Mineola Texas...

So,,,, remember I went to Lindale and Mineola the other day and took oodles of photos, only to realize that evening, that I did NOT have a memory card in my camera?  Well, I re-traced my steps the next day and re-shot most of the same photos and even got some better ones along the way.  I'll post my Mineola shots first.  I love this little town with all the antique stores and restaurants.  There are still some old fashioned brick streets in the downtown area that I hope never get replaced with asphalt.  When I was a little girl, I think around 6 years old, there was a mercantile store called 'BuyRite' where we got a pair of red Keds tennis shoes. I think it was about where the red awning is in the photo below.  A tornado blew through as we were in the store and from then on, those shoes became my 'tornado tennis shoes'.  We actually saw the 'tail' of it going down the street as we were in the store.  I remember someone telling us to 'duck down to the floor', but I kept my head up so I could look out the front door.  I still have that visual in my head.

I think BuyRite must have been where this little coffee store is now.  I might have to do a little historical research on this to see if this is actually where the store was.

 

There are the cutest displays outside the shops that just make you want to go in and see what else they have.  I tend to go in to each and every one whenever I visit Mineola. There's always something new and different.

 

 

This little antique store on the corner has a lot of unique items and a wonderful candle collection.  I love getting ideas from this place.  The building is so old, and I'm curious about its history and what other stores came before this one. I'm betting someone lived upstairs above the actual store where those dresses are hanging in the window.

Another antique store across the highway had this old quilt on display which reminded me of another one of my favorite childhood memories.  When I was a baby, my grandmother made my twin sister and me each a quilt with the 'Sunbonnet Sue' appliques on it.  Sadly I don't know where my quilt ended up, but seeing this pillow inspired me to make either a quilt or a pillow of my own.  I purchased a quilting book with the directions.  We'll see how long this 'inspiration' lasts.

I'll have to try this little restaurant next time I'm there during the lunch hour.  I've never stepped inside, but I love the curb appeal. 

Here's a little restaurant that is totally packed any given time of the day.  Supposedly they have the 'best' hamburgers around.  I have stopped in for a salad or a cup of soup a time or two as I browsed the antique store next door, but I've never sampled the famous hamburger. I meant to take a photo of the inside, but forgot.

Attached to the hamburger joint is a darling little antique store that I frequent.  Sadly some of the things I find that are labeled 'antique' are things I remember as a little girl. 

Just down the street from this antique store is my favorite place to grab a huge homemade cookie as a special treat.  I covet their fudge as well, but always opt for the oatmeal raisin pecan cookie instead.  I asked the proprietor if I could snap a photo of the fudge for this blog and she said I could as long as I posted the sign outside the door as well.  Not a problem! The store is called 'Between Friends'.

Here's the fudge!  YUM!  ( I did get a little sample taste)

 

Here's a new store in MIneola that has only been opened a few weeks now called 'Trendz'.  The owner has a beauty salon next door and she decided she wanted to extend her shop to sell these darling clothes, bags, and jewelry.  Her husband was 'minding the store' since he had to use up some of his vacation time, and I must say he was a delight to work with.  I wish I had asked his name, but will be sure to the next time I'm in there.  If you're in the area, be sure to check out their clothing line.  Of course I had to make my own purchase and I will be posting it at some point and time.

 

I need another pair of shoes like I need a hole in the head, but there were lots of cute ones to choose from. Purses too!

My final favorite thing about Mineola is all the trains that pass through.  I'll bet I heard or saw at least 10 just in the couple of hours I was there.  I was just headed home, crossing the railroad track and in the far distance I saw the headlights of an approaching train.  I had to pull over in the old train depot station and grab my camera.  I tried to upload a video I took of the train, but I haven't figured this part out yet. In the meantime, here are a couple of photos I took as it passed by.

I LOVE TRAINS~

Next stop...Lindale Texas.