This and That

I hope you had a lovely Holiday weekend.
I always think about my Daddy.
He is buried in the National Cemetery in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
When I lived in New Mexico, I would visit around Memorial Day.

I have my patriotic decorations out.
They'll stay up until after the 4th of July.

I do love Quirky!
The cat and owl vases are from the West Elm Fairy Tale collection.
Perfect for a cat and owl lover!

I finished knitting a shawl.

It is light weight from Lion Brand Shawl in a Ball.

And, I'm all set for my summer hibernation.

(I hibernate because of the heat.)

I have plenty of yarn! 

I found the pattern for the shawl in Knit Simple Holiday 2017 magazine.

Wishing YOU well and much joy! 

Keep In Touch

Little Things Thursday

Mosaic Monday

Good Morning!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Good Morning!

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

This and That

It was one of those "this and that" weeks.
Heat records have been set all week.
It's not even UGHust! 


The last Rice U baseball home series has come and gone.
I found these at the grocery and thought they'd be fun at the tailgate.
They were!

Mother's Day with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
I do love Orbit and all his shenanigans.
He must be one of the best major league baseball mascots.

Lots blooming in Musashi's Garden.

Coneflower

Miss Amelia Day Lily

Persian Garden Day Lily

Mini Pearl Day Lily

I order all my daylilies from Oakes.
I've been very pleased with the plants and the service.


Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursdays

Willy Nilly Friday

Keep In Touch

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

Little Things

It's The Little Things like this:

That make things like this ... bearable!

It really hasn't been too bad.
They don't work on the weekend.
Closing off one lane of traffic has made crossing the street easier.
(Always look on the bright side.)
Rebuilding the street will take awhile. 

*

I have my pond cleaned once a year.
I try to schedule the cleaning before it gets too hot and humid.
Cody does a fine job.

This year, in addition to my six gold fish,
Cody found eight crawfish.
We have no idea where they came from.
We blame everything "abnormal" on the waters of Hurricane Harvey.

The waterlily isn't the only bloom in the garden.

I save the amaryllis I get at Christmas and put them in the garden.
With a little luck,
a year later,
they bloom again.

Wishing YOU well and much joy!

Little Things Thursday
Willy Nilly Friday
Mosaic Monday
Keep in Touch

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.

Willy Nilly Friday

Amaze Me Monday

Mosaic Monday

Keep in Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday

SaveSave

Steep Right Up!

The sun finally came out 

and I enjoyed the day by walking up to the Village.

A stop at the new Starbucks for a Green Tea.
Sitting outside with my book.
Wonderful!

The book, LADY COP MAKES TROUBLE by Amy Stewart
is the second book in the Kopp Sisters Novels.
GIRL WAITS WITH GUN was the first in the series
and I loved it. The books are based on the Kopp sisters'
real life adventures in New York in 1914.
Great covers, too!

Painted in Rice Village after Hurricane Harvey 
by street artist Gonzo247.
This hand embodies the resiliency of the Houston spirit
and even has a little Texas embedded in the center of the palm.

Speaking of tea (!),
I wanted to share my new tea cup.
A dear friend surprised me with this cup and spoon 
from Mud Pie.
"Steep Right Up" to spring!

"Steeping Up" to spring also means
it's time for college baseball!
This was opening night at Reckling Park.
I like to get to the ball park early!


That's my This and That for the last week. 
Wishing YOU well, much joy and sunny skies!

Willy Nilly Friday

Amaze Me Monday

Mosaic Monday

Tuesday Cup of Tea

Keep In Touch

SaveSave

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!

Willy Nilly Friday

Feathered Nest


Mosaic Monday

Keep In Touch

Share Your Cup Thursday