Just A Few Things....

Although I've been slacking in my sunset pics, I have managed to get a couple of random shots throughout the month....

I've also done some crocheting in my free time. While perusing my greatest addiction, Pinterest, I came across a beautiful piece of art. I loved the colors so much I wanted to incorporate them into an afghan. The colors looked much better on the artwork, I think my afghan ended up looking like it came out of a Dr. Seuss book. I posted it on a Crochet group I'm on in Facebook to get some feedback and it got 620 "likes"! So, I guess a few people like it anyway...

I also crocheted some edging around this lightweight fabric for a baby gift for my niece who will be arriving in May.

I whipped up this hot pad last night. I love the gingham pattern, but it's a real pain in the butt to make because you have to manipulate 2 different strands of yarn at once. My intention was to make a few in different color combos, but I'm not sure if they are worth the effort I put into them....

Hopefully, I will have something more interesting to post about next time.

Austin Anniversary

This morning I looked at my phone and saw a date that had a familiarity to it. December 16, the day we moved to Austin exactly 8 years ago.

I've lived here long enough now to know it's the place I want to live out the rest of my existence and the place I will always return to if I ever get the chance to venture about. It's now where I call it my landing spot or what others may call home.

Today Toby and I took a walk around downtown.....

I love this old tower that sits on the edge of the lake. There is interesting history behind the Buford Tower.

Buford Tower

The lake boardwalk

Looking towards downtown from the boardwalk

Remembering the homeless

Stevie Ray

After our walk, we celebrated our Texas anniversary with a Purple 'Rita. If you've never had one of Baby A's Purple 'Rita's before, I urge you to do so. I will warn you though, they are pretty toxic even for a seasoned drinker like myself. I suppose that's why they only limit you to two...or so I've heard. I've never needed more than two of these bad boys....

It was a lovely day.

Beautiful Day

It was a beautiful day today. One of those southern style winter days. Warm with a hint of crisp in the air.

Going outside and soaking up the sun uplifted my gloomy mood. Nature and the sun is how I gather my emotional energy.

I know most people hate positive or inspirational shit, but thinking in a positive way is what gets me through each day. After all, I don't believe in the invisible being in the sky to save the day. I'm pretty sure I'd be sorely disappointed if I did, so I rely on what I know pulls me through the rough times.

I spotted this spider that had set up his food trap on my abandoned summer patio set. I figured I'd let him stay since I probably won't be using it for the next few months.....

I also spotted rose buds on my rose bush. Up until I acquired this rose bush a few years ago, I never realized that I would love roses so much. I'd never owned a rose bush before. This rose bush is the most hardy of all my landscape plants, enduring both the drought and frost without batting a leaf....

I also liked the way this old bird feeder contrasted against the changing leaves of the Cedar Elm. Last I checked there are not birds, but a family of wasps that have taken up residence in it....

I've not been doing a very good job of keeping up with my 365 days of sunsets. They come so early now that I'm usually too busy to even notice. I only noticed this one the other day, because it was casting a reddish reflection on my kitchen wall....

Dodadagohv i!

Doing What I Love

The past couple of days the cool and sunny weather has been perfect for hiking.

Wednesday we met up with the good company of friends to hike the Southeast Metro Primitive Trail.

I really enjoyed the pond area...

 

The bright midday sun is washing the colors out of my photos so you can't see how pretty the turning leaves were or how the sun beams danced off the water.....

One thing I learned after moving to Texas, there are A LOT of pointed vegetation....

 Pretty yellow flowers...

On Thursday, Toby and I had some errands to run, but we did manage to work in a short hike at Spicewood Valley Trail.

These flowers always catch my eye. I see them everywhere. I'd like to say they are some kind of Aster, but I really don't know.....

This looked like it would be a great swimming hole in the Summer....

Something about this tree trunk caught my attention. I don't know what the scientific reason behind wanting to touch something you find interesting looking is, but I had to touch it before I took the photo....

Looks like somebody was in the spirit.....

More contrasting colors. I LOVE color....

I love the way this one staggered color from top to bottom....

An interesting looking rock. A primitive guillotine maybe????

I never regret a day getting outdoors, even if I do nothing else.