Spring has Sprung!

Oh, it's that lovely, lovely time of year again in Austin, that delightful - but far too short-lived - season we call spring.

I took advantage of the wonderful weather on Sunday by...staying inside and doing my taxes. Sigh. Being an adult kind of stinks sometimes. But we did sneak out for a short break and visited our favorite Dog Park.

We saw tons of familiar faces, both furry and human, and throughly enjoyed our three loops around the park. The bluebonnets and other wildflowers are out in full force - if you're looking for a spot for the obligatory spring bluebonnet photos, this is your place. Here are a few of mine:

OK, not a bluebonnet, but very pretty! I actually don't know what this is - does anyone else?


Everything's better with bluebonnet on it (yeah...slogans have a way of sticking in my head. Forever.)




Kodak (TM) Picture Spot.


Mindy absolutely refuses to look at the camera for photos.
She'll sit obediently, then nonchalantly look the other way every. single. time.


More camera avoidance.


I'm done sitting now, Mom! Let's go plaaaaaaay!

Hope everyone else is enjoying this fantastic weather!

Read more...

Puppy Love

Spring has sprung in Texas, and this year, it's lasted an unusually long time. The weather has been absolutely delicious (albeit a bit dry), so my pup Mindy and I have been spending as much time as possible at the unofficial dog park near our house. I've seen many a spectacular sunset there in the last few weeks, like this one:



and this one



Despite the lack of rain, a few wildflowers have braved the trampling of enthusiastic dogs to grace the dog park, as well. Most of the bluebonnets this year have been rather sad and scrawny, but a little rain this weekend seems to have plumped these guys up a bit:



I've also watched a little love affair blossom between Mindy and a shepherd mix named Frankie. Frankie generously overlooks Mindy's overblown sense of enthusiasm and enjoys showing Mindy all his favorite spots in the park. Here's a shot I took of them today, sniffing something particularly interesting together. I had to resist the urge to Photoshop their little tails into a heart shape above them. OK, not really, but aren't they cute together?

Read more...