Live Free

nature trails and horse arenas.

Last weekend the three of us took a morning walk around the springs.  I take a lot  of pictures there.  I can't help it.  It's one of the loveliest nooks in central Texas, I'm sure. 

After a hardy rain just two days before, the natural world reawakened after a long summer's sleep.  We quite literally kept stumbling over one interesting find after another.  Blooms, bumble bees, giant yellow grasshoppers, crawfish, argiope spiders, butterflies, shedded snake skins, pecan trees heavy with fruit. I can't tell you how rejuvenating it was to be there. I tend to feel so despondent in August and September especially on drier years.  Catching a glimpse of the light at the end of the tunnel helps me to feel like there is some right in this world. I can do this. I can love this place. I can spend my days here. 

On our drive home from Berry Springs, Beatrix spotted our town's arena with its doors open -- and  a myriad of  horse trailers in the parking lot. "There open! Stop! Can we stop? Oh, it's the rodeo!"  Yes, our little town has a horse arena. Yes, in the fall, on certain weekends, there are play days where children and adults compete within their own age groups at Western horse riding events such as barrel racing and pole weaving.  Beatrix loves this stuff. She's been taking English style horse riding lessons since January and pretty much eats, sleeps, and dreams about riding horses.  She's a horsey girl through and through and back again.  So obviously, we stopped at the arena to see some competitions. While we were in the parking lot, we got side-tracked (we always get side-tracked) by a pretty palomino pony.  As her owner noticed our admiration, she introduced herself and her pony, Sassy.  She let Beatrix sit on the pony for a photo op. Then, I took a couple of pictures of Sassy without Beatrix and mentioned to Sassy's owner that I'd be happy to email these pictures to her.

She looked at me square in the eye and said, "I don't have a computer. I have horses."  

My eyes about popped out of my head and I grinned a big goofy grin, but really, I wanted to hug her or better yet, become her surrogate granddaughter, spend a bunch of time with her and let her teach me some valuable life lessons.

And that's all I have for now. Tomorrow is Friday. Horse Day for us. Beatrix will spend the morning riding ponies and playing in the barn. I'll enjoy the fresh air, good company, and the sound of content kiddos in their happy spot - outside, free, and with very large, gentle mammals. 

 

weekending and such.

This weekend was returning back home to my little family after a week of being at my mom's side in Louisiana. And now, I find myself eternally grateful and humbled and once again reminded of what's really important in life. I have more blessings than there are stars in the sky. 

I spent the weekend in my yard -- watering, spreading chicken manure  and worm castings around new trees and the garden beds,  just taking fresh air in and feeling that warm sun on my arms. Summer is quickly becoming undeniably close as the thermometer readings creep into the 90's. We could use so much rain. It's quite dry and dusty, but the humidity is low and the sky is bright blue. Don't have much of a choice but to accept what it is and make the most of it. 

This summer's veggie garden will be a lean one for us. Actually, the harvest should wrap up within a month or so and then I'll put the garden beds to sleep for the rest of the summer. It's been too dry and will be too hot to go crazy trying to keep water thirsty plants alive. So as it is right now, we've got beans, corn, garlic, onions, and potatoes growing. No tomatoes, cukes, or peppers this year....

In exchange for a real summer vegetable garden, I've put my efforts into nurturing lots of perrenials and native annuals into the landscape. I'm really excited about sprucing up the landscape around the house and the backyard with plants that attract wildlife. So far, it's looking really sweet! I can't wait to see the beds fill in once the plants mature.  

All for now.  

weekending

 

Right now, I'm typing on the computer from the kitchen table because we've been closing off the vent to the back room to conserve energy and to help keep the house warmish. It's frigid again.

Yesterday was a different story with our windows thrown open and a day spent outside in Chaco's (and barefeet once home).  I have to say, it was nice.  

Saturday started early as I was awake wwwaaayyy before sunrise all wound up, pondering landscaping options for the backyard.  I found myself at first irritated by the insomnia but grateful that that was the least of which that was keeping me from sleep. Native plants. Thank goodness. I was able to watch the sunrise all by myself. What a gift! You should have seen my backyard.  Lit up in the softest, most comforting and heavenly pink. Just for a minute or two. 

Soon after, the quiet early morning gave way to the rest of  my world waking up. Chickens bawking, cats meowing, coffee perculating, and a chatty and hungry kiddo joining in on the action while the hubby burrowed in for just a little bit longer.  

I scooted out of the house mid-morning to attend a bee-keeping class at the market a few blocks away. The class was fun. And I think we might be getting closer to getting our first hive.  I'm so excited! Bees! Honey!  Beeswax! I moseyed around the grounds of the market after the class just enjoying the chance to notice what was happening in the plant world in our parts.  The peach and apple trees are beginning to blossom.  They are absolutely adorable! I took a lot of photos of the blossoms and of grasses. I'm obsessed with their seed heads! Then, I took the long way home walking along the river -- again, stopping, watching, listening, noticing -- free of distractions.  This is my ideal way to spend three hours alone. 

The afternoon was spent weeding the garden beds and rearranging in the yard. Byron took down a portion of our wood privacy fence which allows for the front and side yard to be connected. I love it and I'm not sure why we didn't do this sooner. 

We woke up to a cold house this morning as another artic blast blew in overnight. After breakfast, we bundled up and headed out for the morning and afternoon to catch a horse show in Austin for the little one. 

Now we are home. The day is closing in on us and in about a half hour or so, nightfall will return. 

Tomorrow is Monday and we do it all over again.

Linking with Amanda. 

 

 

 

weekending

 

there's a mixture of rain and sleet falling right now. and only if i listen carefully, can i hear the dripping. in no time, the gloaming will give way to another long night. 

it's been quiet (as quiet as can be with a young child running circles around me) gray, and sparkly these last few days. my favorite kinds of days. cup after cup of warm tea. hurry up, close the door, the cold is coming in, shiver, kind of days. 

friday began with parent/teacher conferences in the morning. blustery comings and goings of very kind,incredible parents i get the pleasure to work with. it's a pretty sweet gig.  and also, with daddy officially down with a tooth absess. ouch. 

saturday was rainy, wet, freezing, shivering cold weather. wool socks, layers, wool sweaters, gray light, snow clouds (no snow though). a mama/daughter trip to the big city for a bit of pottery painting and window shopping. the layering of extra wool blankets on our beds. extra tight tucks for the little one. 

this house is drafty. those pretty windows and all that natural light they bring in means trouble in the winter. 

today has been an early morning run to the grocery store and then anchoring myself in the kitchen. it was a day of soup, fresh bread, eclairs, coffee, tea. soul food. gazing at the heavy, tumbling clouds from the kitchen windows, crushing on my twinkling star lights, and the sounding joy as the soundtrack to our day. 

 

linking with Amanda. 

saturday evening post

 

 

Oh, here I am, making my way to the surface from the rabbit hole that is Pinterest.  I wanted to share this little video on Rebecca Rebouche and her work as an artist. The colors, the landscape, and the lighting of this video have me swooning and craving the deep, luscious, deciduous woods - and one of her beautiful paintings for my wall...

I'm just smitten with her work. I love how she tosses images of ordinary objects into woodland scenes. Like in this painting.  And I LOVE  that she is from my home state of Louisiana. Yeah!!  That place is just drenched with creative spirits. I feel so ordinary to admit this, but I discovered her through Anthropologie. What a mainstream consumer I can be, eh? Last year Anthropologie released a heart-stopping (at least to me) dinnerware collection that I just about cried for everytime I walked into a store. This summer, I found only salad plates discounted by 60%. I snagged several. And we eat on them every single day. And it makes me very, very, very, happy.  So yes, I wasn't able to get the entire set, but I got some. 

Like the old Stones song goes:

You don't always get what you want, you get what you need.

Well, I know I didn't need any of those plates at all, but you get the message.  

weekendy stuff

This weekend was:

• pyrex reorganization. Ah....
• warm breezes and still no need for daytime AC. Unheard of. 
• bike rides.
• ladybug outfits and twirly dances in the living room. 
• homemade popsicles on the front porch and our first zuccini picked.
• tender loving care given to the garden after realizing my tomato plants may be suffering from a calcium defiency. They got a hardy serving of old yogurt and oyster shells... I hope that helps!
• popcorn seeds passed on to me from my brother planted.
• went to bed on Saturday night to a home smelling of fresh bread. 
• discovery of a community garden within a short bike ride. There are bee hives. My wheels are turning. Could I keep bees there?
• blackberries -  yes, we need blackberries along our fence line.

And now, best of all, some Mad Men and chocolate...

xo, 

Nichole

annual pilgrimage

What a beautiful spring day in the Texas Hill Country! 

We took our annual pilgrimage to visit our favorite farm. I remember our trip from last year so very vividly. It was Beatrix's first time visiting as a walking/talking little person. She's grown so much since then. At least the bonnet still fits her. She just loves wearing it in the spring!

Like last year, it was heartwarming to watch her frolic around the grounds. She's so comfortable being outdoors and being around animals of all sorts. Although, she had a particular fondness for the chickens (never tires of trying to catch a hen) and the sheep (who doesn't). She was a bit more sophisticated this year. She enjoyed venturing off to different parts of the farm, opening gates and doors all by herself, without Byron or I right next to her. "I'm going around this way, Mommy and Daddy!" she would yell.  

As long as she stays within view or earshot of us, we are comfortable with this. In fact, it is exciting to watch her learn to explore familiar places in ways that she had not before.

So much has changed in one year. Some of our dreams have come closer to fruition. We've moved to the country and are enjoying the slower pace that a small town has to offer. Our little home and the little piece of land it sits on provides us with so much peace. It's a lot of fun turning our blank slate of a yard into a thriving farmette!! 

We are happy, healthy, and busy working and playing side by side. I couldn't ask for more. 

 

 

 

weekending

This weekend was cold, dark, and wet. Only now, after four days, is the sun even attempting at peaking through the clouds. I have to say, the dreariness was a welcome excuse to indulge in the comforts of home. 

To celebrate our laziness, we drank hot cocoa, made brownies, snuggled with our favorite picture books under a newly thrifted afghan, and I even caught the sewing bug.

Yep, I just completed three twirly skirts for Ms. Bea. She's out at the library sporting her polka dot one as I type this. But the other two are here beside me, eagerly awaiting some warm weather, and little girl wear. 

I think these little outfits will look smashing with some sweet saltwater sandals, and a bonnet, or a sun hat! Sometimes I still can't believe I have a sweet little girl in which to sew for. 

I'm off to make bread and soup. Yes, I know, that's something I should have done during the cozy soup weather, but my hands were busy elsewhere. C'est la vie! 

Happy Spring! 

PS: Linking up with Amanda at The Habit of Being.

chance of snow

It's Sunday morning, and the little one and the husband are off at the grocery store gathering a few ingredients to make a gumbo. It's perfect weather, afterall. Finally, some seriously cold temperatures made its way to our parts yesterday. There's even a chance of snow...I'm giddy.

And the photo? Oh, it's tossed into this post because, well, I like it and the fun that Valentines Day brings to an otherwise dull part of the year. That, and I meant to put it in the previous post, but forgot.   

weekend spent outdoors

The weather has been just gorgeous around these parts. We spent most the weekend outside. Yesterday we canoed up and down the river and today we spent a few hours hiking in the woods. This is such a great time of the year to be soaking up the great outdoors. Fresh air is good for the soul!