Today on weekend meanderings, a few things I’m loving lately – an easy, delicious weeknight taco recipe, clear bags that look good for football games and other stadium events, new design books I’m looking to for inspiration, and more.
Happy Saturday, friends!
It’s time for the weekend post with Kim and Elizabeth, our weekly roundup of inspirations and goings on.
We’re in Texas visiting eldest niece Sam and her family and today we’re off to the TCU vs Baylor game. It’s an 11am kick-off and the weather forecast keeps changing. It will either be 90° and sunny, or 85° and cloudy with thunder showers. It’s anyone’s guess, wish us luck.
While we ponder our fate, flashback to Snowberry’s fall decor … probably 2021.
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We made our inaugural visit to Original Joe’s in Walnut Creek! The original Original Joe’s opened 90 years ago in San Francisco and has become an institution still run by the grandkids of the founder. Out here in the ‘burbs we’ve been waiting years for Original Joe’s planned expansion and the doors finally opened in mid-August. Excitement was high, and competition for a table strong when tragedy struck in a late night kitchen fire. Thankfully no one was hurt but the restaurant closed for six weeks to deal with smoke damage. The second grand opening happened October 1st and on Monday night Kyle and Melody suggested we try to get in. It was a rainy night, and after 8pm, and we snagged a table in the very hopping bar. Melody snapped a couple of photos.
Speaking of fires, the original Original Joe’s in the City’s Tenderloin neighborhood had a catastrophic fire in 2007. Later that year it reopened in its current North Beach location, but the exterior sign had been in storage since the fire and it’s now gracing the bar in Walnut Creek. We’re so happy to welcome Original Joe’s to the ‘burbs. It’s gorgeous with a real old school feel … and super fun atmosphere. Jim predicts it will the hottest table in town for a very long time.
We’re in Texas
Niece Sammi and her family moved to Texas in 2021. She’s come back to California with the kids a couple of times but we haven’t seen them in over two years. Sam and her husband Justin have three kiddos. Wyatt soon to turn 12 (TWELVE), Beau soon to turn 9, and Maesyn 7. We miss them and want to see them more … so off to Texas we go. Youngest niece Shelby traveled with us. Lucky us, we get to spend a few days with two of my three adored niecies and three grands.
Beau recently broke is collar bone, and Maesyn stepped on a bottle of nail polish requiring stitches. Sam says both are back in action and ready for anything Auntie Julie and Uncle Jim have to throw at them.
Our plans for the weekend include a high school football game and the TCU vs Baylor game today. That’s a lot of football. In addition we hope to see the kids schools and visit Justin’s shop, Anderson Performance. Justin is a genius with cars and he’s an in-demand performance enhancement specialist. He successfully moved his business to Texas where it’s thriving. Jim’s especially excited to visit the shop and see what Justin’s working on right now.
On our last night we’re staying at the Hotel Drover in Ft. Worth which is a newish hotel highly recommended by TCU parents we know. It looks fabulous, and it’s part of Bonvoy’s Autograph Collection (read: points) and it’s located at The Stockyards which is a Texas style shopping and dining extravaganza. I’ll report back.
Of course, I packed my Quince Expandable Carry-On that I bought for our trip to Cabo in July. I planned to share my packing list, but I’m working a couple days ahead and my plan to pack early fell through. What I do know is I’ll be utilizing packing cubes because they are essential to my packing success. Success may be overstating things, let’s just say they help me get the job done.
Pippa and Maggie are happily ensconced at the Dogs Breath Motel; we follow their shenanigans on Instagram. Pet care is one of the most stressful parts of travel and it’s such a huge relief to know the girls are safe, happy and doted on – in a home environment – while we’re away.
Clear Stadium Bags
Both football games we’re attending this weekend have clear bag policies. These days clear bags are required for nearly all big events so it makes sense to have a decent one. The good news is clear bag options have gotten better and better at all price points. I packed this one with handles and a cross body strap (essential).
Niece Shelby brought this one. This one’s similar to mine but at a better price, and this one’s a great cross-body shape. One last one and then I’ll stop, Mark & Graham has a camera bag shape and now I’m questioning my choice.
Weeknight Tacos
You’re probably tired of hearing about my moving woos and the things I intended to bring to the pied-à-terre that ended up in storage. Will you humor me one more time? On Monday I decided to make my favorite quick and easy week night taco recipe and was browning the ground beef when the latest packing SNAFU reared its ugly head. I was reaching for a can of tomato sauce and can opener and, uh oh, no can opener. Jim came to the rescue with his Swiss Army knife and I added a can opener to my shopping list.
The bigger tragedy is my recipe binder. I intended to send my cookbook collection to storage, but not my recipe binder. Anyway, I thought I knew this taco recipe by heart but hesitated when it came to the spice measurements. The recipe is from the Pillsbury Cookbook from 1989 and I have a copy of it in my binder. I didn’t think there was any hope of finding it on line, but ye of little faith, Google found it immediately. And it’s a good thing because I was going add a tablespoon of chili powder instead of the teaspoon called for.
That’s a long preamble for a very basic recipe but one that’s been a go-to for a long time … well, since 1989. It was on the weekly rotation when I was working, because it’s so quick and easy to pull together. And, if you’re cooking for only one or two, it’s good for a repeat performance.
A few tweaks I make to this recipe depending on what’s in my cupboards –
- I leave out the onion. Are onions a taco thing?
- Add a finely diced garlic clove if you have one on hand.
- Add 1/2 to 1 cup of sweet white corn, about one or two ears of corn or, if corn’s not in season, I use frozen.
- Sometimes I add about 1/2 a can of refried beans to the taco meat.
- Sharp White Cheddar is really good on tacos.
- I leave out the sour cream and tomato toppings, and use a Pico de Gallo instead.
Flat bottomed taco shells are great for these tacos. It’s so much easier to stuff your taco shell when it stands up on its own.
Design Inspiration for Our New House
Now that our new house is finally underway I’m ready to get excited about making interior choices and this week I picked up a few new design books. There’s nothing I enjoy more than spending a few hours on the sofa pouring over the endless inspiration design books provide, and daydreaming about what’s to come.
Caitlin Flemming’s The Essentials: The Art of Interior Design is a pre-order (available Oct. 21 – that’s next Tuesday!)
I’m especially interested by Erin Gates latest, Elements of Timeless Style: Creating a Forever Home, because our new house will be that. Definitely. For sure. Jim calls it as our drop dead house, meaning when we leave it will be feet first. Anyway, I wish my carry-on luggage hadn’t been overflowing because I would have loved to read this one cover-to-cover on the plane.
Cocoon: Creating Homes with Heart by Ali Heath, British, writer, stylist, designer, is part of a series but my introduction to her work. I’ve taken a quick flip through and I’m sure I’ll own her entire collection soon.
Farewell Diane Keaton
I can’t wrap up without mentioning the loss of Diane Keaton. This one hit especially hard and the outpouring of grief, appreciation and love for this incredible actress – and human – has been wonderful. Like many of you I’ve made a list of all her films and started rewatching. I’m not sure which is my favorite, Father of the Bride or Something’s Gotta Give. There are a surprising number of her films I’ll be watching for the first time like Looking for Mr. Goodbar and Baby Boom (can you believe I never saw it?). I’m not sure what I can say that hasn’t already been said more eloquently. Kim and Cindy penned wonderful tributes to Diane here and here.
Stephen Colbert replayed his last interview with Diane which is hilarious and so her.
Current Favorites ~
That’s what I have for you today.
The Drover is ! Next time you come, you might want to try Bowie House. It’s closer to TCU and walking distance to the cultural district which includes Kimball Art Museum and Amon Carter Museum of American Art among others. I also think Bowie House’s Restaurant, Bricks and Horses is preferable to 97 West at The Drover. Another not-to-miss restaurant for me in The Cultural District is Chumley House. A great one in The Stockyards area is Lonesome Dove. We hosted our son’s & DIL’s rehearsal dinner there and they got to brand the door on the patio with our family ranch’s branding iron. However there is absolutely nothing negative for me to say about The Drover and it’s got all of the entertainment and nightlife of The Stockyards District, again within walking distance. I’m not a local, but close enough to visit a few times a year. Ft. Worth is so friendly and comfortable and by far my favorite Texas city! Hope you enjoy!!
Hi Julie! Wow … thanks for the great information. I wish we’d been in town longer to have explored more and see all the great things Ft. Worth has to offer. We certainly enjoyed our short time there and loved the Drover. And we loved the extremely pleasant weather, other than the rain we got at the TCU game … still had a ton of fun. Next time we visit I’ll ask in advance where to stay and what to do and we’ll plan to have more time to explore. xo
Yes, I was so sad to read about Diane Keaton’s passing this week. I think you meant “Something’s Gotta Give” (one of my all time favorites and hers too) instead of “ It’s Complicated”. I watch Something’s Gotta Give every couple years. It’s in my rotation with Moonstruck and all the Jane Austin movies from the early 90s. Why did they stop making great movies like these?
Kelly, you’re right … that’s exactly what I meant. Somehow I confuse the titles of those two movies. Love both … as well as Moonstruck and all the Jane Austin adaptions. We need more of these types of movies! xo
Welcome to Texas! If you have time, travel about 45 minutes north of Ft. Worth to my hometown of Decatur. Our beautiful historic courthouse has been lovingly restored and the grand rededication is on the 23rd. I look forward to your posts.
Hi Cathy! We had such a short time in Texas and every minute was jam packed. It was a wonderful trip and I can’t wait to come back and add Decatur to our list of places to see. Sounds like just the sort of place I’d love. Thank you! xo
I just LOVE you Juliet! Thanks for making my Saturday mornings extra INSPIRING!!! XO Kymmie
Kymmie!!! xoxo
J,
You’ve never seen Baby Boom!?!? Speechless.
So many things to comment on.
Temporary housing comes with those inevitable forgotten necessities. Glad you found your recipe online.
Original Joes… Rain or shine, always a line. Love that place. I didn’t know about the fire. Happy it didn’t destroy the whole space. Looks like you had a great evening.
Two years ago my bff recorded me saying we will never move again. On her last visit I was interested in seeing a home for sale. She promptly whipped her phone out of her pocket and I could hear my voice repeating the vow not to move. I couldn’t stop laughing.
Hope things are coming along on the new house that I take it is still nameless. Making progress on design?
Karen – that’s hilarious! I guess I should be more careful about making declarations! Baby Boom … I know. I’m going to try and remedy that this weekend. xo
Ahhhh — so are you the one that is the chronic move-on-er, not Jim? Or have you both been inclined at different times? We have moved every 10 years (and built or reno’ed from floor up each time), as an academic family, because it is the simplest way to regain market worth as a professor, but you and Jim seem to have moved — with house build/reno — a good bit more than us!
Your Fort Worth Autograph Collection hotel photo really highlights American regional design differences! What a handsome and very Texan space, and so wholly different from the Williamsburg Lodge (Virginia), Autograph property where we stayed for a wedding last month. Even though, or perhaps BECAUSE we are a young country, the U.S. has strong regional food, style and linguistic differences to enjoy through travel.
I, too, was shocked and saddened by Diane Keaton’s passing — the world truly needs more originals, as Keaton was. Thankfully, we have her body of work to continue to enjoy.
Thanks for your taco recipe — that is a fun weeknight idea. I have winged it in the past — with MIXED results.
In your Diane Keaton list, please include The Other Sister. Little film that is just adorable.
Ooh … that’s for the recommendation. She made so many films that I don’t recall seeing … so there’s much to look forward to! xo
Onions on tacos? Yes! I learned all about Mexican food from the woman (my boyfriend’s grandmother) who owned Tiny’s on Milpas in Santa Barbara. Thinly sliced red onions (half moons) with a tiny bit of vinegar, tiny bit of oil, pinch of salt, fresh minced garlic and a pinch of Mexican dried oregano. Let them sit in the fridge and drain before using. They are terrific in or on enchiladas, frijoles refritos, tacos and more. And I’m Swedish!
Elle! I do love pickled onions on tacos … and many other things! xo
Thank you for sharing your life with us Juliet, this post made my day! My husband and I moved to Austin in 2023 (from Ohio). We stopped and stayed at the Drover to kick off our Texas adventure. It is so lovely! Enjoy the time with your family and maybe pick up a pair of cowboy boots!
Amanda! I’ve never been to Austin but it’s on my list of fabulous places to visit. The Drover was lovely, as you say. We really enjoyed all the outdoor space and the weather was perfect for taking it all in! xo
Beautiful pictures Juliet and it sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I bought those Quince packable cubes and I am excited to use them, love the green. Have a lovely weekend!
Francesca! I love the green too … and I’m not sure how I ever packed without cubes. The largest one fits perfectly in one side of my carry-on and I can slip a pair of sandals on either side. xo
Hi Juliet,
How nice you took time out to go visit your beautiful niece, Sammi and her family. The children are adorable.
Wow, you guys are so fortunate to get an Original Joes in your backyard. When I lived in the Marina in SF I’m pretty sure they had Original Joes on Chestnut and it was always busy. The food yummy. Good for you guys that you were able to get in. The restaurant business is tough to run successfully. It’s great to see they have done so well.
It sounds like your new home is moving forward.
Katherine! I’ve been to Little Joe’s in the Marina a couple of times and there’s always a line. They seem to have cracked the code to creating excitement and demand. It’s such a fun atmosphere and the food is delish! xo
Good morning Juliet!
I hope that both of your teams won the football games! How wonderful to be in Texas with your nieces and grands, they are gettin so big!
I am sure that you will have a jam packed and fun trip. Looking forward to hearing more about it and that amazing hotel.
Your tacos look delicious! I never tire of hearing about your woes, it is a pain in the butt to be in transition I’ve been there. Thank goodness for Google.
Great minds think alike, I have been buying interior books and adding them to my Christmas wish list. Erins’ house and book are beautiful.
As for Diane Keaton, I feel the same. She was amazing!
Have a safe trip home.
xo
Elizabeth! You know better than anyone the highs and lows of moving, renovating, etc. It all looks better – and funnier – in the rear view mirror! xo
Welcome to Texas- so sorry about the weather! I hope you enjoyed Fort Worth; it’s a great town. I live in the ‘burbs but spent my day getting soaked at the No Kings event in Dallas. I love your blog and enjoy hearing about everything, including your moving woes!
Kathy! I imagine you did get soaked. Never in my life have I experienced such huge rain drops! That said, I preferred the rain to the blazing temps we’d been anticipating. So happy to hear you got out to the No Kings event … what an amazing show of love and support for our country from coast to coast. xo
Juliet, Cannot wait to hear more about your Texas trip and that pretty hotel. I hope it was fun. The kids sure are cute and growing so fast! I bet they are so happy to have you visit with them.
Love the books and have them all on my list!
The taco recipe looks great. I am saving that. I need to try a little change.
Enjoy all those movies. There are SO many good ones with Diane. Thank you also for sharing my post on her. I am sorry I am so late to comment here. Busy weekend.
Hope you had a great week. xo
Kim! No apologies … I’m just getting to the weekends post to read and comment. I’m looking forward to hearing about your weekend experience with the No Kings – Love America rallies. xo
It may take a tad bit more time but Ree Drummond’s Restaurant style salsa is the bomb! I love crispy tacos and these remind me of ones we made growing up as kids.
Thanks for the tip, Nanci. I love her pico recipe too! xo