Bluebonnet Festival

The weather was absolutely perfect last Saturday! We got up early and headed for Chappell Hill, Texas and the annual Bluebonnet Festival. Many vendors were still setting up when we arrived around 9:00 am so we did a 'walk thru' to see what was available. I'm always on the look out for something new and unique and was thrilled to find the most unique handmade pendants! They are called 'Shadowbox Pendants', made by a couple of gals who call themselves 'Back Yard Friends', from Montgomery, Texas. Each one is a small box crafted from metal and glass. Inside the boxes are small charms, such as crosses, stars, guitars ( my favorite ) etc, mounted on colorful paper backgrounds. An added plus: they are reversible! Mine has a guitar on one side and a tiny rhinestone star on the other. They are worn on a large 'ball' chain. I'll take a picture and post it soon. I love it!!!

My next purchase was a pack of cedar grilling planks and seasoning from http://www.southernmailboxman.com/. My next stop was at Pepper Belly's pepperbellystx@aol.com where I bought Dirty Jalapeno Olive relish, Texas Candied Jalapenos and Italian Bruschetta. The relish and Jalapenos are delicious mixed into cream cheese and sour cream, served with chips or crackers. Also found a neat little plant stand for the front porch. And of course, it is tradition to buy two bags of Aggie Kettle corn...YUM!

After lunch at Almost Heaven Cafe in Brenham, we went to The Antique Rose Emporium in Independence. I bought a few pots of herbs and found a big pot of Yarrow. I love this frilly, fern like herb, with its delicate flowers. It's a medicinal herb, not for cooking, just enjoying. From there we stopped and took a few Bluebonnet pictures before visiting the Windy Hill Winery http://www.windyhillwinery.net/. After tasting several vitis, I chose the Yellow Rose and Brazos Red.

It was getting a little late in the day but we decided to make a quick stop at Martha's Bloomers in Navasota. http://www.marthasbloomers.com/ before heading home. Although we didn't find anything we just had to have, it is a fun place to visit...lots of plants and garden accessories.

While I was traipsing around shopping and cavorting in the Bluebonnets, my Special Someone, aka Mr. B was riding in the MS 150 bicycle marathon. He gave me a quick call when he made a pit stop along the way. A strong headwind slowed things a bit but bless his heart...he made it to La Grange Saturday night.

They were on the road to Austin by 7:00 am Sunday morning. Long story short, he finished! What a guy!

All in all it was a wonderful day, ya'll!

Making Memories

It's been over a month since I've written a word. I guess that's a good thing, though. I'm finally 'getting a life'...well, besides work, I mean! Let's just say that the Special Someone from Valentine's Day has become even more special. I'll leave it at that before I get all carried away.

Daughter and her family were in from Florida all last week. Baby Jackson is such a miracle! He is the picture of health and cute as can be. The girls are growing up so fast! Elvis loves all the excitement but it makes Presley nervous. He follows me around and whines like a baby the entire time! Anyway, back to the kids, Terri and Jack are amazing parents. I am so proud of the way they are raising their children. We met Mr. Special Someone for lunch one day and a good time was had by all.

I spent Easter with son Darrell and his family. We dyed eggs and did the Easter basket thing. The weather turned cool, cloudy and windy on Sunday. Payton was sick with a cold so we stayed inside and didn't do the Easter Egg Hunt. Jacob and Jared didn't seem to mind. They ate candy and played with the Blooney stuff I put in their baskets. It comes in little tubes with straws and you put a gob on the straw and blow it up into bubbles. My kids used to love that stuff!

I was in College Station this past weekend. The Bluebonnets and other assorted wild flowers were in full bloom all along 290 and Highway 6. It was a short overnight trip but it was nice to get out of the city for a while. I couldn't believe all the new restaurants and shops along University Blvd. We went to TGI Friday's for dinner and later rode around checking things out. We decided not to meet the others later for drinks. I had the sniffles and was ready to kick back for the night.

I'll be back in that direction this coming weekend for The Bluebonnet Festival in Chappell Hill. My gal friend and I went last year and the weather was terrible so we decided to give it another shot this year. The weather guy is predicting sunshine and mild temps this weekend....I hope he's right, for once! That will be good for the riders in the MS 150 too. They head out for Austin Saturday morning.

I stayed in all day today, recovering from all the activity of the past few weeks. My cold is better, but I needed the R & R. I did work on tax stuff some, but other than that, I took the day off. It's back to the World of Hair tomorrow and I'm booked solid...just the way I like it!

That's what I'm all about these days...making memories with those I love and enjoying life.

Ciao for now, Ya'll!