Texas Tuesday {vol. 5}

This post is going up late, Blogger apparently ate the original post that was scheduled for this morning!!

Happy Texas Tuesday, y'all!!

(Don't know what Texas Tuesday is? It's a weekly link-up hosted by Amanda of Princess of the Panhandle and I, that's open to anyone, not just Texans! All you need to do is write about something Texas related, post our little button in your post, then come back here and link up! That's it!)

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(Right clicking is disabled on my blog, to get the button, highlight the code, and hit "control" and "C")

Most of you know I was born and raised here in this great state. B and I had a brief stay in Alabama a couple of times (Roll Tide!), but for the most part, I've called Texas home. I grew up in Brenham, Texas, which, at the time, didn't seem to be that exciting. I did what most teenagers do once they graduate, I got out of there as quickly as I could. But, as I've gotten older, Brenham has pulled on my heartstrings just a bit. Most of my family still lives there, and even though we don't live there, it's still my hometown. Now I take pride in telling people I grew up there, so, I wanted to share with y'all what makes my hometown just so great.

First of all, Brenham holds bragging rights to the oldest county fair in Texas! The Washington County fair was established in 1868, and I've been nearly every year since I was born. It's a week long event, complete with a carnival, livestock shows, rodeos, and concerts. There's a ton of delicious food to eat and a ton of beer to drink. I look forward to it ever year. There's nothing like fair time in Texas.

Besides the fair, Brenham's claim to fame has to be Blue Bell Ice Cream. 

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Blue Bell Creameries opened their doors in 1907, and has been going strong in Brenham ever since. Blue Bell is only sold in 26% of the nation's grocery stores, yet it ranks as one of the top three selling ice creams in the country. It's good, y'all. The creamery holds guided tours (and free samples!) on weekdays. But the best part of Blue Bell is they participate in a program with the local state school to offer the residents jobs. 

But downtown Brenham has to be the best part of the town. There are tons of boutiques and antique shops, and quaint little cafes and flower shops. It's definitely my favorite part of Brenham. In the spring they have th Spring Eggs Art Walk and the Maifest, in the summer they have the Hot Nights, Cool Tunes concert series, in the fall they have the Scarecrow Extravaganza, and in the winter they have the Christmas Stroll. They even have a farmer's market that's open every weekend from March to December. There's always something going on in downtown Brenham. They shut the streets down, and it seems like the whole town comes out. We make the drive and take M to just about every event they hold downtown. It's pretty much become a family tradition.

So, if you find yourself on Highway 290 between Austin and Houston any time, be sure and stop in somewhere in Brenham, you'll definitely find something to fall in love with.