SIGNS OF SAN MARCOS

Hubby and I were in San Marcos (home of Texas State University) a while back, when he decided to stop into a little barber shop on the square. I had no idea how long it would take, so I told him I'd just wander around the square 'til he called me. First place I came to was the little cigar shop he's been going to for years, Hill Country Humidor, and I couldn't resist snapping pics of a couple of their signs.

That second sign, which was a common sight in the late 60s/early 70s, was rather humorous, considering the shop was owned by an old hippy! Hubby and his best bud Toad loved hanging out in there, smoking a cigar and gabbing with the fellow, who was quite a character. Sadly, he passed away not too long ago.

A few steps past those, I found other interesting signs.

This little cafe has anchored the square for as long as I can remember, and is the spot where we always took Lex out to breakfast when we came to visit her while she was in college. She even helped paint their windows with Christmas decorations one year!

The Root Cellar is a little basement cafe just off the square, which the Muses and I like to frequent whenever we are in San Marcos. (Their pesto burger is to die for!) Well, unbeknownst to me, they have opened a bakery cafe as well, right on the square!

Unfortunately, I'd only made it down one side of the square when I got lured into a great shop called Paper Bear. And, I'd only made it halfway through that when Hubby called to say he was ready. Guess I'm gonna have to make another trip back before long.

Favorite sign of the day? This one!

PRICKLY PERFECTION

Is there anything more gorgeous than a Prickly Pear cactus in full bloom?

We are ever so fortunate that Mother Nature planted several of these beauties on our property, and I am especially grateful for this one, just off the corner of the lower porch, which can be enjoyed from the dining room windows above.

Every bit as wonder-full (to me, anyway) are the magenta cork-shaped fruits, called tunas, which will follow. What's even more amazing is that there is an entire page of 100+ absolutely color-mad recipes for using those tunas on Pinterest! Want to try a few? I'd be more than happy to share my bounty with you. All that's required is a willingness to trudge through snake, scorpion and chigger infested grass, and then to brave a few dagger-like thorns. (Hey, they don't call it "prickly" fer nuthin', ya know!)
 

GET READY, CUZ HERE I COME

When I went to Lexi's house for our tea outing on Sunday, I couldn't resist taking another peak at the nursery, to see what's new. In case you haven't figured this out for yourself, my daughter has a thing for handmade. So, you can imagine her glee when this panda nightlight showed up from crafty clay artist Aunt Priscilla -- a perfect match for the giant panda wall decals surrounding Little Goober's crib!

There were also several new things ordered from Etsy...

A Nursing Drape

A Floor Mat For Baby

A Diaper Bag

What do you mean, this isn't for me?

I have a feeling I'm going to have the only grandbaby around who likes playing with skeleton toys.

The only thing I couldn't figure out was this pile over in the corner.

When I asked her about the pool toys, Lex said those were things that might come in handy during labor. Then it hit me. That little suitcase behind them? It is packed. This is her grab-and-head-to-the-hospital-pile! And, with Goober's official due date just eleven days off, I guess there's just as much chance he could come early as late. SQUEEEEE!

Looks like he will be a very well-dressed little dude, when he takes his leave of the birthing center.

THE TRAVELING TEA PARLOUR

A food-truck-tea-parlour? Only in Austin!

I'd been following the news of Austin's latest food truck phenomenon, Bundrick's Traveling Tea Parlour over on East 7th, for a while now, but had not yet gone to check it out. So, when daughter Alexis suggested that we celebrate Mother's Day there, I was like "Hay-ill Yeah!" Of course, we woke up to less-than-stellar weather predictions on Sunday, but did we let that stop us? Heck no! We just grabbed a couple of umbrellas.

You've heard the expression "You had me at 'Hello' "? Well, in this case, they had me at Harney & Sons -- a whole window filled with their amazing tea selections!

She just made that darling sundress, which will be a great transition dress after Goober arrives, herself!

Lex decided to try their White Peach, served in this queenly pot...

but I couldn't resist trying one called simply Paris -- a fruity black tea with vanilla, caramel and a hint of lemony Bergamot.

Both were exquisite!

You can order nothing more than a cup of tea if you choose, or you can add something from a generous selection of a la carte treats. You can also order the "cream tea" which is a pot of tea, scones, butter and jam.

However, if you want to go whole-hog to celebrate a special occasion, as we did, then you really need to call ahead and reserve a table and the "Afternoon Tea" service, which will look something like this.

We started with four kinds of sandwiches...

including the traditional cucumber, an herbed goat cheese, tuna on toast, and best of all, almond butter and honey on pumpernickel!

That was followed by two types of scones. We each chose the mini strawberry scone (To die for!) and took the plain scone home with us.

The final tier included two fruit tarts, two macarons, a lemony thing, and a miniature Italian Cream Cake. Half of that went home with us as well.

I think it may have sprinkled on us at some point, but we were having so much fun, and the tables all had such nice big patio umbrellas, that we barely noticed! All in all, it was just about the "sweetest" Mother's Day ever.

P.S. Speaking of sweets, in case you are worried about Lex and her gestational diabetes, her doctor said that her numbers are so consistently wonderful that a little splurge on a special occasion would not hurt. I just checked in with her, and they were well within the normal range when she got home and tested them. :-)