Winter Weather in Central Texas

Opposite from Jody, I LOVE variety and change.  The more, the better.  For now, God appeases this need in me with changes in the weather.  Last October, for the month, we had 35 inches of rain.  Some say more.  Grass grows inches in a day, so when it finally dried up enough to mow, I was thigh deep in it.  And because of the humidity, bugs were PROLIFIC.  All kinds of bugs.  Not so good bugs.  Chiggers, fire ants, mosquitos to name only a few.

Anyhow, in December we had 2 snows.  The best one being on Christmas Eve.  This lifted our spirits for sure.  I mean look at these snow angels!  The roads got so icy that we couldn't get out to go to Christmas Eve service.    Nothing like a White Christmas, for sure. When was the last time you made a snow angel??   Yep, there was Joel, signaling to Santa to "land right here" with his Snow Angel.  Reagan got up Christmas morn to play in the left over.

Only in Bosque County

We were driving through Clifton the other day.  Now Clifton is in a very rural county.  The county does not even have a Wal-Mart, but it does have 1 Brookshires and a Sonic.   So, in town, we've learned NOT to be surprised by unusual things, such as this:

Now, Marigrace and I were stopped at one of the 2 stop lights and here comes this truck, this rusty old sky-blue '72 Chevy LUV truck.  It crossed the major intersection.  We had to do a double take.  But, due to being late to pick up Reagan from her piano lesson, we went on....


But then, 30 minutes later, the 3 of us saw him AGAIN!!!  Going the other way.  I had to get my camera.......so through the windshield, with Reagan holding the steering wheel, this is what my camera saw!  UNBELIEVABLE!!  So we followed him.  Sure enough he pulled over to a gas station.  And of course me, being me, wanted to meet this man.....and take another picture.  I mean really, he loves his truck, he loves his dog, and really LOVES life.  This is how people are in this county.  Not really in a hurry and could care less what anyone has to say.

So, this kind man introduced us to "Sally" who has been riding on the rooftop for years.  They come to town occasionally and on nice days, not too hot, not too cold, Sally rides along.  Not in the bed of the truck, but on top to enjoy the scenery.  She LOVES to people watch!!
Yep, this is Bosque County.  Never a dull day and it usually always offers up something to smile at.

Pioneer Woman Trek

Kelly and LeighAnn

These 2 sweet friends surprised me in December.  They kidnapped me and presented me with PW's new Cookbook and then we drove to North Dallas for a booksigning at a Borders Book store.  The day remains a fantastic memory.  As I write this more than 6 weeks after, I know that this made the "top 10" for 2009.


Now these ladies have become precious and FUN friends.  Both of them are lovely Christians, "stay-at-home" moms and women who dearly love their husbands.  They both are incredible cooks and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to serve.  Kelly Bowland, on the left, has 6 beautiful children and LeighAnn has 7.  So, how they ever have time for me is, well, unexplained except by God and His timely blessings.   I am truly honored with their friendship and humbled by their gracious spirits when I spend anytime with them at all.

On this day we had quite an entourage, joined by Prairie Kerri and her children and Madison, Kelly's oldest daughter.
We enjoyed a casual lunch in the Big City and strolled through some great stores, then went to Borders.  I think we got in line around 5:00 and finally made our reconnaissance with Ree around 11:30 pm or something.  Amazingly, the time in the line was NOT boring, as the gals were quite entertaining and there was plenty of "people watching" to do.  Kelly has this incredible gift of being able to carry on humorous conversations for HOURS.

Kelly drove us safely home, handling the heavy rain with skill. 
Meeting Ree?  We had maybe 30 seconds to fill with meaningful conversation and then whisked away for the next admirers.  So, what do you say?  UMMMM, Hello, for starters.......then I babbled on and on how Jody is a happy well-fed husband due to her great website............pictures and moved on.  If there was a cattle prod, we couldn't have moved any faster.


The day was packed with fun being with LeighAnn, Kelly and Kerrie.  The memory is filled with that comraderie, 4 ladies in Christ, laughing, talking, watching and sitting for hours.  I would do it again in a heart beat, not to see a celebrity, but to hang with these great ladies.........anywhere, anytime.

Thank you for my cookbook, gals.  Love you!!!!

Marigrace's Lamby

 He is a BOY!  And before his immediate future changes I thought I would document this friendship.  In October we were given a Dorper newborn lamb who was abandoned by his mama.  Marigrace took it upon herself to bottle feed "Boy" and adopt him as her "new best friend".

He's been living on our back porch.  He LOVES Marigrace and follows her everywhere like an obedient dog.  Even when Marigrace rides her pony, the lamb is sure to follow her.  He, however, does NOT like anyone but Marigrace.  And now that he is full grown and all MALE, this poses a problem for his future (immediate) and Marigrace's love affair.

We have tried putting him "out" with the rest of the animals, but he cries and cries for Marigrace.  At night he sleeps by the window, getting as close to her as possible.  He also has a love affair with the laundry hanging on the line.  Once I have it hung up, it is difficult to get it back down as he butts me, quite upset with my taking down his "friends".

Needless to say he HATES men.  He challenges Jody and Joel mercilessly.  At first it was quite cute, but now he's a terror.

But, with Marigrace he continues to love and protect.  So, do we have lambchops??  Or, better yet I am sure he would LOVE a cutie pie ewe his same age.  He then could roam a pasture together forever.