West of Snook

Many Germans settled in Texas. With them they brought cherished treasures from home and they have kept those wonderful things to remind them of their homeland. But, they also embrace their new life and the new treasures to be found...both things and places. From Bayern they traveled to beautiful country west of Snook. They love Snook! And they love the light and have fallen for all things southwestern.  

The photo is of Fraueninsel on Chiemsee, a place

they love. And, as you can see, they also love Snook.

Other photos are of their horses in the pasture and of

Theresienstein in Hof, Bayern. The pillows are from Germany

and a local artisan. The couch came with them across

the ocean in a huge wooden crate and the vintage

chairs were shipped over more recently.

Never ones to take life too seriously, they have a goofy pair

of Lederhosen as decor. Their pup is

not quite sure what to make of them.

On the mantel is a wonderful statue of a horse by

a local artist and the shield of Bayern.

More southwest flavor.

Some German books.

I think even Wagner would approve.

Inspiration for this post came from my brother and sister-in-law who gave me the roombox and who will soon be moving west of Snook, Texas. Somehow "west of Snook" just tickled my husband and me. I HAD to use it for my blog title. We are German..I came over on the boat with my parents when I was little...and so this is a combination of our story and my imagination. We actually did bring the couch, pillows and flower vase over with us in a big wooden crate...one of two crates holding all our worldly possessions. The chairs and table are from Oese, a fellow blogger in Germany. My parents used to visit the Theresienstein and we went on a vacation to Chiemsee before coming to Tennessee to live. All the southwestern stuff is from my brother and his wife. The "W" is for our last name. The horse stuff honors my brother's wife who is an accomplished horsewoman. The Lederhosen were given to me by my husband and son as they quite often make a little fun of all things German...good naturedly. My son, the artist, made the little horse a long time ago. I found Wagner in the Salvation Army Thrift Store I frequent. Nobody wanted Wagner!!! I also HAD to use him in this post. Watch for more of him and Oscar Wilde as I have many ideas.

Muy Poquito Humorismo...Mi Casa del Suroeste

After reading a new cookbook called Seven Fires

we decided to cook in the living room and open up

the doors to the outside and make at least two fires.

We gathered some good ingredients and did

some cookin' and some drinkin'. With safety in mind we

remembered the fire extinguisher.

Our little Casa was a good place to relax

while waiting for the food to cook. Even

pup was relaxed and drooling.

We set up the outside area so we could watch the firepit. Again,

safety is always paramount so we set up close to the fire

hydrant.  The dog was happy about that, as well.

Not exactly sure what we were cooking here.

It's good that there are directions to our favorite places.

A huge thank you to my brother and his wife for sending me this wonderful southwestern roombox for Christmas. It belonged to my sister-in-law which makes it even more special. They also sent a bunch of accessories..pillows, rugs, food, drinks, baskets, pottery, travois, the shelf. All fabulous. The inspiration for the two fires is from the cookbook mentioned above which my brother also gave me. The little car on the shelf is an homage to my brother as he is quite the car fancier.

My son and I had fun figuring out how to make the fires look at least a little realistic...Lego fire and burned sticks...fun!

I love the way that in the southwest dirt is so beautifully patterned....really an upholstery sample.

The signpost has Ann Arbor on it as that is where I live and College Station as that is near where my brother is moving. Also note the Ann Arbor postcard pillow.

The signpost, fence, odd thing cooking outside and the cowboy on the mantel are from a work colleague who gave me a bunch of toys. I knew I could use those things sometime!

Oscar Wilde's Garret

Even great writers get writer's block.

Though he does have a wonderful place...resources,

a comfy chair, a footrest....

pictures to remind him of Ireland.

May as well go out on the town...maybe get some inspiration...

at least have some fun.

Come back, have some wine...maybe a little bread

and you can write again.

Much better.

Here is what the roombox looks like. It is a display case for some smoking item...I forgot which. Chuck of Maison Edwards here in town gave it to me. 

Thanks to my husband and son for the Oscar Wilde figure which I got for Christmas. Thanks to my son for suggesting I use a regular size feather for the quill...funny. My Mother made the curtains when I was nine for a roombox she and my Dad made for me for Christmas. You will also see the chair from this post in the picture below. I also still use the refrigerator, credenza, pillows, and table from this room.