Sunday, January 29, 2017

Getting back up to Speed

This Texas weather is rough on the health. One day it's 29 and the next it's 60 and then it goes back to 40 and up to 80. And it all caught up to me a couple of weeks a go. I felt terrible and couldn't breath. I was able to sneak into the doctors a couple of days into it and he gave me a cough medicine with codeine which means I can only take at night an he told me to do a nasal salt wash. I don't know about you but I'd never done one on me or my child.  I wasn't so sure about it but I bought Neti pot well in my case a bottle and viola' it's works. Not pleasant but painless and it works. That was the best night sleep since I got sick. 
Thought I was better so David and I went to eat at Mel's Country Cafe the home of the Mega burger.


 
The Mega Mel burger consists of One and a half pounds of ground beef, a FULL pound of bacon, 1/4 pound of cheese & all the trimmings. FINISH & ADD YOUR NAME TO OUR WALL








While the Famous Mel burger consists of  A FULL pound of fresh-ground beef, 1/2 pound of bacon, 3 slices of American cheese garnished with all the traditional favorite trimmings. 

I don't know about you but that's a lot of burger. Wow. They have a hall of fame for those who eat it and they have the winners. One guy finished one off in 9 minutes. I can't imagine. He's the top winner and there's a gal who ate one in 20 minutes.  Well we weren't that crazy so we ordered their chicken strips. They're not overly breaded and they're flavored just right. I couldn't eat all mine and David gave me his last strip so I had left overs for lunch the following week. 
To be honest I don't even remember that weekend especially Sunday. I literally slept all day in the recliner.
Now This past week was a slow one and I should have been sewing and doing laundry but I pretty much came home, cooked and then did nothing and went to bed early. 
I did manage to surprise my 
boss with a cake and kolaches for her birthday. 

Then we both got a surprise when the candles wouldn't blow out. She finally succeeded. Of course it got harder when she got the giggles.
This Friday I was doing okay so David suggested we go eat catfish at our favorite place in Cat Springs, The Crossroads Tavern. But at the last minute we changed our minds and decided to try a new place to us that we've been talking about for a while now.  We went to the Relay Station Restaurant on Hwy 105 in Plantersville. Our 4th new place for 2017. Anyway that was a fun drive. Lots of traffic until we got through Magnolia then it was smooth sailing. They serve all you can eat for 8.99 which includes catfish, fries and a salad, then your drink is extra plus a tip because the waitress serves you. The food was pretty darn tasty but I think we'll continue to go to Cat Springs. They're tea is included in their $10 all you can eat and the drive is much easier. It might be 20 minutes further but a much easier drive. We literally walk out for $20(self serve) and at the Relay our bill was $30 with tip.
Saturday we got up and drove to Carmine which is about an 1 hr and 20 minutes away for the County Line Vintage Antique Show. When we got to Carmine we only saw the standard antique shops and no outdoor vendors. Very confusing. Oh well we're here so we went through the shops. We went in Neece's Antique shop and David got to talking with the shop owner and found out that the show was actually on Hwy 458 and 237. Which is actually more Roundtop than Carmine. 
Anyway we're looking through the store and I found a crockery bowl. David kept walking and as he walked out of the room we were in he saw what looked like someone locking up the store. He goes "I think that lady just locked us in here" Well I come out of the back room going "No Way" but sure enough he went to the door and he couldn't get out. Awesome! He started banging on the window and thank goodness the lady actually heard  him and came back to open up. How crazy is that?  She apologized and said she didn't realize anyone was still in the store so she was gonna run home for a bite of lunch. We could have been locked in there for a while had she not heard David banging on the window.  
I bought my bowl and we headed to the antique show down the road. The lavender looking bowl is the new one.
I don't have room for too many so I may have to avoid bowls next time we go out but they're so cool. 

After shopping we headed to the farm to check on the pond and drop off some stuff. First thing David had to show me when I got there was the counter-top he built and the cabinets he hung and got everything stained in the barn.  
He did a great job and it's ready for the sink he set in there for me to view. Then he'll have a place for his coffee pot and the microwave instead of the shaky white craft table.



While in the barn I took a picture of the tractor that just got of the shop last week. Rather costly repair. 
So okay the tractor isn't so pink but the front end loader is what's really pink so I guess I have to quit giving David a bad time for buying a pink tractor but maybe not. LOL


Then we had to go check on the pond. We could actually see the pond from the barn. Meaning it's getting fuller. Dang it you can't see the flag in the picture to see how much further it needs to come up on this end but all the lower flags are under water now.


Love the color and clearness of the water. If it weren't so chilly it would be inviting.
While wandering around by the pond we saw wild life tracks. Not deer this time. Maybe a coyote or cat of some kind. Who knows.  One set I found looked like raccoon.
And today (Sunday) is about LAUNDRY since the basket is over flowing and sewing. So the blog is ready to post and I need to wash wash wash and sew sew sew.
Later folks until next blog..... You don’t get to choose how you are going to die. Or when. You can only decide how you are going to live. Now.” ~ Joan Baez




Thursday, January 19, 2017

Trying New Places in 2017

I don't remember if I posted about the new restaurant down the street from us or not so I will now.  Right before New Year's we stopped at the Frio Grill. They weren't officially opening till January 7th. I wonder how it went. Our food was really tasty. But the kitchen needed to step up their game in accuracy and service. Our waiter recommended the fried macaroni balls stuffed with brisket with a spicy cream sauce. I was surprised when David said okay. That's not something I expected but the brisket part got his attention. They were really good but different.  For dinner we both ordered a Frio burger. They were pretty darn good too. The burgers could have used a tad more seasoning but good all the same. We plan on going back again after they get the kinks worked out. My co-worker went a week ago and the waitress they had was not so great but she said the food was okay.


Check out how this oak tree grew at the Rockin K by the pond. Do you see the hole? Kinda crazy but neat looking. Didn't notice it with all the leaves prior.




You can now stand back from the pond and can see some water. The pond is getting fuller and it's so clear. YAY
Can you see the flag in the water? The pond has come up a foot past the flag so another 14 feet and the pond will be full. Cross your fingers that we get some good rain next week to fill it up more. David is ready to start stocking it with fish.
So this past Tuesday night we tried a new venue for listening to music. It's not so close by but we did like the place. It's called Cottonwood. We went to listen to "Two Tons of Steel".  They play rockabilly music and they're good. Gets your toes a tapping and your body a moving.

We also grabbed a bite to eat. We each ordered a hamburger. I know again with the hamburer but Oh my they were good. Homemade tasting like what my Grandmother used to make. mmmm Next time I want to try the Squirrel Master Buger. It's stuffed with poblano peppers, topped with a jalapeno fried egg, pepper jack cheese and bacon. I've always wanted to try a burger with an egg so next time... 
The bass player is the nephew of an x-coworker. Well Auntie Dawn didn't make it out to enjoy the music. So to harass her I grabbed Jake during a break and took a picture of us teasing her that I got to hug her cute nephew. He is one heck of a bass player and is self taught.
We're listening to the music and this guy walked up to my husband and ask if he was David. Just as he did I realized it was my big brother from fraternity from the U of Houston.  OMG I hadn't seen Sorrell since college and that's been a few days. Okay so maybe years. I follow him on facebook but it was great seeing him in person and getting a hug. I should have taken a picture but I wasn't thinking. Goof ball here.
Friday night the 13th my good friend and realtor came out to the house and hung with me for a few hours. And guess what we didn't drink one drop of wine or alcohol of any kind. We were good girls.
Probably a good idea since it was Friday the 13th and I already had one friend in a bad accident and another posted that her son was in one. Wow but the good news is both walked away.
On Saturday I drove up to Montgomery and grabbed my Mom and took her to the farm. shopping and lunch. She hadn't been since the porch, porch cover and the over hangs on the barn were completed, along with the few pieces of furniture and the re-do of the pond. Since she's not driving I wasn't sure when she would get up there and she's been wanting to see everything.  And the pond was up another foot or two since my picture above. YAY! Mom had a full day today. By the time we were heading home she was tired and ready for her cup of coffee. 
So that's 2 new places we've gone to already for 2017. Off to a good start. David came home from the farm Saturday too. I just beat him home. We were ready for some supper so went off to another new place called Rita's off Hwy 249 in Pinehurst just outside Tomball. They serve Mexican food our favorite well mine anyway.  They've only been open about 6 months. The food was really good so we'll definitely be going back. Back June 2016 David had enchiladas verdes in a Mexican restaurant in Chillocothe, Missouri and raves about them so he has been comparing the enchiladas verdes here in Texas to the ones in Missouri. Well Rita's passed the test. I'm not sure any one has yet. Rita's gets a gold star and he liked their refried beans. Sorry I'm not good at remembering to take pictures of food so I can't share and make you drool like my friend Linda over at Linda's Life journal. OMG she has me drooling over the food she or her husband has made. Wish we lived closer so I could sample. LOL
So 3 new places so far for 2017. Frio's Grill, Cottonwood and Rita's. 
Yum.
So until next blog...
 



Thursday, January 12, 2017

2016 quilting UFO's review

2016 UFO's and review
Well let's see if I can I accomplished anything for 2016. Maybe a couple. I'm definitely doing better than I used too.  Prior to 2015 I did a lot of buying but had very little to show for it. But not anymore. YAY!
Trying a new way of identifying the status of my projects. Stole this method from fellow blogger Bea at Beaquilter.  Trying to make it easier to keep up with and read.
  • If in red I've worked on recently
  • If crossed thru it's complete. 
So here's what I what I have to show for 2016 and what I still need to complete.
*need 1 more handmade item from FB post. Finished 4 of 5
*Texas Flag quilt - red and white section ready, work on blue blocks for me!
  • Sandy's memory quilt -

Sandy's Memory Quilt

  • Round Robin medallion round 1, round 2 can't show pictures for this until the final hand off when I get my completed quilt top back. Total of 6 rounds. 7th will be getting our tops back.
  • Baby quilt for Jeremiah and Melissa's baby Beckett quilt 
  • Beckett's Quilt

    • Baby Quilt for Laina and Josh's baby boy Thomas

  • Thomas's quilt
  • baby Quilt for Rhonda  for Hudson
    Hudson's quilt








  • valence up in guest room
  • curtains for cabin temporary burlap
  • baby quilt for Heathers Baby - at the quilter ready for binding
  • baby quilt for Ashley W
  • baby quilt for Dava D.
All these babies. 2016 was a busy year and I'm bringing up the rear on this quilt making. Maybe 2017 I'll sneak in something for me that's on this list.
Quilt retreat is coming up in March and I already know what I plan on working on.

Made something fun not on my list. Great for giving gifts of wine. You can use any fabric, ribbon, whatever to tie it off.  My friend Donna Lynn asked if it could hold bottle of Crown. It's possible. I'll have to try that if we have any Crown left.
  • Nickies Tshirt quilt 
  • Mom's flannel quilt - pieced, add applique
  •  fleece quilt
  • Allan's quilt - fabric bought
  • Phi Mu auction quilt - fabric bought
  • valances  - Den  - dining room   - breakfast room
  • master bath
  • Hobo Quilt - picking out fabric
  • Bible Quilt - fabric bought, 1 block
  • Special Quilt for a special grandma (JLK)
Pamela's projects for me
·    #1 t-shirt quilt
·   #2 black/white/teal
·   #3 kit we bought in Missouri a few years ago

  •   Open a pattern I bought and and make it  I keep trying to do this but I get side tracked and find something else to make. Maybe this year.
Ongoing projects
·  postcards
·  bookmarks
·  mug rugs
Well I didn't get quite as many quilts finished this year but 2017 UFO list is smaller list and I hope I can finish the old UFO's and start a whole new list of projects eventually. This year I've tried some new blocks that proved challenging to me and went outside the comfort zone and joined a Round Robin. In fact Margie Lawrence the one who convinced me to do one with her, the owner of the RR Retreat house I go to will be at Tri County Quilt Guild February-7th with a trunk show to talk about Round Robins. She has some beautiful quilts as result of these Round Robins. Last time I spoke with her, she is doing 3 different ones at the same time.  Two of them are with Round Robin Virgins. We had never done this before. We're learning.


Well that's it for this post...





Friday, January 6, 2017

Last Trip to Rockin K Farm for 2016

The Thursday after Christmas I went to Pamela's and we headed to the farm. David was already there.  Mom was suppose to come but she wasn't feeling well so she passed on the adventure this time. The pond is really looking great. Can't wait until it's totally full. Another 15 feet to go.
 This time the girls had fun at the farm. They were running everywhere and chasing each other. They might become farm doggies yet. Last time Sophie kept trying to find the sidewalk to the mini mansion. She wasn't impressed with all the grass but this time she didn't even care. Lilley's first time she wandered all around unlike her fur baby. She even barked at the Big cows in the next pasture. But this time was all about fun.


Lilley 
The wind was really strong as you can see by Lilley and Sophie's fur. LOL
I kept waiting for them to run into the pond but they stayed at least 2 feet away from the water.  I think some of that was because of the noise of the water slapping against the shore line.

Sophie
As Pamela and I were walking up the hill from the pond to the mini mansion we saw this cloud formation. Pamela and I both pulled out the ole iPhone and took a picture. 
Pretty cool looking clouds.


Pamela and I took a ride down the road on the 4 wheeler and met some new friends.  The horse belongs to the people who used to own the property before us and ran the tree farm. Maybe next time we can take her a carrot or an apple. I told David to ask next time he talks to the original owner if that would be okay.  Then we got our sex education for the day. Just as Pamela snapped the picture the little calf got frisky. Whoa there!
The kid has become quite the photo buff. She snapped this picture of the sunset before we headed back to Rockin K. 

David and I had found some deer horns under the pecan tree a while back and I decided to wear them. Sorta.

These girls are ready to go home and get their dinner. Sitting still was not on their agenda today but I caught this one picture before we left with Pamela's help.   The girls had a big afternoon of running and playing.
By the time we got back to Pamela's, fed the girls and ourselves I was pooped and decided to stay the night and drive home the next morning. She loaned me some jammies and a comfy spot to lay my head. She had to work the next morning so I got up when she did so Lilley and I could head home bright and early.
When I put Lilley in the car she plopped down and within 10 minutes she was snoozing. She was one tired girl. 

My Christmas break was coming to an end. Ugh! I've enjoyed my time off but when I got home and I started taking down the tree and other decorations. Does anyone else hate taking it all down? It was fun putting it up but for some reason not so much when I have to take it down.
Happy New Year @ 12:10am 2017
Until next blog...Sometimes the best thing you can do is not think, not wonder, not imagine, not obsess. Just breathe, and have faith that everything will work out for the best.









Sunday, January 1, 2017

Happy New Year 2017

It's hard to believe that it's already January 1, 2017. Ours came in pretty quiet for us but it was pretty noisy outside. Fireworks going off all around us.  Poor Lilley was traumatized by all the fireworks. If David was in his office she was under his desk or she was up next to me on the couch. 
Warning Photo heavy post.
I hope everyone stayed safe and your 2017 is the best ever.
I had one glitch before Christmas Day. Won't go into details but I'm hoping things will calm down and work out. But other than that Christmas was pretty awesome.
For Pamela we helped her pay for a desk set she found on pinterest.
She found this along with the building instructions. All we needed was someone to build it. That was a fun experience. NOT! I found a guy in Magnolia who gave me a quote and said he could build it by Christmas and then 2 weeks later he went silent. Thank goodness I hadn't given him any money yet. He wouldn't return my messages on Facebook, text messages or phone calls. What the hell?! I even posted a comment on his Facebook about his lack of  communication. Others comments and two days later he said he'd call tomorrow.... Is it tomorrow yet?  People.
Then in causal conversation Pamela mentioned to her landscape guy about needing some furniture built and he told her he builds furniture. Wow. What luck! 
So she sent me Colby's number. I gave him a call and he got back with me next day with a quote and said he would have it done by Christmas. And he was the one. Colby did an awesome job. We picked it up and delivered it to Pamela's house in Bryan. She was thrilled. Now she can unload the last of her boxes.
We started Christmas a little early to celebrate David's birthday on the 22nd. Pamela and I took him to Carraba's for dinner and drinks. David's a Christmas baby. We had some yummy food, drinks and laughs.
Then Christmas Eve we went to Mom and Joe's and for Christmas everyone came to our house for dinner. 
Here's a few pictures of our family time.
Shelby, Kendall, their mom Lynn and Pamela

My nephew Kevin with Pamela and Shelby

It's dinner time. Ham ready and David is carving the turkey.
caught me with my mouth full and Glenda piecing
Mom and Joe relaxing after dinner


Glenda caught a picture with one brother - Gary
Happy Birthday David.  Our Christmas Baby.
Lilley isn't sure what to think of all the paper and boxes everywhere. She's ready for her present though.  A special bone and cookie treats.
     Check out my new RTIC mug Pamela bought me. She even had a special decal made for it.  Love it. A sewing machine. Too awesome 

I had hoped to post this New Years Eve and like usually it didn't happen. So instead it's my first post of 2017.

Hope Santa was good to everyone. I must have been good because he brought me all kinds of goodies.

So until next time....May the Holiday Season bring only happiness and joy to you and your loved ones.