Finally Fantastically Fifteen

Elura James Hinchman is now officially 15 years old. She, of course, spent most of it at school for the day. When she got home we made her favorite meal, steak, aspearagus, and baked potatoes with german chocolate cake for dessert. This coming weekend EJ wants to have a couple of girls over to spend the night. I bought her a bouquet of star-gazer lilies to have in her room along with some $ to help save for her camera. She already has an event to practice for as she will be taking photos of her sister's wedding in July. I wish for her good things, great things, things of purpose! Happy Birthday Jamie Girl!

Happy Homeward Heading

We left Albuquerque in the morning after picking up seats for our neighbors the Klaassens. On the way to Carlsbad we passed through the don't-blink town of Encino, New Mexico that was pretty much a ghost town. Had to stop and take a picture of the Motel sign that said it had low rates. We ate dinner with the Carrs, Williamsons, and Pickins and it was delicious. Dad slow-cooked a brisket that was amazing. Tried to feed the stuffed fowl down at the lake. We had no takers or beggars. After spending the night with Dad and Mary, we headed home to Medina. I have so enjoyed this road trip with EJ and hope to do a few more this summer around the Texas area, to Inks Lake Caverns and Enchanted Rock perhaps.

All Dressed Up

We got all dolled up and went to a music concert that turned out to be a worship service for easter. After, we went to dinner with some of mother's friends at Applebee's. It was nice to meet some new friends and get a chance to talk to some old ones.

Farm, Flowers, and Fish

We spent the day at the Albuquerque Botanical Gardens and Aquarium. The gardens were loverly, tulips and daffodils everywhere. The heritage farm was wonderful. I imagined it was mine. It had a cider mill, barn with livestock, vineyard and orchard, and a greenhouse. The aquarium was great for its size, the Monterey Bay Aquarium ruined me for all other aquariums. EJ remembered the children's garden with the giant carrots, turnips, pumpkin, ants and spider.

Farm, Flowers, and Fish

Elegant and Edifying Exodus

What a great Passover this year! EJ and I shared it with my mother and many of her friends in Albuquerque. Being the youngest, EJ found the broken matza with great drama. We burned the leaven in a fire pit on the back porch as we confessed our wrongs; humbling and relieving. I enjoyed sharing Passover with so many others as well. And, as we say, next year in Jerusalem with everyone in my heart there with us!

Auto Alien Adventure

Left for New Mexico to see family during Passover. Turned off I-10 to 285 @ Fort Stockton - Gave some change to a man at the stop sign. He asked if he could pray with us and to remember his brother Steve in our prayers. Stopped in Carlsbad the 1st night and had dinner with Dad, Mary, Lin, Judi and all the girls. Took off the next day and headed north to Albuquerque. Ate brunch in Roswell at the Red Onion - well worth the "out-of-the-way" excursion. Yum! Took photos of all the "Aliens" as we headed out of town.

Amazing Austin Adventure

Went this last weekend to visit Damara. We had most of Sunday together before she had to be back at work. Spent most of the morning viewing hilarious youtube videos as we got ready to go out and about. We decided to have a picnic on Town Lake and view the sites. The people watching was completely entertaining! There was a "Red Dress Run" with a free drink at the end for those who participated, man or woman. There was a Hawaiian rowing team training, a man and his dog out for a relaxing kayak cruise, a "pub-crawl" trolley where the people helped the trolley move along by pedaling as they drank, all kinds of art forms from abstract to silly, and the weather was warm but the day gorgeous. The bluebonnets were everywhere and the Texas wildflowers growing along the roadside scented the air as we drove through town. We were sad to part, as always! What wonderful daughters I have been blessed with.

Bill spent the weekend creating a green patch of grass for our new front yard. It looks fantastic! He made something weed-ridden look like an oasis. (He's good like that! :)

On a side note, as we were driving home we passed the low water bridge by White Bluff and stopped to see what was lying on the road. It turned out to be Cari's cat, Tigger, that had gotten lost. He was disoriented and very weak, so we wrapped it in my shirt and EJ took him up to Cari. He had survived for a couple months without food down by the river, quite remarkable really.