This weekend, we headed to Stonewall, Texas for a lavender festival. Dulce had once given me a Lavender Cookbook, so I was looking forward to stocking up. Except, with the weather being what it was–total Etta James weather–the festival was lacking a bit of fest. Aside from handmade soaps that resembled baked goods, it was a bit anti-climactic. Still, I was in a lovely mood, and wanted to make the best of it. We were, after all, on a vineyard. There were wine tastings, verbena hand wipes (granted, 20 for $14 is a bit over-the-top), and it was deliciously overcast. I felt happy and wanted to share it.
Phil didn’t share my mood so much, and wanted to get back to Austin to watch game 7 of the NBA playoffs (Lakers vs. Rockets). He’d made that clear early on in the day, and here we were at an -ival, "For what?" He wanted to know. "I can buy all this stuff at the grocery store… and for less." This was true. He was right. Still, we were there, why not make the most of it?
"The most of it" became Fredericksburg, TX–a favorite of mine. A narrow alley of a town with antiques, toy shops, bakeries, and why yes, even a shoppe. Aside from Navajo Grill, of which I’ve only heard, I still haven’t found anywhere to eat. It’s always very… unremarkable. I guess I’ll never really be wowed by German sausages. I’m all for simple, mind you. Give me a ripe tomato with kosher salt, a good olive oil, and a crusty bread, and I’m fed and thrilled. But a plate of meat and German potato salad just ain’t my bag. Oh, but Swedish Country Interiors so are. And I’m always on the watch for them. Dotted with a few home stores carrying chicken wire lined cabinets, the streets of Fredericksburg make me swoon a little. Why does it feel like every goddamn store in Austin carries either mod / retro / contemporary OR rustic, Texan, tasseled looks? Anyone know where in Austin a girl can fine some antique ‘Gustavian style’ furniture?
Phil was actually quite a sport about missing his sport. It was a blowout before we even made it home. So he watched the next game (Celtics vs. Magic), and we spent the night uploading photos from our day.
A YEAR AGO: Such a Pretty Fat
3 YEARS AGO: Advice
4 YEARS AGO: It’s Fun to Say Reichl
5 YEARS AGO: Ray of Light
