Decorating your home?

If you're in the midst of decorating your home, or simply want to freshen up your current decor, you need to check out Cow Palace Emporium's ever-changing inventory for the items you need.  Are you in need of art for your walls?  We have many pieces to choose from, whether your taste is Oriental, Western, Traditional and everything in between.

Are you decorating a nursery?  Or possibly just in need of a unique baby gift?  We've got just what you need!

Our mascot finally has a name!

We had several excellent suggestions for our mascot's name, but the most obvious---and perfect!---was right beneath our nose...or rather our feet.  On the iron threshold of Country Mile Warehouse is imprinted the name 'Bessie Cannon.'  I have asked everyone who entered our building if they knew Bessie Cannon and why her name appeared on our threshold.  No one knew, so the mystery surrounding Bessie Cannon continued.  I googled her name on several occasions, but I never received any results that tied the name to this building or even the town of Florence.  Until yesterday.

Yesterday I decided to try one more time.  Among the results I received was a reference to a Congressional Record dated 1900-1910.  I scanned, then scanned some more and finally found Bessie's name among hundreds---maybe thousands--listed in the document.  It appears that Bessie Cannon was the postmaster of Florence!  I have found references dated 1901, 1910 and 1914.  I also believe she was unmarried and lived with her parents on their farm,  as the occupation listed on the census in 1910 was 'farmer.'

Mystery solved!  And along with it, the perfect name for our bovine beauty.  Bessie Cannon.  I'm not sure how the first Bessie would feel about having a cow head named after her, but I bet she'd be surprised to know that her name still resides on the threshold of the building we now occupy.

So here's Bessie in all her finery!

Need a little inspiration?

I love looking through magazines and catalogues.  Over the years, I've torn out hundreds of pages of ideas that have caught my eye and I've filled countless notebooks with those torn pages.  Now that we have Pinterest, I've added that to my obsession, and I have a zillion folders filled with cool ideas found on the internet.  Stylists, artists and even DIY'ers often have an inspiration board in their office or work area where they pin items that inspire them.

I wanted something similar for my shop and found the neat rack pictured above while browsing through the Trading Post on Hwy 195.  I'm not sure it's original purpose, but I snapped it up and hauled it to my shop, knowing it would serve perfectly as my Inspiration Board.  Next time you're in town, drop by and see if you find something on the board that inspires you!

Our mascot has arrived and needs a name!

Our new mascot has arrived!  And she is absolutely gorgeous!  She didn't photograph as well as I'd hoped, but that's the photographer's problem, not our girl.  The black on her face has inset sparkly tiles and she has a sassy tilt to her head.  I adore her!  But she needs a name!!  Here are a few that have been bantered around:  Bessie, Flossie, Daisy and Elsie.  Not a one of the names seems to suit her.  Any ideas?  Post them in the comment section below and we'll add your suggestion to our growing list.  Once we've decided on a name, I'll post it here.

And before you can ask, SHE IS NOT FOR SALE!  How could I possibly part with this bovine beauty?!  I do have a couple of other cow heads in the shop, though.  Here's a peek at one of them.  

Drop by and check them out in person.  I think you'll find the experience moo-ving.

Pop 'n Drop!

This is a fun project and functional, as well! Take an old piece of wood, add a bottle opener and hang a bucket beneath the opener.  Once combined, what do you have?  A Pop 'n Drop!  Pop the top off a cold one and the cap drops into the bucket below.  I had two in the shop, but one has already found a home.  If I can find more buckets, I might be tempted to make some more.  They are so cute!  Perfect for an outdoor room, patio, man cave, or wherever you want to hang it.

A Step Back in Time

I love history almost as much as I love old buildings.  101 Story Avenue in Florence offers me lots to love.  The picture below is the oldest photo I've discovered of the building and was sent to me by the granddaughter of the building's owner.  I don't know the exact date it was taken, but I believe it was in the late 1940's or early 1950's.  The name of the business was Cotton Wool and Mohair and was owned by T. M. (Tommy) Williams.  He is the man on the far left.

I don't know the date of this next picture, but I'm going to guess it was probably taken sometime in the 1980's, or maybe the 1990's.  Notice the subtle changes the building's structure underwent over the years.

I wish those big front windows displayed in the first photo were still there!  This particular photo reveals more of the building's second story.  For many years, it was the meeting place for the Woodsmen of America.  During the 90's it was converted into a loft apartment by George Caskey, who was, at one time, T. M. Williams' business partner.  Lots of bead board and old wood floors were preserved in the remodeling process.  Really cool living space.

The next picture is present day.  Notice the change in paint color, the awning design.  Yet the building's integrity is still intact.

I'm still searching for more history and photos.  There is one mystery I'm determined to solve.  On the iron threshold at the building's entrance is inscribed:  "Bessie Cannon."  I'm curious about her... who she is and why her name is on the building's threshold.  If I find the answer, I'll let you know.

Box Top$ for Education

Do you know what these are?  If you have kiddos in school, I'll bet you do!  For those who don't know, they are Box Top$ for Education, coupons that are found on many grocery and food items, and they are redeemable for needed supplies at our public schools.  My kiddos are waaaay past school-age, but I continue to collect these for my great-niece and nephew who are enrolled at Florence Elementary School.  

This is a GREAT way to help our public schools receive much-needed supplies and equipment.  If you're willing to save these coupons, we'll be glad to drop them off at the school for you!  We'll even do the trimming, if any is needed.  There is no cost involved...just the little bit of time it takes to remove the coupons from your grocery and food items, such as ZipLoc bags, Cheerios, and Betty Crocker baking products.  For a complete list of items where you'll find Box Top$ for Education coupons, click this link:  http://www.boxtops4education.com/participating-products.