Serendipitous Beauty!

I was deleting some of the old lakehouse photos from my camera and came across this one. It was mixed in with the reflection of the sky on the lake photos. What do you think this is? My first thought was "Serendipitous Beauty!"

Private Places

Closets aren't just for clothes! I took a very small bedroom closet and made it my "college" and "study nook". Here is a portion of my inspiration wall and tiny desk stacked high with books and other goodies. Can you see Carol and me in the top left corner?


Small portion of the small corner bookcase in my closet. "Small" is the operative word here. It's amazing how much you can put in a small place!

A Day At The Lakehouse!

This is the view that greeted me when I arose Saturday morning. I made my way down to the dock to take a photo. This is not the sky....it is a reflection of the sky on the lake.


Our dock is rather weathered but it's perfect for sunbathing, diving in the water, dangling your feet in the water, fishing and birdwatching. The water is a dark greenish blue and deep.


My sister threw a handful of crackers into the lake and these gull birds swooped and squawked and dived for their breakfast. It was an incredible sight.


Feeding Frenzy!


Our beloved rustic lakehouse. My inlaws purchased the lakehouse and guesthouse 26 years ago. It sleeps 13 easily but we have had 25 folks here before. Some sleep outside on the boat deck, some on the patio. We have had family reunions, friend getaways, family vacations and Sister Retreats here. Amazingly, I've never been to the lakehouse alone. I think it's about time to do that.


My inlaws home, next door to the lakehouse. They built this house 10 years ago when they retired to the lake permanently. The upper story porch is the best place to catch the breeze on a hot summer day. I like the reflection of the house in the water.


A view from the back of the property, taking in the boathouse dock, patio, lake and corner of the lakehouse. It's a sad view. Two years ago those condos you see were not there. The view was solid trees and often deer or cattle would come to the water's edge to drink. Two years ago the land was purchased, a golf course was built. Condos and lakehouses sprouted like weeds. I still haven't gotten over it.


Sunset on Lake LBJ. The LBJ stands for Lyndon Baine Johnson.


Sis and I ended our lovely day in front of a roaring fire!

Traveling Mercies.....

Do I have everything I need for a "Super Sister Getaway"?
1)Comfy clothes
2)Nutritious AND Yummy food
3)ChickFlick's..."Pride and Prejudice", "Fried Green Tomatoes", "Enchanted April"
4)Boom box and meditation/relaxation CD's
5)BIG bag of books!
6)Manicure Set
7)Digital camera...will post photos of Lake LBJ getaway on Sunday

OK, I think I've got everything except for the sister. "Oh Sister, where art thou?"

Thought For The Day....

Slow and Steady Wins The Race!

Eat Your Vegetables!

Fresh green beans liberally splashed with olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and roasted in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes. It doesn't get much better than this!

P.S. EAT YOUR CRABLEGS BY CANDLELIGHT!



Today is Nicole's birthday and she is 19!! Last year to be a teenager. She requested crab legs for her birthday dinner and I was happy to oblige. Actually, we aren't eating by candlelight but the photo turned out dark. I didn't use the flash because there was an overhead light and Nicole didn't want to wait around while I fiddled with the camera and took multiple shots. hmmmm, wonder why? However, the lighting does looks somewhat like candlelight. hehe

Meet The Critters!

Meet Welby, our wee Sheltie dog. She is my shadow and I love her to pieces! Welby is the perfect example of the word "runt".


Meet Cali, our calico cat. She is on her throne-Christy's tummy. Cali thinks she is the queen and we are her servants. We love her anyway.

Morning Has Broken

As I stumble to the kitchen for my first cup of coffee, I pass the front door and the early morning light gently greets me with "Wake Up Sleepy Head"!

Here Comes The Sun!

Two weeks of overcast rainy and icy days ended this morning! I was awakened by golden sun streaming through the bamboo blinds above my bed. Heading out the backdoor, I attempted to capture the essence of this sunny day!


We won't be needing this today!


Sunny reflections of a bird bath!


Sun casting fern shadows on a bench!


Sunlit butterfly house!


Sun warmed bricks!


Sun peeking through the entryway!

Game Time!

John is strategically strategizing over his next Rummikub move! He is an analytical kind of guy. It's interesting to watch his mind work.

Susan

The view from my bed....

I love this poster! It is so peaceful, almost makes me want to go back to sleep when I wake up and look over that way. These words are written across the bottom:
"QUIET PLACES...The quieter you become, the more you hear."

Gooey Goodness!

Granny Smith and Fuji apples waiting patiently to be dressed in their caramel robes.


Christy has been asking for caramel apples and today was the day to create them! This is a form of art, let me tell you. Aside from a couple of blisters on my fingers, brought on by the need to quickly rescue the candy thermometer from sliding completely beneath the gooey goodness, the caramel apple creative process went off without a hitch! Can you see the caramel bubbling?


Christy dipping and twirling the apples in caramel! There is a method to the madness.


Voila!

I Spy!

Two elephants, Mexican metalwork, Susan365, gold balls,dimmer switch,ceiling fan, green plant, white bed and eyeglasses. Where's Waldo? This is actually a very peaceful place to sit and yet this photo brings out a feeling of busyness and makes me think of the "Where's Waldo" or "I Spy" books. Interesting how pictures bring out more than what we normally see.

Handstitched With Love!

This is my kitchen "table cloth". Actually, it's a handstitched quilt that my husband's grandmother made for him many, many years ago. I love the colors and the sentiment. Never fear-we don't eat on it! I believe this is called a crazy quilt. Someone correct me if I am wrong. Special names and places are stitched onto the quilt. I get so many compliments on my "table cloth".



John spent many vacations skiing in Colorado. See the little ski guy?

Winter Wonderland!

Yesterday we had a "flooded" gazebo and today we have a lightly "iced" gazebo.


Frosted leaves. An unusual sight here in Texas.


First the torrential rain, now the ice, and possibly snow tommorrow. Our backyard plants are taking a beating.



This cord of wood was dumped on our driveway Friday-shortly before the torrential rains began. I checked this morning and it was still there. As I think about all the cozy fires this cord of wood will provide, I can't help but smile. Life's simple pleasures.

THE FURY OF MOTHER NATURE!

After 24 hours of rain, our normally gentle creek rose about 10 feet and became quite ferocious! We determined that is was going to overflow the retaining wall and flood our lower terrace about 15 minutes before it did so. Actually, I had been predicting this for over an hour but we won't go there. We scurried around in heavy cold rain, sans umbrellas, moving the gazebo furniture and benches so that they wouldn't be swept away or broken by the powerful water.


The gazebo under about 4 inches of water. One watches helplessly.



The creek bridge, as viewed from our backyard. The water almost came over the bridge and into the road. The creek is down now and there are massive piles of logs and whatnot plastered against the bridge supports. I'm not sure what will happen if the creek rises 10 feet again. Major logjam.


The water covered about 2/3 of the lower terrace. The worst flood we had, 6 years ago, covered the entire lower terrace and reached the upper terrace, taking down the fence and rearranging the bricks into huge piles. So far, we have been spared any major damage. Rain is forecast for the next 3 days, so we are not out of the woods yet.

The fury of mother nature is something to behold!

Sing Your Song!

This is our second child and second daughter, Nicole. She has spent many an hour on this porch swing playing her guitar, singing and writing songs. We have spent many an hour sitting around her and listening. Good Memories!

Keeping The Home Fires Burning!

Here is Nathan, our one and only son, loading up the last of the firewood. He's my right hand man! Looks like we are going to need another cord of wood to see us through the winter.

Girl Scout Cookies, anyone?

This is our youngest daughter, Christy, as she sets forth to sell Girl Scout cookies. A parent is required to walk along with them, so I'll get some exercise doing that. The troop has set a "high" goal of 20 cases for each girl to sell. That's 12 boxes in each case. mmmhmmm The leaders assure me this is doable in one week. I suspect Christy and I will be doing lots of walking!

The Kiss

Our eldest daughter, Adriana, and her wee Sheltie dog.

Gazebo Sanctuary

I have spent many an hour in this gazebo-writing, listening, observing, thinking, visiting and sometimes napping. This is my gazebo sanctuary, wearing winter. I want to photograph the gazebo each season to show off it's "clothing". The gazebo in winter is rather stark and yet I find it beautiful!

Three Backyard Views

The overturned whiskey barrel, used as a goldfish pond in warmer weather, covered with leaves and a sheet of glassy water. Mesmerizing.

I love steps of all kinds. These steps take me up and down between the upper and lower terrace.

Bird bath, after two days of rain. Where is the water?

Susan