A SMALL TOWN 4TH OF JULY

This year was the year -- the one where we finally decided that our Little Goobs was old enough to take to Wimberley's annual 4th of July parade. Probably the most popular event of the year here in Wimberley, it draws quite the crowd -- and not just the locals, but lots of visiting friends and relatives as well. They close the streets off an hour before the parade begins, and you have to get there extra early if you want to nab a choice spot in the shade. But then, how do you entertain a three year old for more than an hour, while you wait for the parade to start? I surveyed all my friends on everything from where to park and what to bring, to the best viewing spots and exit strategies. I made a detailed plan of attack, and before we'd even left the house, my plan was blown to smithereens. Thank Goodness!

Our first stroke of good luck was that, for the first time in my memory, it wasn't hotter 'n Hades here in Texas on the 4th. In fact, it was almost COOL!

Because we were late leaving the house, the streets had already been blocked off before we got there -- even further out from the town center than we were expecting -- so it was a good hike from our parking spot to where we'd hoped to meet up with friends. About halfway there our little Calvin was done with walking! So we ended up stopping right in front of Blanco Brew, the coffee shop where the Muses and I usually meet up. Which wasn't a bad location, as it turns out. For one thing, it was much closer to the beginning point of the parade, so we wouldn't have to wait as long to see anything. I went inside to nab some iced tea, and when I came back out, I discovered this.

Now THIS is how you entertain a kid while waiting for the parade to start!

I don't know who the couple was who thought of putting this in the back of their truck, or whether they had grandkids nearby that they were doing it for, but we were ever so grateful that they invited Calvin to join in on the fun.

Plus, the Blanco Brew had restrooms, and tables set up outside selling lemonade, and cookies!

Then it was finally time for the parade to start...

Y'all Vote!

By the time he had seen the fire truck and his favorite instruments, trumpets and tubas, he was done, and ready to go back to Mimi-Papa's house to play with Uncle Austinootie and Aunt Areej, A.K.A. The Noonies. Which was fine with us, since it meant we were able to avoid the huge traffic snarl when everyone leaves the parking areas at once.

All in all, I don't think his day could have gone any better, regardless of blown plans and schedules. Which, come to think of it, is usually the case with us.

LUCKY GYPSY MASH-UP: THE TOWN OF ROUND TOP

 
As I mentioned before, when Alexis first brought up the possibility of a getaway in Round Top, I poo-pooed the idea, telling her that, other than the ginormous flea market twice a year, there wasn't much to see or do. And, if it hadn't been for Lucky Star's choosing that as the location for their next pop-up, I might never have discovered just how wrong I was. A lot can change in fifteen years! 

The Lucky Star event didn't actually start until 1:00 on Saturday, but since Lex had been promised a full weekend getaway, we showed up late Friday afternoon, and got to go to dinner with all the Lucky Star instructors at Royer's Cafe -- still the best, but no longer the only place in town for a good meal and pie.

I highly recommend their Texas Trash pie!

We were told that hot biscuits would be delivered to our rooms at Wander Inn the next morning around 9 or 9:30. Although that sounded wonderful, there were a few hitches. One is, I'm used to eating breakfast by 6. Another is that Alexis has gestational diabetes and has to be careful about carbs. Last but not least, we both need a bit of protein with our breakfast, or it just doesn't stick! So we headed into town the next morning, in search of bacon and eggs. I knew better than to expect anything to be open at 6, so we headed into town around 8 or 8:30 and soon came to a spot surrounded by cars. It turned out to be Espressions Coffee and Art. Their little breakfast buffet seems to be quite popular with all the local movers and shakers, for they were all gathered at one of the big communal tables and you could tell they were there just about every day, catching up on the local gossip before heading off to open their shops. Reminded me of our little cafe here in Wimberley! Every time the front door opened, one of the locals would holler "Good morning! Come on in and have a seat!" So we did.

Then we headed off to explore all the shops, galleries, and gorgeous gardens that were scattered about the downtown area.

By the time we'd finished our explorations it was time for lunch, so we headed back to a place we'd spotted earlier, right next to our coffee shop, called Feed & Firewater, where we had two of the best salads ever!

Then it was time to head back to Wander Inn, meet up with our roomie LaNell, and head off to our afternoon's adventures!

THE KATZ BROTHERS DO IT AGAIN

There is a young duo in the town of San Marcos, the Katz brothers, that seems to be taking the town by storm. First they opened a little kolache shop called Dos Gatos. Then they opened a second one. Next they turned a vintage filling station into Zelicks Ice House. After that came Pie Society, a pizza place with a speakeasy hidden in back! And now, there is North Street -- a beer bar/curry house/coffee shop. So, of course, The Tiny Dinner Club had to give it a try, right?

Pretty much everything we tried was moan-worthy.

Chicken Tikka Masala Tacos

Chicken Curry Plates

Curry Queso

The only complaints came from our Irish/British friends, who said their chicken curry wasn't spicy enough. Of course, they grew up in the U.K., where curry is their national dish. But this is Texas, and I expect they're keeping it on the mild side since San Marcos is primarily a college town, and half it's population has probably never even tasted a curry dish. So, on the whole, we gave it 16 thumbs up.

Try it. You'll like it!

LUCKY/GYPSY MASH-UP: THE VENUE

When we heard that the Junk Gypsies had built a couple of lodges out in the field behind their store, we were expecting something fairly rustic, and that impression continued as we drove up to them and parked our car in the grass nearby.

 But, once we stepped inside our room, that notion was blown to bits.

Turns out, every luxury had been provided for, from the best mattress and pillows to the deep, oversized soaking tub in the bathroom and the fluffy white towells.

And, if that wasn't enough, there was a big gathering room in each lodge, complete with coffee stations, record players and albums, books, etc. Perfect place to hang out if you're an early riser or a night owl, and don't want to disturb your roomies.

Is this an awesome coffee table, or what?

 Needless to say, we enjoyed every minute of our stay there, from dusk...

until dawn!

MOTHER-DAUGHTER ADVENTURES

All Who Wander Are Not Lost

My daughter Lex and I have always enjoyed exploring and adventuring together. Right before she got married, we took a wonderful little trip to Charleston together, and she's been able to share my Lucky Star Art Camp obsession with me the last couple of years as well. Unfortunately, neither one of us will be attending this fall, since there will be a brand new baby girl in the house, and a spunky 3-year-old who will probably have his nose out of joint over all the attention she is getting. So, Lex decided that she and I really needed to do one last little get-away before she gets too far along to travel. I agreed whole-heartedly. The problem was, where to go? It needed to be fairly close by, but we already do most of the Hill Country hangouts on a regular basis. Lex mentioned Round Top, but I told her that, other than during their market weeks twice a year, there wasn't much to do or see. When last I was there, about 10 or 15 years ago, there was only one restaurant, Royer's, and there was Festival Hill, and that was about it! But then my old pal synchronicity stepped in, just to prove me wrong.

 
For one thing, Lisa at Lucky Star has taken to the road this year, doing one-day "pop-ups" at different homes around the country, to give people a taste of what Lucky Star is all about, and to spread the word. For another, Lucky Star's yoga guru, Tiffany, has been best friends with Amie -- one of the infamous Junk Gypsies -- for about 30 years, and has long believed that Lisa should collaborate  with them somehow. So when Lisa mentioned doing one last pop-up this  summer, if she could find the right location, Tiffany immediately said "Ooh, Ooh, I know the perfect place. The Junk Gypsies have just opened up Wander Inn on the same property in Round Top as their Junk Gypsy store, and it's fabulous. We have to do it there!" So they did, and the minute that Lisa posted the notice about it online, Lex texted me, saying "I know where we're going for our getaway!"

Today I will just share a few photos from the Junk Gypsy store. Having been a merchandiser in my previous life, well, they had me drooling before I'd even stepped through the door.

I dare you to walk out of there without buying a single thing! I'm usually pretty immune to shopping temptations, but they snagged me with this little color-mad beauty.

All my favorite colors, and the perfect thing to have draped across the end of my bed come fall. How could I resist?

Stay tuned - lots more Lucky-Gypsy collaborative goodness to come!