Missing

Do you get perplexed when bloggers just seem to disappear? Well I do. I have not been neglecting just my blog (which I count as an important part of my life) but also yours, which I truly enjoy.

It has just been a crazy few weeks. Had a daughter in Austin whose appendix...for no apparent reason..decided to rupture, and a daughter in Charlotte who gave birth a wee bit early to a sweet beautiful new granddaughter. I promise I will get back on track very soon. 

Tom and I are heading to secret get away where I intend to take a lot of pictures..this is a bit of a clue. Wanta guess?

A Friendly Texan

If you are on the road in Texas ...like I have been of late...and you see this friendly sight...you might consider stopping.

I know some of you detest big box stores...but to a traveler this is a welcome sight.

It is a mega gas station...and so much more.

Welcome to Buc-ees. (pronounced Bucky's). A gas station/convenience store started by two guys in south Texas that wanted to focus on cheap gas....cheap ice, and clean restrooms. Have you ever seen so many ice containers? Well there are just as many on the other side of the front door.After all this is TEXAS and it is hot here...we use a lot of ice.

There is even a bronze statue of Buc-ee for you to pose by...and a lot of folks do.

To say the place is large..is an understatement. There are gifts on both sides of the aisle as far as the eye can see.

You can also order food

which you do on the easy to use touch screens

and of course there is a barbecue station...like I said this is TEXAS. The food is actually good here. I high recommend the veggie wrap.

and then there are the super clean numerous restrooms where you can also purchase art

or a whimsical bird house.

and by all means pick up a little Buc-ee souvenir.

or a TEXAS sized one.

Promise me you will at least stop one time if you are ever rolling down the road in TEXAS...you may be surprised and decide you like this place..

They're Back

It was just this past Spring that the city tore up our street to install new water lines. Seems now they are putting in new curbs and gutters....followed who knows when by street re-paving. Mind you I am not complaining.

We have a sunny pleasant day at the moment, but a front is arriving later today bringing with it rain, ice and possible snow. Brrr!

Whatever Works

Apparently the money was raised

because there is more snow in the forecast.

Need Snow

                                                                 Photo credit unknown
 This is a story about a certain small mountain town (which will remain nameless) in need of snow. There is no ski resort  there, but the merchants  do rely on snow-mobilers coming to town and Texans who want to actually see snow. So, what's a town to do? This, by the way, is a current true story. Okay as true as it can be second hand.

  Artist unknown

 
 Leroy a town local,who is an aging pot smoking well meaning baby boomer hippie, has been going around collecting money. Seems he needs to raise $1200 to hire an Indian Native American Tribe to do a snow dance. It is rumored he has already been successful at collecting $900..

 Photo credit unknown

Meanwhile, a local congregation from one of the Christian churches decided to meet in the town park to pray for snow. While doing so Leroy showed up and he wasn't happy. He even exchanged some angry words with the parishioners. You see with only 345 registered voters in this town, even a small group of believers could cut into his donation pool.

By the way, it did snow that night. Sorry Leroy.....but it was only six inches and much more is needed. So if you know of any sure fire way to attract snow...I will happily pass it along.

It's Rodeo Time

This is the time of year to dust off your boots and put on your cowboy hat!

Yep, It's the annual Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo.

It is also the time that talented young artists submit their western themed art work to be judged...then auctioned off for scholarship money. Here are a few of the winners.

3rd Place
Artist age : 17

2nd place
artist 15 years

1st Place
age:17
(my favorite)

Reserve Champion
age 16

Grand Champion
age:15
I am always impressed with such talent at a young age. Which is your favorite?

Entertainment

I have mentioned before that Tom and I adore living "in the city" as opposed to a suburban area, which is where we raised our kids. Our new place sits only a little over a mile west of our town's Cultural Center, an area with numerous museums to explore.

photo credit unknown

This beautiful Art Deco building (The Will Rodgers Coliseum) sits in the Culture Center on eighty five areas. Built for the Texas Centennial in 1936 it houses many arenas for all kinds of equestrian events, attracting over two million visitors a year.

Recently, when we had guests passing through town and I was looking for some sort of entertainment ideas, I ran across a schedule for the cutting horse exhibition. It also said there was free admission....which my Tom loves. I don't know a lot about what cutting horses and the riders do, but apparently it is a skill needed by cowboys to isolate a steer from a herd.

In the competition the judges give the rider and horse two minutes to extract one chosen steer from a herd and direct it where they want him to go.

It was a bit amazing to me to watch the fancy footwork of the horse.

The next day I spotted a building nearby, with a sign indicating the the National Cutting Horse Assoc. is also here in Ft. Worth.

Meanwhile, back to the arena. This little cowpoke in front of us didn't find it quite as exciting as we did. :) 

 

A Good Start

Well, I guess making the new year great depends on no one but me. I am not one for resolutions, since I have made them in the past and before January passes they are only a flickering memory. So, I will try to be the best me I can be.

Kristen's fireplace

We started the new year by spending the afternoon at my niece's house, which is just north of Dallas. As many of you know, I have four sisters in the area and three niece's and let's not forget the one nephew. Anyway, I had mentioned that I had not seen niece Kristen's new house, which they have been in for over two years, so we got an invitation to her New Year's Dinner...

and wow! I did not exactly expect this!...and what a wonderful meal it was.

Looking now at my plate I am thinking it was pretty healthy.

Beef Tenderloin....okay maybe I needed a smaller serving

Spinach salad... with a healthy dressing

Green beans... with herb butter

Black Eyed Peas ..a must (see previous blog)

Cranberry Sauce...a holiday tradition...with yes sugar as a main ingredient

and fresh fruit...maybe too with a tad bit of sugar sprinkled on..

I did have ONE small glass of white wine. I skipped the bread, but I have to confess I didn't skip the chocolate mousse that followed.

In the new year I will try and cut back on carbs, and sugar 

Have healthy snacks

and watch my portion sizes.

I will not be analyzing my every meal (lucky you)

So, come back to see me!

Janey

 

Here We Go!

It's a new Year!

Hopefully we won't goof this one up, like this worker did.
I spotted these signs when leaving the gym this week.(yes, I am still going). I am not sure if the same guy put up both signs...but I had a good chuckle.

What are you plans this first day of the year?
We will watch the Rose Parade on T.V. this morning and then drive over north of Dallas to have a New Year's dinner at my niece"s house.
She said black eyed peas would be on the menu. Southerner's eat black eyed peas for good luck on New Years day. You can read about this custom here: HERE

Thanks for coming by and,

HAVE A WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!