I have a listing right now that I am just in love with.  It's a 1923 home on 95 acres, and is just a perfect Texas horse property, or a retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, or a place to raise cattle.  Got good huntin', too (dove, turkey, deer, wild hog).  There's not one, but TWO ponds (one stocked with catfish), and Alligator Creek runs right through it.   There's coastal pastures for your horses and longhorns, and pecan bottoms where you can gather plenty of nuts for that Thanksgiving pecan pie.  I just love this place.  But, heck, see for yourself!

While having breakfast this morning and reading the "newspaper" (online news forums), I ran across an interesting article on CNN about people tearing up their front yards and putting in vegetable and herb gardens.  Now, before moving to the country, we grew the occasional vegetable or herb in our front yard (okra does a beautiful hibiscus imitation and rosemary provides a wonderful, scented welcome when planted beside the front door or the steps coming up to the house), but nothing like this. 

While some of the neighbors object to anything other than the less money) and, apparently, social (one family said that their neighbors never spoke to them until they had the veg ...

Something amazing and mesmerizing and beautiful on YouTube. 

After scurrying around like elves, climbing up and down ladders, draping lights, blowing breakers, the agents of ERA Colonial Real Estate's Georgetown, Texas, office have decorated their offices and grounds in breathtaking, eclectic fashion.   

Invitations have been sent.  Ads have been placed.  Announcements have been made.  Goodies are being prepared.  Now, they're ready to party!

On Sunday, December 17, 2006, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Santa Claus and ERA Colonial Real Estate welcome the residents of Williamson County (and especially the children) to an open house at 4909 Williams Drive, Georgetown, Texas.  Children can give their wish lists to Santa, there will be food, drink (of the non-alcoholic variety), and merriment appropriate to the season.  And lights.  Lots of lights.  Lots and lots of lights. 

Come one, come all, and ...

One of the joys of living in Central Texas is that you can live in the country outside of Jarrell on a little ranch with your horses and cows and chickens, oh, my! and, when you feel the need for a little culture, drive in to Austin for the evening to see Hamlet.  With all the parts played by 5 people.

Let me back up.  My daughter, who is attending UT-Austin, called and asked if I'd like to go see Hamlet Thursday night, and I needed to decide right then, because she needed to buy the cheap tickets right away while they were still available.  "Sure," I said, and she got tickets for herself and her SO and for her Dad and I. 

By the time the night arrived, both SO and Dad had to work late.  (A not uncommon occurrence.)  So she invited a couple she knows to join us.  Turns out ...