Daily Snapshot

Starbucks art.

2012-02-14T12:01:00.000-08:00

Kid and dog on chilly afternoon.

2012-02-13T06:03:00.001-08:00

Cypress chilly means high of 45.

Cypress rain.

2012-02-11T10:29:00.000-08:00

Rainy morning at the bus stop.

2012-02-10T06:21:00.001-08:00

Ouch.

2012-02-09T05:14:00.000-08:00

Warm Texas weather means my son gets to play basketball after school. And slam his nose on a friends head. At least he doesn't have a fracture.

Oh no. Girl Scouts have been here.

2012-02-08T08:39:00.000-08:00

Perfection!

2012-02-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Gringo's Tex-Mex! Yum!

2012-02-07T10:05:00.000-08:00

T-Rex Croc

2012-02-06T15:16:00.000-08:00

Theater Tournament particiapants

2012-02-05T10:28:00.000-08:00

Theater Tournament

2012-02-04T08:40:00.000-08:00

I'm in French class!

Antonia's Italian Restaurant

2012-02-03T23:38:00.000-08:00

77 degrees and overcast

2012-02-03T10:24:00.000-08:00

Foggy morning

2012-02-02T14:13:00.000-08:00

Pearland TX ski lake.

Texas Baseball!

2010-10-14T08:32:00.000-07:00

Renfest!

2010-10-13T15:28:00.000-07:00

The Texas Renaissance Festival started Oct. 9th just up the road in Plantersville, TX.

It's time...I'm back.

2010-10-12T15:16:00.000-07:00

I miss my pics!!!! It's been a few years of turmoil but I'm out the other side.
This is Boa, my 2 yr old mutt.

Spring Break pics-Take 10-Mustang Island

2008-04-08T00:01:00.000-07:00

This is my next to last spring break pic. Tomorrow I'll show you what it looked like camping on the beach! If you ever have the chance to visit Port Aransas or Corpus Christie....GO!!!!

Spring Break pics-Take 9-Gulf of Mexico

2008-04-07T00:01:00.000-07:00

And to the right of the boat....here comes the moon.

Do you know the song "Man in the moon" by Harry Connick Jr.?

"The man in the moon is smilin'...cause he's in love....the man in the moon is smilin' cause he's in love with the girl in the world."

Spring Break pics-Take 8-Gulf of Mexico

2008-04-06T00:01:00.000-07:00

And it's gone. Tomorrow the moon rises.

Spring Break pics-Take 7-Gulf of Mexico

2008-04-05T00:01:00.000-07:00

Just about gone... (check the previous posts to watch the sun set)

Spring Break pics-Take 6-The sun is almost gone

2008-04-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

Don't let the sun....go down on me.....

Spring Break pics-Take 5-Gulf of Mexico

2008-04-03T00:01:00.000-07:00

So as we're coming back from the fishing trip the sun is setting to my left and the moon is rising to the right. It was amazing.

Watch for moon shots after the weekend. If you always find your head in the clouds, have fun watching the sun go down over the next few days.

Spring Break pics-Take 4-Port Aransas, TX

2008-04-02T07:08:00.000-07:00

This is my oldest child "Clubber". He's 11 and still acts like a puppy in the surf.

My first Theme Day back! WATER!

2008-04-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

"The April 2008 theme day is water! Let your imagination run wild!" So says www.citydailyphoto.com. Go check it out sometime. If you're looking at great pics why not start a blog in your city.

My water shot is off the fishing boat we took 15 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico. The water was so choppy that half the people on the boat were throwing up. But man the views coming back in to Port Aransas were beautiful. I will be adding more of the sun setting/moon rising pics this week. This is the first of many favorite sun set pics. Enjoy!

Scroll down to view the other 177 Daily Photo Blogs participating in theme day! Support your local Photo Blog!!!!!!!

Adelaide, Australia by Gordon, Albuquerque (NM), USA by Helen, American Fork (UT), USA by Annie, Anderson (SC), USA by Lessie, Ararat, Australia by Digger, Arradon, France by Alice, Ashton under Lyne, UK by Pennine, Athens, Greece by Debbie, Auckland, New Zealand by Lachezar, Austin (TX), USA by LB, Bandung, Indonesia by Guntur Purwanto, Barton (VT), USA by Andree, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Paja, Belgrade, Serbia & Montenegro by Bibi, Bellefonte (PA), USA by Barb-n-PA, Bicheno, Australia by Greg, Bogor, Indonesia by Gagah, Boston (MA), USA by Sarah, Whit, & Leyre, Boston (MA), USA by Fenix - Bostonscapes, Boston (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Brighton, UK by Harvey, Brookville (OH), USA by Abraham, Budapest, Hungary by Isadora, Budapest, Hungary by Zannnie and Zsolt, Canterbury, UK by Rose, Cape Town, South Africa by Kerry-Anne, Chandler (AZ), USA by Melindaduff, Chateaubriant, France by Bergson, Cheltenham, UK by Marley, Chicago (IL), USA by b.c., Christchurch, New Zealand by Michelle, Clearwater (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Clearwater Beach (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Cleveland (OH), USA by iBlowfish, Coral Gables (FL), USA by Jnstropic, Cypress (TX), USA by Riniroo, Dallas/Fort Worth (TX), USA by A Wandering Soul, Dunedin (FL), USA by Smaridge01, Durban, South Africa by CrazyCow, East Gwillimbury, Canada by Your EG Tour Guide, Evry, France by Olivier, Glasgow, Scotland by Jackie, Greenville (SC), USA by Denton, Grenoble, France by Bleeding Orange, Guelph, Canada by Pat, Gun Barrel City (TX), USA by Lake Lady, Hamilton, New Zealand by Sakiwi, Hampton (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Haninge, Sweden by Steffe, Helsinki, Finland by Kaa, Hobart, Australia by Greg, Hyde, UK by Old Hyde, Inverness (IL), USA by Neva, Jackson (MS), USA by Halcyon, Jakarta, Indonesia by Santy, Jefferson City (MO), USA by Chinamom2005, Jogjakarta, Indonesia by Jogja Portrait, Joplin (MO), USA by Victoria, Juneau (AK), USA by Gwyn, Katonah (NY), USA by Inkster1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia by Edwin, Kyoto, Japan by Tadamine, Lake Forest Park (WA), USA by Azure, Larchmont (NY), USA by Marie-Noyale, Las Vegas (NV), USA by Mo, Lisbon, Portugal by Sailor Girl, Lisbon, Portugal by Maria João, Lodz, Poland by ritalounge, London, UK by Mo, London, UK by Ham, Mainz, Germany by JB, Maple Ridge, Canada by Susan, Marseille, France by Alex, Mazatlan, Mexico by Kate, Melbourne, Australia by John, Melbourne, Australia by Mblamo, Memphis (TN), USA by SouthernHeart, Menton, France by Jilly, Mexico City, Mexico by Carraol, Mexico City, Mexico by Poly, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Greg, Minneapolis (MN), USA by Mitch, Minsk, Belarus by Olga, Monrovia (CA), USA by Keith, Monte Carlo, Monaco by Jilly, Montego Bay, Jamaica by Ann, Monterrey, Mexico by rafa, Moscow, Russia by Irina, Mumbai, India by Kunalbhatia, Mumbai, India by Magiceye, Mumbai, India by MumbaiiteAnu, Nancy, France by yoshi, Naples (FL), USA by Isabella, Nashville (TN), USA by Chris, Nelson, New Zealand by Meg and Ben, New Orleans (LA), USA by steve buser, New York City (NY), USA by Ming the Merciless, Niamey, Niger by Dinabee, Norfolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Norman (OK), USA by Chad & LaCresha, Norwich, UK by Goddess888, Nottingham, UK by Gail's Man, Odense, Denmark by ania odense, Omsk, Russia by Nataly, Orlando (FL), USA by OrlFla, Oslo, Norway by Lothiane, Paderborn, Germany by Soemchen, Paris, France by Eric, Paris, France by Gordio, Pasadena (CA), USA by Can8ianben, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia by Murphy_jay, Pilisvörösvár, Hungary by Elise, Pont-à-Mousson, France by Tintin-j, Port Angeles (WA), USA by Jelvistar, Port Elizabeth, South Africa by Sam, Port Townsend (WA), USA by raf, Port Vila, Vanuatu by Mblamo, Portland (OR), USA by NWgal, Portland (ME), USA by Corey, Portsmouth (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Prague, Czech Republic by Honza03, Quincy (MA), USA by Cluelessinboston, Riga, Latvia by Prokur, Rotterdam, Netherlands by Ineke, Saarbrücken, Germany by LadyDemeter, Saigon, Vietnam by Simon, Saint Louis (MO), USA by Strangetastes, Saint Paul (MN), USA by Kate, Salem (OR), USA by jill, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by atc, Salt Lake City (UT), USA by Eric, San Diego (CA), USA by Felicia, San Francisco (CA), USA by PFranson, Seattle (WA), USA by Chuck, Seattle (WA), USA by Kim, Seguin (TX), USA by Thien, Selma (AL), USA by RamblingRound, Sequim (WA), USA by Eponabri, Sesimbra, Portugal by Aldeia, Setúbal, Portugal by Maria Elisa, Shanghai, China by Jing, Sharon (CT), USA by Jenny, Singapore, Singapore by Keropok, Sofia, Bulgaria by Antonia, St Francis, South Africa by Sam, Stavanger, Norway by Tanty, Stayton (OR), USA by Celine, Stockholm, Sweden by Stromsjo, Stouffville, Canada by Ken, Subang Jaya, Malaysia by JC, Suffolk (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Sunshine Coast, Australia by bitingmidge, Sydney, Australia by Nathalie, Sydney, Australia by Sally, Székesfehérvár, Hungary by Teomo, Tacloban City, Philippines by agnesdv, Terrell (TX), USA by Jim K, Terrell (TX), USA by Bstexas, The Hague, Netherlands by Lezard, Tokyo, Japan by Tadamine, Toruń, Poland by Torun Observer, Toulouse, France by Julia, Turin, Italy by Livio, Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina by Jazzy, Twin Cities (MN), USA by Slinger, Victoria, Canada by Benjamin Madison, Vienna, Austria by G_mirage2, Virginia Beach (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Wailea (HI), USA by Kuanyin, Washington (DC), USA by Rachel, Wassenaar, Netherlands by Rich, Wellington, New Zealand by Jeremyb, West Paris (ME), USA by crittoria, West Sacramento (CA), USA by Barbara, Weston (FL), USA by WestonDailyPhoto, Williamsburg (VA), USA by ptowngirl, Willits (CA), USA by Elaine, Yardley (PA), USA by Mrlynn,

Spring Break pics-Take 3

2008-03-31T18:41:00.000-07:00

Another version of yesterday's pic. This is after I wiped my lens clean.

Spring Break pics-Take 2

2008-03-29T00:01:00.000-07:00

I'm so thankful for my watertight camera case. Not only for keeping the sand and sea out. It was such a wet day that my lens kept fogging up. I love the effect it had on my little neighbor in her blue dress. It's my own impressionist painting.

Click on the pic to view different sizes. I think the smaller size shows the full effect for this blog.

Throwing a kid over the house

2008-03-27T22:15:00.000-07:00

Ah, nothing like swimming in March!

Spring Break pics-Take 1

2008-03-27T00:01:00.000-07:00

Took a camping trip to Port Aransas, TX. The weather and town were great. Enjoy the next few days of memories!

The worst lie ever

2008-03-26T08:16:00.000-07:00

Pine Forest Country Club

A kid and a crawfish, a match made in Heaven

2008-03-25T16:54:00.000-07:00

Growing up in Indiana, these were crayfish. You found them hiding in the mud by the creek and they were fun to play with.

In Texas they're called crawfish. You have them at crawfish boils. At this particular boil the host had pounds and pounds of crawfish in a big white cooler. He covered them in salt and rinsed them off. Covered them in zatarans. Then by the pot full immersed them in boiling water. You pull off the heads (some people suck the heads) and free the meat from the tail. By the end of the night you're thumb is all messed up and bloody from shelling so many. Put that together with potatoes, corn, garlic, lemons and sausage and you have a down home Houston Crawfish Boil.

My youngest tried to free this big guy. Wanted to bring him home.

I love having 3 boys...

2008-03-24T18:28:00.000-07:00

...this picture has been blown up and placed in my dining room where it will remain for years to come.

This picture was taken on New Years. I love Texas weather!

Thank you for all your kind words these past few months. I'm still mourning my mother's passing but am finally ready to start up with my blog again.

It's good to be back. Enjoy!

It's Theme Day! - Bridges!

2007-12-01T18:01:00.000-08:00

This is a cart path "bridge" at Blackhorse Ranch Golf Club in Cypress, TX. Some say the best golf course around. What do you think? I think on beautiful sunsets alone, they take the prize.

Thank you all for your wonderful thoughts on my mom...I am back to my old self and almost ready to begin blogging every day.

Check out the 128 blogs participating today:
Boston (MA), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Stayton (OR), USA - New York City (NY), USA - Portland (OR), USA - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Inverness (IL), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Stockholm, Sweden - Setúbal, Portugal - Brussels, Belgium - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Hyde, UK - Manila, Philippines - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - London, England - Austin (TX), USA - Toulouse, France - Weston (FL), USA - Sesimbra, Portugal - Selma (AL), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - North Bay (ON), Canada - Arradon, France - Paderborn, Germany - Durban, South Africa - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Portland (OR), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Wichita (Ks), USA - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Grenoble, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Arlington (VA), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Miami (FL), USA - Cheltenham, UK - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Saratoga Spgs. (NY), USA - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Nashville (TN), USA - Toruń, Poland - New Orleans (LA), USA - Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Melbourne, Australia - Moscow, Russia - Trujillo, Peru - Château-Gontier, France - Quincy (MA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Joplin (MO), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Brookville (OH), USA - Chateaubriant, France - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Baziège, France - Auckland, New Zealand - Wellington, New Zealand - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Subang Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Detroit (MI), USA - Riga, Latvia - Nelson, New Zealand - Budapest, Hungary - Cape Town, South Africa - Sydney, Australia - Dunedin (FL), USA - Sofia, Bulgaria - Radonvilliers, France - Turin, Italy - Montpellier, France - Kansas City (MO), USA - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Wailea (HI), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Terrell (TX), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Budapest, Hungary - Montréal (QC), Canada - Sharon (CT), USA - Le Guilvinec, France - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Saigon, Vietnam - London, UK - Crepy-en-Valois, France - Orlando (FL), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Paris, France - Mainz, Germany - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Darmstadt, Germany - Naples (FL), USA - Torino, Italy - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Bogor, Indonesia - The Hague, Netherlands - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Anderson (SC), USA - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand

My mom is in Heaven

2007-11-18T08:13:00.000-08:00

My mom, Becky, passed away Firday night at 8:30pm. I was holding her hand and assuring her that it was okay to relax and let go. I kept telling her how much all 3 of us kids love her. Her pain was managed the entire time. It was a peaceful passing.

Remember to hold, cherish and kiss your family members every day. You can't say "I love you" and "You mean so much to me" too many times.

We miss her very much and loved her very much. And we are glad she was our mother.

God bless,
Renee

I'm blue...and it's Theme Day

2007-10-29T10:10:00.000-07:00

When I read the theme for November,...blue...,the first thing I thought of was my heart.

Wikipedia states "In the English language, blue may also refer to the feeling of sadness. "He was feeling blue". This is because blue was related to rain, or storms, and in Greek mythology, the god Zeus would make rain when he was sad (crying), and a storm when he was angry."

My mom is in her last weeks...maybe. She passed the Sunday 2 week mark that the hospice nurse predicted. Her body is fighting. She was very healthy before this happened. She eats a small amount of food each day but there has been massive weight loss... She's in so much pain and I have to say I'm procrasting calling my step dad right now for an update. Thanks for the wonderful comments you guys have left for me; they really help.

I'm mourning her loss already. Do you ever find yourself sitting at your childs baseball game with 45 minutes to go till the first pitch? Do you run through the frequently called numbers in your cell? Do you wonder who you need to call and check in with? "Hi, haven't spoken to you this week, how are you, my kids are great, they miss you grandma, did you get the school pics I sent you...." Well I can't call my mom anymore. And I started wondering why I was on the verge of tears before every single baseball game. I can't call my mom anymore. I'm definitely blue.

As for my theme pic. I'm writing this on Monday Oct. 29th and am thinking how I can convey my "blueness" to y'all. (And somehow get the town of Cypress in also.) Wish me luck, I can't wait to see what I come up with.

Okay, here is it. My blue pen with the sweet November sun coming through my office window in Cypress, TX. The sun through my blinds created a perfect "break" in my heart. This fits...

Check out the 121 blogs participating today:
Boston (MA), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Philadelphia (PA), USA - Arlington (VA), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Portland (OR), USA - Sequim (WA), USA - Selma (AL), USA - Arradon, France - Petaling Jaya (Selangor), Malaysia - Stockholm, Sweden - Singapore, Singapore - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Phoenix (AZ), USA - Seattle (WA), USA - Toulouse, France - The Hague, Netherlands - Moscow, Russia - Fort Lauderdale (FL), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Stayton (OR), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Detroit (MI), USA - Crystal Lake (IL), USA - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Greenville (SC), USA - Hyde, UK - Radonvilliers, France - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Nashville (TN), USA - Manila, Philippines - Port Vila, Vanuatu - Saarbrücken, Germany - New Orleans (LA), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Hobart (Tasmania), Australia - Forks (WA), USA - Wichita (Ks), USA - Barton (VT), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Quincy (MA), USA - Setúbal, Portugal - Inverness (IL), USA - Christchurch, New Zealand - Toruń, Poland - North Bay (ON), Canada - Le Guilvinec, France - Chateaubriant, France - London, England - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Norwich (Norfolk), UK - Sydney, Australia - Austin (TX), USA - Mumbai, India - Boston (MA), USA - Santa Fe (NM), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Paderborn, Germany - Montréal (QC), Canada - Jackson (MS), USA - Stavanger, Norway - Orlando (FL), USA - Grenoble, France - Cheltenham, UK - Forks (WA), USA - Mexico City, Mexico - West Sacramento (CA), USA - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Weston (FL), USA - London, UK - Jefferson City (MO), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Belgrade, Serbia - Paris, France - Shanghai, China - Montego Bay, Jamaica - Montpellier, France - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Auckland, New Zealand - Evry, France - New York City (NY), USA - Nottingham, UK - Las Vegas (NV), USA - Oslo, Norway - Minneapolis (MN), USA - American Fork (UT), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Haninge, Sweden - Trujillo, Peru - Trujillo, Peru - Melbourne (VIC), Australia - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Durban, South Africa - Brussels, Belgium - Anderson (SC), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Wellington, New Zealand - Prague, Czech Republic - Saigon, Vietnam - Ystad, Sweden - Miami (FL), USA - Seoul, South Korea - Hong Kong, China - Melbourne, Australia - Baziège, France - Greensboro (NC), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia

October Theme Day! - Cemetary

2007-10-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Daily Photo family! I have been checked out for awhile. My mom is dying from pancreatic cancer and I don't have the extra energy to post every day. But I was not going to miss another theme day. Even if it has to do with cemetaries.

Since October is the month in which Halloween occurs, the voters decided to have the October theme day be cemeteries and tombstones!

This mini-cemetary is located on House & Hahl Rd. in Cypress. Just one headstone with a fence. What's interesting is that this couple, Charles and Annie, were born in the 1880's. Charles died in 1931 but Annie waited out her life on earth until 1970. I bet he was glad to see her again in heaven. I will be excited to reunite with my loved ones as well.

There are currently 87 blogs participating in this theme day; check 'em out!!!

Sorry I missed Theme Day

2007-09-04T11:15:00.001-07:00

A little distracted here, my mom just went back in to the hospital. I'm going to be sporadic with the posts for awhile.

Common Tree Senna

2007-08-29T12:44:00.000-07:00

This is the Common Tree Senna. Starts off as a small tree and can be pruned quite well. But really acts like a bush and after a few years needs to be pulled and replaced with a new one.

Check out this link for more on the Common Tree Senna.

My favorite plant-Beach Vitex

2007-08-28T14:48:00.001-07:00

This awesome plant is called "Beach Vitex". It goes dormant in the winter but in the summer gives a pleasant green to your landscape. And it's fun seeing the blue flowers come out mid-summer. It grows low the ground and sends trailers out. Would also be fun in a planter.
NOTE: This plant stinks. While driving home from Austin with 10 of these in the back of the car, my husband and I were too polite to tell each other that we had B.O. It wasn't us, it was the Beach Vitex. You can't smell them in front of your house but take a road trip with them and you'll be in heaven. Cough, cough.

Update from CDP-note about my mom

2007-08-21T20:48:00.000-07:00

Sorry that I have been gone so long. My mom is dying from pancreatic cancer. I'm in Indiana spending some quality time. This is my beautiful mother Becky with her 3 children. (I don't remember who the blond child is.) Please keep her in your prayers.

Swimming in Cypress

2007-08-15T08:06:00.000-07:00

Back home in Cypress, TX. Got a pic in the local pool with my water-proof camera case. The last few days have been over 100 degrees farenheit! Got some rain this morning though, should only get to 96 today.

Another "up north" pic - Notre Dame campus in South Bend, IN

2007-08-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

The Notre Dame library and its' reflecting pool. He is aptly named "Touch-Down Jesus". Directly ahead of the library is the football field. And when you're in the stadium looking through the goal posts guess what you see? Yup, Touch-Down Jesus calling the play.

Another pic of "up north" - An eel on Lake Huron

2007-08-13T00:01:00.000-07:00

An eel attached to a lake trout on Lake Huron off the coast of Port Austin, MI. Sorry, had to take a pic of it. If you know me, it was a given.

Next stop for "Up North" pics - Sandusky, OH

2007-08-12T08:02:00.001-07:00

Took the kids to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH. This is a shot from the chair lift ride that takes you over the midway. The ride pictured is called MaxAir. 50 people sit facing outwards, rotating, as the pendulum swings higher and higher. As soon as it looks like it will go over the top, you slow back down.

Lake St. Clair, MI -

2007-08-11T10:58:00.000-07:00

Another pic from my trip "up north".
Partying on Lake St. Clair in Michigan. On this particular Saturday, 100's of boats showed up and tied together to create a "gauntlet". The water is only waist to chest deep. Lots of music, drinks, floats, dogs and......airplanes? This guy landed on the water, pulled the plane in next to us and set anchor. All we could say was, "Cool!".

Lake Huron, MI - Trout fishing

2007-08-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Oh, where to start? I promise to fill you in over the next week on my travels. Let's start with a view of Lake Huron just off the coast of Port Austin. Tip of the "thumb" of Michigan. Left at 6am and caught 12 huge Lake Trout. The captain cleans the fish up for on the dock, calls ahead to the local restaurant, they meet you at the door and rush your bag of fish back to the kitchen to cook anyway you want.

I'm back in Texas!!!!

2007-08-08T07:13:00.000-07:00

A good trip up north was had by all. I promise some MI and IN pics soon. In the meantime, enjoy this loud guy outside my office window a few weeks ago.

It's Theme Day - Typical Breakfast

2007-08-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

The Daily Photo family is Typical Breakfast.

Daily Photo guidelines:
"Typical breakfast"- not just the food you eat personally, but it could be in a restaurant or grocery store, the "occasion" of breakfast (the people eating it, an interesting location where people eat breakfast) - ie think creatively about it.

I picked the kolache. Since living here for 10 years, I have realized that not everyone knows what a kolache is. It is a wonderful sausage and cheese (or ham and cheese) wrapped in roll (or for fancy Texans, a croissant). The are quite small so breakfast easily is 2 or 3. The kids love them. The first shot is my 7 year old with his kolaches before church. And I had to add the 2nd photo (sorry-I've been off the computer for 10 days-in Daily Photo withdrawal) to show the typical donut/kolache shop. They are open on every corner. 6am to noon every day. When we're running late for school, I pile the boys in the car, swing by the kolache shop for a dozen and throw them in the back of the car. They're usually gone by the time we get to the drop-off line.

Enjoy the other daily photo sites participating in theme day:
Saint Paul (MN), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - New York City (NY), USA - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hyde, UK - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Mainz, Germany - Stockholm, Sweden - Paderborn, Germany - Singapore, Singapore - Haninge, Sweden - Nottingham, UK - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Manila, Philippines - Boston (MA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Singapore, Singapore - Joplin (MO), USA - Chandler (AZ), USA - Paris, France - Sequim (WA), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Boston (MA), USA - Chennai, India - Madison (WI), USA - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Toulouse, France - Seattle (WA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - La Antigua, Guatemala - Selma (AL), USA - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - San Diego (CA), USA - Lubbock (TX), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Sheki, Azerbaijan - Sydney, Australia - Mumbai, India - Seoul, South Korea - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - New Orleans (LA), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Austin (TX), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Villigen, Switzerland - Montréal (QC), Canada - Stayton (OR), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Silver Spring (MD), USA - Moscow, Russia - Springfield (MO), USA - Inverness (IL), usa - Arlington (VA), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Saint-Petersburg, Russian Federation - Manila, Philippines - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Bandung (West Java), Indonesia - Stavanger, Norway - Bastia, France - Hong Kong, China - Wailea (HI), USA - St. Louis (MO), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Rabaul, Papua New Guinea - Sydney, Australia - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Kansas City (MO), USA - Grenoble, France - Paris, France - Evry, France - Saigon, Vietnam - Prague, Czech Republic - Cape Town, South Africa - Brookville (OH), USA - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Wellington, New Zealand - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Shanghai, China - Zurich, Switzerland - North Bay (ON), Canada

IAH

2007-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Bush Intercontinental Airport Houston - candid shot in the rearview mirror
Going up north for a few weeks; will keep up as much as possible. You'll get to see some pics from Michigan and Indiana! Aren't you excited?

Another 9 year old son shot of downtown Houston

2007-07-21T13:57:00.001-07:00

A trip to downtown Houston

2007-07-20T00:01:00.000-07:00

My 9 year old son got this shot in downtown Houston. He's already got an artistic eye. What do you think?
(And to answer Lincoln's comment, I didn't crop this pic. Straight from a little boy's eye. Cool.)

One of my 3 Monarch butterflies

2007-07-19T07:42:00.000-07:00

Unfortunately this guy didn't make it. I found him damaged on the ground next to the bush they had been hiding in. He stayed alive long enough for me to take some pics. I could never find where they were hiding in the bushes.
Check out this link for pics a little girl added to kidzone.
http://www.kidzone.ws/animals/butterflypics/monarchpicstory.html

Milkweed after the caterpillars have gone

2007-07-18T07:10:00.000-07:00

Another shot of caterpillar and milkweed

2007-07-17T07:12:00.000-07:00

Milkweed: it does a caterpillar good

Here they are-my friendly neighborhood caterpillars

2007-07-16T07:09:00.000-07:00

Who knew they pooped so much? (See last post.) We have a ton of milkweed in the yard and were graced with 3 monarch butterflies. They demolished the milkweed then disappeared into the bushes.

Guess who's "poop" this is? Find out tomorrow...

2007-07-14T00:01:00.000-07:00

Amor

2007-07-13T00:02:00.000-07:00

Love in Cypress.

2007-07-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

A continuation of the "puzzle" path from yesterday's post. Go on...scroll down.
:-) Riniroo

2007-07-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Part of a bike path in the Bridgeland. Love the pattern.

2007-07-08T20:03:00.000-07:00

Some pretty pond moss. I love nature.

2007-07-07T08:58:00.000-07:00

Nice to know that new construction isn't everywhere in Cypress. This is a nice group of trees in the Bridgeland, a new subdivision down House Hahl Rd.

2007-07-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

For some reason I can't type a Title right now. So here it is, "A Clematis at the end of it's life."

I see the moon...

2007-07-05T17:01:00.000-07:00

Taken about a month ago in our backyard. I put my camera up to the telescope. I've gotten some nice shots this way.

So this is what the moon looked like 1 month ago (give or take a few days) from Cypress, TX. Hope y'all had a had a happy 4th!

This duck says quack

2007-07-04T00:01:00.000-07:00

So my camera shutter stuck for a sec and I got this fuzzy pic. I like it. Happy 4th y'all!

The Texas "Taco Taxi"

2007-07-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

So...anytime there is a new subdivision is being built, out comes the "Taco Taxis". They're awesome. I caught this one loading up in the Sam's Club parking lot. Fun, fun! Sorry this post is sooooooo late, have friends in town from Malaysia. Triple fun!

Daily Photo Theme Day!..."Red"

2007-07-01T00:01:00.000-07:00

These are the red Texas Star Hibiscus flowers that belong the the leaves at the top of my blog. Had to stick my hand in for perspective. Today is theme day and this is my favorite "red".

Check out all the other Daily Photo Blogs participating today: (Enjoy!)
Shanghai, China - Mumbai, India - New York City (NY), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Hamburg, Germany - Stayton (OR), USA - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Hyde, UK - Oslo, Norway - Brookville (OH), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - Joplin (MO), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Selma (AL), USA - Cleveland (OH), USA - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Chandler (AZ), USA - Stockholm, Sweden - Seattle (WA), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Evry, France - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Maple Ridge (BC), Canada - Boston (MA), USA - Grenoble, France - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Greenville (SC), USA - Hilo (HI), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - La Antigua, Guatemala - Brisbane (QLD), Australia - Singapore, Singapore - Tel Aviv, Israel - Hong Kong, China - Sequim (WA), USA - Paderborn, Germany - Saarbrücken, Germany - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Tenerife, Spain - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Sydney, Australia - Naples (FL), USA - Cologne (NRW), Germany - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Saint Louis (MO), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - Ocean Township (NJ), USA - Mainz, Germany - Toruń, Poland - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Singapore, Singapore - North Bay (ON), Canada - Jakarta, Indonesia - Montréal (QC), Canada - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Baziège, France - San Diego (CA), USA - Prague, Czech Republic - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - New York (NY), USA - Kajang (Selangor), Malaysia - Sharon (CT), USA - Newcastle (NSW), Australia - Port Angeles (WA), USA - Nottingham, UK - Villigen, Switzerland - Chicago (IL), USA - Torquay, UK - Brussels, Belgium - San Diego (CA), USA - Mexico (DF), Mexico - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Cape Town, South Africa - Paris, France - Seoul, Korea - Manila, Philippines - Milano, Italy - Chennai (Tamil Nadu), India - Austin (TX), USA - Chennai, India - Madrid, Spain - Seoul, South Korea - Wailea (HI), USA

Another brave boy with a homegrown garden slug (on his nose)

2007-06-30T00:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I'm on a roll...

Brave boy with a home grown Cypress pepper

2007-06-29T14:06:00.000-07:00

Home Garden Feast!

2007-06-26T18:40:00.000-07:00

Another shot of the 1 headstone cemetary on House Hahl Rd.

2007-06-24T18:38:00.001-07:00

Creature From The Deep!

2007-06-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Not the best pic, but it was taken at the spur of the moment. Over at a friends' pool (in Cypress), one of the kid toys has been forgotten in the water. Therefore you get...creature from the deep!

Since I missed Thursday's post (the first day of summer), I must redeem with a pic showing how we have been swimming for 2 months here down in Texas. Summer? Been there, done that.

After all the anticipation...

2007-06-20T13:12:00.000-07:00

Here he is...Big Daddy!

Peek-a-boo

2007-06-19T16:52:00.000-07:00

This is the Big Daddy playing games.

Little Calf

2007-06-17T17:56:00.001-07:00

So cute! Tomorrow I'll show you the "big daddy" standing with him.

True Love

2007-06-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Along House Hahl Rd. Been past this spot hundreds of times in the car. Finally took a bike ride to specifically take pics for CDP. I then noticed this 1 headstone cemetary. They were born in 1880 and 81. He died in 1931, she in 1970. So beautiful.

Kids playing behind St. John

2007-06-15T00:01:00.000-07:00

Behind St. John Lutheran Church at Spring-Cypress and Huffmeister. This is part of the "piney woods" of Cypress.

Texas fields

2007-06-14T19:18:00.000-07:00

Along House Hahl Rd. A farmer used to live on this spot in his trailer. The trailer is gone but a few of his utility buildings still stand.

Good Eats in Cypress

2007-06-12T08:06:00.000-07:00

With all the new construction in Cypress, we've finally gotten some "real" restaurants. This is Shogun at Spring Cypress and Highway 290. Great sushi and entertainment!

Big Cypress Creek

2007-06-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Cypress Creek (Little and Big) runs through most of north Harris Country. This is a view after a particularly rainy week.

Country Mail

2007-06-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

A country mailbox. Most of Cypress is still "the country". You see the newer stores/homes closer to Highway 290.

Little Boy Reflections

2007-06-08T20:01:00.000-07:00

My shot at "Reflections". I like it. I see that "RED" is already on my mind. Can't wait until Theme Day!

On a side note, I see my counter jumping on hits yet I get only 1 or 2 comments. Please show your love! I don't have any time to visit sites and comment (a business and 3 boys) but would love to know that you've been here.

A Tree Cave

2007-06-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Taken at Fireman's Park in Brenham, TX. Home of Blue Bell Ice Cream. I thought that this part of an old tree looked like a cave.

Vintage restrooms

2007-06-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

I absolutely love the colors in this pic. Once again, in Cypress Top.

Sleepy boy

2007-06-05T17:41:00.000-07:00

A little Westy passed out on a hot Texas day. It got up to 93 degrees farenheit today.

Mustang Ranch

2007-06-04T07:07:00.000-07:00

Long story short...a guy wants to put up a trailer park right next to a 5 year old subdivision with big houses. The subdivision doesn't like it, someone throws paint on his sign. The trailer guy slaps new text over the old stuff after realizing he can't get the paint off. Then the trailer guy puts up barbed wire and a 10 foot fence to protect his sign.

It's been like this for close to a year. No trailer park yet.

Gotta love Texas.

Theme Day! View from your bedroom

2007-06-01T12:21:00.000-07:00

To the Daily Photo Community, this is a celebration Day! Theme Day!
Take a picture of your city from your bedroom window. (or from a friend's bedroom window)

This is what I see from my friends window...oil. When we bought our house 6 years ago, we signed away the rights to anything that might be found underneath our house. Sooooo....I could be Uncle Jed sittin' on a pile of oil and it's not mine. Bummer.

Check out all the other daily photo sites participating today:
Seattle (WA), USA - Manila, Philippines - Albuquerque (NM), USA - Singapore, Singapore - Toruń, Poland - Baton Rouge (LA), USA - Seoul, Korea - Saint Paul (MN), USA - Vantaa, Finland - Madison (WI), USA - Saarbrücken, Germany - Cleveland (OH), USA - Chicago (IL), USA - Cottage Grove (MN), USA - Omaha (NE), USA - Bellefonte (PA), USA - Melbourne, Australia - Stockholm, Sweden - Grenoble, France - Lubbock (TX), USA - Boston (MA), USA - Arradon, France - Hyde, UK - Joplin (MO), USA - Kyoto, Japan - Tokyo, Japan - Kansas City (MO), USA - Naples (FL), USA - Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina - Manila, Philippines - Sydney, Australia - Stavanger, Norway - Bucaramanga (Santander), Colombia - London, UK - Chandler (AZ), USA - Nelson, New Zealand - Singapore, Singapore - Hamburg, Germany - Sydney, Australia - Tenerife, Spain - Moscow, Russia - Lyon, France - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Villigen, Switzerland - Anderson (SC), USA - Oslo, Norway - Evry, France - Hayle, UK - Mumbai, India - Kitakami, Japan - Wassenaar (ZH), Netherlands - Menton, France - Monte Carlo, Monaco - Los Angeles (CA), USA - Cypress (TX), USA - La Antigua, Guatemala - Paderborn, Germany - San Diego (CA), USA - Ampang (Selangor), Malaysia - Madrid, Spain - Lyon, France - Selma (AL), USA - Shanghai, China - Baziège, France - Cologne (NRW), Germany - North Bay (ON), Canada - Rotterdam, Netherlands - Stayton (OR), USA - Sharon (CT), USA - Austin (TX), USA - Hong Kong, China - Trier, Germany - Joensuu, Finland - Paris, France - Greenville (SC), USA - Wailea (HI), USA - Budapest, Hungary - Cork, Ireland - Bastia, France - Vancouver, Canada - Brookville (OH), USA - Jakarta, Indonesia - Mainz, Germany - Minneapolis (MN), USA - Zurich, Switzerland - Torino, Italy - Montréal (QC), Canada

Cypress Top...again

2007-05-31T15:56:00.000-07:00

Another shot of Cypress Top. Juergens Store. I hear everything is just how they left it when it closed. The museum should be great.

What are these?

2007-05-30T15:01:00.000-07:00

Okay, I need help with this one. What are the contraptions in this picture?

They reside in Cypress Top behind the old gas station. Looks like they've been repainted.

Country construction

2007-05-29T13:21:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the long hiatus. Many family members in town over the holiday weekend. And I got my baby fix with my 3 month old niece.

Now on to pics...this is country construction on a country road. Cypress Rosehill Rd. to be exact. I count 3 trucks and 2 SUV's in this picture (I'm driving the 2nd SUV). That's what we love down south; big gas guzzlin' vehicles!

2nd old gas pump-$1.549 per gallon!

2007-05-24T10:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday's gas pump was found in Cypress Top, a "museum" strip that is saving the original buildings of downtown Cypress. They're still in the middle of renovating.

Now this is the second gas pump at the location. It's definitely a moment caught in time. I tried to look up online when Texas had $1.549 gas but couldn't find anything. We're double that now easy. I routinely tap out at $75 when using my Visa card.

Tony's home

2007-05-23T09:34:00.000-07:00

An old gas pump sporting yesterdays "Tony the Tiger". Great colors....for a gas pump.

Happy Tiger

2007-05-22T07:34:00.000-07:00

This tiger was shot at Cypress Top. I'll post the machine he resides on tomorrow. There's something about his smile...so captivating.

Music in Iron

2007-05-21T09:09:00.001-07:00

One more shot taken at Arbor Gate. These band members are for sale all over Cypress and Houston. They stand about 5 feet tall.

Cool Texas Art

2007-05-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

Taken at Arbor Gate, a cool nursery at FM 2920 and Telge Rd. FM stands for Farm to Market. How cool is that?

Old Gas Station

2007-05-19T09:22:00.000-07:00

The old gas station at Cypress Top. I love the angled windows.

History in B&W

2007-05-18T09:06:00.000-07:00

An old door in Cypress Top. Love it! Check out my reflection in the knob. Cool.

Snake Squash

2007-05-17T04:44:00.000-07:00

View on a typical Texas road. Poor snake.

Crepe myrtles second "before" pic

2007-05-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

The crepe and myrtles are getting ready to bloom. I can't wait to show you the splendor! This pic was taken a few weeks ago when they had just started to green back up.

The joys of baseball-and the Blue Bell history lesson

2007-05-15T08:24:00.000-07:00

Well, baseball playoff games have started in Fairfield; a large subdivision in Cypress. Alas, the T-Ball players are done with their games. No double elimination for them. This little guy doesn't seem to mind.

Now back to my promise from the last 2 posts. We went to Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham, TX on a preschool field trip recently. It's about a 30 minute drive up Hwy 290 from Cypress. The "tour" is very popular and I can't believe it was my first time! I've lived here for 10 years! So I was as excited as the kids. For a mere $3, you get to see a film and a guided walking tour throught the building. Now you are going through people's offices, by the lunch room, waving at ice cream makers, etc. They just make sure that no cameras or cell phones are used during the tour. "Make sure we don't even see them out of your pocket.", they said. Yes ma'm. After checking out all the machines, we each got a cup of ice cream to enjoy. (And the funny hats-see yesterdays post.) The kids had a blast and many fell asleep on the bus ride home.

It was soooo cool. We saw cookies'n'cream and mint chocolate chip being made! And the machine that puts together the ice cream sandwiches. I so wish I had pictures. In the end, I have to admit that Blue Bell has won our hearts and we will never purchase any other brand. I hope you live in a state where it's available.

This history lesson is a direct quote from www.bluebell.com
'It all started on a hot summer day when local farmers decided to establish the Brenham Creamery Company and make butter from excess cream brought in by area farmers. A few years later the creamery began making ice cream and delivering it to neighbors by horse and wagon. It was in 1930 that the company changed its name to Blue Bell Creameries after the native Texas bluebell wildflower.

A lot has changed since those early days. Horse drawn buggies have been traded in for refrigerated trucks and the creamery no longer produces butter. Today, Blue Bell produces around 50 different ice cream flavors, including its number one seller, Homemade Vanilla, numerous frozen snack items and a No Sugar Added and Light line of ice cream.

And although Blue Bell is only available in about 20% of the nation’s supermarkets, it ranks as one of the top three best selling ice creams in the country. Our products are sold in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. No matter how much the market grows, quality standards never change and are never diluted or compromised. That's why, people who are lucky enough to live where they can buy Blue Bell Ice Cream, say it's "the best ice cream in the country."'

Mmmmm, Blue Bell Ice Cream!

2007-05-14T10:43:00.000-07:00

Sorry, no time today for our history lesson. Enjoy some ice cream!