Waxahachie - Part Two

After walking through two of the homes on tour, we drove over to the town square.  The Ellis County Courthouse is located here.

There was a vintage car show being held around the square.

I coveted this rusty old truck with turquoise doors, thinking it would make a great prop for my photo shoots!

The Ellis County Museum was also open.  I'll be honest: we stopped in to escape from the heat, but ended up enjoying looking at everything on display.

We had lunch at The Dove's Nest, which I'd heard about, but not visited. It's a shop with a restaurant that's open for lunch. The food was excellent, and the shop was full of all sorts of good things.

After our shopping and eating were finished, it was time to return to the car, and look at more homes.  This one wasn't on the tour, but I felt it deserved to be!

Look at this veranda!  Can't you just imagine sitting out there with a crystal glass of sweet tea, munching on a pimento and cheese sandwich?

This large red home was next to see, so we parked and checked it out.  Very nice!

This is David Trip, a talented artist who was involved with the plein art painting that was going on around town.  Setting up across from a home on tour, he was quickly painting the view.  The heat didn't even seem to bother him! David's website is www.recollections54.com if you'd like to see more of his excellent work.

Each of the houses on the Gingerbread Trails tour had a little gingerbread man in their front yard.

This house had such a rich family history.  Family members from many generations were present, and they all introduced themselves and had stories to tell.

 The owner's niece told us about this old refrigerator.

 The back yard looked cool and inviting!

 The stairs were lined with white accents...a nice touch.

 Upstairs, three vintage family wedding dresses were on display, one hung on each of the bedroom doors.

 By mid-afternoon, we were beginning to lag.  One home was left to see, and Jane the Navigator said we should see it since we paid for the entire tour!  I'm glad we did, because it was so creatively decorated. I think this is an interesting way to display photographs.

 Sweet vintage clothing was hung on a rack in the daughter's room.

 The living room looked so inviting!

 On the way out, we walked through a fun room...one wall was covered with 45 rpm records!

The day was over, and we drove home with the scent of old fashioned blooms in the air.  Thanks, Waxahachie, for the tour!

Waxahachie - Part One

Logistically, the town of Waxahachie, Texas, is about thirty miles south of Dallas.  It only seems like you're in another era when you visit.  Known for its distinctive "gingerbread" style of architecture, there are many homes that catch your eye while visiting.  Many movies have also been filmed here, including "Bonnie & Clyde," "Tender Mercies," "Places in the Heart," and "The Trip to Boutiful."  It's fine country, with friendly people.

Today was the 44th annual "Gingerbread Trails Tour of Homes."  I headed down first thing this morning, but it was already 85 degrees.  Equipped with camera equipment and lots of bottled water, it was far from a hardship to visit.  I first stopped at the arts and crafts festival in Getzendaner Park, where I visited with an artist named Jean.  She and two sisters had beautiful things for sale.

There was also live music.  Isn't "Pig Ankle" a great name for a band?  I was early, so they weren't all there yet, but the fiddling was fine.

 People enjoyed the occasional breeze, knowing that soon it would be hot and humid.

There were some cute little dogs taking in the action, too!  I bought a few of Jean's creative "wall cards" and then returned to my car to find the homes on tour.  Tickets purchased, and map in the hands of my friend, Jane the Navigator, we soon stepped back into the past.  It was glorious. Houses like this one dotted the streets, and many had flags flying in their front yards.

Our first stop on the tour was this gorgeous two-story home.  The owners were dressed in period costumes, and their pride in the house was evident.

This woodwork is original to the home!

The pond in the back yard contained fish and this picture-perfect bloom on a lily pad.

The next home belongs to Jennifer, a friend of mine whom I'd met at the vintage Petticoats on the Prairie show.  She's a very talented artist, and it's a pleasure to know her.  She and her husband purchased their house last December, after it'd sat empty and neglected for quite some time.  You'd never know it now! Sorry about those bunny ears over your head, Jennifer...I just noticed them!!  They're kind of cute, actually!

Outside, these lovely ladies (mom and daughters) were selling gingerbread men.

More photos to come from the rest of my day...looks like I took too many, as usual!