S.L.U.T.S. Ride Again

On July 3, 2014, the S.L.U.T.S., Southern Ladies Under Tremendous Stress, met again for a road trip. Lillian, Virginia, Anna and Anna's friend Stuart and I piled into Anna's car for our trip to Bell Buckle, Tennessee.  The town is located between Murfreesboro and Shelbyville.  It was a train depot stop in earlier times and although the trains still run the tracks, sadly there are no stops in Bell Buckle anymore.

The town is known now for the many craft and antique shops that line the main street.  We ladies took a morning looking through the many specialty shops.  Everyone looks for their own special treat to take home.  I found a dessert bowl that will help me fill out a set that was left to me by my mother.  The green dishes I collect were freebies in the oatmeal boxes in the fifties.  I almost have a full set for six people now.

Green Sandwich Glass Collection Originally From Oatmeal Boxes

My friend, Anna, gave me a whole bag of old buttons.  The last time she and I visited Bell Buckle, she found out I want them to do a craft project to give as a gift.  I couldn't believe that she was so generous with these beautiful buttons!  Some are decades old and some are younger but I will have a great time sorting through all of them, so lovely in their patinas and patterns.

Antique Buttons For A Craft Project

She has become a friend to one of the shop owners who had given her some white buttons previously, so she took him some collected colored buttons on this visit.  I tease her about how fast she is able to make friends but I secretly wish I was that outgoing sometimes.

We took a break from scouting out our bargains to eat at the Bell Buckle Cafe.  It is what we in Tennessee call a Meat and Three.  The wide selection included many wonderful vegetables which make up the "Three" of Meat and Three.  Good eating!

After another round of shopping we refreshed ourselves at the Bluebird Antiques and Ice Cream Parlor.  We each had an ice cream cone.  Mine was the white chocolate raspberry cone.  Delicious!

We finished our trip to Bell Buckle in time to get back into Smyrna for the Fireworks display that evening.   Our Sunday School Class met in the park to eat, fellowship and watch the fireworks.  What a full, wonderful day.  God is good!