Friday, February 26, 2010

Go Texan Day!

If you live in Houston you know that today is "Go Texan Day"! I wish I had pictures of going to the rodeo 30 plus years ago... We just didn't take pictures back then like we do now!
Anyway...you are supposed to dress western today!
So I put on my boots with my gown and robe before I sat down to write this.
You believe me, right? If you don't live in Houston..... or Texas.... I will tell you that this is the weekend before The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo begins. March 2 - 21 this year.
Each year, between one and two million close, personal friends gather at Reliant Park to enjoy the festivities at the Houston Rodeo (also referred to as the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and Rodeo Houston), making the 77-year-old event the largest of its kind in the world.
The trailriders arrive in the city today. They camp out in Memorial Park. Now in the 70's they arrived on Thursday night because we had the parade downtown on Friday. Now the parade is on Saturday ... which is nice for families. There are about 4,000 riders in 13 different trailride groups... they've been on horseback and in wagons for a week or two on their way here.
Each rodeo performance will have a music star perform.... such as this year people like Keith Urban, the Jonas Brothers, Brooks & Dunn, Blackeyed Peas, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Alan Jackson... just to name a few. I saw Elvis at the rodeo (when it was at The Astrodome) in the early 70's. Also saw Sonny & Cher there. My husband saw Roy Rogers & Trigger at the rodeo in the 50's when it was at The Sam Houston Coliseum downtown.
I think I like my hair darker...........

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

White Dresses

Isn't this beautiful!
BFF Virginia's DH brought this home to her recently.
He was helping go through possessions of a dearly departed uncle.
I knew you'd appreciate the work shown here.
Do your loved ones know what to bring home to you?

Friday, February 19, 2010

Inspired!

I don't know about you......
but I think I've learned a lot
about my ski jump techniques this week -
not to mention my slalom skills.
Wii has helped me to greatly identify!
How about you?
Are you watching?

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Cute Alert!

Our son and his wife got a puppy on Saturday!
Is he darling or what!!!!!!!
He visited both sets of grandparents before he went to see his new home!
...his name is...
Henry!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Monthly Challenges

BFF Virginia and I are in a monthly embroidery fragment challenge!
We are the only players in this challenge.
We just trade with each other.
Thought it was time to show you some of what we've been doing.
Above is the piece I got from Virginia in January!
Below is the fragment she gave me for February!

Next is the one I gave her for February.

This is the heart Teresa did on her recent Valentine's Ezine.

But if you didn't subscribe to that you can also see a little one here.

And below is the piece I contributed in January....
If you turn your head it says path. I think I'm more primitive than Virginia? We shall see........

Friday, February 12, 2010

A Valentine Book!

Did you see Julie Collings' tutorial on these?
and
you have to scroll down to January 14th to find it.
I sent these out as RAKs to a few people...none overseas...
just so ya know.... I waited too long to get em done!
I want to make some for Spring RAKs, tho!
So keep a look out!
I punched out little envies and adhered them to the back page...
you could stick little notes inside!
Are you ready for Valentine's Day?

Tuesday, February 9, 2010

French Knots and Jack Bauer

Do you watch "24"?
If so, you'll understand my need to make French Knots while watching.
I can pull that thread reallllllllly tight!

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Angels Among Us...for sure!

My good friend, Patty, sent me a little "just because" package that came yesterday!
She is so sweet and thoughtful and such a woman of mystery!
You know how we lost our beloved Art Dog Charley last weekend...
I appreciate all of your wonderful comments.
I could not believe all of the good thoughts and prayers that were sent our way.
The blogworld is a blessing!
Receiving some of Patty's special art is always such a gift...
and I love this piece she sent...
and it came with some other goodies that Patty knew I could put to good use.
I must mention that I didn't know WHERE to open her envelope as she stitched one end closed and the other end had fabric with little birds glued around it... I didn't want to tear into either end. But I forced myself to cut through the stitched lines.
And..then...
I won Jeannie...aka Marmelade Gypsy's Blog Anniversary Give Away
recently and below is what I got in the mail from her!
A little altered composition book
with darling girls on the front
and some other trims and feathers and such.
Look at these!
They will get sewn on something wonderful!

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Charms, Dangles, Brooches... Oh My!

All of the brooches and charms/danglies are in for the recent Queen Bee Five Swap!
I showed you Patty's...above... last week.... It's a zipper...duh... but do you realize she painted it!????
Above is the one Carole made for me! It is perfect.... just the stuff I love!
Above is the one Margaret made! Yeah, I know.... perfect, too.
Nathalie's! Brilliant! Love the buttons and yo-yo's! My BFF Virginia will be drooling. You saw Patty's charms...above.... but had to share again!
Above is Carole's.....
They have these bottlecaps in New Zealand with a bird!
Every so often she sends us a pack of em!
And...Margaret.... you know I fall all over myself over every thing she makes....
She painted those crowns for each of us because you know we do have color preferences.
And Nathalie.... that's a bobbin... forgive my picture taking.
And she packaged it in a little matchbox that also said "hope" on it.
Details!!!
You need to check out their blogs, too...
and see the charms and brooches they received.
Are you ready for Valentine's Day?

Monday, February 1, 2010

Charley

Charley
April 1, 2002 - January 30, 2010
We lost him Saturday.... totally unexpected.

When he refused to eat we knew there was a problem.
Our vet sent us to the best in Houston...
An ultrasound at the Gulf Coast Veterinary Hospital
showed blood in his abdomen,
two tumors on his liver,
fluid around his lungs..... nothing could be done.
It came on very quickly
and the vet said
that's how this particular cancer is
and nothing could be done or foreseen.
For more pictures of Charley, aka "art dog"...

Art Dog watching football Art Dog Goes Hunting Art Dog on Draft Day An Art Dog Mosaic Art Dog in the snow!