LA and Gruene....

Going from Los Angeles to Gruene Hall is like going back and forth between two worlds.....between the rich and the famous to the down to earth and people who are just like family.

I went to LA for work....and I love getting to go. Especially because it is just so different from any place I have ever been. I mean, only in LA would you have a hotel room that has this as the lamp....

Or robes hanging in the closet that look like this: 

I just think it is fantastic....just totally different. We aren't in Kansas anymore Toto. We decided to stay an extra day to celebrate a co-workers 30th birthday....and celebrate we did. One of our LA co-workers (who is absolutely fabulous) chose a GREAT restaurant for us to go out our last night...

I have to say - it was probably one of the BEST restaurants I have ever eaten at. I know there is a lot of hype around Michael Mina restaurants, but I totally get it. We did the 11 course tasting menu - and WOW. One of my favorite courses - this one:

How cool do those look? And I wish I could truly describe how FANTASTIC they taste!!! I think the worst course was the salad, and even then, it was pretty great. Here is me and the birthday girl...I was so glad I got to spend the night celebrating with her! 

After we got back from LA, a few of my work friends piled in the car and headed to Seguin for the weekend. They are all from Oklahoma and have never been to Gruene Hall...and well, we needed to rectify that situation! 

There was a fantastic benefit concert and there were SO many great acts performing. They had two stages in Gruene Hall and every 45 minutes a new act came on stage...just to name a few...Willy and Cody Braun, Zack Walter, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Sean McConnell, Robert Earl Keen, Cody Canada, Charlie Robinson and Chris Knight and Wade Bowen....just to name a FEW of the people who played.

I can only say that it was absolutely fantastic. There were a lot of acoustic shows and everyone just rocked it in the 45 minutes they had. And the thing that I loved too - was everyone was willing to have others come and showcase their talents on stage....it was the most amazing music I have heard at Gruene Hall.  Oh, how I love this place.....

Here is CB and I at the beginning of the day...lets just say there will be no pictures from the end of the day....too many beers + no AC in Gruene Hall + all day long = not a pretty picture! 

Here are the other two partners in crime....

here are the reckless kelly boys....the first ones we saw...yes, we showed up a bit late. 

Robert Earl....how much do we love thee?

And the three doing the acoustic set....Charlie, Cody and Chris...

What a fabulous week....now back into the swing of things....