2019 is out and 2020 is here

Yesterday Dec 21st was the anniversary date of my retirement from Cypress Fairbanks ISD. Wow. I didn't even think about it that day. I was more concerned feeding the family. A whole year has gone by. And on the 22nd the day we were celebrating David was our 1 year anniversary at the Rock'n K. Doesn't seem possible. Loving every minute of it but I'll be glad when David actually retires so we can explore the area around us more.

David is a Christmas Baby so Pamela I have decided that we want To give him a day that's all about him. So Sunday after the family Christmas Dinner we took him to the New Cooper's BBQ in College Station for lunch to start. Holy cow, we ate way to much. It was really good though. When you walk up you pick the meat you want off the grill. I got a big ole pork chop put on potato. Pamela got brisket with sides and David got ribs and a pork chop with sides. Meat was juicy and tender.  That was a good start for the day.

Then he asked if we could go to the Farm Patch. He'd read about it on the Brazos Valley Page or Bryan maybe. Of course we could go. The day was his to choose. Farm Patch is like a small Vegetable stand with plants, jellies, sauces, fruit and of course vegetables. It was a neat little place to go on Texas Ave. in Bryan. 

 
 And they had a cool red farm truck. Perfect to take pictures of and by.

The New Republic Brewery in S. College Station was next. We picked this place since he likes beer and had never been there. It was a bright sunshiny day but was a little chilly out but that's okay we still had fun. We tried several samples of the beer until we found one we wanted to have a glass of.  We want to go back when the weather is a little warmer, they have music and food trucks.
We hung out for quite awhile just talking and Laughing. Just fun relaxing day.

On to the next stop which was in Northgate across from the A&M campus. The Dixie Chicken est in 1974.  The name came from an album of the same name by a band called Little Feat. It became the local hangout for people Robert Earl Keen and Lyle Lovitt and many others since then. That was only my second visit to the Dixie Chicken. First time was with our good friends Pam and Kevin Jackson. It's where they first met and the rest is history.  
To celebrate David beers we ordered. We sat there long enough that we decided to grab a bite to eat. David ate their famous Death Burger. It's not on the menu but they still serve it.  I think he might have enjoyed himself and the best part.... He relaxed.

It was time to head home. All the fur babies were probably wondering where we were and where their supper was.


I had planned on sharing pictures of the fur babies after their spa day but instead I'll share the pictures of our spoiled babies visit with Santa at Top Paw Dog Spa. Sophie and Bri were up first. The told Santa they wanted cookies and toys.  Where'd Santa go? LOL All that fur he was hidden behind them

Then we added Lilley. She had told Santa she wanted lots of cookies and maybe a toy or two.

It was such a nice thing for Top Paw to do for it's furry and furless clients.














They are so stinking cute and poor Santa. He was good natured and kind to all the fur babies.










With all the changes to when we celebrate we decided to open our presents on Christmas Eve.
No problem for Pamela or the Me, we were ready to open presents. David was only semi ready. LOL  This doesn't happen often but something on TV caught his attention.

We waited on him.  Not,,,It takes so long to shop for everything and wrap or bag it but it only takes 10 minutes or so it seems to unwrap. Santa was good to us all. We all got some new clothes.  After this year I think Santa will have to find me more quilting stuff or crafts because my closet is full. Maybe I need to clean out the old clothing and donate. I guess I dress nice to go feed Jerry and the cows. LOL

Christmas Day arrived and it was David's birthday and became a year older.  For his birthday we're having my parents up for lunch.  Lilley decided Poppy / Joe was her favorite person and curled up next to him on the couch.

Didn't hurt Joe's feelings.


Bri was hoping Mimi/ Mom would drop a crumb on the floor for her to gobble up. Bri was gentle with my mom.

 And Sophie hung out close to her Mommy (Pam) Laying behind the stool Pam was on.






Pam and her Mimi waiting for me to finish up lunch. They were getting hungry.  It was kind of a hard day because for the first time since Mom started having memory issues today she didn't realize who Pam & I were to her.  

We took Mom outside to go pet and feed Jerry. Jerry didn't waste any time coming to the fence for some lovin and carrots.

Pamela had a hard time opening her eyes with the sun shining directly at her but I love the pictures anyway.  

And this is Lola. She crossed over the Rainbow Bridge a week ago into Doggie Heaven. I know Mom and Joe are gonna miss her. She was such a sweetie.
After Mom and Joe left we took a couple pictures on the front porch to end Christmas Day.  Pamela had to head home because she had to work the next day. Another great day family.

Okay it's the small things that can amuse me.  We had TBone processed and the 1# hamburger packages are cute. Don't ask me but the little red and white checked pattern are cute. What can I say. LOL

 Okay moving on. David and I decided to take a break from the farm and go explore. There a country store called Circle X that we wanted to go check out So we did. They had some vehicles parked out front that looked photo worthy especially trucks and tractors.

 David found a 1956 red Massey tractor for me but the owners sold it right before he contacted them. Butttt
 Seeing the Ford tractor all painted maroon and Texas A&M on it gave him an idea.  He can find plenty of old tractors so he's thinking he'll buy one and paint it Aggie Maroon.  Works for me.
 In the store we found clothing and lots of Christmas decor for sale and some dishes. We walked out with a new red serving bowl, an ornament and something else but I'll be darn if I remember what. We left here

While meandering around the back roads we found the coal mining pit near Bremond. It was something to see. The cranes were huge and the pit was wow huge.

We had fun running the roads. Even ended up at the Green House Sausage general store and restaurant. We stopped for a bite of lunch and it was quite tasty. Before we left we bought a pound of bacon, 2 links of sausage, some different kinds of rub and sauces. Oh I can't forget their kolaches. Oh yum. David got a cherry one and I got cream cheese. Warm and oh so tasty. Headed home after that.

Before we knew it the days passed and it was New Years Eve. It was time for our long time college and sorority friends to come help bring in the new year. Unfortunately Tim and Gigi could make it so we told them we'd be sure to talk about them. LOL  Who knew back in our college days that any of us would buy property and live in the country. Mark and Kathy were the first and have really immersed themselves into the country life. They have chickens and  eggs and veggies.

Sheryl and Ross were 2nd to move to the country. They have cows, donkeys and chickens.
Well the chickens are raised as broilers. They haven't sold any but they did give us one to try.  Really tasty. When it says it's a 5# bird it is a 5# pound. No water fillers.
The bird was big and juicy when cooked.

And now look at us. Small town life is great. It is a culture shock. It'll take us more than 5 minutes to run to the grocery store for something we forgot but the traffic is a breeze.
We don't have chain after chain of restaurants to choose from but with a 40 minute drive from the Rock'n K to Bryan-College Station we have some nice places to choose from.
Cows and Donkey's have been our entertainment lately. LOL 
We offered a bed to everyone so they didn't have to drink and drive. Mark and Kathy took the offer but Ross and Sheryl headed up the road to their homestead.
They rest of us actually stayed up to see the ball fall. I think that's a first for David and I for a couple of years. 

I was ready for my New Year Kiss and 20 seconds before the ball drops David runs to the bathroom...

Great timing dear. LOL

New Years Day I cooked us some breakfast and we just sat around and talked. Of course the subject kept coming back to farm stuff but that's okay.

It was a great evening and morning.  I think it might have been a rough long night for Lilley.  LOL  She crashed out on the floor and ignored us.
So HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE....

What shall 2020 bring? Did you make any resolutions?

Until my next blog.....n  Make the SCRAPS in your life beautiful.