Believe it or not, school will be in full swing again around here next week, so this is our last Field Trip Friday. I hope you've enjoyed them. Today's field trip takes us to a beautiful valley in East Tennessee—Dumplin Valley—and to one of the oldest farms in our county. Only a mile-and-a-half from the little farm Renaissance Man and I own, the Brotherton Farm is part of the land settled in 1785 by William Bradshaw and Richard Rankin of Pennsylvania. Finding two fine springs, the pair set to work building a small house each, cutting logs to sizes they could handle. They then worked a 2-acre plot for each man; clearing, fencing, and planting their crops. Only then did they return to a nearby county to ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #7: The DeGolyer House at the Dallas Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Welcome to the weekend! Today's field trip is actually one I took back in the Fall, but I only showed you the "Fall-ish" parts then. Today you get to peek behind that gorgeous door! Built in 1940, the 21,000 square foot DeGolyer House is an amazing example of Spanish Colonial Revival architecture. Everett DeGolyer was a very successful petroleum geologist who worked extensively in Mexico, so it's understandable why he and his wife, Nell, had a love for the style. Of course, "revival" styles tend to get interpreted differently by different people. According to DeGolyer himself, his home was a Beverly Hills architect’s idea of what a Texas oilman thinks a Texas hacienda ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #6: Downtown Aquarium (Denver, Colorado)
Friday again already? I don't know about you, but at My Place, the Summer is flying by! Kids in our neighborhood go back to school in only 2 1/2 more weeks... Hopefully you've made time for some Summer outings. If not, these brief Field Trip Friday posts are especially for you! We really have to get out of our own little worlds every now and then, don't we? On my most recent visit to Colorado to see Daughter the Older, Renaissance Man and I joined her for a day at Denver's Downtown Aquarium. There was some interesting architecture that required looking at the fish from below—as if the viewer were at the bottom of the ocean looking up toward the ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #5: A Trip Back in Time
There's something about derelict old buildings. They call my name. It's almost as if they're begging for someone to listen to their stories—and someone to help them write new ones... One of those buildings is located in the middle of a beautiful East Tennessee valley not far from my home. In its heyday, the Jefferson County community of Mt. Horeb revolved around the church, the school, and the mercantile. But that was then... and this is now. I drive past this old beauty almost every day—and hear its pleas... The classy brick building with its arched windows and door was built in 1869. A post office consisting of 40 pigeon holes was opened ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #4: Texas Rose Museum (Tyler, Texas)
Welcome to the weekend—and another field trip! Today we're headed back to my home state where the east Texas city of Tyler (population 96,900) is known for its roses. It's said that at one time Tyler grew half of the commercial roses in the U.S. Pretty impressive, huh? I guess it would come as no surprise, then, that there's a Texas Rose Festival. It's been in existence since 1933, and there's a wonderful museum that showcases festival memorabilia. You're gonna love it! The building isn't particularly impressive, but beyond its doors lie the very impressive Tyler Rose Garden Center (a field trip from the past) as well as the Tyler Rose Museum. Step inside—and prepare to see ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #3: Historic Franklin, Tennessee
If you love old houses AND proudly salute the stars and stripes, then you're going to love today's field trip! We're headed to Franklin, Tennessee (just south of Nashville) to check out the historic homes of Hincheyville—Franklin's first subdivision. Perhaps another day we'll take a different walking tour. There are some great ones to choose from! Placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, the Hincheyville neighborhood is comprised mostly of single-family homes built between 1828 and 1935. A wide variety of building styles are represented featuring frame construction as well as brick and stone... and lots of amazing architectural details! Ready to step back ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Friday #2: Shopping ’til we drop—without dropping cash
Welcome all! I'm glad you're joining me today for another Friday field trip. This week's destination is a bit out of the ordinary, but it's one of my favorites! We're going shopping for inspiration... ... and we're headed to places like Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Dollar Tree, Home Goods, Pier One, Pottery Barn—anywhere there is color! We won't spend a penny. First stop is the gift bags aisle with the scrapbook paper section not far behind. Like a color combo? Snap a picture! Next are the pillows and fancy gift boxes. And then... the office supplies section. Having fun yet? Confused ... Keep Reading...
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Field Trip Fridays
Field Trip Friday #1: Great Smoky Mountains National Park In less than 48 hours, Summer 2015 will officially begin. I suspect some of you got a nice jump on it as soon as the kids (and grandkids) got out of school! I hope it is a wonderful season for you and yours. Be sure to fill it to the brim with everything that says "Summer" for you. By the way, I hope you'll leave a comment and tell me what those things are. I'd love to know! Growing up, one of my favorite things about Summer was that it allowed time for the occasional day trip. From picnics to berry picking (still not my favorite) to the zoo or museum, that desire for a little field trip has never left me... so I thought it would be fun to take you along ... Keep Reading...
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Flower delivery
Renaissance Man sent me flowers. While walking downtown to his office, he noticed something he knew I'd enjoy... and so (on a busy street with cars passing by) he pulled out his phone, stooped down, and took a picture. Then he sent it to me via text message! In these days of instant technology, there are a lot of ways to practice creative caring! Why not do something for someone TODAY— "just because"? Have you ever been on the receiving end of techno-caring? Leave a comment and tell us! Coming Friday: New Summertime series Sign up to get new posts delivered via email so you don't miss it! I'm joining Pink Saturday at How Sweet the Sound. Join me? ... Keep Reading...
Start Here
Welcome to My Place to Yours This is the house many of you have come to associate with me . . . and this thrift store shopper knew it was perfect the minute I saw it on a painting at Goodwill! Unfortunately, it isn't signed, and there's no way to attribute its happy whimsy to the artist, so I'll just have to say, "Nice job -- I love it!" . . . Years ago when I moved my site from Blogger to WordPress, this little house was the one thing I insisted make the move with me. How about a tour? This site has two navigation bars: The one in the top right corner tells About me ... and what you can expect to find when you visit here. It also gives you a way to Contact Me ... and some reasons why you might want to. Finally, there's ... Keep Reading...
