Almost time to leave

We left Daddy with the family and drove a few miles north on 35 to the new outlet mall, specifically to La Madeleine's for a late breakfast. Having made do with Nutrigrain bars and toaster pastries for the past few mornings, I was hungry for the real thing. I filled my tummy with some well cooked scrambled eggs, potato galette (French style hash browns), bacon, a croissant, coffee, and slices of chewy French breads and preserves that were there for the taking. The bread and coffee reminded me of my first morning in Avignon.

I don't know if I will have an opportunity to take more pictures of the new baby. I do not want to use a flash and hurt his little eyes. But he is doing well, a tiny and precious little person. His face has lost some of the puffiness from being born and he is already nursing well. I think the older boys are adjusting. Tomorrow we will leave the babies, the prickly pear cactus and the Lone Star Statebehind and fly east on Continental to home sweet home.

Duty Called

My two favorite restaurants are here in Austin, Z'Tejas and Eddie V's Edgewater Grill but we have not been able to squeeze in either one. That's OK. Outings to the hospital, Target, and the local grocery store HEB will just have to do this time. Jessica and cute little Adam came home, and we took the noisy other little boys to the park for awhile. I enjoyed the blues and greens of sky and land, warm wind, the graceful flight of the hawk overhead, and sitting on the park bench watching the children at play. Life goes on.

Thoughts for the day

1. A newborn baby still looks like he brings with him the wisdom of the ages.
2. We humans are sure helpless when we arrive.
3. The same big questions: nurture vs nature, environment vs heredity, genes vs early learning
4. Circumcision is painful.
5. Is having a baby easier or harder than it was when I had mine?
6. There is less for a nursery nurse to do now than when I worked in one.
7. Kids can sure learn a lot of bad behaviors from "kid shows."
8. Every home is different and we are all particular about something.
9. I am glad I am adaptable.
10. Toaster strudels were a good invention.

Neighborhood Cats

These cats are asking "Where is our dinner?" They are missing Jessica who feeds them even though she says they are not hers. She has counted fourteen. I have seen about six and some are long haired beauties.One at a time they came to eat. I think the musical Cats makes us more aware of their secret lives and behaviors.

Austin's Whole Foods Market

The flagship store at the corner of Sixth and Lamar is a feast for the senses. We got out today and headed to my favorite place in town. Parking is in a garage under the store and elevators take you up to the Whole Foods experience. This Saturday it was filled with shoppers, probably lucky locals who don't have to wait two years between visits. What a great place! It has the usual beautiful produce, wines, cheeses, cut flowers, aged beef, high quality staples and so forth that ours does, but one of the biggest draws here are the many small bistro-like areas where you can get anything to eat that you could possibly want. There is a smoothie bar, Bowie BBQ, a taco "stand," a place for vegan cuisine, Candy Island, soup and sandwich, sushi and other Asian fare, a seafood diner, Sweet Bites, big and little pizzas, and I cannot begin to remember the rest. There are stools around most cooking areas, small tables and chairs, and outside there were umbrella shaded tables for those who want to enjoy their meals there. Inside the mixed aromas were heavenly. Coffee beans were roasting and wonderful breads were baking in hot ovens. My, how I wish I could braid a challah like the ones there. Or make a nutritious Seedilicious loaf if that is what it was called. Samples of coffee and tea were being offered as were nutty cheeses, healthy bars, the various breads, and ice cream made from coconut and rice milk. I bought a bouquet of yellow tulips for Jessica, this nice packaged salad for myself and a few other little things. If you go to Austin, Whole Foods downtown is a must. Somehow the world seems a little brighter in there!