Seen & Done: Texas

Last weekend we ate, sang, drove & friended our way around a teeny part of Texas.

Fittingly, this weeks blog is bought to you by snapshots from the darling town of Fredericksburg & the tasty-plates of Austin...

... along country roads of sand & scrub

toward a town of german charm

 

fredericksburg is a little jewel in the middle of mighty texas,

serving plate-fulls of germanic originals to fill our bellies

& bubbling over with creative gems 

to make my heart go pitter-patter

 {red}

then onto the capitol of austin & the warmth of a driskill brunch

to melt the sleet & snow falling outside

 {driskill hotel}

and a newly discovered cafe, a chance encounter,

quickly sewn into our over-caffeinated hearts as a "must".

 

{caffe medici}

xx

Boys

During January & February we celebrate the birth of two of our three fantastical nephews.

I remember clearly the days both of these two stinkers were born. Word of their arrival introduced a whole new level of excitement, joy, protectiveness & amazement into my world. It was instant, unquestionable love.

As much as I appreciate being an Aunty who can hark back to the infant days, I love, to my core, seeing these bruisers grow-up, throw their personalities into the mix of our family & become little men. 

And never more so than when they take to the ring & wrestle it out.

 

Nate & I could watch & cheer for hours.  

 

[Mid-fight I do start to wonder if we should be more concerned, but then get all distracted by body slams & headlocks.]

We get a good belly laugh & ponder how the chips (or teeth..) will fall in the years to come. I have a feeling our blond gentleman will have to keep-up his Forrest-like running* with Master J in pursuit.

I am THANKFUL for these two utterly different but wonderfully lovable chaps.

[And a poo-poo to the parents who intervened this particular day. Those of us in the cheap seats were just settling-in...]

xx

*seriously, he's like a wind-up toy.

Jan 30.

I'm remembering my Dad today.

He was never one for big birthday events. Last year's 60th bash was out of the ordinary, allowing his girls to throw a party to toast his life with family & friends. 

But in years gone past he wasn't one for a lot of attention or fuss in the form of birthday praise. I really liked that about him. Perhaps our early hand-made gifts taught him to lower his standards? A maroon & blue knitted glasses case will do that...

While I won't break with tradition & pour out a heap of glowing remarks about my precious dad on his birthday - he would shake his head & joke that nobody want's to read that! - I do want to mark the significance of today & the person I'm missing so very much.

Wayman was a unique personality that drew our family together & formed a unity that has continued-on in his absence... Dad's intense devotion to us girls, passionate enthusiasm for our husband's different spirits, & great love for mum was a treasured gift. And all founded on his salvation in Jesus - not as an after thought, but as an anchor for his soul.

Today I am remembering & missing so many things about Dad. Here I will remember just one to mark the day - he loved to know other people's stories. When I sit down with a stranger & ask about their lives I remember my dad taught me that. I can vividly picture him leaning-in to ask a question & listen with genuine interest & a desire to learn. He valued people.

I am deeply thankful for the Dad God gave me.

xx

A Day Beside the Sea

{Brighton Beach, South Australia}
{A Saturday Afternoon}

In Days Past... This was the scene of many summer beach days as a little girl. Dad & mum would load up the car, with the vintage green & cream striped beach tent & a cooler of food, to drive 3 daughters to the seaside. 

I would sit in the back, hot & impatient*, itching to catch a glimpse of the blue sea down each suburb street as we got near.

 

Present Day... I still relish a day at Brighton, with it's long, wide stretch of sand & clear, calm waters. It is one of my favorite beaches to laze & soak, especially when it includes my love & a bundle of family members.

 

 

 {We did eventually update the beach tent; it still has the same ankle-catching strings that trip-up every unsuspecting small person.}

As we packed to leave & the sun was slowly making it's way to the ocean line, I couldn't help but have a moment of doubt about our return to land-locked TN...

I had to remind myself that this beautiful shell-lined shore isn't going anywhere, even if I am. It's a wonderful slice of what makes-up my Australian home, there for me to visit each & every time. I'm learning to appreciate the fond affections that come from long absences.

And yes, I do still get a little buzz when I see the bright blue slice of sea appear as we make the drive there.

x

{*Apparently 20mins to the ocean was just TOO much to bear.}

Sydney Scenes (part 2)

We climbed a bell tower. 
Can't say that's a common occurrence in my usual week!




 These are the little adventures that come with fantastical friends like Justin and game friends who don't mind a late-night climb (Rich & Kate, we salute you!)

I, for one, was not so brave. A little trembly at times, to be honest! My long dress & flip flops didn't really assist balancing on the old ladders, nor did my desire to snap pictures mid-climb.

Turns-out I have quite a crush on old, enormous, ear-splitting bells - they are a beautiful work of art, both to hear & see!

 
 

Two tiny spiral staircases & three ladders later, we were a-top the tower. After I'd recovered my composure & stopped the knee wobblies, it was breathtaking.

 

{Justin, Kate & Nate}
 
 
  {York St: old & new}

We spied on Sydney, in the warm evening air, from the bell tower of the oldest church in the city. Accompanied by Justin's historical gems & overall group wonder, it was marvelous.

And to know that age has not been a hurdle to the vitality & life within these church walls is even more marvelous!

{St Philips in the daylight}

x