LET IT SNOW

For those of you who are already sick of snow, I hope you will forgive my giddiness. But, waking up to scenes like these? Well, that's a once-in-a-lifetime here in central Texas!

 
Hard to believe that, just a couple of days ago, it was 80 F. out, and I was wearing sandals!

GUINNESS THE WONDER DOG

We babysat our grand dog Guinness a few weeks back and boy, am I glad we did!

John had been out working in the yard all morning, using his manly blow torch gizmo to kill weeds in the gravel paths, and around the edges of our parking pad. He came inside, got cleaned up, then we fixed some lunch and sat down to watch a movie. Midway through, Guinness suddenly went berserk, barking her head off and spinning in circles. I figured she must have seen a deer or a delivery man in the driveway, so I poked my head out the door to check. Guess what I found?

Our yard was on fire! Thank heaven she alerted us when she did, else we might well have lost our garage and both cars...

not to mention the unoccupied house just beyond those trees!

My hero, always on the lookout for danger!

 

THE GANG'S ALL HERE

Well, almost.

This year we were so excited that ranching-electrician-nephew Kevin and his wife Goya were finally going to take time away from their animals in order to join us for an early Christmas celebration with all my siblings and their kiddos. Unfortunately, just a few days prior to the gathering, brother-in-law Bud got word that his mother had passed away, so he and sister Kathy headed up to W. Virginia instead. They were sorely missed, but we still managed to have a pretty good time, thanks to our little goobster Calvin!

First, there were the spicy pork tamales that Kevin and Goya brought with them -- probably the best I've ever had. Turns out they're even good for breakfast! Thankfully, they brought enough to stock my freezer for a while!

Calvin's New Best Friend

Then there were all the electrical chores Kevin took care of for us while he was here, including the installation of USB outlets in the kitchen (moments before I was supposed to start cooking for the gang) and changing the burned out lightbulbs in our garage that require a 20 ft. ladder to reach!

We did a white elephant gift exchange -- the kind where you can pick a gift from under the tree, or steal one from someone else.

Everything went great until niece Merrit traded that makeup for this.

When that motorized pile of poop suddenly took off at warp speed, it freaked poor little Calvin out so badly that he had a total meltdown!

 Fortunately, he forgot all about it when he saw the fire truck...

and WWII pilot gear...

There was even a full outfit plus bomber jacket, and a wonderful book to go with it!

just like the ones greatgrandpa George is wearing in the photo on our wall!

It was a very good weekend!
  

AT LONG LAST, IT'S BACK!

Hubby had a late afternoon dermo appointment in San Marcos yesterday, so he suggested I tag along, then we'd have dinner there afterwards. We were thinking about going to a steak place as we hadn't done that since, well, I can't even remember when! On our way there, however, Hubs decided to swing by the old River Pub, to see how the reconstruction was coming along. But it wasn't coming along. It was done. They were open!  Needless to say, we never made it to the steak place.

Now, one never really went to the River Pub for their food, which was just so so. You went for the location, which is right above the San Marcos river, at the chutes and shuttle pick-up spot where all the toobers and kayakers congregate -- which is why it was so heartbreaking to see that primo spot sitting vacant for so many years. I am happy to report that the open air deck where we always sat is still there, and better than ever.

There weren't many people out on the water this time of year, but I did enjoy watching this paddle-boarder with his little doggie...

and these little college boys in their wet suits.

The inside bar and restaurant are way spiffier than the originals, which had more of an old-time-scuzzy feel to them.

We decided to start with basic burgers, figuring that would be a good barometer for the rest of the food.

My Hickory Burger, With Crispy Fried Onion

They weren't as good as Hays City Store, but they weren't bad. Next time I think I'll try some barbecue. They had a whole separate menu just for that, so I'm guessing that's their primary focus. They also had all the down home favorites like chopped steak, chicken fried steak and fried catfish. Just don't go if you're trying to stay lean and clean!

Can't wait until spring, when all the college kids will be back on the river!

 
Welcome back River Pub. You have been sorely missed!

NO SNOW GLOBES

Well, it's finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here.

I started paring down on holiday decor as soon as we decided to sell the house in Houston, and kept at it, a little more each year, until I hit the sweet spot -- that point where it was just enough to be cheerful, but not so much that it required multiple trips up our rickety attic stairs and down to the basement and out to the garage to haul it all out. Now most of it gets stored away in the cabinet where it is displayed, and is easily pulled out and set up in one afternoon.

There are just two things missing now. One is our tree, which is a little four-footer that goes on this sofa table.

All my sibs and their families are coming here this weekend for an early Christmas celebration, and we're probably going to need that table to serve food off of, so the tree will have to wait until Sunday afternoon.

The other thing missing? My precious snow globes, which usually get displayed here, along with my snow babies.

They must be stored in the bottom of this cabinet my father-in-law built for us many moons ago...

the cabinet whose special custom-made key broke off inside one of the doors not long ago...

making it impossible to open either door!

Ah well, who cares? We have an 18 month old grandson to celebrate with this year! It's gonna be fun no matter how we decorate!

A COLOR-MAD BEARD

Ahoy Mates! Meet Rainbow-Beard!

You just never know where a rainbow might appear, when you have prisms hanging in your windows.