Journal Jots

2012-02-14T06:19:00.000-06:00

If you visit my art blog occasionally you will know that I like to make art with melted bottles. But bottle tree sculptures are a little over the edge for me. Perhaps if it were a bottle tree with only blue bottles? I know some people like this and that is what makes the would go around. No matter how you feel about it when driving by something like this it is difficult not to stop and take a picture.

Along the Highway in Llano TX.

2012-02-14T06:10:00.000-06:00

2012-02-11T16:36:00.001-06:00

Today is Angie's birthday. Angie and her brother Robert came into my life a little over 26 years ago. Angie was eight and Robert was ten. It was a challenge blending the two families together. I shared mothering responsibilities for Angie and Robert as well as Bob shared fathering responsibilities for my three kids. I can't imagine being 8 years old and someone telling me I was going to be living with my Dad and someone I hardly knew. I think about that often. And I think about how it must have felt for all of the kids to be placed in one combined family group. But somehow, through the years the love between Bob and I grew and so did the love between all of us. I can't imagine it any other way. We have been very blessed.

Happy Birthday Angie. We all love you very much.

Happy Birthday Angie

2012-02-11T16:15:00.002-06:00

2012-02-09T10:18:00.001-06:00

The Walden Plantation Bed and Breakfast just nine miles west of Llano Texas is a beautiful and serene place to stay. It is more like a hotel or resort. We got the winter discount for 69.00 per night. The rooms were charming and decorated beautifully. The bed was very comfortable. It was chilly when we arrived right after a cold front but we still enjoyed the serenity, the quiet, and the sounds of the flowing river over the rocks. The river levels were down because of the drought last summer but it was still beautiful. The owner said they rent kayaks in the summer and also offer tubing. They take you about a mile and a half up the river to start. Breakfast was good. We had dinner Sunday evening in Llano but many of the restaurants are closed on Sunday. The town of Llano is very quaint with many unique shops. We will definitely go back.

Walden Plantation Bed and Breakfast near Llano TX

2012-02-09T09:54:00.000-06:00

Breakfast & Lunch Area at Walden Plantation Bed and Breakfast

2012-02-09T09:49:00.000-06:00

Llano River flowing behind the Walden Plantation Bed and Breakfast

2012-02-09T09:45:00.000-06:00

2012-02-08T10:18:00.000-06:00

Bob and I decided to take a ride to the Texas Hill Country. We booked a Bed and Breakfast for last Sunday night. On our way we stopped at a German Restaurant less than 4 miles off HWY 35 near Georgetown TX. The German Restaurant was in what was once the grocery, dry goods and hardware store for decades. It was very quaint and on that day they offered a buffet. That was nice because it allowed us the opportunity to sample and choose from the wide variety of the German Food. This also allowed me to pick items that are acceptable on my diet.

The waiter was telling us that in the spring, summer and fall they have a beer gardens in the back. After lunch we drove back there and took a few pictures. I would say this was a serious beer garden or biergarten as the Germans would say.

Biergarten at Walburg TX. Restaurant

2012-02-08T09:54:00.000-06:00

Walburg German Restaurant in Walburg TX

2012-02-08T09:49:00.000-06:00

2012-02-01T08:32:00.000-06:00

Getting back to the glass bottom boat tour, I have some images of the coral as seen through the glass and some photos of the guide feeding the sharks. I love the brilliant blue, clear color of the water. The feeding of the sharks was intense but very interesting.

Guide Feeding the Sharks

2012-02-01T08:27:00.000-06:00

Shark Feeding

2012-02-01T08:15:00.000-06:00

Coral as Viewed from the Glass Bottom Boat

2012-02-01T07:59:00.000-06:00

2012-01-27T09:32:00.002-06:00

Last night Bob was awakened suddenly with a crash and breaking sound. I didn't hear it but was awakened by Bob getting up and turning the light on in the bathroom. I have been keeping a doll for my daughter for the past 13 years. The doll has always been propped up in a corner by the tub. The tub comes up three inches above the tile. Being in the corner she seemed stable. We just can't figure out how the doll ended up on it's back at the other end of the tub. It's leg was broken to pieces with white sand-like pebbles surrounding it and the hat fell off. It is as though she jumped. Did we have an earthquake? I checked the internet and West Texas had a 3.6 earthquake 3 days ago but I doubt that had any effect on us. So, I'm not sure what prompted the movement. The doll belonged to my son-in-law's mother before she passed away. My daughter wanted to keep the doll and trusted it with me. She felt it was safer with me as her children were growing up. After discussing this with Joy we decided to have the doll sitting with the dress over the broken leg and maybe later taking her to the doll hospital. The whole thing is just strange.

Dolly Suicide?

2012-01-27T09:10:00.002-06:00

Dolly's Broken Leg

2012-01-27T09:07:00.000-06:00

2012-01-26T14:15:00.000-06:00

We took a glass bottom boat trip. The water was clear and the day was perfect. Here are a few shots of the shore as we pulled away from Port Lucaya.

Pulling Away from Port Lucaya

2012-01-26T14:04:00.000-06:00

Light House at Port Lucaya

2012-01-26T13:56:00.000-06:00

Beach near Port Lucaya

2012-01-26T13:36:00.000-06:00

2012-01-20T18:47:00.000-06:00

We took a city tour in Freeport. I think our guide said there were four Burger Kings and two KFC's on the island as he pointed out a few of them out to us. We were wondering why he seemed so enthused but these seem to be the only American Franchises there. He showed us a McDonald's which was closed. As we were leaving town he drove on a side street, stopped and said the castle on the hill overlooking the ocean belongs to the man who owns the Burger Kings and the KFC's. It looks like the locals there like the restaurants a lot.

Castle in Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-20T18:38:00.001-06:00

2012-01-18T11:22:00.000-06:00

I have posted a few more pictures taken in Groves Gardens which were taken from my camera. Again, I am so thankful to get my camera back.

Sign in Groves Garden with Bird Residents

2012-01-18T11:19:00.000-06:00

Talking Bird

2012-01-18T11:15:00.000-06:00

Ducks at the Top of the Falls

2012-01-18T11:10:00.000-06:00

Waterfalls in the Groves Garden

2012-01-18T11:05:00.002-06:00

Statues in Groves Gardens

2012-01-18T10:59:00.000-06:00

Bob in Groves Gardens

2012-01-18T10:56:00.000-06:00

2012-01-16T10:28:00.000-06:00

This is a good day! It is supposed to be 76 degrees and I got my camera back from the Wyndham Hotel at Freeport, Bahamas. This is thanks to Gustavo in guest services and Fe-Ex. I really appreciate the honesty of the people at the hotel and all of their efforts to get the camera back to us. We consider ourselves very fortunate.

The beautiful white fluffy sands are difficult for me to walk on but I made my way to a chair and Bob took the camera to take some pictures. I love the one below of his shadow. By the way, if it looks strange it is because he had a towel wrapped around his waste.

Bob's Shadow Taking a Picture

2012-01-16T10:17:00.000-06:00

Card in the Sand

2012-01-16T10:13:00.002-06:00

Me on the Beach at Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-16T10:10:00.000-06:00

2012-01-13T12:05:00.000-06:00

In 1955 Wallace Groves who was a Virginian Financier had lumber interests in Grand Bahamas. He was granted 50,000 acres to develop the Freeport area. Since then Freeport has become the 2nd most populous city in the Bahamas. Wallace and his wife were responsible for building the beautiful Groves Botanic Gardens.

Me in the Groves Gardens in Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-13T11:54:00.000-06:00

Info on Labyrinth in Groves Gardens Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-13T11:51:00.000-06:00

Labyrinth at Groves Gardens in Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-13T11:48:00.001-06:00

2012-01-12T07:15:00.001-06:00

After a tiring day of travel we arrived at Freeport Bahamas. They had a New Years parade on January 2nd because it was their legal New Years holiday. We were too exhausted to go but we shot these images from our room as it was locally televised.

Happy 2112 From Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-12T07:10:00.000-06:00

Musician in 2012 Parade in Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-12T07:05:00.000-06:00

New Years Parade 2012 in Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-12T07:01:00.000-06:00

2012 New Years Parade, Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-12T06:55:00.002-06:00

Parade in Freeport, Bahamas 2012

2012-01-12T06:50:00.001-06:00

Vacation in the Bahamas

2012-01-10T07:57:00.000-06:00

I was rolling my suitcase away from my hotel room when I turned and glanced once more at the beautiful white sands skirting the blue calm waters surrounded by colorful palm trees and smelling the freshness in the air. I bide fair-well to our vacation in the Bahamas.

If you are ever going to leave your camera behind, don't leave it out of the country. Shipping is much more involved. Fortunately security at our hotel found our camera and we have been working with the very cooperative guest services trying to get the camera shipped back to us. Thank you Gustavo. I am looking forward to getting it back because it is a nice camera and takes great pictures. My husband and kids went together three years ago and bought the camera for me on my birthday. So I am a little sentimental about it too.

The pictures below and the ones I will be showing you until I get my camera back were taken from Bob's little pocket camera.

Bahamas - Viva Fortuna Resort - Wyndham in Freeport

2012-01-10T07:35:00.000-06:00

View from Balcony at Freeport Bahamas

2012-01-10T07:22:00.001-06:00

Palm in the Bahamas

2012-01-10T07:18:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year to All!

2012-01-01T17:00:00.002-06:00

Bob has been on vacation this past week. He spent much of his time preparing the flooring for our new shed. It doesn't look like it but it involved several trips to Home Depot, (which is 25 minutes away) vigorous digging, leveling and carrying materials. He also spent a lot of time soaking in the tub to relax his muscles after all of the manual labor. It will be worth the trouble as we will be excited to organize our garage when he is finished.
We also took the Grand-kids to the movies and saw "We bought a zoo." It was an enjoyable movie for all ages.

Although busy these past few days I wanted to take a minute to wish everyone a wonderful 2012 hoping for happiness and good health throughout the new year.

Shed Flooring

2012-01-01T16:47:00.000-06:00

2011-12-25T14:15:00.003-06:00

Happy Christmas Everyone!

My grand-daughter Peyton and my daughter-in-law Casey put this together for Christmas dinner. They are black olives, cream cheese and carrots. They are really too cute to eat.

Happy Christmas!

2011-12-25T14:11:00.000-06:00

2011-12-22T08:42:00.000-06:00

Often Bob will have a few days of vacation in December. We love to travel to the south of Texas for quick getaways. There are so many places in Texas to visit. Last year we went to South Padre Island. The weather in the south is usually a little warmer than in North Texas. What I don't understand is that the Southern Gulf area is a little deserted at that time of the year. The hotels are almost empty. But, it is a great time to get a good deal on a room. Last week we went to Galveston for a couple of days. I love that city and never tire of going there.
In the photo below I am standing with two friends, Kristine and Rick who own two restaurants in the Galveston area. The restaurants are the "Seaside Bistro" located in the Victorian Condo Hotel on Seawall Blvd. and the other one is in Kemah Texas called "What's Cookin'." The menu consists of a huge variety of dishes prepared with a German flair. When you are in the Galveston area make sure to treat yourself to a delicious lunch or dinner. And say hi to Kristine and Rick for us.

Kristine, Rick and Me

2011-12-22T08:16:00.000-06:00

2011-12-20T09:26:00.001-06:00

The day after Thanksgiving my niece Chasity, her husband and two children drove from Indiana to Chicago for a visit. We had never met Gavin which goes to show you how long it had been since we saw them. Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of Chasity's husband Brandon. Sometimes I get so involved in visiting that I don't take enough time for photos.

My niece Chasity and Her Two Children

2011-12-20T09:19:00.000-06:00

Chasity

2011-12-20T08:48:00.000-06:00

Gavin and Gabby

2011-12-14T20:09:00.002-06:00

You will have to scroll down a couple of pages to see some of the images I posted from John's 40th birthday celebration. Casey arranged to surprise him in the bowling alley of the resort. Some family and friends of the kids going all the way back to high school attended. It worked out great because there was entertainment for not only their friends but their kids could also bowl and be part of the special event. One of John's friends from high school (Lenny) surprised him also. The kids were very close in age and shared many of the same friends in school and remained friends throughout the years. Bob's sister Mary Ann and her family spent the day with us. We really appreciated it especially considering she had worked all night. John's father-in-law John D. took my camera and took some of the pictures. That was fun.

Me with Bob

2011-12-14T19:28:00.001-06:00

My brother Sy and his wife Hollie

2011-12-14T19:23:00.001-06:00

My niece Lisa with Joy

2011-12-14T19:21:00.000-06:00

John's father and mother in law, John and Diana

2011-12-14T19:18:00.001-06:00

Bowling, Reagan, Conner, Joyce, Andy and Bill

2011-12-14T19:04:00.003-06:00

Brent with Angie

2011-12-14T18:59:00.001-06:00

Brittany and Peyton

2011-12-14T18:54:00.000-06:00

Me and my sister-in-law Mary Ann

2011-12-14T18:52:00.000-06:00

Rob's sister Carrie, Rob's friend Scott and Rob

2011-12-14T18:47:00.001-06:00

Joy and Melisa, Best Friends from school.

2011-12-14T18:42:00.002-06:00

John's friend from school, Lenny

2011-12-14T18:34:00.002-06:00

Amy and Denise

2011-12-14T18:29:00.002-06:00

Amy and her friend, Tom

2011-12-14T18:18:00.003-06:00

Casey, Joy and Reagan (Joy's best friend's daughters)

2011-12-14T18:14:00.002-06:00

Ben with Casey's Dad, John

2011-12-14T18:11:00.000-06:00

Kevin with Reagan and Conner

2011-12-14T18:07:00.001-06:00

Casey and Casey

2011-12-14T18:03:00.001-06:00

2011-12-09T08:39:00.002-06:00

Jane, Ben and Jake visited us in Texas this past spring instead of coming either Thanksgiving or Christmas as they do every year. This year for Thanksgiving most of our families either flew or drove to Chicago. We also celebrated John and Brooke's birthdays. John turned 40 and Brooke turned sweet 16.

Jane made arrangements for everyone to stay at a nearby resort. Bob and I stayed at Jane's. We drove up a little earlier to visit and help with dinners and celebrations. The resort was really nice with a pool, spa, sauna, bowling ally, golf course, and restaurant. This became a play ground for everyone to meet and do things together. The guys played golf a couple of times. We had a surprise 40th party for John in the bowling alley. That was a perfect idea and I will post pictures in the next few days of that event and other activities.

I love the banner that Jane had made showing John as a little boy and John now. The suit that John wore in the little boy picture was made by my Mother. She was a really good seamstress. It is funny how little things like that bring back the memory of my Mom who I miss so much.

Banner Made for John, Little Boy Picture and 40 Years Old

2011-12-09T08:35:00.002-06:00

Jane's Living Room Set Up For Thanksgiving

2011-12-09T08:30:00.001-06:00

Celebrating Uncle John's 40th and Brooke's 16th

2011-12-09T08:26:00.001-06:00

2011-11-30T21:22:00.003-06:00

Here are some more photos of the beautiful Intercourse Pa. taken on our trip to Philadelphia. October was the best time of the year to capture the most colorful time of the year. The town was very quaint with shops full of crafty and unique gifts.

2011-11-30T21:17:00.002-06:00

2011-11-30T21:14:00.001-06:00

2011-11-30T21:11:00.000-06:00

2011-11-30T21:08:00.000-06:00

2011-11-30T21:04:00.001-06:00

2011-11-30T21:01:00.001-06:00

2011-11-30T20:58:00.000-06:00

2011-11-30T20:53:00.002-06:00

2011-11-24T10:21:00.002-06:00

While in Philadelphia for nephew Scott's wedding we toured the city and at the end of the week we took a drive heading for Lancaster. We never made it to Lancaster as we spent a lot of time at Intercourse touring the shops and enjoying the beautiful landscape of the area. I have more pictures of that area to share later. I thought this photo was quite appropriate for today. I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2011-11-24T10:18:00.000-06:00

Happy Birthday to John

2011-11-22T14:43:00.001-06:00

November is full of birthdays in our family. Today it's John's 40th. We will have a few surprises for him and I will share later.

Happy 40th Birthday to John

2011-11-22T14:41:00.001-06:00

Happy Birthday Brooke!

2011-11-21T20:14:00.004-06:00

Brooke turned 16 yesterday. She is our first grandchild. It seems impossible that much time has gone by. Brooke has grown into a beautiful young lady. She is very sweet, intelligent and talented. One of Brooke's passions is her horse Starbuck which leads to the reason she is so happy she got a truck for her birthday. Having the truck will allow her to transport Starbuck to shows and will also be helpful when she goes to work at the barn. Brooke hopes to be a veteranian someday.

Brooke, Sweet 16

2011-11-21T20:05:00.001-06:00

2011-11-15T19:29:00.002-06:00

This photo was taken while we were in Philadelphia. We took a bus tour and took several pictures while riding on the top. This is a great way to tour a city. I love this beautiful entryway to China Town.

Entryway to China Town in Philadelphia

2011-11-15T19:25:00.002-06:00

2011-11-12T16:44:00.003-06:00

Today is Robert's birthday. We wish him a great day. Robert was transferred to Baton Rouge La. He called last week and told us he had been promoted to General Manager of the Restaurant there. Congratulations Robert!

Happy Birthday Robert!

2011-11-12T16:41:00.000-06:00

2011-11-08T11:54:00.004-06:00

In some weddings kids are invited and in some they are not. I have been to both kinds and that is the prerogative of the bride and groom. I wanted to say that every time I have attended weddings where kids have been invited and they have dancing at the reception; I think the kids have more fun than the adults. That is saying a lot because that is also a time that even adults seems to let loose and have the greatest time. Andy and Joyce are Scott's cousins and our niece and nephew. Didn't they look cute! I love Joyce's dress.