Cottonwood Art Festival

Twice a year the Cottonwood Art Festival takes place and for the past couple of years it seems as though I am always out of town.  Not this year though.  Mister agrees to a morning adventure and off we go.  It's a beautiful day outside -- perfect for a festival.  Upon our arrival, we find some coffee and sit down to listen to some music and enjoy the atmosphere.  It's so fun to people watch and there is an older couple who keeps dancing off to one side.  It's absolutely wonderful.

Utah and Ava's Blessing - Days 4, 5, 6

3rd - I am the first one up today -- yes, that's what happens when you go to bed super early.  Sneaking out of the house, I wander down the street a bit and try to catch the sunrise.    It's going to be spectacular.

White Rock Walking

I flew in this afternoon from a week in Utah and am just dang happy to see my sweet Mister.  The first thing I ask for is a gin and tonic - it's the end of the season and I want one last taste.  Once we have enjoyed them, it's time to walk.  Let's go to the lake and peek around.  As we walk out the back door, I notice that the grasses are blooming.  At least I think they are grasses.  Monkey something or other.

Mister decides to take us down near the dam to walk.  That is always entertaining as the wildfowl hang out there quite a bit.  Perhaps today we will be able to spot some lovelies.

We are rewarded as we come up the trail beside the dam.

Utah and Ava's Blessing - Days 1, 2, 3

8/31 - It's time to fly again.  Miss Ava is being blessed and I wouldn't miss that for anything.  I am, therefore, off to Provo for a few days with the Ashton's.  I am picked up at the airport bright and early by Scott's dad, Paul and dropped off a bit later at the house.  Cassie has not really been out since Ava was born and this would have been a bit of a long drive for her.  Once I'm at the house, Miss Ophelia and Miss Ava await and I am thrilled to get a few minutes with each of them.  Ahhhh, baby smell -- the best.  (I'm looking old.)

Emily and Orrin Visit

A few months ago, the daughter of an old friend in Billings said on Facebook that she was going to be in Dallas for a few days and was looking for advice on travel and ideas of things to do.  As I gave her some suggestions, I also invited them to stay with us for a couple of days to save some money.  They accepted and arrived this afternoon.  We are off to Sonny Bryan's for some authentic Texas BBQ and then maybe a little sightseeing.

After dinner, we make a quick trip down to the West End Historic section and Dealy Plaza, where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  It's always interesting to travel down there and relive moments that you are unable to express to another generation, none of whom have experienced it themselves.

Morning Zoo and a New Brunch Spot

"There is a special koala event at the zoo," Mister says.  "Would you like to go?" I ask, knowing the answer already.  Off we go.  It is the last Saturday in August and members get in an hour earlier than everyone else.  The special koala event is for the members only.  Now it all makes sense, right?

The best part of early admission is that it is still cool enough outside for the other animals to be pretty active.  We are not here for an "entire zoo" day, just our activity and thus our direct route takes us past the primates.  They are just so busy that we have to stop a minute and watch.  Look how high up they are.  For some crazy reason they are looking for the sun instead of realizing that right now it's fairly cool out.  There will be plenty of sun later on.

Coffee and IKEA

For some reason, we are out of the house on a Saturday morning in time for coffee.  Wow.  That's usually a Sunday trick.  Today we are trying a new spot that Mister found.  It opened near one of our local burger spots and is called Cultivar Coffee Bar and Roaster.  They also serve breakfast so it's a win-win to try a new location.  Let's go.

The coffee is pretty good, food decent but expensive.  Mister's frown --- only cos I am taking his picture after he took mine where I thought he was only shooting the food.  Turn about is fair play.

Now what to do?  Mister suggests IKEA and I jump on the bandwagon.  I love IKEA and we rarely get to go there since it is quite a distance.  It is crazy busy today since it is a Saturday, but we spend a LOT of time trying to figure out what to do in the office at home.  We think we have settled on some shelves, but we've been down this road before and never seem to find just what we want.  We'll see.

A few treasures do make their way home with us, one being a new rug to protect the living room floors on my sew days.  Yep, good stuff here.