Live Oaks and More Texas Beauty

We recently drove through the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie (home of the Cowboys and NOW Cowgirls, too) and it is large with lovely grounds.  And then.  T

This week I have been staying next to Rice University in Houston.  And oh, be still my heart.  Live oaks everywhere.

In fact, Rice is recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 4,300 trees and their conservation program.  Long southern paths with crossing branches have always attracted me.  I thought they were just for the movies or moody paintings.

But guess what? They are real life all over the Rice campus.  School is already out, so I had the grounds practically to myself in the evening.  With perfect weather.  And perfect humidity. 

Magnolias are blossoming all over town and the flowers just attract me like a bee.  Nature is such a blessing.

And all that was after lunch on the beach in Galveston.  Inside, unfortunately, because of the gale-force winds they were having, but lovely nonetheless.  Yes, I did it.  I treated myself to Tex Mex.  And I was only sorry for about half a day.  But, yum.

Jill’s Lily got a new rug which is just like cammo for her fur.  Is that adorable or what?  And her Bella loves her new desert scratching post her daddy got her.  Lucky kitties or what?

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In other Texas remodeling news, DF Vaneica got her kitchen remodel started.  I am drooling over that new oven. 

DF Jimmy finished his media room.  His colors are yellow and gray and the transformation is stunning.  I hope I get an invitation to visit in person some day.

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Each Friday evening in May Anthem hosts an outdoor concert with local live music.  Of course, last year that didn’t happen.  But it’s back on this year, and it was great getting out last week, seeing friends and neighbors enjoying music, our community and each other. 

What I’m Eating

Due to my work schedule I have been unable to join any virtual cooking classes DF Deb leads.  She did share her recipe for Healthy Homemade Crunch Salad Toppers and gave me permission to post.  I most certainly intend to catch some of her classes while I’m on vacation next month.  If I ever get back home, I’m going to whip up some of these toppers and I’ll give you the low down with pics.

Homemade Crunchy Salad Toppers

Makes 1 1/2 cups

• 4 Tbsp flax seed (to be ground in equaling 1/3 c flax meal)
• 2 Tbsp water
• 3 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1/3 c walnuts, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp slivered almonds
• 2 Tbs sesame seeds
• 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees. 
2. Line a cookie sheet with foil and then cover with parchment on top of the foil. 
3. Grind whole flax seed for a few minutes. 
4. Place water and maple syrup into a small bowl, add flax meal and stir well. 
5. Stir in the remaining items and spread on the cookie sheet into a thin layer of clumps. 
6. Bake in preheated oven for ten minutes, turn with spatula and bake for another ten minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool on cookie sheet for five minutes.  Move to a large plate and let sit on counter to dry further.  This allows for further drying so the topping is crunchy.  Store leftovers in a two-cup glass dish with cover and refrigerate for a week or freeze for up to two months.

What I’m Reading

Tombstone by Tom Clavin has turned out to be a bit different than what I was expecting.  It is quite an in-depth history lesson on southern Arizona and all the characters involved in the legendary gun battle.  As in ALL the characters.  Ugh, a little more than I wanted to bite off.  And I’m pretty sure Clavin considers Doc Holliday to have been a sociopath.  Which he might have been.  But you know how much I love him.  Well, not sorry I read it, but not sure it’s for everyone, so I’m not putting it on my recommend list.

I’m excited to be starting something a bit lighter.  Well, still gruesome, but easier to read.

On audio I’ve spent 22 hours with Stephanie Meyer and The Host.  That’s really long and took me weeks and weeks, but it’s a creative story and pretty solid characters so worth the time investment..  It takes place in Arizona, so I always love it when I’m familiar with the scenery.  Yep, it’s a recommend.  You might know Meyer from The Twilight YA series.  This series is for an adult audience, but it would still be appropriate for any reader.

Have a wonderful weekend and I hope to have some more adventures to share with you next week. XO