Travels

Things You Find In Antique Shops

/ Sarah Collins / 1 Comment

One of the nice things about Grand Island, NE is the downtown area.  It is not very big, but it has several nice places to visit, such as: The Chocolate Bar a coffee bar and pub, Kindred a boutique, Majestic Treasures a Christian book store, and The Tattered Book a used book store.  Plus it has a least a half dozen antique shops with over 50 vendors selling their treasures.

Here are some of the interesting items I found at the antique shops:

One: The almost perfect Christmas tree.

20151102_135327

Two:  Who remembers Woolworth?  You probably know someone that has some of these in their attic or basement.

20151102_140116

Three:  Ironing board.  I guess the newer models are not good enough.

20151102_141418

Four:  Doll in poofy dress for all princesses.

20151102_141826_001

Five: A poofy dress.  I don’t think the hat matches.

20151102_142237

Six:  A rusty armor suit.  Priced at $250, which is a little cheaper than item seven.

20151102_142922

Seven:  It is not even in mint condition.

20151102_141214

Eight:  Skates!  Yes, Skates.  Shoes required.  When you fall, you can use item seven.

20151102_140653

Nine: Wind Vane

20151102_141208

Ten:  Not sure of it’s purpose, but he is too cute not to be on sell.

20151102_142540

Praise in the Park (2015)

/ Sarah Collins / 1 Comment

DSCN6205

George County, MS population is around 23,000.  Lucedale, MS population is approximately 3,000.  Residence of Lucedale, MS, for twelve years, have been putting on the event Praise in the Park.  This year I attended this event.

The festivities started at 11 a.m.  However, the gates to the park did not open until 3 p.m.  Outside the park, along the city’s street were vendor’s booths.  Over half of the booths were selling food, with the other booths selling a variety of merchandise.  What is unique about these vendors booths were most of them are church groups raising money for their youth programs.  One youth group came from Livingston, Louisiana to sell Jambalaya.

Rocky Creek Baptist Church from Lucedale, sold Chick-fil-a sandwiches and housed the group from Livingston.

DSCN6191

People started lining up before 11 a.m. to enter the park.  It was a beautiful day to sit outside or walk around the City of Lucedale.  Just a little note, if you want a Blooming Onion, get it early or else be prepare to stand in line with a hundred people.

DSCN6189

When the gates opened, the crowd that waited so patiently, entered the park orderly; with no pushing, no screaming, and no running, and found them a place to sit in the park.  Since it is a park, you saw kids playing on the playground and throwing footballs.

DSCN6207

Musical groups One Step Closer, John Gees, and Carrollton were first to take the stage.  As the sun began to set, Lauren Daigle took the stage.

DSCN6209

DSCN6221

The headlining group for this year’s Praise in the Park was Casting Crowns.  They performed some of their most popular songs and shared with the crowd that each of their songs has a story behind it.

DSCN6253

DSCN6232

The best quote of the day was: “Adults are just teenagers with bills.”  Mark Hall, Casting Crowns.

It is amazing what happens when 1,000s of believers get together.

Homecoming – 2015

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

I haven’t been to a Homecoming since I was in High School. They do things differently in a small southern town. Yes, Homecoming is still a big deal! And, like most schools a week long event, at least.

To start the Homecoming festivities, I attended the pep rally, but only to support the little clarinet player shown in the bottom right. Yes, every picture I have seen her playing in, she is standing in that exact position.

DSCN6125

DSCN6126

About half a dozen of the Cheerleaders were in the Homecoming court. Even though the cheerleaders was not very impressive during the pep rally, they stood out during the game. They cheered constantly with big smiles on their faces. I am disappointed I did not get a picture of them during the game.

DSCN6131

It surprised me, during the pep rally, that all the girls is the court were not wearing a dress. But, things change over time. When I was in High School, the Homecoming Court was just a popularity contest. But, ever single girl on this court earn their spot. They had a long list of accomplishments including serving in clubs and doing charity work. The court include a girl with down syndrome, but she also earn her spot by being a member of the dance team and serving in several clubs.

DSCN6135

I didn’t take any pictures of the football game. I was there to support the band. Who did a awesome job at half time.

DSCN6161

Texas Renaissance Festival – 2015

/ Sarah Collins / 3 Comments

The Texas Renaissance Festival kicked off it’s 41st year and I was there on opening day with thousands of other attendees and performers.

The gates to the festivities.

The gates to the festivities.

Note: If you enter the Festival by yourself, you are not accosted to by the Festival photographers to have your picture taken. But, if you are dressed in costume you are asked politely by attendees to have your photo taken.

DSCN5984

All the shows I attended was very entertaining.  The performance by the Queen’s Guards was one of the best.

We must protect the Queen!

We must protect the Queen!

DSCN6004

The Joisting show was entertaining, but the funniest part was at the end of the show where the ring leader’s horse threw him and after a short attempt to calm the horse, the horse ran out of the ring following the other horses.

DSCN6018

DSCN6017

We cheered for England!

When there is a Doctor Who reference on the side of the haunted house, it is a must see.

DSCN6049

DSCN6050

DSCN6054

DSCN6059

Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

The Stuhr Museum, located in Grand Island, NE, was established in 1961.  Since then it has been collecting and restoring objects and information related to the Nebraska prairie life between the time period of 1840 – 1920.  I have been to other living history museums and this one is one of the best.

In their main building they have objects which takes you through the history of prairie life in Nebraska.

Stuhr Museum Main Building

Stuhr Museum Main Building

Windmill

Windmill

Outside the main building you will find ducks and fish swimming in the pond.

Ducks

Ducks

Pond

Pon

There is a garden you can walk through to access the Railroad Town. If you go during the last spring or summer, you can see the daylilies in bloom.

DSCF5861

DSCF5860

While visiting the Stuhr Museum, don’t miss Railroad Town.  It has old trains to tour and numerous historical buildings that has been preserved.  If you visit on the correct days, you can see demos from the hat maker, blacksmith, tin smith and carpenter.  There are several houses you can tour.

DSCN4886

DSCN4867

DSCN4891

DSCN4849

DSCN4839

While visiting the Railroad Town, stop by the General Store for some handmade items and the Restaurant for some ice cream.

As you are exploring Stuhr Musuem, watch you step there are many of ducks and goose around.

DSCN4921

Afton Villa Gardens

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

Afton Villa Gardens, St. Francisville, is in my top three list of beautiful gardens in Louisiana.  The gardens are built on the ruins of the plantation which was destroyed by fire in 1963.

Afton Villa Gardens

Afton Villa Gardens

Afton Villa Garden Statue

Afton Villa Garden Statue

During the Audubon Pilgrimage, which is held towards the end of March every year, the field of daffodils are in full bloom.

Field of Daffodils

Field of Daffodils

Tulips were in full bloom all around the garden.

Daffodils

Daffodils

Natchitoches – The City of Lights

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

Today, my travels took me to Natchitoches, Louisiana.  It is called the City of Lights because at Christmas time they light up the city with thousands of lights.  Last year, 2014, they celebrated their 300 birthday.

They have a wonderful park located on the Cane River in their downtown historical district.  I walked by the shops, but many was closed today because of the Labor Day holiday.

Many Bed and Breakfast establishments are located in Natchitoches, but I choose to stay somewhere else.  One day, I will stay at a Bed and Breakfast.  But, it will be longer than just overnight and in either a Plantation or Castle.

Rogue House - Natchitoches

Rogue House – Natchitoches

Cane River

Cane River

Water Fall

Water Fall

Lunch was at Maglieaux on the Cane.  You can check out the review here: Maglieaux’s Review

Rosedown Plantation

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

Rosedown Plantation is in my top 3 list of the most beautiful plantation gardens in Louisiana. However, the garden’s has the most distinguish history. Daniel and Martha Tumbull build Rosedown in 1834. The gardens were overseen by Martha who keep record of every plant that was planted in the garden and where it was planted. Her journal of the garden is keep in the LSU Archives and a copy is used to maintain the gardens.

Rosedown Plantation

Rosedown Plantation

Rosedown Plantation - Back view

Rosedown Plantation – Back view

Rosedown Plantation - Gardens

Rosedown Plantation – Gardens

Rosedown Plantation - Gardens from Balcony

Rosedown Plantation – Gardens from Balcony

Houmas House

/ Sarah Collins / Leave a comment

The Houmas House Plantation is in my top three most beautiful plantation gardens to visit in Louisiana.  It is located in Ascension Parish and dates back to the mid 1700’s.  The Cafe Burnside, at the Plantation, is a wonderful lunchtime dining experience.

Houmas House

Houmas House

Houmas House Fountain

Houmas House Fountain

Houmas House Bridge

Houmas House Bridge

Houmas House Fountain

Houmas House Fountain