Road Show

Alright...so "'round texas" might be a little misleading since Southwestern University is taking it "on the road"...to Colorado, as well.  

Are you a senior in high school interested in a small liberal arts school located in the heart of Central Texas?  Are you a parent of a senior hoping to send your child to an EXCELLENT university with small classes, rich student life, prestigious professors...all located in a small Texas town?  

If so...then this is for YOU!

I can't help it!  I am a PROUD graduate!  Take a look at what Forbes had to say about 

Southwestern University...

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Because everyone LOVES a little holiday cheer!

A few FABULOUS BLOGGERS have come together to bring you a great October Giveaway...

One lucky winner will win a 100 dollar gift card to Party City to grab those Halloween tricks and treats.

The Giveaway runs from September 18, 2012-October 13, 2012.

Open to the US only.

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A Thrifty Diva.

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Day Trippin'

Ciara, Ella, Jace', Mary Gertrude and I "day-tripped" to Blanco State Park today!  It is a perfect "middle point" between San Antonio and Dripping Springs.  It costs four dollars per person and you can enjoy the park until 10pm.  Pets are allowed...obviously...but are required to stay on a leash and NOT enter the river...an edict that "Bella's" parents clearly violated which had me fuming.  If MY child has to abide by the rules...SO DO YOURS!  But...I digress.

We find a comfy spot right along the banks of the river under three old pines.  The entrance point into the river was just steps from our spot and so we took turns getting in and out of the water.  

Note: Take water shoes if you plan to get in the river.  The shallow part is rocky and the rocky surfaces are VERY slippery.

This day-trip definitely delivered and I think I spent less than 15 dollars!  And that makes me smile even bigger.  

The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake

(photo from www.amazon.com)

I am coming to the end of this book.  My father gave it to me as a 35th birthday gift.  (We all know how that birthday went, don't we.  Okay, pity party over.)  

To be honest...this book took me a while to "get into."  The author spends an extraordinary amount of pages setting the story up.  A young girl can taste the emotions of the people who prepare the food she consumes.  This notion has fascinated me for some time; so when I discovered this book I was thrilled.  (I am a firm believer in being in a good state while cooking or baking.  I have always believed....well....since I read Like Water for Chocolate that your emotions infuse the food you create.)  Anyhow....I was fairly disappointed early on. However, I have to say the book is finishing up nicely.  The conflict arrives late in the story; but when it does it is both gentle and devastatingly sad.

Aimee Bender is known for crafting unique, but lovably bizarre characters.  Indeed, she has crafted a family of particularly sad people who seem impossible to understand.  But isn't that how it is?  We can only really understand the family we were born into.  All others seem distant and strange...simply because they aren't what we intimately know; it isn't what is weaved through us at a cellular level.

If you are a fan of "quirk" then pick this up.  If odd people, odd characters, odd movies, odd situations aren't your thing, might I suggest you leave this one on the shelf?

Pies from Bluebonnet Cafe in Marble Falls, TX.......

Views from the lake house at Horseshoe Bay....generously shared with us by Charlie and Becky Doege!

"There's a place for us....when are you going to realize it was just that the time was wrong?" 

-Dire Straits

Good night, dear friends!  Good news...in 30 minutes it is officially Friday...and for most of you that means 30 minutes until pay day!

A Visit from the Flamingos....

All the way from Dallas, Texas.....Todd's Flamingos! I have missed them. Apparently they were not keen on dressing up for Halloween. I wonder why? Anyhow...enjoy! And many thanks to Todd for always sharing his photos.

Be safe as you all travel today. I am hoping to be able to post from my "remote location" but have not asked about the wireless capabilities, yet.

Oktoberfest

Happy Sunday, friends!

My crazy, insane week is over! Not only did I survive, I was also reminded of the many blessings bestowed upon me in the form of family and friends. You all know who you are and I am ever so grateful that you are all in my life. Some of you are new friends....many of you have been with me for a long time. You each enrich me and constantly remind me of "purpose" and God's grace. I am an insanely blessed woman.

Today's post is kind of a mixed bag. There isn't much in the way of logic. However I hope you enjoy the photos and musings....

The following photos are from the 5th Annual Sul Ross Middle School Health and Resource fair sponsored by Texas State Representative Joaquin Castro and co-sponsored by District 7 Councilman Justin Rodriguez and Texas State Senator Leticia Van de Putte. Irene Alvarez is to be commended on gathering over 80 vendors to provide the community and Northside ISD employees with various health and wellness resources...AND free flu vaccines! I just came along for the ride and ended up as the "historian" for Joaquin's office since I was the only one with a camera!

District 7 Councilman, Justin Rodriguez, TX State Representative, Joaquin Castro and I. What a lucky lady!

TX State Senator Leticia Van de Putte and I. One and 1/2 wise Latina's in this photo. I am still amassing my wisdom! I bet she's got loads of wisdom on me. But I am workin' on it!

My dear, dear, dear friend Larry Lira and I at the Health Fair. We are two of the "longest standing" at Sul Ross. I have known Larry for over 10 years!

Today I had the pleasure of meeting Ciara, Ryan and Ella in Fredricksburg, TX for Oktoberfest. Ciara's step-mother, Linda's, parents (does that make sense) are members of a Polka band. They play Oktoberfest every year. Let's say this was my MUCH LESS "hip" version of ACL! But it was my kind of festival, nonetheless. I had a GREAT time with the Bearden's. Below are some photos of the band, Ciara, Ryan, Ella and I. I am way to sleepy to give each of these a caption. I will say I played with the color and quality of some of these photos. I hope you all enjoy.....

I will say that lots of "firsts" took place today. I ate sauerkraut for the first time. Not bad, not bad at all! Healthy and tasty. Apologies to mom for the years I gave her a hard time for eating it. Ella had her first funnel cake. She seemed unimpressed. The more she ate the more she liked it. But on the whole I expected MUCH MORE excitement over THE "fair food" delicacy. She also had her face painted for the first time. What a beautiful little butterfly...and what a gorgeous, infectious smile!
Yesterday mom, dad and I visited On Main Off Main and we had a wonderful time. It happened to be the 26th birthday of the San Antonio legend! Oscar was a wonderful host and he made us feel completely at home! This store boasts an eclectic collection of just about everything! The chocolates are OUT OF THIS WORLD and the gift selection is amazing. They have an extensive collection of unique books in their store, as well. I spent quite a bit of time looking through the books and I came across this book last. I HAD to have it......
I have flipped through it briefly. It is a history of the Airstream with tons and tons and tons of photos! There are some old advertisements in it. There are floor plans, as well. I think I have "the one" picked out! I am really trying to place less emphasis on "things"...I really am. I want to focus on the important things in life. I realize amassing "things" will not bring me happiness. (I know many of you are laughing at me right now. You guys know I just love "stuff" and "collections." But I really am trying to prioritize.) BUT.....I NEED an Airstream at some point in this lifetime. I want to take this American icon to visit American landscapes. I think that would be a beautiful thing.

Goodnight. I hope you all have a wonderful week!