What Happened?

Wow, where have I been?  I have been everywhere else but here on my blog.  hmm..

I wanted to be that gal who loved to blog.  A blogger.  A life long blogger.  Well,  maybe not life long as I just started to blog a couple of years ago.  However, that is a "life long" accomplishment for me as I want to be that gal.

Oh, but the commitment word looms largely at me.  Hey, self, are you willing to blog every day?  Are you willing to invest your time to create a blog so that others will join in the merriment of actually reading your blog and enjoying the posts?  Oh, that's right, you use Facebook for your blog.  Umm, a social page is not the place to blog.  No one wants to read about your daily life...or do they?

So, self, here I am again.  I am here once more to tackle this blog bug.  I am here once more to embrace the blogger land.  I think I can, I think I can from this ol' gal from Texas.

Now...if I can just remember to blog.  Oh, yes, I can set my phone to remind me.  Heck, I have an alarm set on my phone to remind me to go to Savers on senior day for my 30% discount.  Heck yeah!

Happy Blogging!  Have a Blog kind of day!  Whoo-hoo, are you down for blog day?!

I will be fine...I will find things to blog about from my journey.  Join me.  I know I love adventures!  Don't you?

Fundamental Things

I love the word fundamental.  Fundamental! Fundamental! Fundamental! ...How could you not love the word?  The word has fun and mental which means to me that you need fun for a great mental attitude.  This may be a little primitive in the overall definition or phonetic break down; yet it works for me.

The intrinsic value of a  great mental attitude gives to us the ability to approach any obstacle on our journey.  We should look at our journey being grateful for all the gifts we will receive.  Oh sure, life happens.  Life throws a big ol' curve in your otherwise lovely life plan to stir up you.  Yep..you.

We all become complacent at times on our everyday routine.  Are we giving ourselves the inner encouragement to be positive with a can do attitude towards any obstacle?  Are we embracing our inner self to quietly say "just breathe.. you got this".  Life happens with illnesses, deaths, births, career choices, family issues and then....your own playground of life. Yet no matter what the obstacle might be for the moment or the day; you should choose the stronger positive mentality to endure all that has been placed before you.  

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us.”Helen Keller

We can choose to make the day a better day.  We can choose to be grateful.  We can choose to look for peace and joy in the smaller things of life instead of always seeking the peace and joy to come from larger events.

Choose today to be the powerful loving person you deserve to be on this journey.

Choose today to be present in the moment.  

Choose to "just breathe"

Choose to be the woman warrior that you are in all areas of your life.

Choose to be brave, thoughtful, kind, compassionate.

Choose to think of others before yourself.


Choose to say hello to a stranger

Choose to be the glorious loving being you are

Choose "it's okay to say no"


Choose to give yourself a "me" day to rejuvenate

Be Here. Be Present.

Wherever you are, be there

Willie Nelson

We are capable of truly being peaceful on our journey.  

Weekend Warrior

I don't know how you welcome your weekends of non-work days, but I welcome the days with a giddy anticipation of the adventures that will unfold for me.

Glorious colors of all the colors of fall on the back roads as I travel to fall festivals, music, wine/vineyards, and  farmers markets.  My sissi and I never meet a stranger.  Nope..you will not remain a stranger for long if you are within a few feet or just inches from our circle.  I love to connect with people.  I love to identify a unique piece of jewelry, hairstyle, clothing or maybe the item they are viewing while shopping.  Why not?  You just never know of you might meet.  You just never know if you might end up having a glass of coffee or adult beverage to round out the by chance meeting.

Last week I visited an estate sale.  I met the owner of this grand historic home in Dripping Springs.  She shared the rich history of the home.  She shared that the house had been her and (now deceased) husband of 40 plus years.  She also told me the story behind the piano sitting in the living room  The piano had belonged to her husbands aunt.  She had taught piano to all the children of the local families.

I knew at that very moment I was exactly where I needed to be on my journey.  I was given a gift of love with a story of rich family history of a house that was home that gave so much love.  I could feel the love.  I could close my eyes to vision the aunt playing the piano as she taught her students.  I could see the love in this woman, who I just happened to meet, for the love of this house..her home.

Oh, how you enrich my journey each day with the abundance of love you have for me.  You are in my life every moment.  You bring me small miracles that touch my heart and soul forever.

I am grateful I have the gift of hospitality.  I am grateful that I was taught to say hello to the person you encounter on your journey.

My life is a beautiful journey.

Weekend Warrior

I don't know how you welcome your weekends of non-work days, but I welcome the days with a giddy anticipation of the adventures that will unfold for me.

Glorious colors of all the colors of fall on the back roads as I travel to fall festivals, music, wine/vineyards, and  farmers markets.  My sissi and I never meet a stranger.  Nope..you will not remain a stranger for long if you are within a few feet or just inches from our circle.  I love to connect with people.  I love to identify a unique piece of jewelry, hairstyle, clothing or maybe the item they are viewing while shopping.  Why not?  You just never know of you might meet.  You just never know if you might end up having a glass of coffee or adult beverage to round out the by chance meeting.

Last week I visited an estate sale.  I met the owner of this grand historic home in Dripping Springs.  She shared the rich history of the home.  She shared that the house had been her and (now deceased) husband of 40 plus years.  She also told me the story behind the piano sitting in the living room  The piano had belonged to her husbands aunt.  She had taught piano to all the children of the local families.

I knew at that very moment I was exactly where I needed to be on my journey.  I was given a gift of love with a story of rich family history of a house that was home that gave so much love.  I could feel the love.  I could close my eyes to vision the aunt playing the piano as she taught her students.  I could see the love in this woman, who I just happened to meet, for the love of this house..her home.

Oh, how you enrich my journey each day with the abundance of love you have for me.  You are in my life every moment.  You bring me small miracles that touch my heart and soul forever.

I am grateful I have the gift of hospitality.  I am grateful that I was taught to say hello to the person you encounter on your journey.

My life is a beautiful journey.

Where The Back Roads Meet

I love taking road trips to small out of the way places.   I love to put my Pandora mix on my bluetooth, pack my little morsels of delight treat bag, a personal cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee ( Love you Joe!  Trader Joe's is who I refer to!) and my boots!

Where do I go?  Gosh, the possibilities are endless.  Do I head out towards east 290 to visit Burton, Round Top, Giddings or Brenham?  Do I head out towards Bee Caves?  Dripping Springs?  Wimberley?  I get just all giddy thinking about the possibilities.

Life is an adventure to be lived to the fullest.  The problem with me (Libra traits kicking in here) is which one to choose!  Now of course all country back roads, ie FM or CR roads, will connect somewhere, right?  Wander, Explore, Discover!  All that wander are not lost!  No, we are not!

We might wander from time to time in our life.  We might tend to think "I've got this!  I can handle all things".  Yet we should keep our faith anchored in our hearts at all times to know that the key words are "We have this together".  Faith is a huge anchor in my life.  Faith sustains me.  Faith gives me eternal hope.  Faith gives me courage.  Faith gives to me miracles.

The adventures of life await you to join them.  The adventures of life can bring so many gifts on your journey.   When you wander you explore then you discover.  Oh,  the sweetness of the discovery can far be more than you ever imagined....yes it truly can.  Be brave. Be courageous.  Be You!!!!

What are you waiting for?

Where The Back Roads Meet

I love taking road trips to small out of the way places.   I love to put my Pandora mix on my bluetooth, pack my little morsels of delight treat bag, a personal cup of Pumpkin Spice Coffee ( Love you Joe!  Trader Joe's is who I refer to!) and my boots!

Where do I go?  Gosh, the possibilities are endless.  Do I head out towards east 290 to visit Burton, Round Top, Giddings or Brenham?  Do I head out towards Bee Caves?  Dripping Springs?  Wimberley?  I get just all giddy thinking about the possibilities.

Life is an adventure to be lived to the fullest.  The problem with me (Libra traits kicking in here) is which one to choose!  Now of course all country back roads, ie FM or CR roads, will connect somewhere, right?  Wander, Explore, Discover!  All that wander are not lost!  No, we are not!

We might wander from time to time in our life.  We might tend to think "I've got this!  I can handle all things".  Yet we should keep our faith anchored in our hearts at all times to know that the key words are "We have this together".  Faith is a huge anchor in my life.  Faith sustains me.  Faith gives me eternal hope.  Faith gives me courage.  Faith gives to me miracles.

The adventures of life await you to join them.  The adventures of life can bring so many gifts on your journey.   When you wander you explore then you discover.  Oh,  the sweetness of the discovery can far be more than you ever imagined....yes it truly can.  Be brave. Be courageous.  Be You!!!!

What are you waiting for?

October is Calling My Name

Fall...Fall..Fall....

Whirling leaves,cooler days, chilly nights, smell of firewood
Hayrides, fall festive parties
Warm farm to table dinners
Red wine
Peace
Roadtrips
Pumpkins
Gourds
Ravens
Haystacks
Cornstacks


Can you close your eyes for a moment?  Walk out onto your porch.  Embrace the joy in the beauty of the painted fall sunset sky.  Embrace the heady aromatics of fall.  Isn't life wonderfully delicious?

Fall Festive Drink

Sauvignon Blanc
Pomegranate or Cranberry Sparkling Italian Soda
Sparkling Pear Juice
Rum
Triple Sec


2 bottle of wine
1 bottle of sparkling Italian Cranberry or Pomegranate soda
1/2 cup of triple sec
1/2 cup of rum
1/2 cup of pear liquid

Mix, chill..enjoy

Life Happens..Life comes along with the ebbs and flows to create a diverse journey.. I believe in living in the present.  The present keeps you grounded,connected, alive, and aware.  The present...yes it is a gift of joy, peace, calm and love.

The season of summer pulsed with a radiant intensity.  The season of summer is not my favorite season.  Oh, I enjoy the clarity of the colors bright with aquamarine, coral, white, silver, gold, blues, greens..oh yes the clarity of the colors sparkle.

As the long summer hot day fades into a humid balmy night the sounds of laughter, music, friends and family gathered together to enjoy the kiss of the summer night.

Fast forward

Here we are in fall.  Fall the season with oak leaves painted in colors, trees dancing with autumnal colors, cool crisp air, pumpkins, craft fairs, baking, hot chocolate!  The warm season that embraces everyone with a hug.

Blue Moon

Blue Moon...the beautiful luscious full moon that once in a blue moon comes along to take your breath away. The anticipation invites romance, magical dreams, moon gazing..so adore me..Blue Moon.

I love the early morning when I am driving to work with the peep of the sun saying "Good Morning" as the lovely moon says "Good Night till next time".  Yes the "crack of dawn, daylight, dayspring, early morn, after midnight, first blush, aurora"  all of these can describe that moment when you see the sky with clouds of heather break into the sherbert painted skies.

I love the sun, the moon and the stars.  I love the evening dusk with the heady musky smell of the eve of night with birds singing, still warm almost intense heated twilight to break into a sultry warm breezy evening with a bijillion stars to wrap around your soul as the moon shines so brightly.  Yes.. I love the sun, the moon and the stars.

The evening calls for wine, wine spritzers, martinis made with pears and honey, whiskey bourbon with lemon and blackberry simple syrup.  Lights strung along the patio with a mixture of melodies playing in the background.


Take time to sit under the moons and stars shining brightly all around you with touches of heady floral scents dancing all around you.  After all..summer is always a midsummer night's eve, right?

Celebrating Independence Day

The day as arrived when all of us come together to celebrate our freedom, our independence, our liberty, our love of the red, white and blue.  Celebrations are moments we embrace so that we can reach out to friends, family, acquaintances, neighbors or co-workers to gather for food, fun and frolic.

Yet just for a moment think of the words independence, liberty and freedom.  These three powerful words have marched through our history to bring people together for more than just food, fun and frolic.  Oh, I am not going to go off some soapbox tangent to drum loudly my beliefs..no not a soapbox yet a reflection on those three words.

Independence: not influenced by the actions or thoughts of others.  synonyms are self-government, autonomy, liberty, freedom,separation, self-determination

Liberty: the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by  authority on one's way of life, behavior and political views.  synonyms include autonomy and freedom

Freedom;  the power or right to act, or speak, or think without one's hindrance or restraint.  synonyms self- government, self- determination, autonomy, democracy

I find the power of these words are all linked together through definitions and synonyms.

We, as a nation of people, live on a domestic soil to hopefully find common ground, common beliefs, respect, love, tolerance, acceptance, and love.  Love....love of freedom, love of the country, love of liberty and independence.  Love of men, women and children to come together to build a better community and world.

Celebrate whichever power word is in your heart.  Remember....believe in yourself that you can enjoy the gifts given to us...

Summer Breeze

The beginning of summer...the crisp delightful sunny days greet us as we set off on adventures that will take us to places that we love or new explorations.  The summer glimmering across the waters, the cool of the mountains in their majestic views, countries with their rich culture and roadtrips to surrounding towns with treasures to unfold.  You hold the key to the boundless journey of adventures.

Adventures can be as close as your backyard.  The gaiety of parties abound with twinkling lights, friends, family, laughter, great music, farm table of  mouth watering bites to eat, and libations!  A beautiful moon kissed with the stars.....

Imagine a whimsical setting for your summer parties.  Choose a fun string of lights, take mason jars filled with battery operated lights, round pieces of treated driftwood platters to arrange a lovely cheese platter, fresh vegetables, fruits and desserts.  

Create your table with mismatched china, mason jars for drinks or  mix and match bright colored  or one color of non breakable plates to paint a colorful background for the table.  Paint the background with lights to glow all around, a mix of tunes to tap a toe to then step off into the darkness to have a star gazing party.  

Give life to the essence of summer that is waiting for you!

I am a Gypsy..a wild free spirit

May 8

I am a gypsy..I am a free spirit..a wild woman wanderess.. I live life with glass half full.. I live my life in no regrets for being present in the moment brings unfathomable joy on your journey.

In my formative years I never conformed to the typical lifestyle of shaping my life to mimic others or to strive to be the most popular, most beautiful or most admired.. no none of those labels could be applied to me then nor now.  I would look about my surroundings,  at even my youngest age,  to be welcoming to all, accepting of all to embrace them for who they truly were with no harsh judgement as  I was forever inquisitive in my nature to understand all that crossed my journey.

As my father and my sissi stated "I love to push the envelope".  This must have been extremely challenging to my parents to discipline me with a fairness, strong teaching of right, wrong and love most of all.  I think that my parents did a decent job in their approach in raising me.  I do not fault them for anything that happened in my life.  I simply know that they as people, individuals who had their opinions and ideals with the role given to them as my parents gave me the foundation of love and  to be who I wanted to be.

My mother, aunts, maternal and paternal grandmothers, cousins and sister were and are strong women.  Creative, fun loving, sense of humor, great cooks, farmers, strong willed, tenacious, brilliant, sparkling, survivors...these few descriptive words are just a tip of the strength and gifts they gave to me as a young child.  They were molding me to become the strong woman that I am today!

I am a wild boho child/woman on a journey of discovery of learning something new each day.  I run after the richness of the earth, the stars illuminating my path, the incandescent orb of the moon around me  to engage with  Mother Earth , with her friends of nature to enrich my journey.  I am faith based as a tenacious spirituality enriches my soul.

She is free in her wilderness, she is a wanderess, a drop of water.  She knows nothing of borders and cares nothing for rules or customs.  "Time" isn't something for her to fight against. Her life flows clean, with  passion, like fresh water. 

Roman Payne  

On my journey I connect with others who echo my simple beliefs.  I am richer for their friendships, their knowledge shared with me, and their journey that has entwined with mine.  I am thankful for my sissi who understands me, encourages me to be the gypsy soul that lives deep within me and unconditional love.








The Gypsy's Table is abundant with stories, love, beliefs, creativity, great moveable feast, great conversations with friends and family.  What does your table hold?

Peace

Morning Musings

A glorious first Saturday of the month with cooler temperatures this morning.  A delicious kind of day to grab a cup of joe, make mine a french press please, grab a few little snacks with drinks and head off an adventure.

I love to visit little places near me that always create a joy within me as I drive along the roads to see the peppered side roads, pastures, even gardens of wildflowers savoring deeply  the heady rich aromas of the beauty that I embrace.  Roadtrips are so fun as you can map out a course or not to visit farmers markets, roadside stands, wildflower garden centers, first and third weekend markets, vineyards, local restaurants.  Oh my...grab your hat, your gypsy attitude and be ready to take off on an adventure that is surely to bring a smile, a giggle with a gorgeous sunset to cap the day!

I love to visit Wimberley on the first weekend as the market is a nest egg of abundance of pearls in store for you to purchase, visit vendors and gather great ideals for a project or two.  After my fun visit then I am off to the Leaning Pear, a local restaurant, with offerings of delicious hill country cuisine.

Happy Adventures!  On the road again!

Bee Conscious

My job raises issues consistently that encourages me to be conscious of our environment.  My work encourages me to be involved, be responsible for a better planet, a sustainable backyard that broadens its arms into a sustainable world to improve our overall conditions of living a healthier more productive life.  Yes..my job enriches me through the key teachings of the steps we must take as individuals to become involved in a global effort to save an ecosystem to sustain life.

Bee conscious is about our friend the bee and his friends.  Pollinators...interesting word...humans are pollinators, that is us sista girl, in our ecosystem through our gardening.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollinator 

Fascinating that we have depleted in our years our one precious valuable resource  of our pollinators that create a sustainable ecosystem.

 I am a cook, gardener, a creative soul and a person who loves the beauty of the bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds.  I created a sanctuary for my peaceful joy of  the most beautiful butterfly/hummingbird garden when I owned my home. I created a indigenous garden that included plants that would sustain a food source for them to thrive.  The sheer delight during the day of  when I saw the beauty of the colors of the butterflies dancing with dragonflies, moths and hummingbirds brought such joy and peace to my day.  A loving gift..

A tribute to our friends that help us to enjoy the simple rewards of their loving fruit of labor.

Honeylicious Lemonade

Serves 6 to 8
Prep time 5 min
cook time 1-2 min
Total time 7 min

1 to 1/2  cups of  lemon juice * 6 large lemons  this is based on taste of the lemon flavor you enjoy 

1 liters of filtered water

1 cup of local honey

Heat the water to mix the honey well.  Do not overheat!
Mix together  the lemon juice, water and honey
Serve in your favorite to serve over ice with a sprig of mint with two berries of your choice and a lemon slice.

Essence of Earth Cheese Platter

Rich Double Creme Brie

Veined Blue Cheese

Herbed Goats Cheese

Manchengo
Gouda

Serve with a rustic baguette, walnuts, roasted pecans, fresh figs, blackberries with local honey drizzled over the cheeses.
Embellish with edible flowers found in the packaged herb sections of your market.

Serves  10 - 12 people
Prep time 15 minutes

Shall We Gather At The Table

Have you ever looked up the definition of a table?   The definition is quite diverse as we find  the list to include noun, architecture, tables, music, jewelry, adjective, verb, parliamentary tables and idioms. I like the definition of "an article of furniture consisting of a flatlike, slablike top supported on one or more legs or other supports".

A thick slab of wood in a deep rich color or a shabby white , a little nicked with love,  that is sturdy giving  support to the center energy of a home.  A table can be  filled with food, flowers, a  worn crevice where bread was kneaded, a gathering spot for family or friends, loving craft table..oh yes a table is teeming with endless possibilities for a rewarding energetic creative palette..your palette

The next time you gather at the table take a long gaze at your table. With an fresh approach take the step to be  innovative with what you can create with love and passion.

"The table is a meeting place, a gathering ground, the source of sustenance, and nourishment, safety and satisfaction.  A person cooking is a person giving:  Even the simplest food is a gift." - Laurie
Colwin

Sustenance:  something (such as food) that keeps someone or something alive
: something that gives support, help or strength -merriam-webster definition

The quintessential Gypsy's Table is my perfect haven!  I hope you find yourself to be in your perfect haven!

Happy Gathering

Just Breathe

My days are filled with the usual hustle and bustle of errands, training my house to clean up after itself (not working out so well at the moment), cooking, work, and my own personal honey do list as I have no current "honey" in my life.

On the other hand, I make sure to find time for me.  I approach life with the "glass half full" attitude and find on some days it is actually overflowing. I make sure to stop, look around to take time for me to notice the gifts around me that are given to me on a daily basis. The pockets of goodness, the hidden morsels, the grateful in the present moments of my life that I grab a hold of to capture within my heart, body, mind and soul enrich me.

Yes, I enrich myself to pick up the book I am reading (my book club reads that are definitely taking me down a road that I have not traveled before more on this later), visit little local places that turn my day brighter and make sure to say hello to a stranger.   I visit with my friends whose own gifts absolutely sweeten my journey with their treasures that ameliorate my day.   I have my glorious french press, treat my face to my aromatherapy treatment with my coffee scrub followed by my coconut lavender moisturizer and listen to my favorite uplifting tunes provided by Pandora.  Life?  Life is good, Life is mahvelous, dahlin', Life is just a spanking stupendous wondrous journey that reminds me to...JUST BREATHE!

My table, The Gypsy's Table, has plenty of room for a treasure trove of gratefulness.  Why my journey is sweeter than honey stolen with an offering to all who join me at my table of as long as I have a biscuit,  you will have half with a dollop of I'll be there with bells on.

See y'all on the continued journey of The Gypsy's Table!