Texas Active Rain members are a very friendly group of bloggers, and must really like each other and getting together...This was our second gathering in just five months!
In May Ricki Eichler hosted our gathering in Bandera TX, which was my first chance to 
meet the REAL people behind my computer screen. Recently Jason Crouch hosted our second gathering this year in Austin TX, at the County Line restaurant. Both meeting places just happened to be in the gorgeous Hill Country part of TX, one of the gems of our great state. Jason not only organized the whole affair in Austin, he also paid for everything. It was a combination networking of Jason's Active Rain friends, but also a celebration of his 38th birthday, which was the next day. Jason also invited some of his friends from Church, and his community. His beautiful wife, mom and kids were also there.
The County Line restaurant is right on part of Lake Austin, it was an idyllic setting, with large outdoor decks and a big grassy area going right up to the water. The Country Line is famous for its BBQ, and all of their bragging rights are dead on...it was delicious! Ribs, chicken, cowl slaw, potato salad, homemade bread, yummy soul food. Judi Morgan coordinated having two cakes brought for Jason, one a TX theme, and one a Power Ranger theme (we all know Jason is a big kid at heart), he did restrain himself from jumping up in the air with his new toys. The one Chocolate, one Vanilla cakes were served up with homemade vanilla ice cream made by the Country Line. I happened to catch a few belts being let out...discretely :-).
Active Rain Ambassador Tom Plant flew in again from CA, I guess he likes us; he was at our Bandera gathering also. This time Tom was accompanied by his Sweet heart Laura. She is a delightful lady and we all enjoyed getting to meet her. Their wedding is planned for next year, so this time TX will have to go to CA. Lots of people came who I had not met before, which was another treat, as well as many from our first get together. Texans are truly one of the friendliest states, everyone just makes you feel like an old friend, and many of us are now.
Thank you Jason for a truly wonderful day, Bill and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. So did Mr. Rhett Butler, and I convinced Debra A. Brooks his kisses were sweeter (had a tooth pulled and teeth cleaned just for Deb), otherwise she had threatened "no loving". I would like to thank all my active rain friends for their support, and friendship, you guys mean the world to me. Liz
PS, slide show still working on...but it will be great if I can ever figure out how to work thesilly thing...anybody know about flash slide show maker??? Call me :-)...till then here are a couple more pictures of the great time we had...enjoy, L
! L
Hello! I am trying to visit all my associates this week-end... this sounds like a great time. I bet it was fun to meet everyone after talking with them for such a long time. I hope to visit you again soon! Brenda :)
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What a great location to meet in. Where ya been Liz, you've been missed.