Houston – To Create Sunshine

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

Anticipating Fall

Published on September 21, 2017June 30, 2021 by Gerri3 Comments

The time has come to say goodbye to the long, lazy days of summer as we welcome in the coming of fall. With this change there is definitely an air of excitement and anticipation. You would think there might be some sadness as the lingering days of summer disappear into fall. After all, summer is often a time of frolic and play. But mostly I’ve observed eager anticipation for the change of seasons.

With the coming of fall we say so long to shorts and flip flops as we eagerly don jeans, boots, and sweaters. Stores are filling their shelves with new fall decor and coffee shops are calling us to come try a pumpkin spice latte. The beauty of the season is magnificent as the leaves transform from vibrant greens to the cozy red, orange and golds of fall. As the days grow shorter and the air becomes chillier we anticipate quiet evenings by the fire with a warm blanket and hot cocoa.

Autumn comes late to Texas, especially here in Cypress. It stays pretty green here until about mid November when a few of the leaves show a glimmer of color for a brief moment before falling from the trees. But even here, the subtle change of fall is in the air as the heat of summer gradually melts into the cooler days. There is a noticeable difference in the coolness of the morning and the evenings feel fresh and alive. With the cooling temperatures, people have emerged from the comfort of air conditioned homes to take in the beauty of the season and enjoy walking, bike riding, and visiting with neighbors.

Fall in Texas is like no other season. Along with slightly cooler temperatures, festival season is right around the corner and soon each church will be filled with their own welcoming pumpkin patch. A favorite fall activity is to attend one of the many festivals occurring either in the city or in one of the many small towns close to Cypress. If you are a fan of Chip and Joanna Gaines of the HGTV television show Fixer Upper, you may have heard Joanna mention the Round Top Antiques Fair that will be open for the next two weeks. Literally miles of shopping with everything from fine antiques to flea market finds.

Other popular festivals include Scarecrow Festival in Chapel Hill which benefits the preservation of history and historic buildings in the area. This event takes place Oct. 14-15 and features gardening, artists, craftsmen, delicious food, live entertainment and activities for the children. There is no charge for this event other than $5 for parking and is just a short drive outside of Houston.

On that same weekend and one of my personal favorites is the Bayou City Art Festival featuring a wealth of artists from around the country and benefits numerous nonprofit partners. This event takes place right in the heart of downtown Houston surrounding City Hall and Herman Square. Tickets are $15 and $5 for children ( children under 5 are free).

Whatever your plans are for the coming month, I hope you take the opportunity get outside and enjoy some beautiful fall weather. xxoo Gerri

From Farm to Market Fresh

Published on September 10, 2017June 29, 2021 by Gerri5 Comments

Is there anything more exhilarating than visiting a farmers market to start off your day!

This may be a bit of an overstatement, but I do enjoy waking up and hitting the farmers market early in the day. I love the bright colors of the delicious produce, the aroma of the spices, and the enchantment of visiting a fresh produce market as if we were far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

My favorite farmers market to visit is Canino Produce, a family owned business operating in near downtown Houston since 1958. Canino Produce is a favorite spot for local chefs to purchase the freshest of produce. Behind Canino’s is a wealth of open air produce stalls selling their wares flea market style. Along with fresh produce, you can purchase nuts, beans, spices, herbs, plants, Mexican pottery, cooking utensils, and more. Visiting the open air part of the market feels a bit like stepping into little Mexico. It makes shopping feel like more of an event than an errand.

It’s a bit of a trek into the city from Cypress to visit this market, but it is so worth the journey! The produce that’s sold at the farmers market taste so much better than our local chain grocery store. It’s so much fresher and I quickly found that it stays fresher longer than our grocery store produce. Since most of the food is grown from local farms across Texas, not only are we getting fresher, better tasting produce, we are supporting local farmers, and cutting back on energy costs to ship food from all parts of the country!

There is word on the street there are changes to come. Some investors are planning on expanding the market bringing in more food services, fresh coffee vendors, a flower market, possibly cheeses…..I believe the idea is to make it something like the famous Pike Place Market in Seattle. I look forward to these changes with eager anticipation mixed with apprehension. Perhaps it’s time for a change. It will certainly bring more people to the market, along with more traffic, more tourist…. However, there is another part of me that feels like I will miss the quaintness of this market if these changes occur.

I had the opportunity to visit Pike Place Market a few years ago and it was fabulous! It was exciting to stroll through the many vendor sites, enjoy the tasty treats, and of course visit the amazing Pike Place Fish Market. The fishmongers throw the fish around that have been recently purchased and a crowd gathers quickly to see! It is definitely a place not to miss if visiting Seattle!

Where ever you live, if you are not in the habit of shopping your local farmers market I encourage you to try. Along with the obvious reasons of fresher produce, better taste and a greater variety, you’re supporting your local farmer who is struggling in today’s global economy.

Why buy produce from a chain grocery store that’s traveled an average of 1500 miles to get to your plate, when your local farmer has fresh produce that is fresher, better tasty and more nutritious. Not only is the food better for you, it’s fun to shop your local farmer’s market, visit with the vendors, and connect with your community.

Oh, and by the way, I visited Canino’s Produce last Thursday and I’m pleased to report it is doing well and thriving after the rains of Hurricane Harvey! Unfortunately, many in southeast Texas continue to struggle to get their lives back to normal after flooding and my heart is with them. Today, I’m also praying for the state of Florida as Irma is barreling down on that the beautiful sunshine state.

Thank you so much to all of you for your tremendously kind comments and prayers for Texas. I hope wherever you are today, you are safe and the sun is shining down on you. xxoo – Gerri

Hurricane Harvey – Waters Rising

Published on August 29, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri8 Comments

I truly never believed this could happen to our city!

I’ve been through Hurricanes Alicia, Allison and Ike. I thought I knew what to expect. I’ve been through hurricanes with the wind howling and the rain pouring down. I’ve stayed in my home and watched the pine trees bend down and almost touch the ground. I’ve been through storms where we’ve lost power and were lighting candles and lanterns to see in the dark.

This storm was different. It was sneaky. Just a bit of rain. No howling wind. No bending pines. Over time the rains began to come down harder. Pounding. Constant.

Over the past few days, our neighborhoods have become a collection of islands. The news reports 95% of our roads have high water or are impassable. However, through all the rain, many of us have never lost power. We’ve watched the news to see what’s happening across the city. We see the people standing on rooftops. We watch the helicopter rescues. We text our family and friends “Are you okay?” We pray. And so many citizens have come out to assist those in need.

Even in their own distress, so many people have turned to help their neighbor. I’ve known people who offer their warm, dry homes to strangers that were left at a holding station in the rain. I’ve watched people that were evacuated return to be sure their neighbors were out and safe. I’ve seen others come volunteer in the shelters or bring whatever supplies they can offer, anything they can do to offer assistance.

I am so proud of our city officials and first responders. I am so amazed by the entire Houston community! People helping people. People leaving their own comfort behind to assist those that are in trouble. There are so many volunteers coming from smaller communities outside of Houston bringing their boats to assist in the evacuations. The Cajun Navy is coming from Louisiana to assist. Volunteers are on their way from Lubbock bringing food, bottled water and supplies. Volunteers from Oklahoma. Thoughts and prayers from all over the country.

As I watch the people of Houston being rescued, they are smiling and their hearts are filled with gratitude. Houston you are truly setting an example for the rest of the country. You are showing the world not only how to handle a catastrophe, but also the way to live each day, hand in hand, helping each other, hearts filled with love for one another.

In every cloud there is a silver lining. Our silver lining is the compassion that is being shown for the well being of our fellow citizens.

If your looking for a way to help and show your support in the wake of Hurricane Harvey:

Feeding Texas – coordinates with the state and other providers for quick relief to those in need

Food Bank of Corpus Christi – click on the link donate

Houston Food Bank – they are currently closed due to flood waters and will reopen as soon as possible, they do have a link where you can click to donate

Hurricane Harvey – A Cypress View

Published on August 27, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri19 Comments

I’m sure many of you have seen the news of Hurricane Harvey hitting the Texas coast and the destruction that followed. As I write this we are into Day 2 of this catastrophe. I live in Cypress, a suburban neighborhood northwest of Houston, and we are very fortunate here. Although there has been what feels like an endless amount of rainfall and some flooding in the neighborhood, our street is draining and we are safe.

However, other Houston residents have not been so fortunate. In a metropolitan area of six million plus residents, the city is at a stand still. Businesses are closed. The buses aren’t running. Schools are cancelled until after Labor Day. Our church even cancelled services this morning because city officials have asked for everyone to just stay home! And the worst is that many people are stranded in their homes and neighborhoods and can’t get out! They are frightened which is understandable. The streets are flooded and impassable. The rainfall is hard and constant. It is as if bucket fulls of water are being continuously poured on this city. Yes, we get little breaks in the rain, but it is not a long enough time for the streets to drain before they start filling up again.

The miracle in all this is how the city residents are coming together. People helping people. Not just first responders and rescue teams. People that own boats are out there offering to assist those in need. There are no haters. Just good people coming together to help in anyway they can.

Some have criticized the news media for their hype. However, I applaud the news media and our city officials. How do you plan to keep an area of six million plus people safe from wide spread unprecedented flooding? They asked people to stay home. They warned people repeatedly of the dangers of driving into flood waters. You get the word out about the possible dangers and worst case scenarios. Many people are new to our city and have no idea what a hurricane and Houston streets can be like.

There has been loss of life and I fear for what will be discovered as the days go on….and yet the rain continues.

How you can help Hurricane Harvey Victims

American Red Cross – call 1-800-red cross or text HARVEY to 90999 to make a donation

Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services – call 1-800-SAL-ARMY to help

Catholic Charities USA – they have set up a website devoted to Harvey relief

Austin Pets Alive!– they have created a page on their website specific to Hurricane Harvey needs

**sources via abcnews.go.com

The Lovely Gardens at Baba Yega Cafe

Published on April 24, 2017April 27, 2019 by Gerri4 Comments

When I can’t escape the city, the next best thing is to slip away and visit a lovely outdoor venue with a garden view. I love to be able to sit back, relax and enjoy the peace and serenity offered from this charming garden at the Baba Yega Cafe.

Tucked away in the heart of Houston’s Montrose area, Baba Yega’s has been offering an eclectic American cuisine for over forty years. The lush gardens offer a sprawling patio and courtyard that feature a waterfall, fountains, and Koi pond underneath sprawling 100 year old oak trees. It is a delightful place to enjoy the sunshine and feast on not only the delicious menu, but also the sweet serenity of their garden atmosphere.

As with many of the quaint Montrose eateries, Baba Yega’s was created from a renovated bungalow. The Montrose area of Houston, developed in 1911, was originally a planned community filled with bungalows and cottages with wide porches and tree-lined boulevards. Many of the charming homes remain private residences as they once were. However, the area is now quite diverse with many of the bungalows now becoming restaurants and boutiques.

The cafe has recently expanded under new ownership after the original owner retired. An adjacent bungalow was bought and renovated to host more of the atrium dining filled with quaint antiques and the bohemian flavor the Montrose area is known for.

The menu offers everything from soups and salads to burgers, pastas, grilled chicken and salmon. The cafe is known for it’s vegetarian and vegan options as well. I enjoyed the Tortilla Soup on my last visit and wasn’t disappointed!

Tag: Houston