'GIANT' lives on in Marfa

Taylor and Dean on the set of 'Giant'

Elizabeth Taylor

It's no secret to anyone that knows me that I LOVE classic Hollywood films. One of my all time favorites has been 'GIANT', since I first saw it back in high school. I was obsessed with James Dean for most of my high school years. I read books on him, owned all of his films, sadly just three and read countless bios. Being a Texas girl, and having a love for epics (I'm the girl who sat all of her friends down in junior high and made them watch 'Gone With the Wind' - all 6 hours of it) I was super excited to visit Marfa, Texas, because that is where 'Giant' was filmed. The cast and crew stayed at the historic, Paisano Hotel, in downtown Marfa. It is a real lovely place, with lots of old 'Giant' memorabilia. It also holds a special place in my heart, because my late boss, Dennis Hopper, was part of the film and we used to talk about Marfa when I worked for him.
Here's hoping Dennis and Dean are entertaining Liz right now...

'Giant' is on 24-7 at The Paisano

Willy + Laura

a young Dennis Hopper

Love the tile and my new Tom's

View to lobby

View to patio with fountain

Paisano Lobby

Making a garden....a work in progress

Not sure which tools to use...

Last Sunday, I started out prepping to plant a garden in our little front yard. This is my first time undertaking this solo. My sister will join in soon, but I wanted to get a jump because we will soon miss our window to get things in the ground. After three hours of work, I made a dent, but I soon realized that it would take at least six hours more to turn the soil. To be continued....

After three hours...

Before

Weeds

Rich compost for soil

The Pizza Foundation - MARFA, Texas

The Pizza Foundation - Marfa, TX

We drove the 7.5 hours from Austin to Marfa, it was actually a really nice drive. My old college buddy, Mike hooked us up with a fantastic deal at Enterprise for a Ford FLEX, which turned out to be the coolest road trip vehicle ever! So comfy, spacious and it even had a power outlet, which was great if you don't have a car charger for your phone or need a camera battery charge. Rolling into Marfa after the sun had set there wasn't that much to see or familiarize ourselves with, but we wanted a good meal, and judging by what we had already heard about establishments making their own hours, we saw a place that was open and we went for it. The Pizza Foundation has some of the yummiest pizza I have ever tasted along with a Greek Salad that is to die! It's very 'no frills' set up in what I imagine was an old car repair garage. Some of the diners were nice enough to give our big group their table (thank you!). A couple of my friends, who are locals, were on their way to meet up and I was getting impatient with my sister to get seating, until I went outside to see what she was up to, only to find one of my oldest and dearest friends, Willy, waiting to surprise me!!! He had flown in from LA, rented a car in El Paso and drove to Marfa, all to surprise lil' ol' me. I was pretty tickled pink and brought to tears. A very special start to a wonderful weekend in West Texas.
Last I checked, The Pizza Foundation is open 7 days a week. GO!

HAPPY

Willy + Deanna - my LA peeps

Bucket list - Number 17 - Visit MARFA - CHECK!

My birthday came and went, it was real real special and I got to visit Marfa, TX, which I have been dying to do since about 2005. I had heard about it during my previous, yet brief stint in Austin. It is a very cool little town, with a funky eclectic vibe, an amazing art scene, the most fantastic landscape and absolutely unique natural light. For such a small place, there is so much to do, so I will be focusing the next several posts on my time in West Texas.
This image was taken by me in between Alpine and Marfa just as the sun was setting....see what I mean about the sky out there?