Beauty in the Fog

It is wetter here in Texas than it has been for a long time.  The last time I remember the Red River flooding I was a kid.  I am definitely not a kid anymore!  Yesterday I looked out back and enjoyed the beauty fog adds to a landscape.  I hope you enjoy it also.

Texas back roads

Take a photo journal ride with me down some Texas country back roads where the sky is big and the land stretches beyond the horizon.  On this winter day there is no snow and the wind is laying low.

Sunny day plus Photo link up

Like many of you I enjoy taking pictures.  My taste is broad from sunsets to still life to portraits.  I bet that many of you are like me and would enjoy a place to share your artistry.  No matter if you are using a fancy Nikon or iPhone or Android  it's time to get your favorite family friendly shots out there.  That is why I started this link party where you can show off your creation wordless or not.

Here's my favorite capture of a Sunny Winter Day off my Instagram.

Texas views from the 1956 renovation house

We have moved into the 1956 fixer upper and though we are struggling with utility issues, we love being able to sit outside under the oak tree and take in the expansive view of skies during the day and the unbelievable star display at night.  In our suburban house we could only see straight up and the city lights made stars appear faded and few.  Out here when the sun goes down and the moon has not made it’s way into the sky, it is DARK and the stars are BRIGHT.  The horizon is mesmerizing.

Birds in the park

When you've lived in a house as long as we have it's quite an ordeal to move.  The house went on the market Wednesday night which meant we had to spend the evening of Wednesday and most of the day Thursday and Friday away.  Hubs has a dog so our destinations were the parks around the suburban city we now reside in.  Friday afternoon was particularly pleasant beside a small pond inhabited by some lovely birds.  There were families that came and went after their kids fed the ducks and played on the playground.  Later there were teenage lovers that sat on the benches and sometimes cast a fishing line.  Hubs and I read our books and I took some photos.

This guy seemed to be in charge.

The baby ducks were precious.

I just love the color and majesty of the Mallards.

This Egret is not alone, to you see the Herring?

There he is!

Texas Copper Break State Park

Last week we made an impromptu trip to Copper Break State Park for a very relaxing, lovely day.  The lake is completely full due to some much needed rain.  The skies were blue laced with clouds and the canyons were alive with wild life.

Instant Happy #22 and linky

I conquer fear … by recognizing whether the fear is rational or lack of information.  Spider in my path do I turn and leave... room is dark do I turn on the light...need to make a speech do I throw up and leave...booger under the bed do I flip off the light and jump on top...  or If it is simply because I haven't the experience to know what is beyond- I take a breath, sometimes close my eyes and just DO IT.  What is that FDR quote... "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself?"

Instant happy #20

My favorite recipe is.... fast, easy and tastes good.  I'm the kind of cook that takes short cuts a lot.  I buy deli roasted chicken almost weekly for chicken soup, chicken enchiladas, chicken salad, chicken stuffed jalapenos, chicken quesadilla, chicken tacos, chicken biscuit pockets...  totally had a Forrest Gump moment. 

  "I dream of a better world where chickens can cross the road

and not have their motives questioned."

Instant Happy #19

A lesson I learned from my mom … is that gravy should not be as thick as a pancake.  If it is, quietly toss it out the back door and never mention it again.

To burn calories, I …

Instant happy #18

I feel an adrenaline rush when …I find a really good clearance bargain like the event following Christmas where my sister, sister in law, daughter and I were standing in a Michael's isle and the store manager announced everything on that row was 90% off the already discounted prices.  Our baskets

Instant happy #17

My last growing pain was… probably right after a piece of cake.  Yep, I'm sure I felt it in my left buttock.

I grow and nurture…

Instant happy

I feel an instant happy when I spot the first wildflowers of the season.  In Texas it's the state Bluebonnets that get my heart going.  I saw these north of Little Elm, Texas on Hwy 423.  They flanked the gates to Zion Hill and followed the road all the way to the top.

Instant happy

An instant happy moment.

WEEK #14

• On Saturday morning, I usually try to stay asleep without success then get up and have a cup of coffee and walk about the yard/garden.
• I feel beautiful when  my grandchildren look up into my eyes and say "I love you".
• I wake up every morning and wonder what fabulous adventure awaits me today.  It's my secret attack on boredom or lack of focus.
• A happy home is where the family wants to be together.
• When I have down time, I do whatever I want.  Now that I'm retired, that's pretty much every day! Whoo hoo.

Bugs don't like Geraniums

I feel instantly happy having completed the planting of 24 geraniums.  I love the big showy flowers and the fact they bloom all summer long, even here in North Texas garden zone 7b.  Our summer temps are extreme - mid 80’s -107°. Geraniums stand up to our hot drought season, like full sun but thrive in pots on my shaded patio, and the another big reason is that they deter insects.  Spiders, flies, mosquitos don’t like them.  Come to think of it, the squirrels don’t bother them either! 

Instant happy

An instant happy moment on Wordless Wednesday.

The Oxalis are blooming!

Rain washes everything clean

Rain has been scarce in Texas so the heavy rain storm that moved through North Texas yesterday was a welcome thing.  It began as cool air then gray clouds covered the sky.  We watched the news off and on because spring rain can also mean severe spring weather, including tornadoes.  It started to sprinkle as we were going inside Bonkers to a birthday party for great grand.  When we came out a couple of hours later it was raining steady but slow.  Hubs and I commented on how nice it was.  Before long it was a heavy rain and some strong winds that shut down our satellite TV service.  I didn't mind though because I had been sitting facing the expanse of windows enjoying the beauty of the cleansing rain falling on the dry brown grass.  This will help fill some of those dry lakes not far from here.

Then the rain was over and the clouds lightened to reveal a brilliant rainbow that lit up the sky.  It was spectacular.  I didn't take time to get my DSLR but quickly took a photo with my phone.  It doesn't do it justice, but it makes my heart swell with gratitude even as the darkness grew nearer.  There looked to be a protective bubble forming over the city.

Zoo day

The weather was amazing yesterday and today. And because our local weatherman warned us to enjoy it while we could because tomorrow won’t be so nice, I switched the Spring Break plan around.  We headed to the zoo today.  Traffic can be a bit of a nightmare around here so we hopped on the train for the hour and 1/2.  First issue of the day…it’s spring break…every family in the area decided to take the train someplace fun today so we stood the whole ride.  When we reached the zoo there was good news

Night lights

WEEK #7
1. I plan on buying... some coffee pods and a milk frother for my Verismo at Staples.  Mmm Starbucks Latte coming up.
2. I give _ night lights in the country five stars because... I really like stars.  And the moon.  And clear nights over a lake to see them.
3. I felt courageous when... I went for my first job interviews way back 'then'.  
4. I feel about swimsuit shopping like I do,,, dog slobber.  I may have felt better about it when I was much MUCH younger and much MUCH slimmer but at my age and body shape nasty dog slobber seems more exciting than shopping for a swim suit.  

Life secrets

1. I use my “green thumb” to... garden in my suburban back yard.  I'm not an indoor gardener at all, but give me space, sunshine and rain and see what I can do!

2. The secret to life is... not worrying about what others think your life should be, just live it and live it well.  

3. I get my money’s worth by... buying what I need.  As I grow older I find buying things just because it's a good deal, doesn't make it a good deal.  If I don't need it or plan to use it soon, I don't buy it.

4. On a scale of 1 to 10, my level of organization is.. 8 because I am an organizing re-organizer.  The other two points in the scale I saved for more organizing.  P.S. organizing isn't the same as super neat.  It just means you know where "it" is and others will be able to figure out your logic and find "it". 

5. A gentleman always... respects others even if he doesn't agree.  He allows others to have their own views but retains his gracefully. And never forgets your birthday or anniversary. :)

6. Handwritten notes are... a wonderful surprise.  E-notes are nice too, but getting a hand written note is the nicest of all.  That reminds me, I think I will surprise someone today.

Linking up with (Nicole {Three 31} Lisa {The Coastal Chicster}, and Becky {The Java Mama} Jen {The Arizona Russums}) for a weekly series called Finish This.

Hoar frost; white frozen dew

Christmas Eve morning there was thick fog when we arrived at my mother’s.  A heavy coat of white frost coated everything.  It was beautiful.