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!
 

SURPRISE ME!

Last Friday -- our "date day", when we normally go to lunch and a movie -- there was nothing on at the theaters we wanted to see. Instead, I suggested a trip to Trader Joe's over in Austin, to pick up the ingredients for a nice cheese platter to take to Lexi's housewarming party. The first surprise came when, instead of heading up Mopac in W. Austin, Hubby headed to a new Trader Joe's in downtown Austin! Who knew?

Afterwards, he asked me what I wanted for lunch. I couldn't think of anything in particular, so I told him to "Surprise me." And he did! Have you ever heard of a place called Zeek's On 6th?

It's a tiny little place out W. 6th, beyond all the clubs and bars. You'd probably never notice it if you weren't looking for it, as it shares a building with with a big hair salon called Bella, across the parking lot from Winflow. Hubby was back for their BLT, which he remembered as being mighty tasty. I went for one of their three specials that day -- Salmon Benedict. All I can say is, "OH MY!"

The sandwich was truly delicious, but it was those french fries that made me moan -- crispy European style, with just a touch of truffle oil. John went with the spicy potato chips, and they had to have been house-made. Best I ever tasted!

And so, once again, it's Adventure Boy for the win!

EVERY MOTHER'S WISH

Saturday was a big day for the Lane family. First up was the housewarming party for Lex and Nate.

It just tickled me no end to see Nate leading group after group on a tour of the house, and to hear the obvious pride in his voice as he pointed out all that Alexis had done to make the house their own.

Unfortunately, I only snapped a few quick pictures at the beginning, before most people had shown up. Then I got caught up in the fun, and a special little project.

Lex had mentioned several times that she would love to have a spiral herb garden in her new yard, and maybe grow a few veggies and some berries. So, as a housewarming gift, we gave her several books on growing food and herbs, plus a gift certificate to Natural Gardener, to help get her started. John even threw in an ergonomic shovel for good measure! I also picked up a copy of my gardening bible -- the little booklet about native and adapted plants for central Texas, which the Ag. Extension puts out and updates periodically. Then I grabbed a package of plant tags and, while at the party, went around labeling most of the plants in her front yard Agave Garden, and hi-lighting them in the booklet so she will know what she has and how to care for it.

Afterwards, we took son Austin and fiancee Areej out to dinner to celebrate both their birthdays. Can you believe my baby is about to turn 30?!! Wasn't it just a few years ago that Hubby threw that wake in honor of my own 30th birthday, and little Lexie was a mere babe in arms. So how can it be that just about everyone at the housewarming party had a couple of kids in tow?

We spent most of the dinner gabbing about the upcoming trip to Sudan, and hearing rib-splitting stories about a few of our son's Shameful-Sudanese-Etiquette-Blunders, the thing I fear most about this adventure. (Remind me to tell you the fist-bump story sometime.) I'm sure most of these escapades have already made their way back to Sudan, and that the relatives there just can't wait to meet these crazy Texans. I can only hope that their sense of humor is as wonderful and as forgiving as Areej's, and all her relatives that we've met here in Texas. 

All in all, it was quite a day -- a day I've dreamed of ever since that time when I first held Baby Alexis in my arms. What mother doesn't dream of her children someday finding someone who will love them just as she does -- wholeheartedly and unconditionally? Not in spite of who they are and their shortcomings, but precisely because of who -- and exactly as -- they are.
 

WHO LOVES TIME TRAVEL?

I do! I do!

If you too felt bereft upon finishing The Time Traveler's Wife and Outlander, not wanting them to be over and done, then you just might want to get your hands on a copy of Overseas, by Beatriz Williams.  It's a little bit Downton Abbey + a little bit Wall Street Wolf + a little bit WWI France + the most romantic hero since Jamie Frasier, all rolled into one. What's not to love?
 

A GOOD MORNING

Good morning sunshine...

 Good morning breakfast bunch...

Good morning hummingbirds...

Good morning temps that dipped down into the fifties, and windows thrown wide open. 

Could a morning get any better? Well, only if you capped it off with a plate of yummy Migas or Eggs & Biscuits at Hays City Store.

It was a very good morning!