My Texas Life
Happy Tuesday, everyone. Welcome to the weekly lifestyle post called My Texas Life.
I realize I switched days this week for My Texas Life, but I wanted to post the Chico’s outfit yesterday when the sale was still happening.
This week I go exploring. With the grandsons out of school, I have some extra time to explore more about my new community.
And I want to encourage you to do this no matter the size of the place where you life…I have met such lovely people and learned more about community events.
River Oaks Village is a shopping area that I see often because my grocery is located at one end, but I had not really explored all of it.
So, recently I did and discovered a portion of the small businesses that makeup Abilene and keep this town warm and unique.
Let’s begin at one shop I was already familiar with and go from there….
MY TEXAS LIFE – RIVER OAKS VILLAGE
The Perch Home Furnishings Store sells my aesthetic…warm, rustic chic, French Country Style.
I have stopped by a couple of times to find the owner painting or refinishing pieces just for her shop.
Of course, there are lots and lots of birds and birdhouses, and bird baths….hence the name The Perch.
I always leave with ideas…and I came home to measure an area and will bo back this week for what I think is the perfect piece of pottery for it.
It is a beautiful store and I love that she refinishes and does much of the work we see.
I finally stopped in the American Honey Boutique and meet a lovely owner named Dana.
This is a boutique/gift shop, and they do have a corner where they sell Resale Items…I spoke with her about bringing in some of my clothes for fall, and will plan for it.
Dana shared with me that the shopping center was first opened in the 1950s.
So, at the end of the month, all of the shops are hosting a 1950s Party…a little sock hop music, root beer floats, and fun in each location!
I hope to return and check it out that day. This is an area that needs a little life breathed into it and sounds like they have big plans to do just that.
After recently reading a new Debbie Macomber book (this post: THE IDEA OF 20 WISHES) the small yarn shop, boutique, and bookstore from yesterday take me to a similar place.
When I entered, Abilene Yarn Company, there were women on couches knitting away, and I was greeted with warmth and the excitement to share their shop with me.
I currently do not knit, but with this one so close…who knows, I may take it up.
Abilene is a smaller town than where I lived, and is not a tourist destination for shopping, but I do love to get out and explore…meet new people, and learn new things about where I live.
It was a joy to spend time in each of these shops…and I plan to head out to more this month.
MY TEXAS LIFE – A BIG GRANDMOTHER GOAL
I believe I have told you before that one of my big grandmother goals is to always have a lovely aroma about me. (My own grandmothers did not and I remember it!)
When I jumped in the car with family last week, my 13-year-old grandson said, “Gigi, you smell good.”
I immediately asked him…is it too much?…and he said…“NO! I like it.”
This Nopalera Cactus Body Cream is what I was wearing that day…in fact, I have been wearing it every day and it is so nice.
And that one conversation made my day! I plan to keep wearing it daily!
Finally, I want to remind you about my very popular BEST EVER CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE RECIPE.
This is the second batch the grandsons have requested since school got out and they love to share them with friends.
It is such a good recipe…and I tweaked it for years until I hit the right one!
Sadly, like everything, the pure Mexican Vanilla has gone up in price…but I still use it and stand by that it is the best.
Right now, a bottle will last me a very long time, so I can justify the cost…hopefully at some point it will go down and not higher.
I linked it so that you could see the brand I use, but I do not order it online…I purchase it at a couple of shops in town.
Thanks for joining me today for MY TEXAS LIFE…I hope you enjoyed doing a little more exploring with me. The benefits are great when we head out to meet new people.
Tomorrow, I will show you what I wore for two recent exploration days….hope to see you…until then….
EMBRACE TODAY & KEEP SMILING!
By Pamela Lutrell
For all your shopping, please use the links on my SHOPPING PAGE…thank you, thank you to all who shop this way and show support for this blog. It means the world.
AND…visit my NEW CURATED SHOP where I will be adding my finds on a regular basis.
I know it is hot outside, but we can be cozy still inside!
Fun post. I might order a body cream from Nopalera. I did order the hand cream sample set but I haven’t made up my mind which is my favorite. Your grandson has spoke and verified for you!
His comment meant so much to me! Nopalera remains a part of my daily routine!
I think the best dessert of all is a warm chocolate chip cookie, made with good chocolate, real butter and good Mexican vanilla. Just like with our outfits, we can save and splurge, but the quality usually shows in the end. I think it’s great that you are so consciously building memories. I’m trying to be aware of this too. One of my grands (the three year old) always wants me to tell him a story after I read a book (all the stories star him, of course!). He never asks another family member, only me, and that is so precious to me. It keeps me thinking about things relevant to his life that I can string a story around when I’m there.
I do love that he comes to you for a story…what precious memories. My goals with these types of posts are to show us that though travel is wonderful, there are wonders, stories, memories and incredible people in our own backyards.
What a fun summer you are having. I love to crochet. It is so relaxing and meditative, and you can express your creativity. But watch out! It will hook you (sorry)!! You will find yourself at the yarn store very often.
I bet I would…watching those ladies on the couches talking and knitting is so attractive to me. But, this will be something for later…not now…just too busy at this moment.
I saw you took a picture of the t-shirt with Stars Hollow Library on it. Are you a fan of “Gilmore Girls” or just a coincidence?
Watching Gilmore Girls with my daughter when she was younger and at home was fun for both of us. There have been reruns playing in recent months at lunch time, and I have caught a few while eating. It brings back conversations and good times with her…and I do love that Stars Hollow small town charm.
Always fun for me to read about your explorations of Abilene. I am pretty much confined to quarters. I decided not to spend what it costs of a rent a car during high tourist season since the insurance would only cover about half of it. My Mr B was driving me to appointments that I need to keep and I’ve put everything else on hold for now. He wound up in the ER on Sunday with severe back pain. He’s home now and on muscle relaxers so he won’t be driving for a while. I can use his car for short errands but I don’t want to leave him alone for long right now. He will see my massage therapist on Thursday and his physical therapist a week later. Hopefully they can help him.
Please his heart…I know those back spasms can be intense and pray they will subside for him soon. Since you are an artist, I know that for you down time at home can be creative time. So I hope you are inspired as you help him and stay low.
That’s nice that you are now exploring your town more and more. There is always something new to discover. I live in a small resort town and have done some exploring but you have motivated me to get out and do more.
I might have to try that Nopalerma cream. I am looking for a scent that is not too overwhelming but has a nice subtle fragrance. Your grandson has me wanting to try. That’s so cute when they notice things like that.
I hope you do get out to discover more, Paula. It is lots of fun and you never know what you may stumble upon. The aromas of Nopalera are not overwhelming and somehow the cactus scents are very familiar to me living in Texas. I prefer a wonderful scented lotion that will also nourish my skin and he blessed me so much by noticing. You might also use the link to find the lotions that are three small ones to a box…then you can decide which is your favorite. This one is working for me!
Midwestern girl here, but love the song Choosin’ Texas about your wonderful town of Abilene.