Knots and other Nautical Things

As of late I have taken an interest in all things rope and knot related...so here are my first decorative projects....

Here is my first Monkey's Fist. It's small, and knot quite perfect, but it's mine and I'm very proud of it. I keep it in the bag with my rope tools...




While at the "Used Boat Junk Store" (I have no idea what this place is actually called) I picked up a hank of approximately 75' of 3/8" braided line. 50' of that made a very nice Kringle Mat approximately 12" across...





For those of you that have been to the boat, you have seen the Ponytail Palm...


Well, Mike and I read that it will thrive a grow considerably larger if given a larger home, and so we acquired this...


Which, after a couple of tries, I turned into this...



Again...knot perfect....but I think it turned out pretty well! Now if we can just manage to keep the little darlin' alive until it grows into it's new pot!

Happy New Year!

Mike and I rang in the new year with some of our best friends...

Rachel and Santos joined us briefly early in the evening for a short Kemah Channel Cruise, but left early for some plans with the kiddos. Donna & Randy and Patti & Grady stayed over, making for a great sleep-over. The evening didn't really turn out like we planned....the weather kept us in our slip instead of anchored out at Redfish...but the evening couldn't have been any better!

We even finally met our starboard neighbor, a physics professor at Tulane, who came over for a drink in the evening and for breakfast the next AM. Guy (yes, that's his name) seemed to fit right in, and if we haven't scared him off, maybe we'll see him again soon...

To review all of the evidence, click the pic...


Oh...and when you are looking through the pictures, I apologize for the excessive number of photos of Cat Buddy. However, what I would like to point out, is that since I am the one with Cat, I didn't take those pictures, therefore, they must have been taken by the one who "hates" the cat....I'm just saying...

Christmas in Rockport, America

Mike and I had a great 4 days in Rockport for Christmas...I think we all agreed that it was the Best Christmas Ever. Everyone had a nice visit and enough food to feed a third world nation for a month and a half. Seriously, Mike and I didn't eat for more than a week after we got home.

The food was great and the company was greater...The group picture below was from Christmas evening, to see more, click the pic...

A Monumental Day

Today was a big day for Mike and I....one we have been waiting for since nearly the day we met.....


Drum-roll, please.......



We took the boat out for our first solo voyage!! Yep...all by ourselves!







Captain Mike enjoying a cup of hot mint tea as he navigates Galveston Bay with his First Mate at his side.


The trip went beautifully. The weather was cool, but sunny and clear. We stayed out almost three hours from cast off to tie up, and it was a perfect day in every way. Including a smooth landing back here at our slip, with each of us performing our tasks as planned.

What a wonderful day! There is just no other way to describe it!

To see more of this adventure, including me driving, click HERE!

A Home Improvement Project...

To some of you, this may look like just a big mess...but the other boat trash out there will recognize this as not only an investment, but a pleasant afternoon diversion...



One down, three to go...



My completed creation! Four docklines, four shackles, and four lengths of chain...



Mike said there should be a picture of me and with my work (I disagree)...



Last but not least...the completed system at work!

Christmas Boat Parade 2010

What a fabulous time!! Mike and I were joined by some of our oldest and dearest friends, as well as many new friends, for a wonderful parade watching party. Doug and Vic, tow of our guests, conspired to get us a WONDERFUL slip at Seabrook Marina with a perfect view. Thanks to everyone who joined us for this celebration to make it a memorable evening....Want to see more? Click the pic!

An OK Thanksgiving

Now, before anyone gets fired up...that's an OKLAHOMA Thanksgiving...

Mike and I spent five days in Oklahoma visiting with Mike and Linda (his Dad and Stepmom) and Stash and Teresa (my folks)...and we all had a great time.

This was the first opportunity that this set of parents had managed to get together, and I think everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend.

To see more of our family adventures off of the boat...click the pic!