Roundtop/Warrenton Antique shows in progress

Old Carriage at Zapp Hall Antique show


If it isn't at Roundtop or Warrenton or one of the other shows currently going on in that area, then I doubt you could find the item anywhere on earth. It is more than a day's shopping for sure. Sometimes hot sometimes cool and sometimes rainy.
You will not want to miss the kolaches made locally. Wonderful fruit pastries.








One of my dealers who is at the Roundtop Antique Show actually has her booth set up at Zapp Hall in nearby Warrenton. She has a blog also at Garden Antiques Vintage. Her booth must be wonderful as she has the greatest imagination of anyone I know. She travels all over Texas attending shows, sales and estate sales or whatever beckons to her from the road. This is Theresa for those who haven't already guessed. I keep telling her she has a future as a roving reporter for blogs about vintage stuff.
I wanted to remind you all to check out her blog for dates she will be there at the Roundtop shows.

Also to remind you all that the first weekend in May is a special time here in Huntsville when we have two major events: first the Sam Houston Folk Festival and the second Airing of the Quilts. See my earlier post about that.

If you want phone numbers for the B&B's here check out the chamber of commerce's web site.
Or email me.

SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!!!!

Spring is finally here. I worked in the yard yesterday and got that nice dirt between the fingers and under the nails but had a great sense of accomplishment when all was done. We have bought some new plants this year but they are still sitting in the front waiting to be planted. My husband plans on doing that soon. I planted the smaller things yesterday. I love this time of the year. I can imagine my yard as I would like it to be. Every plant that I put in the ground is a part of a master plan I work and rework every Spring and in the weeks leading us up to Spring and actually planting time. This year we plan to put out another azalea or two or three, also of the pink Formosa variety plus 2 more gardenias, cape jasmine variety. These are the old cemetary bushes that are found in the cemetaries of the South. I love that scent. I cannot wait for my first crop of blooms. Yesterday I planted purple agapanthas, ferns, white Angel trumpets and yellow cannas. These will be in the flower beds surrounding the pergola.
In addition to these, we have yellow Carolina Jessamine for the pergola that was built this past year and purple wisteria also for the pergola. So you can see I have big plans.
But then I have to wait for the harvest of my plantings. I will show a picture when these actually come to fruition.

HE IS RISEN, HE IS RISEN INDEED!!!!!!!

We will go to Church on Easter Sunday as we always do, we will sing the same song we always sing, "HE Arose" and we will reflect for a hour or so on what His death on the cross really means. But what we do when we leave there is what shows if we really appreciate what HE did. HIS death and resurrection gave hope to all if they will accept it.
Do we go and share this message? Do we show our love to others? Do we think before we conduct business with others? Or do we leave our Christianity at the door of our Churches? I hope we do not.
My reading for today is this: Ephesians 2:5
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, by grace ye are saved.
HAPPY EASTER TO YOU AND YOURS!!!!
Lois

Spring weather

Today has been wonderful!! The weather here is sunny although slightly windy. Pollen is in the air and leaves are falling for the final time this year.
the azaleas are opening for their show. The best time of the year:

Reminds me of this quote by unknown author:

"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass,
it's about learning to dance in the rain."

The store has been steadily busy today so I guess everyone else is enjoying this wonderful day also. They are out and I am inside. But I can see
our my windows how lovely it is.

Tonight we are going to an auction and that is a favorite pastime of mine, although my husband is not so in love with it. My sister and her husband also attend and this is our sister get together time. I have my eye on a few things and will let you know when I next post if I was the "winner" or someone else was the one to carry it home.

Best of weekends to you all!!!!

Sunday

Woodbine Hotel

We spent last night at the Woodbine Hotel in Madisonville which is about 39 miles away.
The kids were away visiting out of town so we took advantage of this one night without
responsibility and made a quick trip for ourselves.
The Woodbine is a 1904 hotel with all the ambiance you would hope for from that era.
I actually felt, after one night there totally refreshed and recharged. Susan is the owner
and she is a wonderful hostess. Our room for the night was the Shapira Suite. It had a
king sized iron bed, high ceilings, Victorian decor and just everything you would want
for a evening in a different century to be.
There is not too much to do in Madisonville. We had to go out for a meal since there was
a private banquet that evening and the dining room was closed and chose the Legends
Steakhouse. It was ok but not as good as I had heard the Woodbine Dining room is. Next
time we will plan a night when there is not a private party going on there.
We did have the B&B breakfast this morning and it was superb. The Chef met us when we
entered the dining room and escorted us to the best seat in the house, in a bay window.
All the decor was high Victorian. We were able to choose from a large menu for the B& B
breakfast, which is very unusual. Most B&B's where we have stayed serve a continential
breakfast for their B&B guests. I chose the waffles and let me tell you they were the best waffles I have ever eaten plus large. I had bacon, coffee(cup with no bottom to it it seemed), fresh sliced fruit, and juice. James chose the 3 egg omelet with all the ingredients he wanted to choose.
Let me tell you it was good. The service in the dining room was excellent also. Before we were done with our meal, Susan had come in several times to refresh my coffee and chat.
There are 8 guest rooms at the hotel.
To get back to nothing to do, the antique shops in that small town with a cute courthouse square have all closed. That being my favorite thing to do, I asked Susan about it and she said you want to open one? I sure would but James would leave me so decided the answer would have to be no to that. She told us of the local Mushroom Festival which is an annual affair and today was to be a Texas Independence celebration. I told her about our upcoming events in Huntsville and she agreed she would share this with all the guests contacting her for reservations.
She has had the hotel since 1999. Front main lobby about 40 ft
If you want a short restful trip somewhere or a meeting place between Houston and Dallas,
choose the Woodbine Hotel. There is a small bar that is straight out of the speak easy era.
Charming. And Sunday 11am to 2pm is her famous Sunday Brunch. The selection is amazing.
Thanks, Susan for a nice evening away from home in a different time. web site is www.WoodbineHotel.com Shapira Suite(our room for the night) CLICK ON PICTURES TO ENLARGE


2 other suites at
hotel

March is here!!!!!

Finally, March is here. And you know what that means? Spring is right behind it. I do dearly love springtime. When I die, I know I will die in Winter, trying to hold on for Springtime. The birds are
chirping and the trees are budding out as well as our azaleas. I am grateful for another wonderful Spring.
Last night after closing the store we began decorating the display windows. We had to come in early this morning to finish up but I am certainly glad that is finished. This month we leave our windows the same until June. My husband loves that. This is the only time of the year we can leave them but the reasoning is that March 2 is Texas Independence Day(from Mexico in 1836) and also our local hero Sam Houston's birthday. Then May 3 is the annual Sam Houston Folk Festival and the annual Airing of the Quilts which I previously mentioned in my last post, so we just decorate to include quilts, Sam Houston and Springtime. That solves the whole decorating dilemma. We're safe for about 3 months!!! The mannequin is wearing her c1890 pink linen dress for those who are interested in fashion.
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