Boosting the Local Economy......

We are all trying to get our economy back on its feet in our own way ..... and a group of friends and I did just that over the weekend. Our friends Joyce and Jack have a "beautiful" hill country home and she opened it to 4 great friends this weekend to celebrate the "dancin' fools" birthday. We shopped, laughed, ate (quite a bit), shopped some more, ate quite a bit more, visited, laughed and ate (yet again...) the most wonderful chocolate cake on the face of the earth! When we go to Fredericksburg, its like staying in a B&B, only better!! (Really, I have no idea what time Joyce gets up because there are fresh scones, muffins you name it ready for us when we pull our happy butts out of bed at 7:30 a.m.... go figure!) You wake in the morning to the smell of fresh perked coffee outside of the upstairs bedrooms. Coffee cups are in place with fresh cream and sugar, along side the comfy window seat that lets you sit among pillows and take in the breathtakingly beautiful views of the Texas Hill Country. I think some of our best conversations took place right there in the morning with coffee in our hands and all looking like something that the family pet pulled up onto the back porch. Somehow none of that mattered because we enjoyed one anothers company so much. If I could wish one thing for every person on the planet it would be to have friendships like the ones that I have been blessed with. This past weekend was one that relaxed, refreshed and renewed and it could not have been hosted any more graciously than the way Joyce did, and I for one appreciate it more than words could possibly convey. For those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit Fredericksburg, you are missing an absolutely delightful treat. The shopping is just as pleasant as one would expect it to be. You can stroll in and out of little shops from the time they open until the town rolls up the red carpet at about 7 p.m. and still not see everything there is to see. We absolutely boosted the local economy not only by our shopping skills, but, by the way we ate our way through Fredericksburg. Billy and Sharon at Mahaleys diner are our new best friends, we had pictures made with them on our way out of town and I am absolutely sure that we would be welcomed back like old friends (btw....if you do make it down to Fredericksburg you must go to Mahaleys and have the "trash" breakfast taco......yummmm-O!!!!) Raspberry muffins and big red cupcakes are also on the "must try" list. We were told that a writer spent the summer there a couple of years ago and wrote a mystery novel that took place in Fredericksburg and that Billy was a character in the book.....let me tell you he is just that ..... quite a character! We felt like we had known them all our lives by the time we left on Sunday..... complete with hugs in the parking lot! Oh and check out the pic of the "Scotch Egg" that we had for a "protein" appetizer at one of the local pubs! Tanya wasn't real keen on it ..... but at our insistence she tried it, liked it ok.....and I think she took a picture of it to prove to people she actually ate one! They are soooooooo good! (Side note.... Lisa, you did take that half of egg out of your jacket pocket didn't you???)

My shopping was actually a mission of sorts. I was on the prowl for vintage brooches and hankies ..... and I hit pay dirrrtttt!!!!! We were lucky enough to have been in Fredericksburg for their version of "Canton Trade Days" and although much smaller than our famous one....it provided us the arena that I longed for.....junk! We went in and out of all the barns (numbered 1 through 6) and up until Barn #6 did not find any brooches ..... opps, take that back ... I found two but they were not for sale (really, why put brooches on display that you do not want to sell???? Hello, what are we here for......$$$$ right?) However, upon walking into Barn #6 it seemed like every other booth had brooches (and a few hankies) and I for one was in heaven! I bought 9 brooches from Barbara (who btw.....was concerned about how I intended to use them.....thank you Lisa for putting her mind at ease even though they will not be able to be worn again unless the whole plan of action is torn apart). Penny made sure she asked Barbara to "throw the one brooch into my stash" because it was missing 2 small stones, and she did.....thank you Penny!) Tanya sat and went through the plastic tub of hankies for me and even though I didn't purchase any of them, I so appreciate your thoughtfulness and the time you spent looking.....and I covet your "vintage cherry tablecloth" also purchased from Barbara....and last but not least, Joyce... lets throw out a huge THANK YOU for taking us to trade days.....love, love, loved it!!! All of my friends also purchased a brooch for Kadie, making sure that in some way that brooch would remind her of them on her wedding day.....and I'm sure it will, she was absolutely thrilled with all of them. Kadie had a big weekend for adding to the treasures needed for this "beautiful brooch bouquet" as David's mom and grandma also added many beautiful rings, brooches and pins. We had so much fun laying everything out on the coffee table Sunday night and admiring it. We are getting close to the number of brooches needed (I think last count was around 50) and I am hoping for 75 by sometime this spring. She plans on sending a note to grandma's and aunt's in other states explaining what she is doing and hoping they too will want to add to this special bouquet. If you curious about what this bouquet will look like....check out this website and admire what this talented woman does with vintage jewelery..... http://www.fantasyfloraldesigns.com/ and click on brooch bouquets.

Well, with the "brand new" Expedition loaded down (Thank you Ronnie, ride was FAB..u..lous!!!)and bellies full we reluctantly headed back to Dallas. There is just something to be said about small towns and all the people who call them home ..... Joyce, you are an incredible host and friend. I hope Lisa and Penny didn't scar little Jack for life and Big Jack, thank you for sharing your wonderful wife with us for the weekend.....we had a blast!

Oh and after a weekend like this I completely understand the framed saying in Joyce's kitchen...... "Life's to Short to live in Dallas"!