How to Fall in Love With the World

 One of my favorite cities was Paris. How lovely it would be to spend a week or a month there in a little apartment. Maybe it could happen...

This article really gives one the travel bug... but it would be nicer to share the experience with someone. Click on this link to learn How to Fall in Love With the World.

Saturday Drive

Ranch Road

After hitting a bucket of golf balls at Colovista Golf Course,

Jake and I went on a Saturday drive in the country.

Live Oak Tree

Ranch on Crafts Prairie Road

As I drove along, I looked in the back seat

and Jake was looking out the window watching

the countryside slide by.

He loves to watch the road as we drive along.

Crafts Prairie Road

Little Red House on the Hill ~ Cottle Town Road

This little house was built after the Bastrop County fires.

It is adorable, but when close to the drive it is

just a junky mess. 

Hard to believe that this cute house could

have so much junk around it.

I suppose I should have taken photos

of the junk, but I was quite put off by it.

 All these Loblolly Pines have come up from dropped pine cones

amidst the skeletons of burned pines.

Renewal; regrowth, rebirth.

Rushing water after a 3" rain.

Alum Creek Road

Ranch on Alum Creek Road

Alum Creek Road

This section along Alum Creek Road was unscathed

by the Bastrop County Fire.

New babies on Alum Creek Road

Pedernales Falls State Park

The Falls below, but the water is not running very fast.

Today with the rain of last night and today

there may be much more water to see.

The water is lovely and many have walked through the sand.

The sky was an incredible blue on Sunday.

From the "beach" I took a photo of the Oak tree on the cliff I walked down.

A closer look at the same tree from below.

Oak trees are mixed in with the Juniper that make up

the forest all around the park. 

The viewing platform is pretty and shaded by a Juniper tree.

This place was one of my and the G-man's favorite places.

We came here the last time in the autumn of 2013 and 

didn't get back. We had other favorite places 

to visit while we could. There were other places

in Texas (the Gulf Coast & West Texas) that 

called to us for a visit.

This was the day for families. As for me, my family was Jake, my dog.

Perhaps I'll gather some of my favorite photos of the trip

that we took along the Coast and of West Texas

and share them on my blog.

Sunset in Central Texas

Sunset in Bastrop

My friends in the Northern part of the United States

and in Eastern Canada are taking and posting

spectacular photographs.

Sunset 1 ~ From a hill at Fairview Cemetery

 All this beautiful work has made me want to get out again

and see what my little part of the world has to show.

Yesterday (1/5/2015) I could tell from the sky

that we were going to have a spectacular sunset

after suffering many cloudy and dreary days.

Sunset 2

 Therefore, I tried to seek higher ground and ended up at

Fairview Cemetery on the edge of town.

Several hills there afforded a wonderful, unobstructed view

of a most spectacular sunset and I was thrilled

to be there to capture its beauty.

Sunset 3

 This is the oldest part of Fairview Cemetery as reflected

by the iron fencing around some of the grave sites.

It is not a sad place to visit and as a child I always

thought it was so sad that my parents, grandparents and aunts

wanted to visit old cemeteries looking long buried relatives.

Now, I don't find it sad but interesting.

I always said I wanted to be cremated

and have my ashes scattered, but now I

find that even though I still wish to be cremated 

I want them buried in this lovely old cemetery

with my name and dates on the marker.

Sunset 4

 I particularly like the monuments rising up and

the Live Oak Tree framing my photo.

Angel standing watch over "War Babies" Memorial (from 1940s)

This particular grave site is heartbreakingly beautiful.

 I need to researchexactly who the "war babies" were, 

where they died, and the circumstances of this burial site.

A little project that I can likely find answers to at the 

local museum or public library or perhaps online.

It has taken me just over six months, but I think I have finally

decided on the marker and wording for the G-man's grave.

I think this will help me once it is installed...it is so barren at this point,

but once it is placed I will take a great sigh at having it done well.

I would like to have it placed by his next birthday in February... sentimental? Yes.

A Morning Walk with Jake

Approaching the old bridge in downtown Bastrop,

Jake & I think it is going to be a lovely day.

Looking up through the bridge beams the sky is indeed

a gorgeous blue.

Looking south from the bridge at the Colorado River.

I have absolutely no idea what all these locks are doing here,

but it makes for an interesting photo and conversation.

Me: "Jake, why do you think these locks are on the fence?"

Jake: Soulful eyes look at me and he appears to shrug.

The newest restaurant in these old "historic" buildings in

an area called The Crossing.

This one is called Neighbor's and is a pizza restaurant 

with a great view of the Colorado River.

Lamb Stew ~ Lizzy Style

Lamb Stew ~ Lizzy Style


1 lb lamb cut in chunks for stew
Some whole wheat flour
1/2 to 1 white onion, diced
1/2 lb fresh okra cut
1 can diced tomatoes with basil, oregano & garlic
Olive oil or Canola, extra virgin olive oil, & grapeseed oil (Pompeian makes a good one)

Put whole wheat flour in a bag, drop in the lamb and shake until completely coated. Brown in olive oil or the Canola mixture. Watch and add water or broth after it browns (it will be okay if it over browns, may be better). Toss in diced onions and let simmer for 5 minutes or a little more. Add diced (1 inch chunks) okra. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes making sure the liquid doesn’t cook down. Add can of diced tomatoes. Cover and continue simmering for another 15-20 minutes.
When cooked, let it rest for a while as the flavors meld.
Serve over steamed white and wild rice.

This is my first time back in months and months. I'm trying to get back into things after the death of the G-man. He always enjoyed reading the blog especially when I had photos from our travels.

In the future you may see photos from the archives because we had some wonderful travels. Lots of good photos were taken from around here too. Good memories.

Our Magnolia

The Magnolias are blooming beautifully on our tree.

 The spring rains can at just the right time to 

make our tree fill with flowers.

The tree is profuse with flowers.

The best ever!!!

Lone Bird

Lone Bird

Once again it's been months since I posted on my blog. This photo has been on my desktop for several weeks now and it's made be consider attempting to start a series of lone creatures, humans, perhaps lost or forgotten objects. 

I just think I need a kick-start... something to strive for... something different. I'll be mulling this over the next few days or weeks and perhaps I'll be back to blog land soon.

Getting the Tree

Downtown Bastrop, TX
December 2013

Happy Holidays

Getting ready for the holidays,

Dripping Springs, TX

December 2010