The season of Lent... a message from Dixie...

Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection and taking stock. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, the individual Christian imitates Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. All churches that have a continuous history extending before AD 1500 observe Lent.

As I am a Catholic, I observe Lent. Our Parish Priest encourages us to observe Lent by both giving up something (indulgences) and doing something for others (kindnesses). Each year, I try to do both. Another factor of the "giving up" during Lent, is that it is not appropriate to advertise to others what it is that you are giving up. It tends to diminish the purpose and to give adoration to oneself. I hope this post does neither...

Since I'm an avid blog poster, I thought it only fair to let you know that I'm reducing my blogging time to make way for other, more spiritual endevors that I've allowed to go by the wayside. I'll be here posting on Wordless Wednesday, and will continue to post weekly at my other blog, "So, God... Are You Listening?" Please feel free to comment here at anytime for either blog. See you on Wednesdays, Sundays and here and there until Easter. Have a blessed 40 Days of Lent.

See you soon down here in French Lique... Dixie

Wordless Wednesday - Mardi Gras and Ash Wednesday...

If you'd like to join Wordless Wednesday, here's what you need to do...

1. FIRST... Post your picture on your blog - today's subject(s) "Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday, Ash Wednesday" .
2. Add the Wordless Wednesday logo (on my sidebar) to your post so others know you're participating.
3. Add a link on you post back to French Lique. (You're directing traffic).
4. Add your permalink to your WW post and your name to Wordless Wednesday via Mr. Linky below. (you have to post first... then link).
5. Post a comment here...
6. Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants. (leave a comment for them so they'll be sure to come and visit you!)

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Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras'

Ash Wednesday

Blue Monday... How 'bout some pretty Blue Doors..

Please visit Miss Smiling Sally's Blog for more Blue Monday... this Monday and every Monday! Thanks Miss Sally... you're the hostess with the mostess!

Have a Happy Blue Monday... I'm not going to say anything else... I'm just gonna let you look...

Maybe I'll paint my front door a welcoming Periwinkle Blue down here in French Lique...

A colorful feast for the eyes... NOLA Mardi Gras...

I was searching the internet for some photos of New Orleans' Mardi Gras for my WW post this coming week. I found this photo (and many others), at the site linked below... some of the best photos of Mardi Gras I've ever viewed! If you'd like to see some really beautiful photography and the fabulous colors of New Orleans Mardi Gras, link below and visit...

http://www.asergeev.com/pictures/archives/compress/2006/505/03.htm

I haven't been to Mardi Gras in a long time... but I'm thinking of changing that... down here in French Lique...

Pink Saturday... my last Rodeo day and an award...

Thank you to Miss Beverly at How Sweet the Sound, who sponsors Pink Saturday every week. Please visit her blog and link to over 100 other participants who love pink and post it every Pink Saturday.

Saw this... Loved it... Bought it... Wore it... Turned it into an Award!

So don't forget to go over to my sidebar (or read my previous post) and pick up your award... that's right! Your award! You deserve it so just go right ahead and do it! Cowgirl Up!

This is the booth where I got my pink and tan boots last year... There they are! Right there on the bottom shelf... next to the pretty blue and tan... Hummmmmmm ... blue and tan boots... I'm likin' those too....
I loved this pretty pink purse... but had to pass it up, as I am currently overstocked on pretty purses and need to purge first... I frequently pass things up thinking... "if it's suppose to be mine I'll find it again..." and I usually do...
Lots of pretty Pink Cowgirl hats... but I've already got mine... just wanted you to see that Pink is everywhere at the Rodeo...
Bling-Bling... beautiful Pink belts with lots of silver and rhinestones... want one?
My favorite pink thing... this saddle... which matches my boots... Ricky reminded me that I no longer ride horses (arthritis), so a $1800 saddle was out of the question! LOL...
Hey, a cowgirl can dream can't she?

and my very favorite thing to EAT at the Rodeo... yep, I've already had it 3-times in the past two weeks... It's Pink! and it's yummy... full of carbs and calories... but hey... it's worth the splurge!

Yep...

delicious Pink Cotton Candy... yum!
Takin' a break from the party... down here in French Lique...

The Cowgirl Up Award, given by Dixie at French Lique, Texas

If you've got the Heart of a Cowgirl... Go ahead... take this award and proudly display it on your blog... a gift from Dixie to you!

"Cowgirl UP" Award

For Cowgirls, and girls with the Heart of a Cowgirl...

Be your own woman, make your own path, and take responsibility for who you are and what you do. Do what you gotta do and don't be scared. To step up to a challenge; to toughen up; to make something happen, as opposed to just complaining about it; taking charge of a situation.

Inspire, create, give of yourself, pass on the goodness of life.

If you are a Cowgirl, or you have the Heart of a Cowgirl, well then... Cowgirl Up! and show your Cowgirl pride!

Tablescape Thursday... afternoon coffee with KJ

Tablescape Thursday is hosted by one of my favorite decorating bloggers, Susan at Between Naps on the Porch...
If you'd like to see more Tablescape Thursday participants, visit Susan to see more beautiful tablescape posts today!

If you've visited here before, you know how much I love dinner time on the front porch... It's hard for me to pass up a comfortably cool sunny afternoon on the front porch... Today... afternoon coffee (decaf of course!) with my daughter... KJ...
My youngest daughter, KJ, loves china and lace... she's a very girlie-girl that loves to set the table for something special... or nothing special at all... While we both pick PINK as our favorite color... the vintage AQUA comes in a close second... Aren't those aqua napkins soooo pretty... and I found the ivory china napkin rings for 50-cents each at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago... perfect!

a few vintage pieces, mixed in with my Lenox Butterfly Meadow "Cloud" everyday china...
Doesn't this little salad plate remind you of Susan's Tablescape Logo?...

The dish is actually... get this...

Country Service Corp. Semi-Vitrious Dinnerware... Emerald... in the center.. a pretty white rose and rose buds...

and the Lenox Butterfly Meadow Cloud... (Lynne's post today has the color version of this china). I love the way my new aqua place mats have the scallop that mimics the china's scalloped edge...
My vintage coffeepot is Dogwood from Johnson Brothers England. I bought it 20 years ago in the Dallas area at one of my favorite antique malls... KJ's been trying to talk me into giving it to her for the past 3-years... Honey, it's in the will...
I love the Lenox matching coffee mugs... feminine and elegant!
and my centerpiece is a basket full of silk hydrangeas that I made a couple of years ago...
So if you're ever in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by for afternoon coffee or tea... Friends are always welcome down here in French Lique...

More info about Dr. David Carlton, DVM, Author, Entertainer...

David Carlton, D.V.M., holds a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from Texas A&M University. He has owned and operated veterinary hospitals for both large and small animals since 1976 and currently practices in Dallas at Bent Trail Animal Clinic.


Here's an excert from Hey Doc... you'll love it...

Hey Doc Story Preview

Dirt Poor
I knew Hoss O'Brien better than he knew himself. The feedlot farmer, who seemed unable to pull himself up from the depths of poverty, had called the clinic to report a problem with his cattle. "My cows don't look so good, Doc…they've been losin' weight."…

As I pulled around the house near the backyard, two of O'Brien's eleven kids stopped their wrestling long enough to wave to me.

"Hoss, where did the cattle here come from?" I asked.

"South Texas," he proudly said, "…and I got one hell of a deal, too."

After scanning the herd, it didn't take me long to realize he'd been 'taken'. Three depressed cows Hoss had pointed out were dying in a standing position. And the farmer said, "Whatdya think, Doc…are they sick?"

…As I checked each animal, I saw that even the healthiest cattle were showing symptoms of a disease. The O'Brien's cattle had Anaplasmosis.

"Now, Doc…tell us true…what's this ana-stuff?"

I said, "Hoss, they get poor blood, run high fevers, quit eating and drinking, turn yellow from bad livers…and die."

"But where does it come from?" he asked.

"It's spread from animal to animal by direct mechanical transmission."

Looking confused, Hoss said, "But, Doc…my pickup ain't been runnin' lately."

…find out the outcome in Chapter 14 of HEY DOC.

Dixie note: Notice the use of the word "Hell" when Hoss describes what kind of deal he got. Just thought I'd point that out for those of you that are thinking of having younger kids read these. Now I wouldn't have a problem with that word... kids hear lots worse on TV and amongst their friends, but thought you should know that they may run across a word or two that you might deem inappropriate for your kiddos.. of course, if you read to them, you can change the word to "Heck"...

Here's the link I promised... to Doc's Dallas Doc website.

you can email Doc at Dr.C@dallasdoc.net

If you order his books, you can request they be autographed and he'll be happy to do it! He is a Texas Gentleman Cowboy after all!

Just enjoying reading some great short stories from Doc, down here in French Lique...

Wordless Wednesday - Books (and authographed by the author at the Rodeo!)

If you'd like to join Wordless Wednesday, here's what you need to do...

1. Post your picture on your blog - today's subject "BOOKS" .
2. Add the Wordless Wednesday logo (on my sidebar) to your post so others know you're participating.
3. Add a link on you post back to French Lique. (You're directing traffic).
4. Add your permalink and your name to Wordless Wednesday via Mr. Linky below.
5. Post a comment here...
6. Visit other Wordless Wednesday participants. (leave a comment for them so they'll be sure to come and visit you!)

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"BOOKS"

People watching at the Rodeo and .... Wordless Wednesday...

Wordless Wednesday Mr Linky will be up early this evening... I'll be at the SA Rodeo with Ricky seeing Josh Turner... Have fun.. remember... Wednesday's word is ..... BOOKS!

Doing a little people watching at the Rodeo while shopping... These girls are probably country cowgirls... Note their straw hats... most Cowgirls know that you wear your felt hat to the rodeo...
These little teen-cowgirls had on the right hats and duds... but the one in shorts... probably a city cousin cowgirl... real cowgirls know you don't wear shorts with your cowgirl boots at the rodeo!

This gal is probably a city Cowgirl... you can't see it... but she was wearing high heel boots... not appropriate for Rodeo... too much cow and horse poop around the barns... gotta watch your step!

Baby Cowgirl and Cowboy... getting their picture taken while faux bull riding...

This sweet little cowgirl and her cowgirl Grandma were happy to pose for Dixie's blog! Thanks Ya'll! We're givin' Grandma Cowgirl a pass on the straw hat because she was workin' a booth at the Rodeo! Straw cowgirl hats ARE for workin'... Little Cowgirl had on her pink cowgirl boots but I didn't get them in the photo... dog-gone!

This old Brama Bull is a favorite for the young and old... we all like bull riding... These little city-slickers (note the tennis shoes) have Cowgirl potential... felt cowgirl hat!

I'll post some of the cowboys later this week... gotta get to work down here in French Lique!