Sunday, August 21, 2016

The Magic of Rain Lilies




Over 14" of rain in Austin over the past two weeks.

Fortunately we have not experienced flooding

with these recent rains, and the cooler than

normal temperatures have been a welcome relief

from the triple digits that are typical here in August.




What we have experienced,  just like magic,

 the sweet little zephyranthes

are doing what they do after a Texas rain.




Zephranthes, also known as a rain lily, prairie rain lily,

or fairy lily, are in the amaryllis family.

Here in central Texas we see them burst into bloom

after heavy rain storms such as we've recently experienced.





The grass like leaves produce the trumpet shaped flowers

after heavy rains.  The blooms begin to open at dusk and by

morning will be almost two inches across, lasting only a few days.





Rain lilies are native to this region 

and often seen in mass along roadsides

or in grassy meadows of parkland as seen above.  



The rain lilies in our herb garden

get full sun and with a layer of gravel 

above the soil, a well drained bed.

We get the pleasure of all three of the pastel colors.





More rain is predicted for the coming week.

It may be sometime before we see blue skies again.

Fortunately we have the magic of the rain lilies!


If you live in Zones 8 - 10,  you too can enjoy the magic.

Joining
 Dishing It and Digging It @ Life and Linda

Sunday, August 14, 2016

How to Eat a Lobster







I recently had a delightful trip

to visit a friend who lives on Cape Cod.

Do you know what that means?




L O B S T E R





You've no idea what a treat 

it is for this Texan to have fresh lobster, and just

in case this "foreigner" needed help eating a lobster dinner,

the place setting came with instructions.  




And all the necessary tools!




The perfect meal!

Fresh Corn on the Cob ~ Green Salad ~ Fresh Lobster





Oh, and I made certain that most of my

lunches out included a lobster roll.  




I have lots of photos to share, so you

can look for more New England delights ahead.

Joining

Tuesday, August 9, 2016

We Have a Winner!


We have a winner!


The Traveling Totes gang recently held a 

Where's My Tote contest.




Readers were asked to leave a comment on each of the six 

TT blogs as to where they thought each tote was visiting.  

All correct answers left on each blog were included in the draw.






I had lots of correct guesses for the photo above.

Those who follow along here at HFTS know 

that I go to Round Top Antiques Week

each fall and spring.

Miss Merri Mack is shopping Marburger Farm.

Next venue is September 27 - October 1, 2016.

Hope to see you there!




The winning name selected from all the entries is

Stacey @ Poofing the Pillows.

Congratulations, Stacey!

I know you will enjoy these beautiful soaps!

Thanks to each of you who joined in for the giveaway.




Look for more give aways in coming months as 

the Traveling Totes share adventures.

Join us September 1st,  when we'll share summer travels.

Miss Merri Mac plus a new traveling bag and 

this TX girl escaped the Texas heat for a little get away.  

Can you guess where we went?





Friday, August 5, 2016

August 2016





August 6 ~ National Mustard Day

Started in 1991 by the 

National Mustard Museum in Mount Horeb, WI,

National Mustard Day has become an 

annual event the first Saturday in August.

Mustard, an important ingredient in many recipes,

is essential on my hamburgers, hot dogs, or sandwiches.

What about you?  Are you a fan of mustard?




"Chance made us sisters.  Hearts made us friends."

August 7 ~  Sisters' Day

The first Sunday in August is designated as Sisters' Day.

Lucky me!  

I have a sister, and we have always been good friends.

Less than two years apart in age, 

we shared a room, did chores together,

and like all young girls, shared secrets and dreams.

As adults, we continue to share special times together.

As Mary Engelbreit says, "There's no friend like a sister."

Yes, I'm a lucky girl!





August 26 ~ National Dog Day

A day to celebrate all dogs everywhere.

Started in 2004, it is a day to bring attention to

the many dogs who need to be adopted.

We adopted our sweet Sadie Mercedes four years ago.

Thank you Wee Rescue!

We are so grateful to have this girl in our lives.



France 2011

August is also a big month of celebration here.

Happy Birthday to the chef, and Happy Anniversary to us.

Extremely grateful to travel the 

road of life with this guy by my side!


Joining







Monday, August 1, 2016

Where's My Tote?




Where's My Tote?



Leave a comment or send an email with 

your best guess of where this photo was taken.  

One Winner will be chosen from all correct entries received

 by the Traveling Tote Blog Group  by August 9th. 





 For more chances to win, 

visit all of these blogs on their August 1st post and

try to guess where each photo was taken!







The winning entry will receive this beautiful

set of soaps from MacKenzie-Childs.

Joining