An Early Easter

We had a family Easter Dinner early (on Sat,) at sister number four's house. We didn't start with dessert, but it was tempting. The cookies and cake were baked by one of my nieces.

My sister had flowers in every room

and bunnies above the vent a hood

Speaking of bunnies...we had one of those too...Posing with my niece and her fiance' 

There was even a candy filled bunny pinata (that took a beating)

an Easter egg hunt of course

It was all just perfect, except we missed you Mother. (1921-1998) You so loved these holiday get-togethers.

Thanks for coming by...I hope that you are enjoying what ever holiday you celebrate...or are just having a nice weekend! Janey

The Neighbor

Our downstairs neighbor in the guesthouse (duplex) where we are living, is a concert pianist. It is a real treat every afternoon when he plays (around 5pm). The lovely music drifting up through the floor. Clark was a finalist several times in the Van Cliburn Competition.. So, we were delighted to attend his  recent performance at Steinway Hall, where he preformed Bach's beloved Goldberg Variations. Seen here, playing on one of Van Cliburn's actual touring pianos. We were both amazed that he played for at least and hour with no music in front of him.

 

Clark sits on an exercise ball instead of a piano bench. I think I heard it referred to a a musical sphere. ;) 

We Need A Home Update

Decided to build..to get what we want in the inner city. Found the perfect custom builder...and an even more perfect lot of land. Told him on Thursday at noon that we would sleep on it. (think it over over-night) . Called on Friday and the lot had been sold by his partner Thursday afternoon (we had not ask him to hold it). Looked at the three other possible lots they have, and didn't like any of them. Grrr....this is getting frustrating....

Not What They Use To Be

Out west of downtown Ft. Worth, is a street called Camp Bowie. .Camp Bowie was, during World War I, a training camp for the Thirty Sixth Infantry, and was named after James Bowie...a defender of the Alamo.

The camp was dismantled in 1919 and a residential area sprang up. Camp Bowie the street ,which is the central thoroughfare, was paved with bricks in 1920.....and still is. The lower end of Camp Bowie (closer to downtown) is called the Culture District of Ft. Worth, popular with young professionals it is home to several internationally recognized museums and a wealth of fine restaurants and boutiques.

I  am amazed at some of the things that have been recycled over the years (along Camp Bowie).

An old gas station is now a wine bar

a movie theater  is now of all things..... a bank

and not sure how some will feel about this....a church that has become a bakery!

I guess what I am saying is that you have to pay attention...if you are looking for gas...want to see a movie or say a prayer! Instead you might find: a glass of wine an ATM and a cupcake!! :)

Hamburgers

It seems a bit strange, with folks eating healthier, that there has been an upsurge of hamburger restaurants across America.....but there has been. Fast food joints have been around for a long time , but  I hear that new places like Smash Burger, and In and Out Burgers are drawing large crowds. We  stopped here yesterday....but this place has been around for what seems like forever.

It originally was a small corner grocery that sold hamburgers from a grill at the back of the store.

The grocery part is long gone. and, it is simply a burger place, with long rows of picnic type tables for seating.We have been trying out a lot of the locally owned (long lived) local eating places since we have been in town. Their food has stood the test of time and it gives the town a hometown feeling.

We are still working everyday at finding a permanent place to live. We don't want to be in a hurry. Mainly because my Tom has said he is not moving again!

My list isn't too long. Location, location, location. A dinning room, gas cook top stove, master down, and small yard. If we can't find these in one of our desired neighborhoods....we have found a builder, and a vacant lot.

Quality Hill

While touring around Ft. Worth, Texas this place stopped me in my tracks. Seems there was a whole neighborhood of these mansions, at the turn of the twentieth century, in an area that was called Quality Hill. This one was actually built in 1899 for the widow of a Galveston Banker,Sarah Ball 1825-1904. The house then sold to William Eddlemann in 1904......who in 1921 gave the home to his daughter Carrie. Carrie McFarland was the wife of wealthy cattleman. She lived here for seventy five years.

The house is open for tours and may be leased for events, wedding, banquets, etc. There is something about these wonderful old Queen Anne mansions...that make me wish I would have lived in that era.Then I remember that there was no air conditioning (and this is TEXAS).....also no computers. cell phones...etc etc.

See the little bird on the historical plaque? I think he is enjoying the view too :)

UPDATE

 Remember the group photo we all took in Arizona...hoping to get it in our little Colorado newspaper?

Well, it worked .....copy of the paper:)

Home Again Home Again

Although it still doesn't feel like home

We got within twenty minutes of the house and the highway was blocked by an accident. So, we exited and tried to find another way. But, we don't know the area very well. Man, to be so close and to be lost. Every time we typed our address into the GPS it kept trying to direct us back to the highway.

Time to get unpacked and organized. We are actually headed to Houston this next weekend. Tom has  dental surgery that was already scheduled before we moved .We will stay with friends. Three of my girlfriends have gotten together and sent out invitations to a goodbye party for me. They said I slipped out of town without properly saying goodbye. Should be fun...I shall give a full report.

Oh and there really was a groom!
Stacy and Matt called about noon today from Miami, they were changing planes for a flight to Belize ......then a ferry to a small island for a week where they have announced they will unplug all of their electronics...for a well deserved rest.

Great Wedding You Two!

The Loniest Place in Town

We all demand them. Excerise rooms in motels and hotels....but have you noticed that they are always empty? There seem to  be people in the health clubs at home...using this equipment...but for some reason not on the road...or at least the roads I travel.

I think maybe people are hoping to connect with new friends in their own hometowns...but on the road they just want to shower and sleep! Not sure why I am pondering this...but I am.

We left Charlotte, NC yesterday morning, but the weather was awful, pouring rain. So, we only made it to Tuscaloosa, Alabama (Home of the University of Alabama). We will have a nine or ten hour drive today to Ft. Worth. But, the weather has improved over-night......off we go....and yes, without a workout!

Here Comes The Bride

Me, the bride and daughter number five!

I guess I should post the bide and groom this morning, but I am embarrassed that I didn't get a picture of the two of them. The wedding was beautiful and so much fun!

Brunch this morning and then Tom and I are headed west back to TEXAS!

Welcome to Charlotte

We have arrived Charlotte, North Carolina. My daughter Stacy had welcome bags waiting on everyone at the hotel. She made the stencils herself (crafty girl)

Charlotte seen from the the terrace of the rehearsal dinner.

The wedding is today!

The House Hunt

When we return next week. It is back to the house hunt....

We have been going out every day looking for a place to live. At this point we are interested in townhouses that are close in to the center city. There is an area called the Culture District, which is just west of downtown, has many museums, theaters, restaurants, galleries, etc. Of all the places that we have seen during the week....this three bedroom townhouse is at the top of the list. I love the sunny kitchen with all of the windows.

The only drawback: There is no formal dining room. I like to cook and want to have dinner parties and also host my rather large family on occasion, which could number close to twenty!

So, we continue to look....

On The Road

We are on the road again. Yesterday we drove from Ft Worth, Texas to Atlanta, Georgia. We thought we could make it in twelve hours ....faster than we use to drive it from Houston to Atlanta. But, it took us thirteen and a half....which is TOO long to be in the car. Here I am taking pictures of rest stops again! This one was in Mississippi. I have ever seen one of the ornamental cabbages blooming.

At the very end of the day we finally rolled down the hill. That is Atlanta in our sight. Daughter number two had dinner waiting for us. She is a wonderful cook and it made it all worth it.

Today, we are headed north on a short four hour drive to daughter number four...who is getting married on Saturday!

The Driveway

This old house we are leasing has a narrow driveway. I am having an awful time trying to back out! I was in the car as a passengar with Tom backing out, and I was carefully watching for him....to make sure he didn't hit the house.. He was very close....and

all of a sudden I was eye to eye with this Bluejay. No zooming needed. He was being very still, hoping that I didn't see him....but he didn't fly away..

St Patricks Day

I went to a wedding shower for my niece today.We have three weddings this year in my family. Sara is marrying into an Irish family so they gave her a wedding shower on St. Patrick's Day. We were all asked to wear green. I took a picture of these leprechaun cookies (made by the hostess) as they were being passed.

At the entrance of the house was an enormous tree, just a few feet from the door. I couldn't help but inquire about it. It is a cottonwood tree (non cotton producing) and is officially the tallest cottonwood in Ft. Worth.

I hope that you had a nice weekend. Did you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?

Mother of the Bride

 

What to wear to my daughter's wedding? Gee this caught my eye. There would have been a day I could have worn this...but don't worry, I will not embarrass my daughter or myself !

Maybe I could add a bit of sparkle to the event by wearing these?

Actually, this is my slightly more conservative dress.....

and my version of sparkle!

Ranch Duty

On the campus of TCU stands the sculpture titled Ranch Duty in front of the Winthrope Rockfeller Ranch Building. I guess he is warming himself by the campfire.

The Mural

There is a street here in Ft. Worth  named Magnolia. It has been revitalized and has many restaurants, coffee shops, gift and art galleries housed in mostly one storied redone old store fronts. We went to a cute little Italian restaurant (Momma Mia's) there one night last week....It  was just getting dark and I saw a whole army of young adults tiling this wall. I am not sure what exactly the scene is or if they are even finished (I went back in the daytime to take this). I figured that they all had day jobs and could only work on it in the evening?

*update...Several days ago I posted a picture of a painting by Robert Elsocht that I wasn't sure what it was. Well, my sister is in contact with the owner and she said to look for an envelope attached to the back (Kate actually suggested I look there).for it contained the provenance.  The painting according to the records is titled The Chasm, which is an opening in the earth. So, you were all correct!

The Boots

Out in front of one of the Fire Stations in Ft Worth, Texas is the sculpture (so to speak) of fireman's boots.

Invited to Dinner

Last night we were invited to a retired professor (from TCU)and his wife's house for dinner. Rocky (the wife) is an Italian and this was Italian Sausages in a homemade sauce.

Along with this tasty pasta dish

and a beautiful green salad...

We dined in their beautiful red dining room...where we finished up with homemade cannolis.

.

Spring

Spring is definitely in the air.....

The Honeysuckle on the deck railing is flowering

and the Redbud Tree is starting to bloom.
We had beautiful sunshine yesterday....It was a little to breezy for me , but I have a feeling that warmer Spring weather is just around the corner.....I will send it your way. Have  nice day.