GUANTANAMERA

If you were alive back in the early 70s, I bet you've already got this song stuck in your head, just from reading the title. I've been humming it non-stop ever since last weekend, when we met up with our kiddos at this place in S. Austin -- Guantanamera Cuban Cuisine, on West Gate at Wm. Cannon.

Par for the course, once we got to yakkin' and eatin', a certain someone forgot all about taking pictures! So you'll just have to take my word for it -- their El Cubano sandwich is muy, muy bueno!

And, according to the youngsters, who have been here before, their Mojitos are the best they've ever had, plus they have specialty coffees and cocktails. Lex is quite fond of one called The Hemmingway.

So if you're ever over in that neck of the woods, try it -- I think you'll like it!

Yo soy un hombre sincero...
 

HEADACHE PLANTS

We have two clumps of Texas Sage, one at each end of the property. As I mentioned recently, some people believe they can predict rain when they bloom, but that isn't exactly true. For one thing, our two clumps almost never bloom at the same time! Several weeks ago, when I wrote about the firepit clump coming into bloom, I did in fact wake up the next day to much cooler temps and a headache (I tend to get those whenever the weather does a yo-yo bounce), but no rain. At the time, I jokingly told my hubby that those sages seem to be better at predicting headaches than rain. Little did I know!

Only 63F. out this morning, which is fuzzy blanket weather, as far as Hubby is concerned.

Temps popped back up into the 90s shortly thereafter, but a couple of days ago, the firepit sages burst into bloom yet again.

And, sure enough, yesterday morning I woke up to cooler temps and one dooooozy of a headache. One which my usual cure-all of 2 Advil Liquigels plus a jolt of caffeine didn't even seem to faze. I tried going to my Tuesday morning meet-up with the Muses, but five minutes later had to pop up and run back home when the queasiness set in. Spent the rest of the day in a dark room with a wet cloth over my eyes, missing not only the time with the Muses but also the first fall vineyard meet-up with our wine-loving friends. Waaahh!

So, I'm guessing this is what it's like to have a migraine, huh? It finally went away later that evening, and I feel fine this morning, but I'm really, really, really hoping this isn't a sign of things to come. Cuz, if there's one thing Texas is known for (other than bonker politicians) it's weather that likes to yo-yo back and forth from one extreme to the other!

Dang sage plants...

BUILDING UP A COLOR-MAD STASH

I played with acrylic craft paints back in the 80s when tole painting and country decor were all the rage. Then I became a Prismacolor marker hoarder when I got into landscape design. However, ever since I took my first online class with Junelle Jacobsen, and discovered Neocolor II water soluble crayons, it's pretty much been all watercolor, all the time around here! Which is why I've been having soooo much fun with Danielle Donaldson's new Creative Girl workbook lately.

This week I've been enjoying her lesson about building up a watercolor stash -- the perfect project for those days when you feel like playing, but don't feel like having to think too much, or come up with ideas.

Basically, you just take your little scraps of watercolor paper and splash on a couple of analogous paint colors, like orange and yellow, or blue and green, then play around with different techniques, like wet on wet, or wet on dry, or sprinkling with salt, or leaving crumpled saran wrap on the paint as it dries.
 

I've also experimented with all different kinds of watercolor paints, from my basic Prang student set up top and these intensely pigmented Peerless watercolors that come on heavy paper strips...

to those Dr. Ph liquid watercolors Hubby gave me recently, and my little Koi travel set.

On the back of each piece I made note of which paints and techniques I used, for future reference. And, taadaa!  Now I have my very own "stash" of papers that can be the inspiration for future backgrounds, or cut up and used in other projects.

Plus, I had just a heckuva great time creating it! In fact, I think it just might be the perfect way to ease your brain into creative mode, whenever you're having trouble getting started. Try it!

THERE'S A NEW KID IN TOWN

If I'm to be perfectly honest, I was not exactly enthusiastic about having HEB come to Wimberley. It seemed like one more step down that slippery slope that would transform this sleepy little village into an Austin suburb. Many people came out to fight the decision, to no avail.  Now, it is a done deal.

Though many fought against the store, that did not stop them coming out in droves for the grand opening this Friday. In fact, so many came that by the time we arrived at 9:00 AM, they had already run out of all 1,000 shopping bags, boasting artwork from local students, that were to be given away!

I must admit, however, that they seemed to try very hard to cooperate with the town regarding design demands and sustainability issues. And, to be fair, our Brookshire Bros. store that was already here, and might get run out of business, is a chain store as well, and not locally owned. In fact, HEB is actually providing more jobs to local people than it does, sells more local merchandise, and has much lower prices over all.
 

So, I'm left feeling very torn. Truth be told, I expect I will end up shopping both -- HEB when I have lots to buy and want to keep the cost down, or need things that BB just doesn't carry. Brookshire Bros. when I just need a couple of things for that night's dinner, and want to get in and out fast, which is most of the time!

P.S. Kudos to HEB for that wonderful rain tank and retention pond, and for incorporating design elements from the old school that was previously on this property!