Fredericksburg, Texas Architecture August 7, 2010

During our August jaunt in Fredericksburg, we spent a great deal of time viewing and discussing the unique architecture and “curbside appeal” of so many of the houses and shops.  Multitudes of potted plants adorn the sidewalks and quaint porches.  I particularly love the rock houses.  I gathered many ideas for remodelling our garage apartment.  Wainscoat seems to be used a great deal on the walls of houses and shops.  The German influence of the architecture is quite  nice.

Girl’s road Trip-Friday August 6, 2010

We visited our favorite breakfast treat again–Rather Sweet; then headed to Wildseed Farms.  We thought we would just stop in briefly, but the beautiful zinnia fields and butterflies captured our attention for much longer than that!!

Girl’s Road Trip-Wednesday August 4, 2010

August 4, 2010

My friend, Kay Staton, and I took a road trip to Fredericksburg, August 4th, 2010.  Kay was anxious to try out her new Ford Edge on the road and we were both looking forward to a brief getaway during the hot month of August.

Ready to hit the road!!

We departed Abilene about 10:30 in the morning and stopped at the Willow Creek Cafe for lunch in Mason, Texas.  It’s a quaint restaurant sitting on the town square of Mason.  We enjoyed a grilled chicken salad and a turkey, swiss cheese sandwich, which were both delicious.  After drinking enough Texas iced tea to float a river, we continued down the West Texas highway.

Willow Creek Cafe, Mason Texas

We arrived in Fredericksburg, approximately 2:00, after the newly appointed navigator (me) struggled a tad to follow the little arrow on the Ford GPS system directing us to our B&B.  We found the street we were looking for, but it took several times around the block to find the exact spot of our B&B loft.  After we located it successfully, it was apparent that the Carriage House Loft was beautifully decorated and just perfect for our adventure.  Fortunately, the B&B was located  just a few blocks off of Main Street, so we immediately headed out into the heat to walk down one side of Main Street.  We spent the entire afternoon on Wednesday browsing the shops and admiring the gorgeous potted flowers of Main Street.  No purchases were made during this hot summer walk—we just browsed,  scoped out the possibilities, and enjoyed the “talk”.  We cooled off a bit at our B&B and used Yelp to determine the best place for us to eat that night.  An Italian restaurant, Bella Pasta, turned out to be our best choice for the evening and neither of us had ever dined there.  Of course, I ordered my favorite Italian dish, Eggplant Parmigiano, and Kay ordered Bow Tie Pasta and Veggies.  The restaurant was small and unpretentious,  and our dinner was quite enjoyable.

CHOCOLATE!!!!! June 7, 2010

We are not sure where this started, but it had to have started at Ghiradelli’s Chocolates on Fisherman’s Wharf.

Ghiradelli’s Chocolate Buds!

My “Chocolate” Buddy!

Ghiradelli’s

Muir Woods Chocolate

Muir Beach Chocolate

Martucci Vineyard Chocolate

Schweiger Vinegard Chocolate

Charlie Brown–Charle’s Schultz Museum Chocolate!

Leanna at Frances Ford Coppola’s Rubicon Vineyard-Chocolate!

Robert Mondavi Vineyard–Chocolate????

Leanna May and I had a great time the entire trip, yelling CHOCOLATE, whenever we were EXTREMELY HAPPY!!!!  So, whenever you need a boost, JUST DO IT!!

I Left My Heart—-in San Francisco! June 7, 2010

As we walked the streets of San Francisco, I just loved the flowers in this site in Union Square, and I captured a picture of this older gentleman, who I thought was quite sweet, along with the couple “in love”.

Love for All

Fisherman’s Wharf June 7, 2010

When I was about 10 or 11, my dad and mom took us to California for a wonderful vacation.  One of my fondest memories with my daddy, is walking hand-in-hand late at night, down the hills from our hotel to Fisherman’s Wharf, in order to get a “giant shrimp cocktail”.  Indeed, it was the biggest shrimp cocktail I had ever seen, with plump big shrimp decoratively placed around an elegant glass dish.  The best part of this experience was having all of my daddy’s attention, though, I must say!!  If my memory serves me well, the wharf was very rustic then with brown planks and a working wharf appearance.  Now, it is a very busy place, built up with large, neon-adorned restaurants, stores, etc.  However,  it was still a joy to revisit with our kids.  We spent quite a bit of time walking the wharf, particularly the area around Hyde Street pier, viewing all of the huge fishing ships and sailboats.  Brandon and Dad also enjoyed the Arcade Museum, looking at amazing antique arcade machines.  Brandon took particular interest in using my camera to take pictures of an old rowboat on a small beach beside the piers.  Watching the waves encounter the sand on the beach brought a slight tear to my eye for our beautiful Gulf of Mexico being invaded by oil!!  After roaming the wharf, we enjoyed a snack of shrimp cocktail, calamari, oysters, shrimp and octopus at #9 Fisherman’s Grotto Restaurant on the Wharf.  The shrimp cocktail did not remotely resemble the plump shrimp I have held in my mind all of these years, but the little ones were very tasty, anyway!  The memories in our minds often TRUMP the actual events!!!!!

Fisherman

Fisherman’s Wharf-San Francisco

Boudin’s Restaurant-Fisherman’s Wharf

The Jeremiah O

Fresh Crab Market on the Wharf

Cable Car Ride through the City June 7, 2010

We acquired our cable car passes at the start of the Powell & Mason line, watching the men working the breaks who joined the driver in turning the cable cars around on what appeared to be a giant “lazy susan” revolver built into the paving of the street itself.  Our day passes cost $13.00 per person, a far cry from the 5 cents of long ago.  Beautiful flowers hanging from lightposts lined the street, with a huge Nordstrom’s store in the background.  Drummers, street salesmen, coffee mongers, etc. chatted with people waiting to board the cable cars, attempting to gather funds.  They pack the cable cars very full, and you are fortunate if you get along the outer seats for a better view of the hills and sites.  Riders were frequently warned to remove backpacks and lean forward when another cable car was passing.  One man almost lost his head when he wasn’t listening!

Powell & Hye Street Cable Car

All Aboard

California Flowers at Powell & Hyde Sts.

Cable Car Ads

$5.00 Fare and Wicked playing at the theatre

An Attractive City

City People

All Aboard

Morning Walk in San Francisco June 7, 2010

We spent our first morning in SF wandering the streets, searching for a great breakfast for Brett.  Breakfast is just about Brett’s favorite meal and at the corner of Geary and Mason streets, we found the perfect spot:  The Pine Crest Diner.  Pine Crest is a 24/7 diner with fabulous food for any meal you desire.  Pine Crest receives an A+ from our family on decor, service, taste and bargain price.  The diner is small, but cozy with a long counter on one wall, deep-cushioned booths  and Formica tables. The decor reflects the “time of its last remodeling somewhere back in the late ’60s”.   During our breakfast of Pine Crest omelettes, Spanish omelettes with California avocados (my favorite), strawberry waffles and breakfast links and eggs, BG struck up a conversation with a fine, Greek gentleman dressed in a really fine gray suit, and pink tie.  “Bill” turned out to be the founder of Pine Crest restaurant.  BG informed him that “my name is Beeuhl, too.”  We were happy to tell Bill how much we enjoyed his diner.  We returned for two more meals here during the week

Pine Crest Diner in SF

Brandon and Brett check out the menu!

, as it was one of our favorites.

Arrival in San Francisco June 6, 2010

Bill, Brandon, Brett, Leanna and I departed from Houston Hobby with great anticipation on Sunday, June 6th, 2010 in the late afternoon.   Our initial flight was unremarkable with one brief stop in San Diego; then, on to San Francisco.  With a two hour time change, we loaded up our cab to the city approximately 8:00 p.m.  Our cab driver gave us a “rousing” welcome to the big city by responding to Leanna’s excited “So, do you have any recommendations on restaurants in San Francisco?” with a gruff “I eat at home”.

BG attempted to initiate a conversation with the driver by acquiring his middle eastern accent (the boys and I have  noted frequently that BG acquires the prosody or accent of whomever he is speaking with).  Billy asked the driver,”   “This Sienna, what year?”  to which the driver responded with a grand single word “2004″.  And that was indeed “his final answer.

The sites of the city on our way to our hotel were quite impressive.  We arrived at our downtown hotel “The Villa Florence” in Union Square and were delighted with its old ambiance and sounds of the city.  Exhausted from our travels,  we walked next door to an Italian Deli, Bellini’s and enjoyed eggplant parmigiana, penne, ravioli, pizza and BG’s standard meal at Italian restaurants, Spaghetti and meatballs.

Villa Florence in Union Square

Bellini’s Italian Deli

Cherry Blossoms in the Spring March 22, 2009

Dallas Arboretum in the Spring

     Blooming Azaleas-endless blankets of pink and purple loveliness interupting steps of wonder

          Toddlers dressed in Sunday’s finest, bows on heads, barefeet tickled by soft, green grass

                 Teenage beauties in rhinestone dresses, sparkling tierras, and primping mamas

                      Tulips-sorbet lemon chiffon my favorite flavor, with orange and yellow sherberts parading behind

                            Cherry Blossoms adorned in bridal white with bees working tirelessly, buzzing from bloom-to-bloom.

                                  Beautiful Day filled with blossoms floating on the tiers of Spring’s gentle breeze.

                                                                                                                                                            Terry M. Grosvenor

Bill and Terry in the Azaleas

Terry in the Azaleas

Azaleas

Branch of Beauty

Brett & Leanna

Leanna

Footsteps of wonder

Leanna & Terry

Cherry Trees in Bloom

Cherry Blossoms

Bee in the Cherry Blossoms

Day #192

Mayans, Monkeys, Birds, Owls & Sharks March 21, 2009

The Dallas World Acquarium is definitely a recommended site to visit in Dallas.  Brett, Leanna, BG and I walked from their apartment.  We had quite a line initially, but it moved quickly and we took pictures with the Mayan dancers while we waited.  Once you enter, you are surrounded by a rainforest with birds flying freely,  and animals in natural habitats.  Enjoy the pictures:

Leanna & Terry with Mayan Dancers

Waiting in Line

Looking for a treat

Red Cat Mannekin (Moonwalker)

Giant Turtle

Monkey with Baby on Back

Monkey and Baby

Monkey

Monkey

Amazon Parrots

Toucan peeping out of nest

Where to Next?

Baby Croc.

Spotted Stingray

Toucan

A Cool Cat!

Our favorite: The Leaf Dragon

Yellow Fish

In the fish bowl

Swimming with Fish

Penguin on the Rocks

The Saw Shark (Pillsbury Dough Boy Face!)

Inside the Shark’s Den

Shark Crossing

Shark Passing By

Watching Sharks

The Stingray

Sea Horse Meeting

Owl Friends

Flamingo Round-up

The Kiss

Flamingo Road

Friday Night Birthday Celebration in Dallas! March 20, 2009

BG’s big 60 birthday–whew hew!  We drove to Brett & Leanna’ s home in Dallas Friday morning and celebrated BG’s big birthday with an amazing view of the city from their rooftop, and a wonderful Italian dinner at Patrizios.  Brett, Leanna and I  started off splitting  their very popular grilled chicken salad,  while BG enjoyed a scrumptious  portebello mushroom salad.  He shared with all of us, of course.  We then feasted on Eggplant Parmesan, open-faced ravioli with artichokes and asparagus, Penne Cabrese, and a chicken  mushroom lasagna.  Delicious.  We rode back through Turtle Creek with pink azaleas and tulips in full bloom!  Leanna had baked BG a St. Pat’s birthday cake decorated with shamrocks and sentiments.  A great evening, indeed! Day #190

Billy & Terry celebrating in Dallas

Brett & Leanna at Restaurant

Brett, Terry & Billy on the rooftop

Birthday Cake by Leanna

Candles await

Thinking up a wish

A big get ready

60

Whew-hoo!

Celebrate!

New England Classic Fall Foliage Trip February 21, 2009

A Trip for my mother, Fee, to one of the few areas of the country she has NOT visited before;

On Jordan Pond NE Trip

 

A Retirement Celebration;

Girl’s Road Trip;

Enjoying the times of our lives.;

Following my retirement in August from an intense job of being the Director of the Center for Young Learners and area Head Start Director for a Texas Education Service Center, I focused my energies on planning a trip for my mom, sister, and myself to beautiful New England in the fall.  Having experienced many hours previously creating  Excel spreadsheets for a large budget, I decided to choose our tour by creating a large comparison chart of all of the New England Fall Foliage tours departing during peak projected leaf-turning times.  A bit obsessive-compulsive you say; yes, but a wonderfully fun activity compared to managing a budget to serve eleven school districts in Head Start.  After considerable deliberation, the Globus New England Classic Fall Foliage Tour won the prize, and the three of us coordinated plans to depart out of Houston on September 27th, 2008.  Since my sister lived in Houston, it was reasonable for me to drive 3 hours to pick up mom and drive with her 4 hours to meet my sister in Houston.  Although this was a great plan, following my sister’s cancellation, mom and I were still headed to Houston for departure to Boston where we would meet up with our tour.