Happy Birthday, Daddy "B"!

Happy 108th Birthday,
Daddy "B"! 



My grandfather, Calvin C. Boykin, Jr. would have been 108 today. Born August 4, 1903 in Robert Lee, Coke County, Texas he decided at the age of about 15 that life behind a mule, working on a farm was not for him. He joined the

military, fudging on his age, as many young boys did in

those days. It was about a year before his true age was  discovered and then he got the boot. Not discouraged by this he made his way back to Texas and met a man who made his living in the hotel business. This changed my grandfather's life. He made a successful career in the hotel business in Midland and Big Spring, Texas and Portales, New Mexico.

Marrying his school sweetheart, Ruby, he started his family and enjoyed a life of hard work and many adventures. Pictured above is a photo I have posted before. This is my grandfather and father as a little boy. I would almost think this may be part of Carlsbad Caverns where the famous Jim White, who discovered the caverns and was also a friend of my grandfather's, lowered my father into the caverns in a basket.

This photo also makes me wonder if this isn't why I loved the old movie "The Champ" with Jackie Cooper starring in it. I think my dad looks a lot like Jackie Cooper, don't you?

Jo Anne, my aunt, Daddy "B's" only daughter wrote about this picture, "Cal Boykin was a successful hotel businessman in his day. One day he walked into Bradshaw Photography  Studio in Big Spring, Texas to pick up some pictures.   He was asked to pose for a few shots. It was a cold, Fall day, but his smile added lots of warmth and sunshine to those he saw. "

That truly described my grandfather... his smile was so full of warmth and sunshine you just had to smile back.

I miss you, Daddy "B"!

I know you'll be enjoying your special day in grand style.

I enjoy Vintage Thingie Thursday so much so in order to share my "Daddy 'B'" story

with other VTT posters and you I pulled out the newspaper clipping and programs

from an old suitcase of my grandfather's. It's a good feeling to know that I have some of his special keepsakes.

Visit The Colorado Lady at Vintage Thingie Thursday!!

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

Red in the month of July!

Red is not a color that is in my life much, however, in the month of July I purchased several items which as you can see are RED.

The "tomato-ware" was found at a wonderful antiques store in Bryan, Texas. I bought three of the cups outside of Austin, Texas in an antiques mall. What fun it was to shop in these  

wonderful places! Perhaps it was also who I was shopping with... my brother and sister-in-law and then my aunt.

Then Saturday morning I left for Weslaco, Texas to

Mimi's Attic where I enjoyed a little shopping excursion

where some wonderful "antiquers" from the Rio Grande Valley were going out of business. Everything in their booth was 50% off.

I bought several items, but I was thrilled to find the Santa

and the Christmas tree lights... that work! These are not for

me as I plan to put together a display of Putz Village pieces

along with the Santa and the lights... sort of a vintage Christmas look. If someone buys it... fine! If not.. that is fine too. I just want to play with it. Sort of like children and toy trains.

Later in my shopping morning, I called my husband to come join me for a little browsing about. He came! He found the Hudson Bay Blanket coat... for 20 bucks. Geezz!! Well, who wants a heavy wool jacket like that in the Rio Grande Valley??  Not sure what I will do with it, but it was fun to see my husband "antiquing"!

So, here I am all inspired after a month's absence .. partly due to a very busy schedule and partly due to being sick.

It took Rednesday and my recent purchases to get me inspired. "It's a Very Cherry World" is fun and a delight to read... so make a visit to
http://suelovescherries.blogspot.com/

 

Bess' Bistro - Austin, Texas

Believe me when I say I am not into movies stars

and such... even though I thoroughly enjoy bling and some pizzazz! However, the

next time you are in Austin, Texas dine at Bess's Bistro for a fine lunch.

This belongs to Sandra Bullock who now calls

Austin her hometown!

Today my aunt and I enjoyed a fabulous

lunch at Bess' which is located on the famous

"6th Street".

It's not a particularly large place, however, it's

just right for a cozy, fine dining. This picture

shows a third of the restaurant.

I ordered a spinach salad with goat cheese that

was topped with an egg cooked with a Panko crust.

I am definitely going to see if I can duplicate this!!

My aunt enjoyed crepes filled with spinach, chicken

and cheese. She said is was excellent!

We had heard the fried potatoes were "to die for",

so of course we had to have some.

Oh-yes.... a wonderful Southwest seasoning was sprinkled over them. (Lip-smacking good!)

Oh my these fried green tomatoes in a creamy chipotle sauce

and topped with fresh, fresh mild-tasting arugula

was out of this world.

I would go back and order this meal all over again!

***

Pop on over to Designs by Gollum

for Foodie Friday.

You'll see some mouth-watering treats for sure!

http://designsbygollum.blogspot.com/

Brown transferware -- New and Old

I am not a "student" of brown transferware.

I just know what I like.

The pieces above were collected slowly...

one by one.

This set was purchased in a crazy

"gotta have it" moment.

... and the rest of it.

The pieces in the top two pictures are my cherished pieces. They represent many antique shopping trips

that were spaced by months...  punctuated by years of memorable excursions and adventures.

So now, I am thinking ... well, what was

I thinking?? Why did I buy the set in the third and fourth pictures? One of life's lessons, right?

Too spontaneous!

That's me.

***

Today I want to introduce you to a young mother

who is facing a serious challenge with the

pregnancy of her fifth yet-to-be born daughter, Meagan.

Her name is "Molly" and she is my husband's

cousin... probably distant but in this family

a cousin, is a cousin.

Please take a few minutes and visit Molly's

blog. She could use some prayer too while

you are at it. Thank you.

http://www.pricelesslittlepearl.blogspot.com/

***

Today I linking to

Three or More

The Gypsy's Corner

http://www.thegypsyscorner.com/

I am also linking to

Faded Charm for

White Wednesday

http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/

Papaya Margarita - Spur of the moment Father's Day treat!

Royal Star Papaya Margarita

1 medium size papaya, preferrably Royal Star Papaya (they're sweeter and

have a better flavor)

1/2 c. Jose Cuervo Tequila

1/4 c. Controy

1/4 c. lemon or lime juice

Ice

Blend and serve in chilled glasses

***

Happy Father's Day

to all of the important men

in my life...

 

My wonderful husband who is

father to our three sons

and grandfather to our two grandchildren,

They call him "Pops"!

My awesome father who was the

"Indiana Jones" in my life.

Agriculture economist, WW II vet,

world traveler (not always in the safest places),

writer, historian and a man with

high ideals and standards.

My maternal grandfather (on the left) who rose from raising and picking cotton to

a man with a master's degree from Cornell, returning to Galveston County, Texas

and led the extension of the seawall project.

My maternal great-grandfather from Italy who brought his family to the U.S.

He worked for the transit system in Ithaca, N.Y.

My paternal grandfather who was successful in the hotel business

with only a high school diploma. He taught his family it was

important to have a dream, work hard and be good to people.

My paternal great-grandfather who believed it was important

to look your best at all times and work hard.

He died young, but dearly loved my grandmother, his only child.

I'm sorry!

I haven't had a minute for blogland in the past two weeks.

I'm working very hard on my husband's family tree, history book and

family reunion which is coming up in mid-July.

Also worked on our church's (very successful!) garage sale.

Thank you all for your kind remarks and congrats for our

41st wedding anniversary!!

*

Our 41st!!

The Engagement

The Wedding

The Marriage

The Gift

We celebrated our 41st wedding anniversary today.

I can barely remember NOT being married,

but that is just fine... so fine!

My husband always treats me to yellow roses... my all-time favorite!

I thank the good Lord for bringing this wonderful man

into my life.

It's been a ride, but there are miles and miles still

to cover.