Now Booking Viola Pearl Haus in Fredericksburg Texas

My guest house in Fredericksburg, Texas, Viola Pearl Haus, is now open and booking! Viola Pearl Cobble was my mom's grandmother and this guest house is named after her and in my mom's honor. I decorated the space similar to my own house. I often found myself buying "one for Viola Pearl Haus, one for me" - but I guess that's how you know you're on the right track to create a cozy, comfortable and homey guest house. From the Pottery barn bedding, Anthropologie "V" initial coffee mugs, Pioneer Woman dishes, vintage marquee letters on the building front, to the Anthropologie mirror (that I ALMOST kept for my house) and vintage chickens - everything was purchased for this guest house to make it feel like home. I hope my guests feel it when they stay!

To book my guest house in Fredericksburg, Texas, visit http://www.violapearlhaus.com.

Greetings from Fredericksburg, Texas

Whenever I tell anyone where my family lives, Fredericksburg, Texas, they always comment on how much they love visiting and immediately ask where I like to stay and what I like to do. If you aren't from 'round here, you *might* have heard of the Texas Hill Country or Texas wines. Fredericksburg sits in the heart of the Texas Hill Country and is surrounded by 20 wineries and growing. Here's a little wrap up of what I like to do, what wineries are my favorites, where I like to eat, with some of my favorite photos I have taken. I hope you enjoy...and if you make it out this way...let me know!

Things To Do in Fredericksburg, Texas:
Oktoberfest - This is my favorite festival all year. It is when fall is beginning (100 degree days are behind us), Halloween is around the corner and pumpkins are everywhere. Everyone is happy and having a great time at this festival! If you go, make sure to visit the Kiwanis food booth for potato pancakes. They.Are.Amazing.
Food & Wine Festival - I have been going to the festival for about 20 years. It is a great way to introduce yourself to all Texas wines. Make sure to enter the grape toss!
Fredericksburg Trade Days - The third weekend of every month is my shopping heaven. With over 350 vendors, 6 full barns on multiple acres, surely you will find something you like. I love the outdoor wire furniture and antique trinkets.
Evening Flight of the Bats at the Old Tunnel Bat Cave - Okay this is really two things to do...eat outside at Alamo Springs Cafe around sunset, while witnessing the bats heading out for the evening. {as seen in the photo below-yes, those black specs are bats!}

Christmas Tree & German Pyramid Lighting on the Marketplatz - Each year, I love going to this with my family...because it makes me really feel like the holidays are here and I love the small town feel it provides. The mayor leads the Marketplatz lighting ceremony. There is hot chocolate and cookies usually, with Christmas Carols by the children's choir. It is very Rockwell. My favorite part...bringing a bottle of wine, sitting on the grass and enjoying.
Shopping Shopping Shopping! - This is a great town to antique in-my favorite shops are Smitten and the Red Baron Antique Mall. For modern clothes, you can't miss Root on Main Street.
Climb Enchanted Rock - I would suggest this in non-summer months!
Pick fruit at Marburger Orchard - This an annual thing for me and my dad. We start with strawberries, then hit the blackberries and peaches.

Day 342, Stormy Sunday

Day 333, On the Road

Day 332, Vintage Sign

Day 324, Sundown

Three Key Vintage Pieces for Your Closet

How many times have you been out in your new outfit, only to find five people wearing the same Old Navy get-up that you had to have? It has happened to all of us. Everyone wants to be unique when out on the town. And while there is nothing wrong with shopping at chains (they are a staple of my wardrobe), remember to step up your personal style when doing so. One way to do that is by incorporating three key vintage pieces into your wardrobe.

My favorite first, vintage boots. They can be a timeless statement piece and are worn year round by both men and women alike. Brands like Old Gringo make beautiful, vintage-looking boots. New is easy and isn't a bad route, but also be on the lookout for 1970s Frye boots or an old pair of dusty cowboy boots at a local shop or online. Don’t be afraid to take risks - boots come in a variety of colors, heights or shapes that are easy to find. For women, you’re lucky to be able to pair your boots with anything! Some of my favorite ways to wear boots are with skirts, dresses or even shorts. No matter what you pair your boots with, the best part about buying vintage boots over the new…you won’t have to break them in. Major bonus.

Another great vintage basic that can do no wrong is vintage denim.

Day 273, Treasure Hunting

Day 257, Wine Tasting

Orange and Blue

I took this photo at the Wildseed Farm outside of Fredericksburg-these colors are great together! Spring in Texas is so colorful.
Happy Friday!

Day 246, It's a Small World

Day 245, Vivid Sky

Such beautiful colors together!

DIY: Freezing Seasonal Fruit

As fruit starts to come into season, it is the perfect time of year to visit local farmers. This year, we decided to stock up on strawberries and freeze them, so we can enjoy them throughout the year.

As I mentioned in my blog post yesterday, we visited Marburger Orchard. Since, this type of fruit doesn't last as long as the store bought-I wouldn't go longer than a couple of days to freeze it. First, we picked up supplies at Wal-Mart. I am sure you can buy these anywhere, but we bought the Ball Canning brand, made specifically to freeze, as well as some sticker labels for the jars. 

Once you clean the fruit and let most of the water drain (about 10 minutes) cut off the stems and any areas that look too bruised or bad to you. Then either cut the strawberries in half or in quarters. We ended up cutting the medium-sized in half and left the smaller strawberries whole. 

Next, you need to decide how you want to freeze your fruit. We choose to sugar (or Splenda) freeze this batch for sweeter flavor (this also helps to preserve the fruit), but you can also "dry freeze" your fruit. To sugar freeze, add 1/2 cup of sugar per quart of fruit and mix gently until all the sugar is dissolved and the fruit is coated. It almost seemed to turn a bit syrupy because of the water, which is fine. Then put the strawberries in jars and place in freezer. 

To dry freeze, place fruit individually on a tray in the freezer until frozen, then remove and quickly put in freezer bags and return them to the freezer. We plan to do this with our blackberries we pick in May.

The strawberries will be perfect to use to make strawberry crepes, pie, smoothies and I hear they are great semi-frozen. Make sure to use them within the year!

Day 244, Freezing Strawberries

Saving yesterday's loot! I will be writing a DIY about it on my Viola Pearl blog.

Strawberry Season

I am lucky to live in a town that has farms surrounding it, some are less than ten minutes away. Not only can we get fresh produce regularly, but when in season, we can go pick our own peaches or berries. The weather has been absolutely beautiful lately and on Friday, so my dad and I went early to Marburger Orchard to pick strawberries. 

When you arrive, you get a quick overview of the right way to pick strawberries. Basically, never pull on the plant to get the strawberry, you pinch it off, which results in green fingers and fingernails. So, remember that the manicure should come after this! You also want the berry fully red, except for the tip opposite the stem, which can be a little green. You are allowed one sample or "taster"during the overview, but are not supposed to eat while you are picking. We ended up picking two boxes worth at about $2.75 per pound. 

In May and June, the blackberry bushes will be ready to pick from. We plan to reserve an 8 a.m. spot for the first pick before anyone else has a chance. I am also really looking forward to the peach crop, our mild winter has set us up for a great peach season. The colors of the peach trees blooms and other flowers were so beautiful!

Today we are cleaning and preparing the strawberries to freeze them so we can enjoy them year round. I will be putting together a quick DIY on that for tomorrow!

Day 243, Berry Season

My dad and I went and picked strawberries this morning. We ended up with TWO of these!

Day 231, Pretty Building

Day 194, Signs

Cool sign...

Sent from my iPhone

More Tree Lighting!

The German Pyramid at the Fredericksburg Christmas tree lighting. You can't see but each level has moving parts to it.

Sent from my iPhone

The before and after of the lights.

Sent from my iPhone