June 26th, 2011 by carriagehouse
First of all… Thank You to my two favorite photographers, my darling husband, Tom and his BFF, Craig Swancy. These two guys did an amazing job of capturing all of the wonderful action at the T-Bone Walker Blues Fest. I think you will agree that they are phenomenal photographers. I just wish I had a thimble full of their talent. Yucky things happen when I get behind the lens.
Here are the final set of pictures. I hope you enjoy them!!!
June 15th, 2011 by carriagehouse
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 16-19, 2011
* 6TH ANNUAL T-BONE WALKER BLUES FESTIVAL
Friday-Saturday, June 17-18
Location: Music City Texas Theatre, 108 Legion St., Linden, TX
Tickets & information: (903) 756-7774
www.tbonewalkerbluesfest.com
* AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
Thursday, June 16: “Leon Vines” (Classic Acoustic Guitar) @ 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, June 17: Karaoke @ 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
Saturday, June 18: “The Legendary Bugs Henderson & the Shuffle Kings” (Blues &
Classic Rock) @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Reservations requested
(903) 665-7121
* KARAOKE
Saturday, June 18 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
(903) 601-2211
* BINGO!
Location: Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK
Each Monday in June @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Prizes & refreshments
(903) 472-841
* TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
200 Bayou St.
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
(903) 665-2222
www.jeffersonbayoutours.com
* LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
Specializing in weddings
Friday-Sunday, June 17-19
(Weather permitting)
Groups and special events available by appointment
Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
(903) 926-8216
www.jeffersontexascarriage.com
Call for reservations
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 16-18 @ 8:00 p.m.
Departure location: Corner of Austin &Vale St.
(903) 665-6289
www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
Friday, June 17 @ 8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
Saturday, June 18 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)
8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038
www.JeffersonRailway.com
* LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM
112 W. Lafayette
Friday & Saturday, June 17-18 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
(903) 240-6180
Call for additional tours
* CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
403 N. Walnut
Friday & Saturday, June 17-18 @ 3:00 p.m.
(903) 665-7888
www.culbersonhousebandb.com
Call to confirm tour
* HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
409 S. Alley
Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8000
Reservations required
www.houseoftheseasons.com
* SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
401 Soda St.
Saturday, June 18 @ 1:00 p.m.
(903) 665-3938 (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232
Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
* THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
405 Moseley
Saturday, June 18 @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 19 @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8018
www.thegrove-jefferson.com
Call to confirm tour
* EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
211 W. Austin
Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2513
Call to confirm tour times
www.theexcelsiorhouse.com
* JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
223 W. Austin
Open daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(903) 665-2775
www.jeffersonmuseum.com
* H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
(903) 665-2238
Reservations required
* THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior reservation
Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-2238
www.gracefulghost.com
Call for reservations & additional tours
* BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3213
Call for reservations
www.caddoguideservice.com
* CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138
Call for reservations
www.caddooutback.com
* CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”
Uncertain, TX
(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101
Open: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Call for reservations
* JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
301 W. Lafayette
Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
(903) 665-8911
www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com
Free internet access
June 15th, 2011 by carriagehouse
“JEFFERSON SALUTES AMERICA”
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION ON JULY 4TH
Enjoy a fresh slice of Norman Rockwell as the 19th anniversary edition of “Jefferson Salutes America” fires off its trademark “Fireworks Fantazmagoria” as the grand finale on Monday, July 4 over Jefferson’s historic Big Cypress Bayou and turning basin. The fireworks display – during which some $12,000 in pyrotechnic charges will be fired off over the river’s natural amphitheatre, caps off an evening of live music and family fun reminiscent of an idyllic America.
The evening starts off at approximately 5:00 p.m. in downtown Jefferson’s Otstott Park, corner of Lafayette and Vale Streets, with children’s games and a decorated bike and tricycle parade around the bandstand. Entrants will be vying for prizes and all children in the parade will receive a ribbon.
A pie and cake auction benefiting the purchase of children’s books for Jefferson’s Carnegie Library will have bidders fighting over dozens of confectionery delights produced by Jefferson and Marion County’s finest cooks. The popular bidding war produces bragging rights for the best baker and has historically raised thousand of dollars each year for the library, one of only five such Carnegie’s in the State of Texas still used as a public reading facility.
The Shreveport Municipal Concert Band returns to the Otstott Park Gazebo for a rousing set of patriotic music that echoes throughout downtown Jefferson. Complete with a variety of flag-waving standards from John Phillip Sousa, the evening’s live entertainment is the perfect set-up to the two-block march down to the riverfront for the fireworks.
Just prior to dark, the thousands on hand for the fireworks display will witness the thrilling finish of the “Quacker State 500” – a down-stream race of 500 plastic ducks that will net one lucky winner the grand prize of $500 cash and an assortment of prizes for those duck sponsors whose entrants finish near the front. The rubber duckies can be sponsored for $5 each and proceeds benefit Jefferson’s youth sports. Duck sponsorships are sold ahead of time but entries are always welcome at the park prior to the race’s start.
The “Fireworks Fantazmagoria” will begin at approximately 9:30 p.m. over Jefferson’s Big Cypress Bayou.
This event is FREE to the public and the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast still has rooms available for this family friendly event. Call us today at 903-665-9511 to book your holiday weekend room.
For additional information, contact:
Marion County Chamber of & Visitor Information Center
101 N. Polk
Jefferson, TX 75657
888-GO RELAX or (903) 665-2672.
Website: www.jefferson-texas.com
Email: juanitawc@sbcglobal.net
June 11th, 2011 by carriagehouse
It was such an exciting morning here at the Carriage House Bed and Breakfast!
Tom came bouncing into the kitchen with the giddiness of a five year old with a lollipop. “I just saw a hummingbird”, he blurted excitedly while rummaging through the cabinet for a mixing bowl. For some reason, all of our hummers came, spent about a month with us, and then took off again. We’ve missed having them here. Tom more then me obviously. Tom busied himself with refreshing all of the feeders because “hummers don’t like stale juice.”
No sooner then he finished that project, he noticed that his favorite plant in the whole world had bloomed for the first time this summer. One of our Moy Grande Hibiscus put it’s first bloom of the summer season on this morning.
Back in McKinney, I had planted a Moy Grande Hibiscus behind our swimming pool. I had seen a write up about it in a magazine but couldn’t find it in a nursery or store any where. Finally, I found one at the Wild Seed Farms in Fredericksburg and had a great excuse for a road trip. We planted it, and in June of that year, it put on it’s first bloom. Tom was in love.
The Moy Grande’s blooms are the size of a dinner plate. When it has it’s first flush of flowers, there is nothing like it in the world. They are big and beautiful!
When we purchased this place and started restoring the gardens, Tom insisted that we plant some Moy Grande’s. So I ordered them (too busy for a road trip) and we now have three of them on the side of the house. Today was the start of their summer show.
As I reflect on it, there’s truly no better way to start the day than by watching these little birds darting around, savoring their breakfast amidst the backdrop of these giant, glorious flowers. It’s mornings like these that remind us of the simple joys in life and the beauty of the natural world. Birdwatching has become an integral part of our daily routine, a peaceful and captivating way to connect with nature right in our own backyard. Tom, too, has been bitten by the birdwatching bug. He’s been delving into the world of feathered friends, learning their names, habits, and songs from learnbirdwatching. It’s become an integral part of our daily routine, a peaceful and captivating way to connect with nature right in our own backyard. Birdwatching has added a new layer of wonder to our mornings, making them even more special.
June 8th, 2011 by carriagehouse
JEFFERSON, TEXAS
WEEKEND ENTERTAINMENT
JUNE 9-12, 2011
* SHEPHERD’S PASTURE RETREAT & CONFERENCE CENTER OPEN HOUSE
Saturday, June 11 @ 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Location: 5645 US Hwy 59 North (Between Jefferson & Linden – 10.5 miles)
Refreshments, tour of facilities, grounds & more
(903) 665-2647
www.shepherdspasture.com
* AUNTIE SKINNER’S RIVERBOAT CLUB & RESTAURANT
Thursday, June 9: “Terry Dorgan” (Country Ballads) @ 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, June 10: Sarah Biddy, Colton Hagler & Justin Mahaffey @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 11: “The Pack” (Classic Rock) @ 9:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.
(903) 665-7121
* KARAOKE
Saturday, June 11 @ 8:00 p.m.-12:00 midnight
Location: The Sandwich Shop, 123 W. Austin
(903) 601-2211
* BINGO!
Location: Pine Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation, 1307 MLK
Each Monday in June @ 6:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Prizes & refreshments
(903) 472-841
* TURNING BASIN RIVERBOAT TOURS
200 Bayou St.
Saturdays @ 10:00 a.m., 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday @ 12:00 noon & 2:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
(903) 665-2222
www.jeffersonbayoutours.com
* LONE STAR CARRIAGE COMPANY OF JEFFERSON
Historical tours of Jefferson by horse & carriage and Mule Drawn Wagon
Specializing in weddings
Friday-Sunday, June 10-12
(Weather permitting)
Groups and special events available by appointment
Departs from corner of Austin & Market (across from the Jefferson Historical Museum)
(903) 926-8216
www.jeffersontexascarriage.com
Call for reservations
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON GHOSTWALK
Thursday, Friday & Saturday, June 9-11 @ 8:00 p.m.
Departure location: Corner of Austin &Vale St.
(903) 665-6289
www.jeffersonghostwalk.com
* JEFFERSON PEDAL POWER
122 E. Austin
Bicycles, Trikes, Tandems, Surreys & more
By reservation
(903) 926-5167
* HISTORIC JEFFERSON RAILWAY
Friday, June 10 @ 8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
Saturday, June 11 @ 2:30 p.m. & 4:30 p.m. (Day Excursions)
8:00 p.m. – Free Ghost Stories & 9:00 p.m. – Ghost Train
(903) 665-6400 or (866) 398-2038
www.JeffersonRailway.com
* LAFAYETTE STREET VINTAGE VEHICLES CAR MUSEUM
112 W. Lafayette
Friday & Saturday, June 10-11 @ 1:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.
(903) 240-6180
Call for additional tours
* CULBERSON HOUSE HISTORIC HOME TOUR
403 N. Walnut
Friday & Saturday, June 10-11 @ 3:00 p.m.
(903) 665-7888
www.culbersonhousebandb.com
Call to confirm tour
* HOUSE OF THE SEASONS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
409 S. Alley
Daily @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8000
Reservations required
www.houseoftheseasons.com
* SINGLETON’S VIRGINIA CROSS HISTORIC HOME TOUR
401 Soda St.
Saturday, @ 1:00 p.m.
(903) 665-3938 (903) 665-8518 or (214) 725-6232
Call for reservations & additional tour dates and times
* THE GROVE HAUNTED HISTORIC HOME TOUR
405 Moseley
Saturday, June 11 @ 2:00 p.m.
Sunday, June 12 @ 11:00 a.m.
(903) 665-8018
www.thegrove-jefferson.com
Call to confirm tour
* EXCELSIOR HOUSE HOTEL & JAY GOULD RAILCAR TOUR
211 W. Austin
Tours: Monday-Friday @ 2:00 p.m.
Saturday & Sunday @ 1:00 p.m. & 2:00 p.m.
(903) 665-2513
Call to confirm tour times
www.theexcelsiorhouse.com
* JEFFERSON HISTORICAL MUSEUM
223 W. Austin
Open daily: 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
(903) 665-2775
www.jeffersonmuseum.com
* H & D EXOTIC DEER FARM AND OTHER EXOTIC ANIMALS
359 P.R. 5730 & Hwy 729
Open: Sunday-Friday (Closed: Saturday)
(903) 665-2238
Reservations required
* THE GRACEFUL GHOST PADDLEWHEEL STEAMBOAT ON CADDO LAKE
Tuesday-Friday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 12:00 noon, 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Pontoon Boat tours at any time with prior reservation
Location: Shady Glade Marina, 510 Cypress Drive, Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-2238
www.gracefulghost.com
Call for reservations & additional tours
* BILLY CARTER’S GO-DEVIL TOURS ON CADDO LAKE
Location: Johnson’s Ranch in Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3213
Call for reservations
www.caddoguideservice.com
* CADDO OUTBACK BACKWATER TOURS
Personalized Tours of Caddo Lake
Uncertain, TX
(903) 789-3384 or (903) 679-9138
Call for reservations
www.caddooutback.com
* CADDO LAKE PADDLEWHEEL TOURS “THE SWAMP THING”
Uncertain, TX
(888) 325-5459 or (903) 789-2101
Open: Tuesday-Saturday
Closed: Sunday & Monday
Call for reservations
* JEFFERSON CARNEGIE LIBRARY
301 W. Lafayette
Monday-Thursday @ 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
Friday @ 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Saturday @ 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Closed: Sunday
(903) 665-8911
www.jeffersoncarnegielibrary.com
Free internet access
June 2nd, 2011 by carriagehouse
Corvette enthusiasts, start your engines and enjoy the ride.
Jefferson’s first Big Cypress Corvette Classic Car Show will meet along the historic brick streets, Saturday, June 4, 11:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
The show will feature some of the finest Corvettes in the nation. Attendees will be arriving from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma.
These beauties will be parked along Austin, Vale and Lafayette Streets for everyone to look and admire.
The show begins with a “Friday Night Cruise” with dinner and social to follow.
Numerous door prizes will be given to lucky winners.
Trophies will be awarded on Saturday to the best in show.
The event is FREE to the public.
For additional information contact the: Marion County Chamber of Commerce
101 N. Polk
Jefferson, TX 75657
(903) 665-2672
www.jefferson-texas.com
June 2nd, 2011 by carriagehouse
The day that I have been anxiously awaiting is almost here…the grand opening of our new Farmer’s Market. Jefferson has needed one for a long time and I want to congratulate and thank the team that put this together. As an innkeeper, I am darn excited about having access to organic farm grown fruits and vegatables. As a citizen, I am thrilled to be able to buy local and spend my money in my community where it will do the MOST good.
Here are a few facts about our new Farmers Market. There will be all sorts of products that are strictly grown or made within 50 miles of Jefferson Texas, including soaps, meats, veggies, granola, baked goods, honey, and more. Jefferson is in a very rural part of East Texas so we have a fantastic access to these products that other parts of the state will not have. 50% of the vendors must sell agricultural products. The rest of the products sold can be high value goods such as soap or lotions that are produced here in Marion County (or in one of our adjacent counties within 50 miles).
So next time you are at the Carriage House B&B, you will not be served fruits and vegetables purchased at Walmart or the grocery store. You will be served delicious organically farm grown fruits and vegtables. We all know how incredible fresh berries taste or how wonderful a vine ripened tomato can be to enjoy and I am thrilled to be able to offer these to our guests.
GRAND OPENING -This Friday (6/3/11) @ 4pm
The Famers Market will be located in the empty vacant lot next to the Dairy Queen on Hwy 59 (203 S Walcott St, 75657).
Operating hours: (June- December)
Friday 4pm-sundown/sellout
Sunday 1pm-4pm
Wednesday 4pm-sundown/sellout
May 13th, 2011 by carriagehouse
Let the games begin!
What happened next was the Carriage House’s version of the 2011 Puppy Olympics with all of the usual events, Track and Field (The Bug), Cross Country (The Bug), the High Jump (The Bug), Gymnastics (me). Into the dining room we went, with the Bug in front and me in a not so hot pursuit. Under the tables, around the server, through the chairs and then into the parlor. The Bug defiantly stops between two guests sitting in the parlor and grins at me from ear to pointy ear with a twinkle of mischief in her eye. A gentleman, who had been trying to quietly enjoy his morning coffee, reaches over and tries to grab The Bug, the sock, anything, but comes up with only air.
I, however, have the advantage. She has to get past me to get back into the dining room and then into the back of the house. She tries to dart past me. My reflexes kick in and I grab at her. I am able to get one finger around her collar. Game over. I get the sock from her mouth and then escort her back to our quarters embarrassed that I had disturbed our guests perfect morning peace.
It is not easy raising a puppy in a Bed & Breakfast. The Bug wants a life with no limits and I want a room with no toys scattered. She wants free reign of the property and I don’t want her in the guests room. She wants the freedom to do what she wants, when she wants, and I don’t want her underfoot when the guests are checking in. We can both be stubborn but I have wisdom and cunning over her. She has speed and agility over me.
It is not a that tough of an existence for her though. She has a large piece of property to play on and plenty of squirrels to chase. Every day, new friends check in and they always have a willing hand to scrunch an ear or rub a belly.
It is the end of another busy day. All of our guests have checked in and are out enjoying their evenings. Breakfast has been prepped and the morning table has been set. Dixie and The Bug have been out for their evening walk and had their dinner. Tom and I are finally settling in for the night.
Tom sits down in his recliner and without any encouragement, The Bug jumps in next to him. She nuzzles up close and gazes at him with heavy lidded, sleepy eyes.
It is a Bug’s Life!
May 11th, 2011 by carriagehouse
The Carriage House Bed and Breakfast’s very own crazy Italian Chef Tom, also known as our crazy photographer Tom, spent hours over the last few days trying to capture a hummingbird at one of our five feeders. It was quite a spectacle to see the big guy dressed all in red (hummers like the color red) trying to sit perfectly still to get the money shot. What do you think? I think he did pretty good!
If you love photography as much as Tom does, then check out our upcoming Photography Weekend, June 10th through 12th held here at the Carriage House B&B in Jefferson Texas. This weekend is geared for photographers of all skill levels and for photographers interested in outdoors/ nature photography and architectural photography. For more information check out our website or call us at 903-665-9511. We have only a few spots left!
April 25th, 2011 by carriagehouse
The weather lady has promised rain today.
Of course, she has made this promise before and we never saw a drop. Just an hour north of us, it is flooding and my sister who lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas complained this morning on Facebook that they had received 8 inches of rain in the last week. Not us. Like most of the great state of Texas, we are in a terrible drought. We have already had several forest fires and the swamps are drying up.
I spend my days moving around the oscillating sprinklers so that my flowers and gardens can get some much needed water. We need rain and we need it quickly. If we don’t get it soon, then this summer is going to be dismal.
I probably jinxed us this morning. As soon as I heard the weather report, I ran out side and put up all the lawn furniture pads and pillows and pulled the potted plants out in the open so that they can take advantage of Mother Nature’s bounty.
I have four hanging baskets with beautiful ferns. Nothing says old Southern home to me more then ferns hanging off of the porch. I pulled them down and put them out in the sidewalk so that they can get some rain too. I noticed in one of my ferns, a mama bird had made a nest and laid some eggs. It may be too late for these babies. I might have already disturbed the nest too much.
Carriage House Bed and Breakfast
401 N. Polk Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
GPS: 32.7572 N, 94.3450 W
p: 903-665-9511
info@carriagehousejefferson.com
