a look around our house... and Happy Mother's Day!

Our AGA

It's obvious that I have nothing of interest to post... so, I thought I'd just post a few pics of rooms in our house.  Not terribly interesting, but I do enjoy seeing the insides of other bloggers dwellings, so maybe it's not too boring.  

The two main rooms we live in are the kitchen and the front room. So, that's what you're getting. Both are a bit cluttered. I like to cook and thus, want things close at hand, so my counter space is limited... and I like to putter around with my art, books, and plants in the front room. Thus, it's not exactly a Good House-keeping showcase.

But we love it... and it's comfortable... and we've been here since we built it in 1985. It could definitely use some remodeling, but at our age, I doubt that we will do much. I would really like to run the small entry porch across the front of the house one day. Then we could sit out there in the morning or evenings and watch the walkers go by... 

But first - the kitchen. It isn't large, but isn't small either. Half of it is the cooking area and the other half has a table and chairs, a cup cupboard... as well as a French door leading out to the back patio (the window to the feral world). 

window to the feral world

And of course the main part of the kitchen is the AGA, an old English stove that we fell in love with and bought years ago.  It's always on (no preheating necessary), .... no knobs... and has 4 ovens and 2 hobs.   Here's some pictures:

Kitchen from one side: These objects in front (burner and pancake grill) are not usually there

Kitchen from the other side:  Was cooking when taken (old pic)

Both these pics were taken years ago.  But nothing much has changed... except in this lower one, granddaughter has grown from 7 to 13 (pigtails to no pigtails - I loved those pigtails). 

...and now for the front room:

I took pictures from different angles to get a better idea... but I do have books, blankets, my writings, magazines (mostly food ones) here and there... so, yep... a bit cluttered.

One more angle... to show where I sew/sketch:

and of course, there's my plants:

These are in the right hand corner of front room... with more in the left.  I hope to eventually cover the room with them.

And that's it.  Tomorrow is Mother's Day and the roses on the table are from my oldest son and his wife.

Happy Mother's Day!

Hugs (virtual), 

Rian

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit! May 1, 2026

 

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

\
It's May 1st!  (and I almost forgot...) 

DH reminded me this morning. So, here's wishing you all 

a wonderful healthy happy May!

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

a hodge podge of thoughts and ideas...

Having been busy these last few weeks with visiting in the Hill Country, the unexpected trip to N.O., daughter and son-in-law coming home for a few days, learning to accept my new eye's condition, etc., I haven't had much time to think about things (or read)... as sometimes you just 'go with the flow' and do what needs doing. 

Can't say I haven't enjoyed all of it... even the unexpected visit to N.O. for a family funeral, but now it looks like I may have a few weeks to just 'be'... and 'think' (and read!).  That may sound weird, but perhaps I am a bit weird. To be truthful, I've always thought weird or eccentric was kind of interesting... definitely  not boring (now there is a thing as "too weird" - that I don't care for).

Today I'm back to typing my children's short stories onto the computer so that I can eventually upload them into my book "In Remembrance of Me" (for my family). It will contain my stories, poems, thoughts, essays, and maybe even a few sketches and watercolors. 

Since I know so little about my grandparents - having never thought to ask when they (or other family members) were still around to ask, I thought I'd leave some account of my life for those who might be interested (or not). 

Also, I still need to put away Easter... or at least the baskets, plastic eggs, and a few other things that are still hanging around. I did take the "Happy Easter!" from my door a while back.

And I may need to make some Brown Butter Coffee syrup as well as some Turbinado Vanilla Sugar and some Power/Energy Balls to have on hand... and to put in my friend's upcoming birthday bag. These are all great and I can post the recipes - or just google.

Our little raccoon that comes by every night between 9 and 10 is still making his appearance. Here's a short video I made of him the other night. We have begun to call him "George Cooney". 

(Don't forget to hit the little square button to make the video larger)

...and I will close this rambling post with a recommendation to watch The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair... which is streaming on Prime. It's one of the best shows we've watched in a long time.

And a few memes:

I do this...

it takes me a while in the morning...

I do this too...

As always, thanks for reading...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

' 

Unexpected trip...

Just back from an unexpected trip to New Orleans this week. My brother-in-law passed away last Friday and his funeral was this Wednesday. I say 'unexpected'... but he was 93. My sister (his first wife) passed away back in 1987. She was only 51. 

But despite the sad circumstances, it turned out to be a good visit. I hadn't seen my niece (my sister's oldest child) or her brothers in years (probably the last time was at my own mother's funeral in N.O. back in 2008 - 18 years ago). We text/email, but it's not the same. Seeing their children all grown and adult was wonderful. Hugging them all was wonderful too.

After the funeral, we all went back to the Air-B&B they were staying at in St. Rose. There we ate and talked till late in the evening, swapping stories of time past, people gone, and what all our lives were like now. It was good.

Because of the time crunch, DH and I flew Southwest both ways. We haven't been on a plane together since before Covid. Things have changed. The airports have changed... actually aesthetically for the better. But with all the TSA and security, they ask you to arrive 2-3 hours ahead of your flight time. So, you are left with a lot of time to just hang around. Granted if you want to eat or shop, it's probably good for the airport. We don't do either... just buy a coke and water, possibly a magazine and sit.

Another thing we noticed, we flew on the big new Southwest Boeing 737MAX8 - which has 175 seats (now assigned). Some have extra legroom (you pay for that). Others (ours) are from the wing on back. (row 17 on) Not a problem. I like to be on or behind the wing.

But... what we did notice that the aisle between the seats seemed very narrow (17 inches wide). You have to turn your carry-on the side to get it through. Carry-on maximum size is 24x16x10. Not a problem either, but just wondered how very large people would get through. Maybe that's always been a problem...

Anyway, the flights themselves were fine... no delays, no cancellations. I do love to fly... just don't like the hassle at the airports.

And lastly I'm going to tell you about my cousin (who we stayed with)’s  elderly cat, Teddy. She got him as a rescue after her own 15 year old cat died. Teddy is a domestic shorthair, gray, and about 9 or 10 years old. He is a sweetie! Friendly and loving, and very observant. He watches you very closely, and comes when summoned. 

We were told that his first owner passed away and he found himself at a shelter (for several years). My cousin took him in about a year ago and they have made great companions. Only problem is that he had had surgery previously and recently had to have another operation for some growths... and unfortunately she received his diagnosis of cancer the day of my brother-in-law's funeral. The Vet told her that he may only have another year... but he seems fine, eats well, doesn't seem to be in any pain, and we're hoping they are wrong. (I was told that with 2 of our cats in the past and one lived 10 years, the other 15) So, you never know.

Anyway, here are a few pics of Teddy now... wearing the cone of shame after his second surgery.

new surgery areas

Despite this diagnosis, he is a lucky cat. My cousin spoils him with his favorite foods, several cat trees, scratching posts, toys, etc. And he seems to be responding well to all that love and attention.

Closing this now. We flew back Friday afternoon. It was a bittersweet trip... sad event, but wonderful to see family. 

Thanks for reading. Enjoy your Sunday! 

Hugs (virtually),

Rian

(Seeing the Eye Specialist tomorrow... for a visit and consultation)

 

Easter weekend... and a question

Easter 2026 at the Vinyard

Not the best pic of us... but we are together... and that's something. DH is in back with daughter,  and me and son-in-law with oldest granddaughter. Granddaughter is taking the selfie outside the restaurant where we ate Saturday night. I had pecan crusted salmon, with fried spinach, and cauliflower risotto - delicious!  I'd never had risotto before. It's very good!

Here is a pic of youngest granddaughter's Easter 'bucket'. She forgot to return her Easter basket from previous years... so she is stuck with an Easter bucket (ha!). Also she likes weird things.. (somewhat Goth at 13). So, instead of a chocolate Easter bunny, she got a Douglas rat! His name is Ralph Rat and since she collects Douglas dogs, I thought it appropriate (he really is cute). 

It was rainy and cool enough on Sunday to heat up daughter's pot bellied stove in the kitchen... which warmed me up. Daughter graduated in Interior Design and worked as such for a few years, but was offered a job as a Closer at a Title Company and has done this as her major career.... but she's still a Interior Designer at heart. Her house is always filled with holiday decor... right now 'bunnies everywhere'! Here are a few pics:

Bunny mantel at Easter

Close up of Bunny pic (which I love)
which stays all year round

Bunny Easter table

Bunny tree in kitchen

So, that about covers Easter weekend. We did get to walk around Boerne on Saturday, eat lunch there, and shop a few stores. But although the morning was nice, the afternoon was windy and raining.

Youngest son and family didn't come to the hill country this year as they had just returned from Spring Break in New Orleans. And Oldest son and his wife stayed in Mission, Tx - but we all texted or talked on Easter.

Going to close this with some memes I found on my phone that I probably have posted before (forgive me), but really like... so bear with me.

I do this... a lot

I do this a lot too...

one of my favorite activities

and...

... and you are!

... and just a quick question: 

We used to Skype with friends and family. Now Skype is gone. What can we use to video chat now?  I've heard of Google video and Zoom, but have never used either. Any recommendations?

Ok, closing now. Thanks for hanging in there!

One more pic:  

feral cats enjoying the Easter grass in back

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

April 1, 2026 Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

 

Rabbit! Rabbit! White Rabbit!

It's April!!  And Easter is almost here!

I don't have much to say

But...

HAPPY EASTER!!

and since it is also April Fool's Day...

Hugs (virtual),

Rian

Update on my eye drama... and a bit more

speedy???

Checked in with Eye Surgeon by phone Thursday morning. Told him my eye was still bothering me, tearing a lot, blurry, and had a small bump between my eye and nose. It's been 5 weeks since the stent was taken out. He had me come in, irrigated my eye again,  and said that it was open, not plugged - which is good. Thinks the small lump is just where the sutures were. Told me to put steroid drops in 3-4 times a day for one week, then stop... and see him again in 2-3 weeks. 

So that's where we are...

Also... I've a short funny story. Recently DH and I changed our "departure plans" (not sure what the right word for this is). Basically it's funeral plans without the 'funeral'.  Anyway, the funny part... which wasn't funny at the time... was that the person we changed the plans with was "ghosting" us (ha ha, no pun intended), I had both called and emailed her with no response for about 2 weeks. All we wanted was for her to send us a copy of the new contracts or new arrangements for our files. 

Anyway, I wasn't too worried about it. It's just that on the initial copies that we did have... my name was misspelled and my phone number was incorrect.

But... when I got to thinking about it, why would I care that my name was misspelled when the time came? Also, in that same situation, they certainly wouldn't be calling me... 

Anyway, it was resolved, as when I gave up on calling the agent, I just called the main number and was told that that particular agent was no longer with them... and I was given to another person who immediately sent me copies of the contracts. Problem solved.

*

It is now Saturday morning, March 28th - our grandson who passed away last year would be 19 today... bittersweet thoughts today for a beautiful boy. 💔

*

And... getting ready to leave for our "NO KINGS" protest this morning. It's chilly, so may have to wear a coat... and will post more about it after we get back home. Sometimes there seems like so little we can do to change our present situation... but I know we can attend a PEACEFUL PROTEST (so far this is still legal) and we can VOTE (so far this too is still legal). 

I want so much for AMERICA TO BE KIND AGAIN!

Just back from Protest in our area... HUGE TURNOUT !  Last October there were about 3000 people for that protest, this time looked like 5- 6,000 - not counting all the cars that drove by honking and waving flags. 

Apparently our son went to another given in his area and said it was a great turnout there too...

Here are a few pics: 

 

Enough for today... I need to sit down with a cup of tea and be thankful for peaceful protests. 

One sign I didn't get a picture of said... 

"Are we great yet? Or just embarrassed?"

Hugs (virtual),

Rian