Between Heaven and Texas/From Here to Home! or Cale/Kale!

Last night after blogging, I finally found the perfect places to display my beautiful, little, hand-carved, wooden bear and the Made-In-Mexico, turquoise, stained glass cross with the cobalt blue center, that I purchased when Carol, Lorri and I were shopping, at the Terlingua Trading Company. While our three husbands were outside drinking beers, on the famous front porch, listening to Chet O'Keefe jam with Marc Utter.

Anyway, I put my adorable, little bear, on the top shelf, next to the two cows candle holder that don't have candles in them. And I hung the pretty cross, from the top shelf, too—above my kitchen sink. Because I do spend a lot of time, in that area.

Then I spent the rest of the evening reading and savoring the last few pages of Marie Bostwick's fabulous book Between Heaven and Texas.

If you'll remember, a while back, my good friend Kris gave me her copy of Marie Bostwick's awesome book From Here to Home and I could not put it down, because I loved reading it and it touched my heart in several  ways.

And not knowing that it was actually the second book of Bostwick's Texas novels—I read them out of sequence. But it actually didn't matter at all, because these two books can each stand alone, because they are such great reads. And I know that Carol will agree with me on this.

Today has been great. After our great friends/dog-walking-volunteers had walked our dogs for us we all decided to eat lunch, at the Medina Highpoint Resort's Koyote Grill. And to say the least, "Our meals were absolutely delicious." Eileen and I both ordered their delicious Steak Salad and we highly recommend it, too.

When we were about to adios each other and leave in different directions, we asked our friend, Craig Newton, the great General Manager, "Who is playing tonight, during y'all's delicious All You Can Eat Catfish Dinner?"

"Paul Hilliard," he answered. And then Eileen asked him who would be playing there, in May, because she has some musician friends, from Nashville, coming to visit. And when he told us that Hogan & Moss would be performing twice, in May, I interrupted him and started telling Eileen about how great those two musicians were. 

And after I had quit raving about how great Jon Hogan's and Maria Moss' music was—Eileen could not wait to hear them. "I'm definitely coming to see them!" Eileen stated. "And I think we should get all of our volunteers to meet up here when they play. Wouldn't that be fun, Nancy?" I was so tired from talking so much about how great Hogan & Moss were—I just nodded my head. 

This afternoon when we got back to the rescue ranch, I told Tony, "Tony, last night I finished reading Between Heaven and Texas and I am just sick about it, because I love both of those books. Now, I don't have anything good to read, so I'm going to go to the Little Cottage Quilt Shop, in Medina and buy a few more yards of fabric, so I can work on my quilt."

The quilt shop was busy with friendly, quilting customers, so I strolled around the shop looking for more fabrics that would compliment the Crazy Quilt that I am already working on. And I found four more fabrics and I purchased them. And then I came back home.

A little while ago, I watched the most upbeat music, YouTube video of Eric Clapton performing, on stage, with JJ Cale, my rock 'n roll hero, playing that great song Call Me The Breeze, that JJ Cale wrote and Lynrd Skynrd made famous. It has had over 3 million views and it is totally awesome and here's the link to it. 

And while I was watching that video and enjoying the music, with the volume cranked up high, it reminded me that I had planned to fix us this new salad recipe I had found for our lunch today, but as you already know I didn't, because we ate lunch, at the Koyote Grill. 

Anyway, I think it is kind of weird that I was, sitting here, listening to JJ Cale and thinking about that Brussels Sprouts With Kale salad recipe, that is served with a Maple Syrup vinaigrette—at the exact same time. Get it? Cale/Kale. 

And tonight before I finish writing this I want to let you know that Tony and I won the race back to Medina, because Carol & Bill had to make a pit stop, at a roadside rest area, for their dogs: Scout and Pepper to exercise and for them to take care of "business." And all that I have to say about that is S*&% Happens!

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing!  

Wrong Number!

Last night I stayed up late, because I could not quit reading Marie Bostwick's book From Here to Home. I love this book so much and I did not want it to end, but I kept reading it, because I had to know how it ended.

I absolutely loved the ending, but I was sad that I had finished the book, because I love all of the characters and felt like I knew them. So before going to bed I went and purchased a Kindle version of Marie Bostwick's book Between Heaven and Texas (Another Too Much Texas novel.) So I could start reading it tonight.

Too Much is the name of Marie Bostwick's imaginary, little town, in Texas and Between Heaven and Texas is a novel that first introduces the main characters Mary Dell and her son, Howard, that grew up and lived in, Too Much.

When I went to bed I could not quit thinking about this fabulous book and one thing led to another. And the last thing that I remember before falling asleep was wanting to make a quilt, because throughout this book Mary Dell is the expert quilter and she has a very popular, cable TV show about quilting.

Today has been great. This morning Tony did his chores early, so we could go early to the Wild Birds Unlimited store, in Kerrville, so we could meet Jim Carpenter, the founder of Wild Birds Unlimited. He is also the author of The Joy Of Bird Feeding: The Essential Guide To Attracting And Feeding Our Backyard Birds and we wanted to get him to sign our copy of his awesome book.

Omg! We arrived around 9:15 and the parking lot was full and the inside of Kevin & Linda Pillow's Wild Birds Unlimited store was packed with smiling customers, waiting in line, to get their books signed by Jim. So we got in the line.

It was so cool, because everyone there seemed to be so happy including us, because this store has some of the best vibes, in Kerrville. When it was Tony's and my turn to meet Jim Carpenter, I took this picture of him, before we shook hands with him.

When Jim asked us our names, I said, "Tony and Nancy." Then Kevin, wearing a big grin on his face, steps up to the table, and says, "Tell him your real name."

"Cousin Nancy," I said. Then Kevin tells Jim about us being the people who run the Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch with Kinky. And then Jim starts visiting with us and talking about animal rescue and their rescued dog while signing our book for us.

After we thanked Mr. Carpenter for signing our book I see Tricia and Jason, by the checkout counter and she was pointing her camera directly at us. So I quickly aimed my trusty iPhone camera at her and "shot" her while she "shot" us. And then we all started laughing just about the same time that our good friends Kris & Jim arrived to buy his book and get it signed.

While Kris was standing in line to get Jim Carpenter's autograph Tony and I stood around visiting with her and with Marguerite, Kevin & Linda, Jason and Tricia and Kris' husband, "The Mineral Man." And before we adios-ed everyone Tricia asked me for my phone number so she could send me the picture that she took of us. 

Then Tony and I went to the Save Inn Restaurant, which was packed with happy customers too, so we could eat breakfast. And to no one's surprise we ordered the exact same thing: Lisa's Sinker Taco Omelet, hash browns, biscuits & gravy and iced tea. And needless to say, "Our breakfast was totally delicious as it always is."

Then we made a quick stop, at the big H-E-B, on Main Street and came back home.

When we got home, I told Tony, "Since the rescue ranch is officially closed today I am going to go to that quilt shop, in Medina, because after reading that great book I want to make a quilt. I might be in there for thirty or forty minutes or so. Do you want to go with me?"

Five minutes later, we were headed to Medina. And on our way there, Tony asked, "What kind of quilt are you going to make?"

"I'm want to make one for Little Debbie." 

After Tony had chuckled, he said, "So you need two squares." Then he really started laughing and so did I. 

"I want to make a little one first to see if I can do it, because it actually is very hard to do."

"What if Little Debbie doesn't like it?"

"Then I'll make another one and we'll use them for place mats."

"You ought to call Carol and  ask her to meet you there."

"That's what I'm fixin' to do right now." Then I called Carol and left her a message about meeting me at the quilt store and us checking out the tiny house. 

Then Tony slowed down. "You can let me out right here and I'll walk down to the Old Timer when I am finished shopping." Then I more or less fell out of Trigger, but I didn't completely fall down, on the pavement, because I was still hanging onto Trigger's door. "Lucky me. I'll see you in a little bit."

Then I walked across the highway and went inside the Little Cottage Quilt Shop and was immediately greeted by the friendly owner, Donette Backlund. And while she and I were looking at her huge assortment of beautiful fabrics Carol called. "Nancy, it sounds fun. I'm leaving Bandera right now and will be there in just a few minutes."

About twelve minutes later, while I was talking to Donette about what I needed to get started quilting and the times of their quilting classes Carol arrived. And after I introduced Carol to Donette, Carol and I walked around admiring the beautiful fabrics while Donette talked to us about the art of quilting.

We stayed in this charming quilt shop for about twenty minutes, before I purchased a few necessary quilting supplies: a rotary wheel cutter, a cutting board and a giant plastic ruler. And before we left Donette gave me her business card.

Then Carol and I walked down Main Street aka Highway 16 to go check out that awesome Tiny House that was for sale. 

Then Carol and I walked back to her car and then she drove me down, to the Old Timer, so I could ride home with Tony.

On our way home I checked my phone, and said, "Hmm, I wonder why I haven't gotten Tricia's picture, yet?"

"What number did you give her?" Tony asked.

"Our rescue ranch number."

"That's why. Because you gave Tricia the wrong number. You should have given her your cell phone number."

"You're right. I forgot about that." 

So as soon as we got back home I called Wild Birds Unlimited and luckily Trisha answered the phone. And after I explained to her what I had done she asked me for my cell phone number and then she sent this picture to me.

And that's about it for now, because I am fixin' to start reading Between Heaven And Texas.

Y'all have a great evening and keep on laughing.