Fredericksburg Brewery

Fredericksburg Restaurant and Brewery, established in 1994, is our favorite food place in this charming town of Texas Hill Country.

Due to their delicious meals and top quality beer, the place is popular with visitors and always full of customers eager to indulge in the tastes of Fredericksburg Brewing Co. That is why, whenever we happen to be there, we are ready for some waiting time before we are seated at a table. The waiting room, nicely decorated with flags from all over the world and German inn style wall paintings, is also a beer chamber where you can order the drink, sit on a wooden bench and await till your dining time comes.

I was pleased to see the Polish flag there...

While waiting, it is also a good time to take pictures.

Flags decorate also the restaurant room.

European 'section'

US area

The restaurant offers various meal options, including German dishes, Southern style ones, sandwiches, salads, appetizers and sides (see their menu here). It is difficult to make up your mind and choose one - all is so delicious! I usually order a German dish for dinner, as it is something I can get in Fredericksburg only. Besides, it reminds my familiar tastes of Europe too.

The quality of the meal is certainly worth waiting.

One of my favorites: Jager schnitzel. The bread is so good too!

What is also special about Fredericksburg Brewing Co. - amazing beer is made there. The place reminds me some inn in south Germany which I have happened to visit. There, I could also see big and shiny beer tanks which where part of the brewery/inn interior.

Five kinds of medal awarded beer are made by the Fredericksburg Brewing Company. My number one is Enchanted Red Rock Ale.

Santa stopped at the Brewery too.

Our lunch meal treat.

All in all, there is no visit in Fredericksburg without having a meal at the Brewing Co. restaurant place. Whenever you plan to go to the Texas Hill Country, put it on your 'things to do and see' list too.

Fredericksburg Brewing Co. website

Our other posts related to Fredericksburg:

Fredericksburg TX & Its Main Street 

Fredericksburg - Side Streets & Roads

Fredericksburg - National Museum of The Pacific War

Christmas Spirit in Central Texas

 

New Duck Family Memebers

Just to let you know that we have new Duckie Family (our Duck Dynasty) members......

Mój Teksaski Alfabet: 'ż' i 'Małżonek' / Spouse

The idea for this alphabet post series comes from ' The Alphabet of My Emigration' by Dee Dorota L., member of The Polish Ladies Abroad Club, who has relocated to England.
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.

"Ż" is the letter which comes after "Z" in the Polish alphabet. Since the Polish alphabet is the alphabet of my native language (and my life is a Polish-Texan mix), I write my Texas Alphabet partly in Polish also.
To Your Knowledge: małżonek = spouse

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To już ostatni wpis w Moim Teksaskim Alfabecie. Ostatni, chociaż ten własnie powinien być pierwszym. Dlaczego?

Mój Małżonek jest Teksańczykiem, przyjechałam do Teksasu, z jego powodu. Tym samym jego osoba jest główną przyczyną mojej emigracji. Mąż mój jest wspaniałym i dobrym człowiekiem, rozumiemy się bez słów (o czym wspominałam we wpisie alfabetu na 'U'). Gdyby nie jego wsparcie, moje przystosowanie się do życia w nowym kraju (i wszystkiego, co się z tym wiąże) nie przebiegłoby tak gładko i bezboleśnie. To on cierpliwie tłumaczy mi to wszystko, czego nie wiem, co jest dla mnie nowe, czego nie rozumiem. Jest moim przewodnikiem życia w Teksasie/ USA i moją opoką. Z przyjemnością niejednokrotnie chowałam się za jego plecami, patrząc 'jak to się załatwia w USA', korzystam z jego rad i pomocnych wskazówek.

Małżonek mój docenia wszystko, co robię. Co mnie także cieszy - je wszystko, co ugotuję - bez narzekania czy marudzenia. Nawet wtedy, gdy zdarzy mi się niewypał kulinarny. Swoim zachowaniem nigdy nie sprawił, bym chociaż przez chwilę pożałowała wyjazdu z kraju. Wprost przeciwnie. Wspiera mnie też i zachęca do działań związanych z realizacją moich zainteresowań.

O moim mężu mogłabym jeszcze pisać długo. Będzie krótko: jest najwspanialszy na świecie.

This post is the last part of My Texas Alphabet. The last one, even though it should have been the firts one. Why?

My spouse is Texan and I came to Texas because of him. At the same time, he is the main reason of my emigration. I am happy to say, that my husband is a great and good man. We understand each other without words (I wrote more about it here). If it was not for his support, my adjustment to life in the new country (and to everything which is connected with it) would not be so smooth and painless. It is him who patiently explains all the things to me. Things which I do not know/ do not understand and which are new to me.

My husband is my true personal guide to life in Texas/USA. It is so good to hide myself behind his back (literally) and watch 'how are errands done' here.

What is more, he appreciates everything I do, which obviously makes me very happy as well. Moreover, my dear man eats what I cook - without complaining - even if my cooking results happen to be a culinary failure.  My spouse has never made me regret leaving my home country. On the contrary. He supports all my hobbies as well.

I could write much more about my wonderful husband, but shortly speaking: he is the greatest in the world!

My Texas Alphabet: Z for ZZ Top

The idea for this alphabet post series comes from ' The Alphabet of My Emigration' by Dee Dorota L., member of The Polish Ladies Abroad Club, who has relocated to England.
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.

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I have always liked the music by ZZ Top and their image as well. However, it was not long ago when I learned they are a Texas band who originate in Houston.

Many years ago, a song by ZZ Top was the first music piece that I used in English classes to create a listening comprehension exercise. When I told my students (it was a new group which I had started teaching that semester) that we would watch a video in class, they expected it would be a boring educational program (I could hear their comments). They were really surprised to hear ZZ Top and see one of the band's music videos. Among others, the kids were to answer some questions related to the lyrics and the visual part of the video. They were very much into the exercise - listening to the song and watching the clip. Needless to say, that class was a success. ZZ Top was a key to it.
I know those students had never watched/listened to rock music in a class, so later, they had something to talk about as well.

Since then, quite a lot of times, I have shared some of my music favorites, disguised as language exercises, with different groups of students. They always seemed to enjoy it. Even if, sometimes, they happened to find a band/ kind of music a bit vintage.

The song/video by ZZ Top mentioned above was "Legs".
Mind the socks the main girl character wears in the second part of the clip. I used to have similar socks - they were white with pink lace at the top. And I also wore them with pink high heels. No, I did not do it/buy them because of the video. I just had them (quite unaware of the ZZ Top part then) - it was simply part of the fashion trend. And I found them cute too.

Simplified Banana-and-Vanilla Pudding/ Deser Waniliowo-Bananowy

Banana pudding is quite a popular kind of dessert. Here is my simplified and lower in calories version of this treat. From time to time, we enjoy it when we finish having our dinner. The dessert is simple but quite tasty too!

Yield: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 box instant vanilla pudding (5.1 oz / 144g), milk;
• 1 banana - sliced;
• round vanilla wafers;
• 1TBS whipped cream (optional)*.

What to do with it:

1. Prepare the pudding according to the instructions provided on the package (I always add 2 1/2 cups milk instead 3).
2. Chill the pudding in the fridge. Prepare to dessert bowls.
3. Get the pudding out of the fridge. Spread a Tablespoon of pudding at the bottom of the dessert bowl.
4. Place a single layer of wafers on the pudding.
5. Put banana slices on the wafers.
6. Fill the bowl with pudding, put a few wafers at the top.

Note:

* If you wish, you can mix the pudding with some whipped cream. Do it gently, with a spoon, when you the pudding is chilled already.

Bon Appetit!

Pudding waniliowo-bananowy, który jest czymś więcej niż zwykły budyń, to popularny w Teksasie (oraz innych stanach USA) deser. Poniżej przedstawiam jego uproszczoną i mniej kaloryczną od tradycyjnego przepisu wersję. Ten łatwy w przygotowaniu deser, od czasu do czasu, jest elementem finałowym naszego domowego obiadu. Z powodzeniem może być też serwowany jako poczęstunek dla gości.

Ilość porcji: 2

Składniki:

• 1 podwójne opakowanie budyniu waniliowego* (te, które kupuję w lokalnych sklepach spożywczych ma 144g), mleko;
• 1 banan pokrojony na plasterki;
• okrągłe biszkopty waniliowe;
• łyżka bitej śmietany (opcjonalnie)**.

Przygotowanie:

1. Przygotowujemy budyń według przepisu na opakowaniu - zawsze dodaję pół szklanki mleka mniej niż jest podane w instrukcji, dzięki temu masa budyniowa jest trochę gęstsza.
2. Po ostudzeniu wstawiamy budyń do lodówki. Przygotowujemy dwie miseczki deserowe (lub jedną większą).
3. Kiedy budyń stężeje, wyjmujemy go z lodówki. Rozprowadzamy łyżkę budyniu na dnie miseczki deserowej.
4. Układamy na tym pojedynczą warstwę biszkoptów waniliowych.
5. Na biszkoptach układamy plasterki banana (też jedną warstwę tylko).
6. Wypełniamy miseczkę budyniem, a na wierzchu kładziemy biszkopty waniliowe.

Jeśli mamy jedną większą miseczkę (zamiast dwóch mniejszych), po ułożeniu plasterków banana na biszkoptach, nakładamy na nie warstwę budyniu. Następnie potarzamy czynności: 4 i 5. Dopełniamy naczynie budyniem i dekorujemy biszkoptami.

Smacznego!

Uwagi

* Zazwyczaj używam budyń błyskawiczny, który bezpośrednio po wymieszaniu z mlekiem można wstawić do lodówki. Wszystko zależy od naszych upodobań i jakości budyniu, nie każdy budyń błyskawiczny jest smaczny.
** Jeśli chcemy, by deser był 'bogatszy', po schłodzeniu masy budyniowej mieszamy ją delikatnie z łyżką bitej śmietany. Osobiście jednak nigdy śmietany nie dodaję. 

My 50s Style Going Out Outfit

I have always liked the fashion of the 50s and 60s. I find it very feminine and stylish.
When I was little, one of our neighbors had a big catalouge of an American department store (I cannot recall the store name). The catalog was huge and very thick. I loved watching it and all the pictures included in the big book. There were no photographs, just colorful drawings of all the pieces of clothing available at that particular store. Including church choir outfits which I found quite interesting too. Most of all, I was enchanted with the cute dresses, trousers and blouses. The 60s were long gone then but I could still enjoy the style of that era browsing the catalogue. I dreamed of having one of those beautiful dresses which looked so elegant and fancy (also because of a special kind of underskirt which was part of the outfit). And I so much liked looking at them that finally, the neighbor presented the catalog to me. I was happy!
We had the catalog for quite a long time, stored in one of the wardrobes. And I did watch it quite frequently. After a few years, when I grew up and was more into the 80s fashion, we threw the book away. I wish I had not done it as maybe today, it would be interesting to know which store had such an adorable collection.

Luckily, it is still possible to get that kind of clothes.
Here is my going out outfit suggestion inspired by the style of the 50s and 60s.

GRACE KARIN Sleeveless Cotton Rockabilly Tea Dress with Belt

Berry Women's Short Sleeved Satin Bolero Jacket

Vintage Women's 50s Rockabilly Tutu Skirt Petticoat

Bamoer Queen European Style Pink and Red Snow Murano Glass Bead Heart Dangle Charm Bracelet Jewelry

Simplicity Women's Wide Brim Caps Summer Beach Sun Straw Hats

Adult Women's 50s White Pump Shoes

Zbeibei Women's Fashion Faux Velvet Leather Envelope Clutch Handbag Shoulder Cross Body Bag

Ready to go out!

All pictures from amazon.com. Click on the captions below the pictures to go to particular pages with the items descriptions.

My Texas Alphabet: Y for You Bet!

The idea for this alphabet post series comes from 'The Alphabet of My Emigration' by Dee Dorota L., member of The Polish Ladies Abroad Club, who has relocated to England.
I have also decided to join the project and write about My Texas Alphabet twice a week.

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When I came to Texas I had already been able to speak English (mostly its British version). Although my husband had no problems with understanding me while using the language, to my surprise, many people seemed to have no idea what I meant when I addressed them. Of course I was aware that American and British English are slightly different, so I was not surprised when communication difficulties were caused by vocabulary differences. It was confusing though - when I was trying to find a trolley at a supermarket or have my fringe trimmed at a hairdresser's place. People did not know what I wanted and I felt rather stupid e.g. showing the hairstylist in 'sign language', to let her know what I was talking about.

I have also found out that since there are many emigrants here, almost everybody speaks with their own accent. However, the most popular seems to be the one of the native Spanish speakers. Simply because many guys come from countries in South/Central America where Spanish is the first language. Polish accent is not popular at all, I reckon that is why many locals find it strange or difficult to understand.
Moreover, Texan English is commonly spoken in the state. Obviously, its grammar forms and pronunciation vary from Standard British English which I had been taught.
All in all, having lived in Texas for some time, I am able to communicate more and more efficiently thanks to the fact that I also learned quite a few new words and phrases.

Here are some examples.

• 'You bet!' - used as a reply to 'Thank you'. Frankly speaking, I find it quite weird, considering the exact meaning of the expression. Anyway, I know what it means when I hear it after my 'Thanks a lot', but I still prefer using traditional 'You are welcome' or 'Not at all' instead. I am simply more used to what I learned before my move to Texas.

• 'Ice box' - I do like this name for the fridge. I happened to see what a real ice box looked like when I was watching an old movie made in the 40s. The ice box was a big room with cooling pipes system on the walls. It was a cold room, quite large and fancy comparing to a modern refrigerator.

• 'Scoop down' - when I first heard it, I did not know what I was supposed to do 'down' as nothing was 'up'....

• 'I am good' - used as a reply when somebody is offered more food/drink. I still say my 'No. Thank you.' then. :)

Those are only some of the language aspects which were new to me. No matter how many years I have been learning English, I am still learning. And I guess, I always will.....