Street Light

Here is a nicely decorated street light. I am very excited about the Christmas break...can you tell?

In the background you can see a Pei Wei. Have a great day!

Oh before you go, let's sing HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Megan! She is 17 today...
Ready...*Ahem*

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday to you.

Happy Birthday, dear Megan.

Happy Birthday to You!

We Love You May-May!

Firetruck!

The local firetruck at a local gas station in the early morning sun. Thank you guys!

Truck Drivers

I took this picture last Wednesday on Richmond coming home from work. This truck honked and shoved it's way through atleast two lanes of traffic...just because he could. What ever happened to patience?

Have a good day!

City Decorations

All around the city there are little reminders that Christmas is only 29 days away!

Have a great Sunday...

Enthusiastic Christmas Tree Man

On Friday I saw this man setting up Christmas trees in the parking lot of the Kroger on Buffalo Speedway and Westpark. Doesn't he look enthusiastic?

Hope you enjoyed your day!

Flowers at the Office

I have to work today...unlike the rest of the business world who no doubt is out shopping till their feet start throbbing.

I will enjoy getting caught up at work without being interrupted by other routine business day tasks which are on hold for the holidays.

Anway, these are the new plants at the office. Just recently our plant man replaced some of the plants we had potted with these fun flowers! Don't they just look fun?

Happy Holiday Friday!

Turkey Time

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today my family enjoyed a traditional lunch (turkey and trimmings) with one side of the family and then a very untraditional dinner (fried shrimp) with the other.

What did you guys do today?

Lovely Flowers

Today has been lovely. We are heading over to help with all of the Thanksgiving food for tomorrow, so you have to excuse this short post.

Have a great evening!

(Megan actually took this picture of my flowers. It's great isn't it?)

The Birds...

The best way to tell it's winter here in Houston is when you see all of the birds! There are billions of birds everywhere you look.

I often wonder...well, as often as you can wonder about birds...if all of the northern birds fly down here in the south for winter, what do all of the southern birds do?

Good Night!

Popeye's

Another food-related post today...

This is a big picture on the side of a Popeye's drive-thru restaurant. Lu and I wanted to get some cajun rice, mashed potatoes and gravy, and a spicy chicken sandwich. So, he begins to order and the lady said, "We don't have mashed potatoes tonight!" So, he got french fries instead.

Then he pulls up and the first thing the lady says is, "I'm going to have to apologize..." I know this isn't good! She then says that she can't cook us anything because the cook went home!

I don't think there is only one chicken cook at a Popeye's...I'm guessing they were tired, about to close, and ready to go home...Oh well...

By the way, starting today Sunny 99.1 is playing non-stop Christmas music for the holidays...I'm so excited!

Mexico Lindo

Lu and I just got back from lunch at Mexico Lindo. This is a pretty good local restaurant. I just love the atmosphere...it reminds me of the riverwalk in San Antonio. We had quesadillas and caliente enchiladas...yum!

Notice the dangling stars, and of course the great fountain.

Have a great Sunday!

Studying

Recently, I was studying for a midterm at this table, and when I got up to make me some hot tea I thought it looked lovely. So...I took a picture.

Today, I am sitting at this same table with tons of paper everywhere trying to squeeze out a 20 page paper for class Monday. I'm a bit stressed and a bit distracted...but I better get back to it.

I hope you are having more fun than I am today...

Pinkish Elephant Ears

These lovely elephant ears are located in the museum district. I love the pink in these...I'm used to larger, solid green ones.

*Oh...speaking of "elephants," the 474 lb. baby elephant at the Houston Zoo has his new name now...it's Mac! (After the Mack truck!)

To read more about baby Mac and to see a cute photo, click here.

What's for Breakfast?

The Breakfast Klub is located in Midtown at 3711 Travis @ Alabama. I have never been here, but I hear the food is excellent! Besides, where else can you get Katfish & Grits or Wings & Waffles!?

Here is what the visithoustontexas.com site has to say about The Breakfast Klub:

"The Breakfast Klub serves katfish and grits, wings and waffles top a tempting array of breakfast favorites from around the kountry at this kozy komfort food zone. This come-as-you-are hot spot seems to always have a line, but it moves fast and just serves to build anticipation as you watch the waddling diners leave with a satisfied grin. The signature dish is waffles and wings, an unlikely combo that goes surprisingly well together. The green eggs and ham features diced green peppers. Also featured are fried catfish, grits, pork chops, breakfast sandwiches and a grilled chicken salad. The restaurant gets busy during peak times, so get there early to avoid a line."

Enjoy your day!

Feelin' Lucky?

This Lucky Bamboo is at the drying table at the place where I get my nails done. I never really thought about what it represented so I did a little researching and here is what I came up with:

"Why Is It Called "Lucky" Bamboo?

Along with its ease of growth, Lucky Bamboo has long been associated with the Eastern practice of Feng Shui - or the bringing of natural elements of water, fire, earth, wood and metal into balance within the environment. Lucky Bamboo is believed to be an ideal example of the thriving wood and water element, with the addition of a red ribbon sometimes tied around the stalks - which is believed to "fire" the positive flow of energy or chi in the room. The number of stalks also has meaning : three stalks for happiness; five stalks for wealth; six stalks for health. Four stalks, however, are always avoided - since the word "four" in Chinese sounds too similar to the Chinese word for "death!"

I've always noticed the red ribbons, but never realized they actually represented something. You learn something new everyday!

New Growth

Along I-45 they are building these new condo/townhome/duplexes. They have built several already and still continue to build. These are so uniform...and very close together! Once they are complete, they should be really nice.

Enjoy your day!

Decorative Pottery

This little shop is on Richmond, and as you can see it sells a lot of decorative pottery. I wonder where this is originally from. Does anybody know?

Welcome to Westheimer

Did you miss me yesterday? :-) Sorry for not posting...but yesterday was so hectic. I went to this lovely wedding for a co-worker of mine. It was a grand Black Tie event with sushi, caviar, champagne, salmon, wine, tuxes, formal dresses, dancing, flowers, candles...ah it was just lovely!

Anyway, back to Westheimer. This is THE place for shopping in Houston. The Galleria is on Westheimer, and yesterday they had their big holiday celebration.

Here are the main facts about The Galleria from the link above:

The Galleria Information

Mall HighlightsWith its stunning architecture, exceptional store mix and distinctive style of entertainment, The Galleria has established itself as the #1 shopping and tourist destination in Houston with over 24 million annual visitors. Set beneath spectacular glass atriums, The Galleria features more than 375 fine stores and restaurants, an impressive ice rink and two Westin hotels.

This world-class shopping complex showcases the best names in retailing including Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, The Sharper Image, Ralph Lauren Collection, Louis Vuitton, a flagship Foley's and Houston's only Nordstrom.

With the expansion that opened in March 2003, The Galleria became the fourth largest mall in the nation highlighted by nine types of stone, suspended glass balconies, three types of wood, glass skylights, and plush leather seating. With three office towers, two hotels, 2.4 million square feet of retail space, and a variety of restaurants, The Galleria is a city within a city.


They have a huge Christmas tree in the middle of the ice skating rink set up for the holiday season and yesterday they lit the tree for the very first time.

So, if you happen to be in the area and need to do some SERIOUS shopping head to Westheimer.

See you tomorrow!

Surfboards, Guitars, and Hillbilly Lingo

I noticed this window painting while sitting in traffic on the way home on Shepherd. This cute little guy is on Rockin Robin Guitars' window. They actually have both guitars and surfboards...who wudda thunk it*?

*For the non-hillbillies joining us, "Who wudda thunk it" means, "Who would have thought of that brilliant idea!?!"

It's Friday...can you tell? ;-)

Astroworld

For those of you not familiar with Houston this picture won't mean much to you, but this is really special to me. This spot used to be the home of the Six Flags Astroworld/Waterworld Theme Park. At the far right hand side (where the fence ends with the pole next to it) you can see where the grand entrance used to be. It is depressing to drive by here now and see nothing.

Here you can see an aerial view of how the park used to be.

Here you can see the last map made of the park.

Here you can read about several of the rides. (My favorites were Greased Lighting, Texas Cyclone, The Looping Starship, Ultra Twister, XLR-8, and Thunder River.)

Here you can see several photos of the park in general.

They closed Astroworld down at the end of October last year, because the land is too valuable now to hold a theme park. This land is located directly across from the Reliant Stadium. They will probably build something depressing like condos or an apartment complex. Granted the last few years it had gotten a little rough and not as many people were going, but when we were growing up it was the best place in Houston. Those were the days.

Taking a Fake Sick Day

I've become more interested in billboards recently since I have gotten deeper into my Management & Marketing studies. I look at them differently, and I notice them alot more these days. So, when I saw this one I couldn't help but laugh. You can find this on I-45 heading south on the left hand side.

Why don't we all take a fake sick day tomorrow?

Unwinding

It has been a long, hard day! I'm exhausted. One of my favorite ways to unwind is to head to my local nail salon and get a manicure and pedicure. These ladies here are excellent at what they do...this is a very busy salon on the weekends. We have been coming here for so long now...it feels almost like home.

What is your favorite way to relax after a long, hard days' work?

Stairway to Nowhere...

...or so I thought. Everyday heading home from work on Travis I see this black wrought iron staircase. I had never seen anyone go up or down them, which reminds me of Willy Wonka's factory in a way..."Nobody ever goes in, and nobody ever comes out!" (Ok, unfortunately if you have no idea what I'm talking about watch the first 25 seconds of this!)

But last week I saw a young, fashionable woman come down those stairs! I was surprised to see her, and now I am curious as to where this stairway leads. Any ideas?

POTBELLY

Potbelly is a new sandwich place that has opened in the Greenway Plaza area of Houston. One of my co-workers got free tickets so we tried it out, and it is really good. The decor is really homey as well...it's nice. As you can see they are doing really well...the line was out the door the day we went. Unfortunately, the day before we went they gave everyone who walked in the door a free sandwich...free lunch...can you imagine? Too bad we didn't know about it in advance.

Happy Sunday!

We're Having a Party...

...and YOU ARE INVITED! Today is Houston Daily Photo's 100th Post, so we stop and take a break from reality and eat cake! I like the tuxedo shirt cakes on the far left, and I like the chocolate fruit cups on the top row. Take your pick...

We really enjoy showing you Houston everyday, and if you live in a city and enjoy photography I encourage you to start your own _____ Daily Photo.

Enjoy your Saturday!

The Greatest Furniture Store in Houston!

This is Gallery Furniture - Home of Mattress Mac! If you want to buy a "posturepedic" or a recliner this is the place.

This building is very patriotic with the red, white, and blue. It just looks fun doesn't it!?!

Enjoy the rest of your evening.

Oh...tomorrow is our 100th Post! Come back and see what we're up to.

The Greatest Furniture Salesman in Houston!

Last night Jim "Mattress Mac" McIngvale came and spoke at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. Without doubt the man you see in this picture is the greatest furniture salesman in Houston! I just think he's fantastic all the way around!

(And the fact that he sent me to Paris for a week, all expenses paid, to watch the USA vs. FRANCE in the Davis Cup [Tennis] in 2003 has very little to do with it! ;-)

I found this great website on him here! Read it when you get the chance...it's full of information!

• Mattress Mac is famous for jumping around wearing a mattress yelling, "Gallery Furniture really will save...you...MONEY!!!!"

• Also, his one store, Gallery Furniture, sells more than any other single furniture store in the world! Impressive!

• They have a playground for the kids at Gallery Furniture, Elvis and Princess Di paraphernalia, several parrots, and a restaurant where EVERYONE eats FREE! Last night he said, "We have homeless people that come in and eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner...but they are God's children too!" WHAT A GUY!

• Another thing, that he and Gallery Furniture are famous for is..."Buy it TODAY, we'll deliver it TODAY guranteed!" And he does what he says. If a customer comes in at 10:30pm they deliver it immediately! They've been known to deliver furniture until 6:30am.

• Also, last night when asked if he will expand and open new stores he explained probably not because, "...they can only steal so much while I'm watching."

Anyway, he is an incredible man, and we are blessed to have him in our great city!

Enjoy this lovely day!

Elvis' Food!

I love Daily Photo Theme Days don't you!?! If you are unfamiliar with this let me tell you a little about it. On the first day of every month the Daily Photo Family posts a themed picture. November's theme is "Something that will disappear soon."

And, really nothing disappears faster than Elvis' Food! It is pretty amazing. In fact, he was eating so much so fast we could barely get him to stop for the picture!

Elvis has been man of the house for 14 years now...he's such a cool cat!

Click below and travel the world to see what else will disappear soon:

1 -2 -3 -4 -5 -6 -7 -8 -9 -10 -11 -12 -13 -14 -15 -16 -17 -18 -19 -20 -21 -22 -23 -24 -25 -26 -27 -28 -29 -30 -31 -32 -33 -34 -35 -36 -37 -38 -39 -40 -41 -42 -43 -44 -45 -46 -47 -48 -49 -50 -51 -52 -53 -54 -55 -

Due to time zone differences and other factors, the theme photo may not be displayed until later if you are viewing early in the day.

Have a great day!