We just added a new product line!

If you are a fan of Fredericksburg Farms wax melts, you need to drop by the shop!  We just received a large shipment with all the current scents they carry.  We currently have Texas Rose on our warmer and its scent is delightful!

We also received a generous shipment of Fredericksburg Farms salsas, dips, jellies and jams.  Come on by and grab a jar or two while the selection is still good! Jalapeño Pepper Jelly, Homemade Peach Preserves, Peach Pecan Butter and Old Fashioned Strawberry Preserves are just a few of the flavors we have on hand.

Need a gift for a baby?

If you're looking for a baby gift, drop by Cow Palace Emporium and check out our gifts for a baby's nursery.  Here are a few examples of what we have on hand...

ABC wood blocks upcycled into photo holders.  Transportation theme embroidered pictures for the wall.  Scrabble word trays that say "NURSERY" and "SHHH".  Not shown are billboard black "Z" letters, which are adorable hung in multiples on the wall above the crib!  "Zzzzz"  The wire perambulator is darling decor for a baby shower.  You can decorate it with ribbon or flowers, or use it as is.

Old red wagon upcycled into shelving.  Can be hung on the wall, or attached to the wall with screws/nails/molly bolts, your choice.

We're rather proud of the upcycled wagon idea.  If you're a fan of Country Living magazine, in the July issue there is an article on new uses for old red wagons and an example was a wagon made into shelving, much like ours!  

Cast Iron Storefront

I love to watch Salvage Dawgs on the DIY network. Recently I saw an episode where they removed a cast iron storefront from an abandoned building. Well, guess where you can find a prime example of a cast iron storefront?  101 Story Abenue, right here in Florence, Texas!!  Look real close at the photo below.  Notice the black columns?  Those are cast iron and form part of the storefront. The remaining pieces are out of camera view.

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.