Life at the Gables

It's been a bit of a stressful two days. What with the teenager being sick and off work, John doing something to his shoulder/neck and being in a lot of pain, and waiting to hear news that will determine what happens in the next few months. Then we get this photo from John's son in the UK. Welcome to Grandbaby Lee. Born 27 June 2016, weighing 9lbs 2oz. How could this cute wee thing not help get rid of your stress?

Hubby and I popped into our favourite Garden Center last weekend. I love this place.  It's so quaint and full of interesting nik naks. But Oh! it was soooo hot. The temperature said 95F - but feels like 114F. I think they could have been right. We bought some hardy plants that will survive both the Texas weather  and me having to look after them. John spent two days planting them out and putting in a new sprinkler system (he obviously knows how bad I am at watering) and the flower bed looks great. I helped out by cleaning the patio furniture and getting the cushions out. Every little helps. The garden know looks summer ready and will have visitors in the not too distant future.

Last December Hubby and I went along to a Christmas Market for a mooch. (Yes I know I said the C word in June!!) We saw some wine bottle filled with lights and he casually said in passing "I could make one of those". Six months later he did. He says it's only a prototype and we'll need to drink a lot more wine till he gets it just right  but I think it's great. Of course, being the ever dutiful wife that I am if I have to drink more wine  in the name of research, I will :0)

Does anyone remember this photo? This is what the I10 into Houston looks like on a daily basis. This, however, is what it looks like at 6.30am on a Sunday  when you have to go and collect your teenager after a night spent gaming with his pals!! No need for the HOV lane today. Hmmmm!  Let me think.  Which one do I prefer?

Wine drinking.........Texas style. Guess which one's mine  J

A very simple layout of the Teenager and his young Cousin H at the Lone Star Flight Museum, Galveston last August. No need for a title as the card says it all. Papers are Recollections and October Afternoon  and stickers and title card are all from a kit by Echo Park.

So hubby and I were out and about again this week. This time I thought I would be brave and take a trip up 60 floors to the  observation area of the Chase Tower in Houston. It's the highest building in Houston at 75 floors. You can see which floor it is from ground level as the windows are bigger. I checked out the opening times on the website and got the directions for downtown. We set off to travel the 30 miles so I could scare myself from a great height!! The area around the tower is nothing spectacular.  Just businesses, a few bars and lots of building work. After finding a car park and paying the extortionate amount of $14.00 for parking we arrived at the tower. You have to check in with the security desk so after psyching myself up about the height I was about to go up too, I went to the check-in desk. Only to be told "Oh I'm sorry ma'am the observation area is closed today". Whaaaaaaat???   Their own website said i

The lovely Rinda over at Gallo Organico has agreed, once again to host the  Summer Photographic Scavenger Hunt. I have done this for the last few years and it's great fun trying to find  photos for the required list. Which just so happens to be here....... I think this year I'll wait until the end of the hunt and then post my pictures. The hunt dates are 1 June to 22 September 2016.

I completely stole this layout idea from Tanya Hubbard who posted on Shimelle's blog a while back. August 2015 I used up some of my Cosmo Cricket papers that I've had for years and finally found a use for the chipboard pea pod from Riff Raff. I'm also trying to use up my alphas but it's getting more difficult as I'm running out of vowels!!

Last week John and I decided to take a short trip, 30 miles up the road  to visit Stephen F Austin State Park. The drive there is pretty unspectacular as it's straight along the I10  and there is nothing to see except really bad drivers. We got there in good time only to find, that after the recent rains it was closed to the public. Not one to give up and go straight home we took a detour and headed to Brookwood. The sun was out and it was really peaceful.  The flowers were blooming but I decided against buying any  as they all seem to wilt if I have to look after them!! The cacti looked great all stacked together and I'm sure in a garden that doesn't look like a football pitch they would look amazing. We had a quick look around the shop then headed back home. After driving straight past the turning to go home John decided to tell me that we were going to Olive Garden for lunch. The chicken and Gnocchi soup was amazing.

So far this year I have the grand total of one, yes one photo of the teenager. I only got this one as it was his Birthday and I asked him for a photo to send to mum, who was in hospital. January 2016

Six weeks till these lovely people arrive in Texas. I can't wait  J J J

Up early today as Hubby had an appointment at 8am. What to do whilst he's busy?  Scrapbook of course. So in between appointments and line dancing I came up with this. July 2015 Again a variety of papers including Basic Grey and Recollections. The green letter are so old that some of them don't actually stick any more!!

I have 10 weeks holiday just now and hope to scrapbook every chance I get. I don't know if I'll be able to manage every day what with visitors and line dancing  but I'm at least hoping to bring the Teenagers album up-to-date. First layout of the summer. The Teenager will hate it but some days it's so him. July 2015. A mixture of papers from the last 10 years or so plus some brads and stickers.

Woo Hoo!! School has finished. Class of 2016 has Graduated. Ten weeks of holidays begins. Time to enjoy the sunshine.

These maps have been popping into my email all morning. Thunder storms forecast for this afternoon. Lets hope that the rain stays off and everyone stays safe.