All Roads Lead You Back Home...

As the old saying goes, "all roads always lead you back home".  The Cranky Queen can definitely agree with that...My saying is "no matter how far in this big world I may roam...Tallulah, LA will always be Home Sweet Home!"  And less than a week ago, I followed this Community Coffee truck...to home... ( a sure sign that you are in the South)

"I wish I was in the land of cotton...olde times here are not forgotten...look away, look away, look away...Dixie Land!"  The sign & motto of my home town where my Daddy & Mamma still live~Tallulah, LA

A glimpse into my home town & why the road of life always leads me back...this is the house where I was raised...precious memories whisper in the walls of this 1960's ranch-style home on Eureka Street.

A block away, this alligator enjoyed basking in the sun on the banks of the Brushy Bayou.

The Brushy Bayou winds its way through the length of the town...years ago, little white bridges crossed the water allowing residence to walk from one side to the other...long gone, but the Christmas trees still light up the weekend after Thanksgiving each year casting their shadows on the muddy water. Ducks paddling around while turtles sun on old logs...

So What Is So Mesmerizing About My Home Town?  It's the small things that really bring out the fondness & make me long for home...

Pink Oleander...deadly but beautiful

Cattails...found in many ditches and swampy areas...

Huge oak trees that line the streets & give shade to the most hot and humid of days...

 

How many places can you see a magnolia tree & a cypress tree growing side by side? Only in the South!

 

I don't have to state the obvious! We love the  

                                       New Orleans Saints & the LSU Tigers!

 The Courthouse that stands proud in the center of town...

Long gone are the bottled Coca-Colas...but the historic building still stands...

I couldn't resist a snapshot of this old sign...the motel is still open, but the restaurant where I ate many meals...is only a concrete sidewalk...I ate the best chicken fried steak here!

The First Baptist Church of Tallulah...I was baptized here in 1975...Gave my high school graduation speech here in 1984...Married here in 1988...I love how its image reflects in the bayou...

But the number one reason that I make the 5 hour trip home so often is for my parents. If I have one wish in life...it is to cherish the moments spent with love ones....This post is for my wonderful Father & Mother...STAY CALM & HOLD ON TO LIFE'S PRECIOUS MEMORIES! Tiffany

Happy Fall Ya'll!

The Royal Family wishes everyone a big ole Southern "Happy Fall Ya'll" greeting! The Cranky Queen previously posted her spooky cages vignette...& since Fall is my favorite season, I wanted to share more of my Halloween decor. Above are 2 scare crows that I made when Prince Logan was young. I must say, they have "weathered well" over the years!

I couldn't resist buying this little sign!

Those that are loyal followers know that Chihuahuas are the Royal Family's choice of dog! I couldn't pass this little oil painting up on EBAY.

Cranky King totally agrees with this sign hanging by our side entrance.

Is this not a great vintage find? Not sure what it is exactly ...but had to have it when I saw it! This oldie has a detachable strainer, but has lost its lid. It has a spicket & is heavily welded with a German plaque on the front. I filled it with sunflowers & fall leaves.  Sunflowers always make me smile!

This little chippy concrete bird found a home among blooming mums!

Dixie Belle is even feeling a little "witchy"!

I also helped Cranky Em (my Mother) decorate for Fall when I was home a few weeks ago.

Rusty wrought iron deer filled with pumpkins and leaves on the dining room table.

 I made this wreath for Mother to hang on her front door...love the sunflowers and nests.

Hope everyone enjoyed the Royal Tour...The Cranky Queen promises more to come!

STAY CALM & GET YOUR "FALL ON"!

Tiffany

Never Fear....The Steers' Are Near!

The Cranky Queen's last name is Steers...So during the Halloween season, her famous motto is "Never Fear, The Steers' Are Near!" So on behalf of this spooky season, I decided to share with my blog friends the Vintage Halloween Vignette that is displayed on the kitchen island...

I started with bird cages covered with spider webbing & black crows.

I love the old Rook cards scattered about...

The spider is made from tree bark!

These little S&P witches were found in Cummings, Georgia at Lakewood last fall. Straddling their brooms...SO FUN!

I have been collecting vintage Halloween noise makers for several years.

These oldies are getting much more difficult to find...at reasonable prices~

A little rusty, but this tamborine is a rare find!

I love these jack-o-lantern napkins (still in the original package) that I found at the Country Living Market in Stone Mtn., GA last fall...Check out the rubber black cat horn!

These plastic lights remind me of my childhood!

The Cranky Queen has more to show you...but will wait to a later date...She is off to ride her broom!

STAY CALM & BE A LITTLE "WITCHY"!

Bella Rustica Market...The Queen's Country Adventures at Tap Root Farms In Tennessee

Yee Haw! The Cranky Queen & her gal pal Dutchess Melanie traveled to Franklin, TN for the 2nd Annual Bella Rustica Market. 

Boy, did we have a "boot scootin'" kinda time!  Melanie even "got her cowgirl on" with her vintage red feed & seed straw hat, vintage hammered leather purse, & "dead pawn" turquoise & silver jewelry...

We headed down Hwy 65 North toward Nashville in the Cranky King's BIG RED truck & spotted a sign for Tin Top Antiques, located in Hartselle, AL...We had to stop & check this eclectic building out!

Melanie loved this old chicken feeder!

With the Flea Market Mag as a guide, we mapped out our day starting with the "Early Bird Arrival"@Tap Root Farms, home of Bella Rustica

 

The decor was just fabulous using an old foot board & dresser to greet us!

We were almost "junk drunk" entering the tent to see what kind of awesome goodies awaited us! Let the shopping begin!

 

 The Cranky Queen's Shoe!

 A adorable cowboy made this lighted arrow from West Vintage Trading Co.

 Re-cycled Jewelry that made you "weak at the knees!"

 Unbelievable Booth Displays!

 

 Loved the way these gals displayed their booth...most of these areas were in actual horse stalls!

 

 

 

 

 Cranky Queen purchased one of these bottles with the number 7 (her house address).

 

Look at this great Steer & old signs.  Loved it!

This purse vendor was Melanie's favorite.  These bags were absolutely beautiful made with vintage laces and antique change purses!

Sassy Trash is one of the Cranky Queen's favorite artist! Incredible sign and booth setup...

 

 Look at these fab vintage horsehair boots that I bought from a true cowgirl, Diann Rigsby "Cowgirl Couture"!

And I loved these tops!

 Melanie even found some red boots that she liked, but chose to leave them behind since she already had a red pair back home...

 We loved the setting of the farm and stalls. Take a look @ this beauty!

Check out the "country restrooms"!

The Cranky Queen sent the Cranky King a cell picture of this truck telling him that this was exactly what she needed to go junkin' in...

Mel & a familiar vendor that we met at the Country Living Mkt. in Stone Mtn. last year!

 We ventured out after the show to the Franklin Factory. Meet Rusty, the huge statue made from re-cycled items!

Tiff & Mel relaxing in the ENORMOUS rocker!

Waiting outside the Goodwill Store in Franklin to open!

 The Cranky Queen bought this awesome dress at Scarlett's in historical Franklin!

 This year, various types of unusual lighting were found everywhere!

Can you say FAB???

Cranky Queen & Dutchess Melanie's Motto!

We had a great "gal pal's" get-a-way.  We will definitely return next year...I forgot to mention that we enjoyed delicious food everywhere that we went, including Puckett's Groc. & Cafe, SOL Mexican, etc. AND we shopped at all of the local antique malls and shops! Tennessee or BUST!

Just remember...take time to have fun with your gal pals...a good friend is priceless...

STAY CALM & GET YOUR COWGIRL ON!

Tiffany