Bringing In the New Year....Happy 2018

 

Nothing like eating out of the container...

Just me, Blue Bell and a spoon.

Megge Mac

Irish and Green for the Day.....on Friday's Fences

 

The entrance gate of this beautiful green fence,

have the words "Shamrock" and "Lucky" displayed,

 along with an Irish surname.

 

I checked my map...

 and there is a town located in the Texas Panhandle, 

named Shamrock.

We also have a Dublin, located in central Texas.

 

 

My own special Leprechaun....

 

According to Wikipedia, a 2013 census shows

there are 33.3 million Americans who reported Irish Heritage,

 and 3 million who claim Scots-Irish Heritage.

 

It's no wonder there are so many parades and celebrations for this holiday.

 

 

Happy St Patrick's Day....

Meggie Mac

 

Linking today with Goshia

Click HERE

 to view other fences from around the world.

Blow Out the Candles....

 

Wishing my Country a Happy Birthday !

 

Two quotes from our 35th President, John F Kennedy

 

"We dare not forget that we are the heirs of that first revolution"

 

"And so, my fellow Americans...ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."

 

May all of you, my dear readers, enjoy the celebration of family and friends.

Meggie Mac

 

One More Easter Basket To Deliver......

 

Dear Readers, you may think I am silly..... I still make Easter baskets for my adult children.

I get a laugh or two, but I think they have come to expect them.

 

So, this past week, I've been busy sewing carrots for the bunnies and baskets.

 

 

Aren't they darling?

 

Have a Happy and Blessed Easter with family and friends.

Meggie Mac

 

Mondays Country Backroads... Looking for Shamrocks

 

 

Lá Fhéile Padraig

Today St. Patrick is remembered through-out the world, especially in Ireland, Canada, the United States, Argentina, Australia, and New Zealand.

 

When I first saw the green ranch fence, I knew exactly what day I would post the photos.

 

 

 The ranch has used the word "Shamrock" and "Lucky" in it's name.

 

 

The entrance gate is flanked, on both sides, with an intricately cut metal design.

 

 

Why not wear a little green and join the celebration...

Meggie Mac

Celebrating the 12th Day of Christmas...Three Kings Day

Instead of baking the traditional King's Bread, for today's celebration, I decided to make sugar cookies, using the camel cookie cutter I purchased last year.

To make my baking even sweeter, I used my mother's rolling pin. You may remember me writing about My Mother, who died about a year ago. If she had lived, tomorrow she would have been 91 years old.

The camels were not as easy as I thought they would be...as you can see, some of the legs are longer.

Misshapen cookies still taste good !

Meggie Mac

Wishing You a Merry Christmas

 

.....from the Prairie.

Meggie

Celebrating Christmas in a Small Texas Town

PEACE 

 

Here is a community that goes all-out in decorating their beautiful courthouse for Christmas.

 

The daily town traffic travels around The Town Square, with the 1897 Courthouse sitting in the middle of the square.

Each side, of the building, displays one of the four weekly themes of Advent.

 

 

HOPE

 

 

LOVE

 

 

JOY

 

 

A life-size display of the nativity....

 

 

Our Advent journey is almost complete. Today we light the Candle of Love, sometimes referred to as the Angel Candle.

 

Meggie Mac

 

 

Linking today with A Pause in Advent

Simple Pleasures in a Busy Week

 

Meggie

Celebrating America !!

 

July 4th - Independence Day 2013

 

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."

And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave

O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

 

Lyric by Francis Scott Key

1814

 

Click HERE to read more...

 

Meggie Mac

 

Remembering....

 

 

Memorial Day 2013

 

 As I promised in my post, "Observing a Mural Artist at Work",  here is the completed right side of the mural. The purpose of the mural is to honor the towns railroad history and to honor our veterans. Click HERE if you would like to read this post.

Meggie Mac

 

The Buddy Poppy....Celebrating Memorial Day

As far back as I can remember, I have known about the Buddy Poppy. Each year it is given away on Memorial Day week end, by a member of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars).

Yesterday, while doing my weekly grocery shopping, is when I saw him. A neighbor and veteran, a member of the VFW...standing outside the entrance of the store, giving away a "Buddy Poppy".

To tell you the truth, I didn't know the history of the poppy until I decided to write this post. If you would like to read more about it, please click HERE.

Below is the beautiful poem by Lt. Col. John McCrae, M.D. of the Canadian forces. He was inspired by the poppies growing wild amid the ravaged landscape in the World War I battlefields of Belgium.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

 

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
 In Flanders fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
 In Flanders fields.

May we remember those who have given so much.
Meggie Mac

Easter Sunday

Das Kleine Haus Roses

Meggie

Remembering Our Veterans...

 

 At the last minute on Sunday, I decided to drive to Praha, Texas, a community near Das Kleine Haus, for a 50th Anniversary Celebration of Veterans Day.

 

Click on Photo

 

So many activities, in small Texas towns, center around the local church. This celebration is no different.

 

The day begins with a church service honoring the vets. It continues on to the outdoor program, finishing off the day with a lunch served in the Parish Hall.

 

 

The beautiful historical church is the perfect setting for the Day of Remembrance.

 

 

It is amazing to see a community, with a population of less than 50, to have a turn out of more than 600 patriots to honor veterans of all wars.

 

 

An audience mixed with mothers, dads, wives, children, grandparents, and friends.

 

 

Here is one of the oldest veterans, on the way to his honored seat near the podium.

 

 

The postings of flags are about to begin...

 

 

All lined up to set their flags in place.

 

 

The POW and MIA flag was placed near the wreaths honoring all fallen military.

 

 

The placing of the wreaths....

 

 

The patriotic music was performed by the young musicians of the Flatonia High School Band.

         

 

 

 

It was a very windy day, with the threat of rain. In the above video, you can hear some of the wind noise. I hope you will over-look this point, and enjoy a sample of the music.

 

 

The closing ceremony was complete with the playing of taps and a fly-over by three vintage airplanes.

 

 

Circling around, flying over again to make a flower-drop over the area.

 

Truly a very moving day....giving remembrance to those who have given so much to our country.

 

Meggie Mac

 

Celebrating Texas Heroes

 


One of two cannons used for the celebration

 With September almost over, there is a noticeable difference in our outside temperatures. Saturday was a perfect day to be celebrating "Texas Heroes Day". The event took place at Monument Hill and Kreische Brewery, a Texas State Historic site. You may remember me writing about "Brewery on the Bluff.

Some of the Re-enactors dressed in period clothing

  Yesterday's event specially commemorates the men of the Dawson Massacre of 1842, and the Mier Expedition, 1843.



The Texas Heroes Buried at Monument Hill

The 48 foot shellcrete monument, erected by the Texas Centennial Commission, was dedicated in 1936.

More period styles.....look at all those ruffles to iron !

A local basket maker was there demonstrating her craft.

Two ladies had their spinning wheels working, turning wool into yarn. If you click on the photo, you will notice she is operating the wheel barefoot. I found it mesmerizing to watch her spin and pull on the ball of wool, while making the yarn.

The entire event was free, including a recipe for home-made noodles. A woman, from our community, was rolling out the dough and cutting fine strips for noodles......no Pasta Maker here, just old fashion hand techniques.

No celebration is complete without music. The Monument Hill Singers led in The National Anthem and the Texas State song, Texas Our Texas. Other members of the community brought there dulcimers for our entertainment.

As I walked around enjoying all the events, it made me realizes how much work goes into organizing an event like this. So many people gave freely of their time, that we might remember our history and enjoy a day together.

Meggie Mac