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...

Flowers in 3-5 Weeks

My daughter, Robyn, gave me a paperwhite bulb kit as a gift. She said it's because she's not always here to give me flowers. She knows me well!

This is what was in the Trader Joe's kit:

One narcissus bulb, one compressed pellet of potting mix, a pretty ceramic pot, and planting instructions.

I was doubtful that one pellet would expand enough to plant the bulb in, but it did. When fluffed up, the potting mix filled the pot about a third of the way. 

I pressed the bulb into the potting mix, leaving the top portion exposed. As you can see this bulb had already begun to sprout before it was planted. Now all there is to do is place the pot in a sunny, warm location (I'm thinking the kitchen windowsill), keep the soil moist, and wait—flowers in 3-5 weeks.

I'll keep you posted.

Remembering Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was busy, crazy, and wonderful at our house. We ate too much, stayed up too late (for me, anyway), and squeezed in as much visiting as possible. 

There were plenty of hugs and kisses given to the grandchildren, but the one thing I didn't do enough of was take pictures. Myles and I attempted a photo session on his last day here.

We played ball in the hallway. I would roll it to him and he would roll it back. As you can see from his smile, we had a lot of fun. I guarantee you, my smile was just as big.

Stairs hold a great fascination for children. I promised Myles I'd teach him how to go up and down them the next time he comes for a visit. 

After all, it's best to focus on one big accomplishment at a time, and the big accomplishment this visit was learning to walk!

Myles took his first steps several weeks ago, but only just figured out while he was here that walking is a better way to get around than crawling. He's toddling all over the place now, always with his hands outstretched for balance. It's so cute! 

I smile every time I remember our time together at Thanksgiving.

Birdie's Little Helper

There was some good cooking going on in the kitchen yesterday.

Rose helped me with the pumpkin pie. I gave her a small piece of pie dough to play with. She rolled it, cut it, and cooked it...and then did it all over again...for over an hour. Every so often she asked me to take her picture. We had a lot of fun.

While our family is here visiting, I'll be taking a break from blogging. I hope you all have a very happy Thanksgiving!  See you sometime next week.

Beautiful Tower and View

The observation tower at Longhorn Cavern State Park is more elaborate than most I've seen. The building is made of native limestone and blends well into the picturesque setting.

I like the design detail in the windows of the stairwell leading to the top deck.

And, the views at the top are spectacular!

I couldn't help but notice the huge building in the distance. John said it looked like a castle and he was right. It's called Falkenstein Castle. As it turns out, this is one of three castles in the area!

I'm sort of amazed by that...and baffled at the same time.