Day Trip -- The Woodlands Mall

The Woodlands Mall -- Cheesecake Factory and P.I.Chang -- we were waiting for the water taxi to arrive. Our taxi was the "Trinity" -- all of the water taxis are named for Texas rivers.

We had a 15 miute wait to see if any more riders arrived. There weren't any more so we left.

This is an Irish Pub located on the waterway. It was taken apart in Ireland and rebuilt here in America. The outside is not authentic but the inside is said to be exactly like what it was in Ireland.

The wind was blowing -- the winds will push the boats but the Trinity is one of the heaviest boats so we didn't have any problems.

Along the water way we saw office buildings and also apartments. The building shown below is full of apartments and lofts. They range in size/price from 1600 sq. ft./$450,000 (bottom floor) to 4000 sq. ft./1 million dollars (top floors) My Sweetie said we might want to consider one of the top units. Ok, I've considered it -- Nope, can't afford it!

There are a number of statues of deer scattered around the waterway. These are the "Kissing Deer."

On the left is the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavillion -- Many, many concerts are held here.

It was damaged by Hurricane Ike but has now been repaired. George Mitchell, Cynthia's husband, was the developer of the Woodlands Mall

The carousel below is in the Mall. The children were really enjoying it! It was pretty but not as nice as the double decker carousel at Memorial City Mall.

Our day trip was fun! We'll have to do another one soon!

IT CAME!

I told you all that I won the give away from Valentina's blog (http://valentinascorner.blogspot.com/) and my prize was a selection of fabric from the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is in London, England. Yesterday my prize arrived -- I thought that was very fast since it was coming from another country and the flights between that country and the USA have been messed up due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. I've posted two pictures -- uhhhhh, I'm attempting to post two pictures. Actually, my computer only wants me to post one picture, and you see it above -- nope, now the second pictures is there, also. Good. There are two each of 18 different patterns for a total of 36 pieces.

I told Valentina that I thought I would make Klosjes from them. (FYI, Klosjes, to those who don't know, are called "spools" in America.) Valentina is also making klosjes from hers so perhaps we will have similar quilts.

Thank you, Valentina, I really love my fabrics!

On a slightly differently subject.... yesterday I read a blog that asked the question...

"If you had to choose between your husband and your sewing machine, which would you chose?"

The answers were hilarious! One woman said it would be different if she were asked to chose between her husband and her fabric! That would definitely change her answer. We quilters really love our fabric, don't we!!

How would YOU answer that question?

More wildflowers...

Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush.

These are phlox -- They come in red, pink, and purple.

We call the flower below Indian Paintbrush. They come in different colors but the red and orange are the most common in this area. This particular clump was a bright orange when the sun hit it.

This year we saw many, many of the yellow flowers shown below. I couldn't remember ever having seen them in such profusion in the past. I found out that they are ...Rapistrum Rugosum... which is also known as Turnip Weed. Unfortunately, it is a highly invasive plant that is threatening to crowd out some of the native wildflowers.

Bluebonnets -- the Texas state flower. These are members of the lupin (lupine) family and grow in many places. We even saw them growing in Alaska!

They actually come in different colors but this beautiful blue is the color that we love here in Texas!

Hope you enjoyed some of our Texas spring!

I WON!

While I was away I received an e-mail from Valentina telling me that I won her give-away!
First thing I've won after signing up for lots of give-aways. I am to receive a pack of fabric from the Victoria and Albert Museum collection. Doesn't that sound neat? I can hardly wait!

Drop by and say hello to Valentina -- her blog is http://valentinascorner.blogspot.com
I'm sure you will enjoy your visit.
Thank you, Valentina.

Home Again!

Early morning in the Texas Hill Country.

Our two-week trip to see the spring wildflowers (and my mother) is over and we are back home.

Today it poured rain! I was happy to see the rain -- I don't think it rained much while we were away and the yard looked a little dry. Sweetie had planned to mow tomorrow but now we have water standing in the back so it will have to wait!

We didn't go to church today -- a really strange feeling. We had planned to travel today but decided to come home early so that Sweetie could participate in the Jericho ride around Houston. The Jericho Ride was for motorcyclists -- they rode around "the 610 loop" and prayed for the city as they rode. This activity was based on Joshua, chapter 6. Today they had to pray in the rain for part of the ride!

I stayed home and tended to some business, unpacking, cleaning, etc. As I said, it was a strange feeling not to be in church. We so seldom miss a week that I know it will make my week feel un-anchored.

Actually, retirement is making our weeks feel different. For more than 30 years Sweetie and I have planned our lives around his job. Now, however, his job has ended and we won't have that schedule to work around. I have 3 days of activities that are already scheduled and will try to keep them. Two Monday morning a month I quilt with the King's Quilters. Tuesdays I do data entry for Katy Christian Ministries. Wednesday morning (fall, winter, and spring) I teach my ESL class. I don't want to give up any of those activities so I'll just keep on with that schedule. I told Sweetie that he could be our cook on Tuesday nights -- he is agreeable to that.

We did a good job staying on our new eating program while we were gone. I did most all of the cooking at my Mom's. I think she was glad about that - it gave her a bit of a break. She admitted that she gets really tired when she has company for dinner. Well, she will be 88 years old next month so I don't think it should be too surprising that she would get tired. I get tired and I'm not nearly that old!

Gracie did really well on the trip -- she loved to sleep in my Mom's lap. Mom loved having her there, also. She has considered getting a dog but has decided that it might be too much for her. Plus she has such a busy life that she is afraid the dog would have to be shut up too much. So, she will just dog sit with our Gracie and my brother's Princess. She can manage a couple of days at a time. We didn't get to see our Granddog, Kali, while we were visiting -- our son was working extra hours on a big project and had very limited time to visit with us. Perhaps we will see her our next trip to Mom's.

It is lovely and cool right now -- we have the a/c off and a window open with an ear out listening for thunder. Don't want to have to mop up after a heavy rain!

Take care, all, and drop a line when you can. I'm hoping to have more time to visit your blogs in the future.

More pictures...

As I said in the other blog posted today, the climb down to the Hamilton Pool was a bit rocky. Along the way one could see a fragile eco-system. I particularly liked the tenacity of these plants that were growing out of a large rock. Talk about blooming where you are planted!!

The creek that flowed out of the "pool" continued a ways before flowing into the Perdanales River. I liked the look of these large cypress trees that had their roots in the water.

This view was taken behind the waterfall ---

All around the pool area ferns were growing. Water was dripping from the rocks and the ferns were enjoying the moist atmosphere.

After we traveled to the upland area we hiked down to the Perdanales River.

Remember Lyndon Johnson? His ranch was on the Perdanales.

We had a wonderful trip during our visit to Bee Caves and Dripping Springs. Aren't those neat names for towns!

Hamilton Pool

Yesterday Sweetie and I visited Hamilton Pool. For years we have traveled hwy 71 across the south side of Austin and on to the Marble Falls area. For years we have seen the sign "Hamilton Pool Road." For years I have wondered what it was. Now I know.

Hamilton Pool is a natural "swimming hole" and is part of the Travis County Park System. By virtue of having lived more than 62 years our visit was free!

We parked and climbed down 80+ feet by way of a steep rocky trail -- some places steps had been fashioned and in some places we just scrambled over the rocks. The view was worth the climb, however. The pool is fed by a lovely waterfall. There were people swimming and sunning and picnicking. A path (narrow in places) allows you to walk all the way around the pool, passing behind the waterfall.

We explored the pool area, took pictures, and then moved on to another nearby park, the uplands area of this park. There we were able to hike down to the Perdanales River. I'll post some other pictures of the day's outing on a separate blog.

The best part was that....due to the fact we live in a two-story house and have to climb stairs every day, and due to the fact that my body is now 30+ pounds lighter, I was able to make the climbs up and down in great shape! Hooray!!

Sweetie and I have an activity planned for today -- I'll try to post pictures later.
Yesterday I started working on a new quilt -- actually started cutting squares. I'm going to make a Disappearing Nine Patch -- Pat, I hope mine turns out as well as yours did!

I have a new rotary cutter and it is nice!

More beauty

We took my Mom and a friend on a day-outing to look at wildflowers. We had a great time and got to see some friends as well as flowers!

It is spring in the hill country of Texas!

CHRIST AROSE! HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!

It has been a busy week. Wednesday was my Sweetie's last day at work. I drove downtown and joined him for the luncheon that was given in his honor. They had pizza! Unfortunately, I ate some -- just part of one piece, but it was really good. They had other things, also and I ate some of them, and I'm still trying to undo the damage!!
After the luncheon there was a reception for him -- two cakes. Did I eat a piece of cake? Yup! But, only a very small piece and I didn't eat all of the icing. It was really good! Have I said that? Everything was really good!! (except for me -lol) Wednesday night, at choir practice, he was honored again. I wasn't there -- I didn't need to do any more celebrating!

I weighed in before the retirement parties. I've lost 32.2 pounds. Sure hope those pounds are still gone next weigh-in day!

We are enjoying retirement -- at least what we have had of it so far. Thursday and Friday we did some sleeping late, some yard work, some sewing/mending (me), laundry, and took the granddaughter to see "How To Train Your Dragon," (which was really cute!) Saturday was our Highway Disciples meeting and afterward Sweetie joined the ride up to the Hill Country. He said the wild flowers are beautiful. I'm hoping to get to see some this coming week. I'll take pictures!

We've got the laundry all done and are still working on the yard a little. It may rain next week, or it may not. We could use some rain . It was wet this morning, but not really raining. Our daily temps are in the high 70's and low 80's (F). We haven't turned our A/C on yet but many of our neighbors have. Our house stays really cool so we manage without it with just our windows open. Eventually, however, we will have to close up the house and run the a/c and I'll miss the sounds of the birds.

Our 3 Easter services at church were well attended. I love Easter -- it is such a joyous time.
Perhaps partly because it comes in the spring, but mostly because what it celebrates - the Resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ. HE AROSE! I hope each of you had a Happy Easter!