3rd Annual Ornament & Cookie Exchange

Another year is almost gone and that means my Annual Ornament and Cookie Exchange is coming up quick.  So many decisions to make and lots to prepare.  So . . . . first up, I need to make a prototype of the ornament.

Taking an online tutorial (I'm typing this in November) more than once --- Mister says he could make the dang thing since he's listened to it so many times -- prepares me and I'm soon cutting fabrics for the sample.  Precious moments are spent in front of the computer, listening once again as I go and after a bit -- I have a sample.  I'ts not perfect, but I think I can teach it.  (The online tutorial was free in exchange for an email address so I'm not violating any copyright laws.)

Zoo Lights!!

I so love Thursdays as my sweetie usually treats me to great date nights.  Tonight we are attending the Adults-Only Dallas Zoo Lights.  We saw these a couple of years ago with family, but think they have enlarged it and even if not, it's just plain romantic to stroll among the lights.

Upon our arrival, we walk the tunnel -- which is now decorated as Zoodio 54 with extreme strobe lights set to music.  The color change almost constantly as you walk through.  Upon exiting, there is a new display!  These penguins are so cute.

Thanksgiving 2019

For the first time EVER -- Mister and I are home alone for Thanksgiving.  A debate ensued as to what we should do, but the thought of no leftovers won out.  We are cooking a complete dinner just for the two of us.  Our turkey weighs 14 pounds and it looks amazing as I write this.  A wine is selected from the cooler and since it's 10 years old, I believe it's time.  This winery used to be in Deep Ellum here in Dallas but now has a great location in Hye, TX and still uses only Texas grapes.

Fun in Dallas - Part 2 - DMA

Our day just keeps going and getting better.  Now, we are at the Dallas Museum of Art for a new exhibit to enjoy.  It is called speechless:  different by design.  per the DMA we can "explore the many ways in which we connect to the world around us through our senses in an exhibition of multi-sensory, interactive, and immersive experiences for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities."  Mister is given a bag full of extra items to help us out along the way.  The first exhibit is "sound of the earth chapter 2" by Yuri Suzuki.  We laid our ears up against the ball and depending on where you stood, different sounds were heard.  Each panel was unique and pleasant.

Fun in Dallas - Part 1 - Zoo and Deep Ellum

My sweetheart is still officially on vacation and after a day cleaning up the yard yesterday, we are out of the house this morning.  It's a beautiful day and we'er going walking --- first at the zoo.  The hippos are out and enjoying the morning too.  What a great beginning.

Louisiana Trip - Day Six - Back in Texas and Heading Home

With the decision being made to arrive back home today, we adjust our route according to a few things spotted on Atlas Obscura.  Off to Zavalla, TX we go, only to discover that I didn't do my research well enough and with the rain, it was a bad plan.  At any rate, I locate a quilt shop to check out and Mister agrees.  Locating it is a story all by itself and you can check it out in this Spotlight Post all about Ross Fabric and Crafts.  It's worth a lookie, especially if you sew.

From there the road takes us to Lufkin, TX and we have not stopped at a single antique shop on this trip, so now seems like a great time.  Again, it deserves a post of its own, so click this link
Antique Fun to see all that we did.  As we are driving through downtown, Mister spots a building with a "quilt" pattern on it.  How fun.

Louisiana Trip - Day Five - Opelousas to Jasper, TX

Leaving Opelousas this morning, the day is once again COLD.  That's okay -- a car with seat warmers and a great attitude are all that we require.  And coffee.  Brew and Scoop - a coffee and ice cream spot - is today's winner.  The order goes in and while we wait, a group of people sitting and chatting have me chuckling to myself.  I'm not passing judgement here -- at all --- I just found it humorous that a mixed group (meaning men and women) were sitting and loudly discussing breast feeding pros and cons.  Even Mister can't keep from smiling.  The coffee is good - personally, I think it was better than yesterdays, but I'm still refining my palate.

Going southwest, about an hour later, we are in Crowley and we stop to walk around a bit.  A beautiful church stands on one corner and we find ourselves making that the first place to explore.  Saint Michael The Archangel Catholic Church was established in 1897.  It is of Italian Renaissance architecture and cost about $40,000 to construct.  The current renovation, which was completed in 2015, cost approximately $2.8 million.  Goodness.  (Two cameras, two developers - I have brightened all my pictures to show detail -- Mister's show incredible atmosphere)