Getting Garden Ready

Published on April 8, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri3 Comments

It seems that Mother Nature just cannot make up her mind! We have had some perfectly lovely days, but suddenly the rains came through and once again it is cold and damp.
Every time I think Spring is here to stay, another cold blast of winter comes barreling through. I know that I have no reason to complain as there are places that are still getting snow! ( I’m so very sorry. )

Whether it’s cold and grey where you are or if your fortunate and the sun is shining bright, we are all thinking about the same thing…..warm, sunny days and flowers in the garden. So, today I thought I would share some photos of springs past.

Last May, I attended the beautiful garden wedding of my niece.
As always, I was captivated by the beauty of the garden ( and the beauty of the bride) and captured a few photos to store away for savoring on grey days like today.

It was a small garden with lots of potted plants and fountains creating the perfect ambiance for a beautiful Spring wedding.

The bride and groom exchanged their vows before this wall of potted ivory, and you can just image how perfect it was. ( I guess I’m a bit of a romantic at heart.)

I’ve always loved a garden wedding. They seem so cheery and bright.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant.”

Have faith, in no time at all, we will all be singing in the sun. Blessings – Gerri

Photo Challenge – A Favorite Place

Published on March 25, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri7 Comments

How do you choose one favorite place? I have so many “favorite spots.” Some of those places I’ve only visited once, maybe twice, fell in love with them, but have not had to opportunity to return. There are other places I love and return to them as often as I can

As much as I love to travel, when I saw the weekly photo challenge for a “Favorite Place,” my heart turned close to home. This lovely pond is about a half mile from our home where my husband and I walk our sweet Bear almost everyday, no matter what the weather.

When we visit, we often see turtles basking in the sun and it is also a favorite spot for ducks, egrets and we recently saw a blue heron. There are some huge coi that we feed tortillas and they will come to the surface so you see how big the are.

It’s a favorite place for photographers, and it’s a lovely spot for photo ops to mark those special occasions in life!

But the best part of all is it’s the perfect sanctuary to escape the stress that comes in our busy world. It’s peaceful and serene, a great place to meditate, read a book, or simply enjoy the peaceful ambiance.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this walk around my favorite place. Blessings to all. – Gerri

Today Anything is Possible!

Published on March 20, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri7 Comments

Let your joy burst forth like flowers in Spring!

Spring is a time of new beginnings! The earth is bursting with colorful flowers and the trees are budding out, showing off their new green color. The birds are singing their most glorious song and the sky is as blue as the sparkling color of the ocean seas.

It seems that nature is celebrating the return of warmer days with it’s burst of glorious beauty!

He has made everything beautiful in it’s time.

– Ecclesiates 3:11

Spring makes me feel like anything is possible. The increased light and the warmer air encourages me to get outside more, work in my garden, go for long walks, and just take in the glories of nature. It’s finally time to shake off those winter blues and feel the joy that arrives with spring.

Spring is a time of celebration! It’s the time to kick off your shoes and run barefoot through the dew sparkled grass. It’s a time to gather with friends and family for picnics in the garden and cooking on the grill. It’s a time for planting and starting with new beginnings.

For nothing will be impossible with God. -Luke 1.37

My hope for you for today is that you will relish in the glories of spring and lift your eyes in thanks for the beauty of this day.

Wishing you blessings today and everyday. – Gerri

Spring is Upon Us in Tapatio Springs

Published on March 12, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri3 Comments

Fall may come late to Texas, but Spring typically arrives early and we are thrilled with the warmer temperatures and blue skies! My husband and I have just returned from our semi-annual trip to Lubbock to visit our daughter. After a fabulous visit with her sweet family, we headed over to Boerne, in the Texas Hill Country, to see my brother-in-law and his lovely wife. After what seemed like a rather frigid winter, ( at least for Southeast Texas ) it was perfect time of year to schedule a little getaway and enjoy the warming temperatures.

The drive through central Texas was fabulous with rolling hills and so green after all the rains. Although the trees were still mostly bare and brown, there were some Flowering Pear and Redbud trees scattered along the roadside that signify in Texas that Spring is truly on it’s way!

Visiting the Texas Hill Country is always a delight for me. I have been captivated by it’s rustic beauty ever since I was young and I always look forward to returning for a visit. The rugged, rolling hills covered with live oak and cedar trees never fail to soothe my soul and allow me to wallow in the joys of nature.

Of course, while visiting in Boerne, my husband had to play a round of golf at the amazing Tapatio Springs Golf Course. Tapatio Springs is on 220 acres in the heart of the hill country. Several years ago an investment group which includes country music star George Strait purchased the resort community and have been making improvements on the property ever since. You can read more about Tapatio Springs here. Sadly, the newly renovated club house burned to the ground in early November, but the golf course and other facilities are open and they will be rebuilding the club house in time.

Although I’m not much of a golfer, I do enjoy riding in the cart and taking in the beauty of Tapatio Springs. I always take my camera along with me so I can snap a few shots of the lovely golf course and the amazing homes surrounding it.

To Create Sunshine Tapatio Springs, Texas Hill Country — View from the golf course of Tapatio Springs.

A visit to the Texas Hill Country never disappoints me. There is so much to see and do in this region of the country. The Hill Country has something for everyone from antiquing in one of the charming towns such as Fredericksburg, to enjoying the music scene in Austin, or taking in the beauty of one of the many rivers that meanders through the rustic, rolling hills such as the Guadelupe or the Comal.

As always with out visits to the Hill Country, too soon it was time to make out way back to our home in Cypress, but I look forward to another visit to the amazing Texas Hill Country soon!

Sending many blessings your way today! – Gerri

What’s Up in the Garden

Published on February 25, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri6 Comments

A change of season always brings excitement! After weeks of grey, cloudy skies the slightly warmer weather definitely has me yearning for Spring!

This past week, in between the scattered raindrops, RH and I have been observing the damage to our garden from the hard freeze. In southeast Texas, we usually have fairly mild winters. This year was different. Temperatures dropped below freezing and stayed there for a couple of days. Our somewhat tropical garden took quite a beating. Although all potted plants were stored safely in the garage and we covered the plants that we knew would struggle in a freeze, the cold weather really took a toll on our previously lovely garden. ( I do realize there are places in the world that would delight in our mild winters and are probably chuckling at our gardening woes. We are a bit spoiled in this region! )

While I did enjoy the cooler temperatures, it was so nice to see highs peeking into the seventies this week, although we are still being inundated with lots of rain and grey skies. My husband is truly the passionate gardener, and he has begun trimming away and hauling off branches filled with ugly, dead leaves. After surveying the bleakness of our garden, we ran out and purchased a few Daylilies and Lavender in an attempt to bring some life back into the space. I know that the Daylilies will thrive as they love our hot and humid climate. However after purchasing the Lavender I learned that they prefer a less humid climate. Well, I do love Lavender so I want to at least make an attempt. We shall have to wait and see.

Everyday day, with sweet Bear close on my heals, I walk around the garden searching for bits of green sprouting through. The tulips I planted last Fall are slowly pushing through the ground and I can see bits of green around our Mexican Heather. However, I’m afraid it’s going to be a long, slow process though.

To Plant a Garden is to Believe in Tomorrow.

– Audrey Hepburn

The garden is my place of delight, peace and contentment. I look to my garden to be a retreat from the busyness of the day. A special place to relax, enjoy and simply breathe. However, as with most things worthwhile, gardening is a process. So for now, I will simply wait, nurture and believe in tomorrow.

Wishing you blessings as we await Spring. – Gerri

**The photos shown in this post are from last summer’s garden. Hopefully, I will have new photo’s for you soon.

One Word – Simplify

Published on February 11, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri11 Comments

Simplify ……this has been my goal in life for oh, so many years. I crave simplicity …. in my home, in my mind, in all that I do.

I have an inherent belief that if I can simplify all aspects of my life. I’m not sure that this is truly possible as we live in an extremely complex world. However, it has been my goal for quite awhile now, so I will continue to strive for this. I believe that if I can truly simplify my life then I will find the peace and serenity that I truly desire. I believe that I’m not alone in this pursuit.

With my goal being to create a simple life, each day I begin with a vision of what this simple life will look like. For me, the first step is to start with my home. I want my home to be as clean, simple and clutter free as possible. I am currently going through every nook and cranny to eliminate any items that I no longer need or desire. I don’t want possessions to create complexity in my life. Clutter makes me anxious. So, I am striving to eliminate anything that restricts my idea of freedom and joy.

Another step in the process is how I spend my time. It’s important to me that my time is spent doing what brings me joy and satisfaction. As I go through this process, I have found that I am now eliminating activities that are not as meaningful to insure I have time for the activities that I most enjoy. Life is full of choices. It’s important to me to choose activities that bring joy. Sometimes, I have to really stop and consider my goals and what brings me the most joy in making decisions. I am not as quick or impulsive in agreeing to do some things as I once was. Often times, I prefer staying home to read a good book or spend time in a creative pursuit rather than filling my time with an activity that has less meaning for me. The added bonus is that I’m not spending money on something I don’t really want or need. This allows me to save for those things or activities that are most important!

Several years ago, I heard of the concept of choosing a “word of the year.” The idea is to choose one word that will guide your life choices for the year. It’s similar to making a new year’s resolution, but more……simplified! At the time I thought it was a great idea, but there wasn’t one word that seemed significant to me. This past year, I ran across the idea in several blogs that I follow. Again, the idea really appealed to me, but what word to choose!

Well, I suppose this idea has been rolling around in my head for a while now, but I have finally decided to choose simplify as my word for the year. I know that it is already February and that I am behind in this process, but I am not one to make a commitment lightly, even if it just involves choosing a word.

Our life is frittered away by detail…simplify, simplify.

– Henry David Thoreau

I am looking forward to my year of simplicity and eager to learn of the influence it may have on my lifestyle. I will definitely be sharing along the way.

If you have a “word of the year,” I would love to hear your word and your thoughts on how your word is effecting your life.

Sending you blessings for a simplified day! – Gerri

This Crazy Texas Weather!

Published on January 24, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri7 Comments

There is an old saying in Texas that goes….

“If you don’t like the weather, just wait about fifteen minutes!!”

Our crazy Texas weather has definitely been all over the map this year. We have come from the torrential and devastating floods of Hurricane Harvey, to a Fall season of anticipating cooler weather that just didn’t happen. Then, suddenly temperatures dropped and low and behold we had a surprising early December snow!

Now that it’s January, we have had an unbelievable second snow! This time the temperatures dropped into the teens and we did not reach above freezing for three days! This is quite unusual for Cypress! I guess my secret wish came true!

A typical January day in Cypress would be much like today, a sky of blue, full of bright sunshine and hardly a cloud to be found. We’re expecting a high in the mid sixties which is quite normal for this time of year.

However, last week we were huddled around the fireplace as the temperatures dropped below freezing and the city virtual came to a stop as schools closed and people were encouraged by the mayor to stay off the roads. I know you might laugh at this if you live in the north, but this is really exceptional for south Texas. Our city is not prepared to handle ice and those crazy drivers need to stay off the roads!

Although I have to say, I’m enjoying the return to normal temperatures, I did love the splash of cold and snow. It was lovely to look at and wasn’t too bad for a winter walk if you bundled up!

I was surprised to find this bit of green palm frond among all the cold and snow!

Well, for now temperatures have returned to normal for us. It’s an absolutely gorgeous day and I won’t have to bundle up for my walk later! However, come August when temperature are soaring into the nineties, I will be treasuring remember these memories of snow days and hoping they will come again.

Wishing you many blessings today – Gerri

Magnolia Market at the Silos

Published on January 3, 2018April 27, 2019 by Gerri16 Comments

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If you are a fan of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, chances are you’re already familiar with the Magnolia Market at the Silos. It seems that everything that Chip and Joanna Gaines touch turns to gold, and the market is no exception. If you happen to be traveling anywhere near central Texas, and you are a fan of shiplap and farmhouse style, the Magnolia Market is quickly becoming a definite must-see in the heart of Texas.

For our visit, we arrived around 11:00am on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving and there were already crowds buzzing around the grounds. However, there is so much more to see than just the market, the crowds really didn’t bother us.

The first place we headed was the large grassy field with artificial turf that is perfect for tossing a soccer or football, ( which are provided with a few other games.) Since, we were traveling with a two year old, it was a great place to allow her to run a little energy off! It’s also the perfect spot to drop off Dad or Granddad with the kids while Mom shops at the market.

Surrounding the play area are plenty of food trucks providing everything from crepes to pizza and hot dogs. There are plenty of picnic tables, lounge chairs and over-sized swings for a picnic lunch or just relaxing while the kids play. Of course, the decor is in Joanna’s sweet style filled with hanging baskets of flowers and plenty of reclaimed wood.

The market itself is a shoppers paradise filled with everything farmhouse that you could possibly want for your own home. There are lots of Joanna style vignettes displaying the goods which makes the store itself a bit unique. Although the store was extremely crowded, the line to purchase moved very quickly which was a present surprise.

I have to admit, my favorite part of the Silo’s was the Magnolia Feed and Supply filled with live plants, seed packets, garden style decor and even a section for your own personal fairy garden! The garden area is truly an inspiration even to the most novice of gardeners. The raised bed are filled with Snapdragons and Sweet Alyssum. The gardens were so sweet and charming that I was eager to get home and add some more flowers to our own garden!

Most importantly, Magnolia Market is more than just a place to shop. With the large grounds, seed shop and bakery, it truly is meant to be a fun stop for the whole family!

If You Go …..

Waco, Texas is located in Central Texas about a 90 minute drive from either Dallas or Austin. About twice that if you’re coming from Houston. It’s best to get there early when they open or after 3:00. The lines for the bakery were quite long the day that we visited. We opted not to wait. There is free parking in the back by the food trucks. You will see signs to pay for parking, but check the back first. There are usually spots available. Check the Magnolia Market website for store hours for they may vary seasonally. They are always closed on Sundays. There are lots of cute vignettes for photo ops so make sure your phone is charged!

Hope you enjoy your visit! xxoo Gerri

A Magical Morning

Published on December 10, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri11 Comments

It’s a rarity to have snow in Cypress, and when it happens it’s beautiful and amazing no matter how quickly it passes.

It was around midnight when I peered out my front window on the night of the great snow. I was mesmerized by the beauty of the falling flakes. When I realized the snow was actually sticking to the ground, I grabbed my jacket and boots to step outside my home to capture a few images while I could. I knew the magical white covering wouldn’t last for long, and wasn’t sure if it would still be there when I awoke in the morning.

All night long I awoke every couple of hours to see if the snow was still there. The next morning I was thrilled to see the snow still on the ground. Again, I donned my boots and jacket and immediately headed to the pond to be amazed by the beauty. No coffee needed this morning, as I was so excited to see the snow.

The brief walk to the pond was amazing as the snow clung to the trees, bushes and rooftops. Perhaps a half an inch of snow left a beautiful white blanket on the lawns.

When I arrived at the pond, the beauty did not disappoint. Although there was not much snow on the ground, the trees were resplendent with white. The mix of fall colors with the new fallen snow made the scene all the more glorious.

However, even as I walked around trying to capture every bit of the sublime beauty, the snow was dropping from the branches of the trees. I knew it would not last for long.

By the end of the day, there were only sparse lingering patches of snow on a few rooftop corners that hadn’t gotten much sun on this heavenly day. As quickly as it appeared, the snow faded away leaving only a hope that perhaps if conditions are just right it will come again sometime.

In a year of catastrophic hurricanes, devastating fires, and destructive earthquakes God has graced us with a brief moment of wondrous beauty of nature. It’s fleeting passing reminds us to savor each precious moment of it’s glory.

As the resplendent colors of fall fade into the often dreariness of winter days, there is still beauty to be found in a bright, clear day filled with sunlight, or the beads of ice on shrubs and branches that glimmer like crystal.

If you truly love Nature, you’ll find beauty everywhere.

– Vincent Van Gogh

The Spirit of Holiday Entertaining

Published on November 26, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri2 Comments

With the holiday season upon us, many are planning special celebrations with family and friends. Opening your home to share with others is one of the great joys of the season. However, with so much to do this time of year, sometimes big celebrations can create stress.

When planning your holiday party, it’s important to minimize the stress so that you can truly enjoy your guest. You don’t want to run yourself ragged and feel frantic rather than fantastic! When hosting a holiday celebrations, your spirit will set the mood for a successful celebration.

With these thoughts in mind, today I am sharing ideas that I like to keep in mind when I open my home to share with my family and friends. My hope is that these thoughts will allow you to approach your holiday entertaining with joy and avoid some of the stress that can be overwhelming this time of year.

Let Go of Perfection – Setting yourself up for perfection will do nothing but create anxiety and stress. Instead of worrying about creating the “perfect party”, concentrate on the comfort of your guest. When you put the focus on doing for others, you think less about yourself. Nothing is more welcoming than a hostess who really cares about the comfort of her guest.
Set Your Priorities – Remember often less is more. Plan for what you know you can handle with grace and ease. Stick with what you know and are comfortable with. No need to have a multi-course meal. Plan a few amazing appetizers instead. Serving buffet style is simpler than a sit down affair. Keep it casual and fun!
Make a list and check it twice! – Planning is a key ingredient to successful entertaining. Begin planning your party preparations as soon as possible. Try making a manageable daily schedule assigning yourself a small task for each day. Begin with decorations and nonperishable items that are easy to stock and purchase in advance. Order items on-line whenever possible to save time. Shop for grocery items a few days in advance and plan to prepare a few items the night before. Even better, prepare a few dished you can freeze in advance.
Delegate Whenever Possible – Don’t feel like you have to do every little thing on your own. Enlist a good friend or your spouse to help. Consider ordering desserts from a bakery or appetizers from your grocer. Do not feel like you have to prepare all food items from scratch!
Plan a Beverage Station – Consider serving a premixed beverage for your guest like a Sangria or Champagne Punch. Have these drinks in containers in the frig and ready to go. Set out glasses and and ice bucket in a convenient location and have guest serve themselves.
Be Ready! – Prepare the table and all the decorations the night before. You can even do fresh flower arrangements a day or two in advance. Nothing says “Welcome to my home” like having simple fresh flowers and candles burning filling your home with delightful aromas.
Make a time schedule – The day of the party, make a time schedule for whatever tasks need to be completed. Make sure in your schedule you allow yourself some time to relax and refresh!
Relax and Enjoy! – Greet your guest with a smile and a hug! Remember to put the focus on their comfort and enjoy!

True hospitality consists of giving the best of

yourself to your guest.

– Eleanor Roosevelt

Wishing you all great joy this holiday season! – xxoo Gerri