"Galveston, oh Galveston I still hear your sea winds blowing..." Written by Jimmy Webb

Wow, we had high temperatures ranging from 98° to 104° the entire two weeks we were in Houston and that humidity! Wish I could say we're leaving it behind but I'm not sure I see a break as we head north.

Always a fun time with the grandkids. Alexa had her "golden" 12th birthday, more swimming, sewing, shopping (girl shopping) and eating out (too hot to cook). We got to spend some alone time with each of the girls. Only regret? We didn't get a picture with everyone. 

Clara giggled,  "Grandma, just one problem, I don't know which is my left or right arm. Eric knew what to do, tap her correct arm to give the directions. 

Each team had a simple picture and they took turns trying to tell the blindfolded person how to draw it.

Relay teams tried to build the fastest Sundaes. Then they ate them. 

Alexa  wanted to make something from one of her new cookbooks.

sugar cookie truffles

I love Galveston. Nearly a perfect town in my book. No fault of the town itself, but a major downside is the summer weather, blazing HOT!!! This year was worse than most.  The gulf is also known for it's dirty looking water, thanks mainly to the silt deposited by the Misssissippi River. Just a few days a year, when the wind calms down for a few days in a row, does the silt settle enough to produce beautiful blue waters.

This mural was huge.  One of of the most beautiful I've seen on our travels. 

A trip to Houston is not complete without a stop here.

I did stop at La King's Confectionary and with great will-power I purchased just one truffle (toffee crunch). A perfect appetizer!

I'm cheap date. Pat had one of their specials. I just needed one $4 "Strand Fish Taco" with mangoes. Made my day. 

My "shoe boy."

There were at at least a dozen ships on the horizon waiting to get into the harbor. 

Home Cut donuts is another must stop. They make the best powdered sugar cake donuts I've ever had. I had a talk with myself and I was only going to get one.  Fortunately there was only one left!

I am feeling successful! I have completed the final project (2 quilts and a table runner) from the April MSQC Doan Girls Retreat. It's not perfect but ready to be quilted. 

Where are the Piepers now? Jefferson, TX

Instead of a 'hot' tub, they should have a 'cold' tub! !

Boogie board races! Emma and Lilah, on the right, look like they have a strategy.

Wow is it hot down here in Texas. A little cooler today (Sat.) with a high of 97° but that humidity! At 8 a.m. it's 85 but feels like 100°. We have Reflectix in all of the windows with shades drawn, insulating cushions in the vent and skylights, no oven use, and both a/c units running continously during the day to keep the temperature not quite 20° cooler than the outside. The most commonly heard phrase? "Go out quickly together and CLOSE THE DOOR!" 

We first went to Colton's when we lived in Arkansas. I can no longer have it, but their potato soup is the best. 

The Strawberry Pecan Salad was fabulous!

Not really sure what this was but it was huge and there were a lot of them at the Texas Welcome Center.

We stayed at a Core Of Engineers Campground near Little Rock, AR. With our America the Beautiful Pass it was only $14/night. Pinnacle Mountain S.P. was next door. Lots of trails we could have hiked but it was raining.

Pinnacle Mountain

Little Maumelle River

Getting close to finishing the second quilt top from the Doan Girls' Retreat from this past April. Two borders to go.

The RV Park we're at near our son's. It houses Pepe, one of the Seabrook Pelican sculptures.

The pool water was plenty warm.

Emma and Lilah are both in High School Marching Band. We attended the parents preview for the upcoming season performance. There are a LOT of very dedicated kids in this band group. The parents were invited to join the group and see just how much the kids had to learn. Then they gave it a try! 

 

Pat made another attempt at "dash" cookies.  They turned out better than the first attempt. At 104° the temperature on the dash was nearly 180°. It took 3 hours.

This time Pat learned he should start with freshly made cookie dough. We froze part of our last batch and he tried using that. He thawed it but it was still cold. Also, probably best to make smaller cookies.

Where are the Piepers now? Seabrook, TX