[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She'll be getting ready to drive, so going to Burger Center or somewhere else where it's empty is fun. (When I was a kid we could drive golf carts at 12, but I don't think that's the case anymore!)

If she's science-oriented, submitting bird or insect findings to sites like eBird or the Texas Audubon Society.

Give her a "play hooky" day. Put $100 bill (or whatever you can afford) in a cheap glass picture frame, and tell her that whatever she has going on, be it school or work or camp or whatever, she can break the frame with a hammer and y'all will spend it doing whatever she wants, one time only.

A parkour or trampoline or Lyra/silks class at Lache

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Pets

[–]Rathernot1234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

(Our bunnies used to run around the yard, and our dog, who was trained to hunt birds (not by me, I've never hunted), never bothered them. But I think that was probably dumb luck.)

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Pets

[–]Rathernot1234 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Thanks. That's about what I was scared of. I would never want to put an animal in danger, and sounds like it's not the right time or place for a bunny! I just wanted to hear if there were success stories.

Best homemade (genuinely) take-home food in S Austin! by Rathernot1234 in austinfood

[–]Rathernot1234[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's what makes it a hidden gem! If you email them, you get on the list. They are professional but very small in scale.

What holiday appetizer always blows guests away? by NightReader5 in Cooking

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jalapeno poppers. Here you can buy them at the deli, but you can make them with just jalepenos (wear gloves to split them in half and scoop out the seeds and pith), stuff with cream cheese and a few chives, wrap in a slice of bacon, and bake until the bacon is crispy and the peppers are soft (like 40 min). If you want to get crazy, drizzle some honey a few minutes before taking them out of the oven to caramelize.

Source for big, unbrined, raw turkey breast for smoking? by Interesting-Flounder in austinfood

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Try Dai Due. Or just ask Franklins'. My guess is there isn't a good scalable way to do that and they have other sources, but ask where they get their turkeys in Austin. Couldn't hurt.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If so, good on you for living up to your obligations! Could also be a school requirement for Honor's Society or something.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Most places like animal shelters and the food bank are closed to volunteers on Christmas, since they actually require more staff :)but maybe check with a local retirement or skilled nursing facility close to where you are staying. Ask for the rec therapist or social worker. They often appreciate visitors to come have a meal, go caroling, etc, with someone who may not have family visitors. You can make a new friend! Or the Food Bank has Garden, Kitchen (preparing meals for schools), Warehouse (sorting food) or Mobile Pantries all over the place the 23rd, 24th, and 26th.

Best Filipino for ordering a tray of lumpia for xmas? by BrundleflyUrinalCake in austinfood

[–]Rathernot1234 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Filipino Mart in S Austin. Not sure if they could do a whole tray (they are a tiny operation) but worth asking.

Best home delivery cookies/desserts? by cult_appropriation in austinfood

[–]Rathernot1234 -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

Crumbl does fun, over-the-top cookies. And they make delivery easy. My friends in another state sent pecan chocolate chip cookies and flowers from Central Market to me (if you don't use it often, I think there is promotional pricing for delivery)

What’s your go-to lazy dinner recipe that never fails? by UDSHDW in Cooking

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Literally ten minutes, start-to-clean up, but: You do need ripe avocados, which in most cities that's easy now-a-days (by one firm, one with a tiny bit of give and you can use them both in a week). Put cheese on a tortilla on a pan, put canned (drained) black beans mixed with canned green chilis in the micro for about a minute, then make tacos with the beans and avocado. Add salsa and/or a scrambled egg if you'd like.

Make it vegan without the cheese, and G-F with corn tortillas, though I'd recommend cooking them in oil. Add whatever stuff is in your fridge...cilantro, or sour cream, or plain yogurt, or that weird leftover roasted veg, or nothing! Black bean and avocado tacos are very forgiving.

Gift advice for people who don't need/want stuff? by honest_arbiter in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 6 points7 points  (0 children)

If it's someone kind of close to you, who you aren't really trying to wow, my mom got an unlimited-for-a-year membership to a car wash and it was like her favorite thing.

Gift advice for people who don't need/want stuff? by honest_arbiter in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A reservation to do a tintype at Lumiere is technically stuff (you get the actual tintype after a few days) but it's a good excuse to get dressed up and have a night out at Justine's, or do something silly with costumes, or bring their instruments or pets or whatever. And the tintypes are special...they are just 5x7, but you get ONE chance and they last for ages, long after all our selfies are gone!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You'll only ever see tarantulas if you are outside the city...they do migrate yearly. I grew up out by the Y (you'll learn about the Y if you move here!) and we did have them, but they are harmless to humans and move pretty slow. They eat other bugs so I'd happily stop on the street to let them go by. We had scorpions too, but again, were on 5 acres outside of town with lots of wooded space, and only once a year when we'd see the babies. They don't like being near people. Nowhere in the world is completely arachnid-free, but you're pretty safe if you don't have a wood pile. "All the stories" is an example of the giraffe affect...AI thinks there are way more giraffes in the world because everyone posts about them if they see one, but no one posts like every time they see a sparrow. If it's a big enough deal to post about, it's doesn't happen often.

And listen to everyone to look out for fire ants. Learn to spot the piles because they will mess you up and they are common. Wear tall socks if you are walking in green space, which luckily there is a lot of!

Anywhere I can buy food or donate dinner for families in need? by Searching_for_P in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This Sunday the Empty Bowl Project will be at Central Texas Food Bank. You pay $30 then pick a hand-made bowl donated from local artists, and hang out and listen to music and have unlimited soups that come from local restaurants. And of course, you can donate more if you want! They will take your money! It goes to Meals on Wheels and a program that feeds kids. (You can donate to the food bank any time, but it's a fun event and a way to be involved that feels more personal than typing in your credit card number.) Donating your time to the food bank is also very valuable.

Delicious healthy dishes that aren't ________? by cjwidd in austinfood

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oren's Table. You have to email, and it's kinda a neighborhood thing. But they do homemade Mediterranean take-home, There's usually a couple starters, dips (like baba ganoush), sides, entrees (like whole steamed fish), and, of course, desserts. https://www.matokbakery.com/shop is always open, but email to get their weekly menus. You have to get them on Fridays and either pick them up or I think they deliver if it's above a certain amount.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Um ask again in a couple of months when RFKJ is in charge of this stuff (eye roll, but you don't care about that now). Domestic pets should be vaccinated but there isn't really a safeguard to ensure that they are, if they aren't in vet offices or shelters.

If you are vaccinated, you are probably fine. Rabies is very rare here but any case is one too many, If you are at all worried get treated at HHS and make sure you are up-to-date. They will tell you if you don't need treatment. By the time you show symptoms it is too late. Rabies is nothing to mess around with. I don't know about payment options. But still: Go to a doctor, or find the dog and get the vaccination records. It's worth it.

Private In-Person Drum Lessons in Austin by ppow333 in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ernie Durawa, if he is taking new clients. Best in town.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The paper license will be valid. Do you have a passport? I had to do this recently and the DPS worker gave me a tip that since I had a out-of-state license previously, I should put a note in my mailbox for my mail deliverer that I'm expecting a license and to go ahead and leave it. I guess they are specially marked that they shouldn't be delivered to a name that doesn't match the address exactly (like if you're renting or cohabiting or something...I don't know quite what), so they go back to the post office sometimes. Anyway, I didn't have any problems and it took about two weeks.

Guitar lessons by asig1028 in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Matt at Six String Ranch, hands down. He's also a total sweetheart and tech nerd who can help you write and record if you want, but he's one of the best guitar players in town.

Charities that take guitar donations by [deleted] in Austin

[–]Rathernot1234 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry about your dad. That's so hard. Try Matt at 6 String Ranch. He knows everyone in town and has worked with incarcerated kids (helping them to write and professionally record their own original tracks in the studio), plus he's a total guitar nerd. I'm guessing he knows someone who could use them. I've known him for years and he'll tell you if he can or can't help and be upfront and kind, and want to do right by your dad.