Living in Texas: Wildflowers for days

When we moved to Texas 6 years ago, I knew it would feel a bit "country" compared to our Los Angeles neighborhood. I expected it; I welcomed it!  But what I wasn't prepared for....was Texas wildflower season!   Oh my, oh my.
Among the boots, BBQ joints, and food truck explosion, no one had told me about springtime in Texas!  There are red poppies, blue bonnets, indian paint brush, weeds that belong in a vase.  It's like a small-town fairy tale, where you get to eat brisket at the end and wear dresses with floppy sleeves.  

Dreamy.

I know I've posted about poppies and blue bonnets before (like the time the sheriff pulled me over for picking them?  Or maybe that was just for being a crazy person....)

But if you ever have a chance to visit Texas in the spring, you must.
And if want to read more about our Texas adventures, check out these posts:
Friday Night Lights
Lake LBJ
3 days at the beach
The Kite Festival
Trip to Dallas
Shopping for fabric in Texas
Weekend at the Lodge

And looking through these wildflower pictures has made me realize three things...

1.  The color of poppies + blue bonnets are the same as the Lone Star State flag!  Simple and patriotic.  So perfect. 

2. I never shared these cute outfits I made for STYLO a couple years ago!  And I can't believe how much older the girls look already!

The skirts are both versions of the Skirt with a Sash tutorial.  And I love how cool this fabric looks in a maxi length.  

This little top is a version of the Bateau Top, with flutter sleeves that I sort of threw together.  You can see the shape of my "pattern" piece below. I love how it turned out and how soft the fabric is.

And when it was time for taking photos,  I knew it had to be in fields of flowers.  Because that's sort of the thing you do in Texas---gather your whole family, sit in a field, and snap pics....even if you're on the side of the highway, or in a stranger's yard.  People take pictures ANYWHERE the flowers are popping up.

So we found a gorgeous field. 

Tromped around,

Shimmied around,

Directed traffic?

and just enjoyed the scenery.

Which leads me to point #3....

3.  Everyone who lives here gets allergies.    Even if you've never had allergies before,  in the midst of all those beautiful blooms they will creep up on you.  Which is probably true for many parts of the world. 

But if you live here, you know what I mean.  Seasonal allergies suck, and really create a poorer quality of life....which I didn't understand, till I developed allergies myself and realized that it's like having the flu all the time.
(Sorry. I won't turn blue bonnets into a debbie downer.  I promise here's a happy ending)

Casey was allergy tested the first year we lived here, and found out he was allergic to basically every grass, tree, and pollen in this region.  Oy.  Then two years ago (right after we moved to our new house) I was tested too because I kept waking up with headaches.  Turns out I'm allergic to Oak and Pecan, which I'd never experienced before.  And even poor Lucy gets bad episodes of hay fever every spring.

Ironically as I scrolled through pics for this post, I almost deleted this particular photo, until I realized that Lucy's having an allergy attack in this very photo!  

Oh, the itchy eyes, the nose, the ears.  You want to reach down and scratch your nasal passage with a pumice stone.  Ugh.

So.  Here's the upside. 

And it's the same thing I recommend to any friends who ask "what to do I do about my allergies??"
(because it's the same things my doctor always recommends to me).
(which is why I was really excited when Flonase contacted me to partner with them on this post.  Because I was already using their product every day).

So.  The answer my friends is Flonase.
Just a couple of sprays.  Every day.
And use it consistently.

In fact, consistency is the key.  The nasal spray provides inflammation relief (and has a really pleasant scent btw)  But it's most effective with long term use.  I used to forget to use it for days at at time, till my doctor gave me the good idea to keep it near my car keys or something that I have to reach for every day.  And now I never forget.

It's kind of funny when Casey, Lucy, and I all do our ritual sprays in unison each morning.  But hey, a family that Flonase's together? 

...can enjoy the flowers together!

And spend a little more time doing this.

And maybe this.
Which, people did warn me about....you know, that awesome 2 year-old stage.....which unfortunately does not come with Toddler-spray relief. 

Here's to a happy, breathable spring my friends!