Granbury, Texas - #SaturdaySnapshots

Inspired by a Southwest Airlines fare sale and a kind invitation from my life-long friend (and co-author) Sandra Allen (plus a reunion with high school friends), I recently made a quick trip back to my home state of Texas. During my visit, one of our adventures took us to the town of Granbury. According to the National Register of Historic Places, Granbury's town square is one of the most complete 19th century courthouse squares in Texas.* 
(Click on photos to enlarge.)

The centerpiece of the square is the Hood County Courthouse.

The beautifully renovated Granbury Opera House faces the courthouse entrance. We had a great time at the "Salute to Opry" concert.

There are certain foods I must have every time I go back to Texas: Tex-Mex (preferably tamales and enchiladas), chicken fried steak, and fried okra.  I had all those. But this time I had a bonus meal of delicious German food: pork schnitzel, red cabbage with apples, and hot German potato salad. Along with a warm dark-bread roll and a glass of pilsner, my meal at Ketzlers Schnitzel Haus and Biergarten was heaven. (FYI: Many German immigrants settled in Texas's Hill Country.)

I also had a fantastic reuben sandwich at The Fillin' station (also on Granbury's town square). A glass of local beer-- Revolver Brewing's "Blood and Honey" (American wheat ale) -- and freshly cooked potato chips made the meal complete. Forget dieting!

Back in Sherman, TX, we ate at MG's. Great burgers and car-themed decor.

Pegasus (AKA The Flying Red Horse) was a landmark in the Dallas skyline for many years and the symbol of Mobil Oil Company, atop its downtown headquarters.

How do you know you're in Texas? Longhorn cattle alongside the road!

Happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

Sources: 
Hood County Courthouse, TX
Ketzler's Schnitzel Haus, Granbury, TX

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Pitchin' Horseshoes - Saturday Snapshots

When I saw a Throwback Thursday post on Facebook, showing a backyard picnic, it reminded me of church picnics from my childhood. So I searched through my old photos and came up with these.

This photo was taken in Oak Cliff, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, where I grew up, and the get-together probably took place at Weiss Park.

A favorite competition at picnics was horseshoe pitching. I remember the loud clang when someone scored a "ringer" or hit the stake with the horseshoe. Here's a photo of my parents' friends in action.

The man who's tossing in this picture has his right foot next to a stake. 

If you're curious about the rules of horseshoe pitching, here's the link to the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association website:
Rules

We also played "Washers." In this game, competitors pitched large washers toward a shallow hole in the dirt. I don't remember the scoring, but the washer that landed in the hole (or got closest) got the highest point. I remember the washer as being about as big as the palm of my hand. I understand that nowadays the washers are thrown toward a cup set in a box, but we didn't have that fancy equipment. 

Did you play similar games growing up?

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, 

click HERE or on the box below.  

To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) 

have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Bikes! - Saturday Snapshots

When I was a kid - shortly after the invention of the wheel - one year my Christmas list had "bicycle" as the top item. So I was thrilled when Santa left a bright blue two-wheeler under the tree. I rode that bike everywhere--to Weiss Park for free swim on summer mornings, to my friends' houses, and all around Oak Cliff, Texas. Memories of my first means of transportation inspired today's Saturday Snapshots post.

My mom, proud to have a bicycle
of her own (circa 1940)

Santa brought bikes for both my brother
and me that year.

All my friends had bicycles, of course.

My son with his treasured Big Wheel.

Do you remember your first bicycle? What color was it? Where did you ride it?

Saturday Snapshots is hosted by West Metro Mommy Reads.

To enjoy a variety of beautiful pictures from around the world, 

click HERE or on the box below. 

To participate in Saturday Snapshots: post a photo that you (or a friend or family member) 

have taken then leave a direct link to your post in the Mister Linky on the host blogsite. 

Photos can be old or new, and be of any subject as long as they are clean and appropriate 

for all eyes to see. How much detail you give in the caption is entirely up to you. 

Please don’t post random photos that you find online.

Katie and The Irish Texan - Teaser Tuesday & First Chapter/First Paragraph

I was born and raised in Dallas, Texas, so when the synopsis for KATIE AND THE IRISH TEXAN said it took place in my hometown, I had to read it. This most recent sweet romance in The Texas Code Series (The McTiernans) is a delight. The characters are likable, believable, and true to the times (1870s), and the plot kept me engaged. I especially enjoyed the author’s reference to names and places familiar to me (the Trinity River, Sanger Brothers, etc.) as well as her inclusion of the sometimes crazy North Texas weather in the story. The author obviously knows her setting well, and I’m looking forward to reading more of her books.

FIRST CHAPTER/FIRST PARAGRAPH:
Jefferson, Texas, April 1873
Dermot McTiernan downed his shot of whiskey, looked across the poker table at the Yankee Lieutenant, and glanced at his cards one last time. Certain the man was bluffing, he pulled out his pocket watch, his second most prized possession, and set it atop the pile of money. With a nod, he placed his cards on the table face up then met the man's gaze. "Call."

TEASER from 49% on my Kindle:
The sound of the rain was deafening making it impossible to whisper, but Kathleen cupped her hand around her mouth in an attempt to be heard. "Mrs. Benning is asking to see the doctor. Is there anyone we can send to fetch him without alarming her husband?

Genre: Western Romance
Length: 81 Pages (Novella)
Amazon Link: Katie and The Irish Texan
Other Books by Carra Copelin: Amazon Author Page

Synopsis from Amazon:
      Dermot McTiernan is determined to move on with his life after losing his one and only love to another man. He decides to try his hand at ranching in North Central Texas with his friend, Ian Benning. He figures if that doesn't work out, there are many other opportunities in the booming post-war state. When the luscious red-head from County Cork, Ireland shows up in Dallas, can he retain the courage of his convictions and move on without her? 
      Kathleen O'Donnell made a monumental mistake marrying, Kelsey Gilhooley. Her decision for entering the union, no matter how honorable, had made her life a living hell. Even though still married, she holds out hope for finding the man of her dreams. When she comes across her tall, dark-eyed Irishman in Dallas, Texas, will she be able to abandon happiness and walk away a second time? 

  

Share the first paragraph (or a few) from a book you are reading. Here's the link: Bibliophile By The Sea

Post two sentences from somewhere in a book you're reading. No spoilers, please! Here's the link: Should Be Reading