Whispers of Autumn

I long for the colors I see and feel in autumn. The yellows that turn to gold; browns that soak down and back into the earth; the delicate purple flowers of a purple sage; and the vibrant crimson red I see in the Cardinals at the deer lease.

I long for that first brisk breeze of a north wind. I want to wrap up in a fleece jacket. Feel air so cold it makes my eyes water. Autumn in the south is ever so slow to arrive. It is here for such a brief moment, that if you blink you will miss it. And then it is winter, cold and often wet.

But~there is promise of cool weather this weekend~and; I believe I can feel the whisper of autumn in the air. Ummmmmm~

Pre-Show Time

Getting ready for a show is hard work. The creations are the fun part. The picture taking, inventory posting and tagging are another thing. Just a preview of what I will have for sale at my show this next Sunday at St. John Vianney Catholic Church located at 625 Nottingham Oaks Trail Houston 77079. More pictures will be coming~

~and the winner is~

Kara~you are the winner of the jewelry give-a-way! Please contact me, so I can send these darling little czech crystal hoops to you!

Thanks to all who played with me; and for all the encouraging and sweet messages. I am truly blessed.

And, thank you Jen, for having me as your first Great Goods guest! You are one special and talented kindred spirit!

I hope to hear from all of you again in the future, because it can get lonely on the prairie~

Great Goods

My good friend kansasrose has begun a new blogsite called Great Goods. She so graciously has asked me to be her first guest blogger! I am humbled by the request and so excited to share my passion with her and her friends.
In honor of such occasion, I am having a (secret) jewelry giveaway. So please leave a comment on this post. I will draw a winner, out of the names posted until then, on October 4th at 6pm CST. If I draw your name, I will contact you for shipping details, and then you will receive a special piece of my jewelry in the mail.

Also, I would like to link to you if you wish and you to me~just let me know when you post.
So, be sure and check out my interview on Great Goods.

This is so much fun~thanks Jen!

have you ever caught yourself going home?

New Bremen, Texas - 1965 (or thereabouts)

Bandera, Texas - 2007

When we traveled to the hill country about a week ago, I found myself going home. The hill country of Texas, is not the rolling hills of Austin County, where I was born, and lived more than thirteen years. But, one of the properties we visited in Bandera, was a large ranch, now being broken up into 2 acre tracts. It was so beautiful, especially at sunset, when I snapped the picture above. The large sprawling pastures of bermuda grass, with a healthy sprinkling of mighty oak trees. Some of this acreage was more wooded than others; just like I remember of the ranch I grew up on during, I believe, my most formative years.

This trip has caused me to reflect on who I am, and has brought back memories of me running as fast as I could from the small New Bremen community I grew up in. I did not like living 15 miles (seemed like 100) down a dirt road, on a large tract of land, called The Double Mac Ranch. It was almost 700 acres of trees, grass, hay fields, tractors, barns, horses and cattle. But it was lonely~for me. It was not fun. I wanted friends I could play with, instead of my sisters.

Tonight though, I am happy of the life I lived on the ranch. All these things I experienced there, has brought me to the place I am today. And for that~I am most thankful. Thankful to have had parents who took good care of me.

I do not know if I will ever live in Bandera, but I am hopeful. God knows where he wants me, and tonight I rest in the promise that He will never leave or forsake me. And for that, I am blessed.

mucho mosaic and mecca

These are some of the jewelry pieces I left in at the mecca hair studio in san antonio. Thank you Shawna for believing in me and my jewelry.

Wow, lookie mary ann, I finally figured out how to make a jewelry mosiac, and post it on my blog. She so graciously gave me the scoop on how she made mosiac pictures using big huge labs. She has so many cool ones on her blog, Dispatch from LA . You have to look at them. They are beautiful.

I am meeting so many kind and helpful people in this blog world.

Gotta go now~off to Tomball for an artist's meeting at The DaVinci Artists Gallery.

Gone Dreaming

I have been AWOL for almost a week due to working on my new katy prairie designs venture in San Antonio. We also were on vacation, visiting the hill country around Kerrville, Bourne and Bandera, looking for retirement property. But that's another posting!

More than a week ago, Jenny aka kansasrose on my blog links, tagged me for a meme. This one uses the letters of your middle name.

Here's the rules:

You have to post these rules before you give the facts. Players, you must list one fact that is somehow relevant to your life for each letter of your middle name. If you don’t have a middle name, use the middle name you would have liked to have had. When you are tagged you need to write your own blogpost containing your own middle name game facts. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose one person for each letter of your middle name to tag. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged and to read your blog.

So with all that said, here goes~

Diane is my middle name, (it is also the name I have always been called). I am going with it; as my first name is much too long for all that thought right now. My Mom said that my Granny Schultz (her mother) suggested Diane, as my middle name; and I am so glad she did, as I really like it so much more than my first.

D-Dance - I love to dance and have so since I was 6 years old; going to the local polka dances at the surrounding German Community Dance/Rifle Halls with my parents. In the part of Texas I grew up~dancing was all you had to do on Saturday nights. I still LOVE to dance today~give me a waltz, polka and/or two-step, and I am out there!

I-Imagination - Lets just say I have a BIG one! First, I wanted to be an actress. Guess I never got over that one!

A-Actress - There you go! I knew I missed my calling.........

N-New - Every day I wake up ~ it is new and good. I love being alive, and love my life. What more can I say?

E - Egret - Okay, I know this one is weird; but hear me out. I have the most coolest memory of a time Allen & I were sitting in the deerstand in South Texas. As we were watching the beautiful morning sun come up, and all the does and bucks were wandering around under our deer feeder, a beautiful blue egret flew past our stand. I could hear his wings flapping softly in the wind as he passed right in front of my eyes. The neat thing about this was we were on the same level as he was flying! In South Texas the deer stands are not on the ground, like a box stand; but high up off the ground, at approximately 10 feet from the ground to the bottom of the stand. So~now you know why I chose egret. I love that memory!

Jenny, that was so much fun! You really had me thinking more than I thought I could do this late~

Thanks for asking me!

xoxox ~diane~

I will tag the following busy bloggers:

dawn

deb

susan

roben-marie

ma

a taste of texas' katy prairie designs

I love these czech crystal beads I found last week. The colors are so cool that I couldn't pass them up-yellow, grape, cornflower blue, toast & turquoise; and also a great red (all are not shown on these chandeliers). This is one part of a matching set which also includes a necklace and bracelet.

Just a taste of what I'm bringing to mecca on Wednesday.

~katy prairie designs ~

~comes alive~
I have been busy preparing to bring my jewelry to mecca hair studio in San Antonio~so please forgive me if I haven't answered your e-mails, or posted to my blog....

This past week I also had to try and locate some important paperwork for my husband, so while looking thru my big ole' picture box, I found this snapshot taken of my mother, my sister Debbie, and me. This is the only baby picture I have, as my mother said they did not have a camera during that time. This was taken on the side of the little house we lived in on a ranch in Brenham, Texas. I lived there until I was 5 years old, and then we moved to another ranch closer to where my mother and father were born in nearby Austin County.

I had been struggling with an idea for my new kp line; and this picture jumped out at me. So before week~end I came up with this. I like the Adler typewriter print.

Wait till my sister sees this!

Message from Lima

As I do many times, today I sent out a little message sharing my newest blog posts with friends and family. (It's a good feeling when you receive a good comment or two~you know what I mean fellow bloggers!)

But to my surprise, halfway around the world, my dear friend, from 20 YEARS, sent me a message that I would like to share:

Thanks Diane! I hope your birthday was swell!
I have a gift for you & we'll celebrate when I get back.
I'm in Lima. It was an ordeal getting here for the first time ever...mistake to go via Miami. Avoid it. My luggage after 5 days has still not arrived & it's not like I can go out shopping for anything new. The people here are short & small. I am trying not to be stressed, but I have only the clothes on my back & they won't do for social events in the next few days. Please pray they'll call me from the airline tonight & have my 2 suitcases with all my possessions in them ;-))
Having said all that, I am very happy to be home again. It is cool & damp as always in the winter so I am borrowing Monica's alpaca cape to keep warm. In the mornings the city wakes up & you hear the horns tooting at each other like a conversation, the mourning doves cooing away, people, construction going on...life.
We've been having some fine vittles of course...you can't beat the fresh fruits & veggies here..they actually taste & smell like what they are...the maid cooked asparagus soup last night & then a chicken stew with rice & yuca strips on the side.
I wish you & Allen & John & Barbara would come down sometime so you could sample all that there is the beauty here.
I am sure for the type of ocean it is, that nothing compares to the Pacific Ocean...nice to be close to it again. There is alot of new construction since last year, new stores, apartment buildings, roads being redone, great restaurants.
I feel sure you would all love it. Last night we went on some errands & walked around alot...made me think of cities like NY where you can walk around & there's all that exciting foot traffic & cars & lights & noise & smells of foods.
We have 38 people coming. Gus & Sharon arrive at midnight. Our art works are still in customs...they were supposed to be out a week ago. Maybe they'll get out in time so we can install the show...and maybe my suitcases will also arrive at just the right time.
Take care, love, Nancy
ps You have a terrific blog.

I was excited to hear from her (and sad because of her luggage situation), knowing that she had taken off less than a week ago to go to Lima, Peru. She is the Project Manager for Redbud Gallery, bringing Texas Art to the National Museum of Peru, in an exhibit called Amistad*. It is a huge undertaking she works on throughout the year (in addition to her paying job); and is one Nancy thoroughly enjoys. She lived a large part of her childhood in Lima, and still has many friends there. I know one day she will also live there. And, yes, Nancy, I would love to visit Lima and one day mabe even visit you, when once again it is your home.

So, today, please pray that Nancy gets her luggage soon~and that the Texas Art will be released out of customs~pronto! Thank you Jesus~

*I have tried to attach the program from Amistad that Nancy sent to me, but have not been successful~if you'd like for me to send the adobe file to you~please e-mail me & I will! It is 40 pages which include pictures of the art from 69 Texas artists that will be participating in this monumental exhibit.

Mighty Bald Cypress

Being from Texas, I have always known that everything is bigger in Texas. So, as we paddled further down stream, I saw this huge cypress on one side of the bank. It's knarly roots have spread, reaching out for water in dry years. Not this year though, as (Houston) Texas has had more rain than I can EVER remember. Almost 50 inches! And the hill country of Texas has had close to the same. So we knew it was going to be a good trip, for our planned water sports; as long as there weren't any tropical depressions or hurricanes coming our way. Fortunately there weren't and we were blessed with perfect weather.

Day 2 ~ The Adventure Continues

Melanie and friend Amy, from Austin, rented a kayak for the second day trip~this time we went down river.
Making it thru the first low-water crossing caused a big hallelujah from the kayaking newbies!
Some decided to have a refreshment & watch instead~John & Barbara~
One example of what we saw that day ~ another rush for Allen & I!
We saw so much beautiful swirling water flowing freely down the Frio River this sunny August day! We have had so much rain this summer all the rivers in Texas are bursting their seams, which was good news for us! Thank you God for such wonderful fresh water!

Boudin Omelet

Allen working his magic, once again.

Saturday morning he made Boudin Omelets.

As you can see by the last picture, some of us could only eat half!

River Rush

Allen & I, his brother, John & wife, Barbara, kayaked 2 full days this year. Three other single kayaking friends also went with us.

The first day we started our trip upriver, floating back to our campsite. This particular run took us about 3-1/2 hours. We made several stops along the way; one~for refreshments, and two~access the rapids ahead. This particular time, we did both~Allen and I made it thru just fine. Making it was quite a rush for me, as one of the single friends, going before us, flipped on his way thru it. (He was okay.)

Once we got on the other side, we stopped again, so I was able to get a before and after shot~isn't the water georgeous?

Jake on the Frio

Melanie & Jake stand next to one of the largest cypress trees close to our camp.

Jake played hard and swam alot. He had a great time!

We loved playing with him. He is the best granddog and so much fun to watch, as he enjoys the Frio as much as we do.

Fore!

Concan Country Club was a great course to play on Thursday!
I love these little people at the clubhouse~

The hungry golfers had to grab a bite after the 9th hole~Jeff, Shannon, me & Allen~

Thank you Melanie

My beautiful daughter Melanie gave me these in honor of my 50th Birthday ~ today! The hat ~Party City ~and~ the beautiful glasses~ Z Gallerie~
But, my greatest gift I've received in the 50 years I have been on this earth ~ is you Melanie! Thank you for being the beautful person you are today! Luv you! ~ mom ~

Frio River Adventures 2007

How can I begin any better than that?

The Frio River is ~

1) Crystal clear,

2) Crisp & cold,

3) Emerald Green & Sunflower Blue & everything in~between,

4) Swift & calm,

5) Not overcrowed & yet to be truly discovered,

5) The BEST river in this great state of Texas!

6) And, It's where the girls are.....(wish I had that sign)!

We had the best time in Concan. Yes, I said Concan~not Cancun. I know it is confusing, but truly this little town just this side of Leakey is called Concan. Actually, Garner State Park is located here. We always have stayed in the RV park on the opposite side of Garner. It is quite, clean, shady and really GREAT! We love it, and never leave without booking for the next year!

I have many more pictures, and will post them in several posts~so will have to add more tomorrow. I am worn out from 2 full days of kayaking....and you will see why when I post the next group of pictures!

Nice Matters Awards

I am about to leave tomorrow for our Annual Concan/Birthday Trip, but before I go, I want to send a little blogging love to a true inspiration to me~dawn houser~one of the neatest blogmates I have! You deserve a little luv' today~because you know Dawn, you are the best bloggin' friend to me~

~and~

I know you sent it to me first, and you already have one, but kansasrose, you are my kindred sister blogger, and I love blogging with you way up in Kansas! I am praying for your computer tonight sister!

~and~

one more to boot~Deb Trotter~you are the coolest, Cowboy's Sweetheart. I want to be just like you when I grow up! You are a boot scootin' boogie good blog friend as well! Thanks for your help with my ~slideshow~.

God bless you girls~may the "Circle Be Unbroken"!

Swings

A couple of pieces I made this weekend~A string of dark cranberry red czech fire-polished crystals & dainty Karen Hill Tribe silver beads; holding a large faceted drop pendant of moss opalite ~

The matching earrings are what I will call my "swings"~

Also made with the same cranberry red czech fp crystals; they dangle freely from almost 2 inches of sterling silver chain! The total length of the earrings are just shy of 3 inches.

Everything Glorious

Have you ever listened to a CD and thought~you know this is art~but with music~yes, music art! Melanie had bought the David Crowder CD called "Collision", and shared it with me on my recent visit to SA. We drove the streets of the city, whose major arteries were designed using the original cow trails, listening to "Collision" and loving the time we had together.

Then this week she sent me THE link:

http://www.myspace.com/davidcrowderband

His new "Remedy" CD is coming out September 26th; and the song called Everything Glorious (which we both LOVE) is playing on his myspace page!

David Crowder, a Waco native, is a true Texas music artist!

p.s. Thanks Mel~ I love you!

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. ~Helen Keller

I've Been Blessed~

~by kansasrose. My very first blog award~Thank you Jenny!

The Angel and the Star

When I got back into town from my SA trip, I had to take another look outside~to see what is left in my bare backyard. I see the garden angel Melanie gave me a couple of years ago. It stands next to the garage, right in front of Allen's chili piquin bush.

And~

~blooming right on que~ My Star of Texas cactus is beginning to bloom! Thank you God for having angels watch over the little things. I believe I will make it now!

Best Lite Lunch in SA

Each time I visit Melanie in San Antonio, I HAVE to go to Cafe' Salsita. This is what I order every time, without a second thought. It consists of two puffy chicken tacos along side a cup of tortilla soup~aka the Salsita Lite lunch. The kicker for me is ~ not only do the tacos have a giant dolop of creamy fresh quacamole on each, but the beautiful cup of soup does as well ~ including a heaping mound of colorful torilla strips and an extra grate of mexican cheese. The ingedients are always crisp and fresh. This is heaven with a mexican twist!

mecca hair studio

This sleek and contemporary hair salon, located in San Antonio, will start selling my jewelry in the middle of September.

The owner, Shawna Teniente, is Melanie's hairdresser; and really loved my Katy Prairie necklace. I will begin selling the line here. I am hyped!

The studio is retro & cutting edge; with a dash of warm glow. I especially love the georgeous crystal chandelier hanging right in the middle of the studio!

mecca hair studio

201 jackson keller

san antonio 78216

210.832.8009

Bleeding Heart

My aunt, Anna Mae, has many wonderful flowers~living in Tampa~she is able to grow so many different types of tropical plants than we are in Texas. This particular cutting came to me by way of my mother, who brought it home with her, from her last visit or two ago. My aunt "loads up" my mother with so many cuttings, that when my mom returns home she is in a state of panic~putting as many in the ground or in pots, as possible. Many come back specifically tagged for me, as my aunt knows I love flowers as much as she.

This Bleeding Heart Vine ~made the cut~ as; this past Monday, we had our flower beds CLEANED out by some very able-bodied fellows. I was amazed at what I had actually forgotten about! So you realize, that means there was way too many things(?) growing in my flower beds. I love to garden as much as my two grandmothers, many aunts & uncles, my mother, both my sisters and my brother~but jewelry, and an aching back (see post regarding movement below) had taken the place of the time I would have been in the flower beds.

I am actually EXCITED with the new possabilities ~but times are changing~ and low maintenance (annuals) will now be my preference. Maybe tomorrow I will change my mind. But today....i indeed have a ~bleeding heart~ as my flower beds are CLEAN.

~Quote on Bloomberg today~

"Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid of standing still."

save the prairie

~one of my newest passions~

http://www.katyprairie.org/home.html

~more to come~

Katy Prairie Jewelry

~~my new jewelry line~~

i think i'm likin' it!