Missouri, spring 2011

I took a quick weekend trip to Nixa, Missouri to visit family.  We ate at a bunch of fun places, mainly closer to Springfield.  First was Thai Pepper, a spot that was new to us but turned out to be quite nice.  The vegetables were cooked but crunchy and the sauces were flavorful, but not overwhelming.  And the Thai iced tea was perfect.

Dinner was at the Texas Roadhouse which turns out to be a chain that I'd never been to, but was highly entertaining.  It is a very busy place-the hostess takes you to your table and asks if you want to pick your steak along the way, when you are waiting the girls circle the bar and do a little dance/clap routine, there is a barrel of peanuts and the shells on the floor.  The food was plentiful and decadent.  The barbeque sauce on the pulled pork is sweet sweet sweet.  The baked sweet potato comes with butter and brown sugar...or carmel sauce!  I couldn't quite bring myself to try the carmel sauce, but I imagine you can just skip dessert entirely if you give it a try.

Brunch was at Bric's waffle house and of course ate some waffles-totally satisfying as the waffles are huge.  The best is the home made pie.  If you are too full, get a piece to take home!

This was at the start of the big flooding that the midwest has been having and during the weekend there were flood warnings, but no actual disasters.  There was a LOT of rain.  Having lived in California for the past decade, I've gotten used to rain meaning lots of gray skies, and some water, in little bits here and there.  Even what counts for a lot of rain is usually happening in some other part.  Now this was rain.  So much that the fast version of the windshield wipers can't keep up.  Not really being able to see too far in front.  Lightning and thunder!  Hail!  I actually kind of miss it....