Summer at Country Roads

Summer only began less than a week ago, but it already "feels" like we've been enjoying it for the past few weeks. I love this time of year. I really do and always have. Life just seems a little bit less congested with "stuff" and the fact that the sun is always shining, makes me smile. Here are a few of my favorite things at Country Roads!

I'm really grateful for all of those that are a part of Country Roads. They make my job so much easier. I hope you will stop by and see us soon. As you know, our displays and vignettes are always changing! I hope to see you soon!!

What Always Catches My Eye

When I first opened Country Roads twenty years ago, I tried to create a store that carried a "look" of its own. Over all these years, of course I've seen other stores that strongly resemble bits and pieces of CR.  But you have to just over look that and accept the fact, it is what it is. And as we all know, there is so much more that goes into a store, a business, than just a look. One of my favorite vendors here at Country Roads is Sue Lennon. Since day one, she has had a look of her own which I love. Here are a few of my favorite pictures. . .

You know, twenty years later, we are all still working hard at Country Roads to make it a destination. Our hopes are that, CR is "always your favorite, never the same"!  Take care. . .

Gloria Hill's Eye Candy

Happy Saturday for those of you that have it off. And for those of you, like me, that work all week-end, let's hope we stay busy and it passes fast!! The "eye candy" today is courtesy of Gloria Hill. Her and Ted have been at CR for SO long that I've lost count just how many years its been. Gloria just finished a big makeover here at CR and I wanted to share some of her fresh merchandise this morning. This old girl has SO much character. I want to bring her home, yet I "know" that every time I would walk past her, I would scare the crap out of myself. Below are a few more pictures of what Gloria just brought into CR. . .

Gloria and Ted always bring home some of the best architectural elements ever. Over all these years, many of their architectural pieces still fill my home. Have a happy week-end, and I hope you make some time to come see us here at Country Roads!

The Stars Boys!

 There are moments when I sit and look at the pictures I've taken and am just so grateful for all of those at Country Roads that put together such wonderful displays and vignettes. It is really amazing to walk through all of this stuff we have here at Country Roads. One of our newer additions to our CR family is the "Stars Boys"! Many of you may know Brent and Darwin from their wonderful antique stores up in Portland, Oregon. They recently took on a bigger area here at Country Roads and I wanted to share some of their amazing vignettes they have put together.

For some reason, this is one of my very favorite vignettes! It is a little closet type area off their space. Not an easy little area to work with. But when I saw this, I loved it! If I had would have tried to put this together, all of the chairs would most likely have fallen on me! I hope to see you soon. As you all know, Country Roads is "always your favorite, never the same"! Take care.

CR Eye Candy

I have been so busy that past few weeks. I'm not sure where my time goes, but it does, indeed, fly by. I had a couple of people ask me yesterday ask me if things were ok since I hadn't posted in awhile. Please know, everything is really "good" and thank you for asking. And of course, I am busy right now trying to get this post up before I leave for "the store"! Today is just a very, very small sampling of some really sweet eye candy!

If you are looking for something to do this week-end, I hope you will add us to your list of  "things to do"!  Just be sure and schedule plenty of time for your visit since we have around 10,000 square feet inside and another 5,000 square feet outside! You can truly "lose" yourself in some of the sweetest eye candy ever!!

My Mom

I usually re-post this blog post each Mother's Day. I know I'm like many of you that have lost your Mom's.  But we still hold them close our your hearts! So Mom, even though you never, ever liked much attention you deserve it. I love the pictures of you. Happy Mother's Day!

Born and raised in Temple, Texas, she loved her beloved state of Texas and its bluebonnets.

I didn't find most of these pictures until after she had passed away. She had a tough life. This is an old school picture of my Mom.

Her Dad made a living driving a gas truck. That is him on the right with the hat, and my Mom on top of the truck.

Another one of the few pictures I have of her.

I love this picture, it's one of my very favorites.

My Mom moved out to sunny southern CA, and met my Dad. That's me in my Mom's lap.

My Mom was so excited when her first grandchild, Brande was born.  She passed away two days after my first grandbaby, Riley was born.  She never got to hold her, but once she knew she had arrived in this world of ours safely and healthy, she let go. I'm thinking of her this week-end, and even though I "know" the chaos and confusion of my family now, with my own four little grandbabies, would make her crazy, she's still smiling down on us all.