Last year’s tea at The French Room remains a wonderful memory. We decided to make it tradition. Read on for the exciting foods we tried. Continue reading Annual Tradition: Tea at The French Room for Easter
Very few things get me up early on a Saturday morning, especially on a cold winter day. But the chance to see the inside of a dilapidated building is on the TOP of the list!
On Saturday, January 24th, Tore Bellis and I bundled up and headed to the Forest Theater at 1914 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd in Dallas, Texas. There is a group, Forest Forward, that is leading the way in revitalizing the building and the community… and they are giving tours! Continue reading Forest Theater in Dallas, Texas Part 1
I recently purchased a little red autograph book from Curiosities in Dallas. It belonged to an 8th grader named Ramona Holmes who lived in Paris, Texas in 1946.
I’ve spent some late nights researching the people and places referenced in the book. I was also able to cajole my friend Tore into a day trip to Paris for further research.
This post focuses on a favorite teacher…. Continue reading 8th Grade Autograph Book from 1946 – Paris, Texas: Part 2
A culinary delight at The French Room! Continue reading High Tea at The Adolphus, Easter 2021
Preface: Hopefully you’ve been following along in this series. If you’re new, the quick rundown: I fancy myself the “caretaker” of the Tower Hotel Courts in Dallas, even though it has been demolished for many years.
I was recently contacted by a stranger, Angelia McDaniel, who has ephemera from “my” motel. Her parents, John Dennis Rush, Jr. and Letha Floyace Grimes Rush stayed at the Tower Hotel Courts for their honeymoon in 1955. This initial contact with Angelia was the equivalent of finding a needle in a haystack. While one can find pieces of ephemera for sale at antique stores or online, having the personal stories tied to the pieces makes it even more fascinating. Angelia has been very gracious in sharing her family’s stories. We’ve had a blast going down various rabbit holes during our research.
Part 3 showcases the journey from the wedding ceremony at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls to the Tower Hotel Courts in Dallas. As Angelia describes it, the “Honeymoon Road Trip”. Continue reading The Tower Hotel Courts in 1955, Part 3
This is Part 2 of the ongoing series of a wedding couple who stayed at the Tower Hotel Courts. This blog showcases the wedding ceremony, decor and fashion. Continue reading The Tower Hotel Courts in 1955, Part 2
Who were the people who visited the Tower Hotel Courts during its prime and for what purpose? I got my answer.
I was recently contacted by a stranger who has ephemera from the Tower Hotel Courts. These are items that are unique and personal to her family. I asked for permission to share the information and she agreed. I am grateful for this privilege and excited to share the stories. Enjoy! Continue reading The Tower Hotel Courts in 1955, Part 1
I recently went to my favorite antique store in Dallas (Curiosities) to purchase an autograph book from the 1800s. But by the time I arrived the book was sold. Since it’s a long drive – I made the trip worthwhile. I scoured the store and found a consolation purchase that ended up being an even better gem. This little red autograph book belonged to Ramona Holmes, a student at J. G. Wooten School, in Paris, Texas. The autograph book is dated 1946. Continue reading 8th Grade Autograph Book from 1946 – Paris, Texas: Part 1
Just recently I was rummaging through my garage and came upon a bucket of the metal junk I had apparently forgotten to discard. With the launch of Empirical Whimsy, you can imagine my excitement. Rediscovered objects!
The s-hook used in this piece is one of the objects removed from the streets of Dallas. If you want a visual it’s the Walnut Hill / I-35 area of town, near liquor stores and other establishments.
I am absolutely thrilled to have turned pieces of junk into lemonade. Continue reading Resilience
big bertha's adventures 