Critters everywhere

The Gulf Fritillary butterflies have discovered my second Passion Vine. It is covered with caterpillars and nearly stripped of leaves! I have discovered chrysallis' everywhere. I counted 25 on the "lookout". (That is what Brian named his playset tower). The above caterpillar is hanging on the newly painted vintage rocker.

This one is on the "lookout".

I also found this critter on the grill cover.

And the best critter of all! Oh Hi Sweety!

Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee

Toes and Headstands

Last Thursday, I spent the afternoon and evening with my sister-in-law, nephews and niece! I had promised Bug that I would paint her toenails and put flowers on them just like mine! She decided on pink toes and purple flowers. Then she wanted me to use the same kind of flowers! Those tiny toes are not easy to paint.

When PaPa came home we looked at photos on the computer. It is behind the door. He had to lay in the recliner this way to see the screen around our heads!

After the girls painted toenails, the guys wanted to learn to do handstands. So we worked on that. For some reason my neck feels shorter! Alec had to show PaPa.

Bug needed a little help from her big brother!

Willie took his turn showing PaPa what he could do. I had to prove to my baby brother (a.k.a. PaPa) that I could still do a handstand too! But I didn't give him the camera!

Ya'll Come Back!

Lorilee

Ahhh, the weekend!

By the time Friday evening comes around, I am pretty tired! It is nice just to kick back with my laptop and trusty side-kick, Honey! Although, this Friday, my laptop was hijacked! Well, my son and his friends were using it!
It is a pretty Saturday morning here. It is warm and the sun is shining. The only negative is that it is extremely windy.It is definitely a blustery day.(That makes me think of Winnie-the-Pooh) My windchimes are sounding lovely! The birds are beginning to come to the birdbath and feeders--sparrows, white-winged doves,bluejays,goldfinches and cardinals. I am at the table with my cup of coffee, newspaper and laptop! I have the whole day ahead of me! What should I do first? Hmm, the laundry hampers are overflowing, the floors are filthy, the dishwasher needs to be emptied, Honey could stand a bath, there is a pile of ironing! Plenty of choices. No chance of boredom! Especially with 3 teen-aged boys intent on paybacks for tricks on each other while sleeping. First, Brian and James put shaving cream on Cody when he was asleep. Next, Cody and James walked to Wal-Mart just to get pies to put on Brian while he was asleep. Finally, Cody and Brian put shaving cream on James when he just fell asleep. They have been awake most of the night. Was that the front door I just heard. Could the "extra" boys be leaving? Happy dance time!!! Peace and quiet for a little while at least! I wonder if a "Quarantine" sign would scare them away. Nah, I doubt they even know what that means! I better enjoy the next few hours!
Ya'll Come Back!
Lorilee

Let's Go to Luckenbach, Texas!

Friday was the beginning of a "Girls' Weekend" for my sister-in-law, Marie, my niece, Hannah and I. Originally, it was to be my sweety and I, but he was unable to get Saturday off from work! Hannah was so excited about the trip. She stayed awake the whole drive 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.. After all that driving, she can sing along to the Mama Mia soundtrack! Here she is getting ready for bed at the motel!

On Saturday morning, we had our breakfast at Rather Sweet Bakery. Cheddar Bacon scones for the big girls and a Jailhouse Cinnamon roll for Bug.

We spent most of Saturday in Luckenbach. I attempted to clog, but I am not proficient with enough of the steps to learn the dances as quickly as they were teaching them. It was awesome to watch!

We wandered down to the creek. Much of it was dry due to the drought!

Marie, Bug and I are in front of the Old post office and store. It was overcast and cool by South Texas standards! Needless to say, Luckenbach is pretty laid back with chickens wandering around.

This cowboy showed up on the longhorn. He said it answered to "Shotgun".

The cowboy and Mom are trying to convince Bug to sit on Shotgun for a photo. She remains unconvinced that this would be a good idea! Maybe the Aggie blood from Mom and Dad makes her instinctively avoid longhorns!

Eventhough our group of cloggers is all female, there ARE men who clog---and quite well! The man on the left is Buster Green, an instructor and on the right is John Pryor another instructor. I was in awe of the wonderful dancers at the workshop! Bug was worn out from all the excitement of Luckenbach! She napped while we watched the clogging.

Ya'll Come Back Now!

Lorilee

A few weeks ago, while on our "Girls' Day" of shopping, my niece found this doll. She loves baby dolls. I love this photo of her! I think she's a doll!
Blessings,
Lorilee

Girls Day On The Town!

After our last Girl's Day, my sister-in-law, Marie and I planned to attend the Victoria Master Gardeners Association Fall Plant Sale together. My niece, Hannah, came along this time. We call her Bug! She was thrilled to get to ride in the wagon with her Mom's plants.

After we paid for and loaded our plants, we decided to wander through the VEG (Victoria Educational Gardens) which is designed and maintained by the master gardeners. It is truly beautiful and inspirational. One of Bug's favorite places is the purple house that is used for childrens' tours and educational presentations. I took the photo of Bug looking out the window, and then she is closing the window shutters.

While in the purple house, we noticed a Monarch butterfly that had recently emerged from its chrysalis.

I let it crawl onto my hand so we could examine it more closely. Bug was so excited. She has that disgusted look on her face because it just pooped! Having a butterfly poop on me was a first!

We continued on to explore more of the gardens!

We saw these gorgeous water lilies in the fountain.

This Oxeye daisy plant was full of spectacular blooms!

The clusters of deep purple berries on this bush were a sight to behold. The small sign stated that this was a Jamaican Allspice. The leaves had a spicey scent. I would love to add this to my garden!

At the far end of the garden we found this armadillo in a predicament! I don't think the gardeners appreciated his nightly visits--and digging!

The newest pond has several waterfalls and more waterlilies! Bug was more impressed with the huge Koi and this tiny garter snake that wanted some sun!

We had a great time. The weather was pretty warm, but there was a nice breeze blowing.

We took our plants to a shady place at my house so we could continue with our day. We ate lunch at Johnny Carino's. Yummy Paninis and Italian Creme sodas for the big girls and a pizza and root beer for the Bug!

Coming Soon--Shopping!

Ya'll Come Back Now!

Lorilee