Monday, March 7, 2011
Criss Cross Bangle
Last month I took class at Nova Beads in the Heights where I learned to make a "criss cross bangle" I made a blue and clear crystal one in class and then made this awesome pink and blue one later.
Love it! I'm working toward doing more metal working with my jewelry. I am taking another couple of classes this month, one for a ring and another for a pendant. I'm looking forward to those!
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Hiking Weekend
We spent Friday afternoon and Saturday morning checking out a couple of the trails in the hiking book that we recently purchased. We had a great time!
Houston Aboretum
Daniel was excited to use his Garmin GPS toy that he got for Christmas. We spent a little while in the parking lot when we got there while he got it all set up. :)
The aboretum had lots of trails to follow and I think we hiked all of them! We walked for about 2 hours and had awesome weather. Some of the trail was rock, some dirt and there were some boardwalks.
There was a wetland area where we saw tons of turtles.
We also came across some blooming azaleas!
I fully enjoyed the hike, but it was very clear we were still in the heart of the city. We could hear the freeway traffic beyond the park.
Challenger Park
Challenger Park is out in the League City area and is dedicated to the memory of the astronauts from the Challenger shuttle. We went out there Saturday morning despite the gray skies. We had no rain, but it was windy and a lot cooler than Friday had been. Daniel's garmin needed new batteries which we didn't have, so we went without it. Although I had made fun of Daniel's toy on Friday, I wished we had had it on Saturday. The trails at Challenger Park were not as well labeled as those at the aboretum, so we had trouble deciding which trails we had already been on.
The trails were well covered by trees, which cut the wind a lot and made it much more comfortable. There was definitely no traffic noise and it was a very relaxing hike! The trails were dirt and grass covered and we walked about an hour and a half. There were some lovely yellow flowers blooming and falling on the trail in one area.
Houston Aboretum
Daniel was excited to use his Garmin GPS toy that he got for Christmas. We spent a little while in the parking lot when we got there while he got it all set up. :)
The aboretum had lots of trails to follow and I think we hiked all of them! We walked for about 2 hours and had awesome weather. Some of the trail was rock, some dirt and there were some boardwalks.
There was a wetland area where we saw tons of turtles.
We also came across some blooming azaleas!
The trails were very well labeled. I was teasing Daniel a bit about using his gps.
I fully enjoyed the hike, but it was very clear we were still in the heart of the city. We could hear the freeway traffic beyond the park.
Challenger Park
Challenger Park is out in the League City area and is dedicated to the memory of the astronauts from the Challenger shuttle. We went out there Saturday morning despite the gray skies. We had no rain, but it was windy and a lot cooler than Friday had been. Daniel's garmin needed new batteries which we didn't have, so we went without it. Although I had made fun of Daniel's toy on Friday, I wished we had had it on Saturday. The trails at Challenger Park were not as well labeled as those at the aboretum, so we had trouble deciding which trails we had already been on.
The trails were well covered by trees, which cut the wind a lot and made it much more comfortable. There was definitely no traffic noise and it was a very relaxing hike! The trails were dirt and grass covered and we walked about an hour and a half. There were some lovely yellow flowers blooming and falling on the trail in one area.
And since we had no traffic noise to remind us we were still in the city...we were relieved to be reminded by some nature loving graffiti. Kids, kids, kids...
What did you do this weekend?
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Reflection
I have been reflecting on things lately. I seem to do that each year around this time. Last Tuesday (really February 29th, but there wasn't one this year) would have been my dad's 75th birthday.
I can't imagine him being 75. I bet if he were still here, he wouldn't look a day older. He died in 1999. I can still hear his laugh and voice and see his face. I hope that those memories never fade. He was a great man, he was there when I was born and I was there when he died. People say that is the natural order of things...and I suppose that it is. I wouldn't trade that moment or experience for anything. It was very comforting to be there and tell him I loved him and that he was the best father a girl could ask for.
My mom told him he raised two strong women and he could rest in peace knowing that we would all be okay...and we are, but we sure do miss him.
I can't imagine him being 75. I bet if he were still here, he wouldn't look a day older. He died in 1999. I can still hear his laugh and voice and see his face. I hope that those memories never fade. He was a great man, he was there when I was born and I was there when he died. People say that is the natural order of things...and I suppose that it is. I wouldn't trade that moment or experience for anything. It was very comforting to be there and tell him I loved him and that he was the best father a girl could ask for.
My mom told him he raised two strong women and he could rest in peace knowing that we would all be okay...and we are, but we sure do miss him.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Spring Fever
Well, it is that time of year where we are having some gorgeous days in Houston! I have spring fever and would like to be outside right now. I have planned to take Friday afternoon off from work and go to the Houston Aboretum...I have never been there before and I can't believe it!
My husband and I are going to start hiking. I love being outside and I love burning calories while exploring. Win, win, right? We bought a book called 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Houston, so the aboretum will be the first trail out of that book.
My husband and I are going to start hiking. I love being outside and I love burning calories while exploring. Win, win, right? We bought a book called 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles of Houston, so the aboretum will be the first trail out of that book.
I'm thinking that once we get to the aboretum I will be wondering why I have not been there before. The pictures I have found online are all very pretty and they have lots of activities and classes there (including yoga!!). I'm leaning toward taking my camera with me. I hope the weather is as nice on Friday as it was today.
Are there any great trails near you?
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