Nursery-style detox

So I'm detoxing the house.

No, not 'nursery' as in baby's room, but as in 'place where there is an overage of plants' and that is now a potentially accurate description of my house.  But seriously, have you read any of this stuff about the chemicals and toxins in the air and how certain plants can remove them?  You are well aware that i'm a big fan of the magical chelating powers of cilantro -so it shouldn't be a surprise that I have a similar fervor now I have essentially found a cilantro for the house and the air we breathe.  Ahhh...

From another perspective, it might seem that I went a bit overboard on buying plants for the house... but whoever has that view probably has been inhaling too much benzene, formaldehyde or trichloroethylene... (or worse!) ewww.  I will readily admit that the 6 large plants and 3 massive hanging baskets (not to mention an assortment of smaller window sill type plants) drew some attention as I loaded up my car.

One last little heel clicking tidbit: NASA research (more here)which studied air quality as maintained in closed environments (such as space stations or - my home) shows that 87% of air toxins can be removed by plants within 24 hours.  Impressive. 

These little plants are earning their keep.  And I love hard workers.  I'll do my best to make them comfy, too.

7th Annual law dawg reunion

We had a great time in Galveston this year with the ole crew. Shorty, however, was not too enchanted with the beach. Pool, yes; waves, no Room- definitely. From the room we could see the waves, the beach and the mind-blowing truck! We even made some sand castles. Good times!

StayCay 2011

We had a magical week of doing all the wonderful things our great town has to offer but we never seem to find or take the time to pencil into our otherwise rushing and hectic lives.   Friday afternoon driving down MoPac from the office I felt a freedom I haven't felt in a long time.  I was on vacation and there was no packing, no schedule or plane to catch, no requirements or pressure, nothing to forget or accidentally leave behind... just me and my family and the 9 1/2 days ahead. We had a great weekend and starting Sunday afternoon, we surrendered any chores or tasks undone, unplugged the computers, put away our phones and really began to unwind.

We bought flowers for the house, we went on walks, we worked out together(!).  There were cocktails a with our 3 hour-long lunches and 2 hour long massages.  We shopped, went to the theater, watched a movie at home and had our morning coffee on South Congress with all the sounds of the bustle of the town around us and the people watching of (mostly visiting) people in our town.  We went to Zilker park and picnicked by ourselves and also with thousands of people.  We floated in the pool and let the Shorty play 'hooky' from the nanny and hang with Mom and Dad in the mornings and all day on Thursday and Friday.  We had a magnificent date night and I took the time to make a book for my kiddo which he is now carrying around with him like some kids carry around their blankie (which makes my heart swell).

More posts to come on our StayCay as it starts to wind down.  But frankly, bloggin is a favorite thing to do that I haven't had time to do lately so this is a fun nap-time thing.  I hope that as we re-enter regular life, we can incorporate more of our Staycation way of life into the everyday.  Great in theory... we'll see how it goes in practice.

The Zilker Zephyr

TICKETS FOR THE TRAIN

We arrived at 9:40 to get in line for the Zilker Zephyr train ride and patiently waited in the heat (yes, it was already sweltering). They finally finished working on the train and started selling tickets when... a dad standing in line (clearly annoyed) hollered to the rest of the line "out of tickets! humph. the first guy bought 40." The 10:00 train left at 10:15.




 
We'd come this far... so decided to stick around for the 11:00 train even though nap time was eminent. He played on the playground and before too long we were able to board the train. Which then had 'enegineering difficulties' so we waited another 15 minutes and the little monkey was no longer interested. Though he had happily waved and clapped as the first train left the station and we were blowing our wooden train whistle all morning... he was wiggly and not interested in the train any longer.

 

FINALLY LEAVING THE STATION

By 11:15, we finally left the station (hooray!!)

What's all the excitement about??  (Me thinks his face says it all )

SACKED OUT


1/3 the way through the ride: naptime!!

He barely roused his sleepy, heavy eyes to see Woody: the guitar-playing, harmonica-brandishing mainstay of Zilker and Town Lake Trail

SLEEPY LITTLE BUDDY

Clearly wore the little fella out. He slept through: the rest of the ride, exiting the train, waiting at the park, getting in and out of his car seat back home.

Datenight

Cocktail hour at the Steven F with a lovely breeze (it's been ages since I've been here!!) followed by a delicious steak dinner at Perry's

Who are these people?!?

...and what happened to my parents?

Fun at the Zoo

We actually managed to arrive 20 minutes early (!) and patiently waited  (and actually had fun) in the parking lot before the Zoo to opened.  Yes, we were the first in line to get our tickets.

These giant turtles were intriguing but a bit intimidating, too.

The Lions were facsinating and one in particular (who were were able to be quite close to) was not having a very good day and growled in a low echo-y grumble with an occasional roar.  The monkeys were also quite entertaining and several showed an interest in our little monkey... which worked out beautifully.

this little video was on our way to the zoo.  good times:

(apologies for my pointy elbow on the left)

Blues on the Green

Wednesday night: the season opener of Blues on the Green and a nice shady spot to watch Bob Schneider along with some BBQ and plenty of water bottles, sprayers and space to run.  We're pretty sure the Shorty is running for office of some sort as he was waving at strangers and making friends and fans left and right.

Kate and Mitch joined us as it cooled down.  Bob opened with one of my favorite new songs: "Let the Light In" ...which the Shorty and I danced and swayed to as the sun set over Zilker.  Beautiful night.

Pet the Kitty

Harmony in the house with all the small creatures happily co-exisiting.

Wish You Were Here

Cheers from the Driskill

Belvedere Martini up, dirty and wet. 3 blue cheese stuffed olives. with lunch.

after an hour and a half of yoga class: both vinyasa flow and wall yoga.

Mmmmmm....

Happy Monday!

And Roses for the House

Nothin' like a couple dozen roses to spruce up the casa

Family portrait

Getting ready for the big pic! Recreating the 2004 portrait (at the bottom)