Gardening Photos On A Slow Sunday

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Gardening, Photos 4 Comments

First I want to give a shout out to my sister-in-law, Lelo in Nopo, for getting published in the new edition of Fine Gardening! Congrats my dear! Check out her blog.  She’s a Master Gardener in Portland and to be honest, her garden is one of my biggest inspirations.  She’s quite the talented artist and writer too!

Not much to report today. We did get alot of maintenance stuff done today despite the cold rain.  I’m shaking my fist at the Nutgrass Sedge that has been springing up all over…but I managed to get it under control in the front, at least that’s what I’m telling myself.  Loving the weather even while working in it though.  After our horrendous summer, the cooler weather is much appreciated around here.

So cheers for slow Sunday’s!  Here are some photos from the last couple weeks. Hope your weekend is everything you wanted it to be!

Peace!

Gulf Fritillary caterpillar

Tomatoes, Cucumbers and Nasturtiums

Potatoes, Broccoli, Lettuce and Pumpkins (Xi wanted to plant the pumpkins…I’m sure they won’t do much as it’s quite late in the season, but she’s an gardening experimenter like her mother!)

Scarlet Runner Bean Blossoms

Grean Pole Beans

Scarlet Runner Beans starting to run.

Green Pole Beans

Oh no you don’t!  This Tomato Horned Worm made a snack out of my one decent plant I’ve babied all summer.  Fortunately I caught it before it could take the plant down and so the chickens got a tasty treat between him and his brother I found 5 minutes later…hehe
Datura is blooming prolifically!  I love it…

Green Envy Zinnias still going strong, as are their cousins planted in the same bed.  A few of the plants are taller than Xi, not a huge feat as she’s pretty short, but pretty good for a flower!

Velvet Leaf Honeysuckle intermingling with Red Salvia and Purple Fountain Grass.  I love the textures.

Lovely Datura Blossom

Clear Choice

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Family, Reviews 1 Comment

Want to give a plug to my brother and his business partner.  They own Clear Choice Window Cleaning and are getting great reviews on their work!  These guys are hard-working, conscientious and really care about the quality of what they do.  I’m not just saying this because I love my bro, but because it’s the truth.  Check out just some of what they do:

Now’s the time, before the darker days of winter come, to get your windows crystal clear and sparkling bright! 

Love you bro!

Now back to your regularly scheduled program…

Peace!

We Interrupt This Gardening Moment For a Little ACL Fun (Lots of photos)

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Family, Music, Reviews 4 Comments

We went to Austin City Limits music festival on Friday and Sunday of this past weekend.  What a blast!  The kids had so much fun, as did we.  Friday was the perfect day.  Weather was great, lines were short and the bands rocked!  We saw alot of great talent, but one that stands out from that day for us is the band Pheonix.  They are from France and we really like them alot.  Also, the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s who are Lola’s favorite right now.  She was so excited to be able to see them play live.

Sunday found us under deep grey skies and threatening to pour down on us…but it never did.  Saturday it rained all day and so the mud was thick at the park.  We didn’t go Saturday, but with the way the mud was on Sunday I can only imagine how it was in the rain!  The girls LOVED stomping through it though.  And while it didn’t rain on us (we were prepared), it was humid!  Still didn’t bring us down though as we saw the B52’s.  Despite reminding me of just how old I’m getting, they still can put on a show..haha!  We also saw The Dead Weather which is Jack White‘s latest project (He is also in the White Stripes).  We LOVE them and they don’t disappoint.

We spent a huge chunk of time in the kid’s area with the girls on Friday.  Both were thrilled as they got their hair colored, Xi got a tattoo, Lola got to jam with the School of Rock kids as well take part in a Hip-Hop workshop.  She rapped away and then they gave her a CD they’d recorded of her…she felt like the star for sure!  The guys running that workshop were the Q Brothers and they were great with the kids.  On Sunday they did an improv rap for the Buddy Bucks guy that had Jason and I rolling on the floor…all about why they don’t sell more organic and local produce at HEB…haha!   The School of Rock All-Stars were amazing kids as well!  They covered some good, old fashion rock and roll tunes and did a great job.  The last act we saw was a DJ who goes by Girl Talk.  He samples tons of different music and just has a very unique and fun style.  The crowd was going crazy!  Lola and I danced and danced.

So we’ll return to our regularly scheduled AmLo Farms fare in a moment…for now, enjoy the pictures of our weekend.


The first stage we saw upon entering.  The Knux were playing.  They are old school hip hop and were fun.
 
 
Xi spent alot of time on J’s shoulders.  She really loved going up close to the stage with him too!
 
DJ Lola with the Q Brothers
 
Rockin’ with the School of Rock kids.  She wants to take classes next year when she’s old enough.
 
 
My little punk rock munchkin
 
 
Pheonix
 
 
Xi really loved seeing the bands
 
 
J was so happy…I love this photo
 
 
Dancing queen!
 
 
The Hat
 
 
My oldest girl and me
 
 
Yes, Barbie came to the festival too…Hah!
 
 
This gal is a professional photographer and she kept taking pics of the girls.  Lola was happy to meet a new friend of course!
 
 
Lola up on J’s shoulders watching the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s in her cape.  She was thrilled that the lead singer of the band also wore a cape!
Sunday:
 We thought for sure we were going to get hit with this.  But it blew over and instead rained down at our house, perfect! 

 
 They still rock!  B52’s

 
Back with the Q Brothers in Xi’s hat this time
 
 
The All-Stars!  
 
 
 Xi woke up happy from her nap

 
The mud was thick!
 
 
Rocking out to The Dead Weather with dad!

The man, the legend, Jack White.
This gal was hoola hooping like crazy, and to the beat of Girl Talk!
 
 
 The final act we saw, Girl Talk.  This was absolutely just pure fun!  Lola and I went up front for a bit and she loved it.

And finally…my creative juices got to flowing for a moment in time:
 
MUD
Playing in mud
She marches through the muck with a smile as wide as the sky;
No care.
Squishy, oozy, watered-down dirt.
Music playing,
Wild Thing mucking about…
Happy Child!

Peace!
 

Birthday Weekend

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Birthdays, Family 14 Comments

Just a quick photo round-up of our weekend and Xi’s Birthday Party! She had a blast. It was a horse themed gift extravaganza and she was so excited. She is in-love with all things princess and ponies, so that’s what she got! After everyone left Saturday night she kept telling me thank you for her party. She fell asleep with a smile on her face and in her heart. Thank you everyone for making it such a wonderful time!

The day this little girl was born was one of the happiest of my life. I felt that way at the birth of all my kids and my grandson. Xi’s birth was a bit rougher than her siblings as she was posterior and a pound bigger. She was born at home on the farm we lived on at the time, in a nice warm tub of water. That day was so exciting for all of us. Lola was with us and boy was she excited! She’s an amazing little soul and we are so fortunate to have her in our world.

Happy Birthday my darling daughter. I cannot believe you are 4 now! We all love you more than words will ever express and are so proud to be a part of your world. Thank you for choosing us…

“If we are to teach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children

.” Gandhi

“Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.

You may give them your love but not your thoughts,
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow,
which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them,
but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.

You are the bows from which your children
as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite,
and He bends you with His might
that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let our bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as He loves the arrow that flies,
so He loves also the bow that is stable.” Kahlil Gibran

Enjoy the photos.

William and me…I’m in-love with my gorgeous granson!

Xi is pretty crazy about him too!

Xi and her birthday crown I made. This will grow with her through the years, and every year I plan on adding something else to the embellishments.

Playing with a couple of her gifts.
Pinata treats!

We didn’t use a stick to get the treats out of the pinata as Xi didn’t want it “hurt”, so we attached ribbons and the kids all pulled them at once.

Hanging with Grandpa.

I can’t help it, he’s just too darn cute!

Xi’s new dress from Auntie Grace, and cowgirl hat from Grandma Martse and Papa Dennis. This was on Sunday, her actual birthday and we were leaving to go to brunch.

The actual Birthday day ensemble, dress and boots via Auntie Grace. Hat from Grandma and Papa.

Cousins!

Lola helping Xi with her cake.

Part of the party crowd!
Doing her “scary cowgirl” impression.

Listening closely to something daddy is telling her.

Peace!

Birthday Present Finished

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Birthdays, Crafts 4 Comments


Well, part of it anyway. I still have the crown to make tonight but I can use the machine for most of that. This was the heirloom piece I wanted to finish for Xi’s 4th birthday this weekend. All hand-sewn by your’s truly. It is made out of 100% wool felt and batting with cotton embroidery thread. Legs are button jointed so she can sit up by herself. What a truly fun craft this was to make. I poured alot of love into this. Our baby is entering a whole new era of her life and I felt it was truly important to honor this transition with a piece made from mama’s hands and love. The pattern is Mimi’s Hand Sewn Felt Doll and I found it at The Purl Bee. So many wonderful ideas over there, check them out!

Sunday is the actual birthday, but her party is tomorrow. I still have a ton of stuff to do to get ready, but I really think she’ll have a blast. When did my little one grow so much? How quickly the time passes, I try to enjoy each and every moment of our time together. Even the frustrating moments can be secret lessons for both of us and sometimes some of the strongest memories.

I’ll have a post dedicated to her on the actual day of her birth…but for now I wanted to share with you all – before she even sees it – the birthday present finished.

Peace!




Happy Autumn!

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Uncategorized 3 Comments

What a great way to celebrate the first official day of Autumn, with rain! We got 2 inches last night and it’s been softly falling all day since. The temperatures are in the 70’s and I finally broke out the knitting. Yes, I should be working on projects for Xi’s birthday this weekend, but it’s hard to do with the other kids around and I can start and stop with knitting pretty easily. Tonight you will find me in front of the sewing machine however. I have a couple ideas I really want to work on for her, plus her birthday crown (I’m determined to do one this year come hell or high water…preferably high water as the lake needs it! hah!)

So for now, Happy Autumn to you all!

Peace!

The front bed that we worked on a couple weeks ago. The far side was where it needed polishing up after we cut back the huge rose “tree” that grows in there. It’s enjoying the rain very much!

Seasons Round Exchange

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Crafts 9 Comments

I joined this group this summer and the time has just flown by. The point of the group is to make seasonal items for another family’s nature table. Everyone signs up by a certain date and then Kyrie pairs people up. We are on the Autumn season right now obviously, I’ll be signing up for the Winter in a couple weeks. My Fall package is going out today, a day late but I just missed the post yesterday. By September 29, everyone is to post 3 pictures of what they made and 3 pictures of what they received at the Flickr group set up for the Exchange. Take a quick peek at some of the things that people have put together. Really beautiful nature filled objects!

Hope your Fall season is starting out wonderfully. I know we are enjoying the cooler mornings and looking forward to even more as the season moves forward!

Peace!


Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day – September 2009

Published on: by catballou24 Category:Garden Blogger's Bloom Day 7 Comments

September already! I am seeing the beginning signs of Fall approaching, yay! After all the rain this weekend, flowers are blooming all over. So, thanks to Carol at May Dreams Gardens, welcome to another Garden Blogger’s Bloom Day! Be sure to check out everyone’s blooms over at Carol’s site, truly inspirational.

We’ll start with the Salvias:

Indigo Spires

Indigo Spires taking over

Lipstick

Coral Nymph

Black and Blue

Red

Moonglow

Next we’ll check out a couple Zinnias:

Giant Purple

Green Envy

Polar Bear

And finally a smorgasbord (one of Xi’s favorite words) of other color and shapes:

Pentas

Garlic Chives

Turk’s Cap

Diamond Frost

Ginger

Bulbine

Cockscomb

Butterfly Bush

Lindheimer’s Senna

Hope your day is full of beauty! Peace!

Rain…

Published on: by catballou24 Category:weather 5 Comments

So far we’ve had 8 inches since Thursday. My towering Esperanza’s are drooping from the weight of the water, I go out and shake them off every so often so they won’t break. The rain has perked up plants that seemed to be on their way out and is feeding the dry earth and hopefully doing some good for the Lake. I know we need alot more, and it seems we’ll get that at least with today. It feels so good to open the windows up and hear the rain falling, and have the temperatures back down to a tolerable level. I hate to jinx it and say Fall is coming, but a girl can hope can’t she?

We were going to get the Fall veggies going today, but with all the rain it might have to wait until tomorrow. We need some more compost and topsoil from Natural Gardener, then a planting I will go!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! Peace!