Hello! My name is… Imelda Bettinger

wife, mom, computer geek, photographer talking about total randomness

Archives for the 'Best of...' Category

Best of 2009: New Food

Jake's Onion Rings

My best food find of 2009? Easy, the onion rings from Jake’s Grill in Pearland, Texas. Even if you don’t like onion rings, try them.

I was never a fan of onion rings but would steal one of Matt’s here or there. This year, not sure if it was me being pregnant, but something came over me and I fell in love with these onion rings. I ate them more than I want to admit.

When my mother-in-law told me that these were the best onion rings she had eaten in 30 years, that kind of made me realize how good they must be. I didn’t have anything to compare them to.

I did try onion rings at a place I don’t want to name, and they were horrible. Take me back across the street to Jake’s and fast!

If you are in the Houston area, I totally recommend a quick trip down 288 to Pearland to try them for yourself.

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12/12/2009 | Best of... | No Comments

Best of 2009: Place

I am participating in Gwen Bell’s The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. December 10th, Gwen asks what was the best place of 2009? A coffee shop? A pub? A retreat center? A cubicle? A nook?

The best place I visited in 2009? Was it Estes Park, CO? I was there for the first time this past July and it was just beautiful. The whole Rocky Mountain National Park, and Colorado for that matter, just moved me. But no, that wasn’t it.

Aerial Tram in Estes Park


Was it one of my favorite local hangouts, Coffee Groundz? JR Cohen sure makes this coffee shop & full service bar inviting to the entire Houston tech community and beyond. I first discovered the shop soon after relocating my office to downtown Houston. I began following them on twitter in August 2008 and did my best to help spread the word about this fantastic place that even sells gelato! I can go anytime and run into a friend or meet a new one; its the closest thing to Cheers I’ve found. But no, that’s not it either.

Coffee Groundz on Twitter & Facebook



My best place of 2009 was the Women’s Hospital of Texas! Yep! It sure was! They serve excellent catfish, but its my top choice for 2009 because that’s where I met my son, Jack! Welcome to the family buddy!

Imelda and Jack


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12/11/2009 | Best of... | No Comments

Best of 2009: Album

I am participating in Gwen Bell’s The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. December 10th, Gwen asks what was the best album of 2009?

I LOVE MUSIC. This was hard.

I would have to say Imogen Heap’s Ellipse Deluxe Version. I love that she offered instrumental versions of each song. I love the lyrics but the instrumental versions are perfect for relaxing. I listen to it all the time and play if for my kids when I want them to chill.


A few other bests of 2009:

  • Various Artists – Dark Was The Night: Its got Bon Iver, Grizzly Bear, Sufjan Stevens, Arcade Fire, Beirut, Conor Oberst + Gillian Welch, The Decemberists, Iron & Wine and more.
  • Wilco – The Wilco: Been a fan for so long and their latest album doesn’t disappoint.
  • Animal Collective – Merriweather Post Pavilion: My energetic favorite
  • Fantastic Mr. Fox (Original Soundtrack): I loved the movie, it was so pretty to watch, and always love the music that Wes Anderson films.

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12/10/2009 | Best of... | No Comments

Best of 2009: Challenge

I am participating in Gwen Bell’s The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. December 9th, Gwen asks what was greatest challenge in 2009?

Challenge. One word. Parenting.

At the beginning of this year, I was the mother of 2.

On October 1st, I became the mother of 3!

While I adore my children, parenting is a challenge. Every day of the year. There are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. I think I do my best most days but there have been some in 2009 where I have given up. When that happens I realize I need to balance better and take better care of myself to be the best mom I can be.

I have been on maternity leave with Jack since mid September. I worry what things will be like when I go back to work in January 2010. That will be a challenge that I look forward to, no matter how scared I am.

Balance is key for me.

Wish me luck.

Cousins

Photo of my 3 kids and my 2 nephews, Jacob and Jordan.

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12/09/2009 | Best of... | 2 Comments

Best of 2009: Blog Find

I am participating in Gwen Bell’s The Best of 2009 Blog Challenge. December 7th, Gwen asks what was your best blog find in 2009?

Out of all the many, many blogs I have discovered this year, I would have to say The Best Article Every Day is my favorite. No matter what I read every post and learn something from each. Quite informative. I want to share each with the world. If you haven’t tried it, check it out.

What is your best blog find of 2009. Please leave a comment so I can find more amazing blogs to occupy my time. :)

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12/07/2009 | Best of... | No Comments