West Texas Soul Food

I truly believe there is something good for the soul about the deep West Texas and Panhandle areas of our great state.  The people and the land are beyond compare.  I have to admit..I even had a few good hair days in that dry West Texas air...which is a lot to be excited about for this South Texas girl!  Lee had a meeting in Lubbock on Friday and Saturday, so Gage and I decided to tag along to get some good family time!   We have learned that driving at night, even if it is harder on us, is much easier on the little one.   We are truly blessed with a great baby, but when we drive at night, we don't have to stop to feed, change diapers, etc.  We picked up a friend of ours in San Antonio at 9 and only stopped to fill up between there and Matador.  Gage and I stayed with his cousin, Jeni, her husband, Patrick and their little girl, Sheridan, in Matador, while Lee and Jarrett went on to Lubbock.  It was such a treat!  I absolutely love Lee's family and his cousin, Jeni is no exception!  I took notes the entire time on cooking and "discipline tactics" she used.  Great momma, great wife and great friend! Love her.

One thing we learned on the trip - when you leave San Antonio at 9 pm...you can expect to get to Matador, TX at about 4 am!  Patrick was quite the welcoming party as we pulled up to their house to unload myself, baby and gear.  They had our room ready and waiting with sheets pulled down for us to come in and go straight to bed!  Gage was such a trooper!!  He woke up when we were taking things into the house and went right back to sleep when I put him down in the pack & play Jeni had waiting for us.  I am soooo proud of that little stinker!!!  Lee and Jarrett continued on to Lubbock, which was an hour-and-a-half down the road.

Matador, population 668, is the county seat of Motley County which boasts a quaint grocery store named Lowe's, library, weekly newspaper, old jail and a 21 1/2 foot arrow that points to the trail that Quanah Parker traveled  on through the area.  Jeni and I (actually, mostly Jeni) also did a lot of cooking, traveled out to the Matador Ranch,  went to church where Patrick is the preacher and went to a private park at the springs in Roaring Springs, which was beautiful!  Jeni described it as an oasis in the desert, and I would have to agree!  There is a naturally spring fed creek that fills the pool with reeally cold water! These are a few pictures I snapped while we were there.

 

Jeni & Sheridan checking out a wild looking bug with big pinchers that was swimming around!

 Sweet and beautiful Ms. Sheridan

Aunt Jeni & Gage

Another first for me was going to see a 6-man football game!  Motley County (yes..that is the entire county, not just Matador) played Crowell. By the way, did you know that in 6-man football, they call the game if the score is at least 45-0 at half time?  It happened at this game.  Made me kinda sad.  I couldn't belive how well Gage "paid attention" and watched what was going on out on the field.  He LOVED it!  Being there was special. It was 100% "small town USA", and I LOVED it!

We finished our weekend with a stop on the way home in Buffalo Gap, TX for dinner at the Perini Ranch Steakhouse. We had reservations for 7:30, outside, which was PERFECT for watching the sun set on the beautiful evening from our table!  Before we got arrived, we had decided that while there that we would keep Gage out of his carseat/carrier, since he was going to be in it another 9 hrs that night. Here he is demonstrating his new (and favorite) skill:  standing!

 I love that in this picture, Gage is looking at the menu and also holding on to Lee's sleeve.  This is a new thing...holding onto things...especially the person that is holding him or close to him.

After ordering and before our meal came, we all walked around to enjoy the beautiful scenery.

 I took some pictures of the guys by an old chuckwagon that they had.  I LOVE all of these of Gage.  His little personality is really starting to shine through and I think several of these capture that!

I know a couple of these are blurry, but they are a few of the cute looks he gives.

 This is our first family shot with the little man smiling!

This was the restaurant manager named, Nan.  Nan had taken my reservations over the phone, greeted us when we arrived and offered to take our family picture while we were out walking around (see above).  When our food got to our table she came over and asked if she could hold Gage.  After a few minutes of visiting, she asked if we minded if she walked around outside with him.  So...Lee and I had a dinner all to ourselves, while Nan babysat Gage and walked around with him (his favorite thing EVER!). (You can tell he's starting to get tired here)

This is Lee's steak with green chili hominy.  YUMMY!

This was all that was left of my hamburger steak when Lee suggested taking pictures! Covered with green chilies, red onions, mushrooms and provolone cheese...it was THAT good!

my potatoes were...delicious!

 

We had the most wonderful bread pudding known to man with whiskey sauce, but 

scarfed it down so fast that we didn't even think to take any pictures!

This is us with the owner, Tom Perini, who gave us a signed cookbook of his!
(horrible picture of me!)

 

We left Buffalo Gap with full bellies and after a fabulous evening as a family!  The drive home was a little unnerving, as I think the only land that is not overgrazed right now and the deer want to go to is right by the road.  We had deer, fox and coyotes run out in front of us, so it was a slow, but good trip home.  We pulled through the Laureles North gate at 4:06 am, just in time for Lee to go to bed for a few hours before work.  I can't think of anything that I needed more than some 

quality time with good friends, family and my two favorite guys in this world!  

I am truly a blessed gal...and my cup was filled this weekend!