review

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 3 Comments

When hubby and I first started food blogging, we decided that we would not review a restaurant that fell below a three fork rating. In just over two years, we’ve only experienced three fails. Today is one of those places where we knew from the minute we walked in the door that it wouldn’t be a good experience. The server was grumpy, stone-faced, and rude. A man’s voice could be heard yelling from the back of the restaurant practically the entire time we were eating. Awkward! And, worse, the food was mediocre.

Ernie here: This is kind of role reversal today with Dora taking the lead. The food at the no name restaurant was somewhere between terrible and uneatable. NOTE to self, make sure you check out the reviews before eating at a new restaurant.

So…for today’s edition of Excited about Eating we’re switching gears and reviewing our favorite coffee shop in Boone, Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe.

Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Tucked in the corner of New Market Shopping Center

Tucked in the corner of New Market Shopping Center, Higher Grounds is easy to get to and plenty of parking, although you might not snag a close spot especially when Capone’s Pizza finally opens. (CANNOT wait for Capone’s to move in here!!)

Ernie: Now we are talking about a great place to eat! Capone’s is the BEST pizza in Boone.

We’ve been coming to Higher Grounds for years, so we knew we couldn’t go wrong reviewing here. lol. Ample seating. Eclectic and comfortable. Relatively quiet. And always awesome coffee and service.

Ernie: Not sure I would use the term “for years”, but for sure the last couple of years.

Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Eclectic. Homey. Comfortable. Awesome.

I have tried a few different coffees and liked all of them, but my favorite beverage is the Iced Chai Latte. And, miracle of miracles, they are the only place I know that carries it in DECAF, people! Maybe they just tell me it’s decaf, but it works for me. lol. See all those dark crystals on the bottom of the cup? Yummies, and they are heavenly! Warm at first, but then the ice kicks in, and the perfect strength. It’s probably loaded with sugar, but I don’t care.

Ernie: I chose the same this time and it was equally good.

We rate this coffee shop 5 forks (spoons) out of 5 for a family friendly place serving outstanding coffee.

Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

See all those crystals at the bottom? Heavenly yummies! Best Iced Chai Latte ever! And decaf!

What about you? What’s your favorite coffee or tea? Do you have a go-to coffee shop?

Higher Grounds Coffee Shoppe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Excited about Reading: Not A Sparrow Falls by Lynnette Bonner

/ Dora Hiers / 8 Comments

It’s always fun to win a free gift from visiting and commenting on one of your favorite blogs, doubly thrilling to win a book from one of your favorite authors. Sending a big hug of thanks to Gail Johnson and Lynnette Bonner!

The Cover Story

Not A Sparrow Falls Bonner Fiction Faith & Foodies Dora Hiers

Schoolteacher Charlotte Brindle is relieved that her long journey from Boston to Wyldhaven is about to come to an end. And then the bullets start flying! As she sprawls on the floor of the coach and curls her arms around her head, she wonders whatever in the world possessed her to give up the civility of a Boston school for the promise of adventure on the wild frontier?!

Her fellow passenger, an elderly man named Patrick Waddell, has obviously angered the men outside. And he has no intentions of going down without a fight—or without a bargaining chip!

Sheriff Reagan Callahan grinds his teeth in frustration when Patrick Waddell emerges from the coach with the tiny slip of a schoolteacher as his hostage. Reagan’s perfectly planned-out capture has just been shot to smithereens. What had the town’s founder been thinking when he hired a woman like her? A petite and prim woman was not the kind of teacher Wyldhaven needed. He should be back at his desk drinking coffee! Instead, he now has to mount a rescue!

Take the next stagecoach to Wyldhaven,
where the coffee’s perked hot,
the sheriff likes his apple pie fresh from the oven,
and adventure invariably waits just around the next river bend.

Let’s Chat

After a second failed relationship, Charlotte believes the school teacher’s position in Wyldhaven is the answer to her prayers. Once she arrived, though, she experienced second thoughts…

“This certainly couldn’t have been the leading of the Lord, could it?”

How many times have I asked the same question? How many times have I prayed and asked God to lead the way, only to struggle with whether or not I’m following in His footsteps? I could so relate to Charlotte’s doubt.

The sheriff was the perfect hero for Charlotte, even though initially she blamed him for…well, you’ll just have to read the book! I will say that this story tugged me right in, and one particular scene reminded me of a Mary Connealy book.

With some laugh-out-loud moments and just as many “oh, no!” situations, the fast-paced plot and the snappy dialog kept me turning pages, but it was more than that. So many facets to appreciate about this book…the other potential romantic entanglements, a few deep faith questions, and the depth and complexity of the secondary characters, especially Liora and Dixie. I can’t wait to read Dixie’s story in On Eagles’ Wings (next in line), and I hope (hint, hint, Lynnette! Can you please write faster?? lol) we’ll finally learn more about the infamous Liora as well.

With a setting similar to Hope Valley, fans of When Calls the Heart (waving to my fellow #hearties!) will enjoy this book. Just plan to set aside an entire afternoon because you really will not want to put it down!

To Ponder:  After you pray for direction and God opens a door, do you second-guess where God leads you? How do you experience peace about whether you’re following God’s will for your life?

I won an ebook of Not A Sparrow Falls. Other than the free book, I was in no way compensated and this review is my fair and unbiased opinion.

Excited about Eating by Ernie & Dora Hiers

/ Dora Hiers / 16 Comments

This edition of Excited about Eating takes us to the Park Road Shopping Center in Charlotte, North Carolina and to Cantina 1511. This upscale casual restaurant offers a unique variety of Mexican fares.

Cantina 1511 Excited about EAting Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Dora here. What a gorgeous day! Too nice to sit inside and what a comfortable, relaxing outdoor space! They certainly live up to their creed, “A tapestry of flavor, color, aromas and textures happening in a joyous and friendly atmosphere.” As usual, we arrived super early, but this patio was jammed by the time we left.

Cantina 1511 Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Too nice to sit inside and what a relaxing, comfortable outdoor space!

For my meal, I ordered the Antojitos, an assortment of foods one might find on the streets of Mexico City, and the selection changes daily. Today, it included Nachos, Tlayudas (sometimes referred to as Mexican Pizza), Pig Wings Carnitas, and Salmon wraps. All four of these items were great, but my favorite was the Pig Wings Carnitas, pork shanks flash fried and tossed in an orange caramel sauce. As you can probably tell, they were crispy on the outside and full of favor. The salmon wrap was packed with fish, very tasty, and my second favorite.

Cantina 1511 Excited about Eating Fiction Faith & Foodies Ernie & Dora Hiers

Antojitos. My favorite was the Carnitas!

Dora here. I don’t usually choose to eat Mexican food because I tend to overeat. Shocker, I know, but those chips, y’all!! I could eat an entire basket by myself, especially here, where both the chips and salsa were soooo good. Just a little kick in the salsa and tomatoey thick. Yum! The Chicken Chimichanga was plump with chicken, black beans, and rice and a smattering of corn and cheese. Delicious, one of the best I’ve ever eaten, with all my favorite ingredients, and the slaw was a perfect accompaniment to add depth and crunch. I did not finish it, but I didn’t leave the table feeling stuffed, either. What I really enjoyed about this dish was the fresh flavor.

Cantina 1511 Excited about Eating Ernie & Dora Hiers Fiction Faith & Foodies

Chicken Chimichanga was packed with all my favorite ingredients, but what I really enjoyed about this dish was the fresh flavor.

What’s your favorite Mexican dish?

We rate this restaurant 4.5 forks out of 5 for a family friendly restaurant serving great food. (Dora’s rating, 5; Ernie’s, 4)

Cantina 1511 Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato