It has been a while.....

I never intend to take soo long between posts but, life happens. Isn't that the saying?

Quite a bit has happened since my last post in September. I've had a birthday, my husband's had a birthday & we've celebrated our 3 year anniversary. We've trick-or-treated, and gave many thanks. We partied with some 60 year olds and those celebrating their 40 years together. We've cooked delicious meals and sipped on fine grapes. In all these things we are lucky to be involved in, it's always with those we love most, our friends & our family.

Here's to you, cheers!

A Night with Mr. Tom Petty!

A few months ago when I heard Mr. Tom Petty was coming to Dallas the day after my birthday I checked out ticket prices. Over $240 each ticket! Sorry Tom, but I'm gonna have to bow out of this one. While at work Friday, the day of the show, my husband sends me a text surprising me with a picture of the tickets!  WooWoo!! Do I have the world's greatest husband or what?!  We take the train to the AAC. The show opens with Steve Winwood doing what he does best. Thank you Steve.
After a brief intermission Tom & his Heartbreakers open with "Mary Jane's Last Dance", one of my all-time favorites.  Man, does he sound good!

First Day of Fall has Arrived!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Mother Nature! Oh, how I've been patiently waiting, about a month now, for this day of relief. And, since my iPhone's weather app is showing signs that autumn is truly upon us, I am preparing. Collecting more kindling, planning the crock pot meals & chili recipes (because our household cannot agree on one chili, we have 3) & preparing to say "See you next Spring!" to some of our backyard plantings. Slowly bringing out our fall attire from storage bins. And shopping for that perfect pair of comfy, furry boots that I can tool around in.
Oh, how I love to watch the leaves fall from the trees (and straight into our pool), the smoke billowing from the chimneys around. The noticeable breath from everyone's mouth and the outdoor strolls before it gets too cold. The happy hearts we get with the change of season. The uplifting moods from relief of the heat. The outside gatherings around the firepit, with cups of hot joe, chocolate, or toddy in hand. Ahh, how I love this season.

Happy First Day of Fall!

San Antonio weekend starring Demi Lovato...and Sara & Shelbi :)

My daughter, Sara & her BFF, Shelbi had tickets to Demi Lovato's first World Tour at the AT&T Center in San Antonio this past Friday, Sept. 19. This marks Sara's third Demi show (her wonderful grandmother taking her to her first Demi show, not to mention that was also her very first concert ever to attend) & second Demi show for both Sara & Shelbi to attend together.  These girls are such good friends, it makes my heart happy to see them together.
We decided to stay in Boerne that weekend which is abt 40min from SA. Boerne has a cute little downtown area, with shops, cafes and a small nature corner. Unfortunately, we didn't get to spend any of our weekend in downtown Boerne but do plan on going back.

 Heading down Main St. Boerne, TX 

Entrance to Nature Store 

Lovely locals 

 Cool tree at the Nature Store

 The Nature Store

Another shop on Main St. Boerne, TX

This is definitely not a majority of downtown Boerne. We were heading home on Sunday & I just needed some pics of downtown. I promise, we'll go back again to specifically stay in Boerne & I'll have an assemblage of pics to post!

Back to our San Antonio trip.....girls had a fabulous time at Demi's show.  However, they didn't lose their voices as they anticipated they would but, came close. I found my way down to the Riverwalk after dropping off the girls. 

Found a great place to sip on a glass of vino called Market on Houston. 

My view 

(Please excuse, didn't have camera only iPhone)

Across the street, the Majestic Theater

I had a bit of time to blow since the show began at 7 and wasn't expected to end until 11! No worries, I only had the one glass of vino. Just a lot of walking around town, taking it all in. 

With the advice of my husband, we decided to head to the Market Square/Mi Tierra on Saturday. 

 There was a celebration going on in one of the buildings. 

Something of a talent show with different groups/individuals performing their dance. 

This one's adorable :)

Posing with a version of "La Catrina", I believe. 

 

San Fernando Cathedral

This cathedral, in its beauty the way you see it here, has been illuminated in a dazzling light show by French artist, Xavier de Richemont called "San Antonio|The Saga"

Here is a glimpse...

This show is completely mesmerizing, lasting 24 minutes. You'll walk away with a deeper feeling in your heart. Absolutely stunning.

 Interesting statement, or quote maybe?

We finally find a spot to enjoy our much needed greens, got to have something on the lighter side in order to fully enjoy the Tex-Mex we were planning for the evening :)

Must do as the good doctor says.....

 Back at Market, we ran into these guys....

 Spot on!

A fun & festive spot for some Tex-Mex, thanks Dustin!

Dustin :)

What's this? A working payphone! 

The girls have never seen one before, haha!

Shopping at Main Plaza

"Bye San Antonio! See you again soon :)"

A Weekend in Fayetteville, AR

This past weekend we traveled up to 'The Natural State' of Arkansas, specifically Fayetteville. Our very dear friends, the Jeffus', moved there about two years ago and we haven't seen them since our wedding almost 3 years ago, where Jeff was our marriage officiant and Megan played her cello. 
Well, Fayetteville is as beautiful as has been described to us. What a magnificent city! There's a lot of our country I have not yet seen but what I have, downtown Fayetteville is by far the prettiest & cleanest. Saturday we ventured out to enjoy the plentiful Farmer's Market located downtown.
(insert imagination here) I can hardly believe it but, I totally forgot my camera at home :( Wow, that's a little embarrassing to admit out loud. What pics I took were with my iPhone which, take good pictures for a phone but not for the kind of landscape we were surrounded by.
After sampling bits of what Fayetteville's best farmers, crafters & bakers had to offer, we headed onto Little Bread Co. for brunch. Yes, this place is delish! When you order a slice of quiche, I hope you're hungry cause it's huge! And, I was, so annihilating it was no problem :)
(insert imagination here)
After filling our bellies with absolute goodness we headed to "the falls". "Oooooo, where's that?", you ask. It's this little hidden gem & you really must know where you are going in order to find it. Plus, once you arrive, there's about another mile to mile & a half (easy walk) to the actual water. 
(my imagination used below)

Our crew taking turns jumping off the cliff.

Pic taken by Jeffus' at another point in time of the falls.

On a hike with our trusty guide Tobias

 Entering Mother Nature's den

 Cliffs at the top of first landing

"Hey Dude!" (waving)

Beautiful

(Little blurry)

A small pool at the far end of first landing

Tobias asked that I leave my phone as I would need both hands as we scaled higher. Looking at my reaction of not being able to take photos of what we would witness, he said, "just try to explain, in words, what you see". Words of wisdom from such a young man. Thank you Tobias. 

However, I cannot begin to explain the full beauty. And once we got as far as I was going to venture, we noticed what looked to be a cave. My words to Tobias, "I have the utmost respect for Mother Nature & her creatures. I do not wish to find, if anything, what might live it that cave. I'm going back down now."  

 A few groovy rock sculptures

  

Mark's rock sculpture, "balance"