Bluebonnets April 2021

We were all worried, down Texas way, that the aberrant late Feb freeze might have killed off all the bluebonnets this year. I dragged hubs, kicking and screaming, down south to Fredericksburg, Tx, to check things out for myself. 

Overall, I’d say there weren’t as many flowers as usual - but there were enough. You can check my previous posts, esp 2019, when I visited the exact same places during the exact same week, for comparison.

I take a lot of photos of bluebonnets, close up and far away, in various kinds of sunlight and shade, bc I paint from the photos. 

And some cows and other flowers, too, for the same reason. Note: These are my personal photographs, and are copywrited. 

GFT Winter lifestyle recommendations

 

Note: I receive no money for any of my recommendations or shameless plugs. Rather, think of this like an “Oprah’s Favorites” sort of list.....items I enjoy, mostly from small indie businesses, and I want to share my discoveries with you, while supporting small businesses through these hard times. 

Yes, it’s winter in Texas, and while most of our days are sunny and in the 50’s-60’s F, with cooler nights, we’re in the middle of an artic blast right now, straight from Canada, and the high’s are in the 20’s F, with lows and wind chill temps below 0. No one has the proper clothes for this.....fortunately, all we get in terms of precipitation is thin black ice on the highways, bc no one in Texas has snow shovels, boots, tire chains, snow blowers, or heavy coats. You see folk walking around in blankets, without even a hat.....

1) Portable hot tub - Approx $400-600 on amazon. /\  I really needed a muscle relaxing soak, but was unable / unwilling to spend 10k on a hot tub. (Just like my above ground pool, I am unwilling to commit....as everyone I know with an in ground pool wishes they hadn’t.) I have to say, this “portable” one is pretty sturdy and gets the job done. It easily sets up in a small space and could work on a patio balcony or even indoors. I fully expect to get my $500 worth. It’ll last me a decade or so.....at which point I’ll go into a nursing home and use theirs! 

2) Blue Fish Clothing - Prices vary, as they often have sales - get on their email list and they’ll send you discount codes. $100-$300 per item. My “go to” comfy loungewear, better than pajamas : artsy, warm, hip.  I have been wearing Blue Fish since I first discovered their Taos store back in the 1980s. Organic lagenlook cotton is the softest thing next to your skin, all winter long. BFC makes long sleeves, short sleeves, tees, dresses, sweaters, jackets, and pants - clothes for every season. I have many different pieces I mix and match all winter long, over leggings. Layer up or down as needed. 

https://www.bluefishclothing.com/

3) Espresso / cappuccino machine - This year’s big treat, since I’m stuck at home, was an upgraded cappuccino machine. (I had a cheap one back in the ‘80s that didn’t last long.) I did some research and decided the Breville Barista Touch, approx $1000, was the best option for me - but there are plenty of others out there, at a wide variety of price points. If you don’t need an automatic touch drink button, save $300-400 right off the bat and get a model without the computer chip.

https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/the-best-home-espresso-machine-article

Then I did some research on best espresso beans, and settled on Lavazzo Super Crema, which to me has the advantage of not tasting like cigarette butts, so that’s a win. I have already covered the cost of this set up in the number of cappuccinos, flat whites, espressos, and americanos I routinely make and drank at home. When the weather gets really cold, I am especially fond of artisanal hot chocolate with an espresso shot. 

https://www.roastycoffee.com/best-espresso-beans/

4) Ugg slippers and boots - $100-$200 ish but you can find them on sale. Other brands make nice versions, too - especially LLBean. There is nothing in the world as pleasurable as coming home and slipping your feet into a pair of shearling lined shoes. I wear mine 24/7, till they fall apart, and then buy another. Aaaahhhh....total hygge.

Indoors.....

Outdoors......

5) Down comforter - Prices vary from several $100s to $1000s. Europeans have known about the bliss of snuggling under a down comforter for hundreds of years. We are coming up on the end of “the season”, so look for them on sale and stock up for next year. I see lots of new w tags “Canadian goose down” comforters on ebay......

6) Smart wool socks - $15-35 ish. Smart wool socks don’t itch, let your feet breathe while keeping them warm. They are magical. I look for them on sale and stock up.....My current faves come from an etsy store called “Foot Fetish”. Most brands you can wash and dry like any other sock. Also a fan of Maggies cotton socks. 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/footFETISHsocks

7) Bath and beauty products - Prices vary. I was once attacked, in a friendly way, by a beauty consultant at a Sephora, and told I needed a moisturizing facial cleanser. That whatever I was using wasn’t working. I told her about my psoriasis skin sensitivities and even though she was a rep for brand X, she began pulling brand Y off the shelves and told me that’s what I needed. She was right. I hadn’t yet transitioned from the mindset of young woman with oily skin to that of older woman with dry skin. In many ways, that moment changed my life, bc I got a total make-over, not of foundation and eyeshadow, but of cleansers and lotions. Here are some of the products that have worked for me : 

L’Occetane shea butter hand cream. The. Best. Ever. Their website says something like, “One is sold every second around the world” but the hype is true. Pricey but worth it. 

                                                           

L’Occetane Almond Shower Gel. One of the few that doesn’t make me itch. Goes on like oil but lathers up and rinses like shower gel. Divine scent.

Korres Greek Yogurt cleansing products. The brand that changed my life. 

                                                     

Korres Shower Gel. Sophisticated, natural, subtle fresh scents ..... in a lovely gentle formulation. I can’t stand the over-cloying American mass produced soap, shampoo, and gel smells. They make my eyes water like VOCs coming off Chinese drywall. 

Ahava Dead Sea Salts - For a good hot soak. I like their shower gels and lotions, too. 

                                                                               

                       Tree to Tub - Another great brand for dry winter skin. Available on amazon. 

Lord Jones Bath Salts and Gummies - My fave go to brand for CBD. There are many other brands, but this is the Lexus amongst Chevys. Also a big fan of Beboe. 

The Soul of the Garden

Only a year ago, I started building my backyard garden. Prior to my recent efforts, this had been hell’s half acre, a wasteland of dead stick trees and dead grass. Giant muddy areas churned up by dogs. I began last summer by planting three areas of native plants, attractive to pollinators. Butterflies, bees, and dragonflies soon followed. Drawing insects by providing a food source then attracted birds of all kinds : hummingbirds, cardinals, jays, Carolina chickadees, Robins, doves, mockingbirds, kites, owls, hawks, and more. Raccoons, possums, skunks, armadillos and bunnies also stop by. It’s a little wild, but that’s by design.

Tree of 1000 chimes - all my wind-chimes go onto this one tree. As the breeze moves around, the tree sings. I can tell by which chime rings the way the wind is blowing.

Above: This is where I have coffee and read the paper every morning. Below: I owned a motley collection of Salterini mid century modern iron patio furniture, acquired from years of yard and estate sales, which I recently had refinished.        

                                                                Now it all matches!

Above: Trees and sky..... the view from my pool as I float around, listening to the birds chirp, or music playing from the stereo speakers piped outside. I am so fortunate to dwell in this peaceful, beautiful bubble.

   There is still plenty of grass for dogs to play frisbee. Fruit trees and vegetables are mixed in with my other plants.

A neighbor gave me all sorts of pots and garden art doo-dads.....now all I have to do is fill them. 

Ollie the Owl 

                     Close-up of a bee on an echinacea, or Mexican coneflower.

My greatest joy is flowers, and I’m still working towards a goal of year-round blooms from different species. Here is a sampling of what bloomed for me in Year One :

The garden is a welcoming refuge for all : Above, Neighbors over for social distancing Happy Hours

Brewing beer

Making pizza 

Quiet time

Sunday brunch 

       My beautiful friend Adrienne at a garden party we threw pre Covid19

                                       
Hubs enjoys his Father’s Day gift, above

                                                           
                                                            ......and the pool, above

                                                                    Cocktail hour

Credit goes to my hubs, who supplied all the labor for this project. If you want to see all this loveliness live, come visit some time. February has quince and some early bulbs blooming. March for the daffodils and iris. May and June are the best for roses. July for coneflowers, day lillies, and daisies.