We often read blog posts about dancing in the rain, meaning Active Rain, of course. However, this morning, I actually DID dance in the REAL rain! As most everyone knows, Texas has been suffering under one of the worst droughts in history. I posted about it in September, complete with photo of the deep cracks that have appeared in our Houston Black (black gumbo clay) soil as a result. It's been a long, hard, dry year, and the land is suffering for it. And when the land suffers, we suffer - everything from shortages of hay to raging wildfires … (0 comments)
central texas: lIt's Been a Long, Hot, Dry Summer
- 09/26/11 08:10 AM
If you've been paying any attention this summer (and not just retreating indoors and waiting it out), you'll know that the weather has been weird all over the country this summer. Drought, floods, records being topped all over the place one way and another. I'm old enough not to panic, to realize that this is just One Of Those Years that come along every once in a while (those broken records had to be set sometime in the past, after all!), and we'll get through it. I am seeing something that I haven't seen before, however. Our ranch is on Houston … (4 comments)
central texas: Heart of Texas Morgan Horse Club
- 01/08/11 02:41 PM
I spent a wonderful day today at the Winter Meeting of the Heart of Texas Morgan Horse Club, at the lovely farm house of a friend and club member in Coupland, Texas. We had a great time, talking and getting caught up (members are spread all over Central and South Central and Southeast Texas), and making plans for the club for the coming months, especially the annual HOTMHC Open Fun Show being held in Seguin April 16. It was 15 years ago this coming June 1 that HOTMHC was formed in my living room in Austin (before we bought the ranch … (1 comments)
central texas: The A B C's of School Districts in Central Texas
- 01/05/11 03:06 PM
A very common question when a client is relocating to this area and deciding where to purchase a home is, "What is the best school district?" That's a question that, of course, parents have to answer for themselves. As I've noticed, and always say, what's a good or great school depends on the child. Why? Because each child is different, with different strengths and weaknesses and educational needs, and the best school for them is the school that fits that particular child. Even in my own family, the school that was great for our son would have been a disaster for … (0 comments)
Coming up next Monday (Sunday if you're buying sausage by the pound), the Zion Lutheran Church & School annual Wurstbraten in Walburg, just a few minutes northeast of Georgetown, Texas, is an event that is waited for eagerly by folks in Central Texas. As the weather cools, like the blooming of the Chilly Lillies it's something that tells us that winter is on the way, that the heat of a long Texas summer has really finally broken, and it's time to celebrate harvest (even in this fast-paced day and age) and enjoy the fruits of our … (3 comments)
central texas: Where Can I Find Groceries in Austin and Central Texas?
- 03/06/10 11:32 AM
One of the travails of moving to a new community is learning all over again the things that are second-hand in your old one. You know where things are - you know where the grocery store is (and what it's called) and where the dry cleaners is and all those sorts of things. When you move to a new place, all of that is new and sometimes a little scary. I've even read on forums people complaining because there's not enough grocery stores in Austin, Texas, not enough variety! Well, that's clearly nonsense, but they are new to the area and … (7 comments)
central texas: Keep Your Community's Personality Alive - Shop Local!
- 02/26/10 06:26 AM
We all like to believe that the community we live in is unique, with a personality of its own. That unique personality, however, is not made up of Big Box stores and restaurant chains that are identical all across the country - it's made up of the local businesses and institutions that are started and run and supported with the minds, hearts, blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention money) of the people who make up the community. Also, when you shop locally, the money you spend has a greater tendency to stay at home, thus supporting your local economy and, … (3 comments)
central texas: More Snow Photos of More Snow
- 02/23/10 09:13 AM
The snow kept coming down, and we got some more photos. Probably about 3 inches or so out there, based on the footprints the dogs make.
The horses and J.D. enjoying the snow
Way off in the distance there, in the middle, a neighbor's cow bellows because of the snow
Off to the right, just barely in the picture, The Donkey Girls doing an Eeyore because of the snow (mustn't get snow in our ears)
Yes, we're silly about this, I know, but this happens once or twice in a lifetime … (3 comments)
central texas: Horse Show Season Approaches!
- 02/14/10 06:33 AM
As we get into spring and out of mud season, horse shows start popping up like wildflowers. One of these is the Heart of Texas Morgan Horse Club (HOTMHC) Open Fun Show, of which I have been Show Secretary for the past few years. This year, it is April 9-10 at the Diamond F Arena in Seguin, Texas. While it's a Morgan Show, it's also an open show, and as the name attests, it's lots of fun! I hope those of you in the area with horses of whatever persuasion, or those who just like to watch horses in action, will … (0 comments)
central texas: Rum Cake Filled With Memories
- 01/09/09 06:49 AM
When I was a little girl, growing up in East Texas, there were many events where bringing food was simply "the thing to do". Since my mother was a preacher's wife, it was even more mandatory that she do so. One of her favorite standbys was a rum cake (using rum flavoring instead of actual rum, of course!). This is one of my fond memories of childhood, but somehow I'd never tried to make one myself. This New Year's, I decided I wanted to do something a little bit different, so I go online and started hunting. Finally, I found the … (7 comments)
central texas: Trans Texas Corridor Is Toast!
- 01/06/09 01:18 PM
The Executive Director of TxDOT and Governor Rick Perry announced today that the dreaded Trans Texas Corridor is dead as originally planned. The megalithic roadway/railway planned to cut through some of the best farmland in Texas on its way to Mexico stirred much controversy. People living in its path faced losing farms that had been in their families for generations. During the many years it took to determine even a possible path (and a definite one was never determined), no one knew if their land would be impacted, or how, or if they could sell their land, or if they should … (4 comments)
central texas: December Foodie Events in Central Texas
- 11/14/08 02:51 AM
If, like me, you're all about the food, and consider the kitchen to be the center of the home, you'll want to stop in at some of these "foodie" events in Central Texas in late November and December.
Hairson Creek Farm's Annual Open Farm and Potluck. Farm Tour, Music (bring your own instrument), food (bring a potluck dish). Saturday, November 15. The Austin Empty Bowl Project. Help raise funds for the Austin Area Food Bank's Kids Cafe Program while enjoying good soup and purchasing beautiful bowls, for yourself or for Christmas presents. We still use the ones we bought many … (0 comments)
central texas: Wunderblogs at Wunderground
- 09/01/08 02:01 AM
During all of the hooplah and media coverage of Hurricane Gustav, I've been more than usually interested in every detail. My daughter Jess will be moving to the Cayman Islands for 3 months mid-September, and her friend Chad will be there as well (more about this in another blog). My son P.J., with his lady, Nicole, is supposed to be spending a 3 day weekend in mid-September in New Orleans. In addition, hurricanes in the Gulf can impact Central Texas, not only in weather, but in folks evacuating from coastal areas and needing shelter from the storm for them and their … (3 comments)
On another forum I was led to an article about Tiny Texas Houses, which led me to the website of Discovery Architectural Antiques in Gonzales, Texas. This company sells salvaged architectural items for restoration. They've come up with a new project that I think is just awesome! The Tiny Texas Houses Project takes those salvaged architectural items that they have in inventory and builds 95% recycled (wiring, plumbing, etc., being new) tiny, portable houses from them. Each one will, of course, of necessity, be somewhat unique. I'd love to have one of these on our place as a guest … (4 comments)
Today was the 2nd Annual Ice Cream Festival in Austin, Texas. (Yes, as I've said many times before, any excuse for a party!) Given that we're having a record string of 3-digit temp days, my Meetup group that attended the event scheduled our attendance for opening, at 10:00 a.m. (The event ran from 10:00 a.m. to 7 p.m. - we were out of there by noon.)
This event, as most Austin events and festivals, was a fundraiser - this year for the Austin Children's Shelter. There were … (7 comments)
It got me thinking about a saying that I've had for years, a saying that my daughter once told me was the most valuable thing I taught her when she was growing up: "No matter what, the sun WILL come up in the morning." And, if it doesn't, of course, we have much worse problems than whatever happens to be troubling us in the immediate moment. With all of the angst and trauma and … (4 comments)
central texas: Your Own Little Piece of the Texas Hill Country
- 07/22/08 10:26 AM
Your Secluded Hill Country Retreat 510 Greystone Drive, Dripping Springs, TX 78620 View Map This secluded log home retreat tucked away in the Hill Country just outside of Dripping Springs is a perfect place to get away from the rush-rush-rush of the city and relax, listening to the wind and the wildlife and watching the panoramic view from the rocking chair on your wraparound porch. A BBQ with friends under the trees is not out of the question, either! Hardwood and tile floors down, carpet upstairs, a huge walk-in shower in the master bath and elegant claw foot tub upstairs, wood … (2 comments)
So, yesterday I was on desk duty at my office in Georgetown, Texas. It was a very quiet Saturday (hot, muggy day, one of the first of the year, most folks just wanted to stay inside in air conditioning, I think). A good day to get paperwork caught up. About mid-afternoon, I decided to step out the back door to our Coke machine and get some caffeine to keep myself perky. Imagine my surprise when I saw this little fellow waiting for me. This is a Gray Tree Frog (I now know, having looked him up as soon … (2 comments)
central texas: April Events in Central Texas
- 03/30/08 06:43 AM
There's lots to do in Central Texas, and in the springtime, even more! Here's a sampling of events you might want to try. There's bound to be something to interest you! April 1: TDHMA Plow Day. Texas Draft Horse and Mule Association Plow Day in Tolar. April 1-20: National Cutting Horse Association 2008 Super Stakes & Super Stakes Classic. If you're into cutting horses, no explanation necessary. April 3-6: CNU XVI: New Urbanism & the Booming Metropolis. Conference on New Urbanism, green building, how communities can maintain their character while welcoming new development, and more. April 4-5: Heart of Texas Morgan Horse Club Open … (6 comments)
central texas: Head 'em Up, Move 'em Out! Equestrian Trails In Central Texas
- 03/29/08 02:36 AM
It's Spring, and in the Spring, a young man (and woman's) thoughts turn to trail riding. However, these days, it's often not just a matter of heading out to the barn and saddlin' up ol' Blue and hitting the trail. You have to load ol' Blue up and take him for a ride before you get to have yours. People new to the area, and some folks who've lived here a while, don't always know about the various equestrian trails in the area. So I thought I'd gather together a list of great places to trail ride in Central Texas just … (2 comments)
A blog about things Texas, about things horsie, about real estate issues, about life in the country, about food, about whatever strikes my fancy pertaining to life, the universe, and everything and, especially, real estate.
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