Last night at Shady Grove was great fun! By the time we got there, the restaurant parking lot was full and the place was over-flowing with people. We managed to find a parking space on the road behind it, but we had to walk and walk and walk to get back to the restaurant. It reminded me why I love those sandals. I can slip them right off and walk barefooted, which I did for most of the trek. Since everyone was crammed into the outside area listening to Patrice Pike (who totally rocks), we got a table inside to grab something to eat. Lin ordered a huge chili cheese hot dog (really huge) and I got half a Hippie Sandwich and a big salad. Here’s a Hippie Sandwich:

Grilled eggplant, oven-roasted bell peppers, zucchini, mushrooms, arugula, tomato & mozzarella cheese served on our famous Hippie Bread w/ pesto mayonnaise.

So yummy, but I am glad I only got half on one. A whole one would have never fit in my stomach! It was so funny, as Lin was finishing up his chili dog, he asked me if I wanted a bit or two. I said no, and he gave me a silly look and said “But you haven’t had any meat at all!” Yes, my husband hasn’t yet discovered that it’s possible to eat an entire meal that contains no meat at all.

After eating, we ordered some fresh drinks and headed out into the crowd. It was really crowded, so we ended up standing in the back a ways, which was fine with me. I’m not so thrilled about being in tight crowds of people. We could hear the music just fine, and I could see the stage somewhat. We moved around a little as the crowd thinned out so we could see Patrice better. She’s such a cutie when she’s performing and has a really fun, energetic stage presence. We cut out as the last song started to avoid the mad rush of people leaving, and we found the shortcut through the parking lot to the road we were parked on. It wasn’t TOO much of a shortcut but far better than the route we had walked to get there. … at least two blocks shorter.

Then we got home, watched The Daily Show and Colbert Report, and both of us fell asleep in the living room. I don’t know what time I moved to the bedroom, but it was late and I was STILL woozy. I am just not much of a drinker anymore if two margaritas can knock me on my butt! When I got up this morning, I even had a bit of a hangover, so I went ahead and slept most of the day. Thankfully, the cats thought that was a great idea too and didn’t feel like being little terrors like they were yesterday. The best cure for a hangover is two aspirin, a large glass of water, and sleeping it off. At least that’s what works best for me.

We used to go to Shady Grove from time to time when we lived on that side of town, and I had forgotten what a great laid-back place it was. Now I want to go back again, but I want to get there early enough to land a space in the parking lot. The pre-dinner hike was just a bit too much. There is much to be said for relaxing evenings spent sitting on a patio listening to good music in the company of your best friend (my hubby). We both agreed that events like this are what make Austin so great to live in. You can go just about anywhere in town and find some excellent live music being played and good food and drink being served … and the weather this time of year is perfect for being outdoors at night. I really can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Oh, and the highlights of the evening aside from good food, drinks, and music? Being hit on by an attractive older woman (which gave me a bit of an ego boost) and Lin telling me I should start researching which electronic keyboard I might want to buy (because he wants us to start playing music together).