ODE TO MACKENZIE CHILDS

Well, what started out to be a somewhat depressing, last-ditch mission to the medical center in Houston with my hubby, somehow morphed into the loveliest little one-night vacation -- one that managed to surprise us both! To start with, we usually book (via hotels.com) a room at one of those small hotels for business traveler,s whenever we go to Houston. This time, however, when John was trolling for something down near the medical center, he saw a listing for a B&B called Robin's Nest that sounded interesting and, on the spur of the moment, booked that instead. Since we arrived in Houston well before check-in time, we decided to kill a little time at Texas Art Supply over on Montrose. I wasn't expecting to find much in the way of crafty stuff, but figured I could at least nab a jar of the Golden gel medium that's supposed to be best for doing image transfers. Boy, was I ever mistaken. This shop had every single thing I've ever wanted in the way of art journaling/mixed media supplies, but could never find at Michaels or Hobby Lobby -- and had them selling for a good bit less than what I could order them for on line, which is why I ended up with all of this!

What really cracked me up was that Hubby was tossing stuff into the cart every bit as fast as I was (some cool stocking stuffers for the kids), plus had a secret stash that I wasn't allowed to see. I never even made it over to the book section, where I could easily have spent an entire day. This experience alone would have been enough to make my month, but wait, there's more!

As soon as we pulled up to the curb in front of our B&B, and saw this, my Spidey-sensors started tingling like crazy. The place was absolutely color-mad! Not only that, but if you were ever a fan of designer MacKenzie Childs, well, that checkerboard pattern on the porch columns should have your own Spidey-senses tingling as well. A lot of us mimicked her designs with our home-sewn decor and do-it-yourself pottery painting, but this place was overflowing with the real deal my friends, from the end tables and ottomans, to the precious tin enamelware on the dining room table.

The best part was when owner Robin brought her cup of coffee over and sat down to chat with us at breakfast. It seems she had bought this late 19th century farmhouse (can you believe it?), back in the late  seventies, from the grandson of its original owners. At the time she had an exciting career as executive assistant for an ambassador. It wasn't until ten or fifteen years later, when Houston was in a major oil slump, that she started thinking about all the wonderful B&B's she had stayed in throughout Europe, as well as her passion for decorating, and suddenly had the inspiration for her next career.

As if that weren't enough, we got to enjoy a delicious dinner with son Austin and sweet Areej, at a lovely little French cafe called Sale'-Sucre'. I'm mad about their vintage-photo-topped-tables!

Of course, I know you are all wondering about this hypertension "specialist" we went to see, and what all he had to say, but the truth is, it's just to early to tell. The one thing I do appreciate so far is that he is the first who is bothering to look for causes, instead of merely treating the symptoms. So there are tests to be run, results to be analyzed, medications and history to be studied, and then in mid-November, when we visit with him again, perhaps we will know more.