I met the nicest donkey today. Really got me thinking about getting one for our farm. Did you know donkeys are used to protect sheep from predators?
Every time I’m in Fort Worth- my hometown- I make a trip to Pendery’s. Pendery’s has been selling spices, chilis and chili powder blends since the 1800s. They have more than 20 different chili powder blends and umpteen jillion chilis, plus bar-b-que rubs, taco seasonings and hundreds of dried herbs and spices. Everything they sell is fresh and crazy good.
Today I stocked up on two of my favorite Pendery’s blends- the Fort Worth Light Chili Powder and the Taco Spice blend. I use a whole lot of both of them in my kitchen and they keep me from being so lonesome for home. Pendery’s does have a website- please don’t let it’s lack of refinement keep you from ordering. The spices are well worth it!
I picked up a three extra bags of Taco Seasoning and three of Fort Worth Light to giveaway to three spicy blog readers. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this post telling me about the “don’t miss” spots in your hometown. Couldn’t be simpler, right? One entry per person please! All entries must be in by 7:00 pm, CST on Sunday, May 24th.
Good luck, y’all!
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Here in Pittsburgh we have a couple of “don’t miss spots”. One is the National Aviary (the only “national” one in the country). Another is the Pittsburgh Zoo. Love the Kids Kingdom and all the animals you can touch. For food it’s basically one whole section of the city. The Bloomfield (Little Italy)section of Pgh is best shown by giving a “food tour”. You can eat your way through. There’s Del’s Italian restaurant, Tessaro’s (always in the Pgh tour guides), Ritter’s Diner and the list goes on.
You know, I think I started out to find Pendrey’s once, but by the time I got to downtown (from the Texas Motor Speedway area) after work, they were closed and I ended up at another place on Belknap. Thanks for the reminder — I will have to go find them again. I’m not actually entering the contest because I can drive over and get the stuff, but the “don’t miss” in Clute, TX, would be the Great Texas Mosquito Festival in July, usually the 2nd weekend. Yes, my hometown pays tribute to the blood-sucking insects. Fun festival though. They even crown someone Ms. Quito. What an honor!
Things not to miss in Paris……..TN…….Sally Lane’s famous candy, the great downtown square (very small town) and the replica of the Eiffel tower in the local park. We’re also just 20 minutes from Paris Landing State Park…….which is very pretty.
Absolutely on the donkey. Another beautiful face!
Home town favorite? Easy, hands down, Joe Josts in Long Beach, CA. It is a true holeinthewall bar. When my dad started going there in the late 40′s, a set-up was 35 cents. That is a scooner of Pabst beer, a sausage/cheese sandwich, pickled eggs with pretzels. Now, when I get home, for Dad and me, I usually give the guy a 20 and that bill is pretty well gone. When the owner is around he is usually roasting peanuts in the shell in the back room and throws some just finished and hot onto each table. I usually bring home a 2 pound bag! It was at Joe’s that my husband asked my Dad his permission to marry me, so I guess it is a sentimental favorite also.
Awww, adorable donkey! Last year I was in France, staying in a farm B&B in Tilly outside Giverny (a cider farm) and they had the most sweetest donkey named Brittany who would eat stale bread out of our hands.
Los Gatos, CA. So many good places in a small area. It would be easier to list the few to avoid. Lots of coffee shops with out door seating, good for people watching. Also great area for walking.
Charlotte NC: (read Best as my favorites!)
Best Yarn Shop: Charlotte Yarn on East
Best Sound: The Evening Muse in Noda
Best BBQ: Mac’s Biker Bar on South Blvd.
Best Shoe Shopping: Step by Sloan on East Blvd.
Best Place to Buy a bday gift: Paper Skyscrapers on East Blvd.
Best Antique Shop: Rooney Robison Antiques on South Blvd.
Best Vintage Shopping: The Rat’s Nest in Noda
Best Art Gallery: Center of the Earth in Noda
Best Craft Gallery: Lark & Key in Noda
Best Consignment Shop: JT Posh on Park
Best Burger: The Comet Grill on Park (this wins best local dive too!)
Best Salad: Big Daddy’s on East
Best Margarita: hmmm anywhere with my girlfriends!
Best Girlfriends: Mine
Best Family: Mine
My home town doesn’t have a “don’t miss” spot. In fact, you could miss the whole town if you aren’t careful!
I had no idea donkeys were used as guard animals! When you come out to Alexandria VA, you need to check out the Torpedo Factory, KnitHappens, Patricks (the greatest shop in the world – http://www.patricksdesigns.com/catalog/), Restaurant Eve, fish and chips at Eammons.
My town is VERY SMALL – about 1 mile square with about 2000 residents. The best places in our town are Pete’s Pub and Grill – great burgers, and the new library!
When you come to Fayetteville, Arkansas in the beautiful Ozark Mountains, be sure to have lunch or dinner at the Hog Haus Brewing Company. It is a wonderful micro-brewery that brews the best Hefeweizen this side of Germany. The historic building that houses the restaurant/bar has been gorgeously renovated with tall windows and beautiful oak planking throughout. And be sure to sip your beer on the balcony where you can watch an eclectic parade of Fayettevillians pass by.
My favorite spot in my new town – moving tomorrow – would have to be Adam Miller Toys. It is the old time toy store, red flyers and talking baby dolls, wooden puzzles and great bicycles.
I have a thing for donkeys. Love them. Have a framed postcard of one on my bookshelf. Love!
Anyhoo, don’t miss spots in my hometown of Somerville, MA and environs:
- Penzey’s Spices (in Arlington, MA)
- Le’s Vietnamese restaurant (in Harvard Sq, Cambridge)
- Mind’s Eye Yarns (Cambridge)
- Russo’s Market (in Watertown, MA)
- our plot in the Somerville community garden – our peas are just coming in and they’re *delicious*!
The Ferry Building in San Francisco. It’s like shopping at a European market. I get my bread from Acme, cheese from Cowgirl creamery, meat from Golden Gate Meat company, fish from SF Fish market (as well as ideas and recipes), olive oil from either Stonehouse or McEvoy, etc. etc. Can’t beat it. Then I sit back and have a burger at Taylor’s and wash it down with a Peet’s coffee while watching the boats on the Bay. Life is good.
Delicioso!!!
I loved the chili pepper brownies!
Looks like a fun place! I’d say the “don’t miss” for me is the Old Chatham Sheepherding Company. I love seeing all the sheep and the grounds are just beautiful.
Funny you should mention donkeys. Today I was just talking to someone who said he used to have a donkey for sheep protection, and while it was good protection, it was too rough with the sheep!
One of my favorite spots, Sadie’s Herbal Garden sells their own blends of soaps, shampoos, lotions, candles…and a huge assortment of spices and teas!
Knitterly! A totally great yarn store. And when you’re done there, take the footbridge across the river to Dempsey’s for a delicious homemade beer (try the Sonoma Irish Ale) and some yummy food.
P.s., the dogs you have now are much better at protecting sheep. My uncle is a large animal vet & he’s fixed up lots of donkeys and llamas that got hurt trying to do that job. And recently in my neighborhood some llamas (and the sheep they were supposed to be protecting) were killed by a mountain lion (yikes!).
I come from such a small, rural town – you blink and you miss it. Regardless, the thing I never miss is picking wild Maine blueberries from in front of my parent’s house each summer – SO GOOD!
There are a few really great places in Columbus, OH. I really want ice cream right now and the best place in town hands down to get it is Jeni’s. It a small local chain and they make the best ice cream I’ve ever had in my life – including Belgian chocolate flavored!
Let’s see, in and around Iowa City you absolutely must go to the Mekong Restaurant, the Cheese Factory (which is actually in Kalona), the Hamburg Inn, the Old Capitol, Prairie Lights and the Java House.
If you find yourself in the Little Rock, Arkansas, area there are two places that are required to visit! Doe’s Eat Place is a hole in the wall that serves wonderful steaks and homemade french fries. It is the place to be seen for the political crowd. Juanita’s is famous for its Mexican food and nightlife. It was featured on a Rachel Ray episode a few years back.
The best bbq sandwiches and hot slaw dogs are at Bunyeon’s BBQ in Florence, AL. We are part of the Quad Cities or Shoals area in North Alabama. We have the Alabama Music Hall of Fame, the birthplace of Helen Keller, the birthplace of WC Handy and Handy Week in August, a Frank Llyod Wright home, Wilson Dam, an Indian Mound are just a few of the attractions within a 15 minute drive.
Two don’t miss places in St. Louis would be Amighetti’s on “The Hill” (Italian Neighborhood) with a wonderful bakeries restaurans. Another would be Ted Drewe’s frozen custard-best you’ve ever eaten. Concretes are awesome.
Oh, boy–if you are ever on the West Coast and in Portland, Oregon visit Powell’s City of Books (this is same one that is online although visiting is much better), have a great vegetarian meal at Old Wives Tales restaurant and for a snack find a Pizza Oasis (where they have the best pizza on the planet.
In Aurora CO I really appreciate being near the H Mart, an incredible Korean supermarket, and Rancho Liborio which is a lovely Mexican supermarket. Tasty Korean at Seoul BBQ and Vietnamese at Golden Saigon. China Jade. And of course Sam’s No. 3.
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