Readying for Alex...

We could be in for a little excitement.

You can barely see Tropical Storm (TS) Alex

in the Gulf of Mexico.

We are already feeling some of the effects from the weather change...

but we're ready. Here are a few of our "supplies"...

Just need to get the cheese and crackers ready!

It's Mosaic Monday north of the Rio Grande River!

Collage on the Rio!

Here are just a few pictures from the hunting ranch... which is 25 miles north of the Rio Grande River and the border with Mexico.

I'm linking to Little Red House at

http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com/2010/06/mosaic-monday-purple-fields.html

"Salad and Sundaes" at church

Around 7:00 A.M. my wonderful husband was out grilling vegetables and chicken breasts for a salad that I wanted to take to church for what we call "Salads and Sundaes" .... salad, ice cream sundaes and of course, our usual church.

We never grill that early in the morning, so even Tigger, our old man kitty, was curious enough to start wandering around the house, meowing.

I seasoned everything with our new magic ingredient...

Chorizo de San Manuel - All Purpose Seasoning.

It has just the right amount of spice... without being spicy-hot.

My husband proceded to grill seasoned chicken breasts, eggplant, fresh corn, and yellow squash. I didn't realize that the corn should not have been shucked, but it still turned out great. In the meantime my husband of 40 years told me how when he was a teenager, during corn season he would come home from school, light a fire in the barbecue pit and grill corn for a snack. Now that's a man who likes his corn!

I'd never heard that story. I got sort of tickled over that.

The veggies were grilled and so yummy. I could barely keep from digging in prematurely. I them come to room temperature before making the salad. In the meantime, I prepared the Romaine lettuce.. in very small bites, chopping green bell pepper, green onion (decided I'll use purple onion next time), tiny tomatoes, and rinsed black beans. I chopped up the cooked chicken breasts and began mixing it all together.

The grilled veggies were cut in tiny pieces.

I did add some grated Parmesan cheese for whatever reason... I'm not sure.

When I got to church I added cut-up avocados and homemade vinigrette

dressing. I ground fresh black pepper and added a little sea salt.

It was pretty yummy and not a bite was left to take home!

Summer Sundays at Las Islas Ranch

This past Father's Day was full of fun and as they say... South Texas Sun! We have a hunting lease and whether you are a hunter or not, you might just appreciate the more desert-like beauty that surrounds us. Some of our closest friends are also on this lease. We spend more

weekends out there just keeping up with the repairs and making sure that the feeders

are full.

Summer Sundays and the whole weekend for that matter are also spent at the "cement pond". It is actually an above ground cement tank once used for water storage for cattle. When the land was leased by earlier hunters, the pond was turned into a pool. The water is crystal clear since it has a filteration  system. It provides a cooling-off opportunity important in nearly 100 degree weather, especially for those who have been working under the sun. Once in awhile there will even be a midnight swim, especially if there is a full moon.

It's very deep so almost everyone uses a "noodle" for floating. As you can see there is a little pink object in the pool. That is one of our resident "mascots", Ella Grace. She loves the water and many of the folks take turns holding on to her.

Ella Grace with her daddy as he enjoys his

very first Father's Day!

This is one of the ways we enjoy our

Summer Sundays.

To contribute to Summer Sundays visit

The Tablescaper at

http://thetablescaper.blogspot.com/

Several people commented on "Mrs. Baker" in my little story below. Believe it or not, Mrs. Baker's Boarding House was real... only it was not for just women. My mother-in-law lived there while she was a young teacher recruited to teach in south Texas. Karen

Oh my gosh! I just came from Debbie's blogging and blabbing... You must go there to see her video. She's so much fun!
http://debbie-debbiedoos.blogspot.com/2010/06/debbies-blogging-and-babblingvideo.html

Bloggerette Sorority - An Evening to Remember

It was almost time for the dance to start. Elsie, Maude, Clara, Mattie and Edna

were running between each other's rooms borrowing a little pink rouge and  powder to enhance their young and already beautiful faces.

They picked at their "rats" and carefully tucked them into their hair to add a bouffant appearance that was so popular.

All teachers at a school nearby, the young women were thrilled to have been invited to a summer dance by five young male teachers at a boys' school not far away. Living at Mrs. Baker's Ladies' Boarding House,

certain rules had to be followed.

"NO MEN - NO SMOKING - NO DRINKING - NO PROFANITY"

A large sign greated the women as they walked in daily from school.

Mrs. Baker was strict to say the least.

Maude yelled for everyone to be at the front door in five minutes.

The young women all ran down the stairs, stood, looking at the mirror that hung by the front door, took a deep breath and gathered their composure.

Edna opened the front door and the stream of fashionable young ladies made their way down the steps.

It would be a night to remember!

It was only a half - mile walk to the civic building where all town functions

were held. The night was pleasant and as they had walked

people turned their heads to enjoy the sight of the young women.

Entering the building Clara was the first to see the group of  men

they were intended to meet.

"Don't act too anxious," she whispered to her friends.

Mattie thought it a good idea to make their way over to the punch bowl

and enjoy a cool drink before "being discovered".

Carl, Earl, Stan, Nick and Arthur spotted the young women they had

been waiting for. Two of them were slicking their hair down

and the other three were straightening their bow ties.

The ambled over to their "dates" and greeted them, presenting them

with tiny pink roses to pin to their dresses or put in their hair.

The music was just starting and everyone was anxious to try out their

new dance steps they had been practicing.

It was an evening of fun and even a little romance.

It was agreed that a Sunday picnic by the town lake was

in order for the next day.

As the young women made their way back home, being careful to

stay in a group, they shared little tidbits of conversation.

Stars were in their eyes and as they fell asleep that night

dreams of love and sweet kisses in their future left 

smiles on their lips. 

Join us for the fun!!

http://somedaysarediamonds-karen.blogspot.com/2010/06/sorority-is-born.html

Oops! Forgot that I was supposed to add my picture with my

"rush project"!

Greetings from "Tejas"!

I've had a facelift - on my blog that is!

Thanks for stopping by to see my new "face". Karen Valentine has given me a new look, which I needed desperately. As you scroll down here you will see her little icon, so go check her out. What a joy it will be seeing more of a personal look here on Ladybug Creek. Thanks, Karen!
(Don't you just love all these "Karens"??)