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.

In My Humble Opinion…..Round Top or Canton?

I go to First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas every month and I've been to Round Top/ Warrenton Flea Market three times.  But I do have an opinion on which is the best.  Remember just my opinion…..tell me what you think!

Thrifty Tuesday

Kap and I headed out for our weekly Thrifty Tuesday adventure yesterday.  There is a city close by that has a thrift store on every corner.  We found a thrift store we had never seen before.  It was clean and no one was inside.  Kap went left and I went right.  We hadn't been in the store more than 3 minutes and I heard Kap say, "Come here, you have got to see this."  Well the last time she said those 8 words, she led me over to a 44 DD bra.  So I figured I was headed to look at a bigger bra but she was headed straight for the furniture.  As we walked down the isle, Kap's voice began to tremble as she said, "Look at this, I can't believe it's only $6.99."  We both thought maybe it was priced incorrectly.  Surely, it was really $69.00.  It was a vintage child's wicker rocker with a needle point seat.  It was shabby chic before shabby was chic.  Kathy got the deal of the year by paying $6.99.  It was such a wonderful day  hunting for treasures.  We found lots of treasures…..but that is another story for another day.

Kap holding her deal of the year!

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.

Ms. Sara's Easy German Cake

Two weeks ago Kap and I headed to Canton to shop.  We stopped at Paul Michaels' store to pick up some ribbon. If you have never been in the store you should go.  They are so friendly and offer free snacks and drinks. While we were shopping, we met the sweetest lady named Sara that worked at the store.  I don't know how the conversation started but before we knew it we were exchanging recipes.  Sara explained how sweet and easy it was to make….she had me at sweet.

Miss Sara's Easy German Cake

1 Box of German Chocolate Cake mix

1or 2 cans of German Chocolate Frosting

Mix the cake mix following the box instructions but add the frosting to the cake mix and stir.  

Yep, that's it!

I asked Sara if she frosted it, too.  She said no…it would make it too sweet.  I think next time I'll frost it.  

Remember she had me at sweet.

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!

Baking Day in December…..A New Tradition

I know this is late but here it goes…..Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!  I always feel a little sad after the holidays are over.  It's so much fun decorating and getting together with the ones we love so much to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  I can't understand why so many people say they don't enjoy Christmas.  I just want to scream, "It's not about YOU….it's about JESUS."  Oh well, I said it and I feel much better.

Christmas is a time to start traditions and I sure hope this will be a new tradition with some of my favorite people!  Kathy invited her mom, sister, Brenda and myself over to her house on a cold, dreary December day to bake.  We all brought our own ingredients and the utensils we needed.  Kathy was so organized and her home was decorated so beautiful.  Here are the pics and some tips to help you if you decide to start this fun tradition next year!  I'm already planning my baking menu for next year!

The baking crew with our cute reindeer mugs.  Kathy's mom is in the middle.  She is the life of any party!

Decade Party

The birthday boys

Donna, my twin cousin and my sister by another mother, just hosted a Decades Party for her dad and her boyfriend.  Her dad, James, was turning 80 and her boyfriend, David, was turning 50.  It was such a cute idea to host the two parties together.  Shelley, Donna's sister in law.....my cousin in law.... and our sister by another mother, helped to host the party.

Donna, me and Shelley

"French" Pumpkin Cake

You don't know it yet but you have waited all your life for this cake.  It is the best "go to" fall cake you will ever taste.  It's moist, delicious and looks beautiful on your cake stand.

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.....

Festus, Got to Love Him

I love watching old westerns.  The other day I was watching Gunsmoke and the whole episode was about good old Festus.  He cracks me up.  His character comes across as an old Tennessee ridge runner but if you really listen to some of his comments he is much smarter than the average cowboy.

This would be so cute framed in a little boy's room.

A Sunrise Tailgate Breakfast

Texas sunrise at the Howell Ranch

It may be 105 outside but come every Sept.1 the Howell cousins gather at the Howell Ranch for the annual dove hunt.  We all share wonderful childhood memories of being at our grandparents house on opening day of dove season.  There would be lots of men in camo, gun shots sounding in the pasture, the sound of Jerry Lewis on TV for the MD Marathon, and the smell of chicken fried steak and coconut cream pie in the kitchen of the farm house.

The Bomb at North Park

Three quotes that have stuck in my brain over the years.

1.  "Your Freedom Stops at the End of Your Nose."
      Mr.  Hughes
     American Government Class

2.  "Trash in, Trash out"
      Robert Wheat
      Poetry Baptist Church

3. "You Have to Stand for Something, or You'll Fall for Anything"
     Aaron Tippin,


Yesterday

I loaded up with Kathy and her sister Debby for a fun filled shopping day at North Park Mall.  If you are from the Dallas area you already know all about North Park Mall   Great shopping, beautiful decorations, high end stores, and home to the real Santa during Christmas.  Of course, it goes without saying, it's a great place to people watch, too.

A North Park tradition

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!!!!!!!!!!!!

Meet the Teacher

And so it begins.....well......it really started about 3-4 weeks ago.  Every teacher starts thinking about the theme she will use in her classroom.  Sports????  Western????  Mickey Mouse????  I even saw a sock monkey theme at Mardels this week.  For the last 13 years of my teaching career, I had a western theme in my classroom.

The old red tub came out of my grandparent's farm house.

Cowboy Blackberry Cobbler

Summer time in Texas means three things....sweet tea, Blue Bell ice cream and cobblers made with fresh fruit.  I loaded up this blackberry cobbler in our big rig (as in truck and horse trailer) one weekend as we headed to a roping. 

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.

Got That Thanksgiving Stress Yet?

Well, it's official.....schools are out and the grocery stores are packed with people grabbing the last package of dinner rolls.  Thanksgiving is here!