Just got back from a rather interesting trip across Texas and southern New Mexico. Got forced south by the winter storm & ended up in Carlsbad, NM after wandering across much of Texas trying to stay ahead of it. Specifically tried to hit the holiest hole-in-the-wall places & had pretty good luck. Came across a couple of neat ideas for cooking refried beans in one. Drum roll please for my every couple of years recipe posting :-) Refried beans ala "Anna's Restaraunt, Matador TX" Refried beans Thyme Combine & serve :-) I was actually quite surprised to find that these went very well together, not having ever tried it or seen in tried before. I can't begin to tell you the amounts to use. My wife & I (yes- she & I actually went on a vacation *together*) also found another neat place in Van Horn Texas: Lizzy's Tortelleria. About as authentic and non-chain as you can get. Everything cooked right there & VERY good. Had chile rellenos, burritos, tacos, & all kinds of other stuff. Lizzy's was particularly good because we had just finished a 10 mile hike that covered 3,000' in elevation change in 45 F weather with 50 mph winds :-) It probably would have been just as good otherwise. -Jim C Mild to Wild(R)