Washington-On-The-Brazos Independence Festival

Sunday, February 27, 2011

There was a huge festival that was featured in Texas Highways. I didn't think it was going to be such a big deal but what a great day it turned out to be. Since I planned to stay home on Saturday, I figured Sunday would be pretty insignificant to the festival. But it turns out Sunday was the highlighted day.
When I arrived I had just missed a weapon firing demonstration. But, loved walking up to the festival and seeing these huge (baby) longhorns. They were so calm but so majestic...

One of the featured attractions was this old Tavern that was set up like the tavern's 175 years ago. Very neat... They even had volunteers in period clothing that could answer any questions and entertain the kids.

One of the great things about the festival was that all of the attractions were FREE! So, I headed to the Star of the Republic Museum.

Inside the museum...

One of the more popular artifacts, a painting of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence, trying to get out of Mexico's rule.

The actual declaration... (Or at least a copy of it, lol.)

When going from the first floor up to the second there is this amazing time line of history that shows the development of Texas along with the rest of the world.

LOVED this piece.... My favorite, probably.

Then I went outside to the amphitheater to see what was happening. The stone seating was filling up quickly so I took a seat and figured I'd at least enjoy some nice weather. First, there was a magician then the "Program" began with the Fightin' Aggie Band playing. Nice scenery :)

At one point the band played all of the hymns for the different military branches. I stood up for Navy and Marines. Thanks Papa, Matt and Ashley! Love you and thanks for your amazing, honorable service!

After the band, "Sam Houston" came and read a speech he prepared. Then he called out all of the members of the men who signed the Declaration. As he read each name the decendents spoke up and yelled, "HERE!" It was really amazing....

Even the secret service was around! :)

Why the secret service? Because Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson was the key note speaker! She has been one of my political idols since I was a kid. LOVED her! She is a descendent as well.

Kay Bailey in the middle and Sam Houston IV (second from the left), great-grandson of Sam Houston himself even attended the presentation.

And they revealed the presentation for the 175th birthday, a tiled representation of the painting I showed earlier inside the museum of the men signing the Declaration.

I decided to take off after that. It was already later in the afternoon and I was about an hour from home...plus, I wanted to beat traffic. As I walked to the parking lot (pasture) I saw another Army tent set up to look around. Although I'm thinking there was no propane and cooler on wheels. :)

Another wonderful festival shared through Texas Highways and another wonderful weekend!

Painting With a Twist

Later that week I went to teacher party at Painting With a Twist. It's this new "party" night where you drink wine and paint a picture. We did crosses. I didn't really like how mine turned out but I had a BLAST with my coworkers/friends!
View from the outside...

View from the inside....

And that's where I began.....a blank slate.

Stage 1: Background

Vino!!! (Which is probably the reason my painting didn't end up looking all that great) :p

Finished product.....

My piece with the original in the background. It really was a fun time with my friends. I'm very blessed to know and work with so many wonderful people. I'm so grateful for everything in my life and this piece really says more than you think! :)

Rice Village-Croissant Brioche French Bakery and Cafe

Every so often during the week I get a chance to explore Houston at its core. It's always a fun adventure to escape from work early on in the afternoon and venture out (usually downtown). So, when my schedule was a bit more relaxed a couple weeks ago (not around any grading deadlines) I took off to explore Rice Village as recommended by the local newspaper here, the Houston Chronicle.
The recommendation was for this bakery, Croissant-Brioche. So (much earlier in the day than this picture was taken) I came with papers to grade and an iPod in my ear.

Had a great cup of cappiccino while grading... It was really nice just to sit back and relax.

My view... The weather was so nice...

My cappucino (but the art kinda disappeared). Could order it with chocolate shavings or cinnamon. I picked cinnamon, yum!

The outdoor seating area where I was enjoying my zen moment.

The article had highlighted the apricot danish...but it was long sold out hours before. So instead I had an apricot and almond scone (later at home) and a bit of a turkey sandwich on the most tasty baguette. I could live on bread and turkey :)

I completely shut this place down, last person to leave. But I hated leaving at 7pm, I could have stayed hours more just listening to Pandora on the iPhone and grading papers.

Additionally, I have to state: When I looked up this place online there were all these horrible reviews of the service here. I had a really nice conversation with the waitress and she was so nice to bring all my food out. We talked about education and other stuff. So, I had a really great experience. Don't believe everything you read!

Schulenburg, Texas (Feb 20)

So, my uncle and aunt left pretty early Sunday morning, so I had just enough time to do a small solo trip. The more I do it, the more I crave it. Solo travel is almost becoming an addiction. I feel like I even sabotage my trips with others knowing that solo travel is my passion. But, anyways, enough about my psychiatric problems. :p I had never been to Schulenburg, although my friend Shanna and I have talked about going dancing there one day. So, I packed up and headed west from Houston about an hour or so.
Welcome to Schulenburg!

Old downtown was absolutely dead on Sunday. I hate when that happens...but cute picture opps though.

The famous dance hall had plenty of company, though. Going into a dance hall alone, though, was not in my comfort zone. Totally wasn't dressed the part in my UT shirt and jeans, either.

So, the reason I came to Schulenburg was a write-up on Frank's Restaurant in Texas Highways. There was an article on pies and one of the readers had suggested this place.

Frank's had a great gift shop, too. I found lots of yummy foods and wonderful Texas history and travel books.

I ordered the cheeseburger because it was featured in the menu. Something about the "famous frank burger" or something of that sort. It was definitely tasty!

And I saved room (barely) for some meringue pie. They had a bunch of different flavors so I got chocolate. It didn't look like any pie I had ever had. It was good...though I'm not really a pie kinda girl, which is why I picked chocolate, lol. I just sat at my table and worked on some travel reading. It was a good meal, very relaxing Sunday-type. :)

A shot of the restaurant from the gift shop area.

After I ate I used gowalla to find some stuff around Schulenburg. I found this old house...known as the "Old Anderson Place" built in the 1850s and owned by the Schulenburg family that the town is named after. Currently owned by a more current family. I kind of felt ackward taking photos while they did their yard work, lol.

Gotta love the huge oak tree!!

Super Schulenburg

Tried going to the Aircraft Museum but EVERYTHING was closed on Sundays. I really hate that... I know people need their family time but really?!? I need to travel on Sundays! :)

Stanzel's house that's right beside the Aircraft Museum

Saw this huge building while exploring downtown, though it was off the Main Street. But it just looked kind of defeated...

Love this shot of downtown! Gotta return to see what's apart of the Polka Museum!

Amazing new elementary school, though. What kinda money are they spending on this?!? And what kinda taxes do they get it from? Just wondering, I want to work in a brand new school!

And because nothing was really open I decided to head home as Sunday afternoon slowly went away. Another great adventure down in the books.

Messina Hof Winery (February 19)

Well, I'm behind (still) in my blogging. I've been spending all my time lately grading to get caught up, exploring Houston, and planning for Washington, DC and skiing in Virginia for SPRING BREAK! :) But, my goal is to get everything updated before I leave.

So, a couple weeks ago my Aunt Barbara and Uncle Terry came down from Abilene and we went exploring Messina Hof winery. We were hoping to do a bed/breakfast stay but things have hectic for everyone so we went for a tour/tasting and then to look at perhaps staying at the B&B later in the future.
The tour started here in the tasting/purchasing area. We bought the tour (which included a tasting) for $5 each. The tour was about 45 minutes or so.

Right inside those doors is this beautiful area with the wines and awards Messina Hof has won.

Now THOSE are some wine bottles :)

The vines...

This is the B&B which looks pretty ordinary and plane...But very beautifully decorated inside. We couldn't see inside any of the rooms but there were many available.

Inside the B&B...beautiful chandelier...

And the restaurant on the right of the tasting area. It's "fine dining" and one where prices are not included on the menu. But don't be fooled by appearances. Very nice inside...

Semper fi!! And yes, those are barrels aging inside the restaurant lol. They said it makes things more cozy and real.

The tables....and more barrels. Hope you're not too claustrophobic :)

Place setting.... My Uncle Terry said we'll definitely have to come for a meal and stay here. Hopefully it won't be too far in the future!