Round Top
My parents came into town this weekend to celebrate my mother's 60th birthday. Having sworn off refined sugar, I wondered what I could serve as a proper birthday dessert. I eventually made a baked fruit medley of sorts using what I had on hand: apples, grapes, raisins, orange juice, steel cut oats, butter, cinnamon, and allspice. Yummy.
Yesterday we went to the antique show at Round Top. What a spectacle. Field after field of antique dealers of all stripes lined up along at least twenty miles of windy, country road between the town of Round Top and its neighbors. We stopped first at the field occupied by Jason and Sara and hundreds of other dealers. I began the afternoon with the delusion that we would make it out of that field into the next. You live and learn, I guess. I couldn't get enough of Jason and Sara's furniture. The company Jason "works" for, Blue Loft Home, sells rustic Chinese antiques by the container to wholesalers in the U.S. They came to Round Top last Fall and this Spring to drum up wholesale business while unloading a couple of containers worth of furniture to individuals at retail prices. Steve helped Jason set up for the show a couple of weeks ago, and he's back there tonight helping break it down. Yesterday, Jason offered us furniture as payment, since Steve had refused cash. So, it's possible that Steve will come home bearing lovely Chinese antiques yet again.
I grew up "antiquing" with my parents in the many tiny, rural towns that pepper the Texas landscape. My parents furnished our entire home in antiques, including our bedroom furniture. Then, when they downsized into their townhouse after us kids went off to college, they parted with many of the antiques I'd grown to love. I managed to snag a gorgeous dresser with a beveled mirror (which now lives in my bedroom), but much of the furniture made its way into the homes of my aunts or brother. Antiques occupy a little soft corner of my heart, and I can't wait to see what delightful piece(s) Steve brings back this time around.
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the show. They meandered around, looking at the various booths and tents while Steve and I visited with Sara and Jason. For my own part, the only "window"-shopping I did involved looking at whatever dealers happened to occupy the space between the two different tents in which Sara & Jason had a presence. I found a booth full of the most lovely embroidered apparel, but it was far too pricey for me to justify buying it on a whim. Anyhow, it re-inspired me to pursue needlework as a hobby.
We also discovered a fantabulous hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Giddings called Reba's. I can't sing enough praises for Reba's delectable dishes. Affordable and made of fine, carefully chosen ingredients, the food came in large, exciting portions.
I wonder when Steve will come home. He left for Round Top after church, ready to spend the night and drive back early in the morning, if necessary. I should check the messages and see if he's called. We keep the ringer turned off while we work and often leave it off the rest of the time as well. Our little "You've Got Voicemail" light is flashing, but I don't know how many messages that represents, or if Steve is among them.
Yesterday we went to the antique show at Round Top. What a spectacle. Field after field of antique dealers of all stripes lined up along at least twenty miles of windy, country road between the town of Round Top and its neighbors. We stopped first at the field occupied by Jason and Sara and hundreds of other dealers. I began the afternoon with the delusion that we would make it out of that field into the next. You live and learn, I guess. I couldn't get enough of Jason and Sara's furniture. The company Jason "works" for, Blue Loft Home, sells rustic Chinese antiques by the container to wholesalers in the U.S. They came to Round Top last Fall and this Spring to drum up wholesale business while unloading a couple of containers worth of furniture to individuals at retail prices. Steve helped Jason set up for the show a couple of weeks ago, and he's back there tonight helping break it down. Yesterday, Jason offered us furniture as payment, since Steve had refused cash. So, it's possible that Steve will come home bearing lovely Chinese antiques yet again.
I grew up "antiquing" with my parents in the many tiny, rural towns that pepper the Texas landscape. My parents furnished our entire home in antiques, including our bedroom furniture. Then, when they downsized into their townhouse after us kids went off to college, they parted with many of the antiques I'd grown to love. I managed to snag a gorgeous dresser with a beveled mirror (which now lives in my bedroom), but much of the furniture made its way into the homes of my aunts or brother. Antiques occupy a little soft corner of my heart, and I can't wait to see what delightful piece(s) Steve brings back this time around.
My parents thoroughly enjoyed the show. They meandered around, looking at the various booths and tents while Steve and I visited with Sara and Jason. For my own part, the only "window"-shopping I did involved looking at whatever dealers happened to occupy the space between the two different tents in which Sara & Jason had a presence. I found a booth full of the most lovely embroidered apparel, but it was far too pricey for me to justify buying it on a whim. Anyhow, it re-inspired me to pursue needlework as a hobby.
We also discovered a fantabulous hole-in-the-wall restaurant in Giddings called Reba's. I can't sing enough praises for Reba's delectable dishes. Affordable and made of fine, carefully chosen ingredients, the food came in large, exciting portions.
I wonder when Steve will come home. He left for Round Top after church, ready to spend the night and drive back early in the morning, if necessary. I should check the messages and see if he's called. We keep the ringer turned off while we work and often leave it off the rest of the time as well. Our little "You've Got Voicemail" light is flashing, but I don't know how many messages that represents, or if Steve is among them.