Wet a hook, enjoyed the countryside and ate too much!

My husband and I took a weekend off to travel four hours to enjoy some time away. We are so fortunate to have land and and original  homestead still in the family. Otto Peterson from Sweden and his wife, Mabel,  from Kansas (originally from Sweden) raised two sons and farmed and ranched this land. Fish and oysters were plentiful and the two boys grew up helping their parents and enjoying life.

What can be more grounding than to walk the land your ancestors walked?

My husband got to "wet a hook" and even though he didn't catch any fish, he enjoyed the quiet time and the sunsets there were amazing!

The wildflowers were also amazing!

Even though it was quite chilly, the approach of Spring

was everywhere.

A visit to a relative's home treated us to a fantastic meal.

Fried oysters, roasted asparagus, twice baked potatoes with grilled shrimp.. and then I took my spinach and papaya salad to go with it.

I'm sure my husband's ancestors ate fried shrimp, however, the rest of the meal would have probably been a little foreign to them.

***

Now as for my "fishing" excursion...

antiquing with my husband's cousin was so much fun!

Here are my finds that will be placed in my booth at

New & Again Antiques Mall in McAllen, Texas.

Such a wonderful weekend!!

Linking to...

Mosaic Monday at Litle Red House

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/

Off to Olivia, Texas!

Olivia, Texas ca. 1915

(Top left photo - reunion at the Mabel and Otto Peterson homestead; top right - Lutheran Church; Bottom photo - Mabel and Otto with son Arvid)

Mabel Magnolia Cavallin, of Wayne, Republic of Kansas married Otto Peterson, from Resville, Sweden. Mabel and Otto made their home in Olivia, Texas. They bought a “pre-fab” home from Sears and Roebuck and assembled it on their home site. Although the house has been sold and removed, the land is still in the family and a new home has replaced the old one. Mabel and Otto had two sons: Arvid Verner the baby in the picture, and Edwin Ludvig. Edwin remained on the property, keeping Mabel and Otto’s home in good condition. Cattle continue to graze on the land. The property is on Keller Bay where fishing can be enjoyed by family and friends. (Taken from the family history book.)

Why am I writing about all of this?

Because on a whim, my husband and I have decided to

drive to Olivia for the weekend... just us!

It's only a five hour drive north.

No reunion, no masses of people, no schedule.

It's called

"R & R"

This is a sunset view of Keller Bay. My niece, DeAnn, a talented professional photographer, took this amazing picture of the bay where my husband's father learned to fish, making his own cast nets. Keller Bay was a wonderful place to raise a family.

My husband and I at the end of the pier on Keller Bay which was designed and built by family members. The new house is located in that cluster of trees.

(One of the times when I wonder what I was thinking when I bought this blouse!)

So be thinking about us this weekend.

We'll be:

* fishing

* eating at our favorite restaurant

(BEST fried shrimp and BEST fried corn on the cob)

and

* antiquing at two of my favorite stores!

Adios!

I'm linking to

The Charm of Home

http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/

for this reminds me of the charm at the

Peterson Homestead in Olivia, Texas!