Geekette Bits

Top 10 Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Posted on June 12, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Money Saving Tips Leave a comment

With Father’s Day coming up in a couple of days, I thought I would do another top 10 list of gift ideas…this time with dads in mind! If your dad is a foodie (like mine is!) be sure to check out my post about the Top 10 Best Foodie Gift Ideas. Click on any of the images for more product details or to purchase for your dad today!

Charcoal Storage Bag

America’s Test Kitchen recently reviewed the Charcoal Storage Bag by The Companion Group and were impressed with the bags ability to not only store charcoal…but store it well! They tested it by leaving it outside for several MONTHS through a horrific New England winter and the bag did the job!

Splash-Proof Super-Fast Thermapen

Don’t let the color throw you off, it comes in 10 different colors and with 5 stars and 550 reviews it’s no wonder it’s so popular!

The American Craft Beer Cookbook: 155 Recipes from Your Favorite Brewpubs and Breweries

Perfect for the All-American dad that loves a good beer and pub food! Whether he’s cooking in the kitchen or making requests, pre-order this book for Dad!

Corkcicle Chillsner Beer Chiller

Speaking of Pop and beer check out these one of a kind in-bottle beer chillers! They’ll keep dear old dad’s beer cold from the first sip to the last, simply freeze, insert into any bottled beer and drink right through the Chillsner.

The Godfather Classic Quotes

Who’s dad doesn’t quote the Godfather? “Leave the gun, take the cannolis!” And this book!

Kebo One-Handed Bottle Opener

A great gift, especially for new dads who have their hands full, give them this beer opener that only requires one hand! Whether your dad is a multi-tasker, or he just likes to open his Mexican Coke with ease, this is a fun gift for Pop!

Logitech Harmony Touch Universal Remote with Color Touchscreen

Who doesn’t get frustrated with having a different remote for the TV, cable, Roku, Apple TV, PS3, Xbox 360, and everything else?! Syncs with 15 devices at a time, set 50 channel favorites, and it comes with its own charging station so you no longer have to find batteries when the remote stops working!

Mercedes Benz Wine Stoppers

If dad is into cars (and wine…or olive oils), get him a Mercedes Benz Wine Stoppers! (Or the car of his choice…or a gear shift stopper)!

Handcrafted Soapstone Whisky Chilling Rocks

Set of 9 stones and storage pouch, made of natural soapstone. Dad can chill whisky and spirits without diluting, all he has to do is freeze for 4-hour before using.

Coleman Road Trip Grill LXE

On Amazon this puppy has four and a half stars after 462 reviews! Coleman has made a 36-inch collapsible propane grill for use at home or on the road. Easy to pull out onto the porch or tailgating before the big game.

What else are you getting dad this year? Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there, especially mine! I love you Dad! (These gifts are more for the masses…my dad is happy when I bring home a clean bill of health – literally! Showing him my health assessments is all he really wants or needs.) J

Luke San Antonio | Chef John Russ

Posted on May 21, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

chef john russ luke san antonio culinaria wine dinner

I was delighted at the invitation I received to attend the Culinaria Wine Makers Dinner on Wednesday, May 15th, 2013. Having been a fan of Luke San Antonio, since it’s arrival to the San Antonio downtown culinary scene in December 2010 (attending the very first event!), I’m always happy to go back. It’s actually a favorite of both mine and my sister and we meet there often for catch up lunches since she already works downtown. Having lost my husband to his MBA program, my sister was the perfect “plus 1″ for this lavish affair.

It also always means more to me when I get to know the chefs of local restaurants more personally, which if you’ve met Chef John Russ, is very easy to do! I actually first met him at the beginning of this year during the San Antonio Cocktail Conference, when Luke was one of three stops on the Riverboat cruise (another fabulous cause!). Having not seen a picture of him, and apparently not eating at Luke since Chef Steve McHugh left in September 2012 to focus on his own restaurant…I started chatting up the guy shucking oysters, shooting the breeze about how fabulous the oysters were and to keep them coming. At some point I asked him what it was like with the new executive chef…if he missed McHugh or was the new guy as good as I heard? Well, thank goodness I had heard only good things! Turns out the chef is a man of the people, happy to talk to the restaurant’s guests shucking oysters! I thought, “Wow what a humble guy!”

I learned that he was from NOLA, where he had met Chef John Besh and worked with him at August (’nuff said!) He’s got lots planned for the restaurant this year, will continue cooking up great meals and supporting not only great nonprofit, local causes but especially our local farmers. Having met a lot of the local farmers myself at the Pearl Farmers Market, I knew exactly who he was talking about when he would mention where the pork (South Texas Heritage Pork) and strawberries (Oak Hills Farms in Poteet, TX) came from. He actually went as far as to change the planned five course dinner because Fredericksburg, TX peaches came into season, just in time.

My sister who in recent years is a MILLION times more adventurous than the shell of a foodie she once was, enjoyed all the courses too (a test for the reformed picky eater…) We loved each perfectly paired course with the refreshing Texas wine from the Duchman family (more about them later.)

Pop Up Dinners!

Be sure to become a fan of Luke San Antonio on Facebook here! They have a fantastic private dining area that has a clear view into their main kitchen. When the space isn’t booked for events on Fridays and Saturdays, the chef will prepare a unique tasting menu and post it, pop up style, the day of on their social media accounts! (You can subscribe to alerts from a specific Facebook page by hovering over the Like button and then selecting “receive notifications”.) Thanks Justin Solomon, the incredible front house man, for the tip!

Check him out his tweets, @johnny_russ and his drool worthy pictures on Instagram.

Reception
Flammenkucken
Viognier

1st Course
‘Sweet Heat’, Marinated Gulf Coast Shrimp,
Pickled Grape Tomatoes, Fried Garlic, Spanish Olive Oil, Ms. Julies’ Pea Greens
Vermentino

2nd Course
Charred Bandera Quail, Fredericksburg Peaches
Spiced Pecans, Goat Milk Ricotta, Local Lettuces
Aglianico

3rd Course
Roasted Cabrito, Eggplant Confit
Heirloom Tomato and Sweet Pea Ragout, Sea Island Peas
Dolcetto

4th Course
Ms. Cora’s Strawberries
Crumbled Amoretti, Mascarpone
Canto Felice

luke san antonio culinaria wine dinner chef john russ

Help Moore, Oklahoma After Tornado

Posted on May 21, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in FYI Leave a comment

Resources for Victims

Safe and Well is owned by the Red Cross and allows victims to list themselves as safe and their families to search for them. Those who have received texts from survivors who don’t have internet access are encouraged to complete the registry for them.

Shelter has been opened by the Red Cross at the St. Andrews Church, SW 119 Street & S May Avenue.

Visit the disasterassistance.gov or 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) to apply for assistance. FEMA provides detailed information about Federal Aid programs for the state of Oklahoma Disaster Recovery includes:

Home repair grants
Rental payments for temporary housing
Small business and farmers/ranchers repair loans
Counties include Cleveland, Lincoln, McClain, Oklahoma, and Pottawatomie

Details on @FEMA and on Facebook

Help Tornado Victims

A lot of people are asking how can they help?

People who wish to make a donation can support American Red Cross Disaster Relief:

redcross.org
1-800-REDCROSS
Texting “REDCROSS” to 90999 to make a $10 donation.
Red Cross OK Facebook page

The Red Cross also lists ways you can support long term by donating blood, money, ways to organize fundraisers, and more!

Salvation Army OKC

With so many people left in the wake of devastation, please consider donating either financially or things that people might need in the event of a disaster.

Updates from @Salvationarmyok on Twitter
Facebook page
Text “STORM” to 80888 for $10 donations
Donate online here and designate “Oklahoma Tornado Relief” on any check

Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma is also looking for donations online or by texting “FOOD” to 32333 (for a $10 donation)

@rfbo on Twitter
Facebook page

Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief has additional details here.

Social Media Updates

Keep track of the latest news with updates from the social media accounts of the City of Moore, OK, the City of Oklahoma, and the Red Cross Oklahoma City…all of which are actively posting responses and help.

Tweets by @cityofmoore

Tweets by @cityofokc

Tweets by @redcrossokc

Google Crisis Map of Moore, OK

24 TED Talks About Food

Posted on May 16, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

TED is a non-profit devoted to “ideas worth spreading” and you can find literally thousands of free–inspiring and awesome–talks from experts and innovators around the world. Food Tank has highlighted 24 TED talks specifically around food issues.

TED Talk Themes: Food Matters (25 videos)
TED Talk Tag: Food (39 videos)

1. Roger Thurow: The Hungry Farmer – My Moment of Great Disruption
Roger Thurow, author of The Last Hunger Season: A Year in an African Farm Community on the Brink of Change, talks about the smallholder farmers of Africa and the potential for good news in agricultural development.

2. Mark Bittman: What’s Wrong with What We Eat
In this fiery and funny talk, New York Times food writer Mark Bittman weighs in on what’s wrong with the way we eat now (too much meat, too few plants; too much fast food, too little home cooking), and why it’s putting the entire planet at risk.

3. Anna Lappé: Marketing Food to Children
Author and activist Anna Lappe takes on the billion-dollar business of marketing junk food, soda, and fast food to children and teens. With diet-related related illnesses alarmingly on the rise, pervasive marketing of junk food to kids is downright dangerous.

4. Ellen Gustafson: Obesity + Hunger = 1 Global Food Issue
Co-creator of the philanthropic FEED bags, Ellen Gustafson says hunger and obesity are two sides of the same coin. At TEDxEast, she launches The 30 Project — a way to change how we farm and eat in the next 30 years, and solve the global food inequalities behind both epidemics.

5. Tristram Stuart: The Global Food Waste Scandal
Western countries throw out nearly half of their food, not because it’s inedible — but because it doesn’t look appealing. Tristram Stuart delves into the shocking data of wasted food, calling for a more responsible use of global resources.

6. Brian Halweil: From New York to Africa: Why Food Is Saving the World
Long live the Food Movement! Brian Halweil, publisher of “Edible Manhattan,” discusses the problems with the global food system and the solutions he’s found cropping up everywhere.

7. Fred Kaufman: The Measure of All Things
Professor Frederick Kaufman from the City University of New York’s Graduate School of Journalism discusses the major research projects currently underway to develop actual metrics to define what sustainable food is.

8. LaDonna Redman: Food + Justice = Democracy
LaDonna Redmond joined the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy in 2011 as the Senior Program Associate in Food and Justice. A long-time community activist, she has successfully worked to get Chicago Public Schools to evaluate junk food, launched urban agriculture projects, started a community grocery store, and worked on federal farm policy to expand access to healthy food in low-income communities.

9. Jose Andres: Creativity in Cooking Can Solve Our Biggest Challenges?
A native of Spain, José Andrés is chef/owner of ThinkFoodGroup, and is responsible for Washington’s popular and award-winning dining concepts Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, America Eats Tavern and the critically-acclaimed minibar by josé andrés.

10. Jamie Oliver’s TED Prize Wish: Teach Every Child About Food?
Sharing powerful stories from his anti-obesity project in Huntington, W. Va., TED Prize winner Jamie Oliver makes the case for an all-out assault on our ignorance of food.

11. Dan Barber: How I Fell in Love with a Fish?
Chef Dan Barber squares off with a dilemma facing many chefs today: how to keep fish on the menu. With impeccable research and deadpan humor, he chronicles his pursuit of a sustainable fish he could love, and the foodie’s honeymoon he’s enjoyed since discovering an outrageously delicious fish raised using a revolutionary farming method in Spain.

12. Carolyn Steel: How Food Shapes Our Cities?
Every day, in a city the size of London, 30 million meals are served. But where does all the food come from? Architect Carolyn Steel discusses the daily miracle of feeding a city, and shows how ancient food routes shaped the modern world.

13. Ann Cooper: Lunch Lessons: Changing the Way We Feed Our Children?
Chef Ann Cooper is a celebrated author, chef, educator, and enduring advocate for better food for all children. Ann is Director of Food Services for the Boulder Valley School District. She is co-founder of Lunch Lessons LLC and the Food Family Farming Foundation(F3)’s Lunch Box Project: Healthy Tools for All schools. F3 is also the managing partner of the Let’s Move Salad Bars to Schools initiative, working to donate 6,000 salad bars to schools by 2013.

14. Ron Finley: A Guerrilla Gardener in South Central L.A.
Ron Finley plants vegetable gardens in South Central LA — in abandoned lots, traffic medians, along the curbs. Why? For fun, for defiance, for beauty and to offer some alternative to fast food in a community where “the drive-thrus are killing more people than the drive-bys.”

15. Tama Matsuoka Wong: How I Did Less and Ate Better, Thanks to Weeds
Tama Matsuoka Wong is a professional forager and the principal of MeadowsandMore, which she founded to connect people with wild plants and natural landscapes. She won the New Jersey Forest Stewardship Award in 2007 for her work on stewarding her own property in western New Jersey. She collaborated with New Jersey Audubon on producing a booklet Meadows on the Menu about how to work with nature to turn lawns or fallow fields in to meadows.

16. Stephen Ritz: Green Bronx Machine: Growing Our Way Into a New Economy?
Stephen Ritz is a South Bronx teacher/administrator. With the help of extended student and community family they have grown over 25,000 pounds of vegetables in the Bronx while generating extraordinary academic performance. His Bronx classroom features the first indoor edible wall in NYC DOE which routinely generates enough produce to feed 450 students healthy meals and trains the youngest nationally certified workforce in America.

17. Angela Morelli: The Global Water Footprint of Humanity
Angela Morelli is an Italian information designer based in London. Her love of mathematics led to an engineering degree from the Politecnico of Milan. Her love of design led to a long journey through industrial, communication and information design. Her love for the planet led to a strong passion for global water issues. Her love for science led to dialogues and collaborations with research and commercial organisations in Europe.

18. Birke Baehr: What’s Wrong With Our Food System
Baehr, at just 11 years old at the time of this talk, presents the most glaring problems in our food system with the directness that, truly, only a child could do. He gives hope that future generations will really lead the charge in changing the food system: “Now a while back, I wanted to be an NFL football player. I decided that I’d rather be an organic farmer instead.”??

19. Graham Hill: Why I’m a Weekday Vegetarian
We all know the arguments that being vegetarian is better for the environment and for the animals — but in a carnivorous culture, it can be hard to make the change. Graham Hill has a powerful, pragmatic suggestion: Be a weekday veg.

20. Joel Salatin: Thinking About Soil?
Organic farmer and author Joel Salatin delivers a passionate talk about treating farmland with care to ensure the most optimal food production and nutrition.

21. Roger Doiron: A Subversive Plot?
Roger Doiron is founding director of Kitchen Gardeners International, a network of people taking a hands-on approach to re-localizing the global food supply. Doiron is an advocate for new policies, technologies, investments, and fresh thinking about the role of gardens.

22. Britta Riley: A Garden in My Apartment
Britta Riley wanted to grow her own food (in her tiny apartment). So she and her friends developed a system for growing plants in discarded plastic bottles — researching, testing and tweaking the system using social media, trying many variations at once and quickly arriving at the optimal system.

23. Arthur Potts Dawson: A Vision for Sustainable Restaurants
If you’ve been in a restaurant kitchen, you’ve seen how much food, water and energy can be wasted there. Chef Arthur Potts-Dawson shares his very personal vision for the waste-free restaurant — recycling, composting, sustainable engines for good (and good food).

24. Ken Cook: Turning the Farm Bill into the Food Bill?
President of the Environmental Working Group, Ken Cook, discusses the Farm Bill, the massive subsides paid to industrial farmers and how we can all act to help advocate and improve this important legislation.

Top 10 List: Best Gifts for Foodies

Posted on May 8, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes 1 Comment

UPDATED: Originally created for Mother’s Day, these gifts are great for any male or female foodie in your life! (Or yourself…)…enjoy and let me know what else I should add!

With Mother’s Day rapidly approaching, I wanted to come up with a recommended list of Foodie Mother’s Day gift ideas that are all available on Amazon Prime for immediate shipping! I tried to think outside the normal Mother’s Day box with things I have purchased for myself and loved, or received great recommendations for.

Prepara Herb Savor

I really like the following two items because they really extend the life of your herbs! It says it also works with asparagus but I have not tried that yet…very easy to clean!

Prepara Herb Savor Pods, Set of 3

Growbottle – Basil

This is a special gift for anyone that is saving an empty bottle of wine from a special occasion. Sometimes the bottle itself is too cute to recycle. This is an awesome way to upcycle it and made it into a perfect herb garden.

Gourmet Korean Barbeque Insert

You don’t have to be Korean to appreciate this grill enhancer! Bulgogi is thinly sliced marinated beef, charred on the grill. This device sits on top of the grill to perfectly cook the meet and catch drippings from the marinade!

Lodge Logic Cast-iron Skillet

Everyone needs a good cast-iron skillet (fried chicken anyone?!) and this one comes very highly recommended! For under $20 this is a steal.

Hand – Harvested Pinot Noir Flake Sea Salt

Sea salt can finish any savory or sweet dish with the perfect taste. Harvested in Oregon, this natural ingredient is a crowd pleaser!

3-Pack of Organic Seed Bombs (Edible Flowers, Salad Greens, and Herbs)
For the chef that love to use fresh herbs, encourage them to grow their own with these “throw and grow” balls that require no digging.

My Life in France by Julia Child

The next two foodie gift recommendations are books. Read this one over my honeymoon and devoured it before landing in the Dominican Republic! An enjoyable read by Julia Child about the events leading up to whom she was meant to be!

Ad Hoc at Home

Arguably the best chef in America, Thomas Keller’s “Ad Hoc at Home” is a beautiful cookbook accessible to the masses. He goes into great, patient details about how to prepare the best fried chicken, enhancing dishes with gingerly tended ingredients. Bright, delicious pictures, recipes that are easy to follow (also some are involved) that take homemade family style dishes to the next level!

Deluxe Rolling Utility Cart

Finally, for the foodie that always goes to the farmers market each week, help them carry this produce around by getting this fantastic utility cart. I use mine every week and it can be spray painted any desired fun color! Instead of struggling under the weight of many fabulous produce purchases, let them easily maneuver during their weekly shopping adventures.

2013 Mother’s Day Deals from Best Buy

Posted on May 6, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Money Saving Tips Leave a comment

This Sunday, May 12, 2013 is Mother’s Day! Are you ready? Looking for good gift ideas? What’s better than a photo frame that is 25% off!? For those who have moms who aren’t the most tech savvy in the world, a pre-loaded photo frame is a GREAT gift! (I also think this is a great gift for Father’s Day…especially for those working dads who don’t always remember to change out the pictures on the desk.)

Even if you don’t have time to load the pictures before Mother’s Day, I think an “IOU” is a nice touch to make sure she knows you’re going to work on it later. (Remember, mothers always remember when you say you’re going to do something!) This is also a great gift idea for grandmothers, teachers, and other loved ones!

Save 25% off these photo frames at Best Buy with the following coupon code: MEMORYMAKER

*Offer valid 5/5/2013 through 6/22/13

For those that are already thinking about buying their mother or a mother in the life a digital or SLR camera, check out these deals from the Best Buy that include a lot of freebies and discounts!

Did you know?

With Best Buy’s low price guarantee, you’ll get the latest DSLR cameras, action camcorders, and compact cameras at the best price
FREE shipping on all cameras (and everything else) on bestbuy.com
Looking to upgrade to a new camera? Trade your old camera for a gift card! Offer ends May 18, 2013…find a local store here (other trade in values here)
FREE camera bag on select cameras, view here
FREE camera bag AND FREE 4GB memory card here
FREE camera bag AND FREE 8GB memory card here

FREE Shutterfly 8×8 Photo Book with select purchases of Best Buy cameras as well, details here

best buy mother's day deal shutterfly photo book coupon

Disclaimer: The reviewer has been compensated in the form of a Best Buy Gift Card and/or received the product/service at a reduced price or for free.

Stella Public House | Southtown San Antonio

Posted on April 14, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Local San Antonio, Tasty Food Bytes 1 Comment

Italian for ‘star’, Stella already has proven its star potential during a media preview of the newest addition to the Blue Star Arts Complex! Offering locally-sourced menu items (including some of my favorite local farmers, like Oak Hills Farm), the menu is a great, unpretentious option for those in the mood for sharing some great small plates and a couple slices of pizza. There are over 20 rotating taps showcasing the craft beers from across the nation from beer-tender Wendy, who doesn’t think we have to look far to find some great options. There’s an extensive wine list as well from an internationally curated wine list and those in the mood for a cocktail will surely feel refreshed from their list of beer-tails menu!

During the preview we got to sample one of everything and I didn’t find anything that I didn’t like. I thought the appetizers were very reasonably priced at $6-$9 with plenty to share with a group. The roasted cauliflower was highlighted with fennel and capers that were so delicious! Everything was served in little cast iron skillets that sizzled as they approached the table. My daughter ate most of the lamb meatballs which were also a big hit. The burratta, which is a fresh Italian cheese made from mozzarella and cream, is housemade with local organic curd and is served with freshly toasted bread.

The pizza is equally impressive. I went with my husband and nine year old daughter and we all left with different favorites. I was torn between the “wild mushroom” with local cremini and portabella mushrooms (drizzled with truffle oil!) and the meatball that included the house made lamb meatballs, caramelized onions, and Gouda cheese. My daughter liked to the spicy house made Italian sausage and my husband could not stop talking about the Quattro which was a quadruple threat of gorgonzola, Parmigiano-Reggiano, ricotta, and house mozzarella topped with watercress and a drizzle of fig-balsamic reduction. I would say with appetizers, one pizza is definitely enough for two although if you wanted to try a couple we can attest that they’re still delicious reheated.

Dessert was a rich tiramisu and salted caramel panna cotta – both a little heavy when you’re eating one of everything. Still it finished the evening perfectly.

Executive Chef Roland mentioned 85-95% of the food and menu is locally sourced, San Antonio and Texas based, meaning the menu is going to change as the seasons do. The chef has a lot of family in San Antonio which is reason enough for coming back to the Alamo City, really down to earth guy, stop by and say hi while you’re eating, he’ll love it if you do.

Open from 4pm to midnight, it’s a chill place with plenty of parking (unless you go on First Friday) with reasonable prices and locally sourced tasty bites. We’ll definitely go back, my husband, an ex-Austinite is already excited. It’s between Halcyon and the galleries, so close it in fact shares the restroom with its sister (which offers a completely different experience.)

Website:
www.stellapublichouse.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/StellaPublicHouse

Twitter:
@stellasouthtown

Stella Public House | Southtown San Antonio blue star

Tell Congress To Promote Organic Farming

Posted on April 11, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

Congress will soon vote on a new farm bill – the federal measure with the greatest impact on the food we eat. Let’s ask the government to help our local farmers grow organic fruits and vegetables.

{ Check out pictures of local San Antonio farmers from our trip to the Pearl Farmer’s Market! }

Farming Facts:

On 1 acre a farmer can grow 24,000 heads of lettuce, 45,000 lbs of strawberries, 14,000 lbs of sweet corn or 36,000 lbs of potatoes
The average US farmer feeds 155 people
Local farms prevent 325 MILLION TONS of soil erosion every year
Most farms are family owned enterprises who work hard every day to bring us fresh produce
Locally produced food won’t contain the 1.2 BILLION pounds of pesticides used each year in the US (which can cause a huge list of health risks)

Sign the Petition

By taking a minute to sign this petition, you are telling Congress that you want your tax dollars to go to programs that help families gain greater access to healthy, affordable food in the new farm bill, as well as supporting the local farmers.

The message to send along with your petition signature will read:

“Instead of giving billions of dollars in subsidies to those who don’t need them, I want my money put to better use.

I want my tax dollars to promote organic farming, support real working farm families, protect land and water and help feed children.

Please invest in smarter food and farm policies.”

Click “Sign Now” to quickly show your support!

This petition will be sent to:

Frank D. Lucas, Chairmain of the House Committee on Agriculture

@RepFrankLucas

Become a Fan on Facebook

Website: http://lucas.house.gov/

Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

@StabenowPress

Website: http://www.stabenow.senate.gov/

Supported by TakePart

2013 Tax Day Freebies

Posted on April 11, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Money Saving Tips 2 Comments

If you’re like me and haven’t done your taxes yet, maybe you need a little FREE motivation. Below are 15 (and growing) freebies that retailers are offering over-taxed Americans! Some last through the end of the month but many are only on Tax Days.

Tax Day Freebies on April 15, 2013

7-Eleven - Medium Slurpee for free when you text “Slurp7″ to “711711″ (ends 4/30)
AMC – If you got your taxes done early, you can take advantage of this relaxing weekend deal – get a free small popcorn with printable coupon. Valid Apr. 12 – Apr. 15.
Arby’s – It’s Arby’s 3rd annual tax day deal. FREE curly fries or potato cakes on Tax Day. Submit your email here for a printable coupon.
Boston Market – Boston Market is getting clever with their Tax deals – IRS stands for “Incredible Rib Specials, and you’ll get two rib meals for $10.40.
Chick-Fil-A – Get a chicken refund. Make a purchase on Apr. 15, bring your receipt back on May 13 for a full refund. (Limited locations are participating. Call your local store for details)
Cinnabon – This flash deal only lasts for two hours. Get two FREE Cinnabon Bites on Tax Day from 6-8 p.m.
Great American Cookie Company – It’s not your birthday, or America’s birthday. Doesn’t matter – get a FREE sprinkle-covered Birthday Cake Cookie on Tax Day at participating Great American Cookie Company locations.
Marble Slab Creamery – sweet Tax coupons
Office Depot will give you a black and white copy of your tax return and shred five pounds of your incriminating documents for free.
Panda Express present this coupon (either printed or via mobile phone) for a freeSamurai Surf & Turf entree
P.F. Chang’s – 15% all dine-in and take out orders on April 17
Schlotzky’s – You gotta make a little investment to get a big return. Get a FREE Original sandwich with purchase of chips and a drink.
Sonic – You got your refund, but don’t spend it all in one place. Save for later with 50% off Sonic drinks and slushies.
Subway - Buy one 6″ sandwich before 9 am, get a second one for free (ends 4/30)
White Castle – Buy One Get One Chicken Breast Sandwich (Ends April 28) and 15% Coupon (from April 13 to April 17)

Briscoe Museum | Nights of the Artists

Posted on March 22, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Local San Antonio Leave a comment

This afternoon I had the opportunity to spend some time in beautiful downtown San Antonio, at the newly renovated Briscoe Museum. Previously a historic city library, the museum is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2013. Renovations have been in the works for the past three and a half years and starting on Sunday, March 24, 2013, locals and Riverwalk tourists are welcome to enjoy the 12 Annual Nights of Artists

Art Sale and Exhibition which is free to the public. Everyone will have the opportunity to view incredibly beautiful artworks by nationally respected painters and sculptors whose subjects include the great American West with dreamy landscapes, rugged cowboys, vivid longhorns, and Native Americans

Exhibit will be free and open to the public starting Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 12-4pm. You will be able to visit on the remaining Sundays from 10am-4pm through Sunday, April 28, 2013. All pieces will be available for purchase and will remain in the gallery through the exhibit run

One of the artists showcased are the works of Enrique Guerra who traveled to many areas to find his inspiration. One painting depicted a girl working in the field. He was able to convince her to pose long enough for him to capture the colors and essence on a smaller scale sketch before transforming it into a much larger piece of art. The gallery features some of his works in both oil paintings and bronze sculptures.

Briscoe Museum

210 W. Market St

San Antonio, TX 78205

Parking is conveniently located across the street at the Riverbend Parking Garage (210 N. Presa, San Antonio, TX 78205).

Become a fan on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackGuentherPavilionBriscoe

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BriscoeMuseum

Briscoe Museum | Nights of the Artists | San Antonio Art Museum

2013 Fredericksburg Wine Road 290 Vino and Pasta

Posted on March 22, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Local San Antonio, Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

If you’re looking for something to do in this beautiful spring weather (before it turns into another miserable three digit summer), Fredericksburg has 12 wonderful wineries to spend the day at. These separate 12 wineries (listed below with links to their websites and addresses) form an association known as “Fredericksburg Wine Road 290” found along Highway 290, all offering tastings from $5-$10. Many offer awesome events like the following:

Vino and Pasta

What: Pasta and Vino Event . Food tastings provided by top local restaurants.
When: Saturday, 3/23/2013
Cost: There is no additional cost nor tickets for this event. Regular winery tasting fees would still apply and vary by winery.

The wineries participating in this event (that belong to Fredericksburg Wine Road 290) are:

*listed from West to East so that you can stop along the way at all of them…which according to Google maps is 52 miles and 1 hour and 17 minutes.

FREDERICKSBURG WINE ROAD 290 wineries vino and pasta

Chisholm Trail Winery

2367 Usener Rd, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Fredericksburg Winery
247 W Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Rancho Ponte Vineyard
315 Ranch Road 1376, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

William Chris Vineyards
10352 U.S. 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

4.0 Cellars
10354 U.S. 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Grape Creek Vineyards
10587 U.S. 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Torre Di Pietra
10915 E US Highway 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Becker Vineyards
464 Becker Farms Road, Stonewall, Texas 78671?

Hilmy Cellars – Vineyards, Winery & Tasting Room
12346 U.S. 290, Fredericksburg, TX 78624?

Woodrose Winery
662 Woodrose Ln, Stonewall, TX 78671?

Pedernales Cellars
2916 Upper Albert Rd, Stonewall, TX 78671?

Texas Hills Vineyard
878 Robinson Rd, Johnson City, TX 78636?

FREDERICKSBURG WINE ROAD 290 wineries vino and pasta

View Larger Map

One Flew South | Best ATL Restaurant

Posted on March 3, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

As a self-proclaimed foodie, I’m always looking for an opportunity to eat good food. Even when I only have a 45 minute layover at a busy international airport. After reading in Food and Wine, the Best Places to Eat at Airports, I knew I wanted to try One Flew South. With an innovative menu delivering a self-proclaimed “southernational” menu, Chef Duane Nutter (@ChefDuaneNutter), the quality of food with locally sourced and seasonal ingredients is top notch. It really is the best airport food I have ever had.

Pictured below:

Mussels and edamame with miso broth – garlic, ginger, sesame seeds, garlic toast
Breast of duck – french lentils, bok choy, parsnips, carrots, and cherry miso sauce
Pisco sour – pisco, lime, sugar, egg white, amargo bitters

The drink was sublime, the duck perfectly cooked, and the mussels were a welcomed change with a fierce kick.

For those worried about catching connections I got into the restaurant at 2:45 and was able to eat everything and get my check and start walking again by 3:30. Had I only ordered one item I could have easily gotten it in 15 minutes.

Website: http://www.oneflewsouthatl.com

Location: Terminal E, near Gate 26

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OneFlewSouthATL

Twitter: @OneFlewSouthATL

Hours of Operation: One menu served seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

A+S Registered Gulf Coast Sheep and Lamb

Posted on February 25, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tasty Food Bytes Leave a comment

When the Pearl Brewery Farmers market announced on their Facebook page that a new vendor would be joining the already all-star lineup on Saturday I was definitely interested. When I saw that it was going to be someone selling lamb I’m pretty sure I did a little happy dance and shrieked out loud. I love lamb. I am obsessed and I freely admit it.

Website:
http://www.gulfcoastlamb.com

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/gulfcoastlamb

Farmers Market @ Pearl Brewery Farmer’s Market

The Saturday before Valentine’s Day, I headed to the market to welcome the new producers and pick up farm fresh ingredients for a fabulous meal made with love. More details on that meal (including Julie Child’s braised leg of lamb) in a future post.

(Photo from their Facebook page, here.)

Fresh cuts of lamb included (and they update their Facebook page frequently):

Rack of Lamb
Lamb Leg Sirloin Steak
Lamb Leg Center-Cut Chops
Lamb Loin Chops
Ground Lamb
Lamb for Stew
Offal

I met Amy and Shaun Jones at their corner booth (right next to Sol y Luna Baking Company, next to Arcade Midtown Kitchen) and overwhelmed them with my enthusiasm for lamb, peppering them with questions about themselves and future plans. Originally from Houston, the married couple would visit the farmers market to aid in their weekly goal of cooking with 70% (I might be off a bit…) of locally sourced ingredients. I thought this was a great way to think about things as I try to source locally too…but putting a firm number makes the goal even more tangible. They talked about their deep appreciation good food and happy animals which led them to farming sheep, the right way.

Like I mentioned in my blog post about South Texas Heritage Pork, receiving the stamp from Animal Welfare Approved is rigorous and speaks volumes to the care and standards instantiated by the farmers. A + S raise Gulf Coast sheep with incredibly high standards. Golf Coast sheep are a very hearty breed (for the same reason the malbec grape does well in Texas…) that tolerates drought conditions (check!) and more disease resistant.

Open House!

Always interested in bringing my daughter to the farm, I found out that their first open house is a little more than a month away!

All the details can be found here:

Gluten free pizza from Texas Pizza Wagon
Bring a cooler with some cold drinks, and a lawn chair
Leave with it field of prime lamb cuts!
Facebook event here

When: Saturday, April 13, 2013, 1-5pm

Where: County Road 95B | Moulton, TX 77975 {map}

They also mentioned that they were in the middle of lambing season, 2013! Going with a forest theme for all the names, meet Maple and Doodlebug (photo from their Facebook page here.)

Pinot’s Palette | Alamo Heights

Posted on February 23, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Local San Antonio Leave a comment

Pinot’s Palette – Alamo Heights is the franchise’s first location in San Antonio, TX and we were ready to welcome them with open arms. The fabulous Heather Hunter of The Cowgirl Gourmet arranged an incredible girls night out for some of the local San Antonio bloggers and boy did we have fun! I have never done this type of painting class before but I definitely would do it again!

One of the owners Christina welcomed our group on a Thursday night for a complimentary painting class. Artists in resident Lisa, with assistance from Sonia, were incredibly encouraging as they guided us newbies through the artistic process, starting with a completely black canvas!

We all arrived around 6:30pm so that we could unload our baked goodies, have a snack, and catch our breath with a nice glass of wine we were able to bring in. Although we brought our own wine and food, Pinot Palette provided the stemware and plastic utensils and plates, along with little bottles of water. They are also working on a menu option with EZ’s for easy catering if you throw a private, special event and don’t want the hassle of catering out.

Current Living Social Deal (purchase until 2/27!) Purchase here!

The picture for the evening was: Deco Martini

And we all nervously glanced around the room and laughed when Lisa promised we’d be able to reproduce ourselves. We were given a blank canvas and the colors we needed to miss with two different sized brushes. Slowly our canvas turned into presentable bar art! It was a very informal environment although they did pace us a bit so that we’d have time to finish all the intricate details. But I didn’t feel rushed. We even got a couple short breaks while we waited for our paint to set.

The artists have been working as such for years, often also teaching at local colleges and in the community. I would recommend this experience as a Girls Night Out, date (although it’s not for everyone’s husband…), and kids birthday parties! They are very flexible and can help you create a very memorable evening.

Pinot’s Palette – Alamo Heights

7959 Broadway Suite 402

San Antonio, TX 78209

(210)-832-8004

Website:
http://www.pinotspalette.com/AlamoHeights

Monthly Schedule:
http://www.pinotspalette.com/AlamoHeights/Classes

Private Party:
http://www.pinotspalette.com/AlamoHeights/Private-Parties

Become a Facebook Fan: https://www.facebook.com/PinotsPaletteAlamoHeights

Picasa Picture Gallery: https://picasaweb.google.com/111717093807278156822

Follow on Twitter:
@PinotAlamoHts

2013 Costco Membership Coupons

Posted on February 9, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Money Saving Tips 4 Comments

Once I decided I wanted a Costco Membership I started searching for the best coupon out there. In the past I had seen $25 gift certificates, discounts, and other good deals so I didn’t want to feel shortchanged! For 2013, here’s the best deal I found (leave me a comment if you find something better!):

Download Printable Coupon here: 2013 Costco Membership Coupon

Although the membership will still cost you $55 for the regular membership and $110 for the executive level (more on the differences in a second), you’ll also get these things in addition to that!

Free 48 Pack Kirkland Batteries
Free Rotisserie Chicken
Free Kirkland 36/16.9 oz Spring or Drinking Water

Sounds great right?? What? You want more?! Ok, in addition to those great freebies, you’ll also be sent coupons for the following:

$10 off Pair of Prescription Eyeglasses
$3 off Kirkland Gourmet Chocolate Chunk Cookies
$5 off Kirkland Signature Toasted by Starbucks House Blend Office or Columbian Coffee
$5 off Fresh Meat
$3 off Kirkland Premium Chunk Chicken Breast Canned 6/12.5 oz
$3 off Kirkland Signature Albacore Tuna 8/7 oz
$5 off Food Court Fresh-Baked 18″ Pizza
$1.50 off Fresh Produce Select Salad Mixes

*They all expire July 31, 2013

So, what’s stopping you?

There has always been a great debate about how much money you’re actually saving by joining Costco (or similar buying in bulk stores…) and here are some things to consider before taking the plunge (like I just did!!):

USDA Prime Meat – USDA grades beef on a scale from PRIME (restaurant quality meat!) to CHOICE (runner up, still some quality) to SELECT (tasteless, lowest quality, a step above the grade COMMERCIAL which is used for TV dinners…). At Costco, there is an excellent supply of PRIME and CHOICE meat. When my friends hear about sales at Costco, they stock their fridges full of PRIME beef!
Tiny Prints Discount – Tiny Prints (learn all about it here, it’s an awesome printing company) orders get 20% off AND FREE regular shipping! How good of a deal is that!? I just ordered two address stamps (retail $45 each) and got $18 off + $7.95 off for shipping!
Diapers – what a great deal they have. I don’t know about you but it feels like baby season around my friends. What is more helpful than a bunch of diapers! In bulk! At a great discount!
TO BE CONTINUED…(it’s getting late and you should already be convinced!)

Differences Between Costco Memberships:

Gold Star Member – $55 a year, you’re in

Executive Member – $110 a year but if you’ll also get refunded 2% of your purchase so technically it can pay for itself. How much would you have to spend to break even? A hefty $2750! Upon hearing this I said, no way. Because if I go to Costco once a month, I’d have to spend $230! And while I could probably do that every other month…every month seems outrageous.

When I brought in my application I said I was only interested in the Gold Star Membership. Here’s what they said that convinced me to go Executive…make sure you hold out for the same deal too!

If you haven’t spent enough by the end of the year you’ll be reimbursed. Costco will send you a statement of how much you were refunded. If it’s <$55 you can be reimbursed. Just make sure you submit the paperwork.
Going Executive buys you 2 more months for FREE! 12 months + 2 months absolutely free.

And once you’ve joined the Costco family, don’t forget to become a fan on Facebook!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Costco

DIY Computer Parts Gifts

Posted on February 8, 2013 by *Geekette* Posted in Tech Bytes 2 Comments

As Valentine’s Day rapidly approaches (next Thursday, February 14 y’all!!), I thought it would be cool to put together a blog post around sweet ways to say “I <3 You” to the geek in your life. As someone who grew up taking apart VCRs and majoring in Computer Science in College, I feel well equipped to write this post! I also have a tendency to hoard old computer parts from mice, keyboards, RAM, and cables. What are you ever going to do with it all? Well, I have scoured the web so you don’t have to and here’s some creative options.

*Make sure you subscribe for new Geekette Bits blog posts on the top right of this page! I am going to be going through this like and doing it myself to show you how really easy it is. I have found that a lot of these sites only linked to places you could buy them from…and what fun is that?

1. “his” and “her” rings

Thinking about proposing on Valentine’s Day? What says love nerdier than this?!

geek telephone rings

My friend had these “his” and “her” rings made for the wedding and I just could not get enough of them!

2. Circuit Sheet Wallet

Everyone your loved one reaches for their wallet they’ll think fondly of you!

keyboard circuit sheet wallet

Thanks www.zieak.com with credit to Ryan McFarland for this awesome idea!

3. Keys to Their Heart

Visit your local thrift store (like your local Goodwill’s computer section) and pick up a couple keyboards at a fraction of the cost! Gently take them apart (since you already did for the previous craft) and use the keys to make all kinds of unique, signature tokens of your love! There are ridiculous numbers of things you can do with these old keyboard keys, here are just a few:

Ornaments for your first Christmas tree together (of for their rear view mirror, desk lamp at work, etc.)

Key Rings (make a statement with words that wow them)

Pen Holder 1 from a laptop keyboard (that is still all together – versus having to adhere individual keys)

Someone on Pinterest (who’s link no longer works) used the keys to make tacks for their cork board

keyboard key tacks

Keys outlining a picture frame

Key Bobby Pins

Key Tags

How cute would it to be to have “<3″ (the universal symbol for “love” in geek-speak…) hanging around your neck or on a key chain?

keyboard keys necklace

4. DYI Keyboard Renovations

Using washi tape (link takes you to an additional 55 ways to use this awesome tape), you can overlay the tape onto your original keyboard like the pinner on pinterest did below!

5. Key Wine Charms

Looking for the perfect gift for a co-worker or geek friend? This takes the cake. Literally O-M-G! You’d never have to worry about people mixing up their glasses again!

6. Nerdy Jewelry

I found a ton of ideas on this site including this nuggets (if I had pierced ears I’d be all over this!):

keyboard key earrings

7. Keyboard Hanger

Forget just using the keys, take the whole board and create a key holder to always enter your house in a geeky fashion (NOTE: need not use Microsoft keyboard…)