It Was His Idea

It all began back in November with a seemingly innocent comment from my husband, John. It was during breakfast one Sunday morning that he said, "There's only one thing that could make this French toast even better and that's fresh eggs."

Now, this particular French toast had been lovingly prepared by John himself, using thick slices of my home-baked English muffin bread, and pure Irish butter made from grass-fed cows' milk. I agreed with him, because he was right—I never suspected a thing.

By the next week though, I began picking up tell-tale signs that John was in what I call his obsessive research mode. It seemed he was on the computer from the time he got home from work until the time he went to bed.

In our 31 years of marriage I've seen this behavior enough to know something was up, but I didn't know what. He kept it to himself for several days and then...there was more talk of fresh eggs...and I knew!

I knew we would be getting our very own chickens.

Please join John and me on my new blog—Poultry Palace and Gardens—and follow our adventures in backyard chicken keeping and gardening. This should be fun!

Dear Readers,
I know this announcement is coming out of the blue and that's because I originally thought I would blog about our chickens right here on Birdie Snaps, but after giving it careful thought, I believe it is better to give them their own space. Sometimes when a blog is about everything, it ends up being about nothing. I don't want that to happen. Narrowing the focus of my writing and photography will, I think, make for a better blog. We shall see. Blogging at Birdie Snaps has helped to remember to smile even when life gets tough. I intend to carry that with me to Poultry Palace and Gardens and to encourage all who visit me there.
Love to all,
Tracy

Three Things I Learned From Rose

Use both hands and your whole heart to create your own masterpieces.

Cooking can be fun if you use your imagination and wear the right outfit.

Learn a new skill and be proud of your accomplishment.

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas Wishes

We'll be leaving soon to visit family for Christmas. I can't promise I'll be able to post while we're traveling, so I want to take time now to wish you all a merry Christmas.

Until next time...may your days be merry and bright!

A Field Gone By

I don't know what this field looked like a few months ago...

when the plants were young and fresh. 

Though what is growing here is now faded and gone to seed, there is beauty...still.

You may have to slow down a little and take a closer look in order to fully appreciate its loveliness.

But if you do, you will be rewarded. I know I was.

December Wildflowers

You know me...I can't pass by a pretty flower without snapping a picture. I photographed these Indian blanket blossoms along the nature path across from the LCRA Nature Center in Matagorda. And yes, they really are blooming in December.

An Old Fashioned Christmas

The year was 1988. We lived in a farmhouse that was over 100 years old on Burnt Mills Road near North Branch, New Jersey. Our home was situated between two rivers and surrounded by farm fields.

Our landlord gave us permission to cut our Christmas tree from the nearby strip of woods. John and Robyn scouted the woods for the perfect tree. Matt and I joined them later.

Robyn was six years old—the perfect age for a tree cutting adventure.

Matt was only a little over six months old. It was a very cold day, below freezing, and I was concerned it was too cold for him. But, I bundled him up well and he did fine. I still have that wool hat he's wearing.

I remember how proud Robyn was to be bringing home a tree that we cut ourselves.

With a rope tied around the trunk, John dragged the tree through the field to our home. Robyn was his little helper.

When we got to our backyard, I took a picture of my favorite woodsman posing with the tree.

Then Robyn took a picture of the three of us.

And someone took a picture of Robyn.

We decorated our tree with colored lights, popcorn garland and cranberry garland that we strung ourselves, candy canes, and the ornaments we had collected so far.

I will always remember the fun we had the day we cut our Christmas tree—the old fashioned way.

Keeping It Simple

Christmas is just around the corner and I'm looking forward to it, though you probably couldn't tell if you walked into my house right now. 

We aren't having guests this year, so I'm keeping it simple—no tree, no lights, no fuss—just a few favorite things put out that make me happy, like this festive deer wearing a knitted scarf. 

I enjoy this occasional freedom from Christmas decorating. Do you put up a tree every year?

The Little Knitter That Could

Here's the plan: get busy knitting this yarn into two baby blankets for twins. The shower is in about six weeks. I think I can, I think I can, I think I can...

Smiling Down a Dirt Road

We went for a drive down Old Gulf Road in Matagorda, Texas, last week. 

It starts out paved, but changes to dirt soon after you cross the bridge.

I enjoyed the scenery—open fields and blue sky.

I kept a watch out for flowers and found some tiny yellow ones growing along the fencerow...

and an occasional pop of color from lantana blossoms. It was also on this road where I found the Cherokee rose.

As I took my flower pictures, I attracted the attention of one particular cow in the field. The rest of the herd ignored me completely, but this cow made sure to keep an eye on me the whole time.

It was these simple sights that had me smiling as we drove down a dirt road.

Cherokee Rose

I saw a pretty rose growing wild along the side of the road. Of course, I stopped to take some photos, but it wasn't until later that I learned about the Legend of the Cherokee Rose.

Cherokee tradition associates this rose with the Trail of Tears. Each part of the flower has a special meaning. 



The white petals represent the tears cried by the Cherokee mothers for their children on the long, hard journey.

The seven leaves on each stem symbolize the seven Cherokee clans.

And, the gold center stands for the gold taken from the Cherokee people.

In the legend, this beautiful flower became a source of hope, comfort, and strength. I will remember that whenever I see it blooming along the roadside.

Fishing Is an Exercise in Patience

Wait for the bite...be patient.

Feel the nibble...be patient some more...then set the hook and reel.

Show off your catch...be patient (with the photographer this time)...and smile.

Release the undersized fish...wait for a bigger one...be patient.

Just in case you're wondering, John caught one keeper-sized trout. We had to buy some freshly caught black drum at the store in town to have enough for a delicious fried fish dinner for two.

Happiness Is...

sunshine on a Saturday morning...

at Jetty Park in Matagorda...

taking photos of random things...

with no real plan in mind...

just snapping away...

observing nature...

and soaking in the sunshine.

Breaking Through the Clouds in Spectacular Fashion

Last week as I was cooking supper, I glanced out the kitchen window and saw a most amazing sunset! It was amazing because of the colors, for sure, but what excited me even more was the fact that there was actual light in the sky. We've been living with gray, cloudiness for so long that I probably would have been thrilled just as much with a less spectacular sunset. But, God sent this one, and my heart was filled with hope for sunny days to come.

Mmm...Fudge

'Tis the season for sweets! I'm giving myself permission to splurge a little during the holidays.

That's probably why I gave in when John wanted to purchase homemade fudge at Oliver Pecan Company when we were on our Texas Hill Country vacation. "We'll share it with the kids at Thanksgiving," he said. 

I resisted a little...and then I sampled some...and then I agreed to buy a pound of fudge—a whole pound. It's that good!

Our selections included (top to bottom):

Pumpkin (for Thanksgiving, of course), Maple Pecan (my favorite, because it's sweet, but not too sweet), Churro (a new flavor, unique and delicious), and Chocolate Pecan (because it's classic and oh, so creamy).

This is really some of the best fudge I've ever had. It's soft and creamy and delicious. Between the kids, John, and me, we managed to eat all of it in a week's time. 'Tis the season...