Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Bloomin' Time in Texas

If you read my last post you know we went to the Hill Country to celebrate Texas Independence Day.  The drive over from Victoria is a little under two hours, not a bad drive.  As a matter of fact it was delightful because the wildflowers are beginning to bloom all along the Texas roads.  (Thank you Lady Bird Johnson!!) 

Indian Paintbrushes
Buttercups


Bluebonnets
Texas State Flower
The bluebonnet may be the official symbol of our state when it comes to wildflowers, but when it comes to trees,  the Texas Mountain Laurel (Sophora secundiflora) is the poster plant. Although its growth rate is slower than molasses it is well worth the wait. The purple spring blooms leave the air laden with a heavy, grape bubble gum or grape Kool-Aid aroma.


When in the Hill Country we often stay with our good friends, Janie & Allen, at their beautiful villa on the Comal River in New Braunfels.    This visit to Villa Sartain was a delight to the eyes as their Texas Mountain Laurel trees where in bloom!!!!  Let's take a look around their beautiful property.
 Janie said the blooms only last for a few days so our timing was perfect!!!

It all starts at the entrance






and then continues down their
winding drive



Don't you feel like you are in Italy???






as you travel down the drive there are a few places to stop, relax
and enjoy the beauty that surrounds you






The property the Villa is built on is where
Allen's grandparents had their tiny rock cottage
on the Comal River

The Villa was built in a manner that surrounds and preserves the original cottage
There are three levels- the home is built on one level, with a second story yoga studio above the house 
and the cottage below the home.

........hard to explain but beautiful to see



Let's walk down the steps beside the Villa to the
cottage where we stay

enter here


entrance to stone cottage


There are four patios leading down to the river
Each one has a place to stop, relax and take in the view

the beautiful Laurel Trees follow you as you take the winding steps
down to the river




Spring in Texas, it's as fleeting
as a fading sunset




Enjoy....
take in it's beauty.....
It won't last long

...........in the blink of an eye we'll be basking
in a Texas summer


I'm partying over at-
and



4 comments:

  1. loved looking at the pictures, marsha--i've never been to texas. the flowers are so pretty:)

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  2. i just love Texas. My son moved there and I had a chance to see the blue bonnets and Indian paintbrush in bloom. I was in awe, so beautiful. I think about it constantly, wishing I was there right now. unfortunately I cannot grow them here in Ohio.

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  3. Hi Marsha,
    Oh, how I remember the blue bonnets when we visited there. I would walk several times a day in our campground and take in all that glory.
    Your friends villa is so beautiful. I know you must have enjoyed yourself in that surroundings.
    Thank you for sharing.

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  4. How beautiful all of the wildflowers are! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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