Texas Bluebonnets

These pictures aren't from this year although I have seen a few patches of these beauties around already this year. 

We plan to visit the Hill Country sometime in April and hopefully this will be a good year for the bluebonnets once again! 

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"The best things are nearest:  

breath in your nostrils,

light in your eyes, flowers at your feet,

duties at your hand, 

the path of God just before you.

Then do not grasp at the stars,

but do life's plain common work as it comes

certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things of life."

Robert Louis Stevenson

Deep In the Heart of Texas

In April we traveled through the hill country and then up through Oklahoma, Kansas and on to Kansas City, Missouri. We had a great time visiting with our children and saw lots of beautiful country. 

We went to the Bluebonnet Festival in Burnet which is something I've always wanted to do.  Lots to do in Burnet during festival weekend with crafts galore, rides, food and an air show. 

We had good mexican food at a place called The Maxican where we were given a hug and back rub by the sweet little lady hostess as we waited for our table.  She said she does that to everyone who walks in the door because most people don't get enough hugs!

One day we rode around to see wildflowers and stopped at this pretty church on a hillside with lots of bluebonnets.  It is in the community of Art which is between Llano and Mason.  The church was built in 1890 by the early German settlers. 

The front of the church has two large, double, Gothic-arch doors - originally designed to be used separately - one for men and one for women.  Seems the German Methodists were very strict and observed unwavering social and moral standards.  Even the seating was segregated, with the men sitting on one side and the women on the other.  Wow!  I wonder where the kids sat - probably not with Dad!

Llano County Courthouse

I love the old towns in Texas that have a town square with the courthouse in the center of the square.  This one was built in  1892. 

There is nothing like walking to get the feel of a country.

A fine landscape is like a piece of music;

it must be taken at the right tempo. 

Even a bicycle goes too fast.

Paul S. Mowrer

 

I'll be posting more about the rest of our trip soon.

Hope you all have a good week and enjoy some sunshine!

Legend of the Bluebonnet

We're hoping to see lots of bluebonnets this weekend!   So far I've only seen a few patches here and there about town.  I planted lots of bluebonnet seeds this year but only about 4 plants have popped up so far. Maybe next year will be better.    They are my very favorite flower and a whole field of them is just breathtaking! 

This one is in our front yard.

These pictures were taken last year near Conroe.

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

The Texas fields are covered
With a blanket of deep blue.
But for a little Indian girl,
This would not be true.

Texas land was buried and dry.
Rains just would not come.
Indians danced and prayed for rain,
And beat upon their drums.

The Chief made a proclamation.
He appealed to one and all.
A prized possession must be sacrificed
Before the rains would fall.

The Indian camp was silent,
While each person searched his heart.
But when it came to sacrifice,
With possessions they would not part.

Suddenly a little girl stepped forth,
Holding her blue-clad doll.
She placed it in the roaring fire
and raindrops began to fall.

The rain brought forth the grass,
Among its blades, flowers of blue.
To be a sign for all the time
Of a love so pure and true.

Author Unknown 


May all your weeds be wildflowers!

A Chilly Spring!

We had an early spring with azaleas blooming and trees putting out their light green baby leaves several weeks ago, but Sunday morning we woke up to winter temperatures again!  I'm glad we didn't plant our little garden because there's a chance of frost the next night or two.  A lot of local gardeners have already planted so they'll be trying to protect their tender little plants tonight I'm sure.  It does seem like we always have one last cold snap right around Easter, so hopefully this is the last of the cold!

Some signs of spring in Southeast Texas -

Our Pear Tree 

Our Neighbor's Bluebonnets

Knock Out Rose in Our Front Yard

 

 

This is a plant I have from my Mother-In-Law and I think it's a bromeliad 

Of course the birds have been busy too!  I watched this little bluebird trying to build a nest in the end of a gate at our campground a few weeks ago.  I wish I had better pictures of him - he was so pretty!!

For those of you up north who are still waiting on spring - hang in there!!  It's worth the wait!!  It's time for the snow to be done now isn't it!!!

 

We'll be heading north in a few weeks to visit Jill and Jason, and if we time it right we'll get to enjoy their spring too. 

 

 

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade. ~Charles Dickens, Great Expectations

Our Bluebonnet Run

This has been an amazing year for wildflowers in Texas!  I wasn't sure what to expect with the drought last year but we have had plenty of rain for several months now and we are so thankful for that!!

These pictures were taken between Conroe and Navaota on Highway 105 north of Houston. 

The smell here was so sweet!!

Sadie loves the bluebonnets too :)

"Where flowers bloom so does hope."

- Lady Bird Johnson, Public Roads: Where Flowers Bloom

Texas Bluebonnets

These pictures were taken last year near Brenham.  We haven't been this year, but I'm looking forward to making a trip to the hill country soon to see the bluebonnets.  They should be very plentiful because we've certainly had enough rain this winter.  I'm seeing more and more of them scattered in our part of Texas too and I even have a couple of plants in my flower bed that I hope will take off and multiply next year. 

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

The Texas fields are covered

With a blanket of deep blue.

But for a little Indian girl,

This would not be true.

Texas land was buried and dry.

Rains just would not come.

Indians danced and prayed for rain,

And beat upon their drums.

The Chief made a proclamation.

He appealed to one and all.

A prized possession must be sacrificed

Before the rains would fall.

The Indian camp was silent,

While each person searched his heart.

But when it came to sacrifice,

With possessions they would not part.

Suddenly a little girl stepped forth,

Holding her blue-clad doll.

She placed it in the roaring fire

and raindrops began to fall.

The rain brought forth the grass,

Among its blades, flowers of blue.

To be a sign for all the time

Of a love so pure and true.

Author Unknown