It was a good year for my tomatoes, even though I don’t have many photos to prove it. My raised beds (above) have been cleared of their remnants for a couple weeks now. But for several months before that, I was able to pick enough to eat daily, whether on salads, BLTs or just cut up in chunks and sprinkled with salt. I had a few issues with birds eating the tomatoes, but I avoided most of those problems by picking the fruit as soon as it started turning yellow. The leaf-footed bugs stayed away from the tomatoes, too, and while I had problems with slugs on the lettuce, they also ignored the tomatoes. Continue reading
Tag Archives: Texas
2015_Day 250: Reflecting on our first year in Texas
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2015_Day 66: No one needs to text while driving
There’s an important debate going on in the Texas Capitol these days, one that has taken place in many states during the past few years. The bill would ban texting and driving; drivers caught doing so could face at a fine between $99-$200. Continue reading
2015_Day 49: Is Fredericksburg worth the trip?
Several times since we moved to Texas, people have suggested that a visit to Fredericksburg is a must. Between its wineries, antiquing and German heritage, there’s something for everyone, the word is. Continue reading
2015_Day 12: Tastes of Wisconsin make my day
What could be better than the Green Bay Packers win over the Dallas Cowboys Sunday? A visit from our oldest, who’s a law student at Minnesota. He made it all the sweeter by bringing two Wisconsin favorites – beer and brats! Continue reading
2015_Day 9: Texans are so gosh darn polite!
One of the things I like most about Texas so far is the level of respect with which the majority of people address each other. Everywhere we go, people say “Yes ma’am,” “No ma’am,” “Thank you ma’am.” Doesn’t matter what age the person is. Continue reading
2015_Day 4: Moving an adjustment for Chloe

Four months after we moved from Wisconsin to Texas, Chloe finally seems to be comfortable in her new home. (December 2014)
2015_Day 2: I didn’t move to Texas for temperatures in the 30s
When I first found out that moving to Texas was a possibility, one of the first things I did was a comparison of the average daily temperatures between Wisconsin and the Lone Star State. I liked what I saw. I figured I could live with average daily highs in the 90s June through September if that meant average daily highs December through February were 60. December, January and February average daily highs in Green Bay, Wis., are in the mid- to upper-20s, and the winter of 2013-14 was downright frigid, with average highs and lows 6 to 10 degrees below normal. Winter seemed to stretch on and on and on, and moving to a warmer climate seemed like a pretty good bet. Continue reading
2015_Day 1: Looking back at 2014 has me a little nostalgic

I’m sure my old garden looks somewhat like this photo, taken in early 2014. Yes, there are times I miss the snow!
Welcome to Chocolate Chips and Chaos

Daughter Cassidy, dog Chloe and me on a hot August day during our first visit to the city we now call home.
During the past year, my family has gone through an incredible amount of change. New job(s), new house, new school, new climate and culture (Wisconsin to Texas). Left behind lot of family and good friends for a new life in central Texas.
Exciting. And a little scary, too. Continue reading