A stitch in Time! It IS time!

I am in the mood to sew.  My sewing isn't in a co-operative place.  It's a difficult reconciliation! After a lovely weekend retreat with some of my favorite sewing companions, I should have come home invigorated and ready to become productive.  Instead, I unloaded my equipment and it has sadly been occupying a lonely corner since I returned.  With the holidays approaching, projects could put me in the spirit.  I need to stay home a minute for that to happen.

I think I'll clean out the garage this afternoon.  No...that's not a change in plan.  We have an appointment this morning to review and possibly replan our future, so why not clear some space in the parking area.  I have shelves for oft used items that have no home inside the house.  Gift wrap and ribbon stores nicely on those shelves. Big buckets of yarn were moved to the less accessible shelves in the playhouse a couple of months ago to allow for space to store sewing machine cases. It's time to pull them out of the cases, move the cases to the garage and allow Dinah, Sister Spirit and Little Brother to hum!  Yes!  I like that plan!

Wedding Day...hope for perfection, plan for trauma.

I have heard it said that every wedding has a drama. I spent several days last week baking a cake for 250 guests at an outdoor wedding. Of course a "rain plan" was in place, but the forecast was "scattered brief showers" in late afternoon with a warm evening.  It was accurate!

     

For the past week, this was the scene in my kitchen. The repeated hum of the mixer as my single oven heated was a memory from days gone by.  I agreed to make a wedding cake, an activity not indulged in many years.  I enjoyed the baking and planning with much trepidation on transporting the confection to the venue.  We anxiously watched the weather forecasts hoping for a cool dry afternoon and evening.

 I baked, and I baked some more.  My oven did not accommodate the sixteen inch round pans. The guard in the back of the racks could not be turned and it blocked the pan from going all the way into the oven. I had to turn a cooling rack upside down and set the pan on the elevating pins to clear the back guard.  It was a little precarious with the heavy batter filled pan (red batter no less).  The large layers must be quick frozen in order handle for decorating.  I no longer have my collection of extra refrigerators and freezers. Luckily Dancin' Girl has an extra freezer and refrigerator in her garage just around the corner.  We rearranged the shelves of the freezer and I wrapped the cooled layers, then took them over to her house.

Cakes are baked and iced

I whipped up enough icing to cover an elephant, or so it would seem.  About that time I began to refer to the concoction as "the beast", somewhat reminiscent of the armadillo groom's cake in the movie "Steel Magnolias". This was however the bridal cake and included a calming layer of rich white cake over each round of red velvet.

The wedding day arrived.  I had visited the site earlier in the week and the hilly winding roads would require that each tier be boxed and transported on a flat surface for assembly on the cake table.  Ol' Abner stepped up and cut heavy corregated cardboard to shape large flat boxes for the cake to travel smoothly.  They all arrived in perfect shape!  As I set the boxes on the table I realized there were few places on the surface that didn't have a mystery lump.  A level smooth surface is critical for successful display of a large wedding cake.  Furthermore, the table was very wobbly, the assembled cake would be very heavy.  My heart sank, but I set to work attempting to find a smooth place as the table tilted under the weight of the cake.  Meanwhile the photographer explained that the photos would be staged hopefully timed to show the setting sun through the trees as the cake was cut. A lovely plan that would require perfect timing and positioning of the cake.  The "table" was an old cable spool with a circle of lumps (bolt positions) around the center, forcing the cake on it's 18" plate to rest near the edge.  

The cake tiers had each been perfectly level...yes, I use the carpenter's tool to check, on my kitchen table. When assembled, it exhibited a slight tilt, but felt sturdy when I tested it.  Rain clouds were gathering and a gentle breeze was becoming stronger.  Cheerleader A and her mom were watching and offering to help as I stacked the beast in place.  The plan was to have the groom's cake and a tower of decorated cookies on the other side of the table.  One of the helpers went inside and brought back a lovely crystal plate to hold the chocolate cheesecake for serving and I was convinced my work was done.

We left the venue to change to our wedding appropriate clothing and Cheer A and her mom agreed to stand guard, with umbrella in hand, against hummingbirds and racing children.  

The call came as I was slipping on my non-athletic shoes.  One of the co-hostesses from the bridal shower was advising me that the cake had fallen and they had managed to catch it, but the tiers were stacked all around the table,  I assured her that I had tools to repair it and would return shortly.  The wedding hour was approaching and it was raining at son's house, only a short distance away.  The old song from the sixties, 

MacArthur Park, kept running through my mind...at least the line about someone leaving a cake out in the rain.  We hurried back through rain puddles along the road.  The heavy butter cream was sturdy, but not exactly waterproof.  Luckily Cheer A's mom had stood holding umbrellas over the cakes to protect them from the downpour.  What loving friends this bride has.  I was touched.  No matter how I adjusted the dowel supports on the cake and reset the center stakes, the cake, when assembled, sloped.  The table just would not stay level under the weight and I had no way to shore it up.  It was a little muddy by then so it may have been sinking into the mud. Plan B had to go into action.

We settled the bottom two tiers under a flower separator and stacked the centerpiece for the table on top, with the upper tiers displayed to the side.  It appeared momentarily stable and Cheer Mom continued her vigil.  It was about twenty minutes after the planned start of the wedding and Ol' Abner was urging me to come and sit.

Cheer Mom shows a little angle to me

We sat just as the bride's mother was being escorted to her seat.  Perfect timing!  The bride was absolutely gorgeous and her father's voice was breaking as he agreed to give her away.  He did offer a stern admonition to the groom before he offered his precious daughter to him! We laughed.

After the ceremony, photos were taken in a little meadow just beyond the seating area. We returned to the tables set up for the reception and I looked up to see the cake tilting again at a rather precarious angle. Cheer Mom beat me to the table and managed to catch the top two tiers as they toppled.  I grabbed food service gloves and manhandled them safely to the tabletop one more time.  At that point I decided the anniversary tier could be moved to it's box under the table to be frozen later in the evening. The eight inch tier became the top and the twelve and ten inch tiers served as the base.  The sixteen and fourteen inch sloping layers remained under the centerpiece. When it was time for the cutting of the cake, the able photographer provided lighting to make up for the sun already down.  The bride and groom offered up the ceremonial bite of cake to one another and the party began in ernest.  It was a joyful celebration for most.

I say "most", but the trauma few knew was for the mother of the bride. Minutes before the ceremony, she took a fall in her own house and had a terrible knot on her forehead.  Her hairstyle had to be rearranged to cover the forming bruise, no doubt to be a massive blackeye. She made the rounds diligently as the warm perfect hostess, but I know she was suffering through a nagging headache.  I was saddened that this much anticipated and planned event was ruined for her by the anger of the pain.

Knowing this, my dilemma of an ever-toppling cake seemed minor.  Did I mention that the mother of the bride had shared a story a few years ago of her wedding.  Her cake fell over!

Mountain Views

Our decision to drive to San Francisco and return by way of Grand Canyon allowed for gorgeous mountain landscapes as we traveled from the Texas Hill Country, through the Texas Plains and into the the New Mexico Desert. Throughout most of our journey the highway was framed by mountain ranges.

I snapped most of these photos from the front seat of the car.  I was so grateful that Ol' Abner was taking advantage of his new improved vision and wanted to drive.  As the terrain changed, the colors and style of the hills followed. It made me wish I had majored in geology...that knowledge could have been handy here.

As we passed from New Mexico into Arizona, not so subtle changes occurred.  Grays and browns turned to Red.  Ol' Abner mused that the Indians inhabiting these mountains must have been some pretty tough cookies. (well not exactly his words, but trust me, my version is a little gentler)

It took us three days of steady driving to reach our destination in Concord, California.  Very few moments of "Are we there yet?" occurred.  Oh wait, getting out of Tuscon created a bit of trauma.  The train blocking the road under the freeway was at least ten miles long and traveling at five mph...and so we waited, and waited.

 I couldn't resist making Ol' Abner pose in front of one of those beautiful mountains as we stopped at a road side park in Arizona.  He was for once agreeable and stuck nothing in his ears and almost smiled for the camera!  Wow...success, wouldn't you say?

 

 Several sunsets delighted us as we traveled west.  I didn't get the full joy of photographing through the windshield, but take my word for it...they were awesome to see.

Crossing the border into California more hills graced the roadsides.  As we left the Los Angeles area the next morning we drove up Highway 5 (a road that didn't even exist when Ol' Abner was cruising CA as a young Marine)  The farmers signs decrying the government's taking of their water were sad.   We saw a few orchards that were completely dead and reservoirs that appeared to contain copious amounts of liquid.  Hmmm, I may need to read a little more about this.  The good news, we arrived safely in Concord in time for a lovely dinner with family and get a good night of rest before a day in the City by the Bay!

Gazing and Daydreaming

Houston is a beautiful city.  Houston is an ugly city.  I love the prettiness and choose to overlook the uncontrolled desolation right next to the beauty.  Several weeks in the Texas Medical Center have served to reinforce the diversity of views.  Driving down tree lined streets in the summer, walking on paths with lush blooming bushes, topping a rise in the freeway for a breathtaking view of downtown; all make me smile.  Just a block on either side of that same freeway, one can view boarded windows on ramshackle houses, overgrown weeded yards and stacks of trash on lawns.  Drive another block or two and again the landscape is neatly manicured, homes are well maintained and amenities abound.

From the windows in the Outpatient Center Tower I've enjoyed views at many times of day. The quiet cityscape differs greatly at this height from the bustling streets below. I've spent many days waiting in this area while Ol' Abner has a procedure or waiting with him to see the medical professionals.  What better place to sit and enjoy the beauty of this city! 

Remembering the Beauty!

 It seems like it was years ago when I visited the mountains of Costa Rica!  Though it has been just over a month, the memories of the beautiful sights and special people are still so fresh.  I loved the lush landscapes and singing birds.  The flowers were abundant and colorful.  I will hold these views in my minds forever.

Cheers

Yesterday was the annual President's Luncheon for the Women's Golf Association.  Since I just became eligible to play with the ladies on the golf course, there are many I didn't know...and perhaps a few I might not care to know (mind you that opinion is not my own, but a bit of advice offered unsolicited).

Scheduled starting time was 12 Noon and I walked in at 11:55 only to be the last to arrive.  Must remind myself, this group arrives early and I must follow that lead if I want to choose my seat in the future.  Other gatherings I have attended have been outdoors, a pool house barbeque and a picnic, so seating had little relevance.  This time I was positioned with my back to the people I knew best.  You might say I was squarely in the middle of the Catholic Ladies group.  Just across from me was a disheveled irreverent woman wearing red sparkly reindeer antlers.  By the time our lunch was served I had learned that she would need to leave soon to pick up her brother as he arrived at the airport.  OK, holiday arrival of a relative no big story.  She explained that her sibling had "no useful brain matter", having purchased his plane ticket after arriving at the airport, then complaining loudly at the price! After all, he had long ago taken a vow of poverty and all that goes with priesthood. Even though he is president of a prestigious Catholic University in the North, he finds little ability to navigate the most mundane daily tasks. He prefers to bless those that see to those banal requirements on his behalf.  She was clearly looking forward to his visit despite any shortcomings.  My other companions discussed the services provided to the poor and underpriviledged by the local church.  I was offered advice for assisting my aging Papa and dealing with Ol' Abner's ailments.  A couple of them only live here in the winter months, going to a cooler climate when the summer heat comes. 

The food was good and the wine cheered my spirits. We toasted the outgoing President and toasted again to the incoming officer.  I think I'll join the group for a round of golf next week.  

Changing Scene

Home improvements seem to be the present fashion in our neighborhood.  A new pool has been completed across the street and the fence of it's house is properly upgraded.  Next door a retaining wall is in progress to hold river rock to replace the drought damaged grass in the front yard.  Drought tolerant succulents and shrubs will be added to soften the look.  On the street behind us the retaining walls are complete and plantings for winter are being added atop a healthy supply of mulch and additional topsoil.  We seem to be stirring up more commotion than most.  Our house boasts a new steel roof and a rather large garage is rising above concrete behind us.  It has been fun to watch and I know the extra space will certainly provide some relief to our cramped household.  Stone setters are working to give the garage a cohesive appearance with the house.  It's coming together nicely but the slope to the garage door on the house side is going to be much steeper than I expected...why am I the only one surprised?  I will occupy my thoughts with the shrubs and flowers that will need to be planted around the building!

Right now I just want to envision the pretty neighborhood when all this digging and pounding and rumbling ends!

Laughter in the Evening

Last week we joined Hardtime Man and Spoiled Rot'n Girl for dinner at one of our mutually favorite restaurants.  Grumpy Man was here helping Ol' Abner with some manual labor and came along to hear the tales from their recent trip.  They usually spend late summer and early autumn down on the gulf coast, fishing, boating, swimming, golfing and riding motorcycles on back roads.  Their routine was changed this year for many reasons.  They left the boat at home and planned to fish from the docks while spending days enjoying balmy weather on dry land.  Posts from the coast on social media were filled with tales of rain and chilly days.  Movie reviews and photos posted of Rot'n eating ice cream with a less than welcome pose were the usual missive.  The rains arrived just as our travelers settled into their temporary digs, and apparently continued throughout most days of the stay.  A backdoor message warning that home would soon be on the horizon  arrived a couple of months earlier than expected.

We talked and laughed over our Italian dinner, then occupied the table long after the wait staff was ready to turn the table. The dairy dessert stop a few blocks up the street was a logical progression for five people unwilling to part.  Despite the luxury of the new "camper", long days of listening to the rain had them both suffering from "cabin fever"  incumbent with boredom and frustration.  As we were regaled with stories of three elderly ladies in the care of our friends, Grumpy Man was ever so grateful for his own mother, still active and self sufficient in her late seventies. Hardtime Man's aunt is bedridden and suffers dementia from her nursing home.  His mother is well served in an assisted living facility, and Rot'n looks in on her mother living just three doors down in the hometown.  Both mothers are on the verge of needing a higher level of care.  Antics of telephone calls never made  amid complaints that she cannot get in touch with family, service providers and even the telephone company make Rot'n throw up her hands and walk away from her mother.  Hardtime's mother always feels the need to make a trip to the emergency room when he is a half day's drive away.  This time was no exception, but she called other family members urging them to keep her "ailment and care" a secret from her son.  The next morning she called to fill him in on all the details.  Their badly needed respite had turned into a soggy series of wet sand in unspeakable places, but the telling of the tales gave us all a light hearted release with the sharing of experiences.

Oh how we missed our frequent outings with these friends.  It's good to have them back in the area!

Home Sweet Home

Gee, August is almost gone and we are fully into the "dog days of summer".  I lost the month of August in the pleasant suburb near Dallas.  My days were filled with driving to and from the ice rink, shopping centers, pharmacy, grocery stores and physician offices for scheduled appointments.  The preschool frenzy is still a fact of life and a recovering surgical patient makes the chaos complete.  The calm of my little house on the lake is like a breath of fresh air.  

Ol' Abner was certainly ready for me to be here.  He's even accompanied me to the grocery store and to the hairdresser to pick up products ordered.  The dog stays close by whenever I sit for any reason.  Maybe my absence was noticed!

Gotta Play, Gotta Play!

We often have lunch at the golf clubhouse here in our little berg.  The food is great and the casual atmosphere in view of the beautiful golf course with the lake beyond is always refreshing.  Ol' Abner has been dusting off his clubs and has been invited to play with several of the old codgers that frequent the course.  This afternoon a large number of couples arrived at the end of some sort of organized contest.  It isn't as though I'm not having enough fun these days, but suddenly a gap opened in my realm of experiences.  I mentioned that it just might be time for me to learn the game.

Ol' Abner immediately escorted me over to the pro-shop to check on scheduling some lessons.  Within a few minutes, we were headed to the golf cart dealer.  Even though our membership includes a cart, we can get a nice discount if we have our own.  I don't have clubs yet, but I'm now the proud owner of an EZ Go golf cart.  It will be outfitted and delivered next week.  I'm wondering if I can be outfitted so soon...

They'll be here soon!

They're coming! Finally! Dancing Girl and Guitar Man will be here late this evening and will close on their home in our little community tomorrow morning.  After the fiasco of the last attempt to purchase a home here, I've been reluctant to talk about it for fear of jinxing the outcome.

The house they are buying was one viewed during the initial search and considered.  The one on "my street" trumped it for size and LOCATION!  This house will serve their needs well and if they raise a flag, I can see it from my breakfast room window.  With a golf course backyard and a golf cart garage, Guitar Man has purchased a cart to be delivered tomorrow afternoon.  Ol' Abner may even drag out his clubs and play a few rounds just to test the old painful shoulder.  Perhaps it has healed  enough to make the game fun again.

Our friends will spend the weekend at our house as they do a bit of preliminary painting and preparation before the actual move in.  We'll complete a "full house" with the arrival of Daughter and her family on Saturday.  They are almost as excited as I am to have this special family nearby again.

At Sea

Our ship was a very very very fine ship!

My first cruise was wonderful.  How many times have my friends and family used that exact word? They were right.  From an idealic vista, I was indulged and pampered, entertained and intrigued.  The views from the balcony were incredible.  I've never spent time at sea and I understand the urge to simply board a cruise ship and never leave.  The sea was smooth and the water was warm.  I could go again right now, but alas home feels quite nice, too!
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Catamaran Rides

Sunset from the stern

New ships that look old

Some need no ship

The sights in Jamaica, Grand Cayman and Cozumel were impressive.  The sunsets and sunrises were thrilling.  The sea is soothing.  Oh yes, I understand now!

Grapevines and Wildflowers

A few days ago I set off on my annual quest for wildflower viewing.  It's a beautiful time of year in Central Texas.  The bluebonnets are just beginning to appear along the roadside and other blooms are peeking up in places.  Redbud trees are showing those signature pink blossoms and the hillsides are starting to turn green.

Well worth a ride down a country road.

 Texas wines are ever popular among my friends and family.  A vineyard I've only known via grocery store shelves is a short drive from our little town.  I couldn't resist following the road designated as the path to the winery.

Only the beginning of a lovely stop.

Redbuds are only in bloom for a few days each year. Better enjoy while I can.

Serene ponds in several places.

Vines are watched carefully to guide the growth for maximum
quality of fruit production.

I arrived in late morning, just in time for a lovely tour and a sampling of wonderful wines.  The staff was friendly and knowledgeable with the owners hosting warmly.

Maybe non-productive when making beverages,
 but oh so beautiful to my untrained eye!

The grounds were beautiful.  I was allowed to stroll the trails and snap photos at my leisure.

I liked it here!
 Wildflowers grew on the grounds and aging trees draped over creekbeds.  The rocky soil gives the entire area a rustic appeal with bits of color sprinkling the ground.  I will return to this beautiful place!

Tangled

We have new neighbors moving in next door.  Ol' Abner visited briefly with the man yesterday.  They appear to be about our age and have moved to our little hill country berg for many of the same reasons that shaped our choice.  I suspect they will be a good fit for our quiet neighborhood.

Just a few doors up the street, another home remains empty.  Dancing Girl  and Guitar Man were in the midst of purchasing that property when the clearance for the title became a fast widening abyss.  We knew there was a problem or two with the house, but nothing that couldn't be corrected with a little TLC and some elbow grease.  Initial research from the title company uncovered vendor liens and some unpaid fees associated with the house.  The real estate inspector found some needed repairs, as were expected in a house neglected for nearly a year.  They proceeded with hope that closing could take place on schedule or even a few days earlier.  Buyer paperwork was completed and cleared for closing.  We were as excited as they.  Another debt encumbrance to the property was discovered with the state.  It was further determined that a delinquent mortgage existed.  Calls to the lender to attempt to work out an agreement to avoid foreclosure, went unanswered.  The seller had previously sold the home as an "owner finance" and offered to enter into the same agreement with DG and GM.  With a murky title, owned by a trust and further listed as an asset in an investment company, clearly they had no choice except to back  away.

I am devastated.  We love this neighborhood and they would have been the perfect compliment to our street.  It felt so very right.  The house was the right size for them and their extended family for weekend lake outings.  As a future retirement home, it would serve their needs well, not only because of it's close proximity to ME, but because they had contracted to purchase the lot behind.  Guitar Man has as many, maybe more toys than Ol' Abner, and a place for a manly playhouse would fit the property perfectly.

Perhaps another property will better suit their needs and we'll find it next time they are here...but it won't be on my street!  That's just wrong on so many levels!

Wishing for Snapshots!

For several years I have kept my camera with me at all times.  Since the purchase of that first digital camera, snapping photos at every opportunity has been the norm.  My motto...photograph  constantly and a something will be worth saving.  Taking a picture with instant review is a delight.  Since the move to Texas that pattern has changed.  Certainly we do not lack for beautiful vistas or good times that should be captured on film. I've just found it easier to travel light these days.  My phone includes a decent camera to record those fun moments with friends or a quick shot of a pretty building or artifact.  I even managed to record a part of the Elvis tribute show last week.  I know what I'm seeing and hearing, but the entertainment value isn't quite the same.

After several busy weeks, Ol' Abner and I are enjoying a lazy weekend with no actual plans or commitments.  We drove into Austin and when the road was a little congested, bailed off to another freeway and circled around a different way.  I love that about Austin highways.  If one is crowded, take an exit and grab an alternate route.  In the process, we circled the city's center twice and encountered some spectacular views of the downtown skyline from multiple angles.  A camera phone just doesn't do to capture a skyline view from the window of a moving car along the freeway! In present day, the capitol building is dwarfed by larger buildings but somehow dominates the view.  We were enjoying our ride so much that we never did reach Ol' Abner's original destination, but who wants to wander around a big sporting goods mecca when the sun is shining and the roads are open.

Next time he wants to cruise, I'll take my camera for sure!

Beware Buyer!

A visit from long time friends can revive old hopes and dreams.  Our little town on the lake in central Texas was the setting for fun times with our young children back in the eighties.  We all lived in Houston at the time but dreamed of one day having a weekend or retirement home on this lake.  Our visits here often included a drive-around to look at property in the area.  Since that time both families have scattered and we have all moved far and near.

This weekend Guitar Man and Dancing Girl spent the weekend with us and our real estate agent.  We all love looking at homes, with realistic and fantasy characteristics.  We now own our home here and they are ready to begin the transition to becoming a two home family.  This is the place!  They are thinking they'll buy a "fixer-upper" with a large enough lot to add a manly playhouse.  Their needs are pretty similar to ours, so the realtor fell into step with us quite easily.  After all, he showed us homes for nearly a year before we finally completed our purchase.

When a friendship has endured over the many years, the people become a "chosen" part of our family. I met Dancing Girl when she came to our office as a temporary worker.  We were in need of a very fast typist who could quickly learn medical terms.  She fit the spot.  She was newly pregnant with her third child and needed the flexibility afforded by a temporary job.  We met her need.  From that beginning, the friendship has continued to meet both our needs over and over.

I have been watching a house up the street from us with some ugly paint and need of a few minor repairs. The price reflects the needs and falls in their desired range.  It was the first one they viewed.  After seeing several properties, they settled on it, only to see three other showings taking place the same day. No activity in nearly two months and suddenly a flurry of interest had appeared. Ol' Abner made it a point to race up the street on Harley Brown each time the other realtors came with clients. Guitar Man and Dancing Girl  made a fair offer and waited...and waited!  Meanwhile they had arranged to purchase the lot behind it for placement of Guitar Man's playhouse.  One of the other lookers, undeterred by the roaring rider, made an offer and our friends upped their ante.  After an agonizing day, they won the prize.  Now we are all a little euphoric.   Thirty years after we played here, we look forward to beginning a new round of playtimes.

Will the chill last?

It was a very busy week and the next one promises more of the same.  Winter clothes in my closet feel really good now, but many of them are just a bit too large.  I'm thinking they need to head for charity before I decide to grow back into them.  I feel some shopping for light weight long sleeved tops and perhaps a pair of better fitting pants may be on the agenda.  In fact, I probably can move down one size in jeans.  If I buy them when they are just a bit snug, I will be motivated to walk briskly and remember my weight training.  (note to self: find box with free weights and resistance bands).

My sis is bringing Papa down on the first of the month to spend a week or so with us.  Because of his progressive dementia, one of us will need to be with him at all times.  Not so long ago, he could spend several hours alone if he had a good western to watch.  Now, he seems to wander around and we all fear for his safety.  Still, he is cheerful and always appreciative of all his children.  Sadly, he cannot always remember our name.

We still await the estimate for building the new garage.  The builder had promised to have his proposal to us early this last week and we are still waiting.  Ol' Abner is beginning to share my frustration.  When we moved to the Ozarks and purchased a home needing an addition, the local builders were enjoying a building boom and couldn't be bothered with our little job.  It took us six months to hire a contractor and another two months before he could begin work.  Seems we have moved into an area with another "building boom".

Halloween parties were the news we kept hearing this weekend, so the Trick or Treaters cannot be far in the future.  A check of the calendar reminds me that my cute goody baskets are all still on a shelf at Mountain Girl's new home.  I guess I'll just use any old basket to hand out candy on the designated evening.  My neighbors haven't mentioned the quantity of children we might expect to treat.  With a small bag of snickers, I  will dispense candy until it's gone, then turn out the lights and go to bed.  I do hope it's dark by then!

Crawling

Getting settled in Texas Hill Country has been a busy, exhausting and exciting experience.  The manly playhouse is still not started.  The household boxes are all unpacked. Two storage units are still brimming and  we must begin planning for yet another trip back to Dogpatch.

I couldn't resist a bit of indulgence last week to assuage my longing for companionship of knitters.  Seeing  the emails updating happenings at Gabriele's reminded me of those left behind.  A visit to a yarn shop nearby sparked the need to touch some fibers and see others with similar obsessions.

Friendly owners encouraged me to join them for open knitting and mentioned the upcoming "yarn crawl", an annual event.  It sounded like a great way to locate shops where I might find touchy feely satisfaction for my fingertips, so I signed up.  I thought I might make my way to five or six of the shops closest to my comfort zone and that was the limit of my ambition.  The Hill Country Yarn Crawl is a four day event.  We were happily committed to attendance at a wedding three hours to the north in the middle of the four day weekend.  On Friday morning, after Ol' Abner had vehemently declined my invitation to drive along with me, I set out on my trek.

A beautiful drive through the hill country crossing the Pedernales River three times, the Colorado River several times and wishing I had a driver so I might stop to taste some wine along the way.  Oh yes, the hills are alive with vineyards and signs to aptly named wineries with tasting rooms.  That will probably be a day trip for another time.

 The Knitting Nest displayed a pattern for a knitted quilt using puzzle pieces as a tribute to those blessed with Autistic children.  A demonstration of needle felting was taking place and delightful bits of whimsy were forming on the felter's block.  I'm thinking a trip back to this shop may be in my plans.  The staff was friendly and fun.  They seemed to love the fibers as much as I.  It's probably not a part of town I would like venturing into at night, but an afternoon would be well spent.  I think I would love to spend a day just wondering around this part of the older area so near downtown.

On my second day, actually the last day of the yarn crawl, I hit the toll roads at the luxurious speed of 80 mph and  made my way to the remaining shops on my list.  I had managed to visit six of them on the previous Friday, so four seemed ever so manageable for my Monday drive.  The first shop was just over seventy miles from my home, but I flew by car easily out to Paige, Texas.  I am sure I've been there before.  It's along the highway between Austin and Houston and I've never noticed the little town...actually an unmarked intersection.  I turned down the listed street and found the most awesome shop and a whole flock of ladies chattering about their latest and their next projects while wearing the last one completed.

The last three shops were near central Austin.  I drove down South Congress in awe of the view of downtown I love the most, and realized I had never noticed the Hill Country Weavers on the right side of the street just as the Texas Capitol Building comes into view.  Again, this is probably not a shop for me during prime time, but daytime or weekend classes are definitely in the future here.

No doubt, a return to Wimberly, Greune and Comfort will be in the future.  I loved those shops and the views around them.  The Tinsmith's Wife in downtown Comfort was nestled among many other unique little shops and eateries.  The Old Oaks Ranch was just that...a working ranch with a yarn shop and sculpture garden amid the pastures where alpacas and other beasts grazed.  I'm thinking Ol' Abner would have enjoyed that stop, and perhaps he will one day soon!

Mountain Views and Visits

We have so many good friends in Dogpatch and the mountains around.  Events of the last few weeks have kept us ever aware of these friendships.  So many have offered to help load and move heavy items from the house.  Others have offered to come help us pack while some have stopped in to keep us company as we filled the boxes.  Gatherings have been hosted and it's been so nice to visit in the midst of this chaos.

Mountain Girl's Log Cabin

View from Mountain Girl's Kitchen

Mountain Girl invited us along with several friends and neighbors to her beautiful home on Pine Mountan.   We indulged in grilled goodies and  luscious beverages.  It was a delightful afternoon to relax and enjoy the views of the woods and water while laughing with  friends.  It was my birthday and cheesecake was the dessert of the day.  Of course she sent me home with copious leftovers.  We will make more friends in Texas, but the bonds forged in these mountains will always be with us.

Movin' On

It's been a busy week on this mountain.  Ol' Abner has been extra busy getting his boats ready to move to the other lake.  I have been sorting through treasures that may have become junk, and the junk had to go.  The basement is still filled with plastic totes that probably need to be reviewed and revised.  A recent flurry of activity in town has sparked new interest in our home, and yesterday we accepted an offer.  A mover will be here this morning to plan for a furniture move later this month, and sister and bother in law are here for one last visit to Dogpatch.  They brought PaPa back from Texas to spend some time with brother and sis-in-law.  We've enjoyed gathering around our big dining room table for a couple of family dinners.  The mid-restoration mustang convertible has been sold to a friend for completion and he will pick it up this weekend.

Everything mentioned heretofore was planned for this week with a trip to the Texas hills to follow.  Sister and Brother in law will follow with a pick-up load of treasures as we travel with a few boxes loaded in the covered back of our pick-up.  Just in case you missed it, Yes, our home in Dogpatch is now under contract for sale!  The long awaited process has begun and the interview with the mover will involve a bit more to load.

Our buyer is Mountain Girl.  She has long admired this property, but many obstacles precluded her decision to buy.  Yesterday the resolution evolved into decisive action and she contacted our mutual realtor to write an offer.  The proposed timing for the transfer of ownership was very generous and I have a sense of peace with thoughts of a future occupant in the house we have called home for several years.