Butterfly?

I think our Internet is back up and running. We will see. It seems to be down every morning, and I get up very early to blog. It is my special time of the day.

I am hoping that one of you can help me identify this butterfly? I put a question mark because I am not even sure it is a butterfly.

There were two of them fluttering around the flowers (Pentas) in our front yard that happen to be still blooming.

By the way, if you are a blogger. Do you blog the same time every day or week? What time of the day do you prefer to blog, morning or evening?...just wondering.

Not Working

Experiencing Internet problems. It is difficult to blog from this phone.

In the meantime how about a picture of a friends new dog Amos. A rescue dog.

Scary

I pass this estate on my morning walk, and I always love to see their gates on holidays.

 I know it is difficult to see because it is very shady that time of morning.

I zoomed, because I was afraid to go closer.You see that zombie looking guy on the left?

He is draped around a security camera, and I didn't want to set off any alarms.

Linking to Good Fences: HERE

The Mission on the River

When you go to San Antonio you simply must visit the Alamo. It by the way, is listed as the Number 1 tourist attraction in the state.

Built in 1744 when Texas was under Spanish rule. It's purpose was to have a place to educate the Native Americans, and was then called San Antonio de Valero.
 Mexico, who was also under Spanish rule, got it's independence in 1821, hence Texas became part of Mexico. Not long after that the Texians,as they were called, used it as a fort. This fort was pivotal in the Texians battle with Mexico for their Independence. Although, they lost that battle and the men within were all killed. Enough about Texas History.

 It is a very visited place, if for nothing else... it is a great photo op.

Another place high on the list of tourist attractions is the San Antonio River Walk. It is hard to describe.So if you are ever in southern Texas,don't miss it.

There is a huge exciting venue one story below street level on the banks of the San Antonio River, with restaurants, bars, shops, hotels, etc, etc.
They even have boat rides,and dinner boats as well. You can read about it: HERE

 Why you might even find a wedding going on. Did we go on a boat ride?

Of course we did, and thoroughly enjoyed it, and the whole weekend as well!.

The Continuing Celebration

Even though my birthday was a month ago, the celebration continues. I have been away for a few days in San Antonio. My two daughters planned a trip to a resort to celebrate my birthday, but we couldn't all get away until this past weekend.

The Marriott Resort sits several miles north of San Antonio, Texas in what we call the hill country.

It is an enormous place with over 1,000 guest rooms

It also has numerous swimming pools and water slides

and every amenity you could think of including a championship golf course, and some you wouldn't think of...like several fire pits.

There was even a resort cat that we referred to as the black panther...who followed us on walks..

One of the pools even has a sandy beach (yes those are my toes).

which my granddaughter Abigail, from North Carolina....loved.

It was so much fun to watch Abigail and Hannah (from Austin) getting to know each other.

For little Abigail, I think it was love at first sight.

The most popular amenity at the resort by far, is the The Lazy River. You see, you sit in an inner tube and the river gently pulls you along,

as so expertly demonstrated by hubby Tom.
We sure did have a grand time!

Oh of course we did go into town to see The Alamo and The San Antonio River....
to be continued.

Oh No

I guess I am going to sound like the neighborhood crusader, but  again I was on my morning walk 

when I passed this well cared for old home. Love the front door, wide porch, paint job and beautiful landscaping....not to mention the tasteful Fall decorations,

and then I saw it! Can't be! Is this destined for the wrecking ball?I hope not...I will keep you informed. On a happier note.

I passed by the little house that had the large equipment parked on the side. Well, the equipment is missing and the house is still standing. Looks promising.

*Someone just reminded me that an old home was torn down to build my new house. Well, at least I didn't have to see it. (does that count?) We simply purchased a vacant lot.

That Darn Lace Again

Some of you may remember last year when I posted  about making the small lace curtain for a window in a guest bathroom upstairs.

It wasn't a lot of lace....but my husband did not like my choice of fabrics. He really doesn't like lace. I knew this because when we were decorating our log house in the mountains, I mentioned buying some lace curtains for the bedroom. He said lace was for old ladies....and no he didn't want to look at lace in the bedroom. I conceded there, but not on the small upstairs window....where he never goes in this house.

Well, here we go again. I am betting that you can't even see it.  We have double sinks in our master bath, and little loops holding a hand towel by each sink. Look closely and you can see on the edge of the towel is a small amount of crocheted cotton lace.

I put the towel on a dark surface so you can see. The lace is not very big...and I don't think it looks like an old ladies towel (which by the way, I am)...

but every time he uses it...he turns it inside out and hangs it like this,(I know you are amazed that a man actually hung the towel back up). He hasn't said a word so far...and I am not even sure he is doing it on purpose...but I am getting the message.. this man REALLY does not like lace!....

Next Door

I blogged recently about the Monet exhibit at the Kimbell here in Ft. Worth.

Well, their neighbor next door is the Modern Art Museum of Ft. Worth. The large statue out in front is the work of Brian Donnelly, better know to the modern art world as KAWS. His amazing exhibit of over 100 works encompassing art, sculpture, street art and toys will be on display from now until Jan.22 and then moves to Shanghai. To learn more about this talented artist you can read Wikipeda's biography: HERE

A Pot of Cactus

On our walk the other morning

we came across a pretty pot of Prickly Pear Cactus . I was surprised that it was about to bloom. I thought that they bloomed in the Spring? Did you know at you can eat Prickly Pear Cactus paddles. They sell them in the grocery store around here. Of course the needles are scraped off. Hmm I never thought about it, but wouldn't that be an awful job.Sitting and scraping sharp needles off of a cactus all day. Surely that step is automated? So if you would like a recipe or two for Prickly Pear paddles, go here: HERE

The pot was attached to a small rock fence, so I am using it to 

Link to Good Fences: HERE

The Early Years

One of the many things we like about living in our new town of Ft. Worth, Texas is that we are very close to the culture district, where there is a whole array of wonderful museums. We had great museums in Houston too, but there we lived in suburbia... and going into town became a hassle.

This week we attended the new exhibit at the Kimbell Museum...put together by the Kimbell. It is titled: Monet, The Early Years. They have gathered fifty nine paintings from all over the world, of the first decade Monet painted, starting at age eighteen in 1859.

I am not sure if I am so interested in art, or claim to know anything about it, but I am a great lover of history.

I learned so many things about Monet. First of all is family called him Oscar, and that they cut him off financially when they found out his girlfriend Camille (who later became his wife), was carrying his child. He and Camille had two sons and she would become his model in a lot of his paintings. Some say because he was so crazy about her. Others say it was because he was too poor to hire anyone else. His friend Auguste Renoir even supplied the hungry family with bread on occasion, so they wouldn't starve.

Other things that I didn't know is that he was in the military for a short time, and that he also lived in England and The Netherlands. The above painting being the mills along a canal in Zaandam. Silly me, at first glance I thought it was Kinderdyke.

I have no idea if the exhibit will travel to other towns, but these works will be on display through January at The Kimbell.

Have a Nice Week!

Berries

I was complaining the other day, because it is Fall and the temps don't reflect it. A cold front will make it here to north Texas, and you will say "ahh...finally". Then darn it, it warms right back up.

I did see these berries on my walk, hanging from a Pyracantha bush and it gave me hope. 

How is your weather.....does it feel like the season it is supposed to be?

Fences of Yesteryear

Today is Thursday, and the day that I link up with other blogs to show fences in their areas. It is no secret that I will stop in my tracks when I see an old home, but I also love to see their antique fences.

This stone and iron fence is fairly new, but I see that they have used an old section of  nineteenth century fencing. This style of iron fence with it's fancy post or finial (?) seems to have been common all over the southern U.S. I have tried to research online, to see what company manufactured these, but have yet to find an answer. 

To visit other blogs with examples of fencing go : HERE

Back in School

As some of you know, Tom and I have been taking fun courses at our local college. Texas Christian University. My first class this semester is on  journaling, and it seems like it is going to be a wonderful choice. Then I got to thinking about it. I barely find time to Blog...oh me, maybe I should have signed up for time management.

Journaling is supposed to be very beneficial for personal development, it enhances intuition, creativity, reduces stress, improves writing skills....and so on and so on.

So, I am going to give it a try. I will just have to give up sleeping....or maybe eating. No that is not going to happen.

Do you journal? Crazy question for all of my blogging friends. I think I know the answer..

It's Fall

It is Fall, or at least the calendar says so. I just heard though that on Wednesday it is supposed to be 90 degrees again, here in North Texas. That cool front we had, sure got me in the mood....for pumpkin pie, apple cider and pots of stew. sweaters and football.

I have even started trying to make the house look like Fall. You see I am hosting Thanksgiving Dinner for my family this year. As most of you know, I have four sisters in the area and we all get together on Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. We take turns hosting the celebration, and it is my turn. I haven't gotten the official count yet...but it will be around twenty.That includes spouses, kids and grand kids. None of our children will be in town though.

I have centerpieces for all three of the tables that will be set up.

I even put a few Fall things on the mantle under the T.V., because I feel sure a lot of my guests will be gazing in that direction.... watching football.Yes, we do turn it off while we eat...but it comes right back on again! If you celebrate Thanksgiving, what are your plans? I think Canada just had their celebration this week. ...and of course The Netherlands, Australia and England don't have such a holiday...or do you have something similar?

The Convertible

We have had  cool front arrive here in north Texas  this weekend,

and it is perfect weather to put your convertible top down. I spotted this cherry red mustang parked at a bakery where Tom and I go for coffee (and to split an amazing cinnamon roll).

 I always think of my youngest daughter when I see a convertible. She commented, when she was about five years old, that she wanted one of those cars with the lid off.

It also brought back another memory. I too had a Mustang. It was the first new car I ever purchased (all by myself). It was a 1967 Mustang GT Aspen Gold.

This is a better picture that I found online. I by the way would never buy such a car these days. Especially not a two door. This model was a stick shift with wide tires and it was probably more than I could handle. What was I thinking?

Do you remember your first car ?

Has It Really Been That Long?

Someone reminded me the other day that it has been fourteen years since my sisters and I helped restore the Conner Cemetery in Mississippi.It all began actually sixteen years ago, when I talked my husband into helping me find the location of my ancestors plantation in northern Mississippi. I won't go into the whole story, as some of you remember me blogging about it.

click on any photo to enlarge

What we did find was the small family cemetery that was on the plantation. I was heartsick though at it's condition. After returning to Texas, I couldn't get this picture out of my mind. The next day began a long two year effort to restore the cemetery, helped by two of my sisters and two very distant cousins that I  found online.

Fast forward.... Upon completion, it looked like this. You see, we sent out letters requesting donations, to every relative we knew, and a lot we didn't know....the later taking a bit of research. Several that we contacted denied they were kinfolks, but I conveniently had in my possession.. the family tree. 

Sadly, our donations fell short, so there was not enough money for the restoration. Although, the local chapter of The Sons of  Confederate Veterans got wind of what we were doing, and also discovered that one of their heroes, from the Civil War, was buried right there in our cemetery. I can document every single grave, all family members, but that guy is still a mystery. No one could figure out our connection to him, and why he was buried there. Didn't matter, he became our ace in the hole. The Sons of Confederate Veterans took on our project and raised money among themselves, to restore the entire cemetery. 

They even brought Civil War muskets to the dedication and fired them in salute.

So what did we do with the money we raised? We had the cemetery declared a Mississippi Historical Site. You see, you not only have to provide page after page of documentation, but must pay for the sign yourself. At that time the fee was $1,400.00

So, if ever find yourself in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Go to the public library and ask directions to our cemetery. It is a ways north of town, on a hill shaded by tall trees, surrounded by this barbed wire fence...and hopefully it is still in decent shape. 

To read more about  The Confederate Veterans go :HERE

Linking to Good Fences : HERE

Ribbet, ribbet

One of the guests we have had since we have been back in Texas is

a very special Princess. My granddaughter.... four year old Hannah. I was never very good at action shots, but it is hard to mess up that face. We have done a lot of fun things while she was here. Water coloring, The Children's Museum, a couple of playgrounds, helping me cook...and not to mention a lot of reading.

I think the most exciting thing though, was attending a live performance of the Broadway hit Frog and Toad with Hannah's little cousin Jack

I was amazed at how these these two and four year olds behaved.

They were mesmerized by the performance. Helped along by the fact that my sister Polly had gotten us front.row seats. I don't know about you, but I am enjoying experiencing life through the eyes of a little one.