Bell Shop Helper

I forgot to mention in my last post that we added a new helper to the bell shop.

 This is Sheila. We adopted her from the county shelter, where I volunteer. Actually, she wandered onto our property one rainy day, but wouldn't come to us when she called. She ran off but turned up a couple of days later in the shelter. I figured it was meant to be. She is a very nice dog, well trained, afraid of thunder and gun shots (not a good thing out here in the country), good with our grandkids, hardly ever barks. For the first several days with us, she didn't shed at all. But, as soon as I think she decided we were going to keep her - POW - she began to shoot hair off her body and hasn't stopped since.  I vacuum every day. We think she is a Healer (she has that "Bentley" mark on her head and eye make up (one eye heavier than the other!)
She is good at chasing squirrels and deer - things that keep our shop safe.

Happy Holidays

November came and went without me posting. But we had a restful Thanksgiving. Ate too much. Weather was nice. Today, things appear to be changing. In fact, it is pretty cool outside.

We have been busy with a few things other than bells.

We moved our boat, Hey Jude, from Lake Travis to Clear Lake Shores. The eventual goal is to get to Rockport, but we transported her to Clear Lake first to have some work done. Our plan was to have all work done and be able to navigate over to Rockport by Thanksgiving.

 Unfortunately, the boat hauler was perhaps not paying attention and drove under a low hanging tree just before getting to the marina in Clear Lake. Looks like a single branch caught the upper deck railing and twisted it up badly. So, now along with the planned upgrades, we are having to deal with insurance companies and a local person to repair the railings.
Poor boat.

Here is a picture of just one corner of the railing. Looks like a little tornado

just danced around on the upper deck of the boat. 

I have also become a steward for a Little Free Library. If you aren't familiar with this concept, it is simply the old "take a book, leave a book" idea that you have probably seen at resorts or coffee shops where you can borrow a book or exchange a book for one you are finished with. Little Free Library is actually a non-profit organization. Any person can build a library in any style, use a newspaper stand, recycle a piece of furniture, etc for their structure. Then the steward initially puts books inside and gets the word out to neighbors to come borrow and donate books. I will monitor it regularly to make sure books stay in good condition. 

Because we live off of a private road, placing the library near our front gate wouldn't work, so instead, it is located less than a mile away in front of PoPo Restaurant (the only business close by). It is on the road that all local residents pass on their way to Boerne or San Antonio, so it is convenient. PoPo's has been around for many years and is a very popular place for people to drive to from other nearby towns to eat. Plus lots of biking groups meet there before starting their rides. So, my hope is that it will be well used. 

                       That's me shaking hands with the Popo Restaurant owner, Sam Bournias. Our friend and now adopted family member, Kelly (who some of you have met), was the builder. It's painted to match the rock work and trim of PoPo's. 

If you are interested in finding out more about this concept, just "google" Little Free Libraries and lots of information will come up.

We have started getting Christmas orders and have even started getting those orders completed. I will take some pictures of Santa's elves in the shop and post them!!

October 2016

October finds us getting ready for the Huffines Art Trails Show. Here is the link to get all of the info:

                                             http://www.huffhinesarttrails.com/

Last year, the show was cancel due to a Texas Monsoon. So, it will have been two years since we have seen many of you. I think it is supposed to be cold, so bring your jackets!!

If you need something special regarding a bell/bells, email us quickly so we can get it ready to bring.

Just an update - we have moved our boat from Lake Travis to the coast. More on that story when you stop by and see us at the booth.

AND.... guess who stopped by our property this week? The Monarch butterflys. Apparently they like us and 50 of them have been roosting in the live oaks out in the front yard of The Big House. They have been there since Thursday of last week (13th).  It has been great watching them flutter around out there. My pictures aren't great, but here are a couple.

                                         Sorry - this one was taken at night with my phone.

Ok, that's it for now. See some of you this next weekend!!

First Fall Show Coming Up!

We took a short break and visited friends in Pacific Grove, CA. The weather was beautiful as was the coastline. Saw otters and seals; no whales.








Now we are back and getting ready for our
trip to Midland for Septemberfest. It is always a
good show, nice customers and the museum folks treat the
artists very well.

If you are a reader who is planning to attend this show and you want something specific - a  6 or 7 dot bell or a personalized sail - email or call us by Tues if possible. We can try to accommodate you.

End Of Summer

First, let me say that The Rockport Art Show was great. The weather wasn't bad. Hot but not miserable. The show has a new director and he did a bang up job. All went smoothly, sales were good and we were once again located next to Joey and Paula Blazek from Beaumont. Besides Joey being this year's poster artist, they are just very nice people.
We managed to sample the meals at several great restaurants and checked out one of the marinas for a possible new home for our boat!

Back at home, we have survived the mini drought and then the wonderful rains. Weather gets weirder and weirder. We have had one "norther" and are expecting another? In August? Crazy.

Next up on the bell agenda will be Septemberfest in Midland in mid September. I think the museum grounds are back to being able to be used again after their refurbishment. I'll post again about the show.

Finally, for those of you who have followed our personal life and know about our boat adventures and plans.... I am going to wake up that other blog listed in out "links" - A Relevant Life. I started that blog early in my retirement which coincided with the purchase of Hey Jude, our trawler. Lots of plans have come and gone, but we now have made a big kick start to a  commitment to her and to ourselves.  She is going to leave her home at Lake Travis and be transported down to the Texas coast.
If you want to know more, make your way over to that other blog and I will fill you in.

ROCKPORT - Be There or Be Square!!

What a great way to celebrate the 4th of July!

Come to Rockport and visit this art show. We hope to see all of our regular customers. Dress cool cause it is always hot.

We are very excited that our regular artist neighbors Joey and Paula Blazek will be our neighbors again. However, more importantly to know.... Joey is this year's poster artist of the show!!

We are working hard to be able to leave early and enjoy Thursday night in Rockport.
If you are reading this and thinking you want a 6 dot bell, email or call us and make sure we reserve one for you.

We Told You So!

Just to make sure you were paying attention when we warned you about those darned yellow jackets. This bell hangs on the side porch of The Big House on our property.  I looked up inside this bell this morning and this is what I saw.

So.... be careful out there!!