Whiling away the time at Andy and Heather's Wedding

Last Saturday we drove to The Houston Mansion to meet Andy and Heather as they were going to be at the venue. Quite spectacular to say the least.

Today's the day they marry ~ The wedding ceremony was in the oversized foyer

A first for us was when Andy on his violin and his friend on guitar played First Goodbye by Hanneke Cassel as Heather and her father processed.

Since Annemarie had gone past her due date of 27 April, Sneed and I set our phones to vibrate. I even tested mine before we left. To my chagrin, my phone rang during the wedding. We were seated in the last row of chairs. When I saw the call was from Annemarie, I shut the phone off, then tried, unsuccessfully, to exit without calling too much attention to myself. The chair legs screeched on the marble floor, terribly! When I reached an area far away from the ceremony, I returned the call. Annemarie's first words were, "We're not in labor. As soon as I dialed I remembered you were at the wedding." Thus we waited for another call, now after the ceremony was concluded, with our phones on ringer full volume. An aside, the phones remained silent.

Andy and Heather wrote their own unique vows

Andy's sister-in-law from Oregon made the cake. She brought all her cake making and decorating paraphernalia with her. When she went through security at the airport, they pulled her aside thinking she had a bomb. Oh well, guess we have to be glad the guards were on their toes and after ascertaining she wasn't any threat, let her travel on to Houston.

The guests formed a sparkler arch for the bride and groom to run through. They enjoyed it so much, they went back for a second run.

After Sneed pulled away and knowing he was taking the couple only 2 1/2 miles away, I walked down the private dead-end (we were at the dead end) street with beautiful mansions and no street lights. The guests' vehicles lined the street on either side and around the outsides of the two roundabouts. I pretty much knew which way to go, but saw a police SUV sitting outside one of the homes. (the area is patrolled by security) Asking if the crossroad ahead was Fondren, they gave me an answer which wasn't what I needed. Finally, I asked, "Did you see a Bentley pass by here?" When answered in the affirmative, I said, "I'm waiting for my husband to return." And wait I did. I finally called Sneed's cell phone but he either didn't hear it or it wasn't turned on. After waiting 15 minutes, Marque turned in and I stepped from the driveway where I had been waiting and flagged him down. As he slowed, I noticed that Heather and Andy were still in the backseat. Perplexing, to say the least. The Maid of Honor had requested that Sneed drive the couple around for 15-20 minutes so the bridal party could 'fix up' their apartment. After driving the requisite time, Sneed asked if he could go back and pick up his bride. They assented - that's why he suddenly appeared. They didn't mind my getting in the car with them so we then drove to their apartment. We had a wonderful 'visit' with them on the way. They are honeymooning on the islands of Hawaii and Maui.

Annemarie called as we were falling asleep, a little past midnight, to inform us she was in labor. To be continued...

Scene (seen) from my window

Marque getting a quick clean up before his drive away duties tomorrow night. May not be the 'royal' wedding, but it will be spectacular.

A Present from BBB

Surprise! One day before BBB's due date, we received a great photo album ostensibly from BBB. Oh what fun looking through the photos of Annemarie and Brett as they await his arrival.

Cover photo ~ Preparing to open a new door in their lives

My favorite photo

My Sentiments Exactly

TX has some great bumper stickers

Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens

Beth and Richard, Carolyn, Peggy, and I were having lunch at Potbelly's yesterday when Peggy mentioned an upcoming trip to Bayou Bend that our Y was sponsoring. On the spur of the moment  we all, save Richard, expressed interest in going, so Peggy called Emily at the Y to see when it would be happening. As luck would have it, it was happening today so she signed us up and learned we would need to meet there at 1230. Plans were made and Carolyn volunteered to drive us in her beautiful new Matador Red Lexus SUV.

Today we traveled down in complete comfort making the trip in no time at all. Since we had an hour to spare, we went across the street from Bayou Bend to the Subway restaurant. While the girls were waiting to order, I stepped over and was perusing the menu on the other side of the room. I noticed a young woman who had come in and was standing behind the group. As I approached the line, I realized it was Laura, who used to work at IAA when I did. It has been a little over 5 years since we had seen each other. It was so serendipitous seeing her there. We had a nice chat and I semi-caught up on her and TJ's comings and goings til now. I now know she is back in Houston and working at M D Anderson in the Compliance Department and doing some tech work there as well.

After traveling back across the street to Bayou Bend, we went into the new Kilroy Center, paid our admission, checked out the small museum area, and watched some short movies about what we would be seeing.

A brief introduction to the Hogg Family ~ Ima in 1900 at 18 years old

Ima as a youngster and later in life. Contrary to popular belief, Ima did not have a sister named Ura...she had 3 brothers.

A sampling of furnishings was displayed in the museum

The line-up on the suspension "Bridge of Sighs"  - just ask Beth about it = )
In the far right photo from back to front - Emily, Carolyn, Beth, Peggy, Delores and her mother

Designed by architect John Staub, the house was built between 1927-28 on 14 acres in the heart of River Oaks in a separate subdivision called Homewoods. Originally, Ima lived there with her two older brothers. When they married and  moved away, Ima stayed in the estate until 1965 although she gifted Bayou Bend to the the MFA of Houston in 1957.The gardens were devastated from Hurricane Ike in 2008. It will be a number of years before they are restored to their previous glory.

As cameras are not allowed in Bayou Bend, I took a photo of a pamphlet I picked up so as to show some of the treasures Ima had collected over the years.

Texas Sand Fest, Port Aransas

I saw an advertisement about the Sand Fest a month ago and marked the date on the calendar. So we combined this with the courthouse trip yesterday. Well, actually it was the other way around as Sneed didn't want to drive all the way down here early Sunday morning for about an hour's worth of viewing. As it turned out, Sneed drove almost 700 miles round trip. Thank heaven for XM radio although on the way home we listened to a disastrous Astros game in which they lost to the Padres after taking the lead a couple of times.

The sculptors started their works of art on Friday and finished up on Sunday. When we arrived and finally found a spot on the beach to park, all were finished. Some of the displays were very clever with 'word play' being involved. Others were themed. There weren't as many as we had expected so it didn't take long to view the lot.

I love seeing the even rows plowed in the fields when the seeds start sprouting ~ Sand sculpture display at the south end of Mustang Island

Deep South Texas Courthouses

Great sign along Rte 77 ~ Planted fields along the highway

Robstown, Home of the Big Red Fighting Cotton PIckers, State Champs 1991-1992

Jim Wells County, Alice ~ Duval County, San Diego

Benavides is a small town in Duval County. Bonnie was quite the twirler. ~ Border Patrol office with a huge field of white border control vehicles - part of Homeland Security

Jim Hogg County, Hebbronville, named after the first US born Governor of Texas

Hotel Viggo across street from courthouse in Hebbronville

Scotus College, Hebbronville ~ In 1926, Scotus College, a Franciscan seminary, moved to Hebbronville from Mexico to escape persecution. It could accommodate up to twenty students preparing for the priesthood.

Cactus blossom ~ Tall cactus ~ Texas Mexican Railroad?? ~ Great Western Trail

Brooks County, Falfurrias ~ Kleberg County, Kingsville

I'm Published... not a book, a photo

That's my photo appearing in the Hemmings magazine advertisement for the car club to which we belong. It was taken 23 April 2007 at 1023. Below is the original.

A Field of Bluebonnets

Can't beat Texas Bluebonnets this time of year

Keels and Wheels Uncorked at Post Oak Motors

In order to ignite some interest in the upcoming Keels & Wheels Concours d'Elegance, a party was held at Post Oak Motors featuring some fine cars and a boat worthy of being shown at the event this year. Marque was invited to the event in 2005 and took home the trophy for Best in Class (Rolls-Royce and Bentley motorcars). It was an honor to be invited back this year. Marque will not enter the field of competition; however, he will be on display.

Mockingbird Bistro represented Marque. Their lobster risotto was delicioso!! Fine choice for Marque.

REFLECTIONS ~ on the Westpark Tollway and later in the street sign ~ Marque is under the "O" in Post

The cars invited to the Uncorked Event

The Flying Lady aka The Spirit of Ecstasy ~ Bentley's Flying B

An artist was on hand to sketch the cars and boat. This is the rough draft. He filled it in with colors, then it was auctioned off for $950.

2011 Pin Oak Grand Prix

At the end of a busy day, we wound down by going to the Jumper Competition at the Great Southwest Equestrian Center located conveniently less than a mile from where we live. Seven riders made it to the Jump Off round.

Here is the article from today's Chronicle.

Fenney rides MTM Centano to 1st place at Pin Oak

by Hal Lundgren
Though ladies' night wasn't on the Pin Oak Charity Horse Show schedule, the evening turned out that way.
Tracy Fenney of Flower Mound won Saturday night's $30,000 Pin Oak Grand Prix at Great Southwest Equestrian Center. The Woodlands' Meagan Nusz finished a surprising second. Fenney rode MTM Centano to first place. Nusz was aboard Banana D'ive Z.
The two ladies pushed celebrated Wilhelm Genn and his Happy Z back to third place. The Ohio rider and his celebrated mare have 46 grand prix wins, more than any other pair.
Fenney earned the top prize of $9,000. She also collected $2,400 for guiding her MTM Timon to fourth place.
Fenney, who described her two 11-year-old geldings as "very good horses," continues to make a riding comeback. She performed well in a $1 million New York grand prix last September. Then complications from a healing rotator cuff knocked her from contention.
Nusz, 23, a Woodlands High School and TCU alum, was easily the most excited of the top finishers. She has been a competitive rider since 12.
"My mother, Terri, introduced me to horses when I was very young," she said. "They've pretty much been my life."
She believed the $6,600 second prize was her largest dollar award.
Nusz will complete her homecoming week end Monday, then return to her stable in Wellington, Fla.
The veteran Genn, the first person to earn more than $1 million in grand prix events, praised the two ladies who placed ahead of him.
"They have good horses, and they rode them very well," he said.
His Happy Z sparkled in winning here last year, when a cold snap arrived for the show.
"She does not like warmer weather," Genn said. "She showed that tonight."

WWII and CAF Aircraft Show

On our way home after our foray into wildflower country, we spied signs for an aircraft show at the West Houston Airport. We have visited the small airport numerous times and were delighted to catch the show. Surprisingly I thought CAF stood for Confederate Air Force, but the planes had Commemorative Air Force written on them. Further investigation proved I was correct in my assumption; however, "confederate" is now politically incorrect, thus the new nomenclature.

You will note that I haven't identified any of these. To me, they are interesting planes and I know a few of them but it's not important to identify each and every one. Now Sneed, on the other hand, can tell you what each one of them is. So if you have any questions, ask him.

This was one weird looking plane. In layman's terms, it was used in WWII, taking off from and landing on ships at sea. Having the wings folded up allowed more planes to be on the ship. A neat idea but no longer used.

Wildflowers

We traveled some of our favorite back roads this morning to see if there truly were a dearth of bluebonnets and other wildflowers. Dire predictions of wildflower absence due to the lack of rain had us worried. Here's what we found. And, yes, I know those three little guys in the last photo are Donkeys. They were so cute and friendly coming to the fence when we stopped to take photographs of the crabapple blossoms across the street from them. Even though our conversation was one-sided they listened politely and nodded their heads appropriately.

Go Rockets! One Down, 6 to go....

In order to stay in competition, the Rockets have to win their remaining 7 games. In an exciting game tonight in which each team shared being in the lead; the Red Nation prevailed for the win. One down, 6 to go...

A nice array of food for our consumption

Action on the court ~ A time out and Yao's on the court

Score from quarter to quarter to overtime and a win for the Rockets