University Heights Baptist Church presents a theatrical production of "From the Cradle to the Cross" The photos below are actual photos from last year's production and show scenes from the biblical side of the production. The story is a sequel from last year's production, which took place in World War II -- a dying Christian soldier shared the gospel with his atheist doctor. This years production pick's up the story 20 years later and is set in December, 1967. Photos courtesy of Daniel Gathright, Photographer and Media Minister of UHBC. Production Times are: Friday December 10, 2010 7:00 PM Saturday December 11, 2010 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM Sunday December 12, 2010 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM   Tickets are $3.00 each or $10.00 for a family of 4   Tickets can be purchased in advance at: University H... 12/01/2010

Texas: Walker County: Huntsville: A Day with Mari Montgomery at Keller Williams Huntsville...and "Gina, NOT Typing!" Okay, I consider myself to be reasonably astute--most of the time, at least.  So, when I heard a cacophony of "clackety--clackety--clack," I thought: "THAT is someone, PRETENDING to type." I feel that was a "reasonable" conclusion. Of course, once I decided to do an investigative report, Gina--our wonderful Receptionist at our office in Huntsville--decided to PRETEND to type. Here is the Culprit--sitting on the antique fainting couch in my office-Gina (She looks guilty, doesn't she?!) Well, I caught her "Clackety--Handed!"  Tell me what you think.  Is that "racket" really typing???????  Hmmmmm......I don't know.  Sounds VERY suspicious to me.     11/27/2010

Texas: Walker County: Huntsville: Elkins Lake: Mari's Favorite Sunset Photos in Elkins Lake Well, I don't have to look far for the most gorgeous sunsets I have ever seen.  They are right here: HOME, Elkins Lake in Huntsville TX. The sights and sounds are unbeatable. Listen to the joy of youth as the neighbor boys, Colt and Cyle (yes, Cyle with a "C") 2 wonderful young men who enjoy the outdoors every chance they get.    Now, Can you believe this place is SO gorgeous!  I was driving back from taking photos at a home I listed here in Elkins and saw this and immediately stopped the car and started taking photos.   Elkins Lake has 3 stocked recreational lakes.  The Main Lake can be enjoyed by pedal boat or boats with motors up to 7HP. The same day-----different shot.  This shot was taken fr... 11/27/2010

Texas : Walker County : Huntsville : Holy "Ol' Sparky Burger," Batman! Mr Hamburger Returns! ....and a little bit of history too. History: Mr. Hamburger was opened in 1959 by the Lindsey family of Huntsville at 710 11th Street. Opened as a classic  American drive-in, customers parked under a canopy and walked to the window to place their order. Faithful fans   knew Mr. Hamburger for its never-frozen, hand-formed beef patties, handmade onion rings, homemade chili, and, of course, the KILLER BURGER. Mr. Hamburger operated in this fashion for 46 years until I decided to take a vacation in 2005. While I was away, they closed my restaurant and tore the building down!I've returned to open again at my new location at 918 11th Street, just one block away from the original location.    Every eff... 11/27/2010

Texas: Walker County: Huntsville: Thanksgiving was Wonderful! A Poet's View Well, Turkey Day has come and gone, but the sentiment lives on and on.....                            Gratitude, a grateful heart Open eyes.................a brand new start                     Seeing life in family ties....wrap around the tree of                                         Solid Oak....a sturdy trunk... is tradition proud and future hopes      So seemingly another year..........leading forth to Christmas....                                           Cheer for LIFE in family ties, Cheer for Love in Family's eyes            Open hearts and loving minds              Bring blessings true....and gratitude....and then                                    Christmastide     11/27/2010

Where We Have Been and Found Home. Life is a journey.  The passage of time........a mystery. The holidays, to me, are a time to reflect and appreciate what we have, where we have been and a time to cherish the memories. This Thanksgiving I sat with my niece, Amber and my nephew, Ian and looked through photo albums that my Mother-In-Law had put together through the years.  We laughed and reminisced.  We had fun when they came to visit and went swimming in our pool when we lived in Azle, just outside of Fort Worth. I also love the "Maltese Crossing" sign that we finally found after a year of searching. Our little baby girl, Carmen, is most befitting of a crossing in her honor. We enjoyed our Thanksgiving.  Time with family, great food, romping in the yard like big kids, what a great way t... 11/26/2010

Huntsville TX Real Estate : Our first frost of the season There is definitely something about that first frost of the year.  It has been hotter than Hades in a long summer that seemingly just ended last week.  Then --wow --it's chilly. I know there is a frost coming when my very independent little girl--my Maltese named "Carmen" decides she wants to snuggle.  She is curled up beside me right now, every few minutes or so repositioning to get just a little closer for warmth.  What a sweet little baby girl and snuggle bunny. My husband is so tired and is sleeping peacefully beside me as I have another "insomniac night." I got up to get a class of water and noticed that my husband rigged a light to shine on my herb garden  through the night so it wouldn't get "nipped" in the cold.  That was... 11/26/2010

  Lake Livingston Real Estate - Huntsville TX Homes : TREND: Growing Interest Homes with Space for Extended Family and Multi Generational Living. One of the things I have been brought back to over and over again in the last couple of weeks is a connection to buyers' interest in homes with an attached or detached apartment or cottage that has Space for Extended Family and Multi Generational Living.. It makes a lot of sense, really, for a number of reasons: There us more multi generational family living under one roof Homeowners are finding it helpful to have "pooled" income to help with expenses Many times a family member may need a temporary living space during a transition in their life, like a divorce, job loss, or just misses home. I have been analyzing the data of number of "hits" a... 11/20/2010

My wonderful husband would like a new stereo for his truck. So... I thought I would help out Santa and went to CP Electronics in Huntsville to see what they had. You can imagine the shock and surprise when I look up and see Vegas Bob's cousin, "Hooterville Rob", standing right there, on top of the speakers. I'm not sure how long he's been working here, but... he's doing a fine job as a Speaker Sales Alien at               CP Electronics in Huntsville, Texas!              Check out CP Electronics 220 I-45 South Huntsville, TX 77340 (936) 295-0833 Specializing in: Car Alarms Car Audio Computers Dish Network Home Theatre Parts Televisions   Ask for Mark! (Alien Rob's Assistant) To VB: Cuz say's "Whaz up?" 11/19/2010

Huntsville TX Homes : Mari Picked a Peck of Pickled Peppers! What a crop---what a season---Texas.....what a great place to grow peppers!  Who knew that this "girl from Central PA" would be growing peppers and making her own "hot sauce!" The Pepper Drying Process: We have had SO much fun growing, pickling, freezing and making home made hot sauce, the "Mari Blend" (Texas Ketchup) It's the middle of November and the bounty continues.  How much fun.  Just another "Living in Texas" bonus.  The best bonus---great home values and a growing Economy in direct contrast to most of the rest of the United States.  Check it out: Bottom Line:  Texas is HOT ! Move to TEXAS !  Work in TEXAS ! and.......................when you do, call Mari Montgomery, Realtor, CRS, GRI   ETPropertySearch.com ...find ho... 11/14/2010

As an appraiser in the Huntsville Texas and surrounding areas I am all over on a weekly basis.  Often times I see properties with castoff furniture, appliances and miscellaneous items on the curb or yard waiting for the trash company to come and pick them up. I always wonder if the people know there is an organization called freecycle?  www.freecycle.orq   It is a great organization and they perform such a terrific service to our communities all over the country.  Not all areas have a local group so you join the one closest to you..well, you do that any way.  I belong to the Huntsville TX freecycle but it serves the local areas too, like Trinity, New Waverly, and more... Freecycle is a place online where you can post items you would like to give away.  You can also find items you might ... 11/14/2010

Today TPM (The Princess Mama) and I paid it forward with a little color at Ella Smither in Huntsville.  After reading Cinnamon's blog, You Can Make a Difference, I was reminded that I have not been to see my girlfriends at Ella in too long. So... today we gathered up our little red bag and headed toward Huntsville. The first person to take me up on the offer to paint their nails was Ms. Copeland. She was so sweet. She asked me if I had ever had a wish come true. I told her that I sure had. Then she said, "I can't believe it. I was just sitting here wishing that I could change the color of my nails and now here you are."     I told her that our God loves us so much-- that he just makes things happen! He knew she wanted her nails painted, so he made sure that I was reminded to come paint ... 11/13/2010

So much music fills my heart and my head these days. It really soothes my soul.  Even when I am "dog-tired," music is what inspires me in such a deep and personal way. You know, ask my Keller Williams office mates---there is a little bit of singing every now and again at the Keller Williams Huntsville TX and Conroe / Lake Conroe offices.  It's a reflex.  When I am singing, that means I am pretty happy. Tonight....a song. One of my favorite songs. I recorded it in a small studio that I had the opportunity to have a recording session, however brief, as the result of kindness of a friend of mine who gave me the studio time as a gift. I recorded all 5 songs for the demo in one take. I always have been stubborn and prepared. I wanted to maximize every minute I was given. Now, that's a though... 11/03/2010

  Community Organization for Missionary Endeavors Dessert Party Fundraiser Help us finish our new building! Saturday November 13, 2010 7:00 PM There will be a $5.00 Entrance Fee at the Door!   The Community Organization for Missionary Endeavor (C.O.M.E.) provides assistance to the needy of Walker County. They can assist with emergency dental, medical and utility bills. They are a Christian service group that is funded by the Department of Human Services, the Entex Energy Assistance Fund, and The United Way. The center also has a Christian Secondhand Clothing Center where families can purchase used clothing, small appliances and other household items for a nominal fee. Those why qualify can pick up needed clothing at no charge to them! The proceeds from the Christian Secondhand Clothing ... 11/01/2010

Keller Williams Huntsville TX --  Check out my New-(ish) "Digs" Going to the office has become very pleasant. I remodeled!  It is quite a challenge to decorate and furnish a small space where "function" is of primary importance. Well, it took a couple of "takes," but I love it now and my clients have said they really like it and it is comfortable. Cool story.  One of my clients, a very sharp and successful young businesswoman came by when I first moved into the space to sign some paperwork.  She had a seat and we chatted for a bit.  And then--I asked the question. -----I asked her if the chairs were comfortable.  Well, at the time I had 2 chairs that I had purchased from an antique shop in Huntsville (by the way our Antique Shops are FABULOUS!).  I recovered them in some beautiful fabri... 10/31/2010

Huntsville TX Realtor, Mari Montgomery, Dreamed a Dream.  She dreamed that her world would always be filled with music, she dreamed of sharing her song, literally and figuratively. But, as in every good Sonata Form in Music, that Dream had a "Development" section. Fast forward to the present--there was a "present."  As I sat in the new "James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center" on the campus of Sam Houston State University last evening, my heart began to swell along with the crescendos of the fabulous brass section of the Houston Symphony Orchestra in their very first selection, Fanfare, Op. 59 by Aulis Sallinen The performance was last evening in Huntsville TX.  As the cacophony of overtones and undertones refracted from the smooth light wood finish, reminiscent of the look of A... 10/31/2010

Wow, Wow, Wow...a Night with the Houston Symphony in Huntsville TX...AWESOME! Great seats, great date, great evening! Unbelievable--The Houston Symphony Orchestra, led by Maestro Hannu Lintu performed Beethoven's 3rd (The Eroica) originally dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, before he became such an "evil dweeb," and speaking of pure evil, the demands that composer, Franz Liszt makes on the soloist in the beautifully performed Liszt Piano Concerto #1 in E-flat Major w/soloist Markus Groh ended the first half --- And---take a breath--the opening the concert offered a "stunning" performance of the Aulis Sallinen "Fanfare, Op. 59."  This performance was the moment that remarkably demonstrated the wonderful acoustics in the Performance Hall. With few exceptions, a splendidly performed program... 10/30/2010

Huntsville TX Community Events : A Night w/ the Houston Symphony Orchestra The Houston Symphony Orchestra is coming to the Gaertner Performing Arts Center on the Sam Houston State University Campus in Huntsville, TX. When:  October 29th Time :    7:30 pm. Where:                James and Nancy Gaertner                               Performing Arts Center For tickets to School of Music events, please call 936-294-2339 or email tickets@shsu.edu The James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center just had its Grand Opening.  This facility is state of the art and the perfect performance hall for the Houston Symphony Orchestra to visit just an hour north of its home base in Houston.  Directions to the Performing arts center Performing Arts Center Features include: 800-seat concert hall 150-se... 10/28/2010

Huntsville TX Real Estate -- North Houston Real Estate -- "How -a-bout that!" A personal Book of Revelation: You know, I cannot get specific --it is about a transaction-- Let's just say--maybe---just maybe there's justice in the world.  I have been attempting to figure out a situation with a transaction for several weeks.  I finally got to the "bottom of it" just to find out--"ouch--that was the bottom and well, maybe--that wasn't the best thing to do---Maybe, I shouldn't have gotten to the bottom of it. After all, ignorance is bliss.  Or..... Quick Sideline----don't worry, the dots will connect---however this is not a guarantee -- it all depends on your "randomness configuration calibration system."  Never mind, here goes: Got a call from a long time friend tonight who was in teaching ... 10/26/2010

Home is what really matters... My feelings about home are why I became a Realtor and then wanted to get as much additional training and education as possible with completing the GRI and CRS Designations within my first year and a half. Why?  Because I LOVE helping my clients find the right place for them and their families to come to after a long day.  I want to learn every day so that I can be a better and better Realtor to assist folks and families find their place that transcends its 4 walls and 3 bedrooms and 2 baths.... a place where memories are made, where cookies are baked, where laughter permeates the family room, where Monday Night Football is a religion... the place you can let your hair down, not necessarily wear makeup, curl up on a chair on the porch with an old book you'v... 10/26/2010