50th anniversary Trail of Lights

When our kids were growing up, we tried to get out to Zilker Park to see the 'tree' almost every year. The Trail of Lights was usually not on our list...it was just kinda 'ho hum'. NOT any MORE!

We went out this week on a clear, comfortably chilly evening to see the tree, get our hot chocolate and funnel cake. Then we headed across the street to enjoy the 50th Anniversary of The TRAIL of LIGHTS.

It's so much more than it used to be. Food vendors, lots of special twinkly lights, kids choirs singing, families and old couples like us just having fun and enjoying Christmas fun. Can't wait to go again next year.

happy fella

on going gray ...

 It's been about 5 months since I last got my hair colored. I still have several months to go for the bangs and sides. It really did help to go get a haircut about September. I miss my bob haircut style, but I'm also enjoying a short style again. I would like to have really long gray hair some day...but for the growing out phase, short is great.

Progress on going gray. Here's late August 2014

 I'm trying to decide if it's time to get most of length cut off at this point. September 2014

Pulling it back to see how much gray is there...

 Get the first haircut. September 2014

 After 2nd haircut. Took this picture after camping in tent all night. Haha. It's my favorite style. I keep telling the haircut person to make it a 'messy cut'. Guess I need to show her this picture! October 2014. There is a LOT of gray. These pictures make it look more blonde. I also found this blue gel stuff I LOVE. It's by Big Sexy Hair and it makes your hair stick any way you want it! Also added more shine which I really want with gray hair.

One of my inspiration pictures from Pinterest. 

Inks Lake Primitive Camping

We are really considering taking on a supported hike of part of the Colorado Trail next summer. It's the very last portion that ends in Durango. About 100 miles over 5-6 days...A lot of miles. Even though it is a group hike (about 12) with guides and meals provided, tents carried on to the next place...I'm still a little (really a LOT) concerned about my ability to do this. 

Our neighborhood is very hilly and provides challenging walks, so I've been hitting our streets most days. Most recently started walking w/ my trekking poles again. I think I can get in shape to walk the 15-20 miles a day, but my other concern is actually sleeping in a tent. On the ground. When it's cold. THEN getting up the next morning and hitting the trail. For 15-20 miles.

So, this weekend we tried out tent camping over at Inks Lake. I had not done this in ten years and last time we did it, it was in Colorado near Grand Lake. It was late May or early June and all I remember is how very cold I was and that I said I NEVER wanted to tent camp again. It was just a miserable night. So, I know I have to figure out if I can really sleep in a tent.

I was actually surprised at how well I slept at Inks Lake. In a tent. On the ground. (on a pad, really) I actually kinda liked it. I actually really liked the idea of packing everything in our backpacks and just striking out with all that we really needed.  We had a lot of fun. William did all the cooking and it was yummy. Dinner was a chicken teriyaki. Dessert was hot chocolate. He brought me hot coffee in the morning in the tent. What more could a girl want? 

So, next month we will try it again when it's much colder. AND we will get up and try to hike at least 10 miles AFTER we've slept in a tent. Oh boy.

Grandad's 80th!

This does not show everyone who came to Grandad's party, but I just love the way it shows us all getting ready to ask the blessing on our meal. Wow...how our family has grown in 35 years. Thanks to Pam for hosting ALL of us....We now have the 'adult table', the 'kids table' and the 'grandkids table'.  Not too many times that we all get together anymore, so this was an extra special day! Click on the picture to get the whole group shown.

Buescher State Park and Smithville

Do you remember Hope Floats starring Sandra Bullock? It was set in Smithville, TX which is only about an hour from Austin. We were out camping a couple of weekends ago at Buescher State Park and drove into Smithville (next door almost) to eat dinner and then breakfast on Sunday. 

We noticed Main Street was blocked off and had all these old cars and a bunch of 'models' and photographers practicing their "skill sets".  It was fun to walk around and watch...plus it is just a cute little old Texas town decorated for fall.

We spent Friday and Saturday nights in the R-Pod over at the park. So far, my favorite. 5 stars for easy access from Austin, clean restrooms, miles of hiking AND paved cycling roads, NOT affected by the Bastrop Wildfires a few years ago.

We tried out hiking all day in the rain. It was...uhh...WET. And MUDDY. What can I say. We did it. We are trying to convince ourselves that we can hike part of the Colorado Trail next summer (about 100 miles out of 485?) The next big hurdle is to see if Sue can actually sleep in tent on the ground. Last time I did that was 10 years ago and I think I said very loudly, "Never again!"

William is very persuasive, though.

I keep seeing this plant all over our area this year. Have no idea what it is.

restraining myself

Have you ever noticed how happy and sad run along parallel tracks? Maybe it's to balance things out? It's been a strange few weeks since we returned from Durango, but we really are glad to be home and looking forward to this season of fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas!

Told Wm this afternoon I was actually 'restraining' my decorating for fall...He did not exactly agree, but since I did not use thousands of fake berries and fall leaf branches and garlands and gobs of pumpkins and candles sitting in the middle of candy corn or better yet REAL corn kernals...I call this restrained.  I'm not super happy with the wreath. I love my red door, but fall colors seem to really fade into it. BUT I already had the wreath, so that was a win. I really thought about it last night and realized that most of all I enjoy the scents and textures of fall, so that is the direction I headed.  

 a fall wreath I "inherited" along with the yard pumpkins....

 I love this orange chair I 'borrowed' from Wm's office last year, or maybe it was the year before.

 "inherited" pumpkins smiling at me from my back door.

 unscented white candles all year long

 yep, a metal pumpkin...

 pot pourri pinecones that are NOT cinnamon scented!!! more citrus and apple scents

 the candle is called 'autumn moonlight'...love it.

some tall grass and more pot pourri

Happy Fall!

Who are we kidding?

Yeah, it's September in Austin, supposed to be starting to feel like fall....but NOT YET! It is good to be back home, though. Labor Day we got together over at Patrick and Katherine's for Maudie's fahitas. It was just the thing to help us feel welcomed home. Spending time with each of the kids through out last week was really nice. Tamera and I are doing yoga together one night a week and I will continue to help Kristen with Nana days one day a week. 

This year, Tyler and Annie are both signed up for soccer. We enjoyed Tyler's first game ever this last Saturday morning. He looks so big!!! #21 on the field.

A couple of sideline fans, of course... Papa and little sister

Last Friday was also 'Grandparent lunch' at Annie's school. We took Torchy's tacos and Annie was pleased! When she asked, "Will you stay and go out on the playground?" my heart just melted. 

 On totally randomness notes...I've decided to 'go gray or go home'. Anyone want to join my personal challenge? I am just sooooooo DONE with the whole hair coloring thing. I actually just want to be whatever I turn out to be.... I have been thinking about this for about a year. So, it's been 3 months since I saw my hair colorist. This picture is actually about 3 weeks old, so I'm really getting that nice 'definition' of gray vs. blonde about now. 

It's a bit scary, but I'm committed. I think. The hair is very white at the side of my face and crown of my forehead. Kinda curly, too. Everyone has been very kind and 'encouraging' (from my daughters to my husband to my dad) I just hope I can make it. Maybe a short haircut in a few weeks will help.

Come on, FALL!!!!

thank you

Father, 

Thank you is so inadequate to express my deepest gratitude for this time in Durango. I have been refreshed so deeply in my soul, spirit and body. Being with you in the middle of your creation and sharing it w/ my best friend and husband for TWO MONTHS has been like heaven. 

My heart has been rested. I even had some grieving time and got to cry for Mom and it was nice to be alone to do it. 

Sharing this place with my girls and their families was such a sweet time. We love them both so, so much. I hope they got a taste of that and also of you.

Thank you, thank you for the cooler temps and the beautiful scenery along so many paths. Thank you for helping us to get back into better physical shape and to be able to enjoy the process.

I am eager to follow you. YOU are the substance of the shadows that I have experienced here. YOU fulfill every need and desire of my heart. Thank you for the shadows! Thank you for who you are. Teach me more about yourself. Help me to meditate on you this coming year and to believe so that I may understand you, know you more.

I am yours,

Sue Anne