My Thoughts

~52 Amazing Austin Churches~ I had this idea to blog through 2011 with a look at 52 amazing churches here in the Austin area. Since my arrival here almost four years ago, I have been snapping photos of churches I find architecturally appealing. I am a lil behind schedule, but trying to get caught up. Churches............(I can't call them buildings) are not posted in any specific order. I am actually remembering to add them as I see them again. So far, I have posted 2 from West Austin: Gethsemane Lutheran Hypde Park Presbyterian Before I began the research on these, I had no idea each had already been declared a historic site. Not sure what I had envisioned this project becoming, but the need for research with my first two locations does not exist. If you intend on " checking in" at these locations, all the contact information is well documented, too. Possibly I am already way too behind in the social media, mobile application world in which we live. If I truly have hope

~January~ Coming to an end very very soon, January 2011 has been a cold one here in Texas..........ok, maybe not "cold", but definitely the coolest part of winter so far. This is one of my most favorite times of year. All the grasses and trees look lost, forlorn, and the sunsets are unrivaled. Each day the whole sky burns a gorgeous orange and red. I made white chili last night, a very tasty and hearty recipe given to me by my best friend Katrina. The girls devoured all of it. I like mine sprinkled with lime and served with sliced avocado. Soups have been on the menu more and more lately. *Veggie beef in wine broth *Chicken and dumplings *Country roast *Lima beans w/ham I always get a bit sad when I have to put away my crock-pot once the weather warms. "Bare branches of each treeon this chilly January mornlook so cold so forlorn. Gray skies dip ever so lowleft from yesterday's dusting of snow. Yet in the heart of each treewaiting f

Welling inside her were the tears she had craftfully learned to control over the last few years, but here they were again. Take control, Deandra! she commanded herself. "Associates? Although impressed, I am not really surprised. I figured you'd return to law eventually." She smiled her slow southern charm into each word, casting her eyes downward to the hem of her skirt and back at him. Her hand trailed up her leg and she stretched her manicured and blood red nails outward before resting her hand on her lap. She knew he saw every movement. His perceptions had always been keen. Her flirtations are as intoxicating as ever , he mused, completely aware of her avoidance of his questions and the way she lightly skimmed her leg. His own memories of their time in Austin flashed into his mind. A rush of heat overtook him, and in agitation, he pressed his hand to the cool glass as he glanced at the passing buildings. Too quickly, he remembered Deandra's innocent laught

"On my honor...................." I will try............to keep calm and not cry as the innocent faces of so many amazing young women smile at me from years of photos for Troop 26. We started as Daisies..........a hand ful of girls from Early and Brownwood. Katie Nealeigh was the co-leader with me, and in a very short time, I learned some of the most amazingly valuable lessons from not only Katie but also from these pre cious lil' girls. For years I would jokingly tell people I learned everything I know from GS. I did not have the privilege of being a GS as a child, so with a zeal unknown to me, I jumped in to provide this amazing opportunity for my daughters. Along the way I met truly amazing women and girls............even a few men...........who welcomed me into their lives. From GS cookie booth sales to parades, from day camps to making and eating s'mores, the days I spent as a co-leader for this troop gave me confidence, taught me patience and sharpened my wisdo

Brrr......It's Getting Cold Again! I truly find it ironic that when I make up my mind about something, things change immediately. The situation with Jeff is a prime example. Life is amazing and crazy all jumbled with peace and calm. Today is the funeral for the mother of one of Kaitlyn's classmates. Such a heartbreaking situation. It has put me in a strange and numb place. There are truly days when I feel the weight of the whole world on my shoulders, and at the point when I feel I need to collapse, I see the eyes of my wonderful daughters upon me. I must persevere always. Usually, it is not until I am alone in my room that the tears of pain and sadness finally come. Today will be one of those days, again. I must hold on tight without breaking, waiting with breath held until I can close the world off and just disappear.

Static Control My last post whispered my struggle to let down walls and actually allow my feelings for Jeff room to grow. In anticipation of spending time with him, I had been so full of emotion as I blogged. His announcement at dinner harshly yanked the veil away from realities and sent me scrambling to cover behind the pieces of my once stabile fortress. He is moving to Florida. Even though my suspicions existed after his holiday trip to see his parents, I had tentatively ignored them. Not now. For a couple days now, I have stood in static.................unable to retreat, unable to push forward. We talk about feelings and the absurdity of meeting when we did. With compassion, I am unable to throw a fit about how sad and hurt I am, nor can I truly comfort Jeff in his own confusion. We have actually spent the last few days side stepping conversations. He tells me I should continue to date with the sentence trailing off..............I honestly have no idea my response sh

This time last year I was planning a romantic weekend get-a-way with Jarvis, so when I got up this morning and the chill of this artic air greeted me, my mind raced back to Philly. Each time Jeff and I hit a stall, I do this, retreat. So, with my "Philadelphia" playist providing a consistent soundtrack, I am working on my novela "Philadelphia Story". Things with Jeff are good, but he is dealing with some family issues with his parents in Florida and announced to me he might be leaving Austin soon to take care of things. Even though I wish I trusted people, I don't. It especially difficult for me to trust men. This is exhausting.............back and forth. One day I'll be on top of the world and full of optimism only to be completely insecure and scrambling to rebuild walls the next day. I have already started praying because experience has taught me that I must let go of any understanding I think I have. Above any of this confusion is the

It's cold here in the South today. Getting up and around to get my girls off to school, I am beginning my first day off this week with some winter weather cooking planning. On today's agenda, red beans and cornbread. I also making some bread pudding so that the oven can chase the chill out of the air. As I "cleaned" the red beans to add to the pot , the words of Annelle rang in my ears. "This is in the freezes beautifully section of my cookbook, and I wanted to bring something that freezes beatuifully." Steel Magnolias is one of my alltime favorite movies..........it defines completely what being a woman of the South is all about. I can identify with each of these ladies on different days and at different stages of my life. More and more, I feel like Ouisa or Clairee. The world has changed a great deal in the last 21 years since the movie came out. With a confused and defensive approach, I want to spell out what I feel it means to be a woman of

OMG!! I don't spook easily. I am not normally prone to superstitious ramblings. Guess I forgot to lock the front door. I had gone into my bedroom to get my shoes when I thought I heard a knock at the door. So I go to the door and no one is there. Going back into my bedroom to get my shoes, I hear the front door open and close. I am thinking it is Melanie home for lunch, but it isn't. Grabbing the first thing I see to use as a potential weapon, my heart races as I slowly walk through my house waiting for someone to jump out at me. As room by room I make sure all is clear, my breathing begins to return to normal. I manage to get the dry goods from the car to my house. Just as I am ready to sit down and return to watching "Case 39", my phone rings, scaring me back into a state of panic. It was Melanie saying she was headed home for lunch. I was so excited 'cause then I would have someone else to live out this state of paranoia with me. Finally, I sat

A Texas Song The heart of a woman,,,,,,hidden, deep, full of passion and desire. Known to so very few.....the Myth of the Texas Beauty and of her songs that fill the Texas air are well known. What follows is the beginning of one man's search for the woman who sings A Texas Song........ Veiled, guarded, the heart of a woman beats with a passion as hot as the Texas sun. The depth of her soul blazes brightly in her hypnotic eyes, but few have seen her soul; she guards it as tightly as her heart. Many have tried; all have failed. Tightly guarded?? Sounds like a challenge, but worthy of a challenge for sure. Oh, definitely worthy of a challenge, a very dangerous challenge. Hmmm,,a dangerous challenge...a challenge that makes the prize that much more sacred when you risk all to acquire it. Oh, but caution...often, a prize is not what you believe to be...or,.. you forget its value too quickly and blindly discard it.   Doubtful,,,for see, I know the value of the prize. Once won, I wo

Memorial Day article written by Stacci for Memorial Day, 1999 But for most, Memorial Day is a symbol to those values of patriotism, of loyalty, that defined America a mere half decade ago. As I read J.F. Kennedy's "Inaugural Address", I was particularly moved by his vision of the role played by his generation, "a generation of Americans, born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed. But now, a new generation of Americans is beginning to move into positions of power and leadership in this country. Just as Kennedy once saw the role of his generation, so too do I see the role of mine. My generation has no lofty nickname; we are not marked by any distinguishable traits. Somehow, we fell between the Baby Boomers and Generation X, and we are now beginning to feel the pressures of handin

The third day of the New Year is almost over.........I am chillin in front of a fire with a nice mug of herbal tea. I've been doing research for my novela and came across a recipe for a pink cake. Checking out the recipe, I found one I actually think I could adapt to keep it healthy , somewhat lowfat. I am anxious today: only 5 months and Melanie graduates high school; grad school starts back in 3 weeks; the girls are home for the very last day of Christmas break; work really got jump started today and Parker is in Florida one more week. With a joyfulness, I have prayed for peace. So, I hope everyone of my readers ((all 2 or you!!)) try out this ice cream recipe with me. Stay tuned for more on the Philadelphia Story.

original publication date Jan 1, 2011 Ok, so over a very nice hot buttered rum and a long catch up visit with my friend Blanca, the recipe for her grandmother's chicken broccoli casserole was shared with several of the patrons and servers at Opal Divine's . I am gonna try it out tomorrow even though I will only be able to eat a very small portion of it. Chicken Broccoli of Blanca's Grandma 6 chicken breast 1 onion 1.5 lbs fresh broccoli crowns Sea Salt 2 cans cream of chicken soup 8 oz real mayo 1 lemon 5 slices bread to toast 1 stick butter 20 oz finely shredded cheese Put the onion and chicken in a saucepan with just enough water to cover and cook on medium until chicken is fork tender. Put the broccoli in a saucepan with just enough water to cover, add sea salt and cook on medium until fork tender. Drain the broccoli well. Chop the broccoli. Save the chicken broth water. Remove the chicken and onion and chop. M

01\01\2011 Happy New Year Even before the bells tolled, I was fast asleep, having already celebrated and fought groups of people. I thought about my nephew Derrick in Afghanistan, knowing he had already rang in the new year..........not with family and friends, but in a sand filled war zone. As I watched the groups of people out and about in Austin last night, I couldn't help but wonder what the big deal was. Why on this one night people want to celebrate, to dream big, to brush off the dust of the year before. We have that amazing opportunity every single day. Each day of our lives really should be a nenewal, an ability to charge forward with renewed energy and vitality. Do something amazing in 2011. Take a class, volunteer, renew old friendships, take a chance. Be the person that you always dreamed you could be. And in those moments when you think things could not get any worse, remember that you have thought that before.