Omni

Caitlin in our giant suite at the Omni Hotel in Austin, TX

Austin Farmer's Market

It's apparent to any one who looks at my blog that I love taking photos at farmers markets. This one in downtown Austin, TX has gotten so big since I have lived there. The city is growing so much!
All this despite the 100 degree heat.

Happy Dogs

A couple of really cute, happy dogs trying not to get too hot at the Austin Farmers Market in Austin, TX.

Balcony

Emily on our balcony on the 17th floor of the Omni Hotel in Austin, TX. We had our own special elevator.
Reflection of the cars below.

Looking south towards 6th street.
East towards I-35.

Bright Jewels

Cactus Bright Jewels Zinnia that I grew in my garden myself.

Details

Some pretty touches in our room at the Hyde Park Inn in Austin, TX.

Signage

Street sign, burlap coffee sack, and construction in Austin, TX.

Sapling

A little tree growing in Barton Creek in Austin, TX.

Dragonfly

Our sunflower forest attracted quite a menagerie this year, this little dude among them.

Mockingbird

I saw this little guy when I went on a walk with my camera (can't remember why).

Greenbelt

Pics of Thomas hiking on the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin, TX. We parked at the 360 trail head and tried (unsuccessfully) to find Sculpture Falls.
But we found a nice overlook and some pretty wading spots anyways.

Trellis

Plant growing up a trellis at Hyde Park Inn in Austin, TX.

Party Aftermath

This is how girls trash a hotel room.
Here it is, unmitigated proof that I have not lost my ability to party like a rock star in a hotel room with no less than three balconies.
And yes, I remain adept at putting my hands up in the air, and waving them like I just don't care.
In other, sadder news, this was the weekend I was forced to admit that I can no longer party as hard as my little sister.
Room courtesy of the Omni Austin. How we pulled off this upgrade I still have no idea.
Fun courtesy of Caitlin, Katelyn, Emily, and I.

Hyde Park Inn

Two weekends ago, Thomas and I check ourselves in to the beautiful Hyde Park Inn Bed and Breakfast. I used to live in Hyde Park and love the neighborhood, but have never stayed here on vacation. The house was just gorgeous and the price was right too! Our room was small, wood-paneled and balconied, and very, very comfortable.
It overlooked the pool. Thomas was still nursing his ankle sprain, a nice cool soak helped a lot at the end of the day.
That's our balcony.
Breakfast was served daily in the elegant dining room underneath us.
Fancy!
Breakfast was granola with berries and angel-food cake and some sort of egg-cheese-tortilla bake. There are so many places I love eating in Austin I expect yumminess and our kind hostess did not disappoint. She was very careful to have vegetarian options for us as well.
The formal sitting room contained many elegant, breakable things. They let us stay there anyways, which I though was sweet. In addition to all of the pretty things this room also contained a bowl of Hershey's Kisses, so it was pretty much my favorite place.
What great old home would be complete with out a great old porch? That's a very comfy swing, by the way.
Too hot right now to make much use of the outdoor dining table but I bet some great meals have been had here. I love old houses and this one is just stunning. The proprietors should really be commended on how much love they've given this place. We'd definitely go again.

Summer Nights

This is what my girls like to do in the evenings when it's not so hot outside.

Knot In The Sand

For anchoring boats on the black sand of Anse Chastenet, St Lucia.