A Tomball Stroll (My kind of weekend)

Last weekend I visited Tomball, Texas for the first time.

I lived within an hour or so of this charming little town for the first 35 years of my life, but never ventured off the interstate that runs nearby, so I never realized the treasure to be found in the old town.

Interstates should be banned. 

.

The Mystery of the Old Safe.

(Isn't that a Nancy Drew title?)

Seriously.

This old safe is just sitting in a used car parking lot.

Tom and I really wanted to take it home.

Look at the detail!

Knowing we couldn't take the safe, I turned my attention to this old trunk. 

I've always wanted one of these.

Can't you just imagine all the stories this one has to tell?

But let's face it. I'm broke and what the heck would I do with it?

This table on the other hand....

Are you old enough to recognize the surface pattern?

I've never seen one with such a beautiful base though.

Alas, I left it behind, too.

You know where I'll be in 2032.

This cutie was just chillin' in one of the stores we explored.

One store was full of Texas Ranger artifacts... 

I couldn't help wondering why all of these Texas Rangers gave their stuff to the store owner?

Okay, I'm ready to explore the next little town... 

Afternoons in Salado

Just down the highway, a quaint little Texas town with a musical name, 

full of history ... beauty ... and best of all, shops!

Salado.

I spent two afternoons there with friends recently. 

Of course, I had my camera...

A wonderful reminder on the first afternoon with Rae...

I hoped this was the same saloon my great-great grandfather mentioned in his memoir, but no such luck. Turns out it was only open a day before the women of the town shut it down.

I still found treasure inside. (No, I didn't buy it. Tempted, though!)

On the next weekend, this blue door lured Nancy and me from a nearby antique shop. 

How could we resist stepping inside? 

It's St. Joseph's chapel, just outside of town. 

Beautiful, inside and out!

Art and antique shops are fun, old chapels are beautiful, but this is what makes my heart beat fast... tables of junk!

I was tempted again, but immediately remembered the two old typewriters sitting at home that I'm still trying to find a place for. 

I fell in love with this truck. But then, I fall in love with every old truck I see.

Tell me which treatment you like the best.

Color...

Black and white...

Or sepia...