Okay - So a Bit More Winter

Well, alrighty then.  We returned home from Mister's birthday trip and are receiving a bit more winter.  It's amazing --- almost 80 degrees on Saturday and now this.  Mister has been working from home for two days while we experienced an ice storm and now:  --- well, here comes the snow again.

A Bit of Winter in Texas

We are enjoying a wee bit of Old Man Winter today.  It does make me a bit homesick now and then, but then I go outside and remember exactly why I DON'T miss it.

Hill Country Birthday Weekend - Day Two

Happy Birthday Mister!  Yep, we are the same age again.  Ha ha.  As soon as we are showered and packed up, the first spot we look for is a coffee shop and we find this cute little place one block off Main Street.  It's a cozy, little place and we grab a couple of pastries to go along with our liquid warmth.  While we are there, the place fills until there is a long line waiting to be served.

Hill Country Birthday Weekend - Day One

A couple of weeks ago, I asked Mister where he wanted to go for his birthday.  To explain -- we have opted for trips in lieu of gifts to each other for quite some time now and although he has received small goodies each day of the birthday season, no single item over $10.00.  Now back to my story.  He chose Austin at the time but then switched it up a bit to a wonderful drive through the Hill Country.  We haven't been down that way in several years and never using the back roads as our main route.

It is now VERY early Saturday morning and we are on our way.  The first town that catches our eye enough for a photo stop is Hico (pronounced hye-ko) and we absolutely have to stop and drive through the downtown.  What a fun, well-kept little slice of heaven.  We are definitely going to make this little town a destination all it's own.  Looks like some fun antiquing too.

Valentines Day!

Happy Valentines Day!  I truly love this day and am pretty sure that it is my favorite holiday of all.  I mean - seriously - what could be better than a day devoted to love?  Whether it be for your sweetie, your parents, your children, or your very best friend.  I want everyone to be my valentine.

We don't go nuts in our house with gifts - ever.  It's just not what we do for each other.  BUT boxes of chocolate, twizzlers, a new back brush, and a pair of reading glasses to add to the stack of ones that are constantly being hunted for are perfect little items to surprise one another with.  Oh -- balloons and cards too.  Isn't this fun?

Mister has planned a lovely day out for the two of us.  We are off to Fort Worth to check out a few "new to us" breweries.

 I love these type of days -- relaxing and so fun to just visit together and see where the day takes us.

Our first stop is Rio Carlo Magnolia Brew Pub and we arrive just before the lunch crowd hits.  It's a fairly large place with good a lot of seating and some interesting decor.  I LOVE chalkboards in places.  Lots of easily changed information.

The next place on Mister's list doesn't open for a little more than an hour so as we are driving around the area, we spot a park that looks interesting.  It is below the Tarrant County Community College and right on the Trinity River.  It looks like it's time for a walk and some exploration.

What the heck is this tree?  It is absolutely loaded with small dark purple berries of some sort.  Incredible.  As we venture down the path, I spot what remains of an older building and am soon off to check it out.  What could it have been?

As Mister and I explore, it appears that someone has been using it for a home - I would use the word "shelter" but without a roof, I am not sure it qualifies.  There are articles of clothing and garbage piled in one room.  We don't disturb anything and are soon on our way.  I would love to know what the building was originally used for.  Must be time for some research.

Just below the building stand this sculpture.

And one more look back - so interesting.

Within moments we are at a very large bridge over the river.  As we wander next to it, there are openings to peek inside the structure.  Oh I wish I was still spry enough to climb up and see the view because this next picture shows where it leads.  Oh my --- love, love, love the reflection on the water today.
A little further down, we discover a spillway and realize that we will now have to backtrack as there is no place to cross the river -- well at least not within eyesight.

As we are walking back, my friend Lee Ann is at a fabric sale and is texting me with pictures of products.  Yes, some things are allowed to grab my attention even when out walking.  Apparently I am so involved in it that Mister has to look back and see what is taking me so long.  The sun doesn't help as I have a hard time seeing the screen and keep dashing into shadowy spots.

With that part finished and my selections made, I am back to the task at hand.  TURTLES!  Oh my.

The clock has ticked off over an hour now and it is time to depart for Martin House.  When we arrive, the line is down the street and we join the throngs.  They have a Pretzel Stout here that I absolutely adore and it will be hard for me to save it for last while I try the other offerings.  The location is great and I love the view of downtown Fort Worth.  It's a beautiful day and people are taking advantage of it by setting up outside and relaxing in the sunshine.

Lines are long, but move along pretty quick and everyone is kind to one another.  It's funny, but until today I didn't realize that "Martin House" brewery was named because of the purple martins that are so prevalent in our area.  Their "houses" are everywhere but I never put the two together until I saw the inside of the brewery.  My bad.

There is musical entertainment and we grab a spot on a bench across from them to listen and enjoy.  At one point, they take a break and I love what their chairs are covered with -- had to take a picture for my crocheting friends.  Pretty cool, huh?

It's time to move on.  There are still two spots on the list and one is a bit of a drive.  Let's get going.  As we leave the area -- oh, look at this.  Don't you just LOVE beautiful church buildings?  I know I do.  Ah, the architecture is just wonderful.

We arrive at The Bearded Eel brewery and are instantly at home.  Now, THIS is our kind of brewery.  Small, older clientele (you know, the ones who truly want to savor and taste the subtle differences as opposed to those who want "all you can drink for 10 bucks"), and the owners working and talking with us.  BJ and Becky opened this little gem about 4 months ago and are brewing some pretty dang good beers.

They also have a remarkable sense of humor once in the restroom, I had to return with a camera.  Yep, they've got it going on.

We stay for quite awhile and enjoy visiting with them as they share their story and their love for what they are embarking on.  Dang, I sure wish they were closer to us -- this could easily become our "Cheers" hangout.  Forty-five minutes is a bit though.

We have one last stop to make at the The Collective Brewing Project.  It's a nice space, but cold and not very welcoming.  After the last spot, this is a bit of a disappointment.  We grab a couple spots at the bar and order.  The prices are a bit high and they don't offer any samplers, which for someone like me who is wanting to TRY their beers just doesn't make sense.  Oh well.

We enjoy our beer, visit a wee bit with the dude behind the bar and decide to call it a night.  Let's get home, enjoy some yummy leftovers and cuddle.  As we drive into Dallas, the lights downtown are definitely playing along.  Everything is glowing with pink and white.  They seem to say, "Welcome home."  Thanks for spending our day with us and we'll catch ya later on.  Again, Happy Valentines Day to everyone.

Checking In With The Orchid

And then there were two -