Day 2 of the Retreat

After staying up (way too late), I get up about 2 hrs later than my usual waking time. I could have slept longer but I wanted to get the most out of this retreat!

It was still cool so I decided to take a morning walk. I didn't really see anything that caught my attention until I saw these cows in the pasture with dozens of Egrets or Cattle Birds.

They really didn't like me getting very close. Both of these photos were taken with my zoom lens!

After I got back, I had some coffee and a little quiet time.

We had salad and baked potatoes for dinner.  It was good!







Have a good one!

Canton Bound with my Bestie!

On August 27th I posted this picture to Facebook with the following caption "The dynamic duo is on their way! Canton bound! 

My friend Teresa and I went to a 4 day scrapbook retreat at Ragle's Retreat in East Texas in the community of Canton. We have gone before but it had been 3 years since we had last attended.  Can you tell how FULL the car is of stuff?! One half is hers the other half mine! We both had such a hard time getting enough stuff done at our jobs so we could be gone that length of time. We also had just as much difficulty deciding what to take to work on! We finally leave my house around 4 pm with a 2 1/2 drive ahead of us and city traffic to go through but we are just happy to be on our way!

Nature called and we made a pit stop at one of those truck stop/convenience store/eatery places. There was a vendor at the corner of the store selling "Mexican Corn". Teresa asked me if I had ever had any which I hadn't. She said "let's get some!"

It was yummy!
















It is always an adventure to go anywhere with Teresa but that is one of the many things I love about her. She is a people person. Very inquisitive, a great discerner and evangelistic. I hope is to be more like her!

As we are making our way back to the car to get on the road again we are approached by a young man trying to sell a can of stuff that cleans any surface. Here he is trying to demonstrate.


We finally make it to our destination. We unload the car and place our stuff where we will be spending the next 3 days. Two other ladies have arrived just minutes before us. We exchange greetings and give hugs all around then load up again to find a place to eat. The Retreat location is in the country about 11 miles from town.

The place we "traditionally" eat was already closed so we pick a different one and we were glad we did!

Teresa and I both order this plate. The item on the right is a fried stuffed avocado! My was it good! I've never seen or heard anything like it. It is something the owner of the restaurant created. If you're ever in Canton go eat at El Sombero on Hwy 243.

We get back to the retreat and even though it is late we are so glad to be there we stay up and start crafting!

I'll share more in another post.

Have a good one!

Catching Up Again

I realized that it has been a week since my last post but in all fairness (to me!) it was a VERY busy week! I had to cram 5 days into 3 at work and then in the evenings try to pack for a 4 day scrapbook retreat! (I blog about that in a different post.) That didn't leave ANY extra time for blogging!

We have been truly enjoying having the kids and grands in our backyard. Vanessa and I are trying to share cooking duties and Keannon has been very helpful to Doyle with yard work and household repairs.

On Saturday August 22nd I got this picture of Kashton helping his Daddy put together a watertable. We had given him one for his birthday but the other dog they had chew it to pieces so they bought another one.

Kashton wants to do everything with his Daddy!

I kept all 3 of the kids that evening so Keannon and Vanessa could go to a friends birthday party. We had so much fun!

They wanted to build tents! The pink that you see a Princess tent I bought for the girls last Christmas but they wanted more. They are laying on a dog bed!

On Tuesday August 25th we had a little storm blow up just North of us. Although short it was very intense when it hit with winds up to 50 mph, lots of lightning and thunder and a little over an inch of much needed rain! My weather station said it was "raining cats and dogs"!





Click here to see a short video clip of the storm. The winds weren't as intense when I shot this. (I apologize for you having to go to youtube to see the videos. I'm having difficult getting them to post to blogger.)

I know the surroundings are anything but pretty but I loved catching the sky reflected in the standing water left from the rain. I had forgotten to unlock the dumpster for trash day and went by to do that. This is the street behind the church.

Pretty skies when I went to feed too!

It had been extremely hot and steamy right before the storm rolled through. When I went to feed horses they were feeling frisky with the cooled air! Click here to view that entertainment!

Kashton (2 1/2) loves his sister. Korin (11 mos) is almost as big as he! is!

Have a good one!

Pretty Day to Ride

After the strong cold front moved through on Wednesday the low that night was in the 60's. Thursday the temps stayed in the upper 70's with a light breeze. It was wonderful! I HAD to go ride! I saddle up Fancy and Diamond and headed to Lake Mineral Wells State Park.

I began the ride on Fancy.

We didn't ride far when I saw what I think may have been a Kite Hawk. It's not a good picture. I only had my phone camera.

I usually try to ride halfway before changing horses but as you can see Diamond was dragging his feet. I finally swapped horses.

Once I got on him he moved much faster. I think he just likes being in the lead!

My favorite part of the trail is along the creek.

Love how the sunlight shines through the trees.

I actually met a couple riding on the trail. I usually don't see anyone. We visited a bit then continued on.

After we get back. Diamond takes a good roll!

It was a great day!



Have a good one!

Riding Bikes with the Fam

A strong cold front came through Wednesday, August 19th dropping our temperatures to the low
80's! This was very unusual for August but we'll take it. It was perfect weather for doing something outside! The kids wanted to ride bikes on the trail.

We live a mile from the trail head and we rode our bikes there.

We rode down the street that goes by my Mom's house. I didn't do it intentionally but we are right in front of her house here! The little ones yelled "Hi Grammer!"

I got ahead of the rest of them for a bit.

Keannon had to make some adjustments to Vanessa's bike before we went farther.

We rode to Chicken Express (right across from the church) and stopped for a break. Then we headed back home.

Kennedy did great! We rode a total of 5 miles!

Korin fell asleep and Vanessa was trying to hold her up until we got home! We weren't far. The house in the picture is our next door neighbors!

She was out! Vanessa laid her on Kashton's trampoline. While we all sat under the patio.

It was church night so I didn't get to see the sunset but I thought these clouds were pretty cool all the same.


Have a good one!

Night Hawk and Sunset

I had been at a meeting at church on Tuesday August 18th and was getting in my truck to leave. A friend of mine who was also at the meeting had left ahead of me then drove back to my truck and asked if I had my camera with me. I actually did. She told me to take a close look at a bird sitting on a large cable over the church parking lot. She said "I think it's a Night Hawk. It's a little unusual for them to be seen in town. I tried to get a picture with my phone but I can't get close enough."

I quickly grab my camera putting on my zoom lens and snap a few photos.

My friend thinks he is a juvenile. I just thought it was cool I got a picture of him. He took off flying once and I tried to follow with my camera but he was too fast.


After taking these I went on to the horses to feed.

The colors in the sky were so pretty after the sun went down. This is looking a little to the Southwest. I wanted to get the moon in the picture.

This is looking to the Northwest . The church is in the bottom right corner.

Again looking toward the Southwest to include the moon.

Looking toward the Northwest.

And this one was just for fun! A silhouette of Fancy with a mouth full of hay.








Have a good one!

Cute and Cuddly Challenge

The theme at Cards in Envy challenge is "Cute and Cuddly".

The background paper is scrap of an Authentique collection called "Delightful" The paper was called "Sweet". The image is a Unity Stamp by Phyllis Harris called "You Are My Main Squeeze".

I colored the image with my Copic Markers. Then used some twine to finish.

I'm thinking I'll send it to Remi. It has already been two weeks since she went home!

Have a good one!