Today Old Town Spring is a shopping destination. This lovely turn of the century town just north of Houston has an interesting past. Life began here in the early 1800’s when the French and Spanish came to trade with the local Indians. After the Civil War the railroad came through. A group of railroad workers named the area “Camp Spring” after one of the worst winters in Texas history because they were looking forward to better weather. Camp Spring was then platted by the I. & G.N. Railroad Co. and became a permanent settlement. The word “Camp” was dropped where Spring became the official name of the town. It was the base of operation for the workers and became a boom town from all the business the railroad brought in. Spring became a crossroads for two intersecting rail lines in 1901. The yard then added a roundhouse and 14 track yards of track. During the years of growth Spring had sugar mill for syrup making. two cotton gins, 5 saloons, an opera house, hospital, two steam saw and grist mills, bank, hotels, three churches, several schools and even had a gambling hall.

The decline came when the railroad headquarters moved to Houston in 1923. Prohibition and the depression then happened as well which forced businesses to close. The town was then reduced all the way down to a small settlement. In the late 60′ business minded individuals started to return to all the abandoned homes. The Goodyear airship America was also based here from 1969 through 1992. The Oil boom which began in the 70’s then made the town grow and become what it is today.

It is now known as a shopping destination! Old Town Spring also has museums, art galleries and restaurants all within an easy stroll from one another. People from all over the world come to visit. The town has several festivals and events every year like the Texas Crawfish & Music Festival. The town is also voted one of the top attractions in Texas each year

Old town Spring is also affectionately known as the most haunted town in Texas. Paranormal groups and television crews have visited to catch evidence of the reported activity. The many stories of spirits bring in people from all over looking to have their own experience with a ghost. I will share a few of the ghost stories with you. One about the bank and one about a spirit named Sarah

The original bank of Spring was robbed several times including once by a couple resembling Bonnie and Clyde. It was never confirmed that they were in fact the famous duo. Current ghost tours all tell the story as if it is a fact though. Today you can see bullet holes in the banks facade from one of the attempted robberies. That particular attempt was made by a trio of felons however they were unsuccessful. Photos taken in the old bank sometimes have strange anomalies.

There is a spirit named Sarah who is said to haunt one area in town. The original barn is still on the property which was once owned by Henry C. Doering. His daughter was friends with a 12-year-old girl named Sarah. Long ago while playing in the barn Sarah fell from the loft breaking her leg. An infection set in which caused her death within a few weeks. It is said she still plays in the barn along with some other young spirits. People report cold spots, noises on the roof, the feeling of being watched, objects are moved, hearing voices and the sounds of children playing. Photos taken in the area sometimes contain an anomaly in them that cannot be explained.

Go check out the photo gallery for Old Town Spring

Lankfords Grocery & Market
88 Dennis St
Houston, TX 77006

Just got back from eating lunch at Lankfords Grocery & Market in Houston which has been open since 1930s. Guy Fieri with Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives (love this show!) went in and brought attention to this midtown place. My husband ordered the Double Meat which he said was really good but was more meat than he expected. He is wanting to go back and try a regular burger the next time. The photo of the burger was my husbands. I ordered the Firehouse burger and asked to get the sauce on the side. This was not as hot as what I though and yet my mouth burned for a good 30 minutes after I got done eating it. The burger was really good however the meat was overdone and dry. I can say it was one of the messiest burgers I have ever had but it wasn’t because of juices from the meat. I wonder what I would thought of the burger if it was juicy? I am willing to go back and try it again. It was not the best I ever had but it was also not the worst. You can check out Lankford’s by going to their website as well

http://www.lankfordgrocery.com/

19075 I.H. 45 South Suite 480
Conroe, TX77385

I eat at this location about twice a month. There is always a line which moves really fast. The staff as this location have always been wonderful and the food also comes out really fast! Someone is helping by assigning a table if they are really that busy. The food is fresh with the vegan and spicy selections clearly marked. I happen to love the spicy food. In some cultures if your nose is not running it is an insult to the chef. Spicy will make your nose run and your taste buds tingle. You can opt to get lo mein noodles instead of rice with your meal. The sauce on the noodles is enough to flavor the noodles or rice.

I have not eaten everything on the menu yet because I really like what I usually order. I highly recommend the Caramel Chicken with it’s refreshing slaw of carrots, red onions, cucumber, and cilantro which is then tossed in a simple dressing made with rice wine vinegar. They have just brought it back out not long ago. This dish will be what I normally order until it is gone again. I had my Caramel Chicken with lo mein noodles instead of rice for a change of pace. All I can say is yummy!

My kids love to get the Honey Seared Chicken with lo mein noodles which also is good but does not have the layered flavors of the more complex dishes. I am hoping they bring back the Korean BBQ with chicken which was also very flavorful and spicy!

This is one way to handle leftover potato slices from Gratin Dauphinois

Ingredients:

Potatoes

Oil for frying (peanut is good)

Steps:

Set deep fryer to 320 degrees

Most important part in frying homemade chips is to use a mandolin. Slice as many potatoes as you want

Thoroughly rinse excess starch from the potato slices

Pat the slices dry before frying

Cook until golden brown

Drain

Season each batch as they come out of the fryer and enjoy!

Now go check out Gratin Dauphinois at

http://www.hauntedchef.com/2011/09/02/gratin-dauphinois/

Classic recipe

Ingredients:

1 clove garlic, mashed
2 oz butter
2 lb potatoes
5 oz Gruyère cheese (or any cheese)
1 pint heavy cream * can cut calories by using milk
Salt and pepper
Freshly grated nutmeg to taste

Steps:

Melt the butter and preheat your oven to 350F.

Rub the sides of the baking dish with the garlic and then butter the bottom of the dish.

Peel the potatoes

Slice them using a mandolin.

You will get a pile of thin slices in no time. It is also a great upper arm workout!

Evenly arrange the potatoes in the buttered dish in one layer of overlapping slices until you have only one layer. Drizzle with melted butter, milk or heavy cream and season. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Can layer with herbs and cheese as well

Bake until the potatoes have turned a golden brown approx 1 hour

YUM! See the next post on what to do with the leftover slices of potato. Go see Potato Chips

http://www.hauntedchef.com/2011/09/02/potato-chips/