Olives?

It did not quite look like this on the saturday after thanksgiving. It was cold and rainy, but that did not stop us from visiting a Mediterranean style Ranch outside of Wimberley, Texas.

They gave us a tour, explained the background and the we went in where it was warm and got to taste the different Olive Oils. Did you know that you cure olives so they don't burn your mouth. Well, good cold pressed olive oil has a bit of that burn. Nummy; and when they
infuse it with orange oil; watch out.

They grow artichokes, tomatoes and raise cattle on their ranch too. They also grow grapes and produce a small amount of wine. It was good too.

Next we went down the road to see some "Real" Glassblowers at work. It was amazing, these guys create things that take more than one person to make it happen. They actually have a small amphitheatre in their workroom, so us less artistically endowed people could see them work. The pieces in the gallery were beautiful and they do huge custom projects for corporations. I should have asked them if they did The Bellagio. It was a nice family outing in the Hill Country Of Texas.

Cousins

Maybe I should call it Eye Candy. That is a term I have heard of in the past for these studs in print. I have to admit I had never seen it on fabric until Nana Carol picked some up on one of her trips with Dad. The girls loved them. What a fun Thanksgiving. SO much to be thankful for. Family, health and a God Centered Life. We are a blessed nation to be able to chose our lifestyle. Thank you to all of those who have in the past and continue to protect these freedoms for us so that we may live as we choose.

Krista and Peyton

I am not sure who was happiest to see whom. Krista had been visiting dog shelters and longing for a furry friend. As i turned into the driveway in mid November, Krista Stepped out of the Apartment door and Peyton immediately started barking in excitement. She saw Krista before I did.

I hope that Krista got her Puppy fix. I know that Peyton enjoyed to attention from her long lost friend.

My First Time

One of the tings on my list of things that I have always wanted to do was go on a winery tour. Krista and Diana made that happen today. We visited the Messina Hof Winery in Bryan, Texas. It began in 1977 and is now Texas's third largest winery and has many award winners. The setting is beautiful and the wine reasonable. They even have a bed and breakfast with rooms furnished with beautiful antiques, up to 400 years old. What a fun day.

We found another near Canyon Lake, that is a winery and olive tour. Maybe Saturday after Thanksgiving.

College Station, Texas

I arrived in College Station on Saturday, to visit with Krista and Dianna. Ate Ahi tacos with stirfry vegies and then went to a famous beer bar to play "42", a domino game. the Bonfire was postponed due to dry weather. Of course it rained all night. We had a good time.

Sunday morning we worshiped together at GraceBible Church, they are growing and plan to open a second campus at the other end of town next year. It was a great sermon on giving thanks even amidst our pain. God just loves to seize the opportunity to speak to me.

While Krista was at work, I received a tour of the Texas A & M Campus from Diana, who will be graduating in the middle of December. This college is so steeped in tradition. I really enjoyed the tour and information. One VERY emotion provoking stop was at the Bonfire Memorial. It had been the 8th anniversary, early that morning, in the cold dark rain. Just being there those hours later, seeing the flowers, candles, coins, and memorabilia left by family and friends was quite moving. This is a special college and all who have ever gone feel a very special attachment to each other.

Check it out http://www.tamu.edu/home/imagepage/bonfirememorial.html

Trans-Siberian Orchestra

http://www.trans-siberian.com/multimedia/index.shtml

You must all go listen to this. My sister Lynn and Her generous husband Gregg took me to Lubbock. Texas Wed. night for a date (I forgot what that was like). We went to a restaurant called Jazz (Cajun food) and then a concert. It was FABULOUS!!!! What an entertaining evening.

Last night it was off to Plainview for a play-off football game. Springlake-Earth did not win, but played a good game. It was cold (Below freezing) and windy, but great fun. Everyone knows everyone here. Even on wed. night in Lubbock, we saw no less that 4 groups of people Gregg and Lynn knew and we were a 70 min. drive from home.

How cool is that?

Big Boy Toys

No, this is not a 99 cent matchbox toy. It is a tractor and discer (spelling?). This is one of the smaller pieces of equipment out here. This is right outside the barn. You can see that there is not much around here. Looking out front, you can see someone elses cows and down the road at least 1/2 mile is a house. Even the hired hands house, which is on their property, is over a mile away.

It is fun to take walks here, you can go forever and never see another human, lots of animals, but no humans.