Bubba, Bella and Bucee's

I just returned from a quick trip of 700 miles.  I had to leave just as the sun was coming up so that I could be in the Tyler area early afternoon for some dental work (prior dentist was finishing some work he started). While there I was thrilled to have lunch with a couple of my knitting gals. We were so busy visiting, knitting and eating that I didn't have time to get a photo.

After I got my new crown, I headed off to Round Rock to see my nephew play football.  Ian is the first boy in our extended family to be born in Texas.  Since every good Texas family needs a Bubba - well, you get the idea.  But lets keep this between us, as it is kinda a family nickname with more to the backstory than I can share here!
Ian has grown into a really wonderful young man.  He is handsome, considerate, loves football and tries to forget homework - he's a junior!  Over the summer, Ian had his first job working as a lifeguard at the kid's pool for his town.  He saved a child from drowning in his first week!

By the time I arrived at the game, the Round Rock Dragons had enough points on the scoreboard that Ian was done playing for the night.  I had to settle for these photos. 

While in RR, I also got to spend time with Miss Bella - a precoscious princess who rules our hearts! She blessed me with a brief photo op.  I love this one because her tail reminds me of the way we wore our ponytails in the 80's - on top our heads and spread out.  Her loyal (forced) subject is the sweet Cinny.
As I drove home, I saw this amazing old barn.  I have a thing for old barns - I love to photograph them and try to capture their character.

My break was taken at the second biggest Bucee's in Texas.  This is a perfect place to stop, stretch and pick up a snack (or a meal, even).  Their pride is in the overwhelming number of restroom stalls they have - enough for a busload of ladies with a dozen left over!  They are always clean.  Bucee's is something to experience.  Oh, and don't forget to get a picture with their mascot.

The Grinning Gator

When we had company visit us recently, we took them to the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge which is a few miles from our home.  There are many alligators making this wetland facility their home but you don't always get to see all of them.  They are masters at hiding in the waters.  Gators can stay submerged or just have eyeballs visible - the better to watch you...

While making this visit, we didn't see lots of alligators but we did see something I'd never witnessed before.  A grinning gator - well, I want to believe that is what he was doing.  This guy was hiding in the marsh grass and we nearly missed him.  My husband backed so our friend, Dick, and I could get out of the car and snap our photos. 

These photos are the gators reaction when my hubby did his best gator noises. He must have done a good job to get this response!

We had about 20 feet of water between us and the gator and kept our car doors open.  This seemed a good sign that it was time to get back into the car!















The refuge isn't only gators - there are a variety of water fowl, a butterfly garden and beautiful nature scenes throughout. 

 

 

 

 

Anahuac National Wildlife Rufuge is a national treasure and a destination location for anyone in the Houston area.  If you are in Galveston, you can take an enjoyable FREE ferry ride over to the refuge and maybe witness a beautiful sunset, too.

Texas GatorFest

This past weekend was so much fun.  It was our first Gatorfest.  We live in the gator capital of Texas where alligators outnumber residents 3:1.  This festival celebrates the gator in a variety of formats.  You are able to experience alligator through hunters bringing in their catch.  This one was over 10 feet long.  The biggest of the weekend was over 13 foot.  Just a bit un-nerving when you think it through - these are taken from the region surrounding my home!  Hunters must have a special permit, have catch limits, need to hunt during a 'season' and have strict rules such as they have to be close enough to hook a gator first and then can use a gun to dispatch it.

You are allowed to handle gators, dead and alive.  This guy challenged me to put my head in the gators mouth but decided to do it himself when I declined.  He confirmed my thought that their mouth (even when dead) smells really bad.

The only way to hold a gator, regardless of size, is if their mouth is taped shut.

Not into the 'real' gators - that's okay, just spend time with the festival mascots.

We were blessed to have the company of some sweet friends, Dick and Ethel, visit us for gatorfest.  Ethel enjoyed the gator she tried for lunch.  Dick and I's tastebuds are not as adventerous as our spouses but we share a love of photography. 

Another popular event at the festival is airboat rides.  I was ready to pay my $12 for a 4 minute tour but was unwilling to wait 2 hours in the heat and humidity.  I had to settle for some really fun photos and the mist sprayed over those of us watching others have their turn.  Yep, they gave some wild rides!

Texas Gatorfest is an annual event each September in Anahuac, Texas.  They have a FaceBook page also. Additional activities include concerts, cook-offs, dances, pagents, vendors, and side-shows.  This guy was juggling fire!

A Cookie by another name - Bar Cookies

I started making this version of cookie when I was informed by my then-young daughter that I was responsible for bringing 3 dozen home-made cookies to the school.  This was at breakfast the morning they were due. 

That's the beauty of this recipe.  Find out at breakfast, mix them up, put in the oven, slice and take your cookies (everyone will be more impressed when they are still warm) to your event in about 45 minutes. (Or make these when you want to avoid heating the house or all the standing as you make individual cookies.)

Bar cookies can be made with any recipe, but the standard 2-3 dozen cookie recipe needs to be doubled!  I like chocolate chip - a traditional cookie favored by so many.  I skip the nuts these days due to the unknown of food allergy sufferers. 

What you need:

1 cup butter

2 eggs

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup (firmly packed) brown sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

12 ounce package of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream and mix the first 5 listed ingredients well.  Slowly add the dry ingredients.  Stir in the chocolate chips by hand. 

Grease a jelly roll pan lightly with butter (you can use what is left on the butter wrappers).  Spread the dough into the pan.  It requires a bit of work to get the dough to the edges but the thinner layer bakes quicker. 

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25-30 mintues.  Check earlier.  You want a golden top but a slightly moist center.  Cut the cookies into approximately 1" squares.  Transport in a wax paper lined box.