WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY

The ODD thing about these swans is that they live in the lobby of the Embassy Suites in Austin. Their names are Butch and Sundance. These swans mate for life. They are mute swans from England and share the pond with huge koi. The hotel is set up with an open quadrangle with the rooms surrounding the lobby. In the middle of the lobby they have a large pond area with a waterfall with a bridge over the area. I was worried about them at first. But evidently they wouldn't survive in the wild and they like to interact with the children in the hotel. It was very soothing to sit in the lobby, read the paper, hear the waterfall and watch the swans.

BACK FROM AUSTIN

Everything was green and blooming. The temperature was in the 80's and sunny all day.

We drove down to San Antonio and saw the Alamo. It is right in the middle of the city.

We then saw The Riverwalk in San Antonio. They were having a big festival that night so it was not the best time to see it. But it has possibilities.

We hiked around Lake Travis

My son and his fiancee at Mount Bonnell.

My brother and I flew down to Austin to see my son. Hadn't seen him since Christmas so it was a nice treat. We traveled the area during the day and spent the nights on 4th and 6th Streets. They are filled with bars and restaurants with live music. We listened to an Irish rock group called Braggard that I loved. Had some great guacamole. Lots of good music, food, and spirits. We saw a show called Esther's Follies that was absolutely hysterical. I recommend it highly. Can't wait to go back!

WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY

My husband and I love to travel in our RV. We always like to visit craft fairs in the areas we visit. We started collecting coffee companions while in Stone Harbor, NJ, many years ago. My husband always gets a little excited when we find a new one. The last I brought him was the Mayan one in the middle that I found in a little shop while vacationing in the Yucatan in January.

MS WALK

Today was the Westminster MS Walk. I have an old friend, Cecilia, whose sister has the disease. I am a member of Megan's Marchers. There are members walking in Towson, Westminster, Ocean City, Annapolis and Richmond. This is the second year I have walked with the team. It is only 5k in Westminster--that's about all this old lady can do. The weather held out this year, last year it poured. WPOC, a Baltimore country radio station emceed the event. Local businesses provided drinks and food. Turkey Hill even brought their cow. High school cheerleaders routed us on. It was a very uplifting event. Thanks to all who participated or supported.

Busy Day at Home

It was a busy day at our house this morning. I spent the morning weeding outside. It was very productive. Got out all the those old winter leaves and weeds. The perinneals are just starting to pop out of the ground. I enjoy watching their progress. I am most pleased to see a new plant I purchased last year start to come up. I had never seen an Indigo plant before. I found one last year at Hacienda Shiloh an herb farm I like to visit. They always have something a little bit different to offer. They have a wide variety of garlic and I just love to go and explore. I got some lime basil one year that was absolutely great in TexMex dishes. The indigo was so pretty. She had just dug it up from their garden and I took it home. I didn't know it's hardiness and I was pleased to see new growth after clearing out the leaves today. If it flowers, I will post it.

It's That Time of Year

Crabs are back at our favorite crab house. We got them today for the first time this year. The best crabs I ever got, though, are straight from the Chester River. My nephew lives in Rock Hall, MD. There is a whole barter system down there. A friend gets him the crabs, another steams them. Can't wait for his yearly crab feast so we can enjoy them again.

Attention WOF members.

We will soon have a new participant for Weird Object Friday. Katidids will soon be joining us. Her blog is under construction. Check out her link below.

WEIRD OBJECT FRIDAY

Here is my offering:

Puppy Progress

The puppy loves the house, the yard, the other dogs and my daughter. She was born on Superbowl Sunday. Her mother dog passed away at six weeks and my daughter, the social worker, saw a puppy that needed saving. It can be a handful with three in the house, but it is a delight. You forget how curious they are. We(my daughter, husband and myself) think she is the only puppy that can climb the stairs for the first time, get house trained and play adorably.

Riley Rules

Riley keeps a eye on things. He has turned into the father of the bunch. He has taken on the correction duties among the three dogs. When it was just Riley and Flynn(the golden), Flynn ruled. Now that the puppy is here, all Flynn wants to do is play with her. Riley has become the adult.

Tiring Business

The puppy had a trip to the new vet today. She is a healthy 8 1/2 lbs today. When she came home she and the others dogs ran around like crazy in the backyard. Pooped them all out.

Flynn just plopped down on the kitchen floor and didnt get up.

ORIOLE BASEBALL

I love basball and today I went to the first game of the new season. There has been so much negative on air talk about the team this year. So many young players and not too many fans of the owner in Baltimore, but I had a great time. Spring always brings possibilities and chances for a good season. I have decided to take each baseball day as it comes. I am going to enjoy each game for the little joys it can give--the double play, the home run, the bloopers.

The Birds today won it in the ninth. Very dramatic. The fans really got into it. Go Hernandez!

Peep, Peep, Peep, Peep, Peep

I spent a great day with my daughter, We lunched, shopped, and had a wonderful trip to the Carroll County Arts Council. They are having a "Peep Show" It is a collection of art incorporating those wonderful marshmellow Easter Peeps. But these Peeps are not like any I got in my Easter baskets.

Look below for more peep pictures.

Patriotic Peeps

Pablo Peep Casso

Miracle Peep

Steppin' out with your peeps

Split peep soup

I have used this item for the past 28 years. It certainly has come in very handy. It looks like it could do some harm or rather you could do some harm with it. It actually helps out in the kitchen. Modern day ones look nothing like it. Any guesses?????