Rancho Loma (a MUST with your stay!)

Rancho Loma

THIS IS A MUST EXPERIENCE!

From the moment we arrived, it was crystal clear!

We were in for an extraordinary evening!
I'd tell you that Laurie and Robert have one the most unique places I've ever experienced!
It is Texas hospitality within an almost Zen like atmosphere.
Yes, I know, it is rather enigmatic, but that's what I felt upon entering this home/dining
establishment known as Rancho Loma.

Laurie prepares your food in an absolutely spotless kitchen!

Each week, the organic and even exotic parts of the menu are purchased for the

weekend guests.

You will set your reservation, and sit at a table prepared ONLY for you!

NO ONE WILL BE SEATED BEFORE OR AFTER YOU!!!

Our meal began with a duck and risotto course, followed by an imported cheese/tomatoe and pesto salad....

Exceptional Laurie!!!

The main course was a porterhouse for two that could melt in your mouth! LITERALLY!

Now that's the food.... but what we came for was not just the food.... we came for the
RANCHO LOMA EXPERIENCE!
We were greeted by two lovely four legged friends who were as immaculate as the home at which they reside!
chickens, neatly rowed gardens, and a zero gravity swimming pool surrounded the home.
Robert showed us the outdoor shower HE HAD just finished.
YES>>>>> he tells me that Laurie designs, he builds.
Clearly, his touch was evident in the details everywhere!
LOVELY my friends.... truly the hearts of these people were evident even before we entered the doors!

Laurie was preparing the steaks with perfect seasonings

Robert was the perfect host!

My friend from Minnesota was duly struck by the evening in total!

I must say....
I'd checked the Rancho Loma website over and over to find an evening when they would

serve a fish.....and I asked them...
"so when will that be?" to which they told me...
"Carla... this is Texas, and (for now)... beef is on the menu!"
I think I'm gonna see if I can persuade them to maybe consider...
how 'bout one night a month... not on a weekend... or maybe a Sunday evening...
do something extravagant.... like serving.....trout, tuna, salmon, shark.... FISH???
for Texans like me who love more than this wonderful beef???
just a thought!

Thank you friends for an amazing, sweet, decadent and memorable evening at your

HOME!

We will return and bring others with us!!!!

Sunshine and Ice storms...we NEED RAIN!!!

January brought the typical Texas contrasts!

One day sunshine, 70 degrees and armadillos digging..

4 days later... sub freezing ice storms and slick roads...

but oh how pretty the cottages look ... like a winter wonderland just
beckoning for hot chocolate by a cozy fire
and.... a good book!

then... 4 more days later, and it's
"get the sandbox ready for our February guests"

... and the armadillo scuttles back to his favorite place!

the creek bed full of nice bugs and

MY EARTHWORMS... thank you very much!

they are for my garden and the soon to be

wildflowers that KG and I have so carefully

scattered for Spring~

WELCOME FRIENDS!

we're expecting YOU!

Blue November skies and a great visit from the Garner family!

November is warmer than usual this year with temperatures of 80 degrees in the day and cooling to an incredibly comfortable sleeping temp of the 50s... lovely!

Fall on the porches is exactly what a cozy evening should be... rocking and waiting for the millions of stars to peep out one by one!

We haven't had as many honeymooners or anniversary celebrants as in the past, but oh my goodness...

We have had families! and parties! and hayrides of happy people and gracious friends...

We welcomed the Garners into our homes once again this past weekend

and we'll be looking forward to a return visit!

Perfect picture of two wonderful guys by the "laugh" sign!

We pray particular blessings of joy, love and peace over each of you as you return home, and hope you will always know...

You make our hearts happy!

We will look forward to a return visit not so long into the future!

*thank you Julie for sending us your pics, we love them!*

Early Fall and a 10 year Reunion

As we prepared for precious guests attending the 10 year reunion of our youngest daughter, the air was filled with the cooling crisp breezes that lighten our hearts this time of year.

We have just added a new print from prophetic artist, Jennifer Jones, a local resident and dear sister in more than one way. This particular one is called "the Day of the LORD"... powerful. To see more or learn of her work, check out her artist's blog at http://gloryglimpses.blogspot.com/
Although the nights are cool, we have not yet used the fireplaces...

(but it's been tempting!!)
The cotton in the fields at the base of our hills are about ready for harvest. Soon we'll be seeing the crop dusters preparing the fields for harvest. It will look like a fluffy white blanket from the cottages just south of this field.
We love the seasons of our Lemons Gap home.... each one brings it's own brand of refreshment as is the intent of endings and beginnings. Blessings over you and yours as the holidays approach.

It's not what you may think! or plan! or design!

It's begun again....

After my tears, my prayers and my disappointment,

work has started again by the only one capable of completion!

It was 2 years ago when the idea sprung into my head about a SMALL shelter in a place where already there had been engagements, commitments, and covenants made. It was a place that just made one stop and remember that there is much more important in this world than that which we can see with our eyes.
Other things had taken precedent for the one who held the plans for this place. As I'd said, all I could know was a small place... round, with an open top... 3 entrances... and a fire in the center... maybe like our native American tepees in design. I presented the idea to a man who is more an artist than a mason... although he certainly is both., and I said... pray about it and let God tell you what it is to be.... he did,

and HE DID!!!

but that said.... when the work was left for over a year, no one would even attempt to finish what only the one with the vision could see (that is what true Master pieces are isn't it?)... it was not simply a small enclosed area for shelter in prayer... it was more, and it had been born in the heart of the artist to whom the vision was finalized...

so I waited... and waited and waited, even trying my own ways of completion

to no avail.... BUT

2 weeks ago.... he returned.... and again, I am amazed at the artistry of a man with a vision beyond himself...

He told me as he started this place....

"carla, this really isn't about you and what you thought, you know that don't you?"

"well, if I didn't then,.... I surely do now!"

so I'm thinking.... how interesting it will be to see who will be led to this place,

off the map, and without direction.

I know it will be found, but I am praying that as it is, those who see it will know exactly how to handle what the "see"....

I am blessed and I am humbled...

I am amazed, and right now..... I am excited!!!!

When left to the creative genius of the ONE WHO defined the WORD,

some small thing becomes something much more, and as such, is no longer ours,

but just like everything else... it's HIS stuff that matters!

Wildflowers in Fall.. Deer in Velvet

The deer are regularly frequenting our cottages... especially down this fence line that was planted with chicory and other plants highly attractive and healthy for browsers and the occasional bovine wanting a bit more smorgasbord dining.

purple thistle
red flax bloomed again after the recent rains

these little natives are called "chocolate flowers"... YES, they smell just like chocolate... they are often confused with a similar yellow flower with green centers ... appropriated named, little green eyes...
Fall here at the GateWay is just as inspiring as any other season; and surprisingly just about as abundant in native wildflowers and wildlife

Farmers are saying... "we're looking for a real Winter this year"... yep, the Almanac tends to agree... we'll see!

Labor Day 2008 at the GateWay

The foreground certainly competes with the background view... What a lovely family this one is!

The salvia and lavender certainly are outdoing themselves this Fall! Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds are most appreciative of the gift.
Texas Longhorns have "painted" the Texas landscape for years.... why not here?
.... and the chapel..... is again in progress! Yeah Hobbe and sons! I am ecstatic!!!!! and blessed beyond words.
Thank you D. Latham for your contribution of the previous pictures from your family's sweet visit with us on a wonderfully cool Labor Day weekend. (Hurricane Gustav left fresh breezes in our little valley... we loved it!)

*note to the Lowe fam.... Mr. Mouse had no relatives visit, and we are thankful that they only make an entrance at your bequest;)