Stargrazer Ranch

The reception was held at the Stargrazer Ranch. This is the Leach family ranch (bride's parents) that is around the corner from the church - just minutes away from Schulenberg, Texas.

This is probably one of the most beautiful receptions I've ever been to. The ranch sits on many acres. In addition to a large tent, the family home and barn were also used for mingling and visiting with family and friends.

Upon arriving at the ranch, we were greeted by a three piece Texas Swing band that was playing all of the classics.


We enjoyed cocktail hour while having many delicious appetizers. The weather was perfect and the ranch was just beautiful! At some point, they rang the dinner bell and we all made our way to the tent. Oh my - it was SO beautiful inside. Our six were seated at the 'squirrel' table with Jeff's cousin. I was breaking my neck to try and see everything that was in this portable reception building. First of all, it was air conditioned and had wood floors. There were so many beautiful flowers. Everywhere - hanging from the ceiling, on the tables, on the couches - everywhere you looked more beautiful flowers. And the food - oh my! It was done in a buffet style with many different stations. Beef tenderloin, salad area, fresh veggies and mushrooms being sauteed right when you asked. Crab cakes being made while you waited, oh - it was ALL so so so good. All of our kids ate caviar too. This was offered at the avocado bar - where you got a half of pitted avocado and you could dress it with any of the sides that were available! It was so so so good!

Queen of Painted Churches

The beautiful wedding was held at the 'Queen of Painted Churches' St. Mary's Catholic Church in High Hill, Texas. This church is truly breath taking. The church was blessed in 1906 and the final decoration artwork, wall decorations and ceiling decorations were completed in 1912. What a beautiful background for a wedding!

I Thee Wed

This weekend was the big wedding weekend for the Carr Family. Our dear Chris married his love Margot in a beautiful, elegant, country wedding. I have SO much to blog about this weekend that I don't know where to start.

I'll start with my Carr kids. I am SO proud of all four of them! They were all so well behaved and well mannered. They were perfect for me as I was alone in getting them ready for the rehearsal dinner and wedding. They were perfect in the church and when meeting all of the family and friends. And to top it off, they all looked great!

Big thank you's to Liz and Terry for letting us borrow a suit, a dress, and some cowgirl boots! Love you girls!

Halloween Fun

Another great night of Halloween fun. Started the night on Yandall at the big party. All of the usual suspects with delicious food and the very best of friends. Then for a walk through their 'hood to get the loot! After a while, we came back to our 'hood to see what the neighbors had to offer! Fun was had by all!



We have this family tradition of sorting and swapping candy as soon as we get home. We also let them eat as much candy as they want this one night of the year. #1 said that he wasn't feeling well when he went to bed. I'm thinking they will ALL need to eat LOTS AND LOTS of veggie tomorrow! :)

Strong Women

I have been thinking a lot lately about our family legacy. As I spent the last nine days with my grandmommy, her three daughters (my mom and aunts) and their grown daughters (my cousins), I was constantly aware of the similarities between each of us. My grandmommy is the person responsible for these things. The gifts that she has given each of us are far too many to name. Some of these gifts include strong faith in God, unconditional love of family, open mindedness, love of self, strength to overcome tough situations and the desire to always put family first.

I overheard my Aunt Marcella say on more than one occasion "I could have never done this without my sisters and my girls." And even though my grandmommy is fighting that horrible Alzheimer monster, she is still able to express concern for her children when they are in need - in this case, it was my aunt losing her husband.

My grandmommy instilled in each of us the 'I CAN DO ANYTHING' attitude. She loved her family, took care of her husband, worked hard and still had time to help her neighbor.

Although it was under a sad and stressful situation, I feel so fortunate to have been able to spend this last week with the women in my family. I was able to watch them all love each other and take care of each other (and me too) - with no questions asked. What a beautiful group of women.

I am so thankful!

P.S. The only thing that could've made it better is if you were with us too Niecie! We missed you!!!

About Funeral Processions and Cemeteries

The funeral for my Uncle Freddie was yesterday. It was REALLY nice and very sweet. Here are some things that I noticed about funeral processions and cemeteries...

1. It seems like I never see people in Austin stop their cars in respect when a funeral procession is driving by. If the city folk do stop, it might only be for the hearse. And if the road had a median, they certainly will not stop.

In Missouri, practically everyone (including 18 wheelers) stopped on the side of the road and sat there until the whole line of cars has passed. The funeral procession drove about 30 miles from Cabool, Missouri to Licking, Missouri. It was a really nice drive where we went past his home with my aunt and his parent's house. The funeral director came to every car and requested headlights and hazard lights be turned on. There were a few times when we would be going over a hill that I could see the long line of cars in front and behind. I wish I would have gotten a picture of it. What a great tribute to Freddie.

2. #4 and I spent sometime walking around the Boone Creek cemetery. This is a small town cemetery that was established in the early 1800's. (wow) It is maintained and owned by the Boone Creek Baptist church (right next door). I took pictures of a few headstone because they moved me. There were so many more to look at, but not enough time.


Notice that the couple was married 72 years when the husband died. Isn't that amazing. 72 YEARS!!! I would love to know them. I would love to talk to their kids (assuming that they had some). What a beautiful thing. And they both lived to be almost 100! So cool.


I was really struck by this headstone. The first thing I noticed was the photo. A lot of the headstones in this old country cemetery have black and white photos mounted on them. This young man was pretty attractive. Then I noticed that he was only 21 when he died in Vietnam. My heart hurt for his family. For his mother. How sad. I wonder if the small town of Licking mourned his loss and came out to support his family. I am aware that there are soldiers coming home to be buried everyday. I wonder how it is different now than it was 30 years ago.


This is the headstone that got me to walking around the cemetery. When the funeral procession drove into the cemetery, we pasted this headstone and it caught my eye. After the graveside service, #4 and I took some time to walk around and find it again. I love its simplicity. I love how it so beautifully says 'His wife'. I forgot to take a picture of the back. It said 'their children' and listed out four or five names. It is so so so old, but looks so well taken care of.


And lastly - a little funny from my funny #4. We are standing back watching all of the people at the tent. Lots of family, hugs, love, kind words, and caring moments. And #4 says, 'This would be a great place for my next birthday party.' 'We can hang my pinata in that forest behind the tent.' So naturally I had to take a picture of what he was seeing. It was a wide open place. Lots of people hugging and loving. Beautiful weather, beautiful family time - why not go ahead and plan a birthday party here too!! Oh my sweet sweet angel!

Things I Don't See in Texas

Got home this morning. So so so tired. Had very limited access to my friend the computey while I was gone. Everyday I thought of multiple things to blog about. Now they have all gone from my head. I'll start with this though...

Things I don't really see in Texas -

1. Liquor store auction on a Sunday (or ever for that matter). Two lane country road and a shack of a store. Aunt Marcella said that the proprietor had a heart attack and died. All of his stuff went to auction. Tables and tables of liquor. Real live auctioneer. "One give me one give me now two I say two give me three I hear 5 from the drunk in the corner..." ha ha ha

Kids running all over the yard. Hot dog cart in the driveway. And rows and rows of booze. My cousin Codi and I did the drive by (oh no you didn't just drive past my sale) and I had her (the Baptist preacher's wife) hang out the window to take the pictures. :) Of course, they were all staring at us. Some even calling out to her and saying lovely things like "take my picture baby, I'll smile!"

After taking a few pictures, she says "Kathy! Drive. I know these people! Really!!!" ha ha.





2. Logger trucks. We went past a handful of saw mills. Many of my family members have worked in a mill. It is truly something to see these giant 18 wheelers driving down two lane country roads. Then to drive past the mill and see the stacks and stacks and stacks of lumber. I wish I would have stopped to take a picture of one of them so that you could see. It seems like something from a day gone by. But it is real and still happening.



3. Leaves. Especially where we live (Central Texas) there are very few places where you can see the beautiful changing of the seasons with every fall color you can imagine. It is almost impossible to describe the beautiful leaves in the Ozarks. Don't get me wrong, our trees are pretty - and I love Texas, but man-o-man, the rolling hills of trees as far as you can see with so many colors.