Where the road meets the sky

I have returned home once again, just as I have for the past thirteen years, from a long Thanksgiving weekend out of town. The magic of South Texas always proves to me, over and over again, just how beautiful this world is.
Especially in a place you might least expect it.Each morning we woke up early,
hours before the sun peeked its head through the mesquite trees.
While it was still dark outside and even the jack rabbits and cotton tails were sound asleep deep in their holes.
We bundled up in heavy coats, and drove up and down the hard red clay hills.
This is a feeling like no other. No words can explain it.
It is here I see the brightest of reds.
Crimson reds.
Found in the rising of the South Texas sun,
and later that day in the wings of hundreds of butterflies we found feasting on the abundance of Texas wild flowers.
Rare this time of year.And, there are the browns.
The sure sign of the first freeze.
It comes much later here.

I love it here. I can breathe in, and I can breathe out. Pure, fresh air.
No expectations. No hurry.
I love it here.

But then, once I am home,
I am looking forward to a Suitcase Sale in San Antonio.
Ahhh, I love it here (too).

{Echo} Week 3 - abundance:light

This week's Echo prompt: Abundance.

I chose abundance:light.
Abundant and so very important in my life.
Something I take for granted.
Color would no longer exist without it.
What a bleak thought.

It helps me find my way.
The Brenham House B&B
Brenham, Texas
September 28, 2009

It brightens a dark spot.
Excess
Warrenton, Texas
September 26, 2009

It helps me share a beautiful day
with one very bright light of my life.
Excess Field
Warrenton, Texas
September 27, 2009
And, as always, visit the originators of Echo:
Chrysti and Susan
for (more) abundance.
You will be blessed.
Addition to post:
The collaboration can be seen here.

Warrenton Antique Week Day One

I am often asked what kind of jewelry I design. I have had to think about it before I could answer. I have said more times than once.....(especially this last year),
I deconstruct and reconstruct vintage jewelry.
Often I find myself first deconstructing a vintage piece, most often a rhinestone necklace, bracelet, brooch or shoe clip. I then begin adding and/or subtracting gemstones, pearls and crystals, charms, chain and relics, lockets and vintage findings,
constructing to my heart's desire!

I love scanning Etsy, perusing local antique shops, visiting favorite vendors at antique and quilt shows, AND occasionally happening upon an estate sale.....often times with my daughter. Yep, she too has the bug. No, not looking for vintage jewelry, but for just looking.
That is where it all starts you know. I can see her now in my mind's eye last September during Antique Week.

She is my spotter. Making that second sweep through a tent is a critical job.
And, she is good at it. Really good.You never know what you might find hiding in just the most tiniest of places.
Perhaps a lovely old tin sitting unnoticed on the end of a dresser.

How about these? Could I possibly use a pair of children shoes?
Or, how about this lovely old jewelry box?
Perhaps a new prop for my display table.
I see so many stacks of Mexican sugar molds.
This was a first, rising out of an old washtub ....just like the one my grandma (Josie) used.Layers of lace piled high on silver cake stands. The lace, $8-$20,
was a little too pricey for me.
I looked further. There is always the next tent.
I find two of these. Stuffed full of lace. And, in a vintage mason jar.
Two for $25 or one for $15...why did I just buy one?
Now on to the good stuff.
That will have to be Day Two.
(Texture credits go to: les brumes)

{Echo} Week 2 - decorate

diane / lani

It never ceases to amaze me how a prompt, in this case through the camera lens, can be interpreted so differently by each contributor. I must admit that this week was quite a surprise. Each of our photos so different, yet so very captivating side by side.
The second week of Susan's and Chrysti's bi-weekly prompt, through the lens of their camera, is decorate.
Lani began our collaboration by sending her picture for decorate:offering. She has more to say about it here.
My contribution is one made up of several layers. Much like adding layers of decorations to an area of my home during the holidays, or outside during different seasons of the year; my pictures were all taken in Santa Fe, New Mexico this past March. I walked Santa Fe that week, camera in hand, snapping hundreds of photos.
More details on what makes up each layer can be found on my flickr.
Want to take this ride with us? Details are found here.