Life is Beautiful...

I've really left my comfort zone on this digi layout...a little bit funky but I liked this kit! So below is my attempt of a digi layout about me and my life right now...

I liked this photo Michael took of me at the top of Enchanted Rock and thought it would be perfect...I am hoping that Michael and his children can look back on this and say Wow!!

You can click on the Layout to read the journaling!

Oh and before I forget this kit was called "Wishes_Dreams" and was designed by Kitty designs (O'scraps) and Vinnie Pearce (Pixel Canvas).

Layout Challenge by Taylor made...

I don't normally do challenges as I hate being pressured to scrap but Amanda from TaylorMade designs is in the Spotlight at O'scraps. She has so many freebies that I couldn't help but try out this challenge....Whew did I leave my comfort zone too!!

Here is her blog if you would like to check out her challenges, click here.

Challenge # 1 Modern

Challenge # 2 Expressive


Challenge # 3 Timeless

Thank you Amanda for all the goodies!

If you would like to read the journaling on the layouts please click on the layout!

~ Wildflower ~

We went over to my InLaws Ranch on the Rio Grande River today. Just before we reached the house I noticed a few flowers in the ditch...One here and One there...So I put the Macro Lens on the camera and went for a walk in the ditch...I was amazed by the variety I found. They were scattered here and there and the roadway was not blanketed with them as in previous years...

I snipped the Indian Paintbrush and the Fringed Puccoon and laid them next to a bluebonnet for a colorful bouquet...cheating but it worked!!

White Prickly Poppy, not a flower you want to pick!

BlanketFlower/Firewheel/Indian Blanket/Rose-ring Gaillardia
I know it as an Indian Blanket...

Wine cup

Don't have a clue what this one is...Out of all my wildflower books, and I have a lot of them, this one wasn't in any of them...It's small and all the buds are on a single stalk...

I think of all the wildflowers this one is becoming one of my favorites.

It reminds me of fireworks exploding and I just love it.

Sensitive Brier

I found one with dew still on it...Sweet!

The wind was blowing a bit and this one has some blur to it...

Bull Nettle

This one stings like a SOB and I wouldn't touch it!!

This is one of the first plants Michael has learned about,

he's rubbed up against them enough, he now knows to stay away from them, OUCH!

Close up of a Bluebonnet

Engelmann's Daisy (with bug)

Phacelia/Blue Curls/Spiderflowers/Wild Heliotrope

Blue Curls next to Prickly Pear Cactus

Indian Paint Brush

Close-up of Indian Paint Brush

Fringed Puccoon - this one was new to me!

Possibly a type of Columbine?

Engelmann's Daisy Blooms

Since Fred was with me I was on a limited time schedule but still had fun and managed to capture some of our beautiful spring wildflowers...They are out there but they are scattered and scare...Hopefully more rain will come and next year we will again see the roadsides blanketed with color....

(If I am incorrect on any of the names please let me know, thank you!)

What I see out my window...

RAIN...

Yes Sir and Ma'am it's raining...

not much but it's wet, damp and maybe it will continue for a bit...Every little bit helps...

Our little snow bird....

has flown the coop and gone back to the North Country!

We LOVE you and are glad you made it home safe and sound!!

Thank you Mom for coming to stay and for putting up with my Grouchy butt!! Michaels un-ending chattering and Freds Television obsession...We enjoyed having you and hope you come back soon...as you know you are welcome anytime!!

MWA!!

Birds and Blooms from our Hill Country Vacation!

On Day #5 we headed home and I didn't take any photos worth posting so I am skipping right to the Birds and Blooms I photographed while we were on our vacation...with links to my sets on flickr for more photos...

White-winged Dove, Leakey Texas

Female Rubythroat Hummingbird in Concan Texas

Golden-fronted Woodpecker, Concan Texas

Bloom on a Tree and I haven't a clue...lol...I do not know my Texas Trees!

Possibly a song sparrow...

he was singing a beautiful song while we walked the summit of the East Trail at Lost Maples...

Possibly a Claret Cup Cacti

Juvenile Red Tailed Hawk.

He flew by us on the Summit at Lost Maples while we ate lunch, too cool!!

Male House Finch...another beautiful singer! Lost Maples, Texas.

That is all the photos I have gone through and thought they were worth sharing...

Below are the Flickr sets for the photos with a few more photos included.

Birds and Blooms photos

Day # 1 - March 17th 2009

Day # 2 - March 18 2009

Day # 3 - March 19 2009

Day # 4 - March 20 2009


Thank y'all for stopping by and taking a peek at our vacation.

Day # 4 of our Hill Country Vacation...

Today was Friday, March 20 and we decided to take it easy and hang out around the house/cabin...

I caught Fred reading in the morning light...I was just playing around but liked the streaks of light on him from the window blinds....New Hair doo perhaps? LOL

I then went out to the spiral staircase and took a photo of the view of the Frio river from the top of the staircase...

Then I went down to the river and tried another view of the Frio River...

I had the tripod and was playing with the shutter speed at the little falls we had near us...

Then back up to the yard and the bird feeders...

These are American Goldfinches and Pine Siskens fighting over the feeder!

We then decided to go for a drive on some of the back roads...

I love the low water crossings and driving through the river!

A view of the Frio and the cliffs...with people out enjoying the river.

We then went to Concan a few miles away to enjoy lunch at Neal's Cafe.

This place was built in 1929 and is still owned by the same family. A lot of history here, the cafe was re-modeled a few years ago and is a great place to enjoy a meal with a beautiful view of the Frio river.

Another low water crossing on the river and people getting ready to tube the river, Brrr...

More power to them...I've tubed the river in August and it was great but I wouldn't think about doing it this time of year, it's just too cold!!

That was our day Friday...just a lazy relaxing day...I took a lot of bird and flower photos and that will be on the next post with links to my flicker folders and all the photos from the different days...

Stay tuned for the birds and bloom post...and thanks for stopping by :o)