The Odd Couple

Dance Partners

Every move my neighbor's horse made, the Cattle Egret followed.

Click on Photo

The egret shows up in the summertime, feasting off the insects that bother the farm animals. Usually, I see flocks of them, in the pasture, with the herds of cattle. This was the first time I saw a single egret with a horse.

Hey...wait for me !!

Once, the horse stepped too quickly. You can see the egret stretched out, racing to catch up.

Two different creatures.... completely at ease in each other's company.

Meggie Mac

Celebrating Texas Heroes

 


One of two cannons used for the celebration

 With September almost over, there is a noticeable difference in our outside temperatures. Saturday was a perfect day to be celebrating "Texas Heroes Day". The event took place at Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, a Texas State Historic site. You may remember me writing about "Brewery on the Bluff.

Some of the Re-enactors dressed in period clothing

  Yesterday's event specially commemorates the men of the Dawson Massacre of 1842, and the Mier Expedition, 1843.



The Texas Heroes Buried at Monument Hill

The 48 foot shellcrete monument, erected by the Texas Centennial Commission, was dedicated in 1936.

More period styles.....look at all those ruffles to iron !

A local basket maker was there demonstrating her craft.

Two ladies had their spinning wheels working, turning wool into yarn. If you click on the photo, you will notice she is operating the wheel barefoot. I found it mesmerizing to watch her spin and pull on the ball of wool, while making the yarn.

The entire event was free, including a recipe for home-made noodles. A woman, from our community, was rolling out the dough and cutting fine strips for noodles......no Pasta Maker here, just old fashion hand techniques.

No celebration is complete without music. The Monument Hill Singers led in The National Anthem and the Texas State song, Texas Our Texas. Other members of the community brought there dulcimers for our entertainment.

As I walked around enjoying all the events, it made me realizes how much work goes into organizing an event like this. So many people gave freely of their time, that we might remember our history and enjoy a day together.

Meggie Mac

Remembering my Mother

Where my Mother was born...
A typical style farmhouse in rural Texas

I've been thinking about this post for several weeks, as my mother's health began to fail. I wrote about her birthday in the post, My Mom, the Cowgirl

A very bright eyed child, posing for the photographer.

This is not a very clear photo.....one, of very few photos of us together. I happened to be in charge of a Historical Tour many years ago. We were dressed in turn of the century style clothing, on the day of the tour. If you will notice, I am wearing my Grandmother's Hat, that I wrote a post about. It's funny how you sometimes forget little details like that.

My mom is the last child on the right

The above photo is in very poor condition. The car must have been very grand in those days.

It's important for us to live each day....my mother had 32,754 days.

Meggie Mac

Stepping Away for a Few Days...

I'll be taking a few days off from posting....

Meggie Mac

My Lucky Week...More Gifts

My daughter and her husband just returned from a vacation, that included Brussels, Belgium.

They had planned on arriving in time for the Brussels Flower Carpet Festival. If you are interested in learning more about this celebration, click on Flower Carpet. This link tells of the history of previous carpets. Above is a photo, she gave me, of the actual carpet on display. Look at the people crowded around it.  Isn't it amazing?

Beside photos, my daughter always brings me artwork from the countries she visits.

click on photo to view in a larger size

And here it is....a beautiful numbered print of the 2012 Flower Carpet.

Also in her gifts to me, was this exquisite silver key chain from Paris.











It has been a week of surprises....first, winning the book and fabric from The Happy Cottage Quilter. Then, these lovely gifts from my daughter and husband's vacation.

Lucky me....

Meggie Mac

Much to my Surprise.... I'm a Winner !

Borrowed photo from Happy Cottage Quilter

Apparently, I have won a book and gift of fabric from Happy Cottage Quilter. I've been a follower of her blog for some time now, admiring her work in quilts.

It is time for me to get back to sewing.  This gift will be the perfect opportunity to start a project in my new home, Das Kleine Haus on the Prairie .

Borrowed Photo from Happy Cottage Quilter

Be watching for a follow-up post with a new project from the book, "Scrap Basket Sewing", by Vicki Blizzard.

Many thanks again to Happy Cottage Quilter . Click on blog name to read about this wonderful
give-away.

Meggie Mac

Birdie Bed and Breakfast

No reservations necessary !

 

Beautiful view...
Fresh Water..
Bird Seed Muffins Served for Breakfast..

Meggie Mac

Splish Splash...I was Taking a Bath

Reflection in Mirror

Do you remember the 1958 hit song, "Splish Splash, I Was Taking Bath", by Bobby Darin? That is what I thought of when I started writing this post.

This is Step One, Phase One of updating the bathroom at Das Kleine Haus.

When I bought the house this is how it was dressed up.

And this is what was behind that beautiful curtain....

I don't believe much water came out of the shower head and the left facet handle fell off when I touched it.

My friend, and professional paint expert, Cipriano, arrived on Saturday with his son. He had previously re-finished a tub, for me, at the farm.

I bought all the supplies at the local hardware store; re-finishing kit (epoxy paint), 0000 steel wool for sanding, and most important the respirator to cover your mouth and nose. Cipriano's son is working on the first step, by sanding all the surfaces.

Believe it or not, this is the reflection from the light of the window.

And, two hours later, we have magic !!

Meggie Mac