My Town {Dallas Arboretum}

Visions of the Dallas Arboretum first began in the early 1930s,

but it took nearly six decades before their gates opened.

 

Every year, for the last 10 years,

we have said that would be the year we would get around to going.

 It took us awhile, but last year was finally that year.

 

In October, when our nephew and his little family came for a visit,

we decided that it would be the perfect time to go to

the Dallas Arboretum, as the Chihuly exhibit was going on.

 

We arrived just at dusk, so as we walked about the grounds and the sun went down

the sculptures were lit up and glowed beautifully.

 

It was really cool.

Even the youngest of our party,

the seven month old,

enjoyed it.

 

The gardens themselves were gorgeous

and we will definitely be visiting several times a year from here on out.

 

I'm really looking forward to spring and Dallas Blooms,

as well as, going for a few concerts throughout

spring and summer.

 

Good times just waiting to be had.

 

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All photos Farmboy Photography

 



Marburger Farm Antique Show

We made it to Round Top, for the last two days of antique week, as planned.

 

I went for the sole purpose of finding a small chandelier for my closet...

despite what some thought on that subject.

 

 

He went for two reasons.

Firstly, to spend time with me, as he had been out of town for a week prior.

And because he likes me.

Secondly, to shoot the old stuff.

Because he likes that too.

 

 

Our first stop was Marburger Farm.

Marburger, unlike the other Round Top shows, is only open for five days.

From Tuesday to Saturday.

It's where you can find the higher end European antiques + specialty goodies like Magnolia Pearl.

But, it's also the most expensive show out of all.

Which is why I like to go on the last day they are open.

Prices have already dropped and vendors are often willing to go lower so that they don't have to haul as much back home with them.

 

 

We were a little slow to start with the shopping.

But that's typical for us, as entering upon the first tent is always a bit overwhelming.

However, things changed in the second tent.

 

 

We came upon a couple of old gooseneck desk lamps that the Farmboy fancied and we were wanting to replace his bedside lamp.

After complimenting the vendor on his wares, the Farmboy asked about the lamps.

We walked away with one at a much lower price than originally asked.

 

 

From that moment on the Farmboy was in his best wheeling dealing Mike Wolfe picker form.

Chatting up the vendors. 

Making them laugh. 

Haggling as well as any American Picker could.

 

 

And that is how we ended up with a pair of 1940 Parisian leather club chairs.

Between the chairs and my small chandelier, two lamps, an antique writing desk turned into a bench and heavy piece of salvaged architecture from India,

we just barely got it all into the back of my Jeep.

And that meant we were finished and would not be hitting any of the other shows.

 

So, it was probably a good thing that he absolutely refused to let me buy the taxedermied peacocks.

At 5 feet tall, plumage draping to the floor,

they would have been quite the conversation starters sitting on their perches on either side of the fireplace.

 

It's also a good thing I absolutely refused to let him buy himself a throne.

Next he would have wanted everyone to start addressing him as Lord of the Noble Manor.

 

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First 6 photos via Farmboy Photography

Last two via A Girl with an Instagram Account

 

Have a beautiful weekend!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Noble's Guide to Scotland

Should you happen to find yourself with two weeks of nothing to do and a ticket to Scotland,

but unsure of where to go and what to see,

the Farmboy and I have put together this handy dandy guide of our favorite places, activities, tips and general commentary on traveling the land of lochs and legends...

and men with strong, nice looking legs.

{the Farmboy would like to interject that the last one there was all me and he did not say that}

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Part 2: The Kingdom of Fife

The Noble advice for stage 2 of your Scotland trip would be to hop into your rent car and aim it for the Firth of Forth bridge.

{again, good luck fighting the city grid on your way out- especially if there is construction}

Once over that bridge,

and your eyes take in the yellow flower of the gorse shrub everywhere you look,

jump onto the Coastal Trail {aka A921}.

The Coastal Trail will take you through many tiny, quaint fishing towns.

 

  As you pass by the most darling cottages you've ever seen, you will most likely squeal in glee with visions of puttering the rest of your life away in them.

And as you round corners you'll probably squeal again, with eyes closed tight in fear, as your side of the car comes perilously close to the rock wall shouldering the tiny country road, because the driver, unused to driving on the right side of the car, is concerned about grazing the side of the lorry speeding down the opposite lane.

You will tootle through the morning this way, on the Coastal Trail {now aka A921 & Kinghorn Rd} until you come to Kirkcaldy...

where there is a good chance it might just take you two or three tries to get through the multiple round abouts in order to continue on the Coastal Trail {now aka A921 & Esplanade} and then immediately onto A915.  Follow that to A917 on into Pittenweem.

We would also like to advise at this point that is probably a good idea to keep a few snacks in the car so bickering doesn't ensue due to low blood sugar levels.**

And that Kirkcaldy is probably a good place to stop for some lunch...

because by the time you've rolled into Pittenweem one of you may possibly be really, really crabby if you have not invested in those snacks.

However, if all blood sugar levels are a-okay you can probably make it to Pittenweem for lunch without any altercations.

Though there are small restaurants in several of the villages you will pass through on this route, note that most will be closed if you happen to be traveling on a Bank Holiday. 

**See note on snacks.

A hop, skip and a jump from Pittenweem will find you in Anstruther. 

Spending several hours in Anstruther on a daytrip ferry over to the Isle of May,

for a flora and fauna adventure,

is a great place to find yourself on a beautiful, sunny day...

at least that's what we're guessing.

We advise calling ahead to make sure the boats are actually going out to Isle of May instead of just assuming they run everyday and not just on Wednesdays.
Should they not be running, the Scottish Fisheries Museum might just have to do instead.

Anstruther is also a nice place to get "luxury Scottish ice cream". 

The plum cake is a lovely choice.

Eat it outside while walking the pier.  Don't mind the cold and crazy, strong wind.  You can warm up afterwards with a hot cappuccino at the coffee shop across from the pier.

As the day comes to a close we advise staying at a B&B in Crail.
The Hazelton House is a pleasant, cozy stay.

{this is where I got down on my knees and pleaded with the Farmboy to move to Crail}

Before heading out the next morning be sure to take a stroll down the shore path to spend a little time gazing out onto the North Sea.

Afterwards jump back onto the A917, following it all the way into St. Andrews, gasping and yapping on and on about the gorgeousness of the flowering rapeseed fields.

In St. Andrews we advise visiting both St. Andrews Castle and St. Andrews Cathedral.

While at the castle be sure to venture down into the mine/counter mine tunnel if you don't mind small spaces.

And over at the cathedral you might find yourself enthralled with the vast grandness of it... even with only parts and pieces of the architecture still standing.

Activities.

Obviously if you play golf, this is the place to do it, as golf was invented here...
many believe.

Food.

The Glass House Restaurant in St. Andrews.  Nice place for lunch, though the Margarita pizza might not be like what you get at your favorite restaurant at home.

Til next time...

Part 3: Aberdeenshire

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All photos: Farmboy Photography

With the exception of photo one and photo four...

those come to us via A Girl with an iPad Photography

{and if your name is Jemellia, don't judge}

 

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Part 1

 

 

The Noble's Guide to Scotland

Should you happen to find yourself with two weeks of nothing to do and a ticket to Scotland,

but unsure of where to go and what to see,

the Farmboy and I have put together this handy dandy guide of our favorite places, activities, tips and general commentary on traveling the land of lochs and legends...

and men with strong, nice looking legs.

{the Farmboy would like to interject that the last one there was all me and he did not say that}

*********

Part 1: Edinburgh

{when I saw this view I begged {BEGGED} the Farmboy to live here}

The Noble advice is to fly into Edinburgh, rent a car and make a nice big loop through Scotland and ending back in Edinburgh.

Frommer's Scotland travel guide advises against driving a car within the city limits- take a cab or the bus.  But, if you happen to be the adventurous sort, we say go for it.

However, you should be warned.

They drive on the left hand side.  The steering wheel is on the right hand side.  It cost double the regular amount to rent an automatic so you may be shifting with your left hand.

Also...

This city is very much like Lemarchand's Box from the movie Hellraiser.

It is a bitch to get into and once you have done it- solved that puzzle and reached the city center...

good luck getting out.  You know belong to the city.

{at least until you realize your rent car has a navigation system- then it's all roses}

Edinburgh is divided into two parts- old town and new town.

Don't let the name New Town fool you though. It was built between 1765 to around 1850. It's full of beautiful old neo-classical and Georgian architecture.

Old town is where the original city grew out from- the center being Edinburgh Castle, built around 1130 on top of a 340 million year old extinct volcano.

{this is just a small part of the castle at the top- the whole of it is probably 4 or 5 times bigger than this, but those photos- the really cool ones- haven't been processed yet}

It is the heart of Edinburgh, with it's Royal Mile stretching the length from the Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. 

{it also happens to be where all {ALL} of the tourist go}

The Castle is at least a half day excursion with it's many buildings to explore-

the Great Hall, the Royal Palace, St. Margaret's Chapel, five different military museums/memorials, the Crown Jewels and the One O'clock Gun.

Down from the Castle is St. Giles' Cathedral.  Pop in for a little rest or a look around {it's really lovely} or light a candle and say a prayer for a loved one.  Or do all three.

You might even be lucky enough to have stepped in while a small group of teenagers are practicing their cellos for an upcoming performance.

Should you happen to decide to stay at a hotel on the Royal Mile, many who visit Edinburgh, as well as, many Edinburgh Scots, love two things...

drinking in pubs and belting out pub songs {or any song for that matter} at the very top of their lungs in the middle of the street from the hours of 1:00 AM through 4:00 AM, give or take an hour, and it doesn't matter how high up in a 15th century stone building your are, nor how dead exhausted you may be due to flying and time zone changes, you will hear them.

And hear them well enough to sing along with them should you happen to know the words.

{the sun has gone down.  let the party begin}

As we ended up only having one day in Edinburgh the first portion of our trip, due to travel delays, we weren't able to see all that we had intended to see...

the Royal Botanical Gardens, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Old City Observatory, etc.

Food.

Garfunkel's on High Street.  A moderately priced place to have a good Chicken & Mushroom Pie or a Beef Pie with a beer or a traditional cider.

If you are from the U.S. and are missing home go to The City Cafe on Blair St.  A 1950's diner atmosphere.  Order the Fish & Chips though.  And maybe an elderflower and lime cider.  Unless you're really missing home- then you can get a Blue Moon straight from Colorado.

Entertainment.

Live music and pool at The City Cafe.

Kilt wearing pipers on street corners.

Sword swallowers sometimes found in the middle of the street.

And William Wallace can be found up by the Castle gates.

Til next time...

Part 2: The Kingdom of Fife

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All photos: Farmboy Photography



On Ruling

*sigh*... ruling the kingdom can sometimes be such boring work...

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I hope your weekend isn't boring.
Ours won't be!