Greetings from Dallas

Thanksgiving on Thursday at the home of friends of my swimming/book group friend Lynn.  Peter and I gatecrashed a group that has been meeting up on Thanksgiving for years...now three generations together - children and grandchildren...and they made us feel completely welcome!  Turkey and all the trimmings.  It could have been Christmas but no crackers and silly hats and no flaming pudding!  Lots of delicious pies though.

Grilled chilles…I forgot to take the picture before tucking in.
Peter is eating what's left and I had half his clams.

Friday we set off for Dallas for the weekend and after finding our hotel room (suite) negotiated the Dart system and took the 'train' to Mockingbird Station to the Angelika, a version of Cinema City.  We saw 'Nebraska'.  Peter gave it 8 out of 10 (a little slow in places) but I gave it 10.  Thoroughly recommended.  It got a round of applause from the very interactive and appreciative audience.  We talked about it long over supper at a nearby restaurant Central 134 - also highly recommended.  It had the slightly artificial atmosphere of a hotel restaurant but the food was excellent.  I started with a plate of small grilled peppers with a red pepper sauce and Peter had clams in a delicious broth.  We both followed with bavette steak on a pea puree with heritage carrots and fingerling potatoes.  All very good...and a good bottle of Italian wine.

Bavette steak

Actually 'Nebraska' was our second film of the week. Things seem to be improving on that front.  We also saw 'Philomena' which we both gave 9 out of 10!

The hotel opposite

Christmas decoration made from car parts

We spent Saturday at the Dallas Art Museum, a completely confusing building - we had to ask how to find rooms constantly, but very enjoyable nonetheless.  We started with a special exhibition of Hopper drawings showing how he prepared for many of his paintings.  Then a spell in the cafe for coffee then off to explore the other rooms.  Back to the cafe for lunch and then finally across to the sculpture collection opposite.

Here are some of the things we liked, in no particularly order.

Artfully arranged water fountains