Porches

One of many dining rooms in restaurant Porches, Wesson, MS.

Creole

A short road trip leads us south once more. This time we are making our way to New Orleans to view Creole houses and taste the flair of French cuisine. Half way through the approximate 7 hour drive, our stomachs remind us it is time to stop for lunch. After entering food as our point of interest in the GPS, we are silent after seeing nothing but a display of a long stretch of highway before us - no fast food, nothing! Fortunately, a Wesson, MS exit sign was coming in to view. Immediately, I was thankful for the internet and began to "search" for restaurants in the area. That's how we found this charming restaurant in an aged Victorian house with long porches. The name, respectfully so, is "Porches"! Greeted with that traditional southern hospitality that is both familiar and welcoming, we felt we found a hidden treasure; especially after seeing an "ice tea" spoon replaced the usual "place" spoon in the tableware setting. I knew we could expect some excellent southern sweet ice tea!

another Road Trip

...the girls are planning

We will soon be navigating the winding curves of 'the roads less traveled.'

As I drive, hopefully V will post a few pictures...

Posting from iPad

Looking forward to my next adventure!!!

Traveling

We just left for the weekend to Tuscaloosa, AL. I squeezed in somehow- should not have have that candy corn. We will be back Sunday- pray for safe travels for us on this roller skate!!

Sweet Charlotte

Charlotte, we will be back!! Hopefully soon!

Sweet Memories

Charlotte's jogged our memories of simpler times and provided heavenly treats.

Coconut pie for the road! Umm umm GOOD!! Posted by V

Pull Up A Stool And Sit For A Spell...

The backbone of Main Street, USA, the drugstore, in addition to providing pharmaceutical needs for the sick, also provided a relaxing environment. Many of us remember climbing up on a bar stool and ordering a cherry Coke or other refreshing drink from the soda fountain. Bells hanging from the door, rang as one walked through the door; alerting those seated on the stools that another had joined them for friendly conversation. It was a place to meet old friends or make new ones.

We were taken back in time when we noticed the old fashioned soda fountain pulls at Charlotte's. Life seemed uncomplicated at that moment as we reminisced and enjoyed the delicious pies and fellowship of our delightful waitress. Posted by V

Wow!!

What a treat after a long ride ~ caramel pie and chocolate pie at Charlotte's. The restaurant is one of the buildings in Keo's Historic District. Once a drug store, beautiful apothecary cabinets line the interior walls; a collection of tea pots have replaced medicinal supplies.

And Then There Was Pie...Delicious Pie!

Charlotte's Eats & Sweets in Keo, AR turned out to be such a treat. Charlotte's is no stranger to those who love delicious food, especially cakes and pies. The restaurant has been featured in Southern Living magazine on several occasions included in the article, "The South's Best Pies". Coconut, chocolate, caramel, blackberry cobbler were just a few of our choices. Gale chose caramel and I, of course could not resist the chocolate. Posted by Valerie

Good Things Come In Small Packages

We've all heard the expression and it rings true with small towns as we discovered on our recent outing. Keo, Arkansas, may be small in population, (approximately 256) but huge in hospitality! From the moment we arrived and stopped to ask if we could take pictures, we were greeted with a genuine kindness that left a warm imprint throughout our trip.

Cotton gins, pecans, delicious pies, unique antiques and collectibles ~ all wonderful finds framed by smiles and friendly faces of those who have the pleasure of living there.

Cameras At Rest

Our cameras were recently pulled from their shelves for a roadside trip through rural Arkansas. Pictures will be posted soon of a few of our most enjoyable experiences as we embraced the beauty, warm hospitality and kindness of this lovely area. Posted by Vee

Babe Ruth and Baltimore

Memphis sunset

The sunsets in downtown Memphis are some of the prettiest I've seen; especially overlooking the Mississippi River. This one was breathtaking. You can see the reflection on the hood of my car. Posted by Valerie

some girls buy shoes...

...guess I'm not one of those girls

Test driving this beauty this weekend.

rainy day at the beach

1T darkest, best cocoa available

1T granulated sugar (or vanilla bean simple syrup)

1T butter

melt in microwave; stir together
(or use chocolate chips rather than three ingredients above)

Stir together in separate dish:

2 oz heavy cream

2 oz 2% milk (whatever you have; the richer the better)

microwave just below boiling point

stir chocolate mixture into warm milk

add touch of vanilla extract

whisk to mix well

enjoy

(yield 1 small, quite rich glass of hot chocolate)

reading "A Movable Feast" and watching the rain...

"...praise for the morning..."

after the rain

reading "Chasing Sylvia Beach"

If you loved "Midnight in Paris," you will love this book...

"feels like rain..."

the beach

jingle of ice cream truck
squeals of happy children
swish of gentle waves
warmth of Gulf breeze

another day in paradise