Waco Wildflower Watch

Oh, there are too many wildflowers out for me to list. Of course the queen of them all is the bluebonnets! She's not hard to spot on the side of the road!

And here's some of my favorite wildflower,

the Texas Primrose, from my backyard.

I first discovered them up in Arlington, where they cover the roadside along I-20.  I loved how they swayed in the wind...a like giant sea of pink waves.  I haven't found a spot here in Waco where they grow that thick and wide, so if you know of one, please share!  I'd love to hear about what wildflowers you're spotting, wherever you are.  And, if you post pics on your blog, you can link up at Wildflower Wednesday.

Day at Farm and Market

Had a fun weekend. Got to do two things I'd been wanting to do for a long time...visit the Waco Farmers Market* and the World Hunger Relief Farm.

Bought some eggs from pastured hens and grass-fed beef at the farmer's market. Both were about double what I would pay at the super-market for the non-organic factory raised versions of the same...which is a hard truth, because it means that trying to buy this regularly would add a lot to our food cost.  But if the eggs, which I haven't tried yet, are as different from the eggs at the supermarket as my friend says on her blog, I'll still be buying those.  Plust they sometimes come in different fun colors, like green (which unfortunately they were sold out of by the time I got there), and though that doesn't make a difference nutritionally, that's just fun!

Did find some great bargains on live plants though! Got several varieties of peppers, some oregano, lime mint, and a purple tomato plant for my garden. Prices were $1-2, which is better than what I'd pay for similar sized plants at Walmart (though my local nursery sometimes goes that low).   And Walmart doesn't have the variety I found there.   There were at least 4 different vendors selling live plants and they had a lot of really unique veggies to choose from!

Afterwards we visited the  World Hunger Relief Farm, a Christian organization that works toward alleviation of hunger both here in Waco and around the world, and also sells organic milk, eggs, meat and other products. I had already bought what I wanted from them at the market, so just went out to see where they were and let my kids see some farm animals. They especially liked the goats there (pictured above). They were very friendly goats, and came over to eat grass from us even though it was the same stuff abundantly available in the field behind us.


*I visited the Farmer's Market in downtown Waco, but there's also a farmer's market at the Heart of Texas Fairgrounds that will be open May - September.

I'm linking up at...

Throwback Thursdays

GARDENING: When is the Last Spring Frost in Waco?

Instructions on seed packets will often say "plant after danger of frost." Well, ok, when is that? And how cold does it have to get for that frost to kill my plants.

Well, I looked it up and found that a frost of 29°F to 32°F will kill tender plants, but not damage most other plants. 25°F to 28°F is destructive to most vegetation, and frost 24°F and colder is REALLY BAD.

In Waco March 15th there's a 50% chance of temperatures dropping to 32°F, so if you want to take a risk on an early garden, you can try planting now. Otherwis, wait til April 10th, when there's only a 10% chance of 32° frost.

(The National Climatic Data Center has info on the likihood of 36°F and 28°F frosts too.  I went with 32°F because that's the one to watch with most plants). 

---

Picture by Tambako the Jaguar used under Creative Commons.

Spring Break Events at the Mayborn

The Mayborn Children's Museum has some fun activities planned for Spring Break. March 12 - 16 there will be a self-directed photo scavenger hunt with prizes, and there will be daily films playing in the SBC Theatre at 11:00, 1:00, and 3:00 each day. Plus, some days there will be special activities/performances. See below:


Monday, March 12
Film: Disney's True Life Adventures - Sea of Sharks
Show times at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00
Filmed almost entirely under water on and near coral reefs in the Pacific Ocean, Sea of Sharks offers the unforgettable experience of seeing these highly-skilled and powerful ocean predators at close range.
45 minute runtime.



Tuesday, March 13
Grupo Pakal Mayan Performers
Performances at 1:00 & 2:30
Live performances exhibit stunning wardrobe and elaborately feathered headdresses. Dressed in elaborate ceremonial wardrobe, Grupo Pakal Artists amaze and delight audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Performances are followed by photo opportunity with the artists.

Film: Disneynature: Predator and Prey
Show times at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00
This film showcases nature's unending battle for survival. You will journey on land and under the sea for a riveting look at many species as they both stalk their prey and avoid being stalked themselves.
25 minute runtime.


Wednesday, March 14
Jim Maxwell and Texas Juggling Society
12:00-3:00
Interactive Juggling in the Rotunda and Traveling Exhibits Gallery.

Film: Disney's True Life Adventures – Everglades: Home of the Living Dinosaur Show times at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00 pm
The Everglades, the vast "river of grass" in South Florida, is one of the most fascinating geographic regions on Earth. Through an array of images and scenes that range from the intimacy of a mother alligator cradling the eggs of her young in her ferocious-looking jaws to crimson sunsets over grassland.
45 minute runtime.



Thursday, March 15
Film: Disney's Little House on the Prairie
Show times at 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00
A pioneer tale which follows the Ingalls family as they travel west by covered wagons where land is open for homesteading. They encounter difficulty and danger as they settle among American Indians and wild animals. Their trials and tribulations are rewarded with their own tract of prairie and kind hearted neighbors.
45 minute runtime.


Friday, March 16
Magic Show w/Cody Fisher
Performances at 1:00 & 3:00 Performance by magician Cody Fisher using his magic to entertain and educate our museum guests.

Film: Disneynature: Migration
Showings at: 11:00, 1:00, & 3:00
Find out why and how hundreds of thousands of animals, birds, and insects leave their homes to travel up to thousands of miles before returning we will follow several species as they make their miraculous journeys.
25 minute runtime.



LOCATION:

The Mayborn Museum
1300 S. University Parks
Waco, TX 76706-1221

Target Invites On Sale

Target has some of the cutest party invitations, and right now they have some of my faves on sale for 30% Off, like these:

If your party happens to be bug themed, you'll also find some great party favors over in their $1 section.  Some of the bugs might work well for favors for a dinosaur party too!