Modeling in Paris

Seeing my old friend Brenda last evening (yesterday's blog) reminded me of the wonderful girlfriend trip we took several years ago to Paris. We (five close friends) actually met monthly and made plans for the whole year prior. One of the things on our itinerary, was the Galeries Lafayette (free) Fashion Show. You really must do this, especially if you are there with girlfriends, daughters or granddaughters!

You need to simply make a reservation before you head to Paris...and take the email confirmation with you.

The models were all tall and beautiful, the fashions...designer and they even served us a free soft drink!

but, the most unbelievable part. Was that they allowed our group of girlfriends(after the show) to walk out and pose for pictures on their runway. Yes this really happened in Paris!

*with all of our research, you would think I would know to wear a scarf! :(

Gala

                          It was nice to finish unpacking and go out for an elegant evening last night

 I am not sure why the  golf club still has the holiday lights on the Live Oak tree, but it made for a festive arrival.

The centerpieces were pretty. Some of the tables had vases of tall peacock feathers

And it was fun seeing my old friend Brenda. We have been buddies for nearly twenty years now. I know she always poses with her arm on her hip, so I tease her by doing it too. Fun night out. And my shoes look flat but they we three inch heels!

Where is Everyone?

I am bummed...seems every year, on our return from Colorado I find yet another store CLOSED. Some of course went out of business due to the lagging economy...but  I find more and more businesses in our area leaving for another reason. They are chasing the money further north. Our community is I guess, though I hate to admit it,  aging. Young people with big jobs are building new BIGGER homes north of us. I can't blame  business owners for following the money...But, not my favorite gift shop/consignment store! :(
I will get a hold of myself and be Miss Sunshine....maybe tomorrow.

The News

One thing I miss, when I leave Houston for any length of time is my local news. I always watch the same news cast, and have come to feel like these guys are part of my family. Not one of them would know who I am, if I met them on the street...but I trust them , like them, and miss them when I am gone. Do you watch the same local news every day in your town?

Settling In

 Trying to make this place looked lived in (after being away for four months). Fall plants by the front door. Spring wreath replaced by a pumpkin gourd. check

 Real plants in my favorite copper pot. Really should have gotten five small ones. I need to look at this for awhile, and maybe redo.

Actually started cleaning up one of the back flower beds. Then I remembered about the West Nile Virus...and fearful for my life...came inside. I really need to finish what I started..Looking for  some OFF with a lot of Deet in it. Me oh my...I promise this will get more interesting :) Please stay with me...

Home

We're home! Always takes a little getting use to. I got up last night, fussing at my husband because he left the light on in his closet. When I got to the closet, there seemed to be fabric instead of a door. It was a window, and the light was the street light outside. I was very confused because that's where his closet should be?!...WRONG HOUSE!
I guess you are wondering about this long frame with several black and white photos. Well, for several years I have been very interested in genealogy. Especially the collection of photographs of ancestors.

Left to right! Ann (my great great grandmother) 1821-1879 Fifteen children (three sets of twins)
                    Julia (my great grandmother) 1860-1932 Nine children
                    Julia (grandmother) 1901-1994 Ten children
                    Lyda (mother) Five children 1921-1998 Five children
                    That's me....and I am still here! Two children

Cotton Fields Back Home

 Cotton everywhere ...on both sides of the road on our second day of driving through Texas.

Prickly Pear also appeared, looking like decoration along the fence posts. This cactus, with flat paddles, has beautiful blooms in the Spring, and is actually edible.

Long Day

Like I said, there was very little traffic....and unfortunately...very little to see. I took this through the windshield. We are going across the top of the Texas panhandle before heading south.

This is a Texas town I have never heard of. I really wanted to exit and find out if everyone that lived there was happy! Looked up online, and found out the town was named after Happy Draw. Happy Draw was named that because cowboys on wagon trains were happy to find water in the draw. A draw is an area of land where there are slopes on both side making it possible for water to pool.

*we are going home on a route that we usually don't take...in order to see family in San Angelo.

Colorado..one more

Blue Mesa Reservoir..about 60 miles north of Lake City has been receding all summer, due mainly to too little snow fall this past winter. On it's eastern shore, these coral colored bushes are everywhere. This area is usually under water.

I have no idea what they are....sea weed doesn't grow in a lake does it?

I took these photos on Weds when went went to pick up a friend at the airport. Tom is use to me asking him to stop....when I deem something photo worthy.

Spent a very long day on the road to Texas today. I stopped as soon as we crossed the border in the smallest town I could find with a driver license's bureau. Mine expires tomorrow. That little Texas town was Dumas..Thankfully that will not be on my license! By the way it is pronounced DU MAS! :)

Early Morning Sky

I did a double take when I got up yesterday. The sky was actually pink and blue.

This is the last morning  that we will wake up to a view of Round Top Mountain..  until May .. The car is packed to the gills (including the pod on top) and like the  birds, it is time to head south. We are leaving a little earlier than usual, as we have several functions to attend in Texas. I am not signing off. I will have my computer on the road, and will stay in touch. We have had a wonderful summer and have some great plans for winter...................
.  Stay tuned....Janey

Did I mention that Tom  had help loading the car? :)

Cabin Fever

It is actually not a common thing around here, cabin fever.(at least among the summer folk) Mainly, because there are endless social functions all summer long that get you out and about! This by the way, is not my cabin. I thought it was cute!

All you need to do is step out the door to beautiful scenery, or take a short drive in any direction where there are spectacular vistas.

If you like water, you can walk along a rushing river, a babbling brook.

or strike out on a multitude of groomed trails for exercise and fresh mountain air.

Colorado..I've grown to love it.

Bean Stalk?

 

I am not sure what this guy feeds this thing? The ceiling is 8 feet; and I think it would continue to grow if he would just poke a hole!

Creatures Big and Small

 No deer in the yard this morning, but there were birds in every direction. Not sure what the large black birds are down the hill are? Crows maybe?

 My friend the Steller Jay is enjoying his morning offering on the deck post.

 And a little fellow...see the Humming Bird out the west window on the feeder, which is hung very high where a bear can not get to it! And yes the feeder is empty...I'm filling it now!

 

Oops! who is this little guy, sitting by the door?

Have a nice day!

Fishing Tournament?

I couldn't figure out what was going on in the river? This is no fishing tournament. There were several Department of Wildlife trucks parked by the river and this line of uniformed guys. They had some sort of electrified pole on one hand and a net in the other. My curiosity got the best of me and I went down and asked. They said they were catching and documenting what type of fish are in the river. I am not sure how that is useful to the government.....but you can be assured they were doing their job!

Colorado in September

If you haven't been to Colorado in September

You really need to put it on your bucket list

Today was 68 degrees, sunny, dry and perfect

 

Like the saying goes: "If you are lucky enough to be in the mountains, you're lucky enough"

Our Guests from Germany

 Anna and Werner were great guests...and the weather did cooperate. Sunny and 65 degrees.

 We packed a picnic and ate at a high mountain lake. Yes, that is snow on the mtn tops.( It fell last night)...and that's a beaver was taking a swim..

We went up and down a mountain lane looking for a moose. No luck, but we did find beautiful Fall color!

Favorite Things part II

 I know these have been around for awhile. ...but I have finally decided I like them. I am talking about the battery operated candle inside the lantern. They certainly don't make a mess, flicker like a real candle and don't have a heavy fragrance.
This one sits on our mantle, and even has a timer so that it comes on at the same time every evening. Which is great because the mantle is nearly seven feet off of the floor!

 They come in several sizes and cost about the same as a real candle. I am not sure how long the battery will last...but I will let you know. Have you tried these?

Our guests from Marl, Germany arrived about dinner time in a heavy rain. They were a bit tired having driven all the way from Green River, Wyoming. But, today is supposed to be sunny and beautiful (maybe a bit muddy). I wonder what adventure awaits us?

Thistles

 A friend with a vacant lot let's us park our utility trailer there....and he can use it when he needs it to.
We had to go down there today, and put a sticker on the license plate. These tall thistles caught my eye.

 They actually weren't as tall as they appear.....I did kneel down. I feel sure they were at their peak a few weeks ago.

 but, they looked like art to me :)