The Abita Springs Trail

We needed some family time.

Good belly laugh, leave your cares behind kinda family time.

Although we were missing two kids, because one is in Disney and the other was building a bed.

We hit the trail!

Just a few towns over, nestled in the center of Abita Springs, is a trail.

It was once an old train track, now turned into the neatest bike trail ever!

Its over 30 miles long... one way!

You can hop onto the trail through so many stops and tiny towns.

It will take you over small bridges.

Tree shaded paths...

And the sweetest little country towns.

If I'm correct, you can even rent bikes along the way or have yours serviced at the cutest bike shop.

The portion of trails we took brought us past pretty condo's..

Ohhh..

fun shops...

and tiny sno ball stands!!

Of course my heart skipped a beat when we passed a small "cottage" development being constructed.

They had some of the sweetest homes being built along the way.

I loved the front porches and the "community" feel.

And this guy...

He and Maddy just stopped and smiled every time I needed to snap a picture.

I'm so glad they "get me".

We hit the trail on a Saturday and I'm sure it's one of the bustiest days to visit.

The bike traffic was not bad at all.

Along the way, you will find picnic tables in the perfect spots and cottages to take breaks.

Behind this building below, they have a large spray park for kids.

I think that was one of our favorite spots to pass.

Not only hearing the laughter of kiddos splashing but you get a nice cool mist as you pass by.

win win

Most of the section we traveled, was traffic free.

There were a few spots in town where you had to cross streets but we felt very safe and the towns are super great at watching out for bikers.

Right here...

In this very spot...

The smell of hot boiled crawfish lured us in!!

We only touched on a very small part of the trail but have high hopes to visit each and every mile.

Nothing compares to the simple pleasures of riding a bike.

John F. Kennedy

xo Susie

Holden's new house!

I shared Holden's new house a few days ago and so many inquired about it.

After searching hi and low for a cute play/club house, I finally fell in love with this cutie.

It was the perfect touch of rustic charm I was looking for...lol.

Sam's...had just what I was looking for!

That trellis over the front porch...... LOVE...

Not to mention the dinner bell and dutch door.

And when I peeped inside and saw the cedar cathedral ceiling, this Nana was SOLD!!

It came in a huge box with some assembly required.

Holden waited so patiently while it was built.

And it only took him seconds to move on it!!

The house came with a two burner stove, decorative curtains and a kitchen sink.

A few fruits, veggies and cutting board were sweet extras included as well.

One of my favorite things about his little house....

the dutch door.

It makes the sweetest sound of an old screen door.

I think going in and out is his favorite part too.

It is nestled right under a huge oak tree in our front yard.

The shade from the tree will make a nice cool canopy for upcoming summer days.

He has already started cutting grass y'all....

Be still my Nana heart!

Did I mention how wonderful it smells.

Nothing beats the smell of cedar and the arch doorway, too cute!

His little house faces out into our back yard.

As you can see, he has plenty to keep him busy this summer lol.

A little side view.

I love that it was manufactured in the  USA.

From the beautiful state of Arkansas to be exact!

Holden loves when "company" drops in.

Below, he is teaching his mommy how to wash veggies ... lol

He now begs to go outside and as soon as he hits the backdoor, straight to his front porch bench he goes.

Pure joy!

Holden wants to thank y'all for dropping by...

And if you're ever in the neighborhood....

Come on over and sit a spell..

xo Susie

Round Top Texas

We have got to start meeting like this....

Two post in a row and meeting you here again.

I love it!

I didn't realize how much I missed blogging and visiting with y'all here.

It's so much fun to go back years and read old comments.

It's like finding an old box filled with pen pal letters from you past.

I had a pen pal from China when I was in high school/

Wonder what shes up to now?

Did any of ya'll have pen pals?

I guess you could say we are Hi tech pen pals now days! 

As many of you know, my sister and I traveled to Round Top Texas a couple of weeks ago

We hit the antique show on it last few days.

Round Top holds this fun vintage show in the spring and fall.

We try to attend one each year.

Over the years, we have noticed quite an increase in crowds.

I'm guessing social media had a lot to do with it.

Before it was more of a dealers secret but now that the word is out..... its every ones game!

This year, we moved slower. 

Much slower.

I'm not sure if it has something to do with our age, lack of desire to fill every corner of our home....

or

The pure fact that we are getting wiser.

Yup!

I think its the wiser part.. lol

In years past, we stressed over the perfect outfit and matching shoes.

We mapped out what we wanted to see.

We had list in our minds of what we wanted and pretended to need.

We were two girls on a mission.

So what changed this year?

We booked our room just weeks before our trip.

We threw our most comfy attire in a bag mixed with snacks.

We slept in and enjoyed morning sister chats over breakfast.

We looked at what was pretty and caught our eye.

It didn't bother us to pass over tents and the unknown.

When we were caught up for hours on the two lane highway surround by cattle, we didn't mind one bit.

We rolled the windows down and turned the music up!

Getting older has it perks.

I once felt sorry for girls my age.

Now I just smile and we share the secret.

It's quite enjoyable.

Did we buy anything?

You bet ya!

Did we need it?

Most likely not... lol

I'm learning that it's just as fun to find pretties, snap their pictures and walk away.

You have less dusting that way lol..

I remember one year I found a jack pot of old chippy painted screens.

These babies were huge with no way of fitting in my SUV.

We had to tie those babies on top and rode home like the Clampits from the Beverly Hillbillies.

Memories. Good times!

Every vendor that I ran into was so kind and gracious.

Just a tip for those that are new, it's always respectful to ask before snapping pictures.

Most will be fine with it but still respect you for asking first.

I wish I could have taken a picture of every booth I passed.

You just get so caught up in the moment and forget your camera.

I did notice that the booths were extra "springy" this year with tons of flowers.

I love that!!

And the smells.... wonderful!

You almost forget you're standing slap dab in the middle of cow pastures...

almost.

Another thing I found to be a bit different this year, the prices.

They seemed to be a bit higher and no longer wholesale.

I had to resist bringing another myrtle home.

They can become addicting!

Mine is doing well so far and loves loves loves plenty of sunlight and water.

Did I mention the flowers.....

overflowing

every where!

The Compound was a new one for us.

Very nice.

Check out her doors below....

Pretty!!!

So .

Honest truth here.

We strolled the fields, We ate. We strolled some more. We ate.

What do I remember and enjoyed the most?

Getting stuck in the traffic jam right here.

In this very spot.

Cows to the left and rusty mail boxes luring us down the friendly driveway.

It almost felt like home.

xo Susie