Gruene, Texas

Establish in the 1840's by a German Family

I usually visit Gruene, Texas once a year while visiting family in the Hill Country of Texas.  I love this little quaint town with a long history.  I grew up spending my summers at my family's vacation home on the Guadalupe River.  I hiked, explored, shot off firecrackers, tubed and watched tubers all summer!  I watched my uncle and cousins play pool at Gruene Hall.  Gruene hall has never closed even during the depression and when all the other family's businesses went under.  The floors are worn and full of life with metal patches scattered here and there.  More on the history of Gruene

The Stage at Gruene Hall

There is a cute wine tasting porch with barrel tables and misters (it's hot in Texas)

This is an Antique Store now but was the Mercantile Building built in 1904

 I always find some great trinkets every time I go!  I bought these old photos of buildings.  I thought I would start a collection.

This has always been a favorite

The General Store has fudge, candy, t-shirts, Texas sauces and jellies, toys and an old fashioned ice cream counter.  

I usually load up on jalapeno jelly

The Gristmill

 We always stop for lunch or dinner at the The Gristmill or the The Gruene Mansion Inn.  A margarita and a view of the river is a great way to rest from the heat.

Buck Pottery

 We go to Buck Pottery every year and I usually can't resist buying something. My sister-in-law loves it and adds to her collection every year!

This little bowl is my latest purchase!

The bowl is fired with a marble so it melts and then when the glass starts to cool it cracks.  It's pretty and it's the new resting place of my coffee spoon.

This little town is full of life and worth a day visit! ~Brandy

The Woodlands, Texas

My family had our second trip to The Woodlands, Texas (North of Houston).  Actually, my son's best friend moved there and we were picking him up from his Spring Break visit.  

The first time I visited was to cheer on my brother-in-law who was participating in the Ironman Texas a couple a years ago.  We volunteered to hand out drinks during the biking portion.  Those of you who don't know what an Ironman is, well it's amazing.  It's a 2.4-mile swim /112-mile bike/ 26.2-mile run.  A really long day! The next Ironman Texas is in The Woodlands on May 18, 2013.  (If you are thinking of racing, sorry it's already booked)  After wondering all over The Woodlands that weekend, I liked it and thought "I could live here".  

Me handing out water at the Ironman

It was worth a trip back just to hang out and enjoy the township.  The Woodlands is a master-planned community full of trails, woods, parks, neighborhoods (they call "Villages") that range from apartments to mansions, shopping, entertainment venues, golf and restaurants.  So nothing is far and it's setting is picturesque (if you like trees).   All the commercial building have a sign ordinance that has height and size restrictions.  You really can't see the signs from the road, so you have to know your directions and street names because there are no landmarks.  I love the whole vibe of the town, a little urban and suburban mix.  Technically, it's called a mixed-use community where commercial and residential with mixed incomes all co-exist in a small area.  (Mixed-use development is — in a broad sense — any urban, suburban or village development, or even a single building, that blends a combination of residential, commercial, cultural, institutional, or industrial uses, where those functions are physically and functionally integrated, and that provides pedestrian connections.)

With these beautiful planned communities, design and landscaping have strict regulations.  This is definitely something to consider if you want to live in one.  You can't cut down a tree without replacing it.  You can't change anything without permission.  There is a long list of when, what and how often to do things like trash and cutting the grass (which must be cut once a week).  Most likely the villages are strictly monitored and you probably will receive pictures of your violations. But that's what makes it remain the beauty it is.  I personally love a planned community!

We had one Saturday to explore, so we went for a walk/run, brunch, shopping (Anthropologie of course) and visit with friends.

View of Street

 We walked to the Town Center from our hotel, so I took some pictures along with way.  Most of the roads have paths.

Example of the shop signs

Street lamps near Town Center

Yellow Lamborghini

 I couldn't help myself!  Who drives a 1/2 million dollar car?

Pathways are nice and wide

Bridge at Waterway Square

There is about 1.5 mile loop around the waterway that is great for running and biking.   

Boat House 

Mosaic murals under the bridge

So after a 4 mile run and walk, we went to have brunch at the Black Walnut Cafe.  The weather was beautiful and the food was great!  

Eggs Benedict

Yum!  

 About The Woodlands, Texas

It was a great day and visit to the Woodlands.  I plan to go back!  What do you think of planned mixed-use communities?  Are you for or against them? ~Brandy

Art in the Kitchen

When I say Art in the Kitchen, I don't mean wine labels or pictures of fruit.  I mean the good stuff, what you would put over your mantle.


I think most kitchens are sterile and devoid of personality, even in a kitchen as stunning as these...

While utilitarian, it doesn't reflect the lives of the people that move and function in the space.  The kitchen is the most lived in room in the house, where family and friends gather (whether you want them to or not).  That's why I love the idea of art in the kitchen.  It makes the room feel warm, inviting and gives it that extra layer that is needed to become a complete space.

A cool backsplash tile or wallpaper can do great things for a kitchen, but it still needs more....

Modern with a dash of spice

Here's some great examples of infusing art in the kitchen...

Large is good if you have a big wall.  Love the pop of color!

Or Small

Love the textured wall of grass cloth which makes the painting pop!

Bright and fresh

Mixing in Art with your dishes. Open shelves make a nice display and practical for items you need to access often

Black and white is always a classic

Or create your own art with chalk!

One piece of art may be all you need

Add art that speaks to you or is different from the rest of your decor

A gallery or collage of art really makes your kitchen a "living" room, like these for example....

I challenge you to add some life to your kitchen.  Think outside the box.  If you don't have walls in your kitchen or open shelves, hang art on the cabinets.  ~ Brandy