last week my nephew, sam, spent part of his spring break in
austin!  how lucky are we that he wanted to hang out with his
aunt, uncle and grandmother?

okay, let’s face it….he comes to austin to get spoiled!  who
wouldn’t give up valuable *sleep-in* time for that?

we did some serious damage at the mall…ate at all his favorite restaurants…he and the uncle played golf…we did whatever he wanted to do!  he’s a delight and we loved having him!

of all the hats in my closet, it’s wearing my *AUNT* hat that
makes me the happiest!

hope you have a super RED friday!

at least that’s what i keep telling myself!  but today i’ve made
one of those decisions that pains me to make…even though i know it’s for the better…a piece of me is sad…and a piece of me is excited!

the sad part…i will be moving out of Antique Queens where i
have had a space for three years!  i have loved every minute of
being there! 

i plan on being a friend and a shopper for many years to come!  i appreciate the opportunity the Caldwell family gave me to be a part of this amazing Mall!  i am truly blessed!

with that said, the *excited* part of me just signed a contract to have a space in Antique Marketplace on Burnet Road here in Austin!  it’s very close to where i live and i’m looking forward to having the time to *work* my space on a more regular basis.

did i mention dread?  that would be the actual move!  my last day in Antique Queens will be March 5.  it’s a huge day in this precious small Texas town and lots will be going on!

starting tomorrow i’m having a 30% off EVERYTHING sale in my space so drop by, check out Antique Queens and my sale!

on March 8 i will be moving into my new space at Antique Marketplace!  the creative juices are flowing…my head is swimming with ideas and i’m gearing up to put my touch
on this space…

and boy does it ever need help!  how many people i know that would be so excited to have a RED wall…not me!  i will be covering that puppy in something…anything! 

 i’m having visions of PINK…

change knocked on my door and i’m sooooo glad i like change!

Antique Marketplace ~ 5806 Burnet Road ~ Austin
10 – 6 Monday-Saturday ~ 12 – 6 Sunday

my family moved to austin for the second time when i was five-ish.  it’s a beautiful city with tons of energy and fun things to do!  fabulous restaurants…great shopping!  need i say more?

downtown, around the lake, there’s a hike & bike trail that is one of my very favorite things about austin!  it’s not close to my house so i don’t get down there much, but yesterday…shhh…i carved out a little slice of time, put on my walkin’ shoes and headed out!

when i take the exit i always start to get a little giddy, like i’m doing something wrong!  and by the time i get out of my car i can hardly wipe the smile off my face feeling so *lucky* to live here!

as i started out with my iPhone in my back pocket…shame if i missed a call…i realized what a great opportunity it was to show you this treasure!  of course, it was bright out and as i snapped pics i had no idea how they would turn out, but i got lucky with a few!

as i cross the foot bridge about halfway through my walk, it’s always thrilling to look back and see the skyline!  i don’t know if you can see it or not, but the capitol is peeking out just to the left of the smoke stacks…

once i cross the foot bridge i’m in my very favorite part of the walk as i skirt along the edges of zilker park!  this bridge is a highlight…i lovelove the arches!

every time i pass under these arches i say to myself…if i could sing…and goodness knows i can’t…but if i could this is where i’d do my music video!  perched between arches and surrounded by water!  *dreaming*

i always look for turtles catching some sun on their backs!  they are so adorable!  that water feeds off barton springs pool…which is a natural spring fed pool…and that water is BRRR!

as i continue around i always have to be on high alert for the train…the kiddie train!  how many times i rode it as a child and as an aunt…well, too many to count!

the cherry on the cupcake i always save for last!  it’s a foot bridge tucked under the highway that will take me back to the other side.  there’s always a breeze…sometimes chilly…sometimes sticky!  the view is fabulous and it’s the perfect ending…

when i get to the middle i always stop to soak in the view…first, toward town…

and then behind me…

a deep breath…a sigh…and a nod toward heaven thankful that i am so blessed to call this amazing city ~home.

You know, when I can’t come up with something RED for RED Friday I just march-to-the-beat-of-my-own-drum and today…orange…will have to do!

When I was just a tot we moved from Austin to Ft. Worth for a few years.  My Pop worked for Allied Van Lines and we had one of these amongst our toys…

We would sit on the back and scoot around!

here is my sis with the truck peeking out…

and my brother…maybe he’s getting ready to take a spin…

and me in the hat…

It may not be RED, but it is Friday and it’s ORANGE that brings back a happy memory from my childhood!