Me, Kerrie

This is me, Kerrie. My niece took this picture and I actually like it a lot. I'm apparently sitting outside at my mother's house, drinking a cup of coffee. She captured me doing my favorite activity (if I only had a book in my hand, this picture would be perfect).

Congratulations!

Happy Birthday to my brother-in-law!

Happy Anniversary to my middle sister and brother-in-law!

Happy Birthday to my dear friend who introduced me to my
husband!

It is a special day, congratulations and well wishes for you all...

Afternoon sun

As I sat outside yesterday afternoon, enjoying what is probably the last of our cool weather, a little visitor climbed up on a rocking chair to sit in the sun.I apparently made him very nervous because he jumped onto a bench and "blew out" his skin-or whatever it is they do with their throat. I left him alone after that to roam over my plants, looking for insects.

Morning sun

We had a cool front that came in on Saturday afternoon and the temperature this morning was about 55 degrees. Beautiful! The morning sun was shining through the trees and onto the deck.

The sun lit up this pretty purple thistle-deepening and brightening up the colors.

College Grad and a sleep inducing regimen for men of all ages

We had a great busy weekend! Congratulations to Lee for graduating with an Associates Degree in Criminal Justice!

Part One: Graduation Day

Lee and his Granny.

Part Two: The Celebration BBQ

Or: Have Trouble Sleeping? I can show you how to ensure a great afternoon nap:

For younger men about 16 years old, make sure to work a 12 hour shift in the concession stand at the Texas A&M Graduation. Then go to a 4H sponsored dance. Sleep a few hours at home. Come to Lee's celebration BBQ, eat a good amount of sausage, armadillo eggs and banana pudding. Plop down on a sofa and close your eyes.

For 20 year olds: work a full time job and go to school full time. Go to a rather long graduation ceremony and awake at 7:00 a.m. because you are in the habit of it already. Go to the celebration BBQ and eat a very large amount of sausage, armadillo eggs and banana pudding. Lay your head in your girlfriend's lap and close your eyes.

OR: Try to round up your horse after her grown colt (a stallion) challenges you. Then stay out very late putting out fishing lines. Then drive your Mom to Lee's celebration BBQ. Eat a large amount of sausage and armadillo eggs. Drink a large amount of sweet tea. Find a sofa in the air conditioning, lie down, and close your eyes.

For men over 40: Awaken at 4:00 a.m. because you are in the habit already due to work stress and anticipation. Drive 2 hours. Drink 2 apparently strong margaritas (my fault!), then eat a rather large meal of sausage, armadillo eggs, and banana pudding at Lee's celebration BBQ. Find a recliner, a pillow, and a large screen TV. Lean back and close your eyes.

THESE ACTIVITIES WILL WORK EVERY TIME! GUARANTEED!

Four Days for Me, the Mom

My Mother's Day started on Thursday, with the purchase of these! First, a handmade crock for tea or lemonade. The display explains that 4 generations have made this pottery right here in Texas.

Next, a pasta maker that rolls and cuts the homemade pasta dough. The first recipe I tried was an eggless dough that was so simple and so good: 3 cups flour, 1 cup water and 2 tablespoons olive oil.

I rolled the dough into sheets and let it dry a while on a floured surface.

Then I cut the pasta into fettuccine!

Over the next several days, we shopped and ate out, and celebrated at church. It was a very special time for me.I hope you all had a Mother's Day as great as mine.

You may not want to see this!

Do you want to see what can do $180 worth of damage to a car engine? For the 3rd time? A huge rat. Mike caught this one with some type of mega trap, and of course, we are expecting to catch some more. I hate killing things but this type of rat is very destructive. They love to chew through wires and can make its way through thick, heavy plastic. Mike can't even park his car in the garage anymore. And, this kind of rat tore through our house this winter, eating through heavy plastic bins, and even getting a banana from the fruitbowl on the cabinet and taking it on the couch to eat. I guess it is just one of the things you deal with living in the country.

The Burning

Mike decides to burn the dead tree stump that we had left from last year. The grass is green and wet and the dry stump burns easily.

He decides to see if the green stump from the tree he cut down this year will burn. This one is a little more difficult to get started.

After a few hours, the stump is burning slowly because of the dry wood we placed inside the hollowed out trunk.

Yes, the fire is big at this moment. I take a picture from my kitchen. Uh, yes, it is a little close to the house.

Burning the stump is interesting and kind of relaxing, as long as the wind doesn't kick up~

BBQ sauce update

One of the State Troopers makes a really great BBQ sauce and we've asked about the recipe. I think it is a family secret but he was going to check with his dad because it is HIS recipe. I think it involves 11 herbs and seasonings. It is so delicious! Mike says that if we can't get the recipe, then he will experiment and make his own. I'll keep you updated. In the meantime, we will use Sweet Baby Ray's. Highly recommended...