Saturday, May 21, 2016
OH HAPPY DAY!
We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming for A MIRACLE! Our first grandbaby, Calvin Louis Sanders, was born yesterday at around 9:30 PM -- strong, healthy, and absolutely beautiful. The new little family came home from the birthing center at around 4:00 AM, and have been sound asleep ever since. Will be back soon with more details, maybe even a picture or two!
Wednesday, May 18, 2016
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY
Until my sister-in-law Priscilla had her first child, I'd never heard of Lamaze or La Leche League. Dear Pris was a bit of a renegade, you see, as everyone in my family bottle-fed their babies, wanted all the drugs they could get during delivery, and couldn't imagine why anyone would actually want their hubbies to be in the delivery room with them, to see them in such a state! Hospitals were slow to get on board with the new programs, however, and when Priscilla opted to have her second child at home with a midwife, our parents really thought she had lost it. Me? Well, I thank my lucky stars every day that she was there to pave the way for me and my daughters, for it is due in large part to her and her renegade compadres that we now have places like the Austin Area Birthing Center, where Little Goober will be born!
Miss Alexis invited Hubby and I to meet her at the birthing center yesterday, for her now-weekly-appointment with the midwife, and to take a tour of the facility. To tell you the truth, I was a bit blown away!
All but one of the birthing rooms was actually in use, but the one that we did get to see -- the Austin Music themed room - was absolutely fabulous. Turns out, it's the one Lexi and Nate listed as their top choice.
There's also a big walk-in shower in the restroom, where expectant mothers can sit on a balance ball with warm, soothing water raining down on them.
Love those little packets of smelling salts, taped strategically around the room!
Then there is this lovely waiting area for families, with tea kettle, where John and I will be hanging out.
I even got to hear Goober's strong little heartbeat while I was there! Best of all, the midwife says we are 70% effaced, with everything progressing exactly as it should be for an arrival on or around her due date this Saturday -- and, she'd be very, very shocked if we went more than one week past. Woohoo!
Miss Alexis invited Hubby and I to meet her at the birthing center yesterday, for her now-weekly-appointment with the midwife, and to take a tour of the facility. To tell you the truth, I was a bit blown away!
All but one of the birthing rooms was actually in use, but the one that we did get to see -- the Austin Music themed room - was absolutely fabulous. Turns out, it's the one Lexi and Nate listed as their top choice.
There's also a big walk-in shower in the restroom, where expectant mothers can sit on a balance ball with warm, soothing water raining down on them.
Love those little packets of smelling salts, taped strategically around the room!
Then there is this lovely waiting area for families, with tea kettle, where John and I will be hanging out.
I even got to hear Goober's strong little heartbeat while I was there! Best of all, the midwife says we are 70% effaced, with everything progressing exactly as it should be for an arrival on or around her due date this Saturday -- and, she'd be very, very shocked if we went more than one week past. Woohoo!
Monday, May 16, 2016
N'AWLINS STYLE
One of my buddies here -- a friend I met on my blog who later moved here and became my friend in real life -- does freelance marketing. Her clients are great little businesses such as charming boutique hotels and wineries. That means we occasionally get invited to join them at some really fun events, like this one celebrating the grand opening of Hotel Flora and Fauna, and this pig roast out at Hye Meadow Winery.
Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to be invited back to Hye Meadow, this time for a N'awlins-style brunch -- four courses, each with a different wine pairing.
Le Menu:
It was all très, très bien! In fact, the only thing that would have made it better would have been for me to remember to take a lactose pill before chowing down on all those cheesy bits!
Yesterday, we were fortunate enough to be invited back to Hye Meadow, this time for a N'awlins-style brunch -- four courses, each with a different wine pairing.
Le Menu:
 |
| Grilled Veggie Cheese Bread |
 |
| Seafood Gumbo |
 |
| Cajun Stuffed Chicken and Cheesy Hashbrowns |
 |
| Beignets |
Friday, May 13, 2016
SIGNS OF SAN MARCOS
Hubby and I were in San Marcos (home of Texas State University) a while back, when he decided to stop into a little barber shop on the square. I had no idea how long it would take, so I told him I'd just wander around the square 'til he called me. First place I came to was the little cigar shop he's been going to for years, Hill Country Humidor, and I couldn't resist snapping pics of a couple of their signs.
That second sign, which was a common sight in the late 60s/early 70s, was rather humorous, considering the shop was owned by an old hippy! Hubby and his best bud Toad loved hanging out in there, smoking a cigar and gabbing with the fellow, who was quite a character. Sadly, he passed away not too long ago.
A few steps past those, I found other interesting signs.
This little cafe has anchored the square for as long as I can remember, and is the spot where we always took Lex out to breakfast when we came to visit her while she was in college. She even helped paint their windows with Christmas decorations one year!
The Root Cellar is a little basement cafe just off the square, which the Muses and I like to frequent whenever we are in San Marcos. (Their pesto burger is to die for!) Well, unbeknownst to me, they have opened a bakery cafe as well, right on the square!
Unfortunately, I'd only made it down one side of the square when I got lured into a great shop called Paper Bear. And, I'd only made it halfway through that when Hubby called to say he was ready. Guess I'm gonna have to make another trip back before long.
Favorite sign of the day? This one!
That second sign, which was a common sight in the late 60s/early 70s, was rather humorous, considering the shop was owned by an old hippy! Hubby and his best bud Toad loved hanging out in there, smoking a cigar and gabbing with the fellow, who was quite a character. Sadly, he passed away not too long ago.
A few steps past those, I found other interesting signs.
This little cafe has anchored the square for as long as I can remember, and is the spot where we always took Lex out to breakfast when we came to visit her while she was in college. She even helped paint their windows with Christmas decorations one year!
The Root Cellar is a little basement cafe just off the square, which the Muses and I like to frequent whenever we are in San Marcos. (Their pesto burger is to die for!) Well, unbeknownst to me, they have opened a bakery cafe as well, right on the square!
Unfortunately, I'd only made it down one side of the square when I got lured into a great shop called Paper Bear. And, I'd only made it halfway through that when Hubby called to say he was ready. Guess I'm gonna have to make another trip back before long.
Favorite sign of the day? This one!
Thursday, May 12, 2016
PRICKLY PERFECTION
Is there anything more gorgeous than a Prickly Pear cactus in full bloom?
Every bit as wonder-full (to me, anyway) are the magenta cork-shaped fruits, called tunas, which will follow. What's even more amazing is that there is an entire page of 100+ absolutely color-mad recipes for using those tunas on Pinterest! Want to try a few? I'd be more than happy to share my bounty with you. All that's required is a willingness to trudge through snake, scorpion and chigger infested grass, and then to brave a few dagger-like thorns. (Hey, they don't call it "prickly" fer nuthin', ya know!)
We are ever so fortunate that Mother Nature planted several of these beauties on our property, and I am especially grateful for this one, just off the corner of the lower porch, which can be enjoyed from the dining room windows above.
Every bit as wonder-full (to me, anyway) are the magenta cork-shaped fruits, called tunas, which will follow. What's even more amazing is that there is an entire page of 100+ absolutely color-mad recipes for using those tunas on Pinterest! Want to try a few? I'd be more than happy to share my bounty with you. All that's required is a willingness to trudge through snake, scorpion and chigger infested grass, and then to brave a few dagger-like thorns. (Hey, they don't call it "prickly" fer nuthin', ya know!)
Tuesday, May 10, 2016
GET READY, CUZ HERE I COME
When I went to Lexi's house for our tea outing on Sunday, I couldn't resist taking another peak at the nursery, to see what's new. In case you haven't figured this out for yourself, my daughter has a thing for handmade. So, you can imagine her glee when this panda nightlight showed up from crafty clay artist Aunt Priscilla -- a perfect match for the giant panda wall decals surrounding Little Goober's crib!
There were also several new things ordered from Etsy...
I have a feeling I'm going to have the only grandbaby around who likes playing with skeleton toys.
The only thing I couldn't figure out was this pile over in the corner.
When I asked her about the pool toys, Lex said those were things that might come in handy during labor. Then it hit me. That little suitcase behind them? It is packed. This is her grab-and-head-to-the-hospital-pile! And, with Goober's official due date just eleven days off, I guess there's just as much chance he could come early as late. SQUEEEEE!
Looks like he will be a very well-dressed little dude, when he takes his leave of the birthing center.
There were also several new things ordered from Etsy...
 |
| A Nursing Drape |
 |
| A Floor Mat For Baby |
 |
| A Diaper Bag |
 |
| What do you mean, this isn't for me? |
The only thing I couldn't figure out was this pile over in the corner.
When I asked her about the pool toys, Lex said those were things that might come in handy during labor. Then it hit me. That little suitcase behind them? It is packed. This is her grab-and-head-to-the-hospital-pile! And, with Goober's official due date just eleven days off, I guess there's just as much chance he could come early as late. SQUEEEEE!
Looks like he will be a very well-dressed little dude, when he takes his leave of the birthing center.
Monday, May 9, 2016
THE TRAVELING TEA PARLOUR
A food-truck-tea-parlour? Only in Austin!
I'd been following the news of Austin's latest food truck phenomenon, Bundrick's Traveling Tea Parlour over on East 7th, for a while now, but had not yet gone to check it out. So, when daughter Alexis suggested that we celebrate Mother's Day there, I was like "Hay-ill Yeah!" Of course, we woke up to less-than-stellar weather predictions on Sunday, but did we let that stop us? Heck no! We just grabbed a couple of umbrellas.
You've heard the expression "You had me at 'Hello' "? Well, in this case, they had me at Harney & Sons -- a whole window filled with their amazing tea selections!
Lex decided to try their White Peach, served in this queenly pot...
but I couldn't resist trying one called simply Paris -- a fruity black tea with vanilla, caramel and a hint of lemony Bergamot.
Both were exquisite!
You can order nothing more than a cup of tea if you choose, or you can add something from a generous selection of a la carte treats. You can also order the "cream tea" which is a pot of tea, scones, butter and jam.
However, if you want to go whole-hog to celebrate a special occasion, as we did, then you really need to call ahead and reserve a table and the "Afternoon Tea" service, which will look something like this.
We started with four kinds of sandwiches...
including the traditional cucumber, an herbed goat cheese, tuna on toast, and best of all, almond butter and honey on pumpernickel!
That was followed by two types of scones. We each chose the mini strawberry scone (To die for!) and took the plain scone home with us.
The final tier included two fruit tarts, two macarons, a lemony thing, and a miniature Italian Cream Cake. Half of that went home with us as well.
I think it may have sprinkled on us at some point, but we were having so much fun, and the tables all had such nice big patio umbrellas, that we barely noticed! All in all, it was just about the "sweetest" Mother's Day ever.
P.S. Speaking of sweets, in case you are worried about Lex and her gestational diabetes, her doctor said that her numbers are so consistently wonderful that a little splurge on a special occasion would not hurt. I just checked in with her, and they were well within the normal range when she got home and tested them. :-)
I'd been following the news of Austin's latest food truck phenomenon, Bundrick's Traveling Tea Parlour over on East 7th, for a while now, but had not yet gone to check it out. So, when daughter Alexis suggested that we celebrate Mother's Day there, I was like "Hay-ill Yeah!" Of course, we woke up to less-than-stellar weather predictions on Sunday, but did we let that stop us? Heck no! We just grabbed a couple of umbrellas.
You've heard the expression "You had me at 'Hello' "? Well, in this case, they had me at Harney & Sons -- a whole window filled with their amazing tea selections!
 |
| She just made that darling sundress, which will be a great transition dress after Goober arrives, herself! |
but I couldn't resist trying one called simply Paris -- a fruity black tea with vanilla, caramel and a hint of lemony Bergamot.
Both were exquisite!
You can order nothing more than a cup of tea if you choose, or you can add something from a generous selection of a la carte treats. You can also order the "cream tea" which is a pot of tea, scones, butter and jam.
However, if you want to go whole-hog to celebrate a special occasion, as we did, then you really need to call ahead and reserve a table and the "Afternoon Tea" service, which will look something like this.
We started with four kinds of sandwiches...
including the traditional cucumber, an herbed goat cheese, tuna on toast, and best of all, almond butter and honey on pumpernickel!
That was followed by two types of scones. We each chose the mini strawberry scone (To die for!) and took the plain scone home with us.
The final tier included two fruit tarts, two macarons, a lemony thing, and a miniature Italian Cream Cake. Half of that went home with us as well.
I think it may have sprinkled on us at some point, but we were having so much fun, and the tables all had such nice big patio umbrellas, that we barely noticed! All in all, it was just about the "sweetest" Mother's Day ever.
P.S. Speaking of sweets, in case you are worried about Lex and her gestational diabetes, her doctor said that her numbers are so consistently wonderful that a little splurge on a special occasion would not hurt. I just checked in with her, and they were well within the normal range when she got home and tested them. :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
