Money Money Money

While in Fort Worth, we had the opportunity to visit the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.  Due to security concerns, no cameras or cell phones were allowed on the tour, or candidly anywhere near the Money factory.  We parked by this small security building and left our trusty smartphones behind.  TEAR! Inside, we went through a metal detector, and then boarded a golf-cart-like vehicle on the other side to be transported to the *actual* factory building.

Inside, we walked an elevated pathway overlooking the factory floor.  We learned about the ink, paper, multi-step printing process, quality and security measures involved in the manufacture of legal tender.  We saw literally MILLIONS of dollars, just sitting around on forklifts waiting to be distributed.  Due to time constraints, we were unable to fully explore the museum-like exhibits also available.  We may try to revisit this location depending on how the rest of our trip works out.  

Here are some fun facts about Money that we learned today:

Fru-Fru Coffee

After two days mostly cooped up in a hotel room working remotely, Wifey decided she was getting out and about!  She'd googled previously and believed the closest destination was a QT about 1 mile down the road, so she put on her non-matching tennis shoes and set out for some icy coffee!

About a third of the way (10 measly minutes) into her walk she stumbled upon... Starbucks. Technically, a Starbucks/Firehouse Subs mashup.  She returned later in the evening for a Pink drink.  

Seriously, there's a Starbucks a 10-minute walk from the hotel?  Note to self - Day one in a new hotel ... wake up and start walking!  

Not wanting to stop her adventure this short, Wifey determined to continue her walk to the QT, where she would probably skip icy coffee and pick up a Pink Drink at the Starbucks on her way back to the hotel.  She was successful!

pardon the hair - it's humid here! 

Wanting to avoid traversing the intersection just yet, wifey ventured one block south from QT, and just as she was about to turn around and begin her trip home ... saw... Paris Coffee Shop!

Upon entering ... greatly excited ... she found herself in line to be seated at a classic old-school diner.  The sheer confusion she felt was written all over her face, as the seating attendant (older gentleman, exactly as you'd expect in a DINER) asked if he could help her out.  

Wifey:  I saw the sign - "Paris Coffee Shop" - I was looking for Coffee.

Attendant: Well we're more of a restaurant ... but we serve coffee.

Wifey: Black?

Attendant:  Yeah.  Are you looking for some of that fru fru coffee?

Wifey: yes, yes I am. 

Attendant: You want to go across the street to "Brewed".

Wifey: Ok, thank you :D 

Yeah ... It was a fantastic exchange.  

After exiting Paris Coffee Shop, wifey found Brewed and walked over ... it was everything a coffee shop should be and more.  Fancy Smancy expresso and brewed coffee machines.  Modern signage, and fru fru drinks that don't resemble black coffee.  

Wifey ordered a Cafe Freddo and waited.  Once served, it did not disappoint.  Milky, sweet, non-coffey coffee.   Only thing could have made it better ... if it were blended instead of iced.  A return trip may well be in order ... or not ... wifey passed at least 3 more quirky coffee shops as she walked home via a different route along Magnolia Avenue.  

Later in the evening, hubby was a bit tired ... so we made one more coffee stop at Craftwork Coffee.  He enjoyed a Vanilla Latte which helped to fuel the remainder of our evening.  

Buca di Beppo

Wifey spent 10 years living in the DFW metroplex once upon a time.  One of her favorite special occasion restaurants was Buca di Beppo.  Highlights include the best tiramisu she's ever tried and the fact that each Buca di Beppo includes a table located inside the kitchen.  It is meant to invoke the traditional Italian style of in-kitchen eating.  (It should be noted hubby and another of our companions do not share Wifey's love of the kitchen table). 

Our view!

For the uninitiated, Buca di Peppo is family style Italian.  Their food comes in one of two portion sizes - "small" which serves 2-3 people and "large" which serves 5. Our table enjoyed a selection of lasagna, pizza, spaghetti, and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken.  Everything we tried was excellent! 

For dessert - wifey could not wait for her tiramisu.  Hubby ordered Chocolate Chip Cannolis. 

Suprise - the tiramisu was 'good'.  But not the same.  The cream-ladyfinger ration was wrong, and the flavors much less strong than before.  Alas.  

To make up for the disappointment of sub-memory tiramisu, we'll focus our memories of this outing on new friends and delightful company! 

Texas Not Toast

As promised, we tried the waffles at breakfast today.  The options were actually a little bit different and included some spicy scrambled eggs (scrambled with onion and peppers - No thanks).  

Upon opening the Waffle iron, we were surprised by the custom Texas shaped griddle!  

 Plenty of toppings were available - Hubby chose cream cheese, chopped nuts, and strawberries!  Yum!  Wifey ... butter and syrup.  #Boringandproud

Homewood Suites by Hilton

For the remainder of our time in Texas, we're stayed at Homewood Suites by Hilton.  We love this hotel.  One challenge our marriage faces is Wifey is a pretty extreme morning person and Hubby a pretty extreme night owl.  At home, we've worked around this issue, but in hotels ... it can be a challenge.  No one wants to be awake but silent and in the dark so their partner can sleep.  

One challenge our marriage faces is Wifey is a pretty extreme morning person and Hubby a pretty extreme night owl.  At home, we've worked around this issue, but in hotels ... it can be a challenge.  Noone wants to be awake but silent and in the dark so their partner can sleep.  

The room type we selected at Homewood Suites has two separate rooms!  With a door! So early in the morning, Wifey can set up her computer at the kitchen table and blog for you lovely readers ... 

... and late at night Hubby can check out the TV in the living room.  Since we've only been here one night ... and were pretty tired from our travel we haven't tested this theory ... but we're pumped.

The living room opens into the separate bedroom and bath.  

Check out the reading lights on each side of the bed below.  Snazzy! 

The hotel breakfast was excellent as well.  Not by far the *best ever*, but still sufficient to meet our needs.  Tomorrow we'll probably try the make-your-own waffle bar!

Beirut Cafe - Little Rock

Beirut Cafe is about a 20-minute drive from our hotel.  Not an obviously logical choice for a quick meal before the work-week begins.  We actually left the hotel heading back towards Bethany Cafe to check out their food (you may remember last time we went for drinks).  Along the way, we remembered passing Beirut and thinking it might be a good place to tryout.  

We kicked off dinner with drinks of Ayran and Dr. Pepper.  Ayran is a middle eastern yogurt-based drink.  It has a similar flavor profile to buttermilk, and Wifey loves it!

Baba Ganoush - pretty well the only Middle Eastern food Wifey likes.  We are so thankful for our friend, R., who drug us to Kebob House over and over again until I successfully found something I like! 

Appetizer - Fried Kibbee - hubby enjoyed this.  Wifey did not.   Wifey did enjoy the yogurt dip with her pita bread :D   

This is a combination plate that hubby enjoyed.  It included lamb, chicken, and beef  ... all seasoned Lebanese style.