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118 TYE AND PHILIP TAFT City life: Tye — volunteer, gardener, and equestrian; Philip — defense department contractor. In the words of Tye: Country time: Twenty-five years in Round Top. Your homestead: The home is 100 years old and was moved from Dime Box, Texas. We moved into the house in 2000. The additions were done beyond the footprint. Beverly Jacomini and her architect, Michael Meller, helped. Pastoral pursuits: Gardening, horseback riding, walking. It's 5 o'clock: At the cocktail hour, vodka soda and lime — the family drink — is served. Growing: My garden — tomatoes and native perennials. Familial activities: Shooting skeet, bocce, swimming. We also love to grill. The grandsons are Miller, Philip, and Oscar (11, 9, and 6). They belong to my son and daughter-in law, Miller and Allison Crosswell. My other children are Lauren Taft and daughter-in-law Libby Cagle. They all come up here often. We have big rowdy dinners and lots of fun together. In the summer, we are at the pool, but we spend most of our time on the front porch. That's our favorite spot. Animals: Two horses, Willie and Felix, and two miniature horses, named Wasted Days and Wasted Nights by my husband, Philip. Our Jack Russell is Skip. Lauren's standard poodle is Axel, and son Miller has a white golden retriever called Roscoe. They always come up with the families and run all around. Home fires: Husband Philip does the grilling (steak), but when our son Miller is here, he steps in. I have two wonderful daughters-in-law that love to cook. They take care of salads, etc. Daughter Lauren is not a cook. Thank goodness she cleans up. Our friend Beverly calls her the White Tornado. Chef's night out: Lulu's, Mandito's, The Garden Co. Round Top takeaway: Life in the country is peaceful and quiet. RENEA ABBOTT AND GREG MANTERIS City life: Renea — designer and owner, Shabby Slips, Houston; Greg — owner, Creative Flooring Resources, Houston. In the words of Renea: Country time: I've been coming out for about 25 years — since I first heard about the antique show. Homestead: I bought this house in March 2018. I hope to finish the interior this week. Landscaping starts next week. We may do a guest house. We will see. This is my second home project to do in Round Top. Kim and Richard Rolland bought my first one — down to the sheets, pillows, towels, and all kitchen items. I only left with my clothes. This current house belonged to Mr. Bill Zeltwanger. Word around town was: "He was one of Round Top's most sought after." My new home was built by Mr. Bill in the '80s. A day in Round Top: Phones are left inside the house. Make coffee — or go to Expressions and get the buffet for breakfast. Feed the fish. Mow the yard. Go into town. Fix something. Clean Up. Wine time — then choose where to eat. To sip on your porch: No cocktails. Vino only. Pinot Grigio or rosé. Who's in the kitchen: Hmm — Greg does a great tenderloin. I just complain. Because I'm always cleaning. Cook's night out: Lulu's. Great wine list (short one), and love the Bolognese with giant meatball. It's all good there. Animals: Goldies. Only fish — too many to name, maybe 100 goldfish. Games: Talk in a Box. Goals: I try to catch up on a stack of decorating magazines. But these days have been full of chores, no major reading time. Idle hours: No idle hours in Round Top — work, work, work. Growing: Lots of really tall pine trees, majestic. In the garden, rosemary and white climbing roses. Retail pleasures: Tutu & Lilli for tops, Melissa Ellis' shop. Lark is very cute too. Advice for city slickers: Wear boots. Grateful for: I love my in-town location. Fun to be able to take your bike and go on an outing, see who's in town. Also, you don't feel as though you need to check your emails or messages — just check out. Lessons from Round Top: Embrace the quiet time. LESSONS FROM ROUND TOP: "EMBRACE THE QUIET TIME." — Renea Abbott (continued on page 120) (continued from page 116) Greg Manteris and Renea Abbott Tye Taft with Skip and Axel The 100-year-old Taft farmhouse