joy blossoms

It is fair & right to say that I have bought some truly lovely and fabulous shoes over my decades of life, but I think I surpassed them all with today's pair.

Have you ever seen SUCH cuteness???   Am elated to know that a niecelette will be joining our family at the end of January this year.  And am happy to share/train with her the utter joy there is in the right pair of shoes.  

mid-week humour

A true ear-ring.  You're welcome.

sigh of relief

All my bureaucratic paperwork is submitted and I am once again covered medically, dentally and retiredly.  After almost 14 months of surviving as an independent artist, this is such a relief.

the elders

enjoying a fun gathering and alumni reunions in the sunny PNW.

pausing to sniff the flowers

As it finally feels like July 'round here, it is safe to get into the 68 degreed water of the lovely Springs.  LOVE their new signage.

As it was Lady Bird's birthday today, her Wildflower Center was free admission, so a perfect time to meander through the butterflies.

girls do just wanna have fun at times

And sometimes that includes two-steppin' to one's favorite local band.

And sometimes, fun includes an exquisite meal at a gorgeous restaurant to celebrate one's new job contract.

 

An autographed cd by the above fav artist!!!

Warm summer twilights.

Chile disguised as a large carrot~works for me.

One last shot.

dare I say, as cute as a bug??!

In the stack of 'welcome to the neighborhood' coupons/papers, I received a certificate to the local hardware store.  (Let's use that phrase loosely from now on~yes, the place does sell tools and such, but one may also buy lots of Italian china and crystal bits from Prague.)

To my delight, utter, this darling little watering can was 75% and they owed me change!!

And as this locally renown bakery was right across the parking lot, decided it was a sign I ought to go in.   The clerk was highly caffeinated and was so crushed that I didn't buy a strawberry macaroon, that he threw one in for free.  It ended up a bit smushed in my book bag by the end of the day, but still ~ for my first encounter with this kind of cookie, I impressed.  Texas Peach won for best flavour of this box.  (Mocha and coconut were the other two.)

Happy Friday y'all.

bounty

 

Squee!  A quarter found on today's sultry walk.

And there's the comfort in knowing that despite the rate of my chocolate consumption~I will most likely never reach the end of the varieties at Trader's. 

And while my tomatoes did not survive the move, the markets are overflowing with such amazing choices of colours.  

Bounty everywhere today.

time to sing along

to those Lazy Hazy Crazy Days of Summer. 

While it is this sultry, morning walks are the only way to get exercise outdoors.  (Wafting about in the swimming pool probably doesn't count as cardio.)

So many things blooming right now~the streets and parks are exuberant with colours.

This 'shroom is about the size of my head~debating on whether I should become an urban forager (perhaps a hallucinogenic one) or just let it be.

And yes, you're welcome for sticking that annoying little tune into your day!!

sunrise, sunset

Sun tea, a brewin'.

Cutie patootie.

Monday miracle

Ahhhhh.

little burbles

of joy in this bumpy week of car repair and vituperative managers.

Whimsical new socks arrived in the post.  (It's hard to see, but the packer from the company added fun doodles to the note.)

While living in San Francisco I ate mannnny pupusas (yes, go look them up~delish!), and despite Austin being a food mecca, I haven't found a place that serves them.  Was delighted to find vege ones in my co-op last week.  AND  I learned how to make the tangy cabbage that goes atop the tortillas.

One of the joys of my new place is being able to walk to so many venues and last night, I strolled through the (gasp) 70 degreed air to meet co-workers at a teeny Italian place. 

happenings in the 'hood

 Yay for Museum Thursdays and free admission.  Wandered through the new exhibit on cats/dogs and then popped upstairs to see what was in the modern art gallery.   I am SO tempted to return and place a box of markers under these.   I am fairly artistic and whimsical, but I just don't see the art here.  I can admire the nicely placed frames, but beyond that?  Yeah, I think the markers are a good idea.  Interactive art!

Became a member of the lovely co-op across the street and now have access to myriad veg/vegan/gluten free/hand-woven by Tibetan monk items.  A free bottle of vitamins and a lip balm came with the paperwork. 

now it's summer!

tentatively joyful

After five interviews, four campus visits, one Skype conversation, a five page philosophy of teaching essay and umpteen emails and phone calls, I have a verbal offer to become the choral/music teacher at a private middle school this upcoming year!

 

My classroom is directly above the glass doors on the far right side of this photo~it is the most gorgeous physical space that I have ever worked in.  Large windows overlooking those oak trees that I love.  THREE sound proof studios with pianos just off my room.  A healthy budget for anything I want/need.  Private staff bathroom (you've no idea how awesome that is).  Keurig and a microwave on my counter.  Tons of storage.  Nice risers that are the middle schools alone.  A brand new chapel building with a fully equipped stage (professional lighting and sound boards).  

And from the classes I taught in the spring?  A curious and engaged student population.  Here's to the next resume entry!

please admire

My fabulous new wheel and wheel bearings~between this and the new right wheel that will be installed later this week, I could have had a verrrrrrry nice summer holiday trip.   My grateful for this posting is that all of this was dealt with in the a/c repair shop and not alongside some melting asphalt of a road.

Oh, the gospel train is comin'

And in Texas?  That train comes with a delicious brunch.

Introduced an Aussie friend to the American concoction of root beer floats.  While it was enjoyed, it will probably not be on the menu again anytime soon.

& the breeze is so busy

Interesting choice of graffiti for a warm and land-locked city.

 

Finally made it to Barton Springs this summer~as zippy and refreshing as I remember.

 

And then!  Finally made it to the Zilker Summer Theatre Got there early to snag prime blanket territory and got to watch the stage crew do final cleaning and prop placement.

Lying under the large oaks of Texas, listening to the orchestra tune up is a rather nice way to spend a sultry evening.

Incredible full moon rise during the opening scenes of the musical.