Long HOT summer of 2011

After an incredibly HOT recordbreaking summer of 2011 it was awesome in September to see CLOUDS

promising rain!!

 They held true to the promise and in ONE DOWNPOUR... all our tanks which had gone completely dry were filled

 We had been filling tubs with water to make sure our deer and the jack rabbits had water as ours was the closest place. Even bobcats were using the little green tub we filled daily in front of the one bedroom cottage.

 Although we couldn't keep the grass green, the golden natural grasses will for sure come back next spring.

 We had 114 days of 100+ temps here in our little Lemons Gap home. LORD please let this never be repeated in our area. The drought was hard on everything!

As we go into the Fall, we look forward to the KISS of the cool breezes and the promises of rain. May each of us be aware always that water and rain are two treasures that ONLY come from the Maker of Heaven and Earth... We give thanks!

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!

The mesquites have leafed out and the Redbuds are in bloom! SPRING is here!

WE love it when the redbuds are in bloom in Texas!

... and old timers will tell you that when the BIG mesquite trees choose to put out their leaves,
you can plant your flowers! Spring is here!
The chance of a freeze is about nothing!

It really looks good this year since we had the
cedars taken out around the cottages.
...if we'd had more rain, we might have even
had more wildflowers by now... but still we see the new growth popping out everywhere.

SJ is quick to show me the new little trees that can now see
the sunshine without having to share in the shadow of the
cedars.

Spring is one of the best times of the year out here in the Gap...

WE are thankful for every season, but this is one of our favorites!

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!