my love affair with Hill Country

Back in September, Mary and I headed into the heart of Hill Country (west of Austin) to see the scenery, eat the barbecue, and taste the wine, so I knew what to expect when I rolled into town with my mom. We have been staying at a quaint, country bed & breakfast out here and we’ve certainly enjoyed the pace of things here as a relaxing alternative to San Antonio. The views are spectacular, the wine is delicious, and the livestock like to lick me. Yes friends, I feel an overwhelming urge to drop out of graduate school and move here.

Because of my deep love for this area, I’ve compiled my version of a visitor’s guide. While in Hill Country, please proceed as follows:

Find a hammock. Stat. Then sit it in for an afternoon and just listen to the leaves rustle in the wind.

Grab a local beer at the Fredericksburg Brewing Co. And be sure to try the bratwurst.

Flirt with a random Argentine winemaker who now lives in Texas. It will get you winks, flushed cheeks, and a personalized bottle of wine. (Note: this works best if, like me, you actually speak Spanish and have lived in Argentina so you have random facts with which to impress said Argentine man.)

Then eat a salted caramel, which will inevitably change your life.

Ignore all warning signs asking you not to touch/pet the livestock and proceed to make several new best friends. I named this one Pemberly.

And, at last, marvel at the big sky and the endless beauty of Texas.

Now, mama and I are back from the Hill Country and spending our last day together before she flies out Thursday and I cry my eyes out.

Perhaps I’ll be back with a recipe on Friday. Special requests?

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