Dinner With My Cuz's

Tee hee!! We had a great time since we hadn't seen one another for 3 years, oh we've emailed and talked some, but it's not the same as sitting face to face over dinner at Applebee's in Georgetown.

Now mind you, Peggy and Linda just wanted to get away from League City (suburb of Houston for those of you not familiar with Texas), so they started out yesterday mid-day ... well, when Linda's husband Tom called to see how their journey was progressing they were headed up I45North, nearing The Woodlands ... umm, talking so much they missed their exit and went a bit out of their way to Austin. The good news is they arrived safely in Austin! Their original plan was to check out Fredericksburg; well with a later than anticipated arrival, they scratched that idea ... Peggy teaches high school Spanish and brought along papers to grade ... so she graded and Linda relaxed.

We finally touched base Saturday evening about Sunday plans, well, the story is too long but decided instead of them trying to find their way on country roads (remember the missed exit earlier) to our house we'd meet in Georgetown for dinner; which we did! It was fun catching up on surgeries (see what happens when you hit your mid-60s), adult children (some divorces, some adoption, some pregnant), and just stuff in general. Anyway, we had a great time, and we're hoping they'll come visit next summer, so, until next time ....

Friends and FUN!

We had company for a few days this week, our good friends Helen and Douglas came up from Houston for a short visit; we hadn't seen them since April, so it was great to spend time with them. They arrived Thursday afternoon, we spent time catching up, King Ranch casserole for dinner, and planning of Friday's activities.

Douglas wanted to check out Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg, so we called Eli and Sharon and asked them to join our adventure ... both couples made the trip to Michigan in '06 for Melisa and John's wedding. We spent some time at the Wildseed and then went on to visit the Hill Country Sculpture Ranch located 7 miles west of Johnson City. WOW, if you're ever in the area, check it out ... Texas Highway's December issue featured the ranch ... "an Italian artist tames a rugged landscape to create a gallery of art and nature", you can also check out their website at www.sculptureranch.com. After driving through only a part of the ranch (had to pick my mother up by 3:00pm) it was on to the Silver K Cafe in Johnson City for lunch. A fun time was had by all; then, of course, arrive home only to go out for Mexican food at our favorite Tamale King. Hmmm, too much food this weekend. But, we had a great time, and it's always fun to find new things to occupy our Hill Country time!

Now, today, Peggy and Linda, my cousins from League City, are in Austin for a get-away-weekend. We'll be joining them for an early dinner in Georgetown ... lots of meals out, it's back to Curves 5 days this coming week.

Hard to believe but the Holidays are here! We'll be with Eli, Sharon and family for Thanksgiving Day this year, and then Christmas will be with our new grandson Dylan, Carin and Rusty; expecting in May Melisa and John. How much fun it's going to be with a 7 year old on Christmas morning!

And, some exciting news, our niece Megan and husband DJ will deliver their baby boy on Monday!! Woo Hoo ... know Megan must be excited, and filled with some anticipation, to deliver Nate, he's going to be a big boy!

Must close for today, online Christmas shopping is calling, so until next time ...

Glen Rose and Where'd This Week Go??

I had every intention of "blogging" on Monday, am not sure what has happened to this week ... BUT ... we had a fun time in GR with Carin, Rusty and Dylan. Glen Rose is a beautiful area with lots of rolling hills, and the weather was postcard perfect, incredible blue skies, very cool in the overnight (a light frost one morning), and mid-to-low 70's during the day! Perfect!

Carin and Shetlands (13 of them I believe) did quite well, and Dylan WON his first BLUE RIBBON, how exciting is that?! WAY TO GO DYLAN!!! Since it was Halloween weekend, late Saturday afternoon there was a "class" for horses and trainers in their costumes, OMG, so much fun, the Wizard of Oz costumes, a fairy princess, a bullfighter, so much creativity and it was amazing the horses tolerated, as long as they did, their costumes. That "class" was followed by a doggy costume event, so much fun! And then the kids went trick or treating through the barn area, they had a great time! I think my favorite class, and fortunately we arrived just in time to see Carin and her horse, was the "liberty class". It's set to music, and basically the horses "dance" as only they can ... gallop might be a better word. Her horse was absolutely beautiful! So next year we know what to look for, and when not to miss a class.

This week has been a whirlwind, and I'm not certain how we got to Friday so quickly. I guess the most "fun news" is Don and I attended our Volunteer Fire Departments monthly meeting, we actually had two this month, we were present at both. Well, the Board Member of the Auxiliary resigned and one of our neighbors nominated ME as the new Auxiliary Chairman ... yikes ... I've wanted to get involved in our community, however, after I was elected they then explained some of the duties of the Auxiliary Board Member .... hmmm, it's going to be interesting. The fundraising will be a good experience, and our Fire Department is definitely in need of funds for new equipment; however, part of my responsibility is ... during large fires, if the firefighters need water, or food, the Chief will give me a call to bring the supplies ... I was assured it doesn't happen very often ... let's just hope Don is near in the event it does! Stop laughing, I can hear all of you :) OH, and not only that, beginning in January I'm President of our women's group at church, hmmm!

Well, our sweet Dylan has had a challenging week, Carin and Rusty are learning quickly and love him so much ... Dylan's going to be an awesome young man ... until next time ...

What's Happening, and I Wonder Why ....

Okay, it's beginning to really bug me, why can't I post on blogs; sometimes I can, other times, no matter how I sign in or when I sign in to post, my comment won't post! Anyway, on with the morning ...

I worked last week for my friends at Travel Ezee, three of the four travel agents were on the Heart of Texas Cruise through the Bahamas, they had a wonderful time. Me, however, well do you realize that if you haven't worked a 30 or 40 hour week in many years the toll it takes on your body! Of course since I'm only a "temp" there are many things I can't do, except greet clients to the office and answer the telephone, it was fun ... but how did I keep up with a house, kids and everything else in life when working full-time for Shell all those 30-plus years ... I was exhausted by the end of my Travel Ezee week! Glad to be back in my regular routine once again and preparing for this coming weekend!

Last Saturday we ventured over to Fredericksburg for dinner with friends Eli and Sharon. "The girls" decided to run by Wildseed Farms .... not too many plants blooming since we're getting into our fall season, but what a fabulous place to visit, with a great gift shop; the Cinnamon Honey Butter is awesome!

We've had lots of rain in the Hill Country, YES! Eight and a-half inches last Thursday, and another inch and a-half yesterday, what a welcome relief. However with the cooler temperatures and rain my beautiful hummingbirds have already started south. We haven't seen one at our feeders for almost two weeks; so I'll keep one feeder out for another week for any of the stragglers about to begin their trip across the Gulf and patiently wait for their return next March. Who would have ever thought I'd be interested in plants and birds, it's interesting how you change over the years!

Rascal, our almost 11 year old Brussels Griffon gave us a scare last week. Sick with pancreatitis, she's fully recovered but was a sick little girl for a couple of days! She's such a part of our lives, just like another child.

And, this weekend we'll be with Carin, Rusty and Dylan at a Shetland pony horseshow! We are looking forward to spending time with Dylan, getting to know him better and watch him in his second competition! Of course, there may be some "spoiling of the grandchild"; so much fun, spoil him rotten .... believe he deserves it after his journey into the lives of Carin and Rusty.

Must run for now, the second cup of coffee is calling; until next time ...

Do we miss Houston?!

NOT! We often get asked that question; however, this weekend has been absolutely beautiful, well probably in Houston as well ... but, it's cooler in the Hill Country with much less humidity, and the sky is crystal clear blue, a very deep blue! No pollution here.

What else do we love about this area: the rolling hills, there is nothing as much fun as driving Park Road 4, wish we had a sports car, the scenery is incredible and it's like riding on a roller coaster! The wildlife ... we had a young buck sneaking through our backyard Saturday morning, about 7:45am; I've seen him before in the dark morning hours, but he was late yesterday. The cardinals, blue jays, woodpeckers, red-winged blackbirds, and my favorite, hummingbirds are abundant.

I think my hummers may be gone with the cooler morning temperatures, we normally have 3 nectar feeders out, with as many as 8 ~ 10 hummers, and two weeks ago noticed the frontporch feeder was not being visited, took that one down and left the two on the backporch; haven't seen any hummers today, so I'll change their nectar and watch. The books say to keep feeders up two weeks past your last sighting, so we'll see if they've fueled up and are headed across the Gulf, as many travel, until March.

Hmm, whomever thought I'd find an interest in birds, and now yardwork. My Fall native blooming plants are beautiful, now that we've had some rain and the temps are cooler. I'm already designing what will be planted in the Spring for the Fall foilage and flowers.

Do we miss Houston, well, we miss friends and some other conveniences, but for the most part ... no! Until next time ....

It's Hot, Humid and That Was FUN!

Ahh yes, the heat and humidity is back; it almost feels like we're living in Houston! But, according to our favorite weatherman on KXAN, he says by late Thursday a new cold front will approach the area, dropping the daytime temps into the 70's ... YES!!

Our friends Eli and Sharon called around 11:00a.m. and wanted to know if we were free for lunch; so after about a minute of consideration we agreed to meet them at River City Grille in Marble Falls! We had a good time, sitting near the windows overlooking Lake Marble Falls and talking up a storm ... AND, the event was totally spontaneous :) For those of you who know me, I'm a Type A personality and PLANNER! We had a great time, and how awesome it is to have the freedom and flexibility during the middle of the week to meet for lunch!

Here's hoping for cooler weather, and appreciating great friends!

Hilltop Cafe! and Carin's Horse Show

A couple of weeks ago we spent a fun evening with dear friends Eli and Sharon at the Hilltop Cafe. It's been written up in several magazines across the country and is located about 30 miles west of Fredericksburg ... the food was fabulous and the atmosphere is quaint. If you plan to dine on the weekends you'll definitely require reservations, however, we went mid-week with no problems! So if you're ever in the area and looking for a great restaurant, check it out and come hungry!!

Carin, Rusty and Dylan are at a horse show this weekend. We're waiting to hear Dylan's results ... he was scheduled to show his Shetland pony, Crystal, in at least one class! Well before I could "post" Carin called, Dylan came in third in the "lead class", which is great for a 6 year old never having been in a show prior. He would have scored higher, however, his feet didn't fit firmly in the stirrups and the judges took off points; other than that, Carin said he smiled, and was able to handle Crystal when she was 'spooked' in the arena. GREAT JOB DYLAN!!!

Melisa and John had a quiet weekend, with much studying for Melisa. She'll graduate in December and is most anxious so she can turn her attention to Baby W who will arrive in mid-May.

Our "dinner for 8" was fun last evening, however, thinking we'd be able to sit outside ... not the case, it was too cool and no sun! More rain today, and we won't complain, our little creeks and low water crossings are starting to flow once again, even though very slowly. Until next time ....