Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category

19 Jun

Round Rock Donuts

Posted by Common Sense Country Girl in Food, Travel. Tagged: , , .

I’ve been in Austin, Texas this past week to visit with my cousins and attend my cousin’s baby shower.  They love to indulge my inner foodie, and always introduce me to new and tasty places to eat.  This trip has been no different – from Mighty Burgers, to Gigi’s Cupcakes, to the subject of today’s post – Round Rock Donuts. 

 Round Rock Donuts

Just north of Austin is the city of Round Rock, and home to Round Rock Donuts.   Donuts, breads, kolaches, and other pastry items are available, and they are all yummy!  You walk in, place your order, pay, and warm kolaches and donuts are soon delivered into your eager hands!  I had the sausage and cheese kolaches:

Kolaches

and a glazed donut and a chocolate donut:

Donuts

Definitely worth the drive north from Austin!

16 Jun

Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

Posted by Common Sense Country Girl in Food, Travel. Tagged: , , , .

I’m in Austin this weekend for my cousin’s baby shower (Yeah!), and just discovered a new cupcake store!  I’m not a huge cake or cupcake fan, but I LOVED the Chocolate Chip Cupcake I had at Gigi’s Cupcakes, a franchise cupcake store found mostly in the South and the Midwest (thank goodness for me!).   Look at this delightful confection!

Chocolate Chip Cupcake

YUMMY!!!

I have never made Chocolate Chip Cupcakes before, but I had to google it after I ate such deliciousness!  I found a very yummy sounding recipe at Annie’s Eats.  Check it out!

15 Jun

When in Port Townsend, WA

Posted by Common Sense Country Girl in Food, Travel. Tagged: , , , , , , .

On my recent visit to Port Townsend, WA, I visited many yummy restaurants on the advice of my hotel staff, eavesdropping, and Yelp.  I thought I’d share with you what I ate.  I stopped at the Silverwater Cafe* (www.silverwatercafe.com) for dinner, and had a great bowl of clam chowder, the best crab ravioli in tomato and red pepper sauce, and an ok (not great) molten chocolate cake.  It is a little more expensive, sit down, relaxing atmosphere kind of restaurant.  With tip and taxes, I spent about $48.  Here’s what the dishes looked like:

Clam Chowder

Out-of-focus Clam Chowder

Best Crab Ravioli

Best Crab Ravioli Ever!

Chocolate Lava Cake

Looks great, but was a little dry.

On my second night, I overheard a shop owner tell some other tourists to try Waterfront Pizza* (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Waterfront-Pizza/61382185589).  My pizza was so good that I ate half of it before I remembered to take a picture of it for you!  This place is very laid back and casual, with a walk up ordering window at street level, and a pretty small dining area upstairs.  Expect a little wait if you want to eat there.  The cool thing is that they let you order while you wait, so your pizza is ready shortly after you sit down!

Waterfront Pizza

Yummy Artichoke and Tomato Pizza!

Port Townsend is a fun, cute little town, so check it out if you get a chance!

*I’m not affiliated with either of these restaurants; I just really liked their food!

 

7 Jun

Where’s all the sea glass?

Posted by Common Sense Country Girl in Arts and Crafts, Travel. Tagged: , , , .

In my quest for sea glass, I decided to spend a few days in Port Townsend, WA, where I’d heard a spectacular glass beach exists.  It just so happens that this week, there was an incredibly high tide with strong winds followed by an extremely low tide and mild wind…perfect conditions for sea glass accumulation and collection!  Here’s what I found:

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Of course, I am a bit anal retentive, so then I had to sort the glass and pottery pieces I found.  Exhibit A:  The Whole Lot

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Exhibit B:  The Pottery Shards and Rare Colors

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Exhibit C:  The Clears, Blues, Greens, Aquas, and Ambers

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Ahhhhhhhh…my obsession is temporarily satiated!