#50

#50, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

another golden milestone in our family. First my parent's 50th Wedding anniversary in 2007, then my 50th Birthday in 2009 and now my brother Arnold's birthday today. We just had a small gathering at my parent's house to celebrate. Our family is truly blessed!

Good Eatin'...

Untitled, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

in the neighborhood-of Hardin, Texas that is-which is about an hour outside of Houston. A friend of a friend hosts the yearly crawfish boil out on their property in the country, which makes for a wonderful day to sit outside on some lawn chairs, enjoy some fresh country air drinking, eating and mixing & mingling. This batch was the first and each one thereafter gets spicier and spicier but ohhhh sooooo tasty and yes messy! Thanks Jane for the invite and to Stacy & Robert for the hospitality.

Easter buffett

Easter buffett, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

They've come back again! Hadn't seen these guys in a while. Have heard them around the area but they finally landed on the feeder and even went to the other yard of my neighbor. Sadly, when riding my bike a few weeks back I saw some folks trapping the birds. :-(

Mr. Blue

Indigo Bunting, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

This beautiful Indigo Bunting graced my backyard with his presence the other day.

Dime Luna

Dime Luna, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Reason for the photo is really the frog on the right! It's been soooo dry here and we've had little rain. In the evening when I water my garden, I hear the happy tune he sings as he takes off but I never knew from where he came. Until, I moved the moon to the other side and there he was! Not sure who was more startled-him or me? He stayed long enough for me to take this photo and off he went into the garden. We crossed paths again earlier this evening.

Ahí esta, la luna, Como se podría quitar del cielo,la luna,

Como se podría arrancar pa siempre del cielo,

Y así librarme yo, de este anhelo ...

translation...

There is the moon.

How can it be taken from the sky

How can it be plucked forever from the sky

And in this way to free myself from this yearning desire...

You can see a nice video of the song I am listening to by the Mexican rock band Manà.

Rumor Has It

Rumor Has It, a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Just another photo of one of my favorite plants.

A ride with Octavio Orduno at 103

I just had to share this. Thanks Michael and yes Octavio should inspire us all!!!
Makes me want to go down to Long Beach and ride with Octavio.

Into the harbor

into the harbor a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

I'd like to be back out by the bay tomorrow, Saturday for the special full moon happening on the 19th. Here you see my ship is coming in! I was out sailing for Spring Break vacation this past week! Ok, yeah in my dreams! My big project for Spring Break was getting my meditation garden done. New landscaping completed, weeds pulled, new flowers planted and finished adding mulch today. Who needs a man?! ;-)

New neighbors!

Reposted photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Wait, that's my car in MY driveway-I am the new neighbor! From three years ago! ;-) Each and every night I thank the Lord for HIS blessings and joy of owning my own home.

Lost in the Sun

IMG00073-20100326-1641.jpg a photo by Nieve44/La Luz on Flickr.

Photo from a year ago. What a difference a year makes!

TO REALIZE...

•To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.
•To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
•To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
•To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
•To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.
•To realize the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.
•To realize the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.

Con Te Partiro

Con Te Partiro
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Time to Say Goodbye, inspired by Andrea Bocelli. BTW, I rememeber the song was made famous by the Bellagio Fountains commercial when the hotel first opened. I loved that commercial then about a year later I got a chance to actually see the fountains while listening to his song. Simply Breathtaking! Found this video on YouTube.

...and time to say goodbye it is. Con Te Partiro. My past is my past and my future begins today for a new horizon awaits.

St. John Church

St. John Church
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

a beautiful church in the heart of downtown at Sam Houston Park restored and cared for by the Heritage Society. Seems like a nice little church to get married in by candleight but I don't think it's available for such events.

Mr. Handsome

Mr. Handsome
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

with all his beautiful colors and a slight reflection on the water. This little Wood Duck was so graceful in his floating.

Illusions of Bliss

Illusions of Bliss
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

"Oh I know I shouldn't stay
I should be on my way
Back to the place I know is real
But the lines are getting blurred
My conscience won't be heard
Awash in the illusions of bliss..."

inspired by Sarah McLachlan

Breakfast tacos

Breakfast (day 3) (7/7)
Originally uploaded by Kym.

from my kitchen to yours!

Thanks Kym for such great photos

and making my food look amazing.

I will say breakfast is one of my favorite meals to make.

Olives, cheese & crackers

Olives, cheese & crackers
Originally uploaded by Kym.

another nice photo by Kym.

I must say, that she makes

the ordinary look extradinary.

Somebody Else's Kitchen!

Breakfast (day 2)
Originally uploaded by Kym.

but wait, that's my kitchen she's referring too!

A "Wowie" bowl at that! ;-)

"Somewhere Down in Texas"

"Somewhere Down in Texas"
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

photo by my niece-Erika. On this Sunday night, I'm saying goodnight but not goodbye to my dear friend/sis/fanmenca Kym...hope we meet someday again but till then...safe travel back home to Amsterdam, some five thousand, eleven miles and 11 hours. See you on the other side but hopefully not another five years from now like last time. ;-)

(A Place to) Hide Away

(A Place to) Hide Away
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

I've got to find a place to hide away
far from the shadows of my mind
sunlight and laughter, love ever after
Oh how I long for a place to hide away....
For tomorrow brings only sorrow...
The night and the music remind me
that the world once was mine.
I'll save my pennies for a rainy day
but where can I buy another you
Dreams are for sleeping
Love is for weeping
oh, how I long to find a place to hide away.

Listening to the voice of Karen Carpenter. Such a tragic loss.

Two Sisters

Two Sisters
Originally uploaded by Nieve44/La Luz

Hope and Sorrow, but as I left the beach, I left my other half behind and brought back Hope for the new year.