Morning Glories In Round Rock

The Weather Outside Is Frightful

2011-09-08T15:16:00.000-07:00

Since I have nothing to post except expanses of dead plants, I have been looking back on old pictures. This one of a rare snow caught my fancy. I love to watch movies set in winter during the summer. It soothes my soul like eating a bowl of ice cream cools me. Doing both at the same time is even better! ;-)

Tuesday we were greeted by cooler weather. No rain, but lots of wind, which has been disastrous for the fire fighting efforts that have been going on for so long now. The last I heard, over 1200 homes have been destroyed, along with countless thousands of acres. We are actively helping gather and distribute food and supplies to those who are homeless now. My heart goes out to them and all the brave fire fighters and emergency workers. They have all been without adequate sleep for so long. We keep asking ourselves how long can this go on, but the fires refuse to be satisfied, consuming everything in it's path. Whole towns are being destroyed. They are telling us this is the worst drought since 1854. Water restrictions are mandatory now, and with no rain in sight, we are all wondering how much longer we can go with the lake levels so low. Everyone is praying for rain. It is hard to understand the "why" of things sometimes. But I do know that the land and all of the wild things are crying out for rain. I would like to ask, if you care to, that you join us in lifting up prayers to God to send us rain to quench the fires and refresh us.

A Fairy Tale

2011-08-09T18:22:00.000-07:00

By Loudon

Once upon a time

there was a bad guy robot.

I swooped down

and bonked him on the head.

Phew! Phew! Phew!

(lots of spitting, explosion noises)

and he exploded into a billion pieces.

The End

These days, Loudon is obsessed with pirates. He eats, sleeps, and dreams about pirates. For those of you in the know, he is a Pirate Who Doesn't Do Anything...a Veggie Tale Pirate. He is busy planning his birthday party coming up in October. It will be, of course, a pirate party. I have been on the look out for a wooden box to make into a treasure chest for his birthday present. So far, I haven't found exactly what I want...and I still have to find some treasure booty to put in it.

Watermelons and Wonderings

2011-07-28T18:41:00.000-07:00

It's so hot,our biggest form of entertainment is eating watermelon...and having seed spitting contests.

Charley has a very competitive side, and takes her seed spitting very seriously.

That must be why...

She has won in her division two years in a row.

I am sorry I haven't been around for the past few months. I have been dealing with health issues, and just didn't have the energy to blog.

Even after I started feeling better, I just felt stuck. Even when I would think I had an idea of what I wanted to say,

When faced with a blank page, my mind would go blank as well. I have thought about shutting my blog down, but something would stop me--probably just more indecision. But I have decided I must make a decision to either get back to blogging, or shut it down. I hope that everyone is well, and thank you to all who have checked in periodically with me.

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-23T21:52:00.000-08:00

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Loudon is very much in the spirit of Christmas these days. He will go through the house with his sack looking for presents to give everyone. He gave me his dirty socks. Ummmm, thanks!

I have been absent for much of December is seems. I have been ill again. Bronchitis again with a nasty sinus infection. Both eyes and ears were infected, causing my eardrums to both rupture. My balance has been greatly affected and I look like a drunken sailor lurching about trying to get from point A to point B in the most haphazard method. I am relating to poor little Frisky quite well, and if my ears don't clear up soon everyone will start calling me Sidewinder II. My eyes were swollen shut with pink eye, leaving me almost totally blind. What a sight I must have been lurching about running into walls because I couldn't see them. Not able to read or listen to TV or music has made me a very cranky Grammy. All I could do was lie in bed and think about all the things that I needed to get done for Christmas. This has been such an unusual holiday season. I have been making my lists and unchecking them. I have not sent out Christmas cards this year--a first in 30 years! Holiday baking and candy making--uncheck. Gifts for family, friends, and service providers--uncheck. Hubby has been wonderful taking care of me. Driving me to the doctor, making sure anything I needed was there. Buying presents for the grandchildren--really the only ones that can't be forgotten. Daughters have taken over the planning and cooking for the holidays. They will be coming over early Christmas morning to begin preparations for our feast. Everything else has been scaled back, and I am wondering if this isn't a good thing. I have always felt that family and friends were the most important thing--but I am getting that lesson first hand. It is so much easier to do for others, but infinitely harder to let everyone do EVERYTHING for you!

To add insult to injury. My computers were both hijacked two weeks ago. A quick trip to the 'puter doctor and hundreds of dollars later I am here to tell you--backup your photos! I lost everything on my laptop and that is where I kept most of my pictures. Thankfully, I have found most of them on two different websites that I use for photos. My son has promised to look at my computer and see if he can't recover them. I always meant to back them up--I knew I needed to, I just kept putting it off. I am here to tell you, don't wait if you haven't either--do it today!

Things are looking up! Even though I still can't hear, I can see again, and the room only spins occasionally now. I don't have to cook or clean up for Christmas, and Mom will be coming at noon on Christmas day to spend a good portion of the winter with us. I have three very attentive nursemaids. Bo must be forced to leave my side to go potty and eat. Although the cats, Tucker and Keifer aren't quite that faithful. at least one and often both are either draped across my feet or stretched lengthwise down my body keeping me warm and cozy.

I do hope that this Christmas finds you with the time to reflect on all the blessings in your life, and that you, as I, find your cup overflowing.

Merry Christmas!
Jenny AKA Morning Glories in Round Rock

Happy Thanksgiving

2010-11-23T20:55:00.000-08:00

Just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Sorry I have been so quiet lately. I have been sick for over a month. First with a virus, then bronchitis, and last but not least, pneumonia. I think I am finally on the road to recovery, but do think my gardening is over until next year. I left the garden in quite a mess, with lots of projects half started. I am sure it will all be there waiting for me when I am ready to get back out again.

Presenting…

2010-10-13T20:59:00.001-07:00

Gibson Cole

7 lbs. 8 oz.

September 28, 2010

There’s A Fungus Among Us

2010-09-27T18:22:00.001-07:00

Since the heavy rainfalls we got with Tropical Storm Hermine, we have had muggy weather with fungi popping up everywhere.

This fungus was on the Granddaddy Live Oak that is host to many life forms

And these are growing like dandelions in the grass.

I often say, our summers are like winter is to those living further north.

I often feel I am hibernating all summer waiting for cooler weather to come alive and go outside again.

I think Mother Nature is of the same mind.

Not only are Toadstools popping out…

The Redbuds are blooming.

As are the Crabapple trees! Is it Spring already? Did I sleep all winter, to awaken in Spring? I shudder to think that is so! That would mean having to survive another summer without the restorative nature of Fall and Winter. I think we have confused trees.

We had our first cool front of the season blow in this weekend Sunday. But first we celebrated Loudon’s third birthday a little early.

His momma was afraid she would not be able to juggle having a baby and giving Loudon the birthday celebration he deserved, so the party came early this year.

Loudon didn’t care. It’s all about the cake and piñata when you are 3.

A Disturbance In The Force

2010-09-07T08:30:00.001-07:00

…a tropical disturbance, that is. Tropical Storm Hermine is dumping several inches of rain on us right now. Loudon is taking advantage of the rain, soaking up as much as he can, just like all the plants. Remember catching raindrops in your mouth? It must be instinctive, because no one had to tell him about it. I think I will go join in his dance. :-)

A Break In The Weather

2010-08-28T15:37:00.001-07:00

This week has been unbearably hot in the garden. Temperatures have hovered around 107. It has given me a headache and made me cranky.

Even though, I found a mailbox to store my hand tools in. It came complete with real fake flowers, which I promptly took out. It began life in a school as a Suggestion Box. It still had letters to the teacher in it: Mrs. Ledbetter*, I love you. Mrs. Ledbetter, you have beautiful hair. Mrs. Ledbetter, you are my favorite teacher. Mrs. Ledbetter, I don’t want to go to first grade because I will miss you too much. Charley was quite upset that Mrs. Ledbetter did not keep her love letters.

*Mrs. Ledbetter’s name has been changed to protect her privacy.

What would I do without Zinnias? They are just about all that is surviving the heat!

The Garlic Chives are bursting from their papery buds. Mid week saw a slight change in our weather pattern. High temps have been 98-97, with very pleasant early mornings and late evenings. It’s funny how subjective heat is. A few months ago, I would be sweltering at 98 degrees, but after days and days of triple digit temperatures, suddenly 98 seems almost a breath of fresh air! Sadly, we didn’t get any of the scattered showers the weatherman was promising, but other parts of Austin did.

The Morning Glories are stretching their blossomed heads to heaven.

Now that the temperatures have cooled slightly, I am seeing all that is growing and blooming in my garden.

The birds have almost stripped all the juicy berries of the Poke Salat.

The roses don’t seem to mind the heat.

But the Morning Glory leaves are looking fairly leathery and bleached out.

This morning as I gardened—yes, actually gardened, I looked up and saw the moon hanging onto it’s spot in the day-time sky.

Eutin is still putting out blooms.

As are the Four O'clocks.

The cats and I are enjoying watching the birds from our cool spot in the family room. Even thought the weather seems cooler at 98 degrees, it’s still too hot mid-day to be out for very long. I am enjoying reading some of your blogs telling me that the feel of Fall is in the air. It may be another month for us, but it gives me hope that cooler weather is coming.

Finding Their Wings

2010-08-09T20:53:00.001-07:00

Three years ago, my daughter came with her two precious girls to live with us. She was broken in spirit and body. I can’t in all honesty say these past three years have been easy. The girls all have been suffering from various degrees of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, as well as other problems. But, I would not have traded this time for anything in this world.

I have watched my daughter struggle to heal and find herself once more. I am so proud of her patience and protectiveness she shows for her daughters. She has gone from cleaning buildings to survive, to getting her teacher’s certificate and special training in teaching children with Autism.

I have watched as she paid off bad debts that she did not incur. I have watched with pride as she has fought to get her girls the kind of help that they needed—and continue to need.

Now I am watching as all three fly the nest to be on their own. As a parent, one of the greatest gifts we can give our children, is that of independence. Watching them fly strong and sure is our greatest joy…

I won’t let them see my tears as they move in their own direction. I won’t complain about the quiet house, or how neat and clean it will stay now. I want them to fly without a backward glance to make them falter.

Charley’s Note From Camp

2010-07-22T18:05:00.001-07:00

Dear Grammy,

Can you plees feed Bubbles 8 pellets EACH DAY?

He needs to be fed today. Also, make sure to give Special K some extra love.

LOVE YOU LIKE CRAZY,

~~CHARLOTTE~~

Charley

p.s. Frisky is Special K

p.s.s. Make sure to spend lots of time with Scratcher

p.s.s.s. Love you!

p.s.s.s.s. Popuh, don’t sing the ‘Little Fishes’ without me.

p.s.s.s.s.s. SQUIRRELS!

p.s.s.s.s.s.s. Bye!

As you can see, Charley loves to use exclamation points as much as I do! This is her first time away at camp so we are anxious to find out how she has done. What ten year old girl doesn’t love horses—especially a little “Tom-boy” like Charley. We haven’t gotten to talk to her all week, and can’t wait for her to come home so that we can learn how she is, and if she liked camp.

p.s. In case you didn’t figure it out, Bubbles is Charley’s pet fish.

Where The Buffalo Roam

2010-07-20T10:33:00.001-07:00

No, not the real thing. But, if you squinch your eyes…

and ignore the reminders of modern day…

You can almost feel like you have been transported back to the days when the prairies were alive and well, and the buffalo did roam where ever they wanted.

And Native Americans lived in harmony with nature.

These metal sculptures were found at a rest stop in the southern edge of Iowa just before we passed into Missouri.

The Taste and Smell of Summer

2010-07-15T23:11:00.001-07:00

The summer is flying by. We are just getting back from our annual two week trek up to the north country. The week before that, we were busy with VBS. As soon as it was over, we packed our bags. Tucker and Kiefer tried to stow away in our bags, while Bo looked on with his face getting longer and longer. He was so morose by the time we left, we always get a case of the guilts for leaving him. Charley promised to let him sleep with her while we were gone.

We had a lovely time. First at the family reunion in Branson, Missouri, and then on to my mother’s in Illinois. We ate, and played. Shopped and antiqued, and lost track of time. We took our time going home, antiquing all the way home. We stayed at our favorite B&B in Kansas City and visited all our favorite antique shops and found some new ones. But, it’s good to be home. I missed our fur-babies and grand-kids terribly, not to mention the garden. By the time we got back from vacation, the daylilies were done. The garden looks like a jungle, and the temperature is nearing triple digits—so it will have to stay a jungle awhile longer.

Now the girls are getting ready for their camps. Charley to horseback riding camp with her best friend Sam. Libby with her best friend Becca to a beautiful camp in the mountains.

Summer is in full-swing. Lemonade stands and watermelon feasts. Pesto making parties and ice cream socials. Early morning gardening and Saturday afternoons is a cool dark movie theatre. What are you doing to celebrate the summer?

Sights and Sounds of Summer

2010-07-12T21:56:00.001-07:00

Not only did Charley and her friend Sam make over twenty dollars at their lemonade stand, I had to make an emergency run to the store to replenish their supplies. They had people waiting for a cold glass of lemonade!

Flower?

2010-06-04T11:20:00.001-07:00

Nope! Flour!

Time Keeps On Slippin Into The Future

2010-05-29T19:57:00.001-07:00

Thankfully, I took these photos last weekend while the lilies were still at their best. I just love the way the pollen is sprinkled so liberally like gold powder on the white petals, even though my allergies aren’t quite so thrilled.

I have been so wrapped up in trying to save a fledging blue jay, I haven’t given a thought to taking pictures or blogging.

In spite of the advise from the wonderful volunteers at the Williamson County Wildlife Rehabilitators, our efforts were fruitless, and Jay died Thursday. Hubby was very helpful, and buried him for me. Sometimes it seems as though it is a miracle that any birds make it to adulthood with all the dangers and predators they must be wary of.

Charley was especially upset when she came home from school Thursday and found out the sad news. She would check on his condition before getting a snack, which gives an indication how serious she was taking his care. She, also was the one who named the bird Jay.

Can anyone identify this flower? It looks as though it could have been in a Dr. Seuss drawing. That’s the problem with buying a flower mix—you never know what you are going to get! I’ve gone through all the listed flowers, but this doesn’t match any of the ones listed.

I have begun preparations for Memorial Day. The house is promising to be full of family and friends, which is just the way I like it. I have decided on a very traditional cook-out to kick off the beginning of Summer. We have a number of vegetarians as well as meat-eaters, so I will have lots of salads and side dishes for those that can’t eat hot dogs and hamburgers. We will be celebrating Hubby’s birthday that will actually be NEXT Sunday. So, I am planning a special cake with lemon curd , cream cheese, and fresh blueberries, as well as homemade ice cream for the little ones.

When I was young, we would have picnics Memorial Day and the 4th of July at the Rock Island Arsenal where my grandfather worked . I loved watching the peacocks that strutted all over the island and climbing on the cannons that were on display from the Civil War. We also walked through all the graves at the cemetery reading the names and dates of those that died for their country. The day would always end with a fireworks display.

Speaking of little ones, I don’t think I have told you that we are expecting another grandchild in October. Little Loudon is going to be a big brother! He is not quite sure he is happy about this change of events, and I am sure he will be less so when his little brother comes. He is due on Loudon’s birthday, and it will be quite exciting for all of us (except possibly Loudon).

I hope that whatever your plans are, you have a wonderful day, and you find yourself safe and happy, filled with good food and fellowship.

May Flowers

2010-05-20T15:10:00.001-07:00

We seem to be having May showers to go along with our May flowers…and May wind…and May heat. It seems to be consistently 10 degrees warmer this Spring than last year.

The bees are so busy collecting pollen. Although my camera isn’t fast enough, I will see 3 or 4 bees working one flower.

Even though I try to have a white garden in the front of the house, behind the garden gate is a riot of color. I occasionally will pair complementary colors together, but usually, I just throw them together to see what works.

I had an art professor in college that was fond of saying, there are no mistakes in art, only happy accidents. I guess I took her philosophy to heart because I have never forgotten it.

The poppies are still going strong, and the bees are loving them. They look as though they are in pure ecstasy as they burrow their little bodies amongst the stamens gleaning every bit of pollen they can hold.

Every time I look at the lovely larkspurs, I think of MSS at Zanthan Garden, who was so generous with seeds last fall when we met for the first time to tour the San Antonio Botanical Gardens.

Could this be PPPP?

Poke Salad

2010-05-18T08:47:00.001-07:00

Phytolacca americana

Also known as Poke Plant, Pokeberry, Poke Salat, Inkberry, Polk Bush, and Poke Root.

The greenish white flower stalks develop into purple berries. Many species of birds are attracted to the berries. Although they are poisonous to humans, horses, swine, and cattle, birds can eat them without any ill effects.

Native Americans used the berries for dye, and introduced it to early settlers. The early American settlers used the berries for ink as well as dye. The Declaration of Independence is said to be written with fermented Pokeberry ink.

All parts of the plant are considered poisonous and much effort has been taken to warn people of the danger of eating poke salad. Although it is not as popular a food source as it once was, interest in it persists.

Writer - Windows Live

In the spring, the tender shoots are picked. They must be boiled for 5 minutes, drained, then boiled again to remove toxic properties. The greens can then be finished off in an iron skillet with bacon drippings, salt, and pepper. Sometimes eggs and/or cornmeal may be added. One half cup of the greens contain 35 calories, 3 grams of dietary fiber, 90% of the daily requirements of Vitamin A, 60% of Vitamin C, 8% Calcium, and 6% Iron.*

*nutritional information was taken from www.wildpantry.com

Spring Travels and Travails

2010-04-28T20:30:00.000-07:00

Can you find the owl in this picture? I found this little guy setting up house in a tree in the backyard.

We were getting ready to leave for our annual trip to Arkansas to see Hubby's family.
It's always hard to leave when the garden is busy, but more so in the Spring when it is just waking. I was afraid I would miss so many things that were ripe with buds ready to burst forth.

The Indian Paintbrush was just starting to unfurl.

As was this shy little cosmos.

But, oh my! Everything was awash in blossom and color when we reached our destination.

Can anyone tell me--is this cross vine?

I would kill for this Clematis--and my Sister-in-Law didn't know she had it!

Can you see the sweet little freckles on this azalea?

Their backyard was a paradise for all the birds, rabbits, and raccoons that I saw.

...and squirrels...

Nephew was very proficient in the science of the center of mass.

We had such a lovely restful time visiting family, but it was good to get home and see what had been going on in the garden ...and at home.

While things were popping outside, things were not so happy inside. Before we left for Arkansas, we started having Internet connection problems. We had a technician come out to fix it, so Hubby thought he would hit the ground running as soon as we were home since he had so many unproductive days before we left due to the problems getting online.

Not so! Even though the company had left a message that the problem had been fixed, we still couldn't get online.

Technician #2 to the rescue...he found the problem was a split in the connection outside." We'll get right to it"...Days later, Hubby calls to find out why we still can't get online. Company said they had no history of any work being done--or for that matter, a problem being reported!

ARRRRRGGGGGG!!!

Bring in Technician #3. "Yup, ya got a split in yer connection. We're gonna have to tear up the street in front of yer house, but first we gotta get 10 thousand work permits from the city before we can even begin to tear up the street."

Okay, okay, I'm exaggerating... it's probably only one thousand work permits. But, that is where we stand right now. Waiting for the work permits, still have spotty Internet connection, and one very frustrated Hubby.

I think I'll go out in the garden and get my hands dirty.

Is it too late to give the roses a little compost before I put down some mulch?

The Iris have put on a spectacular show this year--but they are just about done. Do I need to dead head them, or leave them like I do the Daffs?

There are so many things that need to be done in the garden now, I think it's a good thing I can't get online often.

The Crossing on Chisholm Trail

2010-04-13T17:04:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, the weather was too beautiful to stay home, so Loudon and I went to Sprouts to get a snack for a picnic in the park, and then to the Chisholm Trail Park.

Eeeee-haw! Ride 'em, cowboy!

Git along little dogie.

Oooooo, DIRT!

Even better--a stick to whack everything!

Snack time!

On to the waterfall, downstream from the low-water crossing.

This old turtle knew how to enjoy a warm Spring morning.

Woah! They sure were big back in the old days!

Spring-time in Texas

April Fool

2010-04-08T14:19:00.001-07:00

I am a fool for April. The weather has been gorgeous. We have had a cool front come in. The weather is cool, the sky is clear blue, the birds are singing, and I find myself either sitting with my eyes closed and just feeling, or lying back on the newly emerging grass gazing up at that sky. I am just loving being out in the garden.

Baby Blue Eyes are still going strong.

The ruffled tulips bloomed just in time for Easter.

Hmmmmm, looks like Bocephus and I are enjoying the day much the same.

We left for Houston on Friday for the weekend. After dinner we walked through the park to our hotel, and caught an amazing fireworks display. I was standing in front of a refection pool. You can see the lights reflecting in the water.

This was an interactive sculpture in the park. You sit in the seat and whisper

...to the person sitting in the other one. The pictures were blurred because I was laughing so hard as I took these pictures.

The Glads given to me by Nola from Alamo North are in bloom.

We saw precious few Bluebonnets on our trip to Houston this year. I have to look to my own garden for any pictures this year. Click here: http://round-rock-morning-glories.blogspot.com/2009/04/bluebonnets.html to see last years Bluebonnet pictures. So sad that the drought has caused the bluebonnet fields to decline, but that's easily fixed with Bluebonnet seeds from the Wildseed Farm.

Senorita Rosarita Cleome

Isn't she a beauty? She (or one like her) was tested by Pam over at Digging last year. The Austin Bloggers Group are so good about passing on information. When I got the email that Home Depot had them in stock, I wasted no time getting one for myself. I chose one with lots of buds, but few blooms and it is already blooming away--happy to be out of that pot, I am sure!

Double Duty

2010-03-26T19:38:00.000-07:00

I am having to do double duty this week. I meant to post blooms from last week, but will have to combine them with this week. The weeks are getting away from me...sigh...

This pink Daff is a beauty, but I had to lay on the ground to get a photo.

I am monitoring the tulips daily now--they are ready to pop!

The double Daff blooms are so heavy they need to be staked.

I know this doesn't look like much, but it is the first time the Forsythia has bloomed. I told it last year, if it didn't bloom this Spring, I was taking it out. It must have been listening.

Not a bloom, but handsome none the less! At 10, Scratcher is the "old man" with a somewhat grouchy but loving attitude.

And this silly boy is Frisky. He has recovered from his run-in with the rattlesnake. I call him Sidewinder sometimes. Not only because of his unfortunate rendezvous
with the snake, but because it has permanently damaged his balance, and he walks sideways. Not always the sharpest knife in the drawer, he is still one of the sweetest, most loving cats I know.

Also not a bloom, but a heart shaped rock I dug up. It may not look that big, but when digging, it feels like a boulder!

So lovely

Like hot buttered popcorn, the Lady Banks rosettes are popping out all over. I think it was Jan of Thanks for Today, that said she would like to be able to time sequence photo blooms. It certainly would be fun to watch the Lady Banks pop, pop, pop with blossoms galore.

The Redbuds are just beautiful. I have three mature ones in my garden, and I am planting another this Spring.

Another Redbud in another gorgeous Spring sky.

These darlings look like sisters on Easter morning, nodding their prim little heads as they pass by all in a row in their Easter bonnets. Do you remember Easter bonnets? I remember getting a hat, purse, gloves, and shoes with lacy socks to go with my Easter dress and coat. Ah, those were the days.

I believe these are Baby Blue Eyes (Nemophilia menziesii). I bought a bag of Texas/Oklahoma wildflower mix from the Wildseed Farms when I visited last Spring, and these flower are from that mix. These are the first flowers that have bloomed this Spring.

The Crabapple trees where beautiful this year. This shot is from last week. The blooms are already gone, and the tree leafed out now.

The Church At Summers Mill

2010-03-14T20:34:00.000-07:00

I had such an overwhelming response to show the stained glass from the little chapel at Summers Mill where I went to retreat last week. Okay, okay, so one person mentioned it would have been nice if I had posted pictures of them (Hi Wendy at www.changeswithseason.blogspot.com). Although I had wanted to do a post on what is blooming at Morning Glories in Round Rock, the batteries have died in my camera, curtailing my picture taking for awhile.

If you remember, this is the sweet little country church at Summers Mill.

There were three windows on each side of the church, with three different designs. The Ten Commandments...

The Lamb

A Dove

I'm afraid the window of Jesus didn't show up as well, but the sun was coming in that window. My pictures don't do justice to the quiet peacefulness of this little country church. The windows were so vivid and colorful, they glowed.

I hope you have a wonderfully peaceful week...I know I won't--our kids are out of school for Spring Break, and we will be adjusting to the time change from Daylight Savings time. I don't understand why we have it, no one likes it, and for the life of me, I can't figure out how it gives us an extra hour of daylight.

Summers Mill

2010-03-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

This past weekend was spent at Summers Mill Retreat in Salado, Texas. Salado is an old town that is located about half an hour north of Austin. It has become an art and antique center--a perfect weekend get-away. Below is one of the cabins available to stay in.

This sweet little church had beautiful stained glass, and a German history.

There were many places to stop and sit and enjoy nature.

Although, it says it is an ostrich farm on the sign out front, I only saw one, who seemed rather lonely to me.

I found myself sitting in a rocking chair on the porch gazing up at the huge live oaks.

I thought this fence was whimsical and fun.

Our time at Summers Mill was over before we knew it. I felt I was just beginning to relax when it was time to leave, and I look forward to going again someday.

SNOW!

2010-02-24T14:03:00.001-08:00

Exciting times in Round Rock! Yesterday we received between 2 and 3 inches of snow.

It started off as sleet, which woke me, pelting my bedroom window.

It turned to big fat flakes that looked like little snowballs falling from the sky. Then, it would stop, and snow a fine dry snow. It alternated all throughout the day. I would have loved to have spent the day curled up with a book and a mug of tea in front of the fire. But I spent much of the morning taking granddaughters to school, picking Charley up early with an upset tummy, and then picking up Libby when they made the decision to close the schools early because of the weather.

It hovered above freezing for much of the day, so as soon as it hit the pavement, it would melt. The girls were still able to make a very nice sized snowman. Yes, I let Charley go out to play in the snow even though she had a tummy ache. When you only get a snow once every few years, you must make allowances!