my candle obsession

does anyone else out there burn candles, well...almost religiously? i must say, that is my one absolute essential. not only can it make your place smell extraordinary, but it really transforms a house into a home.

a brand that i have stood by for years is tyler candles, which is still one of my favorites, but i have found two new brands that will knock your socks off!

the first, fredericksburg candle company, is manufactured by a company that i just love, fredericksburg farms. these candles burn so well that your entire house will smell of aromatic bliss for HOURS! the wax in these things has some high potency, which is what i prefer. many scents to choose from, but my favorites are west texas saddle leather (it's phenomenal), hill country conifer (so clean and therapeutic), and texas cowboy coffee (you'll feel like you're at a campfire.)



i have also been introduced to comfort candles courtesy of ranch at the rim and they are to die for! they're a bit of a luxury candle, but they are so worth it!! they are made right down the road in comfort, texas (as i should mention that all three brands are texas products.) once again, i won't buy a candle that won't burn strong, and these definitely last. my favorite scents in this line are red currant and spring rain...they are both fantastic lit next to a hot bubble bath with this song playing in the background!



candles comprise that small piece of life known as simple pleasures. i insist that you have something in your life that costs little or nothing, but just makes you feel good!

we must support our troops!

my mom passed this along to me:
john gebhardt's wife, mindy, said that this little girl's entire family was executed. the insurgents intended to execute the little girl also, and shot her in the head...but they failed to kill her. she was cared for in john's hospital and is healing up, but continues to cry and moan. the nurses said john is the only one who seems to calm her down, so john has spent the last four nights holding her while they both slept in that chair. the girl is coming along with her healing. he is a real star of the war, and represents what america is trying to do.

i'm praying for you guys/girls in the military...that is one of THE toughest things for you and your families. THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL THAT YOU DO.

allison greer

i haven't written about one of my girlfriends in a very long time (which is such a shame considering how wonderful they are) so here we go with "my besties: installment III."

allison greer walker comprises 1/6 of my college crew who i affectionately refer to as "sassy frass." i had the pleasure of spending my college days with this group of incredibly beautiful, accomplished baylor women and oh my! it was the best. i'd give my left arm to go back to some of those moments. anywayyyyy, each member of the group is indispensable for her own reasons, but for now, i'd like to tell you about alli.



how did you & allison meet?: i first remember meeting allison in north russell dormitory freshman year, courtesy of miss brittany heath; however, we didn't become close until our junior year of college. then we were all inseparable!

allison in three words: unapologetic (in a good way), warm, insightful

what song(s) remind you of allison: "keeper of the stars" - tracy byrd (she promises to sing this at my redneck wedding), any and all CLAY WALKER.



what makes allison so special?: oh geez, where do i start? i'm so, so proud to be friends with this girl. alli is so unbelievably authentic and genuine and she just knows who she is - i happen to think that's the most attractive quality in a person. nothing about alli is fake or contrived, it's as if she continually lives her life with the statement of "this is me, take it or leave it." i admire her conviction and security so much. additionally, she has such a beautiful heart and a rock solid faith. she has been through so much and she has prevailed every step of the way...God's got his hand on this girl and it has been so cool to witness that. now that i get to watch allison transition into the roles of wife and mother, i am so impressed by her grace and dedication. she is going to be the best mom!!!! baby olivia grace walker arrives this month and I CAN'T WAIT!!!!!!!

here's to the nomads

got myself a threadbare gypsy soul
likes to dance and drink and go wherever the wind blows
got a little threadbare gypsy soul
got a little threadbare gypsy soul

got a little wild streak in my heart
i guess that i have had it since i heard the music start
i got a little wild streak in my heart
got a little threadbare gypsy soul

i like to hear the highway sounds
and i don't think that i'll ever settle down
i can't change and it's a sin
hope st. peter gonna let me in
come on, pete, won't you let me in?

i wear this cowboy hat upon my head
and you can take it off me sometime after i am dead
got a cowboy hat upon my head
got a little threadbare gypsy soul

i wear these crusty shoes down on my feet
i could write a book about the places they have seen
i got these crusty shoes down on my feet
i got a little wild streak in my heart

and i know this crazy livin just ain't right
most of the time i'm smoking, drinking, looking for a fight
but i've been talking to Jesus every day
well i've been talking to Jesus every day

and i got this girl back home i call my wife
if you ever met her i swear she would change your life
she's got a little wild streak in her heart
but she's been sayin hallelujah every day

-pat green, "threadbare gypsy soul"

fly fishing 101

i finally went fly fishing - something that's been on my "bucket list" FOREVER. we stayed at raye carrington on the llano river and it was just great. so happy with the accommodations and the beauty of the outdoors! we also went to the old peanut mill steakhouse and social club, plus london dancehall. by the time the weekend was over, i felt like i had filmed a commercial for texas tourism...it really was the quintessential lone star weekend!

*but i must say, fly fishing is a lot harder than it looks.


my esteemed teacher, mr. tom clark - the modern day renaissance man...he can do it all!


so excited for this!


what i really like about fly fishing vs. regular salt water/fresh water is that you are truly a part of the experience. you're a lot more connected to the water and the nature around you which makes for an incredible experience.


uncle t in action.


i could get used to this.


and it's a great day to be alive, i know the sun's still shinin' when i close my eyes...

open mic night

shawn & his mamma rockin' out. A-MAZZZZING. :)

take 1:


take 2:


they tried.

dierks, i felt that fire.

geeze louise, i forgot how much power that dierks bentley has over me. he kind of went by the wayside for me over the last year or so due to that awful video for "sideways," but the man has redeemed himself.

i've seen quite a lot of rodeo shows this year, but he really brought it out...very high energy show last night. i experienced the full emotional spectrum: a) maybe i should be wearing my little white tanks tops a lot more often. b) yep, i've still got a lot of leavin' left to do. c) i keep my friends with me, i stay busy, i don't get much sleep - that's how i'm doing since you did what you done to me. d) forgot how insanely good "come a little closer" sounded...(sigh.) e) close out the show with "folsom prison blues?" genius move..."but that train keeps a rollin', on dowwwwwwn to san antonnnnnne..." AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!


dierks has had many looks over the years, but i think this one is my fav. signature tousled hair (but not shaggy like a mutt), rugged man's man plaid shirt, and a far-away wistful look in his eye. nice. nice. nice.

SAN ANTONIO RODEO: ROUND 1

well, i've been out to the san antonio rodeo now FIVE! times already and i'm far from the finish line. i have had the best time so far and i have been reminded daily of why my adopted hometown hosts such an awesome rodeo. first of all, when it comes to cowboy culture and rodeo history, this place is just legendary and i think the san antonio rodeo represents so much rich history and tradition.

additionally, the rodeo entertainment lineup this year is killer...i've already seen so many great bands and the shows have all been amazing. competition is fierce too, all the best in the business are here of course and they're all fighting to get to the finals! i've seen so many tough breaks already...broken barriers, poor equipment, crazy/scary near-death encounters, etc. those cowboys are so tough! (or insane?)

anyway, this is my first update, but i'll be sure to keep you posted!


the best event of course: mutton bustin'!


LADY A!!!!! this concert was unreal...sooooooo good! they do not disappoint live at all.


with my baby brahmans @ the steer auction barn...is it weird that i think they're so cute?



TO BE CONTINUED...

FORT WORTH RODEO

went to cowtown a few weeks ago and had an absolute blast! the fort worth rodeo isn't the greatest spectacle of them all, but it's so authentic and historic, which was great. once again, i have yet to be let down by a night spent in the stockyards, good texas cuisine, and the friendly hospitality of this amazing town! i've got a few photos to share:


love me some llamas...i want to have one someday. :)


inside will rogers collesium during the grand entry. it's great to be so close to the dirt!!


some cute little cowboys.


inside the roadhouse getting ready for miss kelly willis!


hangin' out in sundance...

my friend josh's new video!

here's the new video "she's like texas" by lubbock's own josh abbott band!!!! love this song...truly representative of a good 'ol west texas girl! ;)