Pancakes and Pollinators

Family night at the zoo was filled with
fun and education with
Pancakes and Pollinators.

Long tables were set up showing the importance of
pollinators.

Two of my favorites: Lantana and Lavender.

Kids had fun having their face painted and playing games.
Two beautiful tiger sisters and one handsome brother snake.

Some of the Animal Ambassadors were out and about.
This is an Eastern Screech Owl.
He looks like a tiny tree!
Great camouflage.

Most of the Animal Ambassadors 
have been injured in some way
and can not be released into the wild.
The zoo gives these animals a home and uses them for 
educational purposes.

Golden Eagle

In some ways, this gentleman is an Animal Ambassador, too.
He is one of the official photographers at the zoo.
We were laughing taking pictures of each other, taking pictures of each other! 

Can't leave out a mention of the menu.
Fruit, yogurt, scrambled eggs, pancakes, bacon, potatoes,
chicken nuggets and
shrimp and grits.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Keep In Touch

Bobbing For Apples

The week after Harvey's visit,

the Houston Zoo decided to "proceed as scheduled"

with their annual Asante member dinner.

Believe me,

we all needed the break.

A lovely break it was.

Do you remember bobbing for apples?

I do!

It was one of the fun things that happened in the fall.
Well, elephants enjoy bobbing for apples, too!

Miriam is getting ready to toss apples into the pool for
Baylor and Duncan.

And, BOB they did! 

I'm not sure who had the most fun,
the elephants or the folks watching!

It was a lovely evening,
 a wonderful dinner,
fun time with the Asian elephants
and with friends.
A wonderful break from all Harvey wrought.

Back to the real world.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Did Someone Say Breakfast?

On one of the last low humidity days before summer takes hold,

I walked up to my village to have breakfast at the Black Walnut.

Such a nice walk, cool morning, listening to the birds, 

people out walking their dogs with smiles on their faces.

Good Morning!

The Pico Benedict -- delicious.
Having breakfast with my little Buddha reminds to take my time,
enjoy each bite, be thankful to everyone who made the breakfast possible.

*

Another cool morning took me to the zoo.

Did someone say breakfast?
One of the gorillas is happily munching away on his breakfast.
Love those greens!

And, the Black Bears know how to do breakfast right!
A big juicy bone while floating in the pond.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Mosaic Monday

Location, Location, Location

How many times have you heard location, location, location?

One of the best things about living where I do is definitely location.

Living near Rice University there's always plenty going on...

athletics, art, music, community education.

I'm also near the museums and Hermann Park.

There's lots of shopping and good eats in Rice Village.

The latest public art installation in Rice Village is an owl by California artist Nathan Mabry.

A blue origami-like aluminum owl, along with four smaller lifelike owls, 
are a nod to Rice University.

"While researching Rice Village, I became interested in the vibrant history of the neighborhood and proximity to Rice University. I find myself particularly engaged with the mascot of Rice University, the Owl," Mabry said in an announcement.

"It's a powerful symbol in both antiquity and contemporary life. My work has long explored the depiction of birds from all facets of art history."

The Owl weighs 868 pounds and took 8.3 hours to install.
It's a fun addition to the neighborhood.

*

Speaking of location.

I'm also near the Zoo.
The zoo always celebrates Spring with a Spring Fling for some of its members.
Usually it is a breakfast.
This year the zoo decided to make it Breakfast for Dinner and hold the event in the evening.
It was a beautiful night.
Breakfast was delicious -- with the best biscuits and gravy I've had in awhile!

I invited my next door neighbors and can say that a good time was had by all!
There was a hula hoop competition for the kids,
face painting, endless carousel rides and the children's zoo was open with
the petting zoo. 

And even the adults had fun watching the zebu.
He put on quite a show.
His keeper asked him to walk in a circle.
He did and he was given a treat.
Then he kept walking in a circle and back to his keeper --
"treat please"!
We were all laughing --
all except the Llama who seemed quite put out!

*

A good friend took me to lunch.
We went to one of our mutual favorite spots --
the Hobbit Cafe.
The Hobbit has been around since 1972 and for some time was the 
only spot to get good, fresh vegetarian food.
They have now added the "regular" food for those who just can't live without their burger.

I had the "slim" Gandalf.
(Believe it or not, there is a larger version of this sandwich.)
Their wheat bread is amazing.
Avocado, mushrooms and melted cheese.
You can pick your side - black beans for me.

My friend had the Fatty Lumpkin -- tuna salad, tomato, melted cheese
with carrots on the side.

They are knife and fork sandwiches -- 
no way I could get my mouth all the way around to take a bite. 

*

Last and not least for locations--
there is no place like home! 

Wishing you well, much joy and a "Hoppy" Easter!

Five on Friday

Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

Monday Social

Potpourri

Looking out my window this morning,

it is cloudy and the wind is blowing.

A cold front is on the way.

At least, what qualifies as a cold front for us! 
We might even get some much needed rain.

*

This week I took a dear friend to lunch to celebrate her birthday.

We went to one of Houston's top restaurants,

Helen Greek Food and Wine.

It gives an upscale name to "hole in the wall".

Walking down the street, if you blink at the wrong time,

you will miss it! 

 

A warm, intimate setting with it's narrow brick clad rooms.

An award winning all Greek Wine selection.

Lets get to the food!
 We shared the citrus and fennel salad (their winter salad).
Fennel, orange, grapefruit, blood orange, red onions, calamata olives, feta.
Delicious!





And, the Green 'n Cheese pie.
Phyllo, four different greens and three different Greek cheeses.
 YUM!




Helen Greek Food and Wine is an easy walk from my house.
I'll be going back ... soon!
There is nothing else like it in town. 

*

For me, the holiday season begins when the Houston Zoo 
has the members opening for Zoo Lights.

The weather was perfect.
The kettle korn and gingerbread cookies were pretty wonderful, too!  

 

A brief look at the magic forest.

Wishing You well and much joy!



Willy Nilly Friday

Mosaic Monday

SaveSave

This and That

1. Last Saturday the Houston Zoo opened early for its annual family Spring fling.
It's always more fun if you go with little kids. 
Face painting, slides, jump ropes, hula hoops, a DJ and zoo animals.

2. Then there are the animal ambassadors.
This is Winston and he is a Juliana Pig.
He's a big favorite with the kids and adults.

 The Dingos have only been at the Houston Zoo for about 8 months.
The wild dog of Australia.
Did you know the Dingo is a separate taxonomy from the dog?







This is Charlie the Chuckwalla.
The Chuckwalla is one of the largest of the  native American reptiles. 
Charlie is very handsome!

3. Because it was so early, before the zoo opened to the public,
we had the African Forest and the gorillas to ourselves.

The bachelor group was outside and entertaining us.
They can sure move fast!






4. This is a pretty time of year at the zoo.
Before it gets too hot and humid and the flowers are blooming.

5. I finished crocheting a baby blanket.
It's one of my favorite patterns - quick, easy- and looks fancy!
You can find the free pattern here.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

Willy Nilly Friday

Five on Friday

Random Five Friday

This and That

The Good---
I don't think I'll ever tire of looking at my water garden.





The Random ---
Thanksgiving dessert?!!

The Fun ....
Zoo Lights! 


I'm joining The Good The Random and The Fun! 
and No Place Like Home.

On this Monday before Thanksgiving,
I'm wishing YOU well and much joy
during this holiday season.

This and That

It's October and another little front has blown through

leaving a few delightful days of nice temps and low humidity.

*

I got my flu shot .. the high dose for those of us of a certain age! 

**

I'm taking part in the Spice of Life Crochet A Long along with 4000+ others!

The crochet a long is being sponsored by Stylecraft and Black Sheep Yarns. 
I've been using yarn in my stash.
As much as I would like to, I just couldn't by more yarn! 
We get new instructions each week.
Here is my first week:

And this what the afghan looks like after the second week:
Love those stacking shells!

It's been fun, a great stash buster and I've learned a few new tricks 
from the ladies in the FaceBook Group. 

***

A night out at the zoo to meet the new CEO.
Good friends, good food, and a cute animal ambassador:
meet Winston -- the Juliana Pig.

His tail was in constant motion ... as was his head ... yummies on the floor! 

The Juliana Pig is a small colorful pig originating in Europe through selective
breeding of various kinds of pigs. The Juliana Pig, also known as the 
Miniature Painted Pig, is small and spotted without a pronounced
pot belly or sway back. They have a long snout and are slight in frame.
They have a great temperament as the Juliana pig has been bred specifically 
 to work with humans. 






****

Last, but not least, it's the perfect weather for
FOOTBALL!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

I'm joining:

and the lovely Judith at Mosaic Monday.