Things That Make you Happy.....

Recently, I read a magazine article about happiness--The question was 

"Can you list five (5) things that made you happy today?" 

Well, can you?  The author of the article had a hard time finding three things that made her happy during the day.  Can it really be that hard to find five things that make you happy during your day?  

If you go searching the internet for ideas of what makes you happy--you'll find this:

“Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions.” - Dalai Lama

Happiness is subjective. Only you can decide what makes you happy. No one else. Have you ever sat down and really thought about the things that make you happy? I'm not sure if I have. And that's sad because there seem to be so many things to be happy about in our world. 

Isn't it interesting that you can find all sorts of advice on making yourself happy, but it boils down to WHAT makes you Happy!!

So, off I go to think about what made me happy today:

1. A good morning and a smile from my husband
2. A delicious cup of coffee--in fact, two delicious cups of coffee
3. A chance to sew on a project
4. Reading a book
5. Listening to music as I sew or stitch

Now, each day as I prepare to rest my head on my fluffy

pillow, I'll work on my list of Happy things! 

San Felipe de Austin

A new museum has burst forth on Texas history--

one that tells the story of the founding of

San Felipe, Texas--a small rural town outside

of West Houston.

If you ever travel west on I-10 , you barely notice

the sign that points you to San Felipe--never worth a stop

then except to see a few cabins of the past, 

but now, the San Felipe de Austin is a Must stop

to learn Texas of history beginnings.

You are greeted by a family of settlers (Part of

Austin's 300 families he was allowed to bring 

to the Texas frontier)

entering the museum front doors you find

a detail in the polished floor--enter and

learn

In 1823 Stephen F. Austin established San Felipe de

Austin as the capital for his colonization efforts in

Mexican Texas.  

from 1824-1836 this was the social, economic and 

political center of the Anglo colonies in Texas.  This

location served as the capital of the provisional government

of Texas

During the 1836 Texas Revolution citizens burned the town as

part of the 'runaway scrape' retreat from

Mexican General Santa Anna's army.

Here on this site, is a map of the town as it stood

before the fire--once the citizens left their burning

homes, they learned at a later date, that Santa Anna

had been defeated and he didn't make

it to San Felipe. They had nothing to come back to

so the town faded into Texas history

This museum tells a story that few know--the displays

are interesting and interactive--Here is a good example of

a walking wheel and a butter churn--few pieces (shards) of

the original establishment were

found during excavation. 

--

In one corner is an opportunity for students to

dress as colonists--I enjoyed seeing this small piece of

an overshot coverlet

An interactive map of the original town covers a

whole wall--there is the opportunity to push a button

and learn about that selection of the town

A printing press like the one used for San Felipe

newspaper is on display

A timeline crosses through one room

I can only think--this might have been the capital

of Texas if the residents hadn't taken the 

"runaway scrape" to extremes--the small town of

San Felipe rests with a large portion of the

freedom of Texas on its shoulders.

Derby Day AND Cinco De Mayo II

Holy smokes!  Which do we celebrate?  Which comes first?  I'm thinking that Cinco de Mayo is the oldest--so we'll begin there....................

is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza.^[1][2]

In the United States, Cinco de Mayo has taken on a significance beyond that in Mexico.^[3][4][5][6] In the U.S. the date has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture. In Mexico, the commemoration of the battle continues to be mostly ceremonial, such as through military parades.

What do we like about Cinco de Mayo?  mostly tequila drinks, chips and salsa!   

Most people don't know that Cinco de Mayo commemorates an important battle in Puebla, Mexico that helped the USA by blocking the French who were supporters of the confederacy (gracias Mexico). 

But, wait--here comes the Kentucky Derby--the most important two minutes in sports!
and no tequila is allowed--Straight Kentucky Bourbon is the choice--the Mint Julep!

We had a few of Mint Juleps when we attended 132nd running of the roses--

a time we'll not forget!  We had tickets right on the finish line and 

of course, you must wear your finest Derby Hat!

The long-established fashion was started with Col. Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr.'s vision for the Derby as an event that the high-class would attend, similar to European-style racing events, which mandated full morning dress for men and women. For the first running of the Kentucky Derby, he used high-class women to recruit his target clientele to attend the race. The event quickly became just as much about the fashion as the racing. Going to a horse racing event became an opportunity to show off the latest in spring fashion and women were known to coordinate their hats, dresses, bags, shoes, and even parasols.

The extravagant hats that have become associated with the Kentucky Derby did not really come around until the 1960s, when social fashion norms loosened up and the presence of television gave women a reason to stand out. The hats became larger, brighter, and more extravagant.

Hats at the Kentucky Derby have become even more popular after the royal wedding in 2011, an event that showcased many elaborate hats and fascinators.

Whatever you celebrate--may it be a super great day!

Upcoming QALs

Tish's Adventures in Wonderland has her first Quilt along

here is the schedule: 

May:  fabric requirements and cutting instructions

June:  Piecing instructions

July:  piecing instructions

August:  Block 1

September:  Block 2

October:  Block 3

October Layout reveal

November and December: finish quilt tops

January 1:  Fireworks display of quilts

Musing of a Menopausal Woman is hosting a QAL with this pattern from Modern Yard Ezine

Did you know that you can download the past issues?  Save

PDFs to your computer? 

Chittenden is offering this "Fall Into A QAL"--

Just as it implies--a fall theme with  12 blocks

from 10 designers, plus 7 hosts--who will be making all the 

blocks, showing different skill sets.

This QAL begins May 15th.

"The Coming King" Sculpture Prayer Gardens

We come to the garden for a peaceful, restful morning--

a chance to enjoy the solitude and lift up our prayers.

I don't usually post about religion or religious

features, but this sculpture garden is for all

faiths and believers.

Sitting on top of located on 24.5 acres, in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, right off IH-10.   1,930’ mountain top, located at the same latitude as ISRAEL.

"Twelve Stones" greet visitors as they enter the

gates to the garden--a free trip to the top of the

mountain

"It is Finished" nails of the cross

"Mary, Mother of Jesus"

The Walkway to the empty cross 

Come to the Cross

What I found was the fact rocks were provided

for prayer requests--write your prayer and then

add your rock to the garden

Here is one of the gardens of prayers

It is a morning filled with awe and praise!

Hill Country Film Festival

Hill Country Film Festival has been our go to event this weekend--beginning on Thursday and ending Saturday night we have been engrossed in films, shorts, documentaries, panel discussions, visit with film makers--all of the independent variety.

Hill Country Schedule--includes many short blocks, major features and one night, the viewing of

"Goonies!"  

 

Here Come The Cowl........................

Skeinwalker (love that name!) which reminds me of 'skinwalkers'--

Anyway, she has some wonderful easy knit cowl patterns

and a bonus--she offers them free!

Explorers Newsletter is her outlet to give you news,

tidbits of knitting, test knits and promotions

This is my second Skeinwalker pattern to knit.

This one is Kalasi--Crescent of the Wave--

I'm using stash malabrigo yarn--

we're on our way to another addiction!