Visitors & a Quick Trip to the Hill Country

During Spring Break for Cy Fair ISD two of my former co-workers came to visit. Of course they had to meet Jerry too. Donna was here when it was just land but now she gets to see the finished house with all the critters.  Tammy is getting ready to build on her property in Bremond. Bremond has a few places to eat and enjoy. She didn't think she'd like living in the country like we do with certain wild animals we have around. I told her it wasn't bad at all but it was a cultural shock. We were used to running down the street to the grocery store, out to eat or to listen to music when we lived in Houston.  But I think we've adapted quite well. 

Jerry was his usual charming self. Tammy made sure we took a picture of her petting Jerry because she knew no one would believe her about petting a donkey. I told them they needed come back again soon and not let 3 years go by.

David's brother Gary and his wife Lynn are full time RV'ers now that they have both retired. They were staying the month of March in Fredericksburg. We decided on a good date to get together and visit. So on March 23rd David and headed their way. Our first stop was to pick up our taxes. That was the yucky part of our quick trip but we got it over with and meandered our way to Fredericksburg. 

 The first thing we did when we got to Fredericksburg was grab something to eat. We went took them to Cafe at the Ridge outside Kerrville on Harper Rd. They have yummy food since they had never been there. The portions are good and the prices are reasonable. After eating we walked outside to the plant nursery.  Lots of pretty plants. 

From here we went to one of my favorite places... Hill Country Distillers in Comfort for some moonshine drinks. Esme, the bartender recognized me since Pamela & I always go there on our Mother-Daughter trip and we celebrate Esme's birthday with her.  I told her we'd miss her birthday this year because we would be coming later in the month of April than usual.  We all had a drink and chatted.  We left the Distillery headed back to Fredericksburg. We dropped Gary and Lynn off at their RV and agreed to hook up again later for supper. We went to check into our cute little Airbnb that was just down the road from the RV park. The cottage was just the right size really.   That evening Gary & Lynn picked us up and we went to West End Pizza. It was really good. Our only mistake was picking a spot outside to sit because the wind got pretty chilly even with the space heaters.

Just before we left a car backed into a car on the street and it looked like they might take off but then they stopped. I don't remember who went inside to ask if some there owned the car parked just across the street. Apparently it was one of the waitress's. She came out and checked out her car and we pointed out the car that hit her car. We're thinking she let them off because in the dark she saw no damage. That was our excitement for the night. Time to go relax and start again tomorrow

Thursday (3/24) we went to breakfast at a place Gary and Lynn knew of called Texas Sunrise. It was really good, nice portions and reasonable prices. David and Gary got to talking about where their Dad used to have a deer lease, which was near Enchanted Rock.  After eating we drove out to Enchanted Rock. It was my first time to see it. I definitely don't plan on climbing it especially now with my bad knee.  

Gary thinks he's convinced me to come back next year when I've lost my weight which should help my knee, to come to climb Enchanted Rock with him. I'm a klutz so I don't see that happening but who knows.

Our next stop was a new winery we had never been to. Welcome to William Chris Winery in Hye, TX.  We all had a tasting. The lady that served us had lots of history of how the place began but there was something in the way she talked that made us feel like this place was above us. David did like the wine but they thought highly of their wine. Ouch. Too Pricey for my wallet.    

Then we went to Ron Yates Winery. People were nice and friendly. Wasn't so good at taking pictures like I should have been. But while David was talking to a lady that had also worked at the company he just retired from, I snapped a picture of Lynn and I. We stood in the sun to warm up. 

David is getting into this wine stuff. Used to be me asking about stopping and him saying maybe later. Our next stop was Narrow Path Winery. Great views and nice wine. The building blocked the wind so we sat outside. The owner came in from the vineyard and sat at the table next to us and started talking. Very nice guy. His dogs joined us too. 

We were starting to get hungry. We had a semi late breakfast and we decided it was time for food and decided to go try the porkchops at Bankersmith Ice house and Dance Hall. Sadly I can't give a good review here. The place was rustic and the drinks were cold but then so was the pork chop. The chop was cold, no seasoning and no grill marks. We couldn't figure out how they cooked them. The baked potato was luke warm and well at least the salad was decent. It was very disappointing. Oh well now we know.  Might go back for a beer but no food.

Friday (3/25) We picked Gary and Lynn up to go to David's favorite place to eat...

     Hilda's Tortillas Restaurant & Bar. He loves their migas. The quantity is big, so we shared. There was plenty. Lynn was going to order a burrito and I told her she might want to have a 2nd option ready because by as early as 8am most of the burritos/tacos were sold out and you got what ever was left. Sure enough the burritos were sold out. So she had to make a different choice. 

Once breakfast was over David wanted to take them to Sisterdale, TX to go to Sister Creek Winery. It is in an old cotton gin. I got a bottle of wine here to take home.  Then I plotted us a path to another new winery we wanted to try called Augusta. We did a tasting and picked our favorite and got a glass to enjoy outside in the sun. It's a pretty winery. I need to take Pamela there when we come back in late April. It was starting to get late and we needed to head to Austin to visit our friends the Jackson's. They were cooking dinner for us.

This was such a fun trip to hang out with Gary and Lynn. We really enjoyed our family time with them.

We took off from Fredericksburg and finally got to Pam and Kevin's around 4:30. A little later than we planned but they let us in anyway. LOL  We hung out on their back patio for a while and they started cooking. Yummy dinner. They treated us real good. 

Saturday morning we go up and went to Kirby Lane Cafe for breakfast. Didn't even have to wait for a table. That's a first. We got there just before the crowd started rolling in. When we left folks were standing outside to get in.  We found this place back when Pamela played water polo with Texas A&M Women's team and had a game against UT. 

Pam knows how much David loves plant nurseries so they took to a couple of nurseries..  She was looking for something to put in some pots on her patio. The day was beautiful and the wind had semi slowed down.

I need this in our flower bed. Maybe, maybe not. LOL Check out this topiary. They had one in the shape of a butterfly. I'd probably kill it. So nope.

 Well that's it for Visitors and our quick hill country trip. Stay tuned. My next blog will be about quilts an quilty friends.

Until next time....

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them.   ~ Desmond Tutu

Tatts and Country Life

So Pamela got a new tattoo for her birthday. She went to our favorite place in Bryan. Scott Dowdy @ Arsenal does all our artwork and tattoos. He takes a vision and makes it come to life. Pamela gave him a simple idea and he worked his magic.

After approval of his final drawing it goes on her leg.  Love the way It looks like the wolf is gonna bite her. It's on Scott's shirt.

    

Scott is hard at work making it real.  It took almost 2.75 hours to finish.

Finished product looks pretty cool.

       

Our grand floofs came to visit while Pamela went to visit friends. While I was trying to sew Lilley and Bri decided it was time to rough house. Sophie was sleeping close by, she was tired I guess. 

Thursday, 3/10 Our neighbor Kelli Kennedy and I went to Lunch in Calvert at the Old Calvert Hotel. They're only open Thursday-Saturday from 9-4 so it limits the days we can go to lunch. That's something about small towns that we have to get used too. LOL 

Kelli got the Railroad Hamburger. It was big and juicy. It had a large onion ring and sliced smoked jalapenos on it. She said it was delicious.  I got the crispy chicken southwest salad. And it was very yummy.

     

After Lunch we went around the block to En Gedi Winery.

The photo is by En Gedi. It's a great winery and the owners are super nice and informative. Lots of yummy tasting wine.

During one of our conversations I was telling Kelli how I had ordered some sandals thinking they were coming from Kansas  almost 3 months ago and Surprise. I got home and they were in the mail all the way from China. So far I do like the shoes.

If anyone out there is looking for a small venue for a retreat. Check out this place. It holds 4-6 crafters, quilters and/or friends and family. The owners are pretty good people.

So on Friday March 11th I got me a tattoo for my birthday too. David decided he got rid of his motorcycle too soon now that he has a tatted biker woman. LOL

My inspiration came from a picture my Mom drew when she was in high school. she was pretty good and helped in school when I had art projects. Next was my Dad's vintage Massy Harris tractor. It was in running order. He loved his red tractors. Green was bad if you asked him and my nephew Josiah. 

    

Scott took my inspiration photos and created the artwork and positions the art on my shoulder and gets to work on my new tattoo. 

Here's the final result. I love it. Once it heals the colors should be brighter.

Meet St Paddy. Our new calf was born 3/17 St Paddy's day. As of right now we aren't sure of the sex.  We have to wait until they get closer but we're thinking it's a girl.  Betty the Momma is a really good momma.    

So cute and fluffy but we can't get close enough to pet. Our momma's are very protective.

I hung my vintage Santa quilt on my design wall to measure so I can make borders when I noticed this little indention which is actually a cut.  Not sure how it happened and of course it's in the 2nd row down and next to last column. I'm about to have fun with my good friend called Seam Ripper. Grrrrrrr.  

Lilley has already approved this top.  She's a mess.

You've been hearing about all the grass fires in Eastland, TX area. Well we happen to know a family up there. Our friend, Tabitha shared her pictures of the fire as they evacuated. This was too close for comfort. It's been so dry around. I have heard that they caught the guy who actually started the fire. Thank goodness.

This is what they found when they finally got to go back home. Too Scary.

Prayers for all the people in Eastland. Some were not so lucky but I'm glad our friends were. 

Well this post is getting long so I'll have the share the adventures of the last few days in my next blog.

Until then.... 

 

Let the Birthday Celebrations begin!

 The first and second week of March are very busy. Tuesday, March 1st Pamela and I went and had a facial and massage. Can you say...awwww? So dang relaxing. My face still feels really nice and for the day some of my tight spots in my side and everywhere else melted away. We used to go to a place in Cypress at least once a year but we have found a new place in South College Station called Peace at Hand. The ladies there are all really nice. 

After our me time we grabbed a bite of lunch at Mod Pizza and then we drove to Houston. My car was ready. Cory at Autoscan said we bought a clean car. It was in great shape.  YAY.  If you're in the Cypress area and you need some work done on your car check'em out.

By the time we got back to Pamela's we went to work on emptying all her cabinets. She got the call saying they were coming to replace her cabinets. Apparently the finished was coming off and peeling.  She hadn't hear from them since September and now they call 4 days before they plan to come out. Thanks for the warning.  Luckily Pamela's friend Chelsie came over and helped us. She was a much better helper than I. All she needed was wine and music. Pamela had both. We stayed up until 12:01am so we could wish Pamela a Happy Birthday. LOL. I had a video but it would make you dizzy to watch. Oh well. Take my word for it these girls worked well with the wine and music.

Wednesday, the 2nd was Pamela's birthday. We got up to go to the gym and continued to empty cabinets. David came into Bryan so we could go to lunch for Pamela's birthday. We went to Cilantro's in downtown Bryan. They have real tasty food. We left with full tummies and satisfied.  We dropped David back off at Pamela's house. David decided to take Bri and Sophie home with him so they wouldn't be under foot when the cabinet people came in to replace the cabinets the next day.  Pamela and I took off for our nail appointment then. A little pampering for the birthday girls for the last two days. After our nails we went back to Pamela's where I packed my stuff up and went home.

On Friday Pamela came up to the farm and David took us to dinner at Apache Pass Steak House. It was so good. We all had steaks cooked just right. And we had dessert. Oh man! Rustic apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. We all had To Go Boxes but couldn't pass on their yummy good apple tart. I forgot to take my glasses of my head when I took the picture. Oh well it is what it is.

And Saturday the 5th on My birthday we went to the Wildflyer Mead Co. to celebrate our birthday's. We just told folks if they wanted to raise a glass with us come on out for however short a time or long that they had to spare. We were both surprised how many did show.  At one point a doctor from the hospital walked by and Pamela introduced me to her. The doctor laughed and goes "Who's delivering babies and taking care of the mom's and babies?"  All but one of Pamela's friends there are nurses with her. LOL  At least two of the girls we were missing at this gathering we working hard at the hospital.. 

Love Brittany's shirt. She came up from Houston to help us celebrate. 

Scott & White has the prettiest nurses.

Poor Angie, She was such a good sport. She said she didn't like having her picture taken and tried to hide in her hoodie but she relented since it was mine and Pamela's birthday.   One of the nurses, Chelsie showed up the end and didn't get in any of the pictures.  I'll catch her next time she's at Pamela's.

Oh did I forget to mention I'm on photo overload now from our birthday gathering. Sorry.

Two of my former co-workers from the school district came up to raise a glass with us.    Samara, Brian(Genesis's husband) & Genesis.  Love these girls.

Pamela couldn't wait to use one of her birthday presents.

And the glass don't lie. Somehow we'll celebrate all month in little ways. LOL

Two of my Phi Mu Sorority sisters came out. Both wondering how in the heck we found this place. It's kinda out in the country. We're missing the one of the Fabulous 4. 

Sheryl was in Austin at the rodeo but I'll be seeing her soon.

Gigi and Kathy with their hubbies made it out.

And the Kennedy's, Kelli and John from another Momma came out to join us. Kelli even found a wine/mead she liked. I was worried she wouldn't find one and she did. It was a Bourbon Pecan Coffee. Yay and she even liked the Wildflyer. 

And last but not least there is Samara. She's always there to cheer me up and make me laugh.  

What a fun time we all had. Hanging with friends, laughing, talking, and having some wine. Thank you David for joining in the fun and buying me some wine. Love ya.

Until my next blog adventure...

'I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back...'