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.
.

Spring Events in Huntsville

Lovely scenery in the Spring. Bluebonnets with some Indian Paintbrushes also scattered in.
Come on, springtime!!!! In March we have azaleas everywhere around town.
Hope you can come here in March or early April to see the azaleas and bluebonnets growing around Huntsville. It is that time of year we all want to get out and do things and enjoy what we have been given in scenery.

AIRING OF THE QUILTS
Each year we have on the downtown courthouse square the airing of the quilts, which is based on old tradition of hanging the quilts out to air in the springtime.
Quilters come from all over the US to see and show and buy quilts. This is sponsored by the Tall Pines Quilt Guild. For info go to their web site: www.airingof the quilts.com There are other activities going on in town the same date which is May 3, 2008.

My own building during Airing of the Quilts below









SAM HOUSTON FOLK FESTIVAL
held annually in Huntsville at the Museum grounds the weekend of May 3, 4, and 5, 2008. For more info see their web site:
www.SamHoustonFolkFestival.com

Left-Belles at the festival
Demonstrations at Festival:
washday in 1800's Hispanic dancer Some visiting Indians





All cultural who were here in Texas in 1800's

Elderly quilter


Below is the old cannon shot every hour

After the Loving(Valentine's Day)

So now we are into decorating for Easter and Spring. Some of the dealers in my store have started today to bring in their offerings to get us started into Spring decorating. I am waiting until the last week of the month to change out the display windows. WHY? Because my husband hates to help me with that and it is definitely a 2 man job.
We had a great day of sales today partly because other dealers across this part of the state have started coming by to buy for their booths at Roundtop, which is coming up in March. If there is anything you are looking to buy to supply your booths email me and I will try to locate it for you,
or see if any of my dealers have it here.
I also had a call today from a dear friend in Dallas. He always starts off the call with "Do you have any McCoy there in your store?" so I have to guess it is him. We were in another shop together a few years ago and he is my source for pricing when I just don't have a clue. He, George, previously had his own shop in Dallas but is now downsized to a booth at the Main Street Emporium in Trinity Texas with another friend Mike, and Diana who is the owner of the store. If you are in their area look them up. They have some unusual antiques and finds. Diana has the neatest old post office wall of post office boxes that you have to see. Stop in there for some deals on the way to Roundtop or Canton. They are located on Main Street of course.

My poetry for this week is:

What lies behind us
and what lies before
us are tiny matters
compared to what
lies within us

author unknown

Valentine's Day

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY one and all!!!!!!!
This holiday is time to stop and smell the roses. Get in touch with old friends and new.
Today is for more than just lovers, it is also for our friends.
So what do we think of today?

Some pretty flowers for this day.

Lovers for our special Day. From earlier times.













A pretty table for the Day

This picture of a table set with Ruby flashed on glassware and fruit with some milk glass too
on display here in the store. Chocolates? Yes, always in style.
Poetry for the Day:
I have chosen three different selections for you.

Write your name by kindness,
love and mercy,
upon the hearts of those you come into contact with,
and you will never be forgotten.



May you always be happy,
And live at your ease,
Get a kind husband,
and do as you please.


In the evening of life cherish the remembrance of those who loved thee in its morning.

These verses were all from the Seven Hundred Album Verses published in 1884 by J.S.Ogilvie.
Best of days to you,
Lois

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

To love is to place our happiness in the happiness of another
by Gottfried Wilhelm Von Leibniz (German 1646-1716)

ROMANTIC HOMES MARCH ISSUE

Just wait until you see the March issue of Romantic Homes magazine!!!!!
I particularly like page 96 that shows a 1930 maid's uniform. In the Antique Clothing Boutique in my store I have 2 very old maid's uniforms which I would like to show you here in the picture.
The black and white is from 1920's with apron and the gray and white is from 1912 with apron and mop cap. I can just imagine what all these uniforms have seen and heard in their lives below stairs.
I love Romantic Homes magazine and sell it in my store.