HIGHWAY 237-- BLACKTOP TO JUNKIN' BLISS

Hey, Y'all! 

Dorothy had her YELLOW brick road, but JUNKERS have Highway 237!

It's only a few days until Texas Antiques Week --which is really several WEEKS along Highway 237 in the little towns of Round Top, Warrenton, Carmine, Shelby, and Fayetteville and all points in between! My first journey to Round Top, TX during Texas Antiques Week was six years ago. It was one of those magical life-changing days. 

As I saw the Houston burbs in my rear-view and the open blacktop ahead, I knew something marvelous was waiting in those cow pastures just over the hills and around the curves.  It didn't hurt that I was driving my husband's 

convertible Mustang with the top down, of course! Just me, some road tunes, and the promise of shopping with good friends. It truly felt like a Disney moment come to life...butterflies fluttering along the roadside among fields full of bluebonnets and century old live oaks.

Worries, burdens, and concerns lifted from my shoulders the closer I got to Highway 237 or what I like to call "blacktop to Junkin' Bliss!" 

I attended Marburger Farm Antique Show, The Original Red Barn Antique Show at Round Top and my favorite, 

I left with a full shopping cart and a happy heart. It's a wonderful memory that has never left me. 
With our children still in school and a new job in Seattle, it was a few years before I found myself on Highway 237 again. Sweet girl and I journeyed from Seattle on Spring Break in 2011--I was so excited to attend Garden Antqs Vintage's

Blog Party and to meet so many other like-minded JuNkErs, DrEaMeRs, and kindred spirits.

My only disappointment was that eventually, I had to return to domestic goddessing duties a.k.a. mom taxi.

The following year I found myself planning an entire month in Texas to promote my novel, First Monday Murder A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery.

Garden Antqs Vintage was kind enough to invite me to do a book signing at her blog party. I was beyond thrilled! 

I knew I was HOOKED on this magical journey along Highway 237 to the cow pastures turned into mile after mile of booths full of fabulous JUNK in every form as well as some fine antiques, marvelous art, outstanding EATS--and the most incredible people! 

We moved back to Texas in 2012 and now live only an hour away from Highway 237...and yes, I often find myself slipping away from the burbs to the wide open blacktops leading to these tiny German and Czech communities just for the sheer enjoyment of the landscape, the people, and the shops now open year round--it's a great ROAD TRIP!

Last September I was fortunate enough to help Sisters Treasures with their booth at Zapp Hall Antique Show. 

I enjoyed it so much I knew I'd love the opportunity to be a vendor too. By some miracle it is going to happen..ANOTHER dream come true...I'm going to be a vendor at Zapp Hall Antiques Show!

This show has always been my first and last stop during Antiques Week and I'm beyond thrilled to have an opportunity to be there with Garden Cat Vintage goodies and a fresh stack of First Monday Murder A Jimmie Rae Flea Market Mystery books to sign--the next adventure, Vintage Murder will launch later this spring.  

Texas Antiques Week begins as early as March 17 with many shows officially beginning March 28 through April 5. 

Garden Antqs Vintage is hosting her fabulous BLOG PARTY at The Rendezvous March 28 at 6 p.m. 

 Until next time, sweet friends--

Peace, love, and 

all the good stuff, y'all!

JUNKIN' JUBLIATION

Hey, Y'all! Oh my goodness-just like that we've slipped from September to October! I lost track of time, news headlines, and the latest TV drama because Mattie Mae (my old SUV) kept taking us south toward the "pastures of plenty" almost every day for a week and a half. Not that I minded. As a matter of fact, it was like driving to junkin' wonderland everyday! I used my drive-time to appreciate the blooming cotton fields that looked like fresh snow. I listened to Austin radio and caught up on lots of great live music performed at Austin City Limits. I snacked on almonds, apricots, and drank gallons of tea. I even worked on plotting for my latest Jimmie Rae adventure, VINTAGE MURDER and I drove...and drove!

As I veered off the Indy-paced Texas Highway 290 and onto the take-your-hat-off-and-stay-awhile pace of Texas 237 my heart always fluttered in anticipation of what junkin' happiness could be awaiting in those fields of plenty. 

One day I took a gravel farm to market road and after a washed out bridge, 'road closed' sign, and a few other country road detours, I arrived at The Prairie by Rachel Ashwell. 

 

 It was worth all the extra miles!

 

 

The Prairie is truly a special place. If you can't make it there in person--Rachel has a new book featuring The Prairie and all things Round Top, Texas. 

On other days I hit the fields with my trusty shopping cart looking for unusual and needful things...

 

However, most importantly, I hung out with lots of great junkin' friends--like Betsy from Sisters Treasures at their booth at Zapp Hall Antiques Show. Yes, it was warm and humid as most days are in south central Texas, but we had a great time visiting and meeting shoppers from one coast to the other...lots of new junkin' friends. 

And on Saturday evening, a glorious "Northerner" came through and left us with this beautiful sunset and cooler temps!

Here are a few of my fresh picks.Betsy sold me the wonderful vintage metal peacock garden love seat which I lovingly crammed into the back of Mattie Mae. She actually sold me two! I'll sell one and keep the other...for now. 

 Until next time sweet friends, 

Peace, love, and 

all the good stuff to y'all!