Picture Album - Shopping Trip 2/16/2010

The first time I went to central Louisiana about 15 years ago, I thought I had landed in heaven. Through the window in the tiny little prop plane, it looked like I was about to touch down in a lush, green, tree-filled National Forest. It was, however July, and when I stepped out of the puddle jumper into the humid air, I thought maybe it was more like HELL. My sister set me straight when she laid down the law; "You can say "It's so HOT" three times; after that you get sent home!" But in the spring, it's delightful.

This is the (huge) home across the Bayou Robert from my sister's house. It was moved there from another town.

This is the highway that you travel on and see more beautiful houses like this:
(You can click on the images to make them larger)

Hard Times at the Inglewood Plantation just down the road. Other nearby Plantations include The Kent House, Loyd Hall, Tyrone Plantation, and Rosalie Plantation.

This is the Benett House that was also moved here (from nearby Bunkie. I photo-shopped this house and used it on my banner above!)

Another view of it.

This is Matt's Cabin; a 1900's sharecropper's cabin (located on the Inglewood Plantation land) that has a fully equipped kitchen and a cozy fireplace. There are two guest rooms with private baths. It used to be available to rent but I think some lucky soul is living in it right now. I want to retire here or perhaps here:

The Schoolhouse is situated beneath sprawling live oak trees, this pre-Civil War schoolhouse can accommodate up to four guests and features a spacious living room with a fireplace, kitchenette, and a full private bath.

Whoa, stop the car! Let's start our shopping trip right here in the beautiful neighborhood of the "Garden District" because this one's for sale!!!! $329,500! Even has an elevator!

More gems in the Garden District await...

around every corner...

but it's stuff we can buy that will fit in a suitcase that I'm in pursuit of, so let's go antiquing!!! Off to Glenmora, south of Alexandria, to a few places we've never checked out before and our first stop is the Glenmora Flea Market in the 1200 block of 7th Ave.

Here's my niece Becky, and my sister Madonna looking for treasure inside:

Great bedroom set:

Isn't this bed wonderful? It'll fit in my suitcase. Just have to find a bigger suitcase is all!

And can you see the price of it?!?!?!? Next time I am renting a shipping container before I go! Killed me to leave it behind!

On to Miss Ann Flea Market down the road in the 1100 block.

The friendly Miss Ann greets us near her Valentine's Day display, front and center as you enter.

Hi Miss Ann!

This was a huge building with lots to offer, all displayed so nicely.

Love this hutch!

I bought the pink vintage millinery flower on this shelf:

Loved this yellow table from the 1950's. When's the last time you saw a complete set like it here in northern California? In the 1950's maybe?!?!?

Growing hungry, we three gals head back north to Alexandria and stop in at Chili's for lunch. Then head up to the town of Ball for more shopping.

All I can say about this shop is not good...

and my mother taught me that if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all (insert crickets chirping here).

But if it'll save you all some hard earned money you might have paid for a trip just to come here, then I guess it's really valuable for you to know that this place can best be descibed like this: a bunch of blind folks went to a really good flea market, somehow managed to buy a bunch of great stuff, which they must have kept for themselves, and threw everything else into their booths here. My sister twisted her foot at some point along the line, and had to wait in the car. If there's a good time to twist a foot it was here.

At the end of the day I was happy with what I ended up with:

an embroidered dresser scarf, pink flower, milk glass hand and a chandelier crystal I needed for an upcoming project.

As the sun sets on another day, we put up our feet in front of HGTV and a fire (thanks, Albert!)

Next Post: Found In The Fields

Picture Album - Mardi Gras Parade 2/14/10

As we slept in a little room, in a little comfy bed piled high with floral sheets and quilts, we were unaware that these little faces were just outside our door,

Sweetie

Sissy

and patiently waiting for us to get up so they could give us a good lickin'! After that was over, my sister and I would head out into the cold sunny morning with a mug of coffee and sit on the porch for a bit. I wish all my mornings began this way.

My sister had the wreath on her front door decorated for Mardi Gras, just like the airport there

had the tree decked out in the purple (representing JUSTICE), green (FAITH), and gold (POWER) when we had arrived the day before.

The guys headed to the parade route to stake out our position, and Donna and I joined them with lots of other folks from Albert's family to watch all the floats and marching bands as they passed by.

Albert was kind enough to show us how to get the GOOD beads. "Woo woo welches!"

He neglected to tell us you also have to keep your head up and watch what's being thrown or you'll get beaned on the head. It happens to the best of us, huh Donna?

But when it was all over, we made out pretty good. Half of our take was given to the kids with us.

(See that long string of BIG beads? Poor sister got hit in the head with them!)

Not this kid.

Not this kid either.

Gotta love these kids though!

Next Post: SHOPPING!

Picture Album ~ Louisiana Arrival

My husband and I recently made a trip to central Louisiana to visit with family and see Mardis Gras. However, this first picture is what I though I'd be looking at for the rest of eternity:

"On Time" uh, no, it wasn't. Ever. In fact our hour layover at the Houston airport turned into a THREE DAY LAYOVER, all the while this board kept telling us it was "On Time". Understandably it was delayed, because of the horrible weather but certainly not happily. Finally after the second night of being put up in a hotel, we were able to get a flight into the heart of central Louisiana, and into the arms of my sister, Donna!

This is what we were welcomed with when we arrived at her house; a pig roasting (by chef Albert, my brother-in-law) for a hungry gathering of 50 people! Someone always hosts the roast the day before the parade, and they took to the task this year.

After dinner we were entertained by our own version of the Soggy Bottom Boys, who got us all into the spirit for Mardi Gras!

The next day, this is what we woke up to:

This is the Bayou Robert which is in their backyard!

Next post: The Alexandria Mardi Gras Parade