaur Valley State Park, home to some of the most well-preserved dinosaur tracks in the world. At the first site within the park, we hiked right down to the bed of the Paluxy River, where, right next to three idle fishermen, were two bonafide dino footprints. For real! If the water were a little warmer in that bright blue swimming hole, we would've gotten right in to stick our feet inside the three-toed tracks. At the next site, we hopped rocks to cross the river and arrive at the older-than-ancient evidence of a dinosaur chase. Archeologists have concluded that here, some 113 million years ago, a meat-eating carnosaur ran after an unassuming sauropod (which looks like a brontosaurus). I have concluded that the outcome probably wasn't pretty (and that I'm beginning to sound like a dorky eight-year-old). The nearly-two-hour road trip led us past the kind of wide open spaces that reminded us of our trip home from San Antonio. Ahhh, the open road.
