Are you Gnarly?

Does everyone know that being gnarly is a good thing? When I was growing up in the "hippie" era of the 60's and 70's being gnarly meant you were really cool and "with it". When I saw this old gnarly tree, I thought that, yep, it is a thing worth admiration. It has twisted, turned, adapted, did the job of two and yet, it still stands.
I am proud to say that I think I am a gnarly realtor. I will get it done and still stand knowing that it was all worth it. It truly is cool to be... gnarly.

I've Seen the Light

Doesn't light make such a difference in how we feel!

While visiting Colonial Williamsburg recently, I was struck with the emotional impact the light streaming through this church

window had on me.

Are you like that?

Without some shadow, we wouldn't even notice the light.

 I love the contrasts.

That Quiet Time and Place

Once in a while we all need some place to go in our minds where we can feel God.

Here, I rested and experienced the beauty of a perfect time and place.

I hope you know a place like this.

 

Memorial Day Family Fun

Family fun courtesy of my brother Chris at his retreat in central Arkansas...

We remember who we are and where we came from with thankful hearts.

A Pond in Your Own Backyard

Can't you see yourself walking

  down this quiet path?

Having a seat...

fishing

or feeding the ducks?

Well, somebody is not getting

the message.

This beauty is available for

sale near the coast and boating

on the bay just

outside of Houston

at a bargain price of $229,990.

I need a little help from friends.

Pass the word. Thanks.

What does a cow say?

Eat more chicken, of course.

You would be amazed at how generous and devoted

this company is to serving others.

I like their chicken.

Easter Basket Fun

Hope your basket was overflowing this year!!!

1930's Bungalow Architecture

Do you ever ache for simplicity?
And what does that mean to you?
I have the privilege to have a listing for a sweet little house built in 1935. It has the good fortune to be located on a corner in a still small town with great big Houston all around it.
But I can imagine...

sitting on this front porch...or....

...walking across these floors....or...

....closing the pocket doors to keep the noise of the children playing in the backyard away, then curling up next to the fireplace to read a book.

I love glass doorknobs like these...

...and I remember telephone niches for when the phone had to stay in one place ...

Until it sells, I get to pretend this is home...at least while I am there for an open house today.

This house feeds my soul.
Just had to edit this post...to tell you this house is sold to a cute couple.
The wife will be able to walk to her job at a 5 star French restaurant.
Perfect new owners for this sweet little house.

A Simple Ball of String

What can you do

with a simple ball of string?

Isn't this something!

Such imagination and skill

astounds me.

Yehaw and All Things Western!

February and March mean rodeo time in Texas. Even if you are not a cowgirl or guy, it is an opportunity to participate in a virtual reality world where you can pretend to understand ranch animals and the people who work with them everyday.

A couple of weeks ago, we attended our small town rodeo and had a blast sitting on the front row (thanks to a generous friend). If you have never done this, you might not realize that you will need a blanket to

 a) stay warm and b) keep the dirt and flying poop that the horses and bulls kick up on you when they are zooming all around the arena.

If you are lucky, you will get to sit close to the best looking cowboys like this little guy below:

You might even get to have a little chat with one the performers themselves who really wanted to know why we think having his head all tied up like this is necessary...

Texans really go all out with the pretend. This week's rodeo adventure included the granddaddy of all Texas rodeo cook-offs down at the Reliant Stadium grounds in Houston. They had a record crowd this year of over 200,000 people. My husband and son are on  a crew that helped to feed all those folks.

Here is a pic of the son and I hamming it up in a self-portrait shot:

Notice that I am wearing Mardi Gras beads. We Texans will borrow fun from the cajuns to make a party fun.

This guy had the best beads of the night from my viewpoint:

And the next guy was just desperate for attention---which he got plenty of since the temperature was in the low 40's that night, he had green hair, and well, you might say, he was in great shape to say the least!

Even over the hill people like me like to look.

For  great western tablescape ideas, click on over to

The Purple Goat Lady

for inspiration!

Tomorrow night, I am going with friends to THE Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Gotta go for the gusto while I still can!

Is It a Doohickle or What?

We have a great new store in our Northeast part of Houston called the cutest name....Doohickles.

It is a handcrafted gift emporium with just awesome creations of art. The artisans are from all over, but primarily Texas, and each piece is carefully reviewed for quality by the owners.  Stacey Siders and her husband are the proprietiors.

Check out that wacky clock beside her!

So VanGoghish!

My first visit there I just had to buy one of these handmade journals for my son who enjoys penning deep thoughts.

Check out the wonderful mosaic art on this candle trough.

And this great jewelry...

More mosaics are in the form of crosses and hearts...

    If you are in the Atascocita

part of northeast Houston,

visit this place at

13165 West Lake Houston Parkway.

You will be glad you did!

Happy Valentine's Day--Keep Dreaming!

        May this day and every day 

bring you your heart's desires...

The Benefits of Marketing

I had the opportunity last week to do some real estate marketing while sponsoring a cause and that is my favorite type of advertising. I volunteer for our local chamber of commerce education committee. We had a pancake breakfast to launch the 2010 rodeo in our town which benefits education. All of the profit from the breakfast will be given for scholarships and teacher grants.

 

There was artwork by students to enjoy.

A stagecoach for photo opportunities. (This is my friend Aurora.)

I sponsored a table and got to add my own decorations. The cowboy has the superintendent's face superimposed on the photo. I asked for his forgiveness, which he graciously granted. There were free calendars and cozies to be had. The balloons represented the high school colors of each school.

We have 6 high schools in our district now! 

Finally, the most fun for me was designing this placemat, advertising the home buyer's tax credit which is going to expire on April 30th.

If you know anyone wanting to make a move,

this really is a great opportunity.

Stay tuned for my next entry which will be about a little crafting that I have been up to. Stay warm wherever you are and remember on Sunday that you are everything to someone.

God loves you, His creation,

and you are meant to pass that love on.

Happy Valentine's Week.

Next

Continuing with my one word subject blog series, this week's word is next. This one word represents my New Year's resolution in a nutshell. It is my plan to learn to embrace the ability to say,

"Next" when... my cake has fallen. Or if

a bird poops on my head.

And

I would like to think if my favorite store is...

That I will take a minute to...

Remember to...

Because after all, I have the

power

to change my attitude and say...

NEXT!!!

 

Emotion

What do you do when you have too much pent up emotion?

What if it is too cold and wet to go

outside to dig in the dirt or smash some tennis balls?

Do you cook? How 'bout something salty and sweet and crunchy

enough to chomp into to expend that frustration.

Then after you polish that off...

Maybe...get out your paint.And some scissors

 

Rip up the back off of a box of crackers...

And draw, doodle, paint and create...

Something...to explain those emotions...

Until another warm sunny day comes around.
And it always does.

Thank-you Lord!

Hope Springs Eternal

The power of one continues…(see previous post). Today’s word is

This tile was made by residents of the Brookwood Community which is in a suburb of Houston. It is a residential home for the developmentally disabled. They make and sell many items which contribute to the hope that their families have for the citizens of this community to continue to enjoy  purposeful and happy lives.

My blogging friend at What’s Deb Doing? talks about the word

Freedom

and she links it to her hope for her son

to be safe on his second tour to Iraq.

Please join in her prayers for his safety.

The Power of One

A few years ago I read a book by this title and found it very inspiring. It is about a little boy who grows up in a life of turmoil in South Africa and finds inspiration for his survival again and again. The title echoes in my mind…over and over…

On day 2 of this New Year, I am looking for some blogging subject inspiration. How about you? So what do you think about this idea?I have decided from time to time to blog about one word that I find inspiring.  I challenge you to think about that phrase…the power of one….and perhaps share your one word and/or pic inspiration.

My first one word inspiration is Christ. Christians know the power of the word Christ.

Debra at Common Ground and A Day in the Life knows and shares more about the power of that one Word. A link to her Bible study, A Day in the Life, is in my sidebar.

I would love to know what one word inspires you. Please share!

Who Dat???

The New Year is approaching and as you can see, I have made a new header as so many others have.

I am having trouble with my blogger identity and I have been experimenting. Below is a different photo that I considered using…

Identity is an issue around my home right now. My Asperger (high functioning autism) son has had a total identity crisis during the holidays causing our whole family to reinvent ourselves in order to help him. Each of us has put on the good cop/bad cop hat, psychologist hat, educator hat, loving parent hat, silly goofy make him laugh hat…etc. 

So…dear blogger friends….bear with us while we take a station break and try to find out bearings. Your prayers would so be appreciated.

…Ships A' Sailing on Christmas Day

Do you know this Christmas Song? If you don’t know it, it is a jaunty little jig reminiscent of an old sailor’s drinking song (shh…don’t tell anyone…)

I was reminded of this song when I visited a good friend’s home last week. She and her husband love to sail and are therefore attracted to all things nautical. My very clever friends used some old rope from their boat to fashion a unique garland for their fireplace. Notice that the red and green create almost a holly effect.

Doesn’t their fireplace look great!!!?

Merry Christmas to all you sailors out there whether on sea or shore this Christmas.

Peace on Earth

For my last entry for Vintage Christmas Monday, I thought I would include this simple display from Anthropologie. Isn’t it amazing what can be done with a chalkboard? I don’t know about you, but this just takes me back to about the third grade. My teacher that year was kind of a witch but I can reimagine--(I like to make up words) her into the kind of teacher I needed…one that surprised us when we came into the classroom and we saw this on the blackboard…

Thanks to all who visited me for this special occasion and thank-you so much to Joan at Anything Goes Here.

Come back and visit anytime.