El Alma - Delicioso

When I'm craving good Mexican food, El Alma is at the top of my list.  Alma Alcocer, who was a chef at Jeffrey's and Fonda San Miguel for years, now has her own restaurant on Barton Springs Rd. complete with a rooftop patio bar that overlooks the downtown skyline.

The food is anything but your average Tex-Mex. Alma prepares the food she grew up eating in Mexico City. Dishes like huevos frances (poached eggs with spinach and chipotle hollandaise served over her incredible corn pudding is a winner for brunch.

Everything I've tried on the menu has been delicious, from the ceviche to the tacos pastor. I haven't tried the steaks yet, but I've heard raves about them. The two things I will always order are the corn pudding and the coconut lime flan - muy delicioso, Alma.

If you love cornbread, this is gold standard.

  

Armchair Traveling

Last year I wrote a post on Greg Davis, the globe wandering photographer. Greg is still at it, taking amazing photos of faces and places around the world. I keep up with his work and travels with no small amount of envy. His latest images of India do not disappoint. 
If you haven't been following his journey, it's time to take a look at his website and see the world through his talented eyes.

www.gregdavisphotography.com

 Another way I satisfy my wanderlust is by following Barbara Weibel's blog, "Hole in the Donut". This gutsy lady transformed her life; trading an unsatisfying 70 hour work week for a chance to trek around the world. And trek she does, alone and undaunted, wherever her curiosity and passions lead her. Her blog is filled with cultural insight and wonderful photographs. Makes you want to grab a backpack and go.

Photo taken by Barbara of the Monkey Temple in Kathmandu

  Barbara believes that travel is not so much about pleasure but discovery. She lives simply on the road, and will be the first to admit that trekking has its hardships. Often the conditions are less than ideal, but she wouldn't have it any other way.

Americana Artist

On this Fourth of July it seems appropriate to mention the work of one of my favorite artists, Betsy Nimock. I think her art can best be described as narrative collage. She has combined iconic images of Americana; flags, 19th century quilt fragments and old photographs in unique ways that pay tribute to American values. 


Betsy's work has been nationally recognized, featured in museum collections and sold in galleries across the country. Although known mostly for her quilt collages, it is her "Flag Series" that first drew me to this talented woman.


In 1992,while doing some antiquing, the St. Louis artist found some old and tattered examples of children's penmanship lessons from the early 1900's. The flag project back then was sponsored by the National Institution for Moral Instruction of Washington, D.C. (yes, I realize that this is an oxymoron). With her creative eye, Betsy blended the handwriting exercises with the old flags and photos because in her words, "It is my feeling that this is what our country is all about."

The flags used in the original 1920's project have 48 stars. The series includes character traits like honesty, self-reliance and clean play, described in the words of the children. I wish I had more of Betsy's art to show you, other than this print, but I haven't been able to locate images of her past projects.

Wishing you all a happy 4th and a grand finale.

     

Island Beauty

When summer rolls around my thoughts inevitably wander back to Nantucket. It's a special place for me filled with wonderful memories.  Gray shingle cottages, window boxes overflowing with flowers, cobblestone streets-it is quintessential New England Americana. So in anticipation of July 4th, here are some photos. Enjoy..

Downtown Main Street with its cobblestones

Brant Point Lighthouse

A rainbow fleet

 Most all of the houses in Nantucket have gray shingles. So when giving directions to newcomers, the humorous response is, "take a left at the house with the gray shingles".

The area called "Sconset", that lies along the Atlantic side of the island, is known for its rose covered cottages. Does it get any better than this?