Christmas Coffee

How cool...uh, cold...is this! We love to have coffee on our deck each morning. This morning we were in Dallas and got to have coffee in the snow in Dijea's back yard. This is my first ever White Christmas! This is the first white Christmas in Dallas in 80 years. How cool is this!

Riding the Rio

Christmas is magical in San Antonio. The trees that line the Riverwalk are strung with thousands of colored lights. No better time to ride the riverboats than at Christmas time. I have to do it every year. Last week our son and his wife joined us. Weather was just cold enough to make it feel like Christmas.

The Importance of Saving

Who knew when I stored that 8mm film in the box 45 years ago that I'd someday have a computer that would let me transform it into something as portable as a you tube video. Slicing and dicing, packaging and applying sound is a learning process. This was an afternoon project, but I'm ready to share it with family.

I love my new computer!

When Old Is New

I recently open a box that had been sealed for 25 years.  In it was some 8mm film taken 45 years ago.  Got it digitized and worked it into this film, my first You Tube upload.  It's only important to family members.  To me, it is a real treasure.

Ghost of Halloween Past

Simple Joys

Pumpkins make me happy!  Whatever the color... whatever the shape... in their presence I seem to smile broader and step lighter.

I'm betting anyone who goes to the Dallas Arboretum where pumpkins line the walks, decorate the landscapes and become the building blocks of a playhouse will feel happier in their presence.

Just stopping to pick out a pumpkin in a farmer's market or at Methodist Church provides a lift.  So many to choose from, so little time.  (Click on the link for a movie)

She Loves Me

How do I know she loves me?...


This absolutely delicious, labor-intensive, homemade birthday cake delivered to my kitchen table is confirmation.

Thank you, my dear friend.

Progression

Are You Packing Lunches?

Back to school means searching for lunchbox ideas. I've discover a great one...Oatmeal Crips from Fredericksburg's own Rebecca Rather, author of The Pastry Queen. Quick, easy and delicious homemade energy bars. Wrap up and keep in freezer for 3 weeks...if you can get them to last that long.

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1/2 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar
• 1 T light corn syrup
• 2 cups rolled oats
• 1 t baking powder
• 1/4 t salt
• 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Melt butter, brown sugar and corn syrup in a pan a cook until sugar is smooth (2 to 3 minutes). Stir into other ingredients. Press firmly into 9 x 13 pan and bake for 20 to 25 min in a 350 degree oven. Cool for 20 minutes then cut into bars.Think of the possibilities with various nuts, chocolate chips and dried fruit added in.

The Broken Bird

One of the few great things of this incredibly hot and dry summer has been birds. We put up a finch feeder for the the first time, and dozens came. They are the lesser finches...tiny little things flocking to the feeding sacks in large groups. Our early mornings on the deck with coffee is enhanced as we watch their morning rituals. They don't even mind the hummingbirds whizzing pass to get to their feeder.

Lately, we've observed a bird which tries to eat on the wing. She seems to struggle so hard to get feed, but quickly turns away. For some reason, Walt decided to leave some feed sitting atop the railing just under the hanging feeder. Soon, a tiny bird was resting peacefully...feeding. We continue to leave feed in this way, and the little bird continues to come.

I've had a chance to watch her in my binoculars. Her body rests on the railing...no legs are seen. Walt, who possesses an eagle eye, tells me she has a club foot, or, a foot that has been damaged. It obviously prevents her from grabbing hold of the mesh to feed.

I'm amazed that she survives. We'll continue to make sure her food is there, but what lies ahead is less certain than for the rest of the little birds. Still, she greets each day with hope, and probably with more appreciation than the others.

I Looked Really Good

Boy, you better believe it! How did this happen? I got behind the wheel of a silver Thunderbird. Yes! That'll do it. Takes 10 years off you. I found a 2004 model on the lot near my house. I am seriously considering this toy. Everything is acceptable about it. Now, do I have the courage to do the stupid?

Toyota Fun

We make the Toyota Tundra trucks here in San Antonio. It was a big deal when our city landed the plant. Recently, the plant started giving public tours of the facility. We took two of our grandsons and their parents on one of these tours last Friday. What a pristine factory! I was quite impressed and had a great time. Make a reservation and go. It's a great outing.

Best New Idea

Austin Kleon, poet. I met him this morning when he was feathered on the Texas Country Reporter. He has the most clever idea that any English teacher could parlay into an exciting teaching episode to engage all students. Meanwhile, it looks like so much fun, I'm going to try it myself. How about you?

Last Day

The Texas sun dimmed a bit yesterday when I put my sister on the plane to return to her home in New Zealand. It was 100 degrees in the shade of our mother's porch, and she was headed back to the winter and freezing temps.
Her Texas family and friends will have to get used to missing her all over again. She is such a love.

JAWS in May

It's always great fun to gather in friendship, and the Jaws group did that today. Here you see the ones that fit into the booth. The round table is great for conversation, but not so good for picture taking. What this group has in commom is that each taught at John Jay High School at some time, although not necessarily at the same time...except for the short-haired blonde in the red shirt. That is my visiting sister from New Zealand. She was welcomed and thought all the ladies to be very nice.

Two Beauties

Saturday night Walt woke me up to ask, "Did you hear that?" "Hear what?" I asked. "The new day lilies opening," he said. No, I didn't bop him on the head. Can you tell he is excited about this day lily project? It's been two years since we planted the seeds and a long time to wait.

It was worth the wait for these two beauties. The yellow is a deep, clear yellow, rounded shape with very ruffled petals. It measure 6" in diameter. The deep burgandy purple is 7" and the brand has a bluish hint to it. Both winners.

Seedlings 2 & 3

These two day lilies bloomed 2 or 3 days apart. They are similar in color, but differ in shape. Notice the triangular shaped one seems to have a yellow flaw on one petal. Both have enough appeal that I think they will get planted in the garden.

Guess who came and brought cake?

I have to share my mom with my friends because she's the only Mom left in the group. This is Mother's Day 09 with Margie and Tom. Cake is the best part of this day. Second best is the nap that is about to follow.

What's better than growing them yourself? Having them sent to you by your child. Thank you, Sweet Child. I feel very loved.

Worth Waiting For

This is our "first to bloom" day lily grown from seed Walt pollinated and I cared for. We love it's pink color and dark eye. Look closely and see a very thin line of yellow edging the petals. About 4 inches across, it is nice and flat and beautifully shaped. This one is a keeper.

...be still my heart!

This beauty rolled onto US 281 from Redland Drive a couple of cars ahead of us. Darn it! A truck was between us and I couldn't get a good look. I told Walt to "follow that car. I need to gawk and drool." A second turn just before Encino Rio and into the auto store parking lot gave me a chance. Maybe I'll dream of it tonight.

New Zealand in the Texas Landscape

Looking around my backyard yesterday, I was surprised to see so much of New Zealand in my landscape. These are snaps of items brought to me by my sister who lives there or brought back by me. Among the pansies are a pair of lovely pukeko birds. This are my favorite New Zealand birds. They remind me of chickens, but the color is all blue. Love the orange beaks and legs. The paua shells that hang in my metal tree reflect the blue of the waters and shimmer in the light when the wind blows them. These shells get used in all sorts jewelry and art produced in New Zealand. The sea glass, small stones and tumbled brick pieces I found on the beach of Days Bay across from Wellington. The larger stones in the bird bath I picked up from a Pacific Ocean beach. The sound of the water rolling onto the beach of stones and receding back to the ocean amazes me and remains one of my fondness memories of visits.

Orange You... ?

...happy. How can you help but be amist beauty and grandkids. Spring break took us to Dallas to babysit and play. I took all the kids to the Arboretum. I think the whole town had the same idea. Very crowded, but quite enjoyable.

Walt got to experience "deer camp with Blake and Robbie. I created an abundance of excitement by falling and turning my ankle. Dijea and Mason rushed me off for an MRI. Much to do about nothing, thank goodness. Ended up involved in the girls' garage sale. Got in a bit of shopping. Good week.

JAWS in February

If you missed this month, then you were definitely talked about...but only a little because we all have too much other stuff to talk about.

New Big Grandma

For quite a while now, I have been doing BG's hair. She fired me and told me to find someone new. Pure luck took me to Pam, who does housecalls. Much better than the last time you saw her, don't you think?

How Long since Christmas?

This long. Walt hasn't shaved since arriving in Dallas for Christmas. Look quick because he is about through with this.