Welcome!

Backgates, backdoors and backporches, these are places that feel like home to me. When you come see me, please enter through the backgate. I'll be there to greet you!

Dry Skin

I know how this tree feels! What's your favorite lotion for dry skin?

Gazebo Sanctuary

"Longing is a constant companion. I invite you to listen closely to it. It often comes in a dream. It may call from the trees outside. It often quickens at the hearth within our homes and beckons us to come closer. For some, the longing may emerge as an undeniable sensation, as if we have an unfulfilled appointment with a destiny that is awaiting us."
The Mist Filled Path, by Frank MacEowen

Enneagrams

Please go here and take this freebie "test". It won't hurt much unless you don't like forced questions. I am conflicted this morning as my enneagram is now a three way tie between numbers TWO, FOUR and SIX. I used to be a TWO. Perhaps this is what happens during mid-life. If you take the "test" let me know which number you are. There is no right number. For the purist, I will say we are all a bit of all the numbers but we have predominant numbers at work in our lives. OK, all you brave souls go for it! You can read more about my conflicted morning thoughts here. Oh, and if you open this photo, you will note it is fuzzy and sort of off center, even after 15 attempts. I will blame it on my conflicted enneagram!

This scared guy spent some time in our bathtub this morning! He was approximately 12x10 inches in size.

Spring Has Sprung

Time and Trees.

Lady Bankston roses just beginning to pop! In a few weeks they will be cascading over the fence and climbing into the treetops. These beauties are itty bitty wild roses that take your breath away.

Honeysuckle is one of my favorite flowers. It brings back girlhood memories of hot summer days, standing barefoot in front of a fence covered in honeysuckle, all the while avoiding the bees and gently pulling the honeysuckle stem away to get at the sweet nectar.

Rain Green

That's what I call this shade of green!

Camp Kacheena!

Some of the girls from Christy's Girl Scout troop(and a few Moms) met at Camp Kacheena today. This is the Girl Scout camp for the central Texas Bluebonnet Council and is located about 20 minutes from our home. As we hiked down this hill to the water, the view was quiet lovely!
Christy and a friend in the very chilly waters of Lake Belton.
Canoes waiting for summer Girl Scout campers! Today was a nice preview of what is to come!

P.F. CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO

We gave Ana a gift card to "Barnes & Noble" for her birthday, so today she and I drove to Austin and spent a couple of hours browsing(and buying) books. Afterward, we stopped at one of our favorite restaurants...P.F. Changs...for a scrumptious meal.
This giant horse guards the restaurant.

21 Years!

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday Dear Ana,
Happy Birthday to you!!

Ducks amidst the roots of cypress trees at Landa Park in New Braunsfels. They sort of remind me of John and I. We spent a relaxing hour walking around this park and taking in the beautiful views.

Off to celebrate Anniversary #22! See you on the flip.

Adriana

Ana and I had a great time at lunch-laughing, talking and chowing down. We went to Jody's, a local favorite, because she was craving fried pickles and wanted me to try them. They are yummy! In between talking about art, relationships, food, studying abroad and spring break plans, I managed to take quite a few pictures of the pretty daughter and the pickles.
Dill pickles fried in a tempura batter, piping hot and crisp, served with a side of spicey ranch dip. Be adventurous and try them sometime!

Nicole

It was a nice day for drinking coffee outside and having a good ole mother-daughter chat! We talked about politics, music, college, goals, jobs, boys and a whole lot more. Fun times!

Christy

Christy recently read about Tin Can Stilts in the book "Ramona and Her Father". She thought the stilts sounded like a lot of fun. Last night, with a little help from her father, Christy made stilts out of old coffee cans and twine. Here she is; clomp, clomp, clomping and grinning from ear to ear.

"The appropriate uses of the words 'Yes' and 'No' make more room for love." SARK

Dos Groovey Grocery Stores

Wheatsville Community Grocery--Austin, Texas
I decided a road trip was in order today. Recent discussions, both online and irl, about food co-ops had me eager to check out the cooperative store in Austin. It was smaller than I expected but overflowing with energy and atmosphere. Lots of organic, free trade, locally produced food. I bought some locally produced chipotle chevre and a few other items. From their deli, I bought a turkey/jalapeno jack/sprouts/tomatoe on nine grain bread sandwich and found a sunny spot in a nearby park to have a picnic. ahhh, Austin...gotta love it! Read more about Wheatsville Community Grocery here.

Central Market--Austin, Texas
My favorite grocery store in Austin...besides Whole Foods. This is where I take cooking classes. Today, I purchased sprouted grain bread, challah and their delicious tarragon chicken salad for the family. I got a steaming cup of coffee and creme brulee, then went outside to sit under the trees and listen to the latino band. There were two couples dancing salsa style and a little boy boogying next to them. The sky was blue, the weather perfect, the atmosphere very Austiny!! I thoroughly enjoyed myself. Read more about Central Market here.

Homework

John diplomatically fielding calls from the field!

Little Drummer Boy!

A photo of my dear drummer boy. At 15 1/2 years of age and 5'11" in height, he is not so little anymore!
This afternoon, Nathan and I visited with Dave, the drum instructor at "Heart of Texas Music". He says drummers are born to drum. I remember Nathan asking for his first drum set at 6. He has drummed his fingers for years. Was he born to play the drums? I guess we will find out!

Hallowed Halls

On Tuesday and Thursday afternoon, Christy has practice for her part in the "Hansel and Gretel" UMHB opera production. It is a college production but they needed 12 children and she was excited to be chosen. While she is practicing inside the above building, I am walking the lovely grounds of the University of Mary Hardin Baylor. Below are a few of the beautiful sights I inhaled today.





So long!