That's Right, I'm Not From Texas

But Texas wants me anyway!

I am back in Austin for work and man, it is hot here! Not that DC isn't equally as hot. Really I am used to it.

And to prepare myself for the trip, a lovely evening to Wolf Trap with fabulous ladies to see Lyle Lovett! He stated that he has been to Wolf Trap for 19 years and I think that this was my 11th year to see him there--mostly with my little friend Michelle.

Lyle and his Large Band always put on an impressive show and I highly recommend going to see him live. And listening to all that cowboy music, I am ready for a few days of work in the Lone Star State!

I'm Baaaaaaaaaccccccccck!

Dali is back and wonders if we missed her.
It has only been a week since her last visit here.... so prolly not.

She is ready to take her old spot in the bed (curled up next to Will, of course)...

Dear F, Suck it!

And P.S.

Check out the 2.4 quart bowl of figs I just picked... and there are more on the tree!!!

Kees, Kees, M

Dear F, More Blooms

Hey, F!

The roses you sent to us for staying here/wedding/birthday/just cuz are blooming! They smell gorgeous. The Crown Princess Margarete is in bloom again! And the Graham Thomas by our front door has new buds on it. So pretty!

Still waiting for the debut flower of the Shropshire Lad, however. That one seems content to just climb the fence, rambling along, instead of producing buds. We'll keep our eyes open, because I know you are *just* as excited as we are!

XO, M

What Do We Have Here?

What could be hiding behind our crazy vine that is quickly covering our new fence?


Why, THESE beautiful grapes!

We have ripening red grapes!!! We may not have any squash or zukes, but we got bunches of grapes. We have tested them and the skins are still a bit sour, but the flesh inside so refreshingly sweet.

100% Done

The new windows are installed! Front (with grilles) and back (without grilles) and man, what a difference! I honestly didn't think that new windows would make that much of a difference, but they certainly do. The back ones let in so much more light without the grilles and the french casement windows that used to be there.

And the front windows look so clean and fresh. You can tell from the street only because it is so obvious that this is new window in comparison to the older ones. It hasn't really changed the look of the house at all-- it does seem to stress that we need to paint the rest of the windows or replace them. That, however, will take a while.


The storage cubby holes have been fixed up with pre-made kitchen cabinets that slid into the hole. Mike made it look so easy, that we added one on the other side....
...we just need to get some trim to frame it.
So, we are done. And the room is perfect. We can't believe just *how* good it looks. Holdfast DC did an amazing job!! Thanks Big B!

Do You Hear That?

Do you hear that? Listen again.... Shh! Don't interrupt the SILENCE that is in my house.

No more house doggie guests, no more house guests, and no more late night bbq for 40+ people.

We might have recovered for all the July activity, but we are certainly enjoying the quiet. Course, this will change next weeks when the kennel returns and the b-n-b will be in full swing.

But in the meantime, Enjoy the Silence.