Thursday Show and Tell

Looking down at the top of the free-blown vase almost gives the appearance of flower petals. If you look closely, you can see how the glass loops over-lap in a irregular pattern.

I enjoy sharing the history of my show and tell pieces, but in this case, there is not much to tell. Being free-blown by the glass blower, it is a one of a kind vase.

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What I can share with you is the interesting term, Pontil Mark. Looking at the bottom of the vase, you see the pontil scar where the punty (glass blowing rod) was broken from the blown glass.

Placing the vase on it's side, over the white tiles, you can see the rich color of the cobalt blue. The vase measures about 10" tall.

 I cannot help wondering, what inspired the glass blower to make this unusual design....

Meggie Mac

The Book Room

The naming of this room came about when I was moving into the Haus. The guys moving my boxes and furniture, from the farm, started calling it "The Book Room".

After carrying more than 25 containers of books up 18 steps on my very long staircase, they just assumed the room was for books.










Even though the room will eventually be for sewing, a guest bedroom sofa, TV watching and my writing, it will also house all my books.

Two bookcases in upstairs hallway...two more to go!

This story actually begins with the gift of 4 bookcases, from my dear friends who lived across the road from me at the farm. The three of us, all too old for this project, carried the bookcases upstairs. I can tell you, after two of them, I was ready to quit.

The shelves filled up quickly. So, today I ordered two more from Ikea.

Nothing like spending a winter's evening, curled up on the sofa, with a HEA (Happy Ever After) book....

The room is far from completion....there are curtains to sew, more wall paneling to install, and of course, setting up my sewing area.

The reflection in the window pane is a lamp in "The Book Room"

This is the view from my writing desk.

      So very different from the farmhouse.....but, I'm beginning to appreciate the new life in Das Kleine Haus.

Meggie Mac

Monday's Country Back Roads

Picture Perfect....from the many times I have traveled down this road.

I do believe, I will never tire of driving the back roads on the prairie.

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Roads so narrow....
       At times, you must pull over, in the grass, when faced with an on coming vehicle.

Meggie Mac



Texas Polka Jam Session

Last Saturday, while in town, I decided to join in the Second Annual Open House and Polka Jam Session.

The advertisement in the "The Texas Polka News" stated the following:
Musicians come and jam. Polka fans come see the Museum. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the music. Admission Free!

No polka music would be complete without an accordion and tuba. It was very obvious the musicians were enjoying their morning, playing.....

It is no surprise that polka music is so important in the area where I live. The museum honors the European ancestry - Czech, German, and Polish.

The following video is my first attempt at recording. Even though it was a very windy day, I decided I wanted you to hear some of the music.

 

 

Don't you agree, it is happy music.....

Meggie Mac

Monday's Country Back Roads

While driving the country roads over the week end, I saw this pier on a farm stock pond. Wouldn't it be nice to be sitting on that pier, early in the morning, watching the sunrise?

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This photo gives you a better perspective of the great outdoors surrounding the stock pond. It is one of the many reasons I love living in this area.

Thoughts of fishing from that pier, brought to mind, a painting I did of my son when he was very young. As a family, we were fishing on the Colorado River. It was such an adorable photo, that I decided to turn it into a painting.

I'm reminded, today, how precious life is.....

Meggie Mac

Looks Like a Pub to Me

Chicken and Cheese Quesadillas

At the moment, this is my favorite place to eat....the tortillas are hand made in the restaurant's kitchen. Everything is prepared from scratch.

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My plate includes the Quesadillas, charro beans, guacamole, pica de gallo, sour cream, and Hispanic rice.  Quesadillas can be made with meat or vegetables, like spinach, along with cheese.

The establishment is called a "Restaurant and Grill". Wine and beer may be served with your meal. There is a guitarist playing music in the evenings. I think it has the feeling of a Pub.

Usually I arrive in mid-afternoon, on Saturday, after the lunch rush is over. The owner knows me by name, expecting me to come this time of day. It is one of the beauties of small town living.

My favorite table by the door....

Still warm with a sprinkling of cinnamon....

Click on the link below to read a short history of the Sopapillas

I couldn't resist, when the owner of the restaurant offered to make Sopapillas for dessert. I asked her to put them in a to-go-box. But, first I had to sample them. Look how light and flaky they are. You drizzle honey over the top, and take a bite.

Wish you could join me next Saturday for afternoon lunch !

Meggie Mac

Monday's Country Back Roads

October on the Prairie brings...

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Waves of yellow wildflowers, lining both sides of the road.

The pasture land is so picturesque, with a field of yellow broomweed in the background.

As I continued to drive the road to Das Kleine Haus, I saw several large birds, on the ground, that looked very different from any I had ever seen.

I was afraid if I opened the truck door and stepped out, I would scare them off. So, I decided to turn the truck around and let down the window, photographing from the truck.

Here is what I saw in the distance....

 

 

 

 

Eventually, they caught sight of my movement...bringing them to take flight.

 

After google searching, I found out they are the Southern Crested Caracara, a member of the falcon family.

 

How lucky for me, to be driving the back roads and witness these beautiful and unusual falcons.

 

Meggie Mac