Sister Shots

It was a sister weekend!  Julie is a great model for me--she enjoys it and so do I!  These were taken in the Japanese Garden at the Fort Worth Botanical Gardens.  It was a WARM August day, but we stuck to the shade and made the best of it. A great way to spend a Saturday afternoon.

Texas Music

My favorite Texas Country Music group is the Randy Rogers Band.  They are outstanding musicians and songwriters.  Brady Black is the best fiddle player in Texas!  If you haven't already, check out their new CD on iTunes, "Burning the Day".  This week it has been #2...trailing only Katy Perry.  You won't be disappointed!  Friday night, they played the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo in Denton, Texas.

 

 *This was a shameless plug.  Support local music!

Highland Village Balloon Festival

Cooperas Branch Park, Lake Lewisville, Highland Village, Texas-Saturday, August 21st

She's growing...

Yesterday, I spent much of the day with my dear friend, Jenny, and her living doll, Carman. She is 2 months old and so very beautiful. I loved that she would light up when I talked to her (of course she does with her wonderful mom, too). I know she is going to love me! We played dress up with a few outfits and let Carman lead the way. It was fun! These were my favorites...

I am just drawn to her beautiful eyes and sweet smile. There will be more of her to come in the future!

Wildseed Farm

On a little journey to the Texas Hill Country I ended up in Fredericksburg, instead of floating the Guadalupe River (thanks to Hurricane Alex). However, it was a fabulous alternative and even resulted in an excursion to Luckenback! During our day trip to the area, we visited the Wildseed Farms. These photos were taken while walking through the garden and field.

Blue Mist Flower
Butterfly Verbena

Kansas

While in Kansas I was taken back by the vividness of the greenery. The rolling Flint Hills were so lush. It brought new meaning to why people sketch hills in the overlapping arches. However, the digital images did not do justice to this beauty that could be seen with the eye.

These two plants were seen at the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve near Strong City.


This is the Woolly Verbena a native Kansas wildflower.

Big Bend National Park: Best of the Best Series--#4

Our final day in the area was spent outside of the National Park. We began in Terlingua/Study Butte, TX. Boy, was I thankful that we stayed in the park once I saw the nearest city and its accommodations! It was the strangest place I'd ever seen--hands down. This former mercury mining town was abandoned in the 40s and repopulated in the 70s. I suspect this is where old hippies retired. :) They are self-described as an active community of artists, musicians, and free thinking individuals. Below you will see remnants of the Perry School.
This town once had a butcher shop, ice cream parlor, etc. Now it is a series of piles of junk (in my opinion). Life here for it's current residents is far from extravagant. These are some of the ruins that are scattered amid the Ghost Town Walking Tour.
We continued along 170 to Big Bend Ranch State Park. This road followed the river through the southernmost part of the state park. We went as far as La Cuesta (Big Hill), which is the steepest paved grade in Texas.
On the return trip, we stopped at Contrabando. It is a movie set in the state park right on the Rio Grande River. All of its buildings were created for films. Some of the movies that have been filmed here include "Streets of Laredo", "Gambler V", and the Brooks and Dunn video "My Maria". This view looking west along the river is within Contrabando.