the Backyard Completed

We finally had a healthy, gorgeous, agenda free weekend, so we set out to complete our backyard project. As you will recall, Kevin constructed some new planters to surround our fountain, but we had to wait until spring to fill them. We also just needed to clean up and prune the existing space that had found itself in a bit of a state of disarray over the winter. Despite the Zilker Garden Festival taking place at the bottom of the hill, we headed over to our favorite local nursery, the Great Outdoors, to find inspiration. We came home with a various assortment of cute little ground cover greens, a small collection of herbs and peppers, a 'Red Rooster' grass-like plant for the front, and two Sweet Olive plants for the backyard boxes. Now I'm not big on scents, and only occasionally dab myself with perfume, but I seriously want to dip my entire body in a tub of Sweet Olive scent. If it's possible to describe a plant as having a beautiful scent, then I am declaring it. I guess you are just going to have to come over and take a whiff for yourself. In the meantime enjoy some photos of the newly renovated back patio area, and some photos of the process... including help from the cutest 13 month old gardener I know.

poor innocent plants

a 'working' lunch

meeting a grubworm

finished product!

more of sxsw

Through the lens of my much more talented, and observant, dad.

sxsw

Spring Break always signals the approach of another South x Southwest interactive, film, and music festival to Austin. While we only choose to partake in the 'free and open to the public music events', we always manage to have quite a fulfilling experience. This year was no different, though it was probably the most abbreviated festival we've had in a few years.

As for tradition, my mom drove down to get her fix of all things Austin, and Kevin and I both took some time off work. This year we received an added bonus as my dad took a detour from a work trip in Houston to come see his little guy, and of course see what all the musical hype was about.

 We've learned to not even try to fight the masses that congregate downtown, and choose to focus our efforts on the family friendly venues around the S. Congress area. Thankfully our friends choose to do the same, so there is always someone willing take in a show with. All in all, it was another enjoyable year, and we look forward to what next year has in store.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

he really was a happy camper, I promise!

Festive embellishment courtesy of this tutorial

A Walk in the Park

 August has been fairly resistant to our attempts at helping him walk. So this past weekend we decided we needed to take him out for some real distance with his push wagon. All 5 of us loaded up for the 1/2 mile jaunt down to the vast green lawn of Zilker Park. As soon as freed him from the constraints of his stroller, he grabbed his wagon and took off. While we took turns playing with the dogs for nearly an hour, he walked and walked, rolling right over whatever or whoever was in his path.

After everyone was sufficiently worn out, and the quota of photos and video were taken, we loaded back up for the short, leisurely walk home. Along the way we stopped to let the dogs take a dip, spotted numerous rowers and a couple of paddle boarders, and even took in a tribal dance.  Need I even say, we love Austin!