A Touch of Spring for Friday

 

When I see the flowers of the Red Bud Tree, I feel confident that Spring has arrived. The rose purple flowers grow in clusters, blooming on the branches before the leaves appear.

 

 

The grand old tree, without it's foliage, stands so majestically in the background. The two stone columns, topped with large white pineapple finials, flank each side of the stone walkway.

 

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You may have already guessed, this is a Texas Historical Home. To respect the owners' private residence, I decided not to photograph the home.

 

 

 

It looks like Spring is also showing by the bloom of a white iris.

 

Meggie Mac

Lemon and Sugar Show and Tell

                    Welcome to all who read my Thursday Show and Tell.

 

There is not much I can tell you about the lemon juicer, I've had around my kitchen for years. Maybe you recognize the pattern and can share this with me.

I also have the matching sugar bowl. There is a small chip on the edge of the bowl that I did not remember seeing, until I edited the photos. Chip or no chip, it doesn't diminish it's value to me.

The only markings, on the bottom, are a set of numbers.

After all these years, the colors are still very vibrant. Don't you just love the accent of golden yellow?

Meggie Mac

PS...It wasn't until I wrote the last line of this post, that I made the connection of the two containers. What we have here are the tools and ingredients to make "Lemonade".

Chuck Wagon at the Cowboy Gathering

Donning boots, jeans and camera, this past week end I headed over to the 3-day event, "Cowboy Gathering"

I would like to first clarify Cowboy Gathering. Cowgirls are also included. It is an opportunity for the western community to get together and enjoy music, food and horse training clinics. There were also western artists selling their artwork, trick rope demonstrations, and a big BBQ Cook Off.

What impressed me the most was the Chuck Wagon, and invention attributed to Charles Goodnight, a Texas rancher who introduced the concept in 1866.

Goodnight added a "chuck box" to the back of the wagon, to hold supplies. (like a kitchen cupboard) The term chuck is a slang word for food, not a nickname for  Charles.

The canvas cover provided protection, from the sun or rain, for the "Cookie" on the long cattle drives from Texas to New Mexico.

The chuck wagon became part of history throughout the United States and Canada. If you are interested in reading more, click HERE. And click HERE, to read about the adventurous life of Charles Goodnight. Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove is a fictionalized account of Goodnight and Loving's third cattle drive.

You can see the chuck box on the back of the uncovered wagon.

No air inflated tires to cushion this ride.

Part of the chuck wagon display was a demonstration of dutch oven cooking with an open fire.

It is amazing how they can cook everything from stew, to biscuits and pies, in the large cast iron covered pot.

I think I will continue to make coffee in my electric coffee pot......






Meggie Mac

First Wildflowers on the Prairie

Seeing a pasture covered in Wild Red Phlox, was just too exciting to wait for my Monday's Country Back Roads post.

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To tell you the truth, it was the first time I have seen so many growing in one spot.

The butterflies were enjoying a feast of nectar. Their wings were in a constant flutter, reminding me of a humming bird.

Looking closer, I saw very small blue flowers dotting the same pasture.

Yes, you would be correct, if you thought this looked like a seasoned American Southwest Cow Pie....flowers growing all around it.

Meggie Mac

Thursday and a Garden Show and Tell

When I moved from the farm, I brought very little of the flower gardens. I just couldn't part with my adorable cherub.

 Many years ago, a friend was re-designing his garden. I was only too happy to take away the discarded statue. I have lugged the 3 foot cherub from several homes, as I have moved.

Looking around at other cherubs, I've yet to see this particular one. If you click on the photo, you can see the exquisite details, like the hollow in the throat. (Suprasternal Notch)

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I also brought one of my water lilies, in a small black container. The sun was just right to get the beautiful reflection of the cherub.

You can see the hibernating water lily under the surface of the water. The wood rail is also a reflection of the deck above.

For the most part, the new flower gardens are just an idea on paper.

 I've planted a few blue delphiniums for spring flowering.

The lilac colored flowers, of the Society Garlic, will continue to bloom through-out the warmer summer.

It looks like I might have several pears on the recently planted fruit trees...that is, if we don't have a late freeze.

Meggie Mac

Please check out Gerda @ Number 11....She has written a lovely post for Thursday's Show and Tell.

Monday's Country Back Roads

  I have found where Cinderella left her carriage. Are you ready to go for a ride?

  Driving the back roads, of this place I call home, continue to surprise and please me.

Meggie Mac

Friday's Fences

 

The simple fence surrounds the drilling operation. In Texas we call it a Horse Head Pump. If you click on the link, you can read about other nicknames for the oil well pump.

 

It is not unusual to see a herd of cattle in the same pasture.

 

Meggie Mac

I'm joining with Jan n' Jer Friday's Fences