I Had A Plan

This is what the 4th of July looked like at my house.

After hurricane Harvey last year,

I think it's safe to say the whole city has/had PTSD.

The last I heard, no homes were flooded,

just a lot of high blood pressure!

It has continued to rain off and on.
Today the sun is shining and I had a plan.

After feeding the kitties and the fish, 
getting my morning walk done,
and all the morning ablutions (love that word).

I walked over to Eclair Paris to have breakfast.
I had Eggs Benedict as usual.
I took my Mindful Magazine with me to read
and laughed out loud several times while reading an article on meditation.
(Been there and done that!) 

I came home with two sinfully delicious desserts.

I saved them both.

Until...

I decided to try this one.
This is the owners new favorite.
Orange with a surprise!
I ate the top -- could taste the orange...
then the cream layer ... more orange
and got to...

Surprise!

I reached the strawberry custard layer.

Wow! 

I can see and taste why it is her new favorite.









But, I guess I'm old fashioned.
I still like the lemon tart the best.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

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The Crickets Are Singing

It is not summer until the crickets sing.

~ Proverb

Summer Solstice is today.

It is the day when the light shines the longest.
The Crickets are singing so it must be summer!

It's also time for iced tea.

This was in the June Texas Market subscription box.
Mango Black is from a company I wasn't familiar with.
A little research and I found out that Hello!
 is from a subscription tea box company
called My Story Tea.
(Just what I need -- another subscription box!)
I'm really enjoying the Mango Black tea iced.
There are four 1 quart pouches in the pack.
It arrived just in time for June - the official iced tea month.

It's raining and will probably rain for several days.
While it isn't a tropical storm, after Hurricane Harvey last year,
everyone is a bit nervous to have it rain and rain and rain.

Mina is keeping me company.
She is making biscuits and chewing on her favorite blanket. 

I think she is completely bored with the rain!

Wishing YOU well and much joy.



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It's Not UGHust yet!

Boy, it is HOT.
It's not UGHust yet!
Yes, I hibernate because of the heat.
I get up very early, feed the kitties, take my walk.
Errands must be done early in the morning.

Fun breakfast with one my soul sisters at the Avalon Diner.
Now in a strip shopping area, but once a stand alone.

Mina in one of her favorite places.

Birthday Bouquet

The perfect tea cosy for an Owl lover!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

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The Search Was On

Another beautiful day and a walk up to the village.

I always take a book with me.

This one is going to be a tear-jerker.
Written in first person plural voice.
Very intimate feel.
The Buddha in the Attic won the Pen Faulkner Award for Fiction.

I met these two cuties while reading my book.
They didn't want to hold still to have their portraits taken. 
Their parents were also visiting Starbucks and enjoying the lovely day.

Just a few steps from Starbucks is Susie Cakes.
Oh, my.
Their cakes are delicious.
But have to admit, I like them because they do this:

I really walked to the village to find the new mural.
I missed it completely on my last visit
and was determined to find it this time!

The Search was on and I found it!

Here's what the Village management said about the mural:

Rice Village District has launched another public art piece with the Space City mural by artist Michael C. Rodriguez. The mural, by the stairs on Amherst Street near SusieCakes and Shake Shack, shows a female astronaut with the Houston skyline in the background.

"Rodriguez has painted over 30 murals in Houston throughout the years including the Houston Zoo, and The Children's Museum," assistant general manager of Rice Village Donna Molho said in an announcement.

"We are thrilled to welcome his talent to Rice Village. His mural helps us to continue to expand the art scene on our property and give our customers a rich, cultural experience while they're shopping and dining on our property."

What a great way to spend a beautiful day.

Wishing YOU well, much joy and a beautiful day.

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This and That

The sun came out yesterday.

It brought 100% humidity and record temps.

It's a little too early for me for sticky weather and running the AC.
So I went across the street with my book and had a cup of tea!

It was nice to get out after all the rain
and I picked up some meringue hearts.
YUM!

I'm getting ready to put up my Valentine decorations,
But I think I'm going to leave the Lori Mitchell figures out for awhile.
They are just too cute!
The Emma Bridgewater teapot and mug have been put away in 
my Grandmother's buffet -- a place of honor.

Today is the Lunar New Year - the Year of the Dog.
Traits of those born under this sign are:
Affectionate, Faithful,
Straightforward,
Courageous, Smart,
Inspirational, Loyal,
Honest, Trustworthy,
Warm-hearted

The table is all set except for the water glasses.
Mandarin Orange Chicken will be the main course. 

World Market had these cups in all the Chinese Astrological signs.

If you didn't celebrate the New Year in January,
or even if you did --
here is the chance to celebrate again!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

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Feathered Nest


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Adorable Beetles

While the weather was bad --

I tried to stay busy by reading, knitting and drinking tea.
In other words, I was entertaining myself!

This is a pattern I found on a Caron Cake label.
Caron calls it a "scarf/shawl" and made with one cake.
I made one earlier in autumn colors and thought this color way
looked more like winter.

I can depend on my kitties to supervise.
Mina is reminding me that I have ends to weave in
and Oliver thinks he should play with those ends first. 

I saw the cutest crochet project on FB and wanted to share it with you.
When I looked for the post, I couldn't find it!
I had to wait until the pattern book arrived from Amazon so I could share.

Isn't this fun?!
All these adorable beetles, bugs and butterflies.
Did you ever think the word adorable and beetle would go together?!

Fun patterns written using US terms.
One of the things I like the most,
it is a great kids book, too.
It follows the insects as they grow up and transform from tiny bugs
to beautiful butterflies, ladybugs and beetles.
You can crochet a complete life cycle of a butterfly or a snail.

I think this will be a great stash buster, too!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

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Stay Cozy

"Winter is the time for comfort,

for good food and warmth,

for the touch of a friendly hand

and for a talk beside the fire.

It is the time for home."

~ Edith Sitwell


I was greeted by this poem when I opened my January
Texas Market Box. 
Even the Gulf Coast of Texas is having winter this year.
I've given up trying to save the tropicals.
There will be a lot of planting in the spring!

Back to the Texas Market Box!

I've been subscribing to the Texas Market box for several years now.
I've never been disappointed with the contents.
Always something I've not seen before and fun! 

Here's how the Texas Market folks describe their service:

"My Texas Market is a subscription-based delivery service that sends  carefully curated packages filled with small-batch, artisan items from  farmers’ markets and local Texas businesses to customers each month.   Our purpose is to expose consumers to great new products and companies,  offer vendors a new market, encourage the support of local artisan  businesses, and simply share our love for the Texas farmers' market with  people who might not be able to enjoy it in person."   
     

Stay Cozy Coffee Mug (or in my case a tea mug)
From Mugg + Co in Dallas, TX

Handcrafted Coaster by Gaston Made in Dallas, Tx.
"Enjoy a modern, handcrafted coaster made from scratch in a wood shop by local business owners Alex and Emily. They've been featured in West Elm. Their handmade home goods can be found at Gaston Made."

Hot chocolate for the Cozy mug!
Hot Chocolate Cocoa from CocoAndre Chocolatier in Dallas.
"warm up with a cup of hot cocoa made with a blend of dark and milk Belgian dark chocolate this winter. Andrea Pedraza and daughter Cindy create pure chocolate confections that serve to make sweet memories."
Visit their shop at Cocaandre.

I didn't remove the Royal Vanilla Moisturizing Cream and Lip Balm
from it's packaging. I wanted to give you an idea of how things are shipped.

From Hooga Organic Skincare in McKinney, TX
"Hooga is a family of skincare products that are specially formulated in a very natural and organic way. These products were born from the idea of healthier, simpler and essential way of life.

The Hooga Royal Vanilla Moisturizing Cream is ideal for a deep, powerful or overnight moisturizing session. This new formula combines avocado and olive oil with the lovely aromas of vanilla and a hint of tangerine.

The Hooga Lip Balm will protect and moisturize your lips." 

Their products can be found at Hooga Skin Care. 

That's it! 
My January Texas Market Box for January.
It will definitely help keep me cozy this winter!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!
Stay warm and cozy on this MLK day.

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I received no compensation for this post.
I just really enjoy My Texas Market!

I Heard A Bird Sing

I love this little poem.
The words are just as true in January as December.

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

A magical thing

And sweet to remember.

"We are nearer to Spring

Than we were in September,"

I heard a bird sing

In the dark of December.

–Oliver Herford (1863–1935)

The robins, cardinals, jays, doves and sparrows have been busy singing.
Thanking me for putting extra food out for them on these cold days.

I thought the cold winter days could use a little cheer.
Cassie helping me with this little still life,
Yellow is such a happy color!

Meanwhile, my tree is still up.
It's hard to take it down.
It's so pretty and twinkly -- everyone needs more twinkly!

The snowmen will have a place of honor throughout the month of January.
It is winter -- even on the Gulf Coast.

Wishing YOU well and much joy in this new year!

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