Pico De Gallo by The Frio River

A fresh Pico De Gallo is a handy dish to have around.  Its simple and versatile.  When the summer tomatoes start showing up at the local market or in your garden Pico is just that much better.  I like the randomness of the chopped pieces; as well as, the variations of spice and flavor.  A fresh batch doesn't last long around our house.

This is our outdoor kitchen at our family camp on the Frio River.  Fixin food is comforting here.  Food tastes better here. The secret ingredient is the aroma of the river.  It has a soothing effect on the soul.  Food made with a relaxed soul is good for the digestion.

Winter Hang Over - Spring Is The Cure

Disclaimer: For you northern folks, yes I know you were buried in snow and ice for weeks on end.  However, I live in Houston for many reasons, and this last winter wasn't one of them.  Therefore I will commence with the complaining about nights in the 20's and its affect on me and the homestead.

This is our backyard mascot.  His name is Hang Over.  He was here when we bought this house.  Hang Over had no where else to go.  I couldn't bare the sight of him panhandling on a street corner with a sign like "will talk for margaritas".  I am a rescuer you know.

Hang Over (we call him Ho for short) looks over the pool, listens to Jimmy Buffet, and provides hours of commentary on things he witnesses in our back yard.  Ho looks like how I felt on mornings with temperatures under 45.

Houston is a sub tropical climate.  Emphasis on the "sub".  Once every ten years or so Houston has an actual winter. This is what happens to tropical plants when winter has the nerve to show up.

Normally we have only three seasons in Houston; January, Summer, and August.  This year the tropicals weren't feeling so global warmed.  You are looking at a former canopy of lush tropic vegetation.  It use to hide my weed garden behind it.  I'm worried about these guys making a come back.  I may have to actually pull weeds this year.