Weatherford, Texas (part II), The Malt Shop

One of my favorite destinations in Parker County is just outside Weatherford on the old Ft. Worth Highway and 730: The Malt Shop. (The link has a map, business hours, the menu and a brief interesting history of business.)

Going there is like stepping back into the 1950s and 60s.

This roadside hamburger stand has been in business for over 50 years, and doesn’t seem to have changed much. The burgers are still served in waxed paper (I don’t know what it’s really called. It looks kind of like parchment paper and it’s what most sandwiches used to be served in). Customers walk up to the little window or drive-through to order. Small chip bags are clipped to a metal stand. Wooden picnic tables are under the extended canopy (if you don’t want to eat in your car).

The most obvious reminders that you haven’t time traveled back to 1962 or thereabouts, are the credit card symbols in the window, the music (which is often vintage rock and roll) is not from a juke box or local radio station and the prices. The prices are not outrageous, it’s just that… well, Cokes aren’t a dime anymore.

The sights at the Malt Shop are quite interesting, too.

Last year we saw a lemur peeking out of a car in the drive-through.

And very often, someone has driven up in a classic car or motorcycle.

All of these things are interesting and fun, but if I didn’t mention the peach ice cream, I’d be cheating you. It is the best peach ice cream I’ve had since I was 11 years old and used to buy it at one of the stores in Lexington Park, Maryland.

The Malt Shop makes their own, and I hope it’s with Parker County peaches. It sure tastes like it is. And it’s worth the drive over there just for a cone.

In fact, we do just that sometimes.

1931 Ford Pickup

Towards the far left center (as you enter through the front door) at the LoneStar Antique Mall, there sits a beautiful example of American engineering – an 1931 Ford pickup truck.

It’s displayed with some vintage looking Mobil oil signs, oil cans, etc.

Remember when they were called “service stations” and they really were full service?

“Check your oil for you?” the uniformed man would say as he was cleaning the windshield.

Sigh.

I digress. You can go here for the Wikipedia article on the 1927-1931 Ford Model A.

Because of so many other items surrounding it, I couldn’t get a good photograph of the whole truck.

If you can’t go to the LoneStar Antique Mall in Haltom City, Texas, you can go here to see a nicely restored one.

This vehicle is on my fantasy wish list.

SimpliciTeas Tea Room

My sister asked about the closeup photograph of the daisy in my last post. It was taken during our recent visit to the LoneStar Antique Mall’s tea room, Simpliciteas.

As you can see, I ordered the half veggie sandwich/half fruit salad; Joe had the soup of the day and a roast beef sandwich.

Their fruit salad is the best I’ve ever had – anywhere. Everything fresh, nothing overripe and much more than an ordinary honeydew/cantelope mixture. There are usually 7 or more varieties of fruit served with a poppyseed dressing on the side.

Dessert for me is almost always the orange cake; can’t remember the proper name. It’s a sponge cake base with a zesty orange filling and frothy topping. The serving is large enough to share, and a bit of a stretch for just one person, unless you’re still quite hungry. (This photo was taken during a previous lunch, when I was eating alone.)

Passed this booth as we were leaving. Wish I knew the owner’s name to share with you. It’s one of my favorite booths there; she always sets up her display as a fully decorated room and it’s lovely, isn’t it?

The Book Carriage

A nice addition to the new businesses on Oak Street in Roanoke, Texas is The Book Carriage. This independently owned bookshop is located on the north end of the new old town area.

The area just under the hanging quilt is a coffee, tea and pastry bar. I’m not a true coffee drinker (decaf only for me and not even half as strong as is currently popular), but I have tried the tea and it was a lovely treat.

This shop is a good meeting place, too. Twice I’ve met my friend, Geneva (My Heart’s Song) there and we’ve had a pleasant visit at the tables downstairs.

Unfortunately, they don’t serve sandwiches, but if they did, I’d be one of the first in line.

The stairs lead to a balcony furnished with tables and chairs.

Local artists are featured on a regular basis and the balcony is one of the display areas.

Off to the left of this photo is the children’s area, which is quite nice. I can’t think why I don’t have a picture of it, except that it had been a very tiring day and we were in a hurry.

Aside from books, The Book Carriage also sells coffee mugs, jewelry (handcrafted, I think), greeting cards, small toys, puzzles, stuffed animals and the featured artwork.

Local musicians play on Saturday nights at 7:30.

Their bookclub meets on the 2nd Sunday at 4:00 and members receive a 15% discount when purchasing the selected book.

Go here for their home page which has a menu with lots more information.

(My apologies for the fuzzy quality of the photographs.)

Old Fashioned Pie Shop

It’s almost like stepping back into the past. Time is just sort of suspended once you walk in the door.

1930s music is playing, the lady behind the counter is making pies, photos of old family picnics decorate the walls, and the candy you remember as a kid is right there on the shelf.

Fizzies

How long has it been since you’ve had a Black Cow (I didn’t even know they were still made), or an O Henry candy bar?

And candy cigarettes??? Who would’ve thought they could survive in this O-So-Politically-Correct-New Age?

My friends and I fake-smoked and ate a lot of those little abominations and get this: we understood the difference between candy and the real thing. Just as playing with all those squirt guns and cap guns didn’t lead to actual Bonnie & Clyde type criminality, “smoking” those sugar sticks didn’t result in an addiction to nicotine.

I digress.

If a really wonderful dessert is what you seek, this is it.

The Key Lime Pie may be the best I’ve ever eaten, and the Blackberry Cobbler is great, too.

Although they have seating both inside and out, I always get mine to go. The servings are generous enough to share or put some back in the fridge for later.

You won’t see a huge case full of everything – their products are handmade and fresh and therefore, limited. Kind of like you’d expect from a Mom & Pop type store because…well, that’s what it is.

The Oak Street Pie and Candy is located right next to the locally famous and original Babe’s (more on that later) on Oak Street in Roanoke. Babe’s offers nothing for dessert – unless you want some honey on your biscuit – so the Pie Company is really convenient for that after dinner sweet.

The last time I dropped in, a young mother was there with her 2 children and I heard her telling them that some of the candy was the kind she ate when she was a kid (I’m guessing in the early 1990s). We struck up a conversation and she said they lived in Flower Mound, a very nice and spanking new affluent town which is booming. However, she brings the kids to Roanoke to see that there’s a different kind of life, where things are valued for their longevity.

Roanoke has done a really marvelous job refurbishing their old town section. They’ve kept the old and the new is well integrated.

More on the rest of it later.

I wanted to begin with one of my new favorite places.

If you want to visit them online, go here. The price list is for whole pies, but they sell single servings, too. Looks like they sell boxed lunches and that a lunch menu is coming soon.

Cozy Shopping

Can’t make it to England for spring break?

If you’re in north Texas, do the next best thing: pay a visit to The British Emporium in Grapevine.

It’s owned by 2 English ladies,Sheela Kadam and Alexandra Evans.

This is Sheela and her son.

There are lots of British products, so it’s easy to miss something; if you don’t find what you’re looking for – just ask – they’re always friendly and helpful.

A Large selection of tea, bags, loose, black, or green:

Biscuits:

There’s quite a variety of U.K. foods, including frozen items.

Almost 20 years ago when I helped plan a cream tea for the ladies at our church, I bought clotted cream there. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen it on the shelf of any other grocery store on this side of the pond.

This is a fun place and a unique one. The other British shops I’ve seen weren’t nearly so nice or as comprehensive in their stock.

Loads and loads of gift items: everything from china tea pots, cups and saucers to English newspapers, British comedies on DVD, music CDs, greeting cards, playing cards (perhaps 15 different kinds), electric kettles and books.

Ahhh, the books.

As you can see it’s not a huge selection, but that’s okay because it’s a good one. And it’s not static. There are different ones each time I visit and sometimes it’s really difficult to choose just one. Or two.

At Christmas you might find unique board games, such as Beatles Monopoly.

Last year I took some nice photographs before Easter but lost them when our hard drive crashed, but I think they’ll be decorating again for it soon.

During the various English celebrations (such as the royal wedding) the shop invites patrons to join them for planned events.

Even Indian food specialities have their own shelf.

And that shelf above Sheela’s head? Containers of loose tea and hard candy. If you prefer something more personal than pre-packaged tea or candy, you can do it the old-fashioned way and have your selection weighed out and bagged for you.

Not going to be in the area? Then you can shop from their online store, here.

Some of my photos are a bit blurry, but you can go here for their tour of the store.

Then for a relaxing lunch after shopping, I recommend that you go 1 block south, then 1 block west to Beatitudes Tea Room.

Beatitudes Tea Room

When we’re out, my husband is quick to notice any Chinese, Thai, Indian or Barbeque restaurant.

Not really my cup of tea.

In fact, the businesses that catch my attention are antique malls, thrift stores, bookshops and tea rooms.

So, I was delighted when I spotted a new one: Beatitudes, one block off Main in downtown Grapevine, Texas.

A few days later I was reading the November/December issue of Tea in Texas, a free magazine available in many tea rooms across the state, and saw this article about Beatitudes.

So the next time my friend, Mo, and I were out at lunch time, we decided to give it a try.

We chose the Victorian dining room because I was very tired that day and the chairs seemed a bit more comfortable.

Next time – and I do plan on several next times there – I’d like to have lunch in the Country dining room. Very cottagey. (Spell check is going crazy with that word, but it gets the point across.)

As you can see, the decor is lovely, the atmosphere is serene.

The food was quite good. Complimentary appetizers were small scones and flavored butter.

I ordered the veggie sandwich and it wasn’t at all what I expected, but it was absolutely delicious.

For dessert, I had coconut cream pie, which was warm and it was some of the best I’ve ever had.

The shop offers a variety of Faith based gifts and vintage china.

So, if you find yourself in Grapevine near lunchtime (or breakfast), please give this Christ-centered business a try.

Here is their website.

Go here for the menu.

Christmas gifts that make a difference

This has been going around on email, and despite my efforts to locate the author, I must leave it as anonymously written until I learn more.

Most of the ideas in it are quite good and are ones I’ve been thinking about lately, even before it was forwarded to me from a friend.

“Christmas 2011 — Birth of a New Tradition

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide Americans with monstrous piles of cheaply produced goods — merchandise that has been produced at the expense of American labor. This year will be different. This year Americans will give the gift of genuine concern for other Americans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by American hands. Yes there is!

It’s time to think outside the box, people. Who says a gift needs to fit in a shirt box, wrapped in Chinese produced wrapping paper?

Everyone — yes EVERYONE gets their hair cut. How about gift certificates from your local American hair salon or barber?

Gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car detailed? Small, American owned detail shops and car washes would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates.

Are you one of those extravagant givers who think nothing of plonking down the Benjamines on a Chinese made flat-screen? Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway sealed, or lawn mowed for the summer, or driveway plowed all winter, or games at the local golf course.

There are a bazillion owner-run restaurants — all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about a half dozen breakfasts at the local breakfast joint. Remember, folks this isn’t about big National chains — this is about supporting your home town Americans with their financial lives on the line to keep their doors open.

How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the American working guy?

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for mom? Mom would LOVE the services of a local cleaning lady for a day.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running.

OK, you were looking for something more personal. Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves. They make jewelry, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner operated restaurants and leave your server a nice tip. And, how about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre.

Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you REALLY need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? When you buy a five dollar string of light, about fifty cents stays in the community. If you have those kinds of bucks to burn, leave the mailman, trash guy or babysitter a nice BIG tip.

You see, Christmas is no longer about draining American pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging American small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other Americans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine. THIS is the new American Christmas tradition.”

If I had written this, the last bit would’ve read:

“The birth of Jesus has nothing to do with any of this. Is He honored by all thoughtless, out-of-control spending?

We should bestow gifts that are meaningful and have integrity. Christmas never was intended to increase the strength and economy of a repressive, Communist government. China holds the note to an increasing mountain of American debt. They get stronger as the U.S. grows weaker. Neither our country nor our fellow countrymen are honored by feeding the Chinese coffers.”

You can make a difference this Christmas. Help your community keep jobs.

Please, buy American!

A Day Out

A lovely day today – my friend Mo (also from Tulsa) and I went to the Lone Star Antique Mall in Haltom City. It was really nice getting out of the house – even though the winds were terrific.

First we had lunch in the tea room.

The handmade chocolates in the case are by Sweet Shop USA, Mount Pleasant, Texas. (Isn’t that a nice name for a town?)

The nice lady who provides live music was there today, and played the grand piano.

Several girls were having special lunches with their mothers or grandmothers. This sweet little girl rather timidly went up to talk to the pianist.

I thought it was very kind of her to play tunes today that the children would recognize, like the theme from Sleeping Beauty.

Our waitress (who was showing me her vintage apron) was excellent. (Sorry the photo is a bit fuzzy; I only took one, so it was this one or nothing.)

Next Time – the Formals.

For other posts about Lone Star Antique Mall, go here and here.

Grapevine Farmer’s Market

Last Friday morning I stopped by the Grapevine Farmer’s Market and loaded up on fresh produce. Jack & Racquel Morehead were quite nice and their son cheerfully carried everything to the car for me.

Why buy fruits and vegetables at a farmer’s market (in Oklahoma we call them fruit stands)? Why not? I was going to buy it at the grocery store anyway, and there was something really nice about walking around looking at the vendors’ tables and talking with them.

Good old free enterprise and small business – the backbone of the American economy.

Grapevine Farmer’s Market is open Thursday – Saturday, 8:00 a.m – 4:00 p.m. and they take credit and debit cards.

I took home one of these beauties.

Another vendor was a nice family selling beef. Their ranch is near Decatur. I didn’t buy any then because I wasn’t going to go home for several more hours and didn’t have an ice chest with me, but I plan to get some later.

Steve & Susan Beggs sell lean, grass-fed beef. Go here for their website. She told me that the produce market in Decatur (the one in the little stone building just north of Braum’s) also carries their beef.