THROUGH A VIRGIN'S EYES

There's nothing quite like traveling with a pair of virgin eyes, to help give you a new perspective on things that might have seemed old hat or run-of-the-mill before.  Outdoor Woman just happened to have some friends from Australia, who are working their way from L.A. to Houston, stop in this week.  We left Peter at home with Mr. O.W., but we kidnapped Helen at 8:00 a.m. and took her on one of our Muses' Marathon Road Trips, 'cause we just didn't think she was getting enough time in the car, driving across the country and all.

The first of several stops for sustenance throughout the day.

Our primary purpose was to attend two art shows that were going on simultaneously over at the  Kerrville Arts and Cultural Center.  One was the Southwest Gourd Fine Art Show, and the other was a fiber arts show, in which our own Fiber Woman had at least six or seven pieces on display.

One of FW's amazing hand-woven and -dyed leather dresses, and her woven wall assemblage, plus a small quilted piece by one of her friends.

Here's the way we think: "Well, if we are going to Kerrville, we should probably stop in Fredericksburg first, at that fun ice cream shop that had the really good pastries at the back," says one.  "Then we may as well take in a few galleries while we're there," says another.  "Oh wait, and what about all those great salvage and thrift stores in both towns?" says a third.

Then another says, "Hold on!  Remember that "Top 50 Burgers" article in Texas Monthly?  Wasn't #3 on the list somewhere in that general vicinity?"

You have to sit on it first, just to get it in your mouth -- especially if you order it as recommended, with added green chilies, caramelized onions, and avocado!

Haven't seen hair-dos like this in a coon's age!

Then, of course, someone else said "Wow, with this being Helen's very first time in Texas, we really can't go home without swinging by Luckenbach for a cold one.  It just wouldn't be right!"

Which is how it ended up being 9:00 p.m. before we dragged our tired tushies home.  But, I just have to say one thing.  I have to say "Thank you Helen.  Your eager attitude, wide-eyed smile, and wonderful accent made every person we ran into seem a little bit friendlier, and made all that is ordinary to us seem just a bit extra-ordinary!"

FRIDAY'S GRATITUDE: THE VIEW FROM MY PORCH

It just never gets old!

REDO NEWS

Well, we've got new flooring in the kitchen and bath (yea!), but we still don't have a useable toilet upstairs (boo!).

Hopefully, the plumber will make it by sometime today, to reset that and install all the new hardware.  Once that's done, there's nothing left to do but a quick bit of painting, and waiting for the glass shower walls to come in.  Sure hope that happens soon, for though our claw-footed tub downstairs is great for soaking in, trying to wash one's hair with its hand-held nozzle is not so great.  I just can't seem to do it without flooding the entire room!

Guess I'd better go get dressed.  I'm off on an adventure with the Muses today, involving fiber arts, gourds, and what's reputed to be the best burger in Texas!  Will report back soon.

AND NOW FOR THE REALLY FUN PART

Yikes!  I was somehow under the impression that the new flooring wouldn't be going in until next Tuesday, after they had finished painting and everything.  However, last night as we were crawling into bed, I made a comment about how nice it would be to have a couple of days with no workmen in the house.  John looked at me like I was crazy!  "Uh, Beck?  Have you forgotten that they start on the floor tomorrow?"  Nooooo!  I wasn't sure he was right, but just in case, I got up before dawn and started emptying out my big china hutch and moving out anything that touched the floor.

Who knew that much stuff could fit in two little cabinets?

Turns out John was right, which is a good thing, cuz I wasn't planning on putting it all back again if he wasn't!

CHOOSING PAINT COLORS IS A (WORD THAT RHYMES WITH WITCH)

It took about $40.00 worth of little paint sample tubs, and multiple trips to San Marcos...

but we finally have a winner!  Or, at least, a color that no one actively hates.  Which one did we choose?  Guess you'll have to wait and see.

WEEKENDING

The Hyde Park Home Tour, over in Austin...

Lunch at Food Heads...

Roast Beef and Brie with a sinus-clearing sauce, and house-made pickles.

Plus the pleasure of my daughter's company...

Not a bad way to spend a Saturday!

Today it is treating Dad to breakfast at his favorite cafe, a chair full of presies to open, whipping up a batch of Cherry Chocolate Amaretto ice cream and stashing it in the freezer, a bit of lazing around, taking Dad to a newly-released Sci-Fi flick, stopping off at Salt Lick on the way home to grab our barbecue order, then having our Father's Day feast of that and the homemade ice cream.  Not a bad way to spend a Sunday!