Western Heritage/graduation/Mother's Day Weekend

The annual University graduations, Western Heritage,
and Mother's Day weekend
was supposed to be lovely weather....
But on that Saturday the winds blew in some storms.
Our guests were still able to host bunches of family members to a picnic on the hillside.
We were told that the sandbox was a real hit with the under 10 set:)
Glad you guys liked it... ours do too!
Of course... as soon as the weekend concluded... the weather of spring returned to the somewhat sultry pretty days of May.
Ebear says HOWDY to all you guests and "yall come back now... ya hear?"
(maybe next time there will be no car in a ditch for the back hoe to remove:)

Poppies and Roses... SPRING treasures

We had a family of 6 lovely ladies at our cottages recently.....
They knew how to do it up right! Courtney booked the cottage for her mom, sisters and a pretty little 18 month old to enjoy a girl's weekend right in the middle of GateWay's Spring glory!
Not only did they get to enjoy incredible weather, and the pretty flowers, but they also set up to really indulge themselves with our massage therapist (who came the cottage) and our gourmet chef who prepared their meal as they sat outside with the breezes and good conversation to make their stay perfectly memorable.
(Please check out their own words on our VRBO comment page)
I always get great help with the watering tasks this time of year....
with much of the water going on the helpers as in the pots:)
Thank you ladies for your kind words and the wonderful way you regarded our home as yours!
WE LOVE guests like you.....welcome back any time!

Words are more than Words at the GateWay:)

One thing that you will always find WORDS!!!!

We here at the GateWay believe that Words have power...

We greet you with our guest book,

Our FYI page,

AND.... a "caution" about some of the
not so friendly inhabitants of the area:)

AKA... rattlesnakes (especially as they come out of winter hibernation about this time of year)

HENCE... the Sweetwater Rattlesnake Roundup.

One of our favorite promises rests above the kitchen table nook...

As you come through the gate of our 2 bedroom, or the 1 bedroom, we pray that your cares drop from your shoulders and that the rest you choose will be found in this special place we call
GateWay GetaWay....

.... oh yes....

not only do we leave you words of blessing...

SOMETIMES,

we have guests who reciprocate!

Thanks Odessa friends.... We hope to see you again!

Late January and February Rains fill ALL the tanks and make WILDFLOWERS ready to SPRING FORTH!

AS Troy looks over our newly overflowing tanks... he says "Carla, this is water for years in this place!"
I agree.... the tanks we've just dug have all been filled to overflowing with these late January, early February rains over Texas. MOST unusual rain pattern!
WE even found a waterfall in the prayer chapel tank... simply the heavy runoff from our rain drenched Texas land.
The muddy road is hopefully going to be replaced with the grasses and wildflowers the grandchildren planted on the new East property tank. We are praying it holds water as we believe this is one of our most valuable resources and gifts from a loving GOD!
All the wildlife will be loving this spot!!! it is their favorite watering hole, and now it is again filled!

Happy New Year 2010

The holidays of 2009 into the beginning of 2010 brought special guests!
Our neighbors had family in both cottages and we loved getting to allow a place for fun,
exploration, and more room for families to gather!
Loved having you Petterson crew and Martin family!
Glad Barbara's leather coat made it through the snow!
Troy found it over the outside chairs and it was still in great shape after being covered in snow!
Better check out that brand!
Babies, and kiddos were in abundance at the 2 bedroom....
Loved giving you guys a cozy place to place and enjoy the holidays!
A place by the fire is always welcome in these cold temps of New Year 2010!
Our newest improvement, my Christmas gift for 2009, a new tank!
In my opinion, as any of you who have been our guests know,
WATER is one of our greatest resources.
A truly valuable gift!
For a day, the good top soil made a great "mountain" for those looking to conquer the heights!
Then... it was laid on the tank sides
allowing us to plant wildflowers and grasses for this new aspect of our land!
Hopefully, this spring will bring wonderful flowers to the GATEWAY!!!
I already see an abundance of bluebonnets ready for the Spring 2010 debut!
Come to Texas this spring... I guarantee....
It's gonna be a banner year for our Texas wildflowers!!!

Christmas Eve Blizzard and wonderful Neighbor Family guests!

Christmas Eve 2009...Winter Wonderland Blizzard!
We put out seed for the birds and new deer block for our beautiful white tail deer!
Our guests were neighbor's family... what a treat to host such friends and family?!
Our cedar eradication from last year left plenty of room for the lovely white blanket.
.... and the gate stands open!
Welcome friends and yet to be friends....
Our guests!!!
To the GateWay!
Even in the snow.... It's warm and we cozy inside by the fire.
May you each one find the blessings of the ONE WHO is Creator of all,
and Giver of every good and perfect gift!
Merry Christmas

Anniversary #34 at 1 bedroom, Connells and Grovers, Eli's #3... Thunderstorms and fox mommys

May 17th weekend.... stormy weather! Yeah we'll take the rain!

Eli Connell turns 3 and his grandparents are our guests in the 2 bedroom....

sorry you had to move the party, but not sorry for the reason!!!
the rains MAY fill some of our tanks!

Sunday morning May 17th was a rain washed morning as Troy and I celebrate 34 years!
THIS ANNIVERSARY is one I will remember!
The GATEWAY looks gorgeous from the porch of the 1 bedroom....
You will not be disappointed at the view that may have the typical West Texas Mesquites,
but will remind one of the not so typical views for our area! LOVELY!

We saw a beautiful RED FOX this weekend...
clearly she is a momma with kits!
She ran from behind the 2 bedroom (unafraid of us!) up into the hills east of the cottages!
I wonder when she'll bring the babies up for us to see?

I think she's coming to the water bowls I am placing beside the porches for the birds to bathe.

I do wish some of these wild kitties would decide to migrate up the hills to the cottages....
They are great mousers, but totally untouchable!
Just the way I like a barn cat!

MAYBE YOU WILL BE ONE OF THE ONES TO SEE THE FOX BABIES???

WE WILL SURELY TRY TO GET A PICTURE!