Flower Children -- or, Spring in the Hill Country, - 2012

One last look at Johnson Creek through some blooms

Rocky loves the smell of Bluebonnets also

Riding my mule in the Bandera parade -- or am I?

My new friend, Lois Johnson, author from MN

Andrew became a member of the Snaggletooth Club during our JCRV  stay

The Redbuds began popping out in early March 

Mr. Ken and Cooper 

Me, Janet from Kansas, Louise from Canada, and Dawn from Michigan at the  yarn shop in Comfort

We had a great lunch at the Hen House in Comfort

2-15-12: Went to Comfort today with Dawn, Louise, and Janet.  Dawn introduced us to this wonderful yarn shop.  Will def come back!
And we found a yummy little cafe in Comfort before we headed back to Kerrville for some resale shopping!!

Me with the star of "Sex Please I'm 60"

the JCRV group at the play

2-17-12  After spending a wonderful rainy day in the camper sewing ( I actually sewed flowers today! My family will get why that's funny!) and knitting, we went to a play with a group from JCRV.  It was called, "Sex, Please I'm 60!"  I'm not sure where the comma actually belongs in that title. Cute play by local artists.  Very nice playhouse in Ingram.

Looking for Waylon and Willie and the Boys

David -- even better than Waylon and Willie

On the Old Tunnel (Bat Caves) Wildlife Trail

View from Old Tunnel Park

Miles of this interesting fencing between Grapetown and Comfort

Can you spot the "Sheriff" in the sheep field near Grapetown?

2-18-12: David and I went to that nice little resale shop in Harper and then on to Luckenbach, the Bat Tunnel, and Alamo Springs.  The Old Tunnel Wildlife Park is supposed to be an awesome bat viewing area from May-October.  I know, I know.  But it's supposed to be amazing to watch them swarm out of the tunnel -- which is an old railroad tunnel on a track no longer used from Fredricksburg to San Antonio.  So now it belongs to the bats.  Even though it isn't "bat season", the view there is beautiful!

David at Alamo Springs Cafe

Big ole burger at Alamo Springs

Then we went down the road a bit to eat the BEST burger in the world at the Alamo Springs Cafe!  Fun little beer joint.  We passed on the beer, but dove into the burger!

Sharon and Vi playing off

2-19-12:  After church and Mamacitas, we had a keyboard performance by Vi and Sharon in the clubhouse.  Those girls have some talent!

2-20-12:  Today in crafts, the Canadians had it going on!  Louise from Saskatchawan taught us to make tablerunners and Ina and Ralph from Ontario taught us to make wire-wrapped rings!  Fun stuff!

Tonite I played Pennies from Heaven with Howard, Louise, and Bill from Kansas.

PJ Day at Curves

2-22-12:  Today was PJ Day at Curves. So, yep, I went in my pj's.  Spent the afternoon sitting outside knitting.  Ina, our wire-wrapped jewelry teacher, came by and wanted to barter for some of my fabric flowers I made.  So I got a great ring and a pendent for some of my flowers!! That made me feel great!

2-23-12:  More resale shopping!  Howard and Louise went with David and me to Harper, Fredricksburg, and Kerrville shops. Ate at Andy's in Fred and it's excellent.  It's where the locals eat. Fun day!

Our JCRV peeps at Jasper Jack's Mexican Dinner in Western Town

David and me in Western Town at JCRV

2-24-12:  Went to Jasper's Mexican meal tonite at Western Town.  Excellent fajitas, excellent entertainment, and excellent company!

Austin Ladd Roberts and Patti Pannell - professional singers

Austin and Patti

As we ate we were entertained by Austin Roberts and Pattie Pannell. I understand he used to write and play with Willie Nelson among others.  They have a great sound!  Hope we get to hear them again.

Have you ever tried to hug a fat lady?

My part:  "Oh yeahhhhh"

Afterwards, I went up to get a pic with them and to pretend I was singing with them.  Well, Austin broke into a song about "have you ever tried to hug a fat lady".  Guess I asked for that one!

2-27-12:  Ina and Ralph taught us to make the wire-wrapped pendents today.  Beautiful and fun!!  Bonnie showed us her beadweaving.  Classy bracelets full of bling!

2-28-12:  Quiet day!  David went to play golf with the guys, Rocky and I did some walking, I cleaned a bit, and finished a scarf for Edith. Tonite I made 2 more adult bibs.  Fun idea.  see gettinmycraftson.blogspot.com.

2-29-12:  Leap Day!  We went to see Act of Valor this afternoon.  So good!  Tearjerker and really made me proud of our military!

Dawn and Ron at the Hen House in Comfort

David and me at the Hen House

3-1-12:  Told ya I'd be going back to Comfort. Dawn and I took our guys to the yarn shop and the Hen House.

Tom Cauthen and his big ole hat!

Tom and me 

And evidently it was Big Hat Day at JCRV!

George and Jerri at the Nuthouse.  Appropriate?

3-2-12:  Yay!  Jerri and George got here today.  So nice to have them here with us at JCRV!  They are staying in the Nuthouse. I'll get a lot of mileage out of that. Played Panties tonite with them and the Munns. Can't remember the score - lol (that means the guys squeaked by us)

knitting with my bff, Jerri

3-4-12:  The past couple of days have been spent knitting with Jerri and all of us playing Panties.

3-5-12:  Louise taught us to make quilted tablerunners today!  I have put mine away to work on this summer.  Jerri went to town on hers.  She just may be a quilter!

Jerri playing Panties at Sarah's

Sarah is a little serious about Panties!  

Jerri and I went over to Sarah's for Panties.  Sarah taught us the "new" version that she and Dee created.  Fun!

The JCRV group enjoying another day at Medina

Don't know why they were making faces

3-7-12:  17 of us went to Medina to eat at the Apple Store and to shop at the quilt store.  Wonderful day!

Jasper's Fish Fry in Western Town

Jerri, Sarah, and me at the fish fry

Myrna: the utensils are even good!

The fish fry crowd

Cliff's bday gift

Lisa and Cliff bantering

Delaney can hold her own with Cliff 

Connie and Stan 

George and Jerri

Tom's dad

Got Jeanette and Uwe behind bars!

3-9-12:  Jasper's fish fry in Western Town.  Yum Yum.  That man can cook!

3-10-12:  Jerri and I drove to Medina today to get a little fabric.  Ended up with lots of fabric!  She returned the thread she stole on the 7th. (it was an accident -- i think)  Then enjoyed lunch at Mamacita's.

Jerri found beads. David found phonics cards

3-11-12:  Took a nice drive with Jerri and George to Fredricksburg, Luckenbach, and Boerne.

3-12-12:  We had it going on in Crafts today!  tshirt scarves, rail fence quilts, fabric baskets, and pillowcases!

We wear our yarn before knitting, too

Jerri and Dawn

Bec and Dawn

Jerri and Bec at the Boerne yarn store.  Catchy name, huh?

a TX version of a "Closed" sign

3-14-12:  Went to Tinsmith's Wife with Dawn and Jerri.  Then to Boerne to Ewe & Eye - yarn shop.  Isn't that a cute name?  Did a little resale shopping in Kerrville.

Llano courthouse

Bluebonnets on hwy 16

photo opps on 16

Willow City Loop Bluebonnets

Yucca plant on Willow City Loop

3-15-12:  Jerri and George went with us to Llano today.  Were planning ot eat at Cooper's BBQ.  But ate at Stonewall's instead.  It was great!  On the way there we saw lots of thick patches of Bluebonnets.  They were really putting on a show!  We found a great little fabric shop there, visited the Walls Outlet, and an antique shop or 2.

On the way home we took the Willow City Loop.  What a scenic drive!! With or without Bluebonnets, it's a great little drive!

3-16-12:  Sadly, Jerri and George headed back to AR this morning.  Gonna miss my sewing, knitting, shopping, Panties sister!

autographed car

cool old car

know what this is on the dash?

look at where gas was put in on this Chevy

cool pic in Western Town

Ron checking out this old car

3-17-12:  JCRV  had a St Patrick's Day festivity tonite.  They brought in some cool old cars.

Patti and Austin opening the evening

 Cal-Bob's BBQ catered (excellent) and Austin and Patti sang while we ate.  Got an autographed cd of some of their own songs.

Then we moved to the stage room -- so happy they finally built a stage!  I've been needing one!  haha.

Soul man - Billy Young

A bluesy, soulful Billy Young opened the show.  He could sure punch out a tune!  He could sang!!!

Me singing with Billy

Wanna join in?

"Crazy... crazy for feeling so lonely"

My co-singer and me (is this really how i look?)

 Somewhere in the middle of it he called me up on stage to sing -- compliments of Tom Cauthen!  When I got up there, Billy asked me what I sing.  Of course I said NOTHING.  Can't believe I didn't think of Satin Sheets or Red Neck Mother.  Of course, neither of those were his style.  So he hooked me up with Willie's "Crazy".  hmmmm.  Coincidence?  I didn't get tips, but I think I was a hit.  haha.

Doo-Wop group, the Moonlites

Next the hill country doo-wop group, The Moonlites, sang for us.  They were really fun.  And knew soooo many songs from back in the 50's and early 60's.

World's largest leprechaun

Stan with his glow in the dark glasses

wild and crazy crowd

Dawn's prize tshirt

Linda's prize tshirt

Twink wannabes -- aka, Bec and Connie

We also had the world's largest leprechaun visit.  Lots of fun with our JCRV peeps.

Watching the storm roll in

It's about upon us

Ah Hail

3-19-12:  A wonderful group of ladies made lotion today during Crafts.  Rocky got his hair did in town.  And tonite we dealt with tornado warnings and flash flood warnings.  JCRV doesn't have to worry about the flooding.  But our friends, Howard and Louise -- who recently relocated to By the River RV Park, on the Guadalupe River, had to evacuate and move to the FBC parking lot in Ingram for the night.

I had to work too hard helping Stan and Connie move

3-20-12:  Had to help Connie and Stan move to a different site today.

Lynda and Doug from Iowa (right) and their brother and sister-in-law

Sarah, me, Charlene, and Lynda at Camp Verde

3-21-12:  Sarah and I went over to Camp Verde to meet Iowa friends Doug and Lynda and their brother and sis-in-law.  Lynda and I have been email buds since we meet at jcrv 3 years ago, but this is the first time we have seen each other since.  What a great visit we had with them today!  They told us the VFD in Bandera where they are staying knocked on their door at 4:30 a.m. the night of the storms and told them to be prepared to evacuate their rv park.  Fortunately they didn't have to.  But the Medina River did cause some problems in Bandera.

3-22-12:  My nextdoor neighbor, Sonja, took Dawn, Shirlene, and me to town today for lunch at the Deli shop near Gibsons.  Great sandwiches!  The Hill Country sho does have some good eatin.  Between the fabric stores, resale shops, and cafes, I may have to move here!  We introduced Sonya to a couple of resale shops - Fabulous Finds and Reruns.

JCRV group at Cooper's in Llano

Stan and I making faces

Louise, Howard, Ron, and Dawn in line at Cooper's

The pits outside Cooper's

the various meats at Cooper's

our brisket, turkey, and Cabrito (goat)

Our rv peeps at Cooper's

Cabrito!  my new fave meat at Cooper's

3-23-12:  Some of us went to Llano today to finally go to Cooper's

David and me in downtown Llano, TX

Llano courthouse and WWI monument

 -- and to revisit the fabric shop!

The Bluebonnets were putting on a show for us on Hwy 16 just out of Llano

Love it!

me and my man in the Bluebonnets on Hwy 16

David, me, Howard, Louise, Ron and Dawn on Hwy 16

Stopped to play in the Bluebonnets on Hwy 16 afterwards.

Bluebonnets on Willow City Loop

I think I see how this loop got its name - the Willow trees are leafing out

Willow City Loop - see the field of Bluebonnets to the left of the rooftop? Looks like water

Then we took the Willow City Loop.  Wow!!  We had the windows down because the weather was awesome.  We could smell the heavenly scent of the wildflowers.

Mary from PA and Teddy

3-24-12:  Teddy and his mom -- Mary from PA -- stopped for a visit.  He loves his mom!

Playing cards - that's not my fuzzy visor -- actually my hair!

Played our last Panties at JCRV tonite with Howard and Louise.  Gonna miss our Canadian friends.  Very special couple.

3-25-12:  David and I tried breakfast at Hunter House Cafe in Ingram.  Soooo good!  Probably good that we didn't try that earlier in our 3 mth stay.  I would've gained even more weight!  Super yum!!

I made 8 adult bibs today

Pat from TN donning his bib

my skinny tablerunner

our pillowcases

I got on a sewing roll today.  I mean I was a machine!  A "sewing machine"!!  I made 8 bibs, 2 tablerunners, one coaster, 2 pillowcases (finally for us), 2 potluck placemats, and "scarf" for Chloe.  And I got in a little knitting.  Fun day!

Rocky and his friend, Tom

No fries, Mr. Tom?

In the middle of my sewing, David, Rocky, and I took a little walk. We ran into Tom.  Rocky has really taken a liking to Tom!  He will forever remember the day Tom gave him some French Fries.  French Poodles really love French Fries, ya know.

Crafts with Jeanette, Becky S, Sonia, Connie, and Kathy

3-26-12:  My last craft day at JCRV. :(  We made tile coasters.  Last week when I told the ladies about them, my Indiana friend, the other Becky, finally said "what are tal coasters"?  hmm.

The Birthday Boy

Remington

Remington, from Indiana (Becky and John's dog)  turned 2 today!

Seriously?

3-27-12:  Sarah and I went to Fredricksburg today and had lunch with Ann and Joyce.  While there we went to Walmart and had a first!  The checker hugged each of us after he rang us up!  LOL

Our "Bandera" night at JCRV at Carol and Reuben's site

David and Tom

Dave from Iowa asking his phone to tell him where to dispose of a body.  And she did.

Cooper supervising the tables

Dawn receiving her birthday surprise from Ron

Rueben, Dave, David, and Rod

Dessert time

Stan's new bib

Mary, Donna, and Glenna  -- note the bibs!

This evening we had a "Bandera" night at Carol and Reuben's site.  How fun!  Several grills set up.  We all just fixed a dish to share, brought our own meat and drinks, and ate Dawn's birthday cake afterwards.  Great idea, Carol and Connie!!

Dawn from MI inherited my Yellow Dog cap

Sonia - our nextdoor neighbor at JCRV

3-28-12:  Last day at JCRV.  Sure will miss the peeps here.  So many we've know for 3 years now, and others that we just met this year.  God has blessed us with our JCRV friends.

Our sendoff: Ron, Dawn, Jeanette, John, Becky, Uwe, me, Sarah, & Cooper and Remington

Gary -- the teddy bear of JCRV

Jasper:  this man can cook!

3-29-12:  Awww.  Our JCRV peeps came by this morning to say "bye".  Sure will miss them all and look forward to seeing them again next year!

We are going to take a slow ride to the Ozarks now.  Looking forward to our first workamping gig.

Adios and Hasta Luego, Amigos!

Love to all,

Bluebonnet Becky and David (he'd rather me not identify him with a flower)

PS:  Political Statement from Rocky:  "During this election year, remember to wag more, bark less"