New lens + Hill country

I am completely in hog heaven with my new lens. Yes. Here was my first snap.



Got it just in time to capture some of our adventures to the Hill country with dear friends.



We were a happy bunch. [Kerbey Lane on our way through Austin]




We enjoyed lots of porch time at the B&B, strolled, shopped and soaked up time away. And ate like kings.  And saw Texas Hill country critters near and far.




Thankful.
sk

Our Christmas Log

Meet Caga Tio, our dear Christmas log.

After studying for a semester in Barcelona, I brought home this miniature version of the traditional Catalan holiday figure. He has a great spot on our mantle.

Have you ever seen one of these?

Hilarious.

Caga Tio {wikipedia knows all the good details}

Beginning with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), one gives the tió a little bit to "eat" every night and usually covers him with a little blanket so that he will not be cold at night.

On Christmas day or, depending on the particular household, on Christmas Eve, one puts the tió partly into the fireplace and orders it to "poop" (the fire part of this tradition is no longer as widespread as it once was, since many modern homes do not have a fireplace). To make him "poop", one beats him with sticks, while singing various songs of Tió de Nadal.

The tió does not drop larger objects, as those are brought by the Three Wise Men. It does leave candies, nuts and torrons. Depending on the part of Catalonia, it may also give out dried figs. When nothing is left to "poop", it drops a salt herring, a head of garlic, an onion or "urinates". What comes out of the tió is a communal rather than individual gift, shared by everyone present.

The Catalans have a great sense of humor :)

10 - 10 - 10

It was a beautiful quiet Sunday morning.

A perfect day to get our Nashville trip booked.

Charleston

While sightseeing in the coolest of the cool residential streets of Charleston, right along the water, we couldn't get over the plants that decorate the early 1800s homes. Well we couldn't get over the homes either. But really, the plants are like icing on the cake--beautiful, enormous, historically significant cakes.
Take a stroll down the historic Waterfront street with me.

And yes, you're in a horse-drawn carriage.


Window boxes overflowing with vitality and color!



Lush vegetation.


Giant live oaks that tell stories of the Revolutionary War and the decades they have survived.

It was July fourth and quite special to be in one of the oldest cities in America. The official beginning of the Civil War happened across the water from where we stood--at Fort Sumter in 1860.



What a gift to get to see this special city.