Nothing as tasty as a Texas Hill Country Peach.  Whether you call them Fredericksburg Peaches, Stonewall Peaches or Texas Hill Country Peaches they are all delicious! We are looking forward to some great tasty peaches in 2008!            HILL  COUNTRY  PEACHES          They have many varieties to choose from and new varieties being introduced each year. It appears they are going to have a good crop this year. There are roadside stands set up to sell peaches and vegetables. Some growers will let you pick your own.Peach Tree with blossoms just beginning to openThink Peach Smoothie:  1 large peach, sliced and remove seed1/2 cup of peach yogurt1/2 cup of whole milk6 ice cubes Directions:Blend the peach slices with the ice cubes and milk first until slushy texture is formed. Then add the yog... 04/16/2008

OUR MEMORY ALBUM - OUR ACTIVE RAIN FRIENDS - APRIL 12, 2008   A DAY WE WILL ALWAYS REMEBER!JUDI MORGAN AND DON...First Active Rain Gathering in Bandera,TXMarchel, Deb and Judi  Friends Forever!                                                         Picture Taken at The Pomerosa Club House  Our Special Guest                       Tom Plant From California and Our Wonderful Host Ricki (Ricki The Horseshoe Queen and Auction Assistant with a smile you will never forget)     Liz Carter...Ummm....You can catch Liz blogging the internet all night long and on Saturday Nights Live at Liz's Place..                                            Septimus Heslop...First Choice Lending...Joined AR from an invite he received from Ricki.     Liz & Tom           Judi & her "surprise" guest...Tom PlantThan... 04/14/2008

Cavern temperature is 70 degrees with a relative humidity of 99%. Please wear comfortable walking shoes which provide good traction on steep, wet surfaces.Natural Bridge Caverns-South of New Braunfels, TX.       CAVERN FORMATION                                                                            GO DOWN UNDERThe cavern formed by an underground "river" moving slowly through cracks and pores within the limestone. Rain Water seeping through cracks started dissolving the limestone. In time, the original narrow cracks or joints enlarged to form huge underground conduits or passages. Perhaps due to changes in climate, vegetation, or other natural forces, the water drained to lower levels within the earth. As the water left the upper passages, it moved deeper and started forming a secon... 04/13/2008

WHY GET A PRE-LIST INSPECTION?I'll make this short and to the point. The benefits of having a Pre-Inspection will enhance a smooth transaction. Items that are need of repair can be disclosed and repaired "prior" to putting the home on the market. Selling your home requires being pepared to list your home. As an inspector I see many items that could have been fixed or repaired prior to the realtor listing and showing the home to potential buyers. Why wait until the last minute to have this done and take the chance that the buyer may see another home that is Ready For Sale.ARE YOU READY ?Simply Said...Get a Pre-listing Inspection 04/08/2008

NEW COMING TO SCHLITTERBAHN THIS SUMMER...DRAGON'S REVENGE (SEE BELOW)I wanted to post the 2008 Schedule for Schlitterbahn so that you could get it on your schedule for your summer activities. Visit New Braunfels to tube the Guadalupe or play at Schlitterbahn. Make your hotel  reservations early. It's time for Summer Fun. Visit Canyon Lake for boating activities, fising, skiing,  & sailing. Shop the outlet stores outside San Marcos. Drive to San Antonio and  visit the Alamo and Riverwalk. Visit Cascade Caverns South of New Braunfels.We have it all in New Braunfels. We Welcome Your Visit!www.schlitterbahn.comUNLEASHING A NEW RIDE THIS YEAR...DRAGON'S REVENGENEW BRAUNFELS, Texas The creature attacked. The residents escaped. Now it's your turn. Visiting families will be thrilled this seaso... 04/06/2008

Howdy everyone from ME and my friend TEX. If you haven't heard we now have a name for our Mascot.                                                                     TEXTEX asked me to please tell everyone that voted for his name,TEX, THANK YOU!  If you didn't vote for TEX that is OK because he is a very friendly Texas Longhorn.I'm sure you will be seeing TEX hanging around from time to time, so be nice to him. Don't forget to introduce TEX to some of your AR friends if they should decide to join The Texas Real Estate group.Now, it is my honor to introduce.......History of the breed A Texas longhorn cow I think this pretty lttle old cow would make a nice girlfriend for TEX. What do you think group?The first cattle to set foot in North America and the only breed of cattle to evolve witho... 04/02/2008

Since it is Spring and we have talked about gardening, the disappearing honey bees, and now THE LADY BUG.    Here are some tips to keep them hanging around your garden and your plants. Ladybugs or lady beetles can be purchased at your local nursery. I am sure you can also purchase on the internet. Releasing Lady bugs can be fun and interesting to watch. I don't know why but when we go to the ranch they like to set up house in our RV.? You would think with all the lovely wildflowers and plants they could find a better place then our RV.There are tricks you should follow to make your Ladybugs stay in your gardden     When you purchase your bag of Ladybugs, don't realease them right away.    If you get over-zealous, they will fly away and leave the garden.     Keep the Ladybugs in the refr... 04/01/2008

This is my entry for find an old Texas church. Hope you enjoy a little history and my photo's for this church.                    BEAUTIFUL 1878 NATIVITY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH                                                                 CZESTOCHOWAThis church was founded in1876 and was built in and dedicated in 1878 in Cestohowa, Texas (originally Czestochowa) located on Cibolo Creek in northern Karnes City, TX. It is a daughter settlement of Panna Maria, the oldest Polish settlement in America. In 1873 a group left Panna Maria and moved five miles north and named the city after Our Lady of Czestochowa, the patroness of Polish Catholics. They first built a small school that served as a chapel. A priest came once a month to hold mass. The church was completed in 1... 03/26/2008

I know you may haved heard these before but sometimes it is good to refresh; even for new people just coming into the industry.Some good items to carry in your purse and wear the whistle around your neck. Blow as loud as possible to draw attention.                                                                   These are some very good safety tips1.  Tip from Tae Kwon Do : The elbow is the strongest point on your body.If you are close enough to use it, do!2. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO THEM. Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or pursethan you, and he will go for the wallet/purse. RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHERDIRECTION!3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back taillights and stic... 03/24/2008

 As families and friends gather to enjoy this Easter Season, we must also remember our gift of freedom and our troops that are fighting for our freedom. As Americans we need to take a moment to remember how fortunate we are to be Americans and enjoy the opportunity to spend this day in prayer and fellowship with family and friends.I would like to share one of my easter bags I prepared for our grandchildren (their pictures in the background). Our grandchildren are the joy of our life.                                                                   HAVE A FUN DAY! 03/17/2008

Hello - This is Ceil. A friend of mine that lives in Lubbock sent this to me and I thought it was well worth sending your way. I hope I know how to get this on here so you can hear The Star Spangled Banner and video.This is wonderful!This is a video of the Cactus Cuties, Young ladies ranging in age from 8 to 13 singing The Star Spangled Banner. The performance was at the Texas Tech vs. Texas basketball game January 20, 2008 in front of over 11,000 people.This is the way the National Anthem should be sung!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKCVS57j284 03/16/2008

 Some records mark milestones we'd rather not see, and one was reached this week in Texas and across the United States when the price of gasoline reached an all-time highI know this doesn't really have anything to do with real estate, or when you think about it maybe it does. What is happening to our extra spending money ? I use to spend $200 per month on gas, now I'm spending $400 plus.LOOK  WHAT  HAPPENED  TO  MY  PIGGY  BANK  AFTER  I  FILLED  UP  WITH   GAS  THIS  MORNING                                                                                                                                                             POOR PIGGY!   With what we pay for milk and bread and normal living expenses and  with gasoline constantly going up, I won't have any pennies for my piggy bank.... 03/15/2008

Great News for Spring & Summer Tourist Coming to New Braufels...River Ranch RV Resort has opened...Enjoy River-Side Camping....Texas Style. This is great news since it had been closed from the floods from a few years back. This is such a beautiful place next to the river.  Camp in  New Braunfels. tube the Guadalupe, spend the day at Schlitterbahn or sail at Canyon Lake; yet close to the San Marcos outlet stores and easy to drive to San Antonio. Don't fortget to visit Historic Gruene  Plan your schedule now and visit New Braunfels, TX and surrounding area's while camped at the River Ranch RV Resort now opened.Have Fun! Below are additional information links.  Camping in Texas Hill Country at our New Braunfels RV Park between San Antonio and Austin   Gorgeous weather, rolling rivers, and ... 03/15/2008

Now is your chance to do something nice for David Robinson from the San Antonio Spurs (retired)David's name has been submitted into the U.S.  Olympic Hall of Fame. David Robinson is known as an officier and a gentlement since he had such a wonderful military career before entering the NBA. David is well respected amongst his peers. Take a moment to click on this link and cast your vote for David Robinson. David has given much to the San Antoni, TX community.Go Spurs Go! http://www.usolympichalloffame.com/?page_id=31  When you click on this link they will give you several choices, indicate David's name but be sure to go to the bottom and press submit.David "The Admiral" Robinson is known as one of the top centers of his era. He was on the team that won the gold in the 1986 FIBA World Cha... 03/10/2008

EVERYTHING TEXAS #8 IN THE SERIES  - BIG TREE  IS SAID TO BE ONE OF THE OLDEST AT 1,000 YEARS OLDBig Tree http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/goose_island/big_tree.phtml    If you enjoy camping, bird watching, fishing or sightseeing you would enjoy Lamar and Rockport,TX              The Big Tree  is the largest live oak in Texas and is estimated to be over 1000 years old.                                                                                                                                     Texas' largest tree is found on the Lamar Peninsula of Aransas County in the Goose Island State Park.Estimated to be 1,000 years old, the tree can disappoint visitors who had been imagining a Giant Sequoia. Our tip for visitors who don't want to be disappointed:The tree has ... 03/09/2008

I don't care what state you are from please click on this link, turn on your speakers, sit back and enjoy. I'm sure the sound, along with one of these pictures will bring back a few memories. A friend sent this to me this morning. By putting on this link this is the only way I know to get you to listen and watch.Oh! our America is a great place.....http://mybeautifulamerica.com/BeautifulDixieJudi you will enjoy the pictures from Louisiana since that is your old stomping ground. The final tribute is for our troops. Please take a few minutes and listen and watch all the way through. It is quite touching.                          TURN ON YOUR SPEAKERS, SIT BACK, ENJOY! 03/08/2008

If you are planning on a visit to Gruene , Texas I am going to give you a map as the bridge is down and you will have to take a detour. I would think they will have a Wee St. Patrick's Day special planned for this month.http://activerain.com/blogsview/400317/EVERYTHING-TEXAS-7-IN        This will take you to my blog series on Everything Texas featuring Historic Gruene and the oldest dance hall in Texas.www.gruenemarketdays.com This link will display some activities from 2007 and schedule for 2008, If in your travels to Gruene you get here without going across the Gruene River Bridge then do not be concerned as all other access points remain open.  If you get here by traveling across the Gruene River Bridge, which is just below Gruene Hall then read on as you can still access Gruene from... 03/08/2008

If you don't respond how will I know you read this. You may wake up Sunday morning and be late for church. So leave me a comment. Don't forget to change your batteries.DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME...Time To Change Your Clocks and Other Device BatteriesMost people will trade an hour's sleep this weekend for more sunlight in the evenings.Officially the change should be made at 2 a.m. Sunday, local time, though most folks will reset their clocks and watches before going to bed.The shift to daylight saving time also serves as a reminder to install new batteries in warning devices like smoke detectors and hazard warning radios.In areas that observe daylight time, standard time will return on Nov. 2.Some parts of the country don't observe daylight time. Those include Arizona, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, th... 03/07/2008

Today is a gray, cold, rainy, and very windy day in South Central Texas; but, I woke up ready and excited for my day to start.  First, I had to stop by the office and then take the 30 minute drive up to New Braunfels, TX.  I had an appointment scheduled with some former clients to discuss listing the house I sold them 3 years ago.  Employer has asked them to relocate - they love their house and New Braunfels and will miss both but must move forward with their lives.  That's not the reason I was excited for my day to start.The reason, another Active Rain Meeting!  I had mentioned to Carl & Ceil Winters that I would be in New Braunfels, TX  for appointment this morning.  Well, Ceil quickly checked Carl's schedule and he was already committed to do an Inspection.  But, she had to be in New... 03/06/2008

A good sweeping, vaccuming, soap and water can go a long way. $10.00 worth of cleaning supplies can do the job.                                                                                                                                                             IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK--CLEAN YOUR HOUSE & DECLUTTERDear Home Owner:                                                                                                        Your friendly inspector............Please clean up your home before you put it on the market. By doing so it will make it easier for everyone concerned. People are not going to buy a house that is in disarray and badly in need of repair. By doing so it certainly with sell faster and you will be able to get your asking price. As an inspector I see it all .W... 03/02/2008