We've Hit Week Six of Dallas Blooms - AZALEAS

It's Week Six and we are off for our morning walk and soul brightener.  The tulips outside the Arboretum have finished and new plantings have taken their place.

Unexpected Saturday Delight - Garland, TX

It's been one of those crazy, run errands kind of day.  We've been to several stops, finished up our list, had lunch, and decided to drive over to Garland for a nice moment of relaxation.  On the way, I mentioned that they might have one of the craft shows downtown and as we got closer, the whole square was indeed blocked off.  After finding a place to park, we walked toward the brewery and discovered that there is an Art Walk going on AND it's an art fair, not craft - big difference.  This could be fun.

Week Five at the Flower Zoo (Dallas Blooms) and more

 Can you believe it's the fifth week in a row at the flower zoo?  What will we find today? The minute we enter, I see that the wisteria is making an appearance and I can already smell it.  I'm in love!

Dallas Blooms Week Four and More

 It is Week Four of Dallas Blooms - I absolutely love going each week to see the changes and enjoy Mother Nature doing her thing.  Off to the Flower Zoo (Mister's name for the Dallas Arboretum), we go. Outside the entrance, the tulips are almost finished.

St. Patrick's Day Parade and More

 Wondering how to spend our Saturday, a decision was made to journey down to the St. Patrick's Day parade on Greenville.  In all the years I've lived in Dallas, this is one event we have never witnessed.  It's a train day!  Who on earth wants to try and find parking where 125k people are heading?  We park the car at White Rock Station and grab the train to Mockingbird Station.  

Dallas Blooms - Week 3 and Fish and Fizz

 A rainy/cloudy March day, but we are still spending time together.  Deciding to try the Arboretum between rain storms, we stop for coffee at LDU and it is just so yummy.  Cinnamon Swirl Bread and a Fritter top it off perfectly.

Exploring the Metroplex - Frisco Stops

 Oh the weather outside is . . . well, very cloudy and rain is in the forecast for this afternoon.  That means we are off to play, but trying to stay indoors for most of our adventures today.  We get a bit of a late start, but head up to Frisco.

Our first stop is at Penney's, where we have gift cards to use up.  One never knows with Penney's as to how long they will stay in business, so . . .  A few items come home with us.  I hit a sale rack for shirts and paid less than 9 dollars for each of these.

Mister got a new sleeping pillow and we decided to give dryer balls a try.  (psst - forgot a pic when they were still in the box.)

There is also a new brewery we want to try out but first, we remember a restaurant from years ago that we loved and want to re-visit.  Along the way to lunch, we spot a Farmer's Market and decide to check it out.  It's a permanent structure with booths under cover from weather.  There are heaters on inside and it's a very pleasant experience.

Sunday Strolling - Zoo Member Morning, Bishop Arts, Oak Cliff Mardi Gras

 Good Morning!  We have Member Morning at the zoo and it starts at 8 so it's up and outta here for another fun-filled day.  Today's special event is the giraffes - we are off to watch and learn.

Saturday Shenanigans - Dallas Blooms Week 2, Truckyard (inc. Fun Museum), and OHB

 A glorious Saturday has arrived and we are off to enjoy!  First stop is week two of Dallas Blooms and we're betting it is a HUGE difference from last week.  Check out that post first and then see the changes.  Ahhhh - TULIPS!!!  We haven't even made it inside the Arboretum yet.

Bday Weekend Continues - Dallas Zoo, Trinity Cider, Le Bons Temp, and Vector

 We are still in the birthday weekend/season and today we are off to walk the zoo and get some exercise at the same time.  It's still pretty chilly out, so some animals may be in hiding.  That's okay.  Off we go.

First stop is to play with some birds.  Mister has the magic touch today - they are really only interested in him.

Mister's Bday - Bagels, Arboretum, Jimmy's, OHB, and more.

 Mister's Birthday is today and he is in charge - I'm along for the ride and happy to do so.  First up is Lubbies Bagels - a new-to-us shop.

Small Outing - DMA and Manhattan Project

 Cabin fever may have set in a bit so we are going out wandering.  It's still dang cold out, so somewhere inside is the plan.  There is a Frida Khalo exhibit at the Dallas Museum of Art - that seems warm and interesting all at once.

So - here's a little background - Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderon was born on July 6, 1907, in Coyoacan, Mexico, the third of four daughters, to Matilde Calderon and Guillermo Kahlo, a German emigre and professional photographer.  At an early age, she contracted polio, which permanently impaired movement in her right leg.  Although her father encouraged her interest in art and art history, her ambition was to study medicine.  Those plans were sidelined when, at the age of 19, the bus she was riding in collided with a street tram.  Kahlo was impaled by a railing that caused extensive injuries.  During her long convalescence, painting became a solace and a passion, and art gave her a meaningful path forward.

I'll be honest - much of her work is not my cup of tea but I can still appreciate beauty.  This exhibit was more about her than her art and focused on the many photographs of her and self portraits as well.  This photo - to the left - is perhaps my favorite of her.  She is not so hard in it.  It was taken by Nicholas Murray in 1939.

Winter 2025 Montana Trip - Week Two

 Dang - February first is here and I have no idea where January went.  I know, it was busy and that makes it go faster, but still . . .

We are on our second week up in Montana, visiting with Mom and many other family members.  This week we get started with a dinner hosted by Jill.  My sweet Mister is just not feeling well, so he stayed back to sleep.

Winter 2025 Montana Trip - Week One

 It's a fly day and we are taking advantage of city transportation once again.  Picked up at the house at 12:30 by the shuttle, we are soon dropped at the DART station and catch our train to the airport.

Girlfriends Cruise 2025 - Days 7 and 8 - Sea Day with Chef's Table and Return Home

 We have our last Sea day today and I want to enjoy it as much as I can while still getting all the "requireds" done.

Our last breakfast together gets the day off right.

Girlfriends Cruise 2025 - Day 6 - Cozumel, Mexico

 Cozumel and fun awaits us today.  We are playing on our own and looking forward to fun.  Last year's visit can be found in this 2024 Trip post.  Check it out if you want more information than I'm giving today.

Here comes Cozumel!!

Girlfriends Cruise 2025 - Day 5 - Costa Maya (Mahahual, Mexico)

Today's port is Costa Maya, Mexico and we really don't have any plans.  Last time here, we did do an excursion and saw a bit more of the area.  Here is the 2024 LINK if you wish to see more about this part of the world.

I'm up and watching us come into port - looks like we have company today.

Girlfriends Cruise 2025 - Day 4 - Isla Roatan, Honduras

 We have our first port day today and the only excursion that we have paid for.  We are doing the Top 10, but there are not 10 stops so it's a bit misnamed.  At any rate, come along and see a bit of Isla Roatan.  I did do different things last trip, so here is the 2024 LINK if you are interested in seeing more of the island.

I'm in love with being able to watch us come into port from the balcony of our room.  It is such a full view.  This docking always throws me for a bit as we back into port.  My view became out to sea after a bit.

Girlfriends Cruise 2025 - Days 1-3 - Departure and Sea Days

 The girls and I have all met up!  It's time to board the ship and we are EXCITED!!  Some of us have been on the Jubilee before so I'm not going to share all the features of the ship this time.  If you are interested in seeing spots all around her, here is the 2024 LINK where I did post many pictures.

We get a bit of a photo bomb, but we're almost there. 

Early Departure For Cruise - Gwen and I

 Weather forecasts are not  looking good for the DFW area so Gwen and I make a last minute decision to leave for Galveston 2 days early.  Packing, grocery shopping, and craziness ensued, but by 4 p.m. I am on my way to pick up Gwen in Ennis.  We're only going as far as Corsicana tonight, but it is below the frost line.  Our first stop is to find dinner at a restaurant that Gwen knows about.  After that, we are off to the hotel and a good nights sleep.  We are both pretty dang tired.