" On ne voit bien qu'avec le cœur. L'essentiel est invisible pour les yeux."

So here's my new embroidery project a la Le Petit Prince!
drawing traced from:

I'm looking forward to hunting for that perfect mint green floss.

If i ever saw this graffiti, I'd die from happy.

Can't wait to post the final product!

Do vegetarians eat animal crackers?

This weekend was all about celebrating the achievements of this guy right here:

We drove up to San Marcos at 6am on Friday morning, the commencement ceremony was @ 10 am during a terrible rainstorm, but that didn't put a damper on anyone's spirits. It was so great to be with the fam and watch Peter cross the stage, shake the hand of the university president and become a Texas State alum.

After the ceremony, we drove into Lockhart, about 15 minutes from San Marcos, to get some world famous BBQ. The photo below is a side shot of the Caldwell County courthouse, built in 1894.

Peter chose Smitty's for lunch.

The pit is indoors so as soon as you walk in the building you're overcome with the amazing smell of meat on a fire. It's smoky, warm and so so good. Dad, Mom, Pete, Min, Ryan and I shared all of this, and even took home a very tiny box. the brisket was thick cut, so juicy, the ribs were tender and the sausage was spicy perfection. I'm getting hungry for BBQ all over again and it's 7:30 am on Monday. When is it not a good time for this awesomeness?

After Lockhart, we drove back to San Marcos to have a beer with Pete at his favorite spot, Showdown, which is home of the best bloody mary in the hill country, but after stuffing our faces with BBQ, a bloody seemed a little heavy. Outside the bar across the street is a woodcut of a bobcat on the side of an old building, showing it's age. His little hat says SWTSU, Southwest Texas State University. I don't even know how old it is. appears to be from the 50s or 60s...but I've always liked it. When I was in school he had his while body, but sadly, it looks like he's disappearing.

At Showdown below:

The next day was Pete's graduation party and Mom and Dad's in Cypress. Dad boiled 2 sacks of crawfish, Pete had some friends over and we hung out on the deck all afternoon and ate. If it's not obvious from this post, this is what we do to celebrate. We eat.

Min' s ready to dig into some corn and potatoes with her own bottle of squeeze butter.

Crawfish love! I know... you shouldn't play with your food.

Cookie, our 15 year old cat, is a lap molester. It doesn't matter if you don't want a cat on you, if you're sitting down and you look comfortable, you're a potential victim. This time, Ryan was chosen. We had such a great time on Saturday visiting with friends and family but were officially tuckered on Saturday night.

Sunday morning was rainy and warm, we had a bit of a crawfish, corn and potato hangover and figured breakfast tacos were in order. Ryan and I went to the always amazing Taqueria Laredo on Washington where, as soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted by this little shrine to Mary.

We had spicy sausage, chorizo, bacon and egg tacos. I seriously haven't had better b-fast tacos in this city. If you know of better, please let me know.

Sunday was spent doing a little shopping and a little relaxing, some cooking, and trying to recuperate from such a busy few days. I'm still a little weary, but am ready to get into this week, finish an older project and start on a new one.

Here are a few W.I.P shots of the stag head. I don't think I'll do another project made of french knots only..I know you learn best by practice and repetition, and I think I've got these knots down.

How was your weekend? Anything exciting planned for this week? I'd like to get a trivia night in sometime this week, I want to go back out to Mandell park, start a new book (after finishing Time Traveler's Wife last night) make a Shepherds pie for dinner one night... nothing too thrilling but comfortable for sure. It's supposed be a pretty week. Happy Monday!

Pomp and Circumstance!

My sister and I graduated from two different universities that were 3 hours apart, on the exact same day, at the exact same time 3 years ago. We had to draw our parent's names out of a hat to determine which one would see us walk across the stage. Dad and Peter were my audience and Mom and Dylan were Michelle's. It wasn't an ideal situation but tomorrow, we all get to be together to watch my brother Peter graduate from Texas State University.


Braud, Peter T. ; BA (with a tiny two). What's the tiny 2? Magna Cum Laude (3.6-3.79 GPA) Woohoo!

So good job, Pete. We're all super proud of you and looking forward to celebrating this weekend with award winning Lockhart, Tx BBQ, St. Arnold's flowing like the San Marcos river, and crawfish... pounds and pounds crawfish.

I'd like to introduce you to...

Mandell Park!

From the site "Mandell Park is 1.22 acres surrounded by Bonnie Brae, Mandell and Richmond Streets in Houston’s Museum District. In the 1980s, the City of Houston purchased and cleared the site to build a public library...but the site became a huge vacant lot after the City chose another location. During the next 15 years, the neighborhood maintained the southern portion of the property and created an organic community garden, later named Meredith Gardens."

What an awesome little hidden gem in the museum district.

After work, Ryan and I decided to have an al fresco dinner since it was so nice outside, so breezy and warm. We packed up a little lunch kit filled with waters, a bottle of Cabernet, pasta, shrimp and dill salad, marinated artichokes, stuffed grape leaves, Havarti and spinach and watercress dip with crackers.

After passing by Menil park and Mandell park, we chose Mandell- its hard not to instantly fall in love with this little garden hidden right off Richmond sandwiched between El Pueblito and Lucky Burger.

We chose a good spot, spread our little blanket out, had our snacks and just relaxed. We even had a visit from a black and white puppy! Al fresco picnic dinner? Gorgeous weather? Beautiful flowers? A PUPPY? Oh come on.. it's almost too much.

After thoroughly enjoying our afternoon and just before El Pueblito's soundtrack of Gaga, Britney, Beyonce, et. al. was turned up to 11, ( no offence, El Pueb, you're delicious..) we packed up and headed out. We will definitely be back to enjoy the garden park again.

I was able to snap only one photo (below) before my camera died:
All other shots below found on google images!

The Friends of Mandell Park have BIG plans for this fantastic urban green space and you can help be a part of it! If it's something you can get behind and to ensure that the park will be here for you to enjoy in the future, you can donate a few bucks so easily online, I just did through paypal. Below is an outline of the master plan, slated to be completed in 2013. Exciting!

Nothing like a little good-doing to kick off your humpday, right? Hurray for making Houston pretty!

The Bird and the Bear

Min won the bear! I mean, everyone who entered had a 1 in 4 chance so the odds were pretty good... but Ryan witnessed and Michelle's name was pulled. :) Luckily she'll be in town from St. Paul this week (tomorrow actually.. but see you Thursday, Min!) so I can give it to her.

Hurray!

So how's the week? Busy? Boring? Need a nap? It's only Tuesday, I need a BIG nap. Last night Megan, Nora, Ryan, Charlie and I went to Porch Swing trivia and had LOTZ o' fun. Team Dysenteriyaki came in 3rd place out of.. I think.. 12 teams. We so smart! Will def do that trivia again.

Major Priorities.

y'all. i need to find a pool to frequent this summer. for real. it's important.

[weheartit]

Happy Mother's Day!

Love you, Momma!