New shirts are in!

Short post today...Britton Sudduth Clothier is growing quickly!  The customer list is experiencing healthy growth and suits / shirts are flowing into happy customers' hands.  To give you a quick look at the quality of my shirts, here are a few that just came in yesterday for two different clients:

Left:  Light Blue 80-2 Ply Cotton Broadcloth

Center:  White 100-2 Ply Royal Oxford

Right:  Lavender Pure Linen

If you're interested in learning more about my business, please check out www.bsclothier.com or send me an email at britt@bsclothier.com to register for my newsletter.

The Azaleas are here!

This post is mainly for the non-Houstonians because if you've been anywhere near Houston in the past week you'll already know that the Azaleas have arrived and are in full bloom all over the place.  For those outside out great city, these beautiful flowers come every Spring about this time and signify the front end of the heated summer months.  Almost every house on our block has at least one bush and some have bushes all the way around.

There is an Azalea Trail sponsored by the River Oaks Garden Club every year showcasing the big mansions and the plethora of bushes in multiple colors, including Bayou Bend, the famous home owned by Ms. Ima G. Hogg.

Enough with the text, let's look at some pictures:

Bayou Bend

The following photos are from my home...not quite as nice but you get the point:

I hope you enjoyed looking at these pictures.  It's a "Houston Thang"!

Mugshots...Art?

So I was sitting in the lobby of Hotel ZaZa last week awaiting the arrival of my lovely wife for lunch and noticed an odd photo/print in the corner.  It was fascinating!  It was a mugshot of Frank Sinatra from 1938.  I just couldn't help myself but to think how cool it was...the great crooner, the Chairman of the Board, getting arrested in his tuxedo.  And for what?  I had to find out!  Here's the skinny:

In 1938, a 23-year-old Frank Sinatra was arrested in Bergen County, N.J. on charges of seduction and adultery. According to the FBI reports, "On the second and ninth days of November 1938 at the Borough of Lodi" and "under the promise of marriage" Sinatra "did then and there have sexual intercourse with the said complainant, who was then and there a single female of good repute." This, the charge stated, was "contrary and in violation of the revised statute of 1937." The charges were later dismissed when it was determined that the woman involved was married.

 

 

Of course I had to have a copy of the print.  It arrived yesterday and is now in the pile with several other items awaiting a proper framing.  I've never thought of hanging a mugshot as a piece of artwork, but Mr. Sinatra just may be cool enough to pull it off.  The question now is where to hang the thing.  MyKala will freak out if I put in the hallway outside her door.  I don't think she'll enjoy 'Ole Blue Eyes staring at her every evening while she does her homework.  Maybe the bathroom?  Jen may have some say on this placement as well.  I'll take a photo and post once it finds it's final resting place on a wall.

Sand Gnats undefeated after first game!

Over the next couple of months all you dear readers are going to have to endure my posts detailing Daniel's T-Ball team, the Sand Gnats.  Daniel is 6 this year and this will be year number 3 for him.  He is clearly one of the best on the team and is starting to really understand the game.  The Sand Gnats are part of the Shetland Division (4 - 6 year olds) at Timbergrove Sport Association Baseball League.

The 2011 Sand Gnats ready to take the field for Opening Ceremonies

Saturday was Opening Day, a day-long event packed full of activities with Opening Ceremonies, Team Pictures, a Carnival (Jen was in charge of this undertaking), BBQ Lunch and of course the big first game.  Jen left for the field about 7:15 a.m. and we all arrived home about 7:00 p.m.  We are all extremely tired, a little sun-burned and in desperate need of a nap.  In fact, as I write this, Jen is in the middle of a 2-hour nap-a-thon which she so aptly deserves.

My Favorite Gnat - my boy Daniel

I am so pleased and excited to report that after game 1, the Gnats are undefeated!  The kids played their hearts out and I'm so proud of them all. The only problem is that we neither won nor lost...it was a tie, 14 - 14.  Now needless to say I would have preferred a win, but after losing every game last year, a tie is a huge moral victory for both me and the returning Gnats from last year.  We are going to win some games this year and I'm really looking forward to seeing them grow into a good team.  And Daniel played great!

The Gnat's in Green - Opening Ceremony

So please bear with me as I chronicle the season.  As Daniel's Daddy and  Manager of the Gnats, I just have to write about this wondrous event we call Little League.  Go Gnats!!!!

I have found the Village Idiot

It has taken me 43 years of roaming the Houston streets, but I have finally found the "Official Village Idiot" for the City of Houston.  If you're wondering, he's at the Starbucks on Echo Lane just off of I-10 near Memorial High School. 

Here he is:

Yes, that's a complete body suit in lime green that covers every inch of skin, head to toe.  He's sitting there with a friend chatting and checking his iPhone like every other guest.  I think the suit is like the one's worn by actors doing "Green Screen" scenes and for some reason he has chosen to wear this thing in public.

Now, if for some reason he is doing this due to a medical condition I will happily issue a formal statement of apology.  But I seriously doubt it!  This is just some spudmonkey trying to draw unnecessary attention to himself by looking stupid.   So in my belief, he wins The Village Idiot award hands down...until of course I come across something even more idiotic.

Bonus:  When he got up to leave, his tightey whitey underpants shown thru the suit.  I don't know whether to be thankful that he was wearing underpants or be more upset due to the vision that now won't escape my brain!

Adios Liz!

Elizabeth Taylor has passed.  She was really one of my favorites in her early career.  Of course then she had her marriage issues (8 times with 7 husbands) and her weird friendship with the freaky Michael Jackson.  But she was still someone that added a little goodness into our lives through her films.  With 2 Oscards to her credit, I thought she was awesome in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and the original Father of the Bride, but my all-time, will watch anytime it's on, feature was Giant.  She played the role masterfully and equaled Rock Hudson every inch of the way.  So adios Liz, it was sure nice having you around!

As Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

As Kay Banks in Father of the Bride

As Leslie Benedict in Giant

Restaurant Review & Dinner at Casa Dominquez

This post is both a restaurant review as well as a recap of the Sudduth Friday night.  We were kindly invited to join our dear friends Jennie and Gardner Biggs at one of the oldest Mexican joints in Houston, Casa Dominguez.  This has been a favorite of mine for many years and Gardner and I usually made this our Friday night residence for many years just out of college.  Everyone knew we would be there and we would have as few as 2 and as many as 25 friends join us for dinner or just margaritas on any given Friday night.

An old matchbook from a long gone location

The little establishment is owned by Ken Trevino but was started many years ago by Pete Dominguez who at one time had a nice chain of Casa Dominguez restaurants in both Houston and Dallas.  Then the bottle and a heavy lifestyle took him away and last I read he was practically homeless and living in poverty.  Ken bought this location from him 20 years ago and it's been a staple along Bissonet ever since.  Until his recent retirement, you could always find Ken milling around the bar with a cocktail greeting customers and telling stories about some fish he caught with some professional sports figure years ago.

Many of the patrons are regulars including Gardner's parents and our friend's Don and JoyceLynn Childs, parents of a another old and good friend Clinton Childs.  In fact, both John (Gardner's Dad) and Don (Clinton's Dad) have menu items named for them.  I guess after you order the same item for 25 years, it gets named after you!

The Don Childs

Jalisco - John's Favorite

Joining us Friday evening were Jennie's parents, the wonderful Matt and Bonnie Delaney in from Kansas City for Spring Break.  If I think about it, I've known them most of my adult life and truly rank in my file as "Quality Folk".  Also in the usual Friday crowd were Gardner's Dad and his lady friend Toni, Don and JoyceLynn Childs and the Biggs' kids.

Mr. Photogenic decides he just can't look!

After lots of good food, a couple of good margaritas and a sampling of sangria, we took our leave and headed to the house.  Another successful trip to Casa D for the record books.  Alex Brennan of the famous Brennan's restaurants once said, "It's not the food that keeps people coming back, it's the memorable experiences associated with the restaurant".  I guess that's why this little Mexican joint in West University still has a nice following year after year...it provides a backdrop for wonderful memories filled with family, friends and good margaritas.  If you're in the neighborhood give it a try!

Spring Break...East Texas Style

So now that everyone's home and all is well back at Casa de Sudduth, I now can share the overview and final chapter of the big Spring Break hoodaa in East Texas...complete with photos.

The Country Homestead

A Man, a Lab and Old Redwings...a smooth combination!

Labs...they do love the water!

We started with a few days at our family place in East Texas.  We fished, rode the John Deere tractor, threw the ball to Riley, fished some more, played kick-ball and whiffle ball in the huge lawn, etc.  The food, as always, is a big hit whenever we hang there and this trip was no exception.  We let the Lone Star Tall-Boys and the wine flow and started the first night with a huge vatt of Spaghetti Bolognese.  Sunday saw us hanging at Sissy's County Cafe (see complete review from last week) and an evening of grilled chipotle/raspberry lamb chops, ribeye steaks and a couple of hamburgers for the not so adventurous types.  We were joined by Jen's dad Don and his wife Connie (DonDon and ConCon) for Saturday evening and then Jen's sister Allyson and her oldest daughter Carlee showed up for Sunday afternoon prepared to stay for a few days.

That song "Sittin' on the dock of the Bay" comes to mind!

Daniel and the Whale!

The famous Safety Pin Hook and Summer Sausage Bait

Daniel the Angler

Yes, even ole Dad caught a fish!

While Mom fished out fallen minnow catching equipment with a rake

DonDon and the hook making apparatus

DonDon and the smallest fish...how he got it on the hook nobody knows!

I decided to head back to Houston Monday afternoon due to some business appointments and left my dear family to fend for themselves in the piney woods.  Luckily the most dangerous things out there are the multitude of wasps flying in the area.  I must  have used 7 cans of wasp/hornet spray over the two days I was there battling the little boogers.  The only thing I really missed though was dinner Monday evening which included huge beef spare-ribs grilled on the pit - Jen's favorites.  I am told that they turned out beautifully.

MyKala and Daniel...looks like a Pottery Barn Advertisement

MyKala

Heavy D and his favorite old truck

Riley around the pond

On the back property there's an old van that's been there so long a tree has grown through!

Ladies on the pier

Jen working on getting the hammock in place for her nap

Jen and company then headed to Dallas so Jen could get in some worktime at her office and the kids could spend some additional quality time with Jen's sister and Grandad DonDon.  They finally rolled into town Thursday afternoon and relieved me of both my boredom and longing for family interaction.  I'm good on my own for a couple of days/nights, but day 3 sees me looking out the window for their return.  The house is just too quiet without the family action!

So that's it...another Spring Break gone by.  Lot's of fun!

Date Night...or what we like to call "Shopping"

Every once in a while Jen and I actually have the opportunity to do "Date Night".  After a full week filled with family and kid friendly activities Jen suggested Date Night and I eagerly and happily agreed.  After much debate we settled on a martini-filled shopping excursion to Highland Village.  Jen needs several new items, including something for the Justice for Children VIP party coming up next month at Hotel ZaZa.

So we started at Escalante with an appetizer of tableside Guacamole and martini's.  Now when I say martini, I don't mean some weird concoction called lemon drop, mango or even chocolate.  I'm talking straight up gin with olives...a Martini!  Jen likes hers dirty...cause she's a dirty girl.  She's not really but I just think it's fun to say it.  And I'll probably get in trouble for putting it in writing. 

Martini's and Guac...a very good start!

My very lovely date for the evening

Anyway, after our successful start at Escalante's we headed next door to Ann Taylor to kick-off the shopping portion of the evening.  We managed to secure a kick-butt frizzy black skirt that's going to look great at some future party.  Then came a stop across the street at Anthropologie where we secured one of our favorite candles (Capri Blue-Aloha Orchid) that just smells like home to us.  We also picked out a really colorful spring dress that many of you will see several times over the next few months.  Then on to Black/White where we took in a haul of a new dress for the VIP party and several tops for everyday wear.  A very successful outing indeed!  I'm very pleased that most ladies retailers now offer "the man chair" either in the dressing rooms or right outside for appropriate viewing and critical repose.

Now back to the cocktails with a stop at Smith & Wollensky's bar.  Jen stuck to the wine whilst I talked myself out of another martini due to the freeway time we'd put in to get home.  Instead, the Maker's Mark called me and it was lovely as usual.  After a quick browse through Pottery Barn for some ideas for our upcoming Dinner Club fete in April, we headed to Rainbow Lodge for some late night snacks.  By the time we got there, we were close enough to home that I felt another martini wouldn't do much harm.  So I ordered up and Jen had a nice glass of pinot noir.  For our late night dinner, Jen had the lump crab cakes with bacon and creole mustard butter while I dove into a medley of wild game that included chunks of lamb, tiny pheasant tacos and bison on a cracker.

The Bar at S&W

Highland Village Shopping Area

Yours Truly lugging the goods!

Finally around 10:30 we headed to the house for some quality back-porch time to finish the evening.  As always, our Date Nights are huge successes and after 7 years of marriage always give us great enjoyment.  I do love our children, but a little one on one is sure nice!

Deep Thoughts....with Riley!

It's the last day of Spring Break and I've got no post prepared, so I'll just leave you with this little diddy....

Riley goes to the Movies...Wall Street-Money Never Sleeps

So I know months ago when Wall Street - Money Never Sleeps hit the theatre there were tons of guys like me weighing in with an opinion.  Well...I didn't have a blog back then so now I get to throw my opinion in the ring.  Here goes!

If you haven't seen Wall Street-Money Never Sleeps, please turn your head away now.  If you have, see if you agree with me.  I saw the original 1987 movie at the theatre when it opened, rented the movie and then purchased the movie which I promptly tried to wear out. And today it ranks in my top 5 favorites of all time. So it was clearly a most anticipated sequel.  This time I watched it again with my lovely wife, just to see the little nuances I may have missed in the theatre.  Here's the skinny... I didn't miss anything.  But at least I got to spend some additional time with Gekko & Company and I did enjoy the wardrobe design.  I just don't why they didn't bring Mr. Flusser back in for a second round.  He would have done it even better.

Shia Labeef was totally miscast and was unbelievable as a child prodigy on Wall Street at the tender age of what...21?  And his little shoulders in his little banker suits? Surely they could have found someone better.  And why did they make Winnie Gekko, Gordon's daughter, unattractive?  In real life, Carey Mulligan is quite nice looking.  Mr. Petite Shoulders is a young nice guy who makes big bucks.  Why couldn't he find a hottie with brains?  Then there's Gekko, who other than his evil, dishonest, back-stabbing, felony committing self, is a pretty cool guy who is just tough to hate.

Shia LaMiscast and his wee little boy suit

The unattractive Winnie Gekko

My overall review is this:  not a good effort.  O. Stone could have done better.  Other than Gekko, the actors could have been better cast.  Wall Street is where, albeit young persons do make a lot of money and rise categorically quick, adults run the show.  Why would a multi-billionaire take advice from a kid barely out of business school?  I really wanted this to be a movie I could watch over and over, but the whole thing is just not believable. 

Extra Note:  Bringing back Bud Fox for a cameo was brilliant.  Having him become an egotistical butt-head who brings 2 whoreshly looking dates to the MoMa Gala is unrealistic.  They could  have just passed on the street and given each other a grimmish glare and that would have done the trick!

Restaurant Review - Sissy's Country Cafe - Brownsboro, TX

OK!  I know!  Why in the world am I giving you a review of a tiny country cafe in Brownsboro, Texas.  Well, because it deserves a review and it's my blog.  So please read on!

Brownsboro is in East Texas, between Athens and Tyler...the middle of nowhere.  I thought Nacogdoches was it, but this tiny little spec of Texas is really out there!  And this is where Ms. Sissy decided to open her restaurant business about 6 months ago.  Actually not a bad marketing idea considering that the nearest eating establishment is at least 15 miles away.  We have a little family house on some acreage that used to be owned by Jen's grandparents.  And we try to get up there a few times a year for some relaxation, some fishing and some good eating.  For lunch on Sunday we decided to "go into town" and try Sissy's.

We are greeted by a whole host of country folk who've obviously been to the local Baptist Church and are now taking in some chow.  We sat ourselves and the nice young waitress took our drink order.  Here's the first funny...we ordered Diet Cokes and were informed that all they carried was Diet RC Cola.  Now I dig me some ROC Cola, but I don't remember that last time it was offered in a restaurant!  I'll bet they had a Moon Pie but I forgot to ask.

We then placed our orders.  Jen had a nice fresh salad with fried chicken on top. Daniel chose his usual chicken strip platter with fries and I decided it was time for my bi-annual chicken fried steak, complete with hot yeast rolls, mashed potatoes and black-hull peas.  About this time, the country folk were noticing the peculiar city people who had infiltrated their little dining space.  After a few minutes, they quit looking and returned to their conversation about John Deere Tractors and who's going to win the greased pig competition at the fair this year.

Sorry, should have taken this shot when the food arrived!

The food arrived and oh my it was good!  One of best CFS's I've ever had.  Everything was hot and steamy and the taste instantly took me back to little cafe's my family would stop at during car trips through the Texas countryside.  Mom would always find a little town with a Square and there was always a little cafe with dusty wood floors and the smell of country cooking awaiting our arrival.  Jen really enjoyed her salad and Daniel picked at his strips while continuing to play with his collection of Lego's.

Now the fun part.  I get to tell you about Calf Fries.  That's right.  On the menu and stated as their specialty was Calf Fries.  You ain't gonna believe this!  Calf Fries are the parts of the bull that are removed to create a steer.  No other way to say it...the balls.  They are then, with membrane intact, battered and thrown into the frier until the membrane pops open, thus indicating they are done.  Then sit back, throw them in your mouth and enjoy.  No, we did not try them - nor do I think I ever will.  I'm an adventurous guy, but I do have my limits as a city boy.  Also on the special board was chicken fried bacon, Pepper Jack Cheese Shots and Texas Toothpicks.  I can figure out the bacon, but I have no idea about the others.  After understanding the calf fries I gave up.

After realizing we were stuffed full of pure country goodness, we took our leave and headed over the old grocery store to buy items for dinner.  More on that later...  I hope you enjoyed this little tidbit about Sissy's and certainly would suggest that if you ever find yourself cruising through Brownsboro around eatin' time, stop into Sissy's and give her a try.  She's got plenty of Calf Fries just waiting for your order!

Sissy's has a Facebook Page!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sissys-Cafe/149090591786237?v=info