Don't you just love how the wine glass matches the wine box?
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Friday, July 17, 2015
HOT SUMMER DAY
Hot summer day, carry me along...
to that place, where I belong...
It was a long time coming this summer but, thanks to my friend High School Debbie, I finally made it. And I feel soooooooooo much better for it!
to that place, where I belong...
The Blue Hole
It was a long time coming this summer but, thanks to my friend High School Debbie, I finally made it. And I feel soooooooooo much better for it!
Thursday, July 16, 2015
EUPHORIA
Have you read this book?
I'm just now getting around to it, even though it came out in 2014 and won all kinds of awards. If you loved State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, or Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, you will surely love this. It is loosely based on events in the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead, whose book about the sex lives of Samoan adolescents is said to have spawned the sexual revolution of the 60's. Anywho, I'm 3/4 of the way through, and really loving it so far, although I fear it's about to take a turn towards the dark side. Definitely makes me want to learn more about Margaret Mead, and to read some of her books.
The title of this book, along with a quiz entitled "What % Hippie Are You?", which was going around on Facebook this week, got me to thinkin' about this little story by the same name. I wrote it way back in my early blogging days, and it explains how I ended up being that rarest of things -- a Hippie who never drank, smoked, or used drugs.
I'm just now getting around to it, even though it came out in 2014 and won all kinds of awards. If you loved State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, or Barbara Kingsolver's The Poisonwood Bible, you will surely love this. It is loosely based on events in the life of anthropologist Margaret Mead, whose book about the sex lives of Samoan adolescents is said to have spawned the sexual revolution of the 60's. Anywho, I'm 3/4 of the way through, and really loving it so far, although I fear it's about to take a turn towards the dark side. Definitely makes me want to learn more about Margaret Mead, and to read some of her books.
The title of this book, along with a quiz entitled "What % Hippie Are You?", which was going around on Facebook this week, got me to thinkin' about this little story by the same name. I wrote it way back in my early blogging days, and it explains how I ended up being that rarest of things -- a Hippie who never drank, smoked, or used drugs.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
WONDERFULLY WEIRD CASA NEVERLANDIA
As I promised, I've saved the very best house, from Austin's Weird Homes Tour, for last. There was one other we went through but I'm going to skip it. Not because it wasn't nice, but because it was too nice, and didn't really count as a weird house in my book. It was actually a multimillion dollar McMansion built to look like a castle -- not all that unusual amongst the weenie-wagging set. In fact, someone just built one here in Wimberley. On top of the highest peak, of course, looking down on everyone else. Nope, I'll take color-mad, eco-conscious Casa Neverlandia over that any ol' day!
There are rope bridges leading from the master bedroom porch at the top of the house over to the woodworking and art spaces behind the house, and the treehouse aerie above them.
One of the owners does these beautiful beaded pieces, on display throughout the house...
but know what I like even better? This!
I'd seen pictures of this place many times, but nothing compares to seeing it up close and personal -- which is why I've added Barcelona to my Bucket List. Senor Gaudà is calling my name!
There are rope bridges leading from the master bedroom porch at the top of the house over to the woodworking and art spaces behind the house, and the treehouse aerie above them.
One of the owners does these beautiful beaded pieces, on display throughout the house...
but know what I like even better? This!
I'd seen pictures of this place many times, but nothing compares to seeing it up close and personal -- which is why I've added Barcelona to my Bucket List. Senor Gaudà is calling my name!
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
EARTHBAG HOUSE
I can't believe it! I just now realized that I never finished showing you my photos from the last two houses on Austin's Weird Homes Tour. Today I give you The Earthbag House, on E. 10th, hand-built by a young woman with four kids.
And, since I believe in saving the best for last, tomorrow I will take you through Neverlandia!
And, since I believe in saving the best for last, tomorrow I will take you through Neverlandia!
Monday, July 13, 2015
ONE MORE TINY THING: ROMANO BEANS
"I think that sometimes people don't grow fresh food because they think that it is too much work. So my advice to you is to only grow a tiny thing that pleases you, and enjoy that tiny thing for all it is worth." ~ Joie De Vivre by Robert Arbor
Years ago I found a recipe for Romano beans on the blog Orangette. It looked so yummy that I was just dying to try it, but I couldn't find Romano beans at any store or farmers' market in the area. I did, however, find a packet of seeds. So I decided to grow my own. I planted them by the front door on my only trellis, and managed to harvest one handful before the deer discovered them. That was just enough to test the recipe and realize they were every bit as delicious as they sounded! I have been pining for them ever since.
A few years ago I gave up trying to turn the Cantina Garden into a vegetable garden, and planted it with herbs, perennials and succulents instead, which reduced the deer invasions dramatically! In fact, I hadn't seen any deer damage in months, so it got me to thinkin'. What if I planted a few Romano plants in the back, hidden behind lantana and asparagus fronds -- things the deer despise? Guess what? The deer still found them. And chomped on quite a few other plants while they were at it! But, know what they didn't find? The few seeds I had stuck in the pots and windowboxes on our upstairs balcony, just as an afterthought.
And now, check it out!
Just a few more, and I will have enough for the both of us...if I don't eat them all before Hubby ever sees them.
Romano Beans a la Orangette (one serving)
Bring pot of salted water to a boil and toss in a handful of Romano green beans, cooking until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Heat a glug (about a tablespoon?) of olive oil in a medium skillet and gently saute one clove of minced garlic. Add beans, 1-2 T. of breadcrumbs and a bit of coarse salt. Shake and toss to coat beans. Heat until warmed through and breadcrumbs are crispy.
Simple. Scrumptious.
Oh Happy Day!
"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
Years ago I found a recipe for Romano beans on the blog Orangette. It looked so yummy that I was just dying to try it, but I couldn't find Romano beans at any store or farmers' market in the area. I did, however, find a packet of seeds. So I decided to grow my own. I planted them by the front door on my only trellis, and managed to harvest one handful before the deer discovered them. That was just enough to test the recipe and realize they were every bit as delicious as they sounded! I have been pining for them ever since.
A few years ago I gave up trying to turn the Cantina Garden into a vegetable garden, and planted it with herbs, perennials and succulents instead, which reduced the deer invasions dramatically! In fact, I hadn't seen any deer damage in months, so it got me to thinkin'. What if I planted a few Romano plants in the back, hidden behind lantana and asparagus fronds -- things the deer despise? Guess what? The deer still found them. And chomped on quite a few other plants while they were at it! But, know what they didn't find? The few seeds I had stuck in the pots and windowboxes on our upstairs balcony, just as an afterthought.
And now, check it out!
Just a few more, and I will have enough for the both of us...if I don't eat them all before Hubby ever sees them.
Romano Beans a la Orangette (one serving)
Bring pot of salted water to a boil and toss in a handful of Romano green beans, cooking until just tender. Drain and rinse with cold water.
Heat a glug (about a tablespoon?) of olive oil in a medium skillet and gently saute one clove of minced garlic. Add beans, 1-2 T. of breadcrumbs and a bit of coarse salt. Shake and toss to coat beans. Heat until warmed through and breadcrumbs are crispy.
Simple. Scrumptious.
Oh Happy Day!
"There is no duty we so much underrate as the duty of being happy." ~ Robert Louis Stevenson
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