Our Texas Journey - Year One




"How did it get so late so soon? 
Its night before its afternoon. 
December is here before its June. 
My goodness how the time has flewn. 
How did it get so late so soon?"
-- Dr. Seuss 


Hunt, TX



When we arrived here in Texas 13 months ago I had all sorts of plans to blog about our adventure. Somehow, that didn't happen. Time slipped through my fingers and the plans I had for more writing never materialized. 

How did it get so late so soon?

After a year in Texas I can say this:
I like Texas just fine, thank you very much. 
I like Texans and their accents. 
I like Texans' friendliness, warmth and hospitality. 
I like how easy it is to make friends with Texans. 
I like the Texas climate and the culture and the food (from BBQ to German to Tex-Mex and everything in between). 
I like the Texas ranches and the history and the patriotism and the love of God and family. 
I like the fact that "Texas has no rules" as my son said when I sent him this photo.

Wow! There are no rules in Texas.

 That's right. No rules.


July 4th, 2018 Parade - Comfort, TX

I like the wildflowers in Texas. No, I LOVE the wildflowers in Texas. One of the first wildflowers to show up in spring, Bluebonnets are a big deal here, they're the official state flower, and they bloom a long time.


A nearby field awash in purple in late March.





Still visible the end of April



Soon after the Bluebonnets make their appearance a plethora of other wildflowers join them -- all along the highways and byways. Unfortunately, I can't tell you their names. Maybe I'll come to know them in time.







Not knowing the names of the wildflowers doesn't make them any less glorious.
















Even the cactus join the performance.


It's as if they just can't help themselves. They simply have to bloom.


Every flower reminds me of its Creator. I have no doubt of God's existence when I see nature.

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:1-4




For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, 
so that men are without excuse.
Romans 1:20


I thank God that I have eyes to see the beauty of His creation.

I also thank Him for His answer to our prayers. We are in contract on a home, and if everything goes as we hope it will this cute little house will be ours on May 30.



I can hardly wait to share this next chapter in our journey with you (God willing). Thanks for stopping by (and for all your sweet comments and emails).

Hugs,








45 comments

  1. So good to hear from you, Nancy. I'm looking forward to your next adventure!

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  2. Oh, I feel as though I've had a visit from a good friend who I had not heard from in a long time (although you don't know me at all!). I enjoyed your post greatly.
    Thank you for the lovely pictures - what beautiful flowers. Best wishes on house purchase.
    I enjoyed your use of 'plethora'! The manager of our soccer field concession stand uses the word plethora in her public address announcements of items available at the stand. It makes youth soccer players stop and question "what does plethora mean?" This season she was gifted with a T-shirt that has the word 'Plethora' written across the back!!

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    1. Oh, Jan, I love the manager's t-shirt. 'Plethora' is such a great word; I like to use it whenever I can. It just rolls off the tongue. :) Thanks for taking the time to leave your kind comment. It's great making new friends. Hugs.

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  3. Welcome to Texas, Miss Nancy!’ My name is Lucy and you have a lovely blog with a very beautiful name!! The word joy and derivatives thereof are my favorite words and who doesn't love the word cottage?! The whole phrase brings to mind a comfortable, relaxing place in which to live and love! Its so exciting to hear you will soon be doing just that in your lovely new home, of should I say cottage?!! Ott beautiful, Nancy and I understand how anxious you are to get moved in and settled because I, too, am moving back to Texas and into my new apart on June 8th! I'm so please you love it in Texas! It's wonderful here! So many good, hard working people. I had lived in Texas for 23 years when my husband and I moved to Montreal, Canada! We've been there 2 years and are coming back home now...finally! I've missed my 3 grown chi and my 7 grandchildren and its time to return to warmth and sunshine!!!
    Good luck to you with your move and please keep moving forward with hour blog! I can't wait to see your Joyful Cottage Home!!♥️

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    1. Lucy, thank you so much for this sweet comment. It's a pleasure to meet you. The word "joy" is a favorite in our household. It was the theme of our marriage 9 years ago. Wow, moving to Canada after living in Texas for 23 years must have been a huge change. Coming back to your children and grandchildren will be bliss. Our kids are scattered all over the country, and we decided to choose a place where we really wanted to be, and then the kids will just have to come and visit us. Hah! Since our grandchildren are nearly grown it's much easier to make a choice like that. I wish you all the best in your move back to Texas. I agree that it's a "wonderful" place to live. Hugs.

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  4. Nancy, it's been SO LONG since I've seen you! You have certainly made some huge changes in your world, but isn't that FUN????

    Wishing you the very best as you prepare for another journey of home-making; this is a darling little house that I know you'll shape into a warm and loving home. Blessings!

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  5. Oh how wonderful to read this post from you. Look forward to reading/seeing more from you.

    Love, hugs & prayers, FlowerLady

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  6. Nancy! So glad to hear from you! What a darling cottage! I have Texas roots on my dads side of the family, and I love visiting Texas. I could live there!

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    1. It's funny how many people in other states have Texas roots. And how many younger folks leave only to come back "home" before long. The roots do run deep. I'm glad we made this change. We enjoy Texas so much. Thanks for stopping by, Deanna. Hugs.

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  7. Hello sweet friend. So happy to see your post today. Welcome Back! I enjoy your adventurous spirit with moving and finding a whole new climate and change of life. That sweet little house looks so cute. I cannot wait to see what you do with making it your home.
    Hugs,
    Kris

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  8. Hearing from you has made my day! My sweetheart and I were just talking about your a day or two ago!! We are planning some days in the Wallowa area this summer - finally! Of course it would have been even better if we had done that while you were there, dear friend. So glad to hear that you are doing well and I can't wait to see your new home and how you make it yours.
    ~Adrienne~

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  9. Hi Nancy,
    Good to see your post today.
    I am so excited to see your new cottage. I know your green thumb and creative ways will have this your Home Sweet Home.
    Carla

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  10. Nancy, I am so happy you have found a place you like and that sweet cottage. I pray everything goes well with the closing. I do hope you will share your decorating and fixing up with us. I miss hearing from you. Hugs and best wishes. Debbie

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  11. So good to hear from you Nancy! The wildflowers there are absolutely wonderful! Many look like what where around everywhere when I lived in The Dalles, Oregon 20 years ago.. very hot climate of course. I was wondering if you'd found a little cottage again to make into your home.. and so glad to see you have! I hope it all works out fine and you will have the joys of making it sweet and warm and homey like you always do! I agree..... the last year has disappeared and sometimes I even wonder what happened to 2017! I'm looking forward to more blogging from you on your next journey/adventure! Hugs... Marilyn

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  12. I just signed up for your blog and I have to tell you, I love it. Have fun with your Texas adventure. Looking forward to reading more posts.
    Take care,
    Marian

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    1. Thank you so much, Marian, for following along, and especially thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I love it when I get a chance to meet a new reader. Have a great week! Hugs.

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  13. A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E.!!!! I can't wait!!!!

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    1. Thanks, Ann. I'm excited about the move, and about regularly blogging again. I've missed all my blogging fiends. Hope to see you here often. Hugs.

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  14. Yep. You've got Texas down to a "t". I love the little cottage. It's just the kind of house I would buy. Hope the little house will be yours and that you go wild with nature. Fields of flowers. Wild. Unruly. Gorgeous. Can't wait to hear more.

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  15. Nancy, So happy to find a post from you today. Lovely pictures. I am happy you found a place where your heart can sing amidst the beautiful wildflowers and long days filled with sunshine and amazing Texans, and great food. After growing up in the CA bay area and spending the better half of my life in CA and then WA state it was a breath of fresh air to move to the South. I have never in my life met friendlier folks who go out of their way to help each other. And to not live in what felt like day in and day out rain and gray skies. Ahh, I only wish I had left the PNW and West coast years ago. And like Texas, here in the Appalachian mountains, were not bombard with a ba-jillion regulations, rules and laws. I love to go to the gas station and see someone on their horse and a gun on their holster, as were an open carry state. A church on every corner, low crime, lovely folks, amazing weather. I know just what you feel like. And that little white house is darling. How many sq ft? I am happy for you and Dennis. God bless you both. I believe that house is yours.

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  16. I have missed you so much. So happy you like Texas and cannot wait to here more about your house when you get it.

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  17. So so so good to visit you again. And so thankful a sweet cottage has been found.
    Blessings,
    Sherry

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  18. What a joy to a peek of this lovely Texas life!! LOVED the scriptures <3!!! And can't wait to see that adorable house. Hope all goes well with the closing!!! Great to hear from you!!~tammy

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    1. Thanks so much, Tammy. God has brought us thus far and we're trusting Him to complete this house transaction so we can step into the next phase of our life and whatever He has in store for us. Hugs.

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  19. Well it sounds like you've been enjoying life to the fullest in your lovely new home state, Nancy. The house is just adorable and super charming. I wish you and Dennis all the best in your new place and I can't wait to peek inside. Hoping you'll share all your decorating with us!!

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  20. Can't wait to hear/see that cottage become home! ♥️

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  21. I am so happy to find this post! I just happened to be going down my list of blogs that I follow and there was this new post from you. Not sure why I didn't get it by email, but I am just so happy that I got it! So nice to catch up with you and see what you are all doing. It looks like a fabulous place to live and I can't wait to see what you do with that cute little house. xoxo

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  22. Oh, those flowers! The colors and the abundance. I'd be picking them everyday (no rules about picking, is there?)

    I have often thought of you as we drove through La Grande, OR. I think you had a booth at the Senior Center that I was going to visit, one time, but didn't. Regrets!!

    Happy that you have found "home" in Texas.

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  23. There is nothing like our Good Ole Texas wild Flowers :-)
    Blessings from North Texas
    https://faithandfamily3.wordpress.com/

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    1. Hello and welcome. I love the name of your blog!

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  24. OH, it was so wonderful to see a post from you, dear friend! I have missed you and hearing about your adventures. I LOVE the precious, little house you are going to be moving into. I can't wait to see how beautiful you have it decorated and fixed up. You will have it looking like a dollhouse in no time. So grateful for God's leading in your life and to know you are so happy in Texas. Many continued blessings to you!

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  25. Super cute! I hope all goes well! Sometimes you need a change of scenery! xoxo Su

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  26. I'm so glad you are settling into your new state! I'm not sure I could do the heat of Texas, but I sure would love the wildflowers!!

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  27. Nancy, it's great to get your update! I'll admit... reading of your new-found love for my native state made me a bit homesick. You certainly captured its beauty in the people, lawlessness, and wildflowers. I'm happy you found a new little cottage to make your own. It will be fun following along on the journey.

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  28. So nice to see you're back ! The house is adorable!! Hope it goes fine with transactions. Those flowers are wonderful! Have a wonderful weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Angela. We are packing and getting ready for the move. If it doesn't work out we'll be homeless. Haha! Thanks for the visit. Take care! Hugs.

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  29. Love your blog-one of the first I discovered-I love love this house!!!! Love Texas also!!! Prayers!!!!

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    1. Aw, thanks for the encouraging words Brenda. Isn't Texas the best? We love it here! Your prayers are appreciated. Thank you! Hugs.

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  30. I was thinking of you this past week"" welcome back"" :) :) Nancy and thank you for sharing your beautiful pictures May God bless your new Home
    nelly

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    1. Thanks, Nelly! It's so nice to know you've been thinking of me. I appreciate that! Hugs.

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  31. Hi, Nancy,

    Lovely to stop here and see two new (to me) posts! I hope you are happily settling in to your sweet new home. I know it will be adorable under your influence. I'm glad you're enjoying Texas... and those wildflowers! Amazing.

    Wishing you joy,
    Anne

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Your comments bring me joy! Thanks for stopping by.