Spring in San Antonio

Recently I traveled to San Antonio with a local group on a bus tour.

 

We had a great San Antonio city guide with us for two days.

 

 

The spring landscape was so pretty.

Walking tour of the King William Historic District

 

 

 

I love old iron work fences.

 

San Fernando Cathedral

 

The city of San Antonio was laid out from a point in this old cathedral.

 

Carnitas at Mi Tierra

 

The bakery at Mi Tierra

 

Shopping after lunch at the El Mercado (Historic Market Square)

 

No trip to San Antonio would be complete without a river cruise after dinner on the Paseo del Rio (River Walk).

 

The National Museum of the Pacific War at Fredericksburg

 

"The Bomb"

 

After a German lunch (Reuben sandwich with red cabbage and German potato salad) in Fredericksburg we headed for the LBJ State Park Visitor Center/Lyndon B Johnson National Historic Park.

 

 

The Johnson Family Cemetery

 

 

The Texas Whitehouse

 

Dinner was Texas Barbeque at the Enchanted Springs Ranch.

We were greeted on our wagon ride by this friendly fellow.

 

 Fun with the livestock.

 

 

Mission San Jose

 

The Alamo

 

In Austin we spent the morning at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.

 

There was a livestock auction in the museum while we were there.

 

We also went to the San Antonio Shoe Factory. Besides shoe and handbag shopping the site offered an old country store atmosphere with candy and ice cream as well as other items for sale. There were lots of restored cars for the automobile enthusiast.

 

I will post photos of plants and flowers at a later date.

 

Another great vacation in the San Antonio area.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Christmas in the Quarter 2014 Tour of Homes

Quapaw Quarter United Methodist Church in Little Rock, Arkansas had their "Christmas in the Quarter Tour of Homes" last Sunday. The event is a fundraiser for the church.

 

QQUMC began as Winfield Methodist Church in 1889.

The building was designed by Charles Thompson and Thomas Harding, Jr. and completed in 1926. The style is Neo-Gothic.

In 1946 it was the largest Methodist Church in Arkansas .

With the decline of the downtown area the membership has dropped significantly.

The church is very active in the downtown area providing several ministries for the more unfortunate of the community. Stone Soup provides hot healthy meals on Sunday afternoons. Community Breakfast cooks up eggs, biscuits, gravy and fruit every Sunday morning. The Food Pantry serves over 10,000 people each year. The Pantry also provides much needed items such as coats, blankets, etc. The church also has a Pet Food Ministry.

I failed to photograph the church on this visit.

The above photo is from a previous tour visit.

If you wish to make a donation to support the work of Quapaw Quarter UMC the office number is 501.375.1600. They can direct your donation to the program of your choice.

 

 

The House at 2101 Louisiana

The house was first listed in the city directory in 1895-96 as a rental property. The Princess Anne Cottage  style features steep gables, dormers, towers, balconies and verandahs.

The house is now a private residence and has been beautifully updated preserving much of the character.

 

The Empress Bed & Breakfast

Hornibrook Mansion, 2120 S. Louisiana was completed in 1888. The architects were Kasper Kusner & Max Orlopp. There are two main floors with 7200 square feet as well as a wine cellar, laundry, food storage and boiler room in the basement. The style exhibits Gothic and Queen Anne features.

The home served as a rooming house for women during  World War II. In 1947 it became a nursing home. It has since been a private residence, apartment building and halfway house. In 1993 it was transformed into a bed and breakfast.  

 

 

 

 

One of the Christmas trees at the Empress B&B

 

Staircase at the Empress.

 

 

The Foster-Robinson House

2122 South Broadway

 

The Craftman-style house was built in 1904 for businessman Harry Foster. The house has two stories and 16 rooms.

In 1930 the house was purchased by US Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson. Senator Robinson lived in the house from 1930-1937.

 

 

The Villa Marre

built 1881

Scott Street

 

If this house looks familiar, it was portrayed as Sugarbaker's Design firm in the television series Designing Women.

Villa Marre features Italianate and Second Empire styles.

 

Fireplace and wood floor detail at Villa Marre

 

Villa Marre staircase

Villa Marre is open to the public and is used for weddings and meetings.

 

While in LR I dropped by the State Capitol Building the pick up the latest Christmas ornament.

 

 

 

Doll collection at the Capitol Building.

There are three more display cases with more dolls from the collection.

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour as much as I did.

 

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Father's Day 2013

Father's Day weekend we traveled to Eureka Springs, AR for a visit with family. My 92 year old mother-in-law was our hostess for the weekend.

A visit from grandson Nicholas made this a very special Father's Day.

quality time with the smart phone

Our "happy camper" is glad to see Uncle Stan.

Skyping with Hunt in China on the iPad.

Seldom are all three sons in one location at the same time.

We added Hunt on the iPad for the Father's Day portrait.

 

Jim's mom, Zula, spent the day cooking for us while we took a train ride.

That evening she kept me up until after midnight playing cards!

She is remarkable.

Jim imparting wisdom.

The boys paying strict attention to fatherly advice.

Nicholas with his new bug box,

a gift from Aunt Melva and Uncle Joe.

He just captured his first bug with a bit of assistance.

Join me next time for a ride on the Eureka Springs train.

Nicholas loves trains and we really had fun accompanying him on the train ride.

 

♥andPeace,Myra

Spring Bulbs - Plan B

A couple of weeks ago, on a warm sunny Saturday, I bought several pots of spring bulbs. My plan was to plant them in the large pots on my patio to enjoy until time to plant my usual annuals.

The weather took a turn with freezing temperatures and even a bit of sleet and snow.

The little pots were brought inside to wait out the weather.
As it turned out, the weather stayed cold, windy and unpleasant. The tulips and daffodils are now blooming happily in my home.

I have really enjoyed the pretty little pots!
Sometimes Plan B is a winner.

I love the pretty creamy colors of these miniature tulips.

They sing of Spring.

 

I have moved them from room to room.
 

Here they are in the dining room.
 

Happy Easter!

♥andPeace,Myra