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Mac Attack! Tex-Mex Macaroni and Cheese

YumSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:21 -0700

I've said it once, and I'll say it again: Tex-Mex is one of my favorite cuisines of all time, my top dish pick being chili con queso with Ro-Tel. Naturally, when I came across a Tex-Mex mac and cheese with green chilies, I knew I had to make it.

The recipe comes from Robert Del Grande, one of the Lone Star State's best-known chefs and restaurateurs, and the roasted poblanos give the melted cheese dish an addictive kick. Want the recipe? Keep reading.

News Flash: Texas Says Abstinence-Only Doesn't Work

TresSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 06:00:00 -0700

Putting facts - like rising teen pregnancy and STD rates - together with some common sense, Texas school districts are beginning to ditch abstinence-only education programs.

Texas has the third-highest teen pregnancy rate in the US and it also spends the most on abstinence-only education. One school district official explained the decision to step away from an abstinence-only approach:

"We don’t think abstinence-only is working. . . Both approaches to sex education teach that refraining from sexual activity is the safest choice for teens. But abstinence-only gives limited information about contraceptives and condoms and tends to downplay their effectiveness, while abstinence-plus stresses the importance of using such protection if teens are sexually active."

Focusing on "abstinence-plus" education sounds like a healthy compromise that will keep students, well, healthy and help them avoid unwanted pregnancies. Do you agree?

Great Decorating Ideas From the Hotel Saint Cecilia

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Austin's South Congress Hotel Saint Cecilia expertly mixes styles, eras, and patterns in the design of its rooms and public spaces. The uniting factor throughout the space is the hotel's inspiration. The hotel was named in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, and the Rolling Stones circa early '70s, writer William S. Burroughs, and artist Andy Warhol all serve as muses for the hotel. Comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios, this hotel is a must-visit spot the next time you hit Austin. See my favorite decorating ideas from the Saint Cecilia.
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Coveted Crib: Judy Aldridge's Textured Texas Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:40 -0700

It's no secret that fashion designer Judy Aldridge (mother of Jane, the high school "It" girl fashion blogger, aka Sea of Shoes) has a passion for design - take a gander at her blog, Atlantis Home. Each ensemble she puts on is more innovative than the next. So, it comes as no surprise that her home is equally chic. After spotting some stunning furnishings in the background of one of Jane's photos, I was determined to get a peak at the fashion-centric family's Texas digs. As it turns out, the Aldridge home is more crave worthy than I imagined.

After a divorce, Aldridge snatched up a home in Trophy Club, Texas that had great bones including cathedral ceilings and a big galley kitchen. Before dressing it to the nines, she had to do some major gut work. "There were railings everywhere, like a country-Western bar; beige carpet; creepy, hideous ceiling fans with little flowers painted on them," she told Dallas News. With a base of white walls and pretty sealed floors, she curated a mix of Pottery Barn upholstery, vintage finds, and some designer pieces (including Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost Chairs and Verner Panton's S Chair). Overall the design is heavily white and natural in tone, with plenty of texture thanks to fur accessories and well-worn wood. Aldridge was really disciplined in designing in her home and it paid off: the result is utterly relaxing, chic, and full of personal style. Take a look when you read more.

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Front Page: Severe Turbulence Injures 26, 4 Seriously

TresSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 08:00:39 -0700

At least 26 people were injured, four seriously, after a Continental Airlines jet headed from Brazil to Texas hit extreme turbulence this morning. The jet was forced to land in Miami, FL. - CNN
An Australian girl is suing Kentucky Fried Chicken for millions, claiming she was left crippled after eating contaminated food from the chain. - Times
An ad blasting Lou Dobbs is set to appear on CNN. - Huffington Post
The US is considering moving prisoners from Guantanamo Bay to a new prison in the US with its own courtrooms for military and civilian tribunals. - Voice of America
A lack of volunteers willing to participate in clinical trials may slow the fight against cancer. - NY Times

Stink 'Em Up! Woman Clears Bank With Her Perfume

TresSugar — Fri, 31 Jul 2009 06:00:00 -0700

This happened in Texas, the land of big hair, and apparently - perfume so strong it landed 34 in the hospital, made dozens of other hapless victims ill, and prompted 150 people to flee a bank on Wednesday after a woman innocently pulled out a bottle of perfume and sprayed.

At first, a couple bank tellers complained of headaches and chest pains. An announcement was made that anyone feeling ill could exit the building - prompting 150 people to split. When all was said and done and it was determined that it was perfume and not a carbon monoxide leak that was making people sick - 34 people ended up in the hospital.

This might be a novel way to rob a bank, all girly-like. Instead of packing heat while wearing a ski mask, just walk in, pull a bottle of perfume out, and start spraying.

Police still don't know what kind of perfume was sprayed that could cause this kind of mayhem. I have my ideas - what do you think it was?

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Kolaches Are a Taste of Central Europe in Texas

YumSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:00:59 -0700

If you're not from Texas - or a few other choice towns across America - you may have never had the pleasure of eating a kolache. A Central European pastry iconic across the Lone Star State, the kolache is prized for its soft, pillowy dough and its versatility: kolache fillings range from the sweet (apricot, prunes, and poppy seeds) to the savory (sausages). And some fillings, like cheese, even possess qualities of both.

Texans owe the enjoyment of this fluffy yeast roll to the number of Czechs who immigrated to the state in the 1800s, and while there's nothing more authentic than enjoying a kolache in one of the state's few remaining Czech towns, city dwellers can savor kolaches on the go at any of the state's ubiquitous Kolache Factory stores. The Kolache Factory, a breakfast chain somewhat akin to a Texas kolache version of, say, Dunkin' Donuts, is also known for its unconventional kolache fillings, such as chocolate cream cheese, sausage and gravy, ranchero, and even Philly cheesesteak.

Set your sights on these regional specialties when you read more

Non Voyage: Bringing the Deep Heart of Texas Home

LilSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:00:39 -0700

As our non-voyage moves across the country, we head on south to the great state of Texas where cowboy hats and boots abound. The destination offers up a number of kid-friendly activities that can be experienced right at home.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center introduces both kids and adults to wildflowers and other native plants. Pack up the kiddos for a lil hike and see just how many different flowers they can find on the trip.
The Alamo may be one of the main attractions in San Antonio due to its historic place in the Texas Revolution and the role Davey Crockett played in the battle. Help tots re-enact the battle by building a real-life backyard fort. Allow them to eat, sleep and play in the fort for a day and see how creative they can be with their limited space.
Austin is known for its live music festivals like Austin City Limits and South by Southwest. Check your local calendar to see if there are any live shows planned for your area. If not, start your own! Gather up the neighborhood kids, have them each pick a song they want to "perform" and call all the parents around for an evening of fun and music as your tots take the stage. To make the evening even more festive, consider adding some colored lightbulbs to the lamps.
You can't get more Texas than a little line dancing. Grab your tots and swing them round with an afternoon of toe stepping just for them. Either search for some line dances on YouTube, or use a video as your guide.
If the plains of Texas are calling out to you, consider recreating the ultimate ranch-hand experience with these ideas.
Chowing down has never been more fun than when you let your kids build their own meal. Tex-Mex-style items like burritos, tacos and fajitas are delicious and nutritious. See who can include the most colors in their creation.

Coveted Crib: A Sculptor's Retreat

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Lake/Flato Architects, whose work I've featured before, creates modern, sustainable, and landscape-sensitive structures that never fail to impress. For one client in San Antonio, TX, the firm was asked to create a house with an adjoining studio for her sculpture work and art collection.

Other important features for the client included the need for copious space for displaying her collection of contemporary art, as well as a great deal of natural light. The firm responded to these requests with a building that is filled with light. Anchored by generous use of stone and natural materials, the home's restrained use of furniture and decor lets the art speak for itself. Raised clerestory windows, cupolas, and shaded monitors all cooperate to infuse this home with light. Outside, a series of courtyards accommodate the sculpture garden, and tall walls make this space feel like a sanctuary.

For additional photos, read more.

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A Colorful Midday Meal at Feast

YumSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:50:18 -0700

On a recent trip to Texas, Reef wasn't the only provocative meal that I had. I also ate an unorthodox lunch at Feast, a restaurant that was opened by three British ex-pats, James Silk, Meagan Silk, and Richard Knight, in Houston last year. The eatery, which has earned accolades from the New York Times as well as a James Beard Best New Restaurant nomination, focuses on adventurous and gourmet nose-to-tail dining. See more of the restaurant - and the dishes that push America's dining envelope - when you keep reading.

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