We Were Snowed

 Hurricane force wind with several inches of snow equals a beautiful courtyard, a warm living room, and some new friends.

      This tree that stands at the back of the courtyard and towers over the building was laden with some of the six inches of snow that we received yesterday.  

 

 

Crepe myrtles with a new type of white bloom.

 

 To those in northern states this may look like a trifle, but to our parched earth, it is a wonderful abundance.

 

As the snow began to accumulate yesterday, people were anxious to reach their destination and settle in for a warm cup of coffee or hot chocolate and their favorite throw.  Some didn't quite make it, as the roads became dangerous and in some cases were closed.

 

One guest had his car blown off the road by the winds and had to abandon it and then get it towed.  He was on his way to a required training for his employers, but they gave him permission to arrive late. 

 

Another man who was stranded delivers dialysis supplies to people who are confined to their homes.  He had to make many calls to reassure and comfort his clients.

 

A pipeline supply crew traveling from Louisiana to California couldn't make it any further than Matador and had to spend the evening watching television and eating chicken fried steaks at a local restaurant which stayed open to accommodate them.

 

One lady left Wichita Falls on her way home to Floydada, and anticipating a speedy and non-eventful trip,  she decided to travel in her pajamas.   At some point in her sliding toward Matador, she managed to don her clothes so she could seek a room.

 

Some travelers stayed in private homes, and one manager of some hunting lodges opened them for those who could not find rooms in the local lodging.

 

We hope that the travelers, as they left this morning, felt rested, well fed, and ready to face their renewed journey. 

 

At Hotel Matador, this is why we are here, and why we were led to this place.

 

 

We will be warming up the chairs in the courtyard before your next visit.

Slow Cooking Quail and Other Thoughts on January

January Uses for a Deer Blind and Slow Cooking some Quail

Lonely Sentinel From Season Past

 Linda and Caron wanted me to write about what to do with deer blinds during the “off” season.  They said that the inspiration for the topic came from a conversation with Ron and Lauren Cox during Chrsitmas break.   So, I am left to think of the uses, and I will admit that not many things came to mind;  however, since I always do what my sisters tell me, here is the result.  

 

1.       You can watch birds

 I think you could see turkeys, field larks, and an occasional bobwhite quail.  After that, you would have to draw a bird on a paper and hang it outside the window to look at.  I am not an ornithologist, and could use some schooling on this topic.

2.        You can have a sleep over

If you are in Adrian’s blind, you can put a cot, a table, and a heater and have some friends over, but in the rest of the shelters, it will be you alone, curled up in a corner with a blanket with hand and foot warmers tucked into your clothing.

3.       You can listen to the night sounds

This is an extension of the sleep over idea.  Depending on your imagination, this would be intriguing or scary.  There would be the lowing of cattle, the rattling of such things as raccoons and possums, the oinking of feral hogs, and the howling of coyotes.  This is really kind of a good idea unless you get to thinking of all the things that you could not see or might not hear that are sneaking up on you

4.       You can watch the stars

This could best be accomplished by climbing onto the roof of one of the blinds, but there are no ladders so that would get you into the serious climbing and rappelling business.  The stars are beautiful out in the country  where no lights from town interfere, but the back of a pickup will offer a better view than the window of a blind.

5.        Randy said you could use it as a hideout in case you were a law breaker

We don’t know any of these and are not encouraging them to be on the property and especially not in our blinds.  That would be one of those sneaking sounds you wouldn’t want to hear.

 

In other words, in my opinion, the uses are limited.  Perhaps you could build a porch on one and put a rocking chair for warm summer evenings, plant honeysuckle to climb the poles, and paint it some color that would stand out better than the camouflage they currently sport, but I think they are all better off just standing watch until the next hunting season. 

 

I did see some bird hunters in town during lunch, and we are not telling them where the few quail we have seen are hiding out.  I will, however, share with you what I think is a wonderful recipe.  It was given to us by a guest from Bowling Green, Kentucky.   Try this next time you have a “mess of quail”.  The recipe can also be found in our cookbook,
Conversations from the Kitchen in the Hotel Matador.

 

Kentucky Quail

1 medium onion, sliced thin

1 cup sliced mushrooms, optional

12 quail (cleaned and skinned)

12 pieces of bacon

¼ cup butter (you may use half oil if it makes you happy)

¼ cup flour

2 cups chicken broth

¼ cup sour cream.

 

Wrap quail in bacon and brown in butter in a skillet.  Remove quail to a roaster pan and sauté sliced onion in butter and bacon grease until translucent.  Add flour, salt and pepper to skillet and brown slightly.  Add broth and stir until you have smooth gravy.  Pour over quail.  Cover tightly and bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.  Remove from oven and stir in cup sour cream (and mushrooms).  Cover and return to oven for 30 minutes.  Serve over your favorite rice.

 

 

Grandkids and Great Grands all Decked Out

We just can't resist letting you see how cute all of the little ones looked on Halloween.  They love the dressing up and creating of cute costumes.  We won't deny that they also enjoy the candy.

Enjoy

Hannah and Hailey with neighbor Kate (on far left)

Hailey is a Peacock and Hannah and Kate are Diva Policewomen

Children of Jason and Kimmie



 

Jaxon and Isabel with friend Madison (in middle)

Jaxon is a Werewolf and Isabel is an Indian Maiden

Children of Adrian and Lara

Jaxon hiding behind the trailer to scare trick or treaters...with complete costume on

 

Audrey and Emma

Outfitted as a Princess and a Go-Go Girl

 Children of Jeremy and Dana

 

Kate and Abigail

Lovely Witch and Pirate

Children of Danny and Jessica

 

Malosi as the West Texas Rain Fairy

Parents are Kelly and Matt

 

Rance at one week in a Boo suit

Parents are Matt and Kelly

 

Ryder Russell as his favorite cowboy, Woody

Son of Shanea' Russell

 

Jacob and Jacy

Dressed as a football player and his supportive sister

Children of Kevin and Kim



 We are getting ready for the start of hunting season, starting with the Hunter Appreciation Lunch this Saturday.  It is sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce and will be held in front of the Hotel Matador.  If you hunt in Motley County, we will see you there.

Some Pumpkin Ideas

I spent part of last Saturday carving pumpkins with the youngest of the grandchildren.  They were so excited to pick out patterns for the design, use a tracing wheel to trnsfer design to the pumpkin, and then cut with a small saw blade to expose the scary results.  I have to admit that Isabel did not like the "yucky" feel of the pumpkin guts which prompted some aggrevating from Jaxon.   Jaxon wanted to get out the big knife he was wearing on his belt and take care of the carving more quickly...vetoed.  The result, however, is that I have two lighted pumpkins on my front porch.   They are patiently sitting there waiting to be lit each evening.  It is a nice reminder of fun times.

Caron's daughter, Jessica, is making some wonderful costumes for her girls, Kate and Abigail.  I even got in on the action and crocheted a black cap for the pirate (Abby).  The costumes each have a tutu base so that even the swashbuckling pirate is quite feminine.  I haven't seen the end products, but I am sure that pictures are coming.

When the children were growing up, Halloween was a last minute deal.  We might put on old clothes to look like a hobo, or some wild garb and said it was a gypsy costume, but the favorite was to find a  worn out white sheet, drape it over them, and cut out some eyes as they left to knock on the doors in the neighborhood.   Once when I had Kevin down to the eye hole part, I used an unusally sharp pair of scissors and snipped part of his eye lid.  As I recall , I was worried about getting blood all over everything until I realized that it would just add to the Halloween effect.  Luckily his eyelid was not permanently scarred.  I caution you, however,  to cut the sheet before attaching to kid.

One of the cutest costumes we ever used was a Raggedy Ann costume created by Mary Ann Lackey and which we got to borrow for Lara.  She was so relieved that she didn't have to wear one of my creations that year.  And I can tell you that if Mary Ann created it, it was well-done.  I occasionally see some of her current handiwork and marvel at the beauty of the fabric art and quilting.

Now to the most creative pumpkin carving I have seen in a while.  We received this picture at the Hotel this morning from Sara Gray who lives in Schulenburg, Texas.  It is of Emma Gray and her pumpkin that has been created by using it for target  with her .22.  It seems like she has a wonderful aim .......and no messing with the "yucky" part.   I love this picture.

I really like to cook with fresh pumpkin.  It has such a mild, light flavor and color.  The bread made with fresh pumpkin is a beautiful apricot color.  My favorite way to cook the pumpkin is in the oven.   Instructions are simple:  Just half a 8-10 inch pumpkin, scoop out the seeds and pulp with an ice cream scoop, and bake it upside down on a baking sheet at 350 degrees until it is fork tender.  Let it cool before removing the pulp.  There is quite a bit of water in the pulp, so you might put it in a cloth to drain overnight so you won't have too much liquid in your recipes. If the grandkids are coming over, save the seeds to roast, or if you plan to plant your own pumpkins next year, put them in a bag in the freezer until planting time.

A sandwich of the bread with a filling of sweetened, spiced cream cheese would make a perfect starter for breakfast or a great afternoon snack.

 Let me know your favorite way to use fresh pumpkin or to prepare the pumpkin itself.

mrh

Hotel Innkeepers Elected as Vice Presidents of Texas Bed and Breakfast Association

Members of the Texas Bed and Breakfast Association elected new officers last week.   At their annual meeting in Fort Worth, the organization elected David Fleming, Woodrow House, Lubbock,  as the president.  Marilynn Hicks, Linda Roy, and Caron Perkins, owners and operators of the Hotel Matador will serve as Vice Presidents in charge of conventions. 

The Texas Bed and Breakfast Association is a state-wide organization epresenting over 120 properties throughout the state.  Properties are inspected every three years and must meet high industry standards.   The members are considered examples of "Texas' Finest Inspected and Approved Bed and Breakfasts, Country Inns, Guesthouses, and Ranches."

Other officers elected during the convention include:
Liz Lock of the Adams House B&B, Austin, as President-Elect
Dawn Fleming of the Woodrow House B&B, Lubbock as Treasurer
Martha Linnartz of the Azalea Plantation B&B, Ft. Worth, as VP of Membership
Carmen Finn of the Knittel Homestead Inn, Burton, as Secretary
Sallie Blalock of the Katy House B&B, Smithville, as Central Regional Rep
Lynn MacWithey of the Das Garten Haus, Fredericksberg, as Hill Country Regional Rep
Leslie Benson of Etta's Place-A Sundance Inn, Ft. Worth, as North Regional Rep.

Bison Celebration Day with Asleep at the Wheel

Hotel Matador Bed and Breakfast Saturday, September 15, 2012 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The public is invited to see and photograph the magnificent, free-roaming bison in their natural environment and enjoy activities like living history encampments, geocache challenges, a BBQ benefit dinner (11:00-2:00), area vendor booths, and more. $4.00 per person park entrance fees apply to adults ages 13 and older; children ages 12 and younger are free for Saturday's event. Visitors may also donate directly to the Texas State Bison Herd Restoration Project or purchase merchandise that supports the project. Sunday, September 16, 2012 Vendor area 8:00-5:00 Concert 2:00 p.m. Asleep at The Wheel Nine-time Grammy award-winning Asleep at the Wheel will be performing Sunday afternoon to benefit the Texas State Bison Herd Restoration Project. The concert will be held just south of the park entrance, approximately 3 miles north of Quitaque on 'FM 1065. Beverage and food vendors will be at the venue. Tickets on sale starting August 1 for $20 in advance and $25 at the door. We are less than an hour from the venue and would love to serve as your hostesses. Hotel Matador Bed and Breakfast Marilynn Hicks, Linda Roy, Caron Perkins Innkeepers

Check us out in September issue of Texas Highways

When the reporter from Texas Highways magazine was in town a couple of months ago, we gladly shared our vision for Motley County as a destination and are proud that he agreed.  There is a multiple page article in the September issue about sites such as Bob's Oil Well, the Museum, and the building murals.

We are especially grateful for the coverage for the Hotel Matador. Pick up your copy and look what you can find in the "new hill country of Texas."

I forgot to tell you that Tumbleweed Smith also had some interviews on his radio broadcast, "Sounds of Texas," with several people from the county.  He talked with Marisue Potts, Randy Hicks, and of course, the people at the Hotel Matador.  If you go to his website, you can listen to the interviews.

mrh