in like a lion

March is shaping up quite nicely. never fear February ... I promise to fill you with fun and exciting adventures. but unexpectedly and quite joyfully, the month (which already lets us all be Irish) is already booked with a trio of diverse activities. and it's only January.

March 3
a bus trip to Waco. now you may say why Waco. and, believe you me, I asked the very same question of this town which was our introduction to Texas. allow me to digress. before the family moved the hubs came down to the great state. he drove. and as he passed through Waco he called me. 'there is a huge fire. I can see it on the horizon.' you may know where this is leading - the Branch Davidians complex was under siege. 'dearest,' I said, trying to stay calm. 'Please drive faster.' so that is always what comes to mind when I hear Waco. but in reality, it is a lovely city. home to Baylor University. history. parks and recreation. the bus trip will offer historic home tours. a tour of the Armstrong Browning Library. Cameron Park & Gardens. a dp float at the Dr. Pepper Museum. and refreshments along the way on a bus full of friends. delightful.

March 17
the 17th annual Herbal Forum at Festival Hill at Round Top. you have read of my gardening gals adventures a time or two on this site. let the fun begin again. the topic of this gathering is roses (yes, they are herbs too!). we are renting a little house nearby. just the girls. eating. shopping. and learning. together.

March 26 & 27
camp Georgetown. a two day session that brings experts in local historic preservation from around the country for intensive and high-energy (I quote the brochure) training. boring you say. not at all I respond. this is my cup of tea.

between now and then there is plenty to do. places to go. people to see. but it is oh so exciting to fill in the boxes on my calendar.

'and in today already walks tomorrow.'

ps

following my gardening day is my house cleaning day. the weather is chilly and rain is on it's way (correction. now pouring.). and as I take a break. check my emails. messages. new posts. this one made my heart leap.

please put it on your list.

'you are loved. So be the loved.'

(quote courtesy Chatting at the Sky)

during

it is a beautiful day in the great state. and I am one tired gal. but an oh so happy tired.

been working in the garden today. on that front bed that I wrote about here. over the past two Saturdays we've had a small crew here doing the really hard (ie not so fun) work. but now it is my turn to dig in. so I went to work removing a portion of a brick border that outlines the beds. hard work. yes (my hands ache. I can hardly raise my arms. goodness, I am so out of gardening shape). rewarding. absolutely. happy. positively.

next we'll be putting in the base for the brick walk. and amending the soil. then once the chance of frost has passed, the joyful planting. can't hardly wait for March.

'I have never had so many good ideas day after day as when I worked in the garden.'

good morning

the weather has been unpredictable here in the great state. but there is beauty in that. and one little poppy at my curbside gate thinks it's time to shine. bloom. glow.

how glorious.

'the flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.'

please & thank you

the rule in my house is that appliances are acceptable as gifts (birthday, Christmas, Valentine's Day, et al) only when requested. and during the 2011 holiday exchange I received two much wanted and asked for items.

a dust buster. in all honesty, I didn't even know if they still made dustbusters. but to my delight the hubs placed one perfectly wrapped under the tree. I was thrilled. and I use it every day. with much gratitude.

a blender. I have had several blenders in my lifetime. but never one that would actually do a satisfactory job. during my stay while darling daughter was on bedrest we made smoothies. so I asked her for a blender like that. and voila! delivered.

now I have plenty of dust to bust. bunnies. crumbs. and the like. but I have yet to break out the blender. until tomorrow. when I will try this delicious concoction found on whoorlie. green is not my favorite color for a drink. but the ingredients and her raving reviews make it ever so tempting.

looking forward to the taste test. will keep you posted.

'life is trying things to see if they work.'

seconds

(image courtesy Joss & Main)

feeling a little fiesty (thus two posts - and maybe more - in one day). but ever so polite.

'what you allow, you encourage.'

worth mentioning

isn't it beautiful how we can make each other happy. this crazy world of unknown people sharing personal life altering moments. simple. wholesome. poignant.

that is what I found this morning as I read Cause & Effect at Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Ree Drummond's (honest. witty. entertaining. exuberant. funny. heartfelt. Kleenex at the ready for tears of joy and sorrow) account of her life. adventures of a mom. wife. cook. woman.

it just made me smile. and say thanks. and take a deep breath and exhale. and say life is good. really. so very good.

'if you smile when no one else is around, you really mean it.'