These Boots are Made for Walking

I have said it a million times…I love vintage western decor.  I'm not taking about the "stuff" you buy at Hobby Lobby.  I'm talking about 1940's -1960's "stuff" you find on Ebay, a flea market or antique stores.  I have vintage rodeo programs, western books, western games, you name it and I probably have it.

My newest obsession is vintage kids' cowboy boots.  They have such character and I'm sure they were once loved by a little cowboy or cowgirl who thought they would grow up to be like Marshall Dillion, Little Joe, John Wayne,  Roy Rogers or Dale Evans.

I have my Papaw's cowboy boots, my mom's cowgirl boots from the 1940's and for Christmas my bestie gave me the cutest pair of kid's cowboy boots.  These little boots inspired me to redecorate my mantle.  I decided to look for ways to display cowboy boots.  Of course, I started with Pinterest.

My Pinterst Inspiration

 The boots from my bestie

My mantle.  I love my new look!

Miss Lucy….A Different Kind of Christmas Tree

Every year I get so excited about decorating my house for Christmas.  I put a Christmas tree in most of the rooms with a different theme for each tree.  I have a traditional tree, a retro tree, a cowboy tree, a family tree, and a Miss Lucy tree.  Each tree has a special meaning and story behind it.  

Most people might think my Miss Lucy tree is Lucy from Charlie Brown or Lucy from I Love Lucy.  But my Miss Lucy tree has a very special meaning.  In August of 2000, Miss Lucy was working at Dunkin' Donuts on Garland Rd. in Garland, Texas.  Miss Lucy was in her 70's and loved her job because she got to meet so many people.  Early one hot August morning a very evil person walked in and shot Miss Lucy to death.  She was shot for no reason.  She was taken away too soon from her daughters, son, and grandchildren.

My husband, Bill, was the detective that received the call that morning to respond to a murder at Dunkin' Donuts.  It wasn't his first murder and it wouldn't be his last to work, but he never realized what a lasting impact it would have in our lives.  Bill always tried to work each murder as if it was a member of his own family.  That day he had the unfortunate job of telling Miss Lucy's family what happened.  What a sad, sad day for a family.

For many months after their first meeting, Bill and Miss Lucy's family spoke at least once a week getting updates and getting ready for the trial.  We shared dinners with Miss Lucy's family and her extended family.

In Dec. 2001, Bill went out to check the mail.  He found the typical stuff, Christmas cards, a magazine, some bills and a small package.  Inside that small package was a small angel Christmas ornament with the name Miss Lucy on it.  Every year in Dec. Miss Lucy's family sends us an angel ornament.  We cherish each one.   Even though Bill and I never met Miss Lucy she will be in our hearts forever.  Please say a prayer for Miss Lucy's family this holiday season.

There has been so much hate for police officers and police departments in the media this year.  This is the side of police work most people never think about.  Detectives and officers touching the lives of the victim's family and the victim's family touching the lives of the officers and detectives.

I Wonder What Mamaw Would Think

Living in a small Texas town back in the early 60's, we headed down the storm cellar anytime a dark cloud would form.  It seemed like everyone back then had a storm cellar, but I wasn't even 5 years old so my "everyone" may be a little limited.  My Mamaw Michael, my Grandpapa Foster, and Minnie and Clarence Baker to name just a few all had cellars.  I can still remember the smell and feel of dampness as you walked down the steep steps of the concrete cellar.  The cellars were lined with wooden shelves filled with canning jars and spiders….lots of spiders.

Burlap & Lace Wedding

Remember last year when we didn't post for a few months?  Well it happened again.  But we sure have a good excuse.  Kathy's baby daughter, Ryleigh, got married.  She is beautiful, smart and precious just like her mother and older sister.

An AMAZING Artist….Tracy Carr

I have a friend………..she is a very talented friend. Her name is Tracy and she is an AMAZING artist. I am always in awe of the way she finds beauty in the most unusual objects. If you need a one of a kind gift for someone very special this would be a great keepsake!  This entry will be short and sweet because the pictures speak for themselves.  If you are interested in one of these unique pieces of art, she does custom orders. Contact her on her Facebook page…..Tracy Carr.   All your friends will be so envious.

Each one is hand carved with love by Tracy…..I love anything with a Texas star on it!

It's a "Boot"iful Halloween

Last year I posted about how hard it is to decorate a western home for Halloween.  Here is an update for a few new ideas.  Have fun.....

Friends Don't Let Friends Wear the Wrong Cowboy Hat

As most of you know, I love anything cowboy!  I found an old cowboy hat box last weekend in Stephenville, Texas.  It was marked $5 and my heart skipped a beat.  When I opened the box and found the original felt hat in the box I thought I was having a heart attack.  When I asked about the price it was priced incorrectly.  I got it for $20 and I was happy to get it for that.  I didn't need it and really had no place to put it but I LOVED it and it needed a good home.

When I got home I rounded up all the cowboy hats I had in the house.  I've never thrown away any of Bill's cowboy hats and I have others that belonged to my grandparents, Evan, and I even found one that was a souvenir from the Texas Prison Rodeo.  I decided to decorate my guest bathroom using all the hats.  I found some old ads for cowboy hats and some rules for wearing cowboy hats.  I love the way the bathroom turned out.....

Cowboy hats placed above the vanity in my guest bathroom.

In between some of the hats are old rodeo playing cards and an old western belt.

I love this vintage child's cowboy hat.   It is displayed with some old cowboy hat ads.

Here's the hat box that started the redecorating of the bathroom.  The felt hat next to it was the one I found in the box.

Remember if you live in Texas.......Here are the Cowboy Hat Rules

1.  A black felt cowboy hat can be worn any time of the year.

2.  A straw cowboy hat is only worn between Easter and the beginning of the State Fair.

3.  After the State Fair begins you only wear felt hats till Easter.



Friends don't let friends wear the wrong cowboy hat!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Road Goes on Forever.....But the "Parties" Never End.....

 Ok....it's been awhile....things happen.  I know we have broken the blogging posting rules by not blogging at least once a week or once a month.  So I'm going to catch you up on what's been going on since our last post!

December 

Our two families celebrating Christmas together!
(Husbands taking the pictures)

January

We started working on the shower and wedding for Kathy's precious daughter, Katy.

February

Katy and Austin's Shower

Vintage Travel was the theme for the bridal shower.  I set up this old suitcase and placed an old
license plate, several old hotel soaps, and vintage travel postcards inside the suitcase.  Each guest was given a postcard
to write down their best marriage advice on one side and their favorite place to travel on the other side.  The   refreshments were all named after a country.

It's a Cowboy Halloween

It's fall and October has finally arrived! I've been pinning lots of pumpkin, soup and caramel recipes on Pinterest.  The weather has turned cooler here in Texas, and all  my friends on Facebook are posting pictures of how they are decorating for fall.

I have a sunroom that I decorate with vintage Halloween collectibles during the month of October.  I love old Halloween postcards, clickers, and books.  I have no problem finding vintage Halloween collectibles during all my trips to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas every month!

These just put a smile on my face!