Farm Day in Cibolo

Harrison holding a Silkie.

We bought honey from the Kirby family a few weeks ago. From there we learned that they were wanting to do a Farm Day at their home and were looking for vendors. Liz jumped right in to sell her baked goods, and so she had her first venue outside of individual orders.

I dropped her off for the morning, but came back with the kids and Charlize for the afternoon. There was a variety in the vendor area: Chickens, Partylite, Brick Oven Pizza, a Brewery (they didn't serve beer  ~ just getting their brand out there), Corn-hole, Horse rides, Essential Oils, Gut Health, Vertical Gardening, Jarred foods and Pecans, information on Tiny House building and Mobile Loaves and Fishes..... and more. 

Phoebe and Charlize got to let the chickens out. About 40 or so came rushing out of there to scavenge around the yard. 

They had two tortoises. Very large and cool. 

Phoebe has been begging for horseback riding lessons. She got a little taste here.

Liz' table of cookies and cupcakes.

Petting chicks and ducks.

Butterfly release. 

This vendor was selling butterfly kits with a caterpillar and home and host plant. 

The butterflies stayed around when they were first released. Then they found food.

Dad hanging out with the kids.

The tortoise and chicken were partaking of pumpkin together.

Finishing the Riverwalk!

I had good family time with the Mission Reach of the Riverwalk. 

Mission Espada. 

The last one on the trail. It was a Sunday afternoon ~ lots of tourists.

Charlize and the kids went with me for a short walk on a hot Sunday afternoon. We went from Concepción Park to the Riverside Golf Course. 

It was not a quick walk. 

There were ledges to walk and underpasses to climb and slide down.

Then my mom came to visit us and I talked her into walking with me on a Monday morning. There were a surprising number of people out during a work week. And I didn't really have to talk Mom into it. She walks around a lake near their home several times a week. Walking is her hobby. One of her hobbies..... She's a very busy person.

We went from the Golf Course to Acequia Park that day. 

A yellow garden orb weaver. We actually saw a lot of spiders on this walk. Some black chunky ones, some jumpy ones. They were polite and shared the sidewalk well.

San Juan Mission

The last stretch of the Riverwalk was also with my mom when she came back from Louisiana. We walked from Mission San Juan to Mission Espada and then up to Acequia Park and back down to San Juan. My phone directions sent me to the wrong place (San Juan instead of Acequia Park), so we just parked and walked from where we were. 

San Juan Mission. I think? This might be Espada.

I think this was called Whisper Art. 

There were a lot of these Queen Butterflies covering the bushes next to the whisper art. 

The map: here. 

And the other Riverwalk posts:

Walking the Riverwalk (I)

With Family (II)

Childhood Memories (III)

Starting the Mission Reach (IV)

Do I have deep inspirational thoughts about this achievement? Sure. They're way deep down. I enjoy crossing things off a list. I enjoy setting a goal and getting it done. I love hiking and nature trails. I'd say biking might be a better bet for the Mission Reach. It's a lot of miles to walk. Although you do enjoy the scenery at a slower pace when you're walking. Conversation and enjoying an activity with someone else is part of the joy of it all too.

Sunrise at Comanche Lookout Park

Jonathan has really gotten into hiking up Comanche Lookout near our house. He planned an early Saturday morning for him and Harrison (and me as the driver) to get there and see the sunrise and then play for a while with their army gear. 

We got there a little after sunrise, but we still got to see some pretty oranges and pinks. And there was a little group there praying. I love that. 

There were a lot of people there actually ~ jogging, walking dogs. I fixed my hair and had some breakfast and read the Bible while the boys played. 

Harrison is so enamored with his big brother. Jonathan gets a little irritated with him at times, but he also takes a lot of time to play with him and take care of him. The two of them are a picture of brothers dwelling together in unity. That makes my heart happy.

A neighbor came over for lunch last week and brought us a beautiful vase of flowers. Liz has used them in her baking pictures and to make a flower crown. She makes good use of a bouquet. That also makes my heart happy.

A little picture of what my teenager is into these days. 

Make Room for Phoebe

Phoebe and I enjoy going to the annual Evening of Spiritual Harmony at our church. It's kind of a fundraiser for Southwestern Christian College. Several acapella groups come from all around (the furtherest this year came from Oklahoma), and do they ever bring it, baby! 

I love to watch good music. I don't always pay attention if I just listen to it on the radio. But when I watch it live, it washes over me ~ I feel more a part of it. And it always makes me long for heaven. I want to be a part of that singing one day.

(photo by Joel Byrd Photography)

Phoebe's story, The Quest to Save Rainbow Planet, tied for third place in the FenCon Young Author Story Contest. This was for a cash prize, so it was super exciting for her. She comes up with the zaniest things sometimes, but it's always a laugh. When she catches Phillip and I hugging, she'll squeeze into the middle and peep, "Make room for Phoebe!" 

Elizabeth has been wrapping trees in knitted tree sweaters down at the library. People ask her why. I tell her to look really sarcastic and teenagery and tell them in all seriousness, "Like..... because it's art," and then put her nose in the air. She could take the sarcastic approach or the ditzy artsy approach or the snobby artist approach.  Any of those works. Anyway, one young girl stopped her one day to tell her she loves it and she always looks to see if there are any new ones.