FriMar20105
March 19,20, and 21st is the Fourth Annual Biker Rally, Thunder on the Colorado, at our beautiful RiverBend Park. Presented by the Smithville Chamber of Commerce.Sponsored by TrustTexas Bank. The park is 2 miles from our Bed and Breakfast, the Katy House. Rooms are still available. Ask for the 10% biker discount! (512) 237-4262
for more information see the web site. www.thunderonthecolorado.com
SunFeb201021
Many men fall victim to their own memory when it comes to anniversaries. Fortunately, my anniversary falls in the same ten-day period as Valentine’s Day and my wife’s birthday. While making this easy to remember, it does have its issues, but nothing I can’t handle.
On our wedding day, we drove to Smithville Texas, the site of the movie “Hope Floats” featuring Sandra Bullock (yes, it is a chick-flick, but it is a good one) and stayed at a bed and breakfast called The Katy House. Now, for those who read this blog (yes, I am talking to you) you may remember that Michelle and I love to tour small towns off the beaten path. Well, Smithville—with a whopping population of 3,900—certainly qualifies as small and it does sit just off of state highway 71, which is a beaten path.
This town has a quaint old style main street with buildings built around the turn of the century (not the recent one, mind you) and a train depot (which is not really a functioning depot anymore, but it serves as the chamber of commerce and a railway museum). Most of the buildings that are occupied house antique stores or craft boutiques, while many sit empty. The other streets are filled with old houses dating back to the late 1800’s when this town was built by the MKT railroad. The Katy House is one such home.
Built in 1909, it was originally named the Chancellor Residence after its first occupant. Many others have lived in it since, but it is now a very comfortable B&B run by Sallie and Bruce Blalock. They made our wedding night stay quite pleasant, setting us up with a bottle of bubbly and getting us reservations at the town’s pre-eminent restaurant, The Back Door Café (make the trip if for no other reason than to eat here, it is that good). Because the stay was so memorable, we come back every year to celebrate our anniversary with them….
ThuFeb201018
Sam wrote: I took a leap of faith years ago, sold my table saw, jointer, planer, little bandsaw and hollow chisel mortiser, and purchased a European Combination machine along with a bigger bandsaw (CU300 Smart and MM16) – and now I’m working with the company. That might tell you something about the way I feel for this concept. I’m in a much larger shop now than I was then, but the basic combination still works for me. If you are a one or two man operation or just looking to maximize space in your small shop this would be a good class for you to get the feel of how well this could work for you. Or, you have already taken the plunge and would like to get to know the combo concept and your particular machine better this very well could be an essential class for you.
Visit http://www.samantics2.com/ for details or email Sam at sblasco@minimax-usa.com . Sam Blasco
Here is a link for the machine: http://www.minimax-usa.com/
MonFeb20108
The First Annual Sherwood Forest Faire will start February 27 – April 4th, 2010. Saturday and Sundays- 10:00AM – 7:00 PM, Rain or Shine. The location is in Paige, Texas. Paige is only 35 miles East of Austin, and 20 miles North of Smithville, Texas. There will be music, theatre and Pageantry, Lords and Ladies, Knights in Shining Armour, and Robin Hood and his Merry Men. This is a family Faire. Come stay in Smithville and stay at the Katy House Bed and Breakfast. Have a great breakfast and head to the Faire. For more information go to www.SherwoodForestFaire.com For more information on the Katy House, call (512) 237-4262 or www.katyhouse.com
SunFeb20107
Here is a great story about one of our Smithville, Texas boys.
This is from the American Statesman, from Feb 4th, 2010. Smithville High athlete with cystic fibrosis signs scholarship!
For the full story see http://www.statesman.com/sports/smithville-high-athlete-with-cystic-fibrosis-signs-scholarship-211151.html
“SMITHVILLE— Back in the summer of 2004, the Nieto family of Pflugerville shared their story with this newspaper, and it was a story of hope and salvation through the primal act of running.”
“Brice Nieto, who was 12 years old and struggling to manage cystic fibrosis, was about to compete in the 38th National Junior Olympic Games.”
“His parents, Laura and Jimmy, started Brice in running when he was a younger boy with too much mucus in his lungs. Their story included the strong belief that Brice would be better prepared to manage the genetic disease if he were in top physical shape.”
“Brice discovered that he actually loved running. He ran varsity track as a freshman in high school, and when his family moved 45 miles east of Austin to a 10-acre plot of land with fishing tanks and a couple of horses, he made the varsity track team at Smithville High School.”
“He ran in the Texas Relays.
He earned his letter jacket at Smithville High.
The story gets even better.
On Wednesday, Brice sent his letter of intent to Oklahoma City University, where he will join the track team in the fall.”
“Brice earned an athletic and academic scholarship at the private school of 2,100 undergraduate students. Brice and his mother toured the campus on his official visit. It felt like home, they said.”
“The coaches told Laura Nieto they expected Brice to grow. As an athlete. As a person.”
“I liked to hear that,” she said.
“Life changes for all college students when they leave home. For Brice, the change will be drastic.”
“He soon will be individually responsible for taking his medicines, wearing the vibrating chest that loosens his lungs and going to the hospital, if he needs to, when he needs to. Because he has to.”
“I think I’m ready for it,” Brice said.
“His parents worry. They also see reasons for optimism and opportunity.”
“Brice said he believes his running helps him stay one long stride ahead of the cystic fibrosis, which has no cure.”
“Jimmy and Laura Nieto take comfort in that fact. They know their son will do what he has to.”
“I need to,” Brice said.
“Brice is a year-round runner. After school, he runs three 400-meter sprints and three 500-meter sprints. On weekends, he stretches and performs lunges and high-knee kicks that keep his body moving the way he wants it to.”
“If people told him what he couldn’t do,” said Smithville athletic director Justin Wiley, “he wouldn’t be here today.”
“When Brice was diagnosed at the age of 9, his parents reasoned that scaling the bleachers and running around the track at Connally High School would make Brice stronger.”
“I’m really glad they did it,” Brice Nieto said. “Now that I look back on it, I’m really glad. It made me who I am.”
“His story begins with running.”
“For us it’s working,” Jimmy Nieto said. “So we’re not going to stop.”
“It continues with running.”
“He has a willingness to do whatever’s necessary,” said Oklahoma City University track coach Micheal L. Houston , who noted that Brice has “the heart of an athlete.”
“And he has the mind of a student. Brice took a chemistry class as a junior at Smithville. He enjoyed it. Chemistry made sense to him, he said.”
P.S. All of us in town are proud of Brice. I invite you to visit our small town. Smithville Texas is 43 miles from Austin. Come see many beautiful historic homes and old buildings. There are lots of antique shops on Main Street and super small restaurents in town. But lately, the town is getting known for being “Texas Film Friendly!” We have had 2 major motion pictures filmed here in Smithville, “Hope Floats” and “The Tree of Life.” There have been a number of smaller films, also. Check out the Chamber Web Site for a listing of productions. Our Bed and Breakfast is just off of Main Street. Come stay with us and explore Smithville. Sallie Blalock, Innkeeper – Katy House Bed and Breakfast www.KatyHouse.com
SatFeb20106
Geocachers, Take Notice of Smithville!
For about two years now, the Katy House Bed and Breakfast has been one site of the many geocaches that can be found in or near Smithville, Texas. Whether you’re an old-timer at geocaching or a brand-new fan, you should come look in Smithville. There are now 40 geocaches hidden within 4 miles of the Smithville Post Office, making this area an absolute gold mine of geocaches! If you want to see what we’re talking about, go to http://www.geocaching.com/ and put in Zip Code 78957 to search for geocaches in this area.
Since being placed, the Katy House has had about 70 visitors coming to find the geocache. Further, some friends once hid a Travel Bug in the geocache called “A Ticket to Ride” (not far from the Katy House), and it has now traveled to Japan, Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand, Switzerland and Germany! They just wished they could’ve gone with the Travel Bug.
So – do you want to know where the geocache is hidden at the Katy House? We’re sworn to secrecy, but we will tell you the coordinates are: N 30° 00.500 W 097° 09.663. You can find our geocache listed as “Katy Bar the Door” on the geocaching web site listed above.
WedJan201013
Round Top Festival Hill Institute presents:
Synergy Brass Quintet, Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 3:00 pm
This entertaining group performs more concerts than anyone in classical music today, averaging nearly 300 engagements per year. Acclaimed for “a veritable fireworks display of outstanding musical ability combined with superb showmanship” (Door Concerts,Inc) in addition to “blazing precision [and] amazing technique” (The Watertown Daily Times), the Synergy Brass Quintet has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting ensembles. Synergy “has hit on a magical approach…unadulterated exuberance, and a rock star approach of performing,”
If you have not visited Festival Hill, put it on your list.
It is only 35 minutes from our Bed and Breakfast, here in Smithville, Texas. The Katy House is a great place to stay. You can go to concerts at Festival Hill, drive back to Smithville, have a great dinner at the Back Door, located on Main Street. Then have a restful stay at the Katy House and awake to the smell of fresh baked bread.
For more information on Festival Hill see the web site:
FriJan20108
See the information on the Winter Show.
This is only 35 minutes from our Bed and Breakfast. The Katy House is one block from all the antiques shops on Main Street, here in Smithville.
Round Top, TX – - It’s time to shop at Round Top!! The Winter Antiques Show is scheduled for January 16 & 17 at the Big Red Barn Event Center, 475 S. Hwy 237, 5 miles north of Round Top, Texas. The hours are Saturday from 10 – 5 and Sunday from 10 – 4. Admission is $5.00, a shipper will be on site, full concessions and plenty of free parking are offered.
At the Winter Antiques Show, you will be able to find the same quality dealers as in the celebrated Original Round Top Antiques Fairs held each spring and fall. The same high-quality antiques will be available all in one venue with an even larger variety of Continental and American antiques. Many of the Big Red Barn dealers, in addition to dealers from many states and other Round Top venues, set up at this show. This is an excellent opportunity for local shoppers to shop Round Top – - the crowds are not as large as at the Spring and Fall shows, making it easier for shoppers to examine the beautiful and unique antiques brought by dealers from all over the country.
Shoppers can also mark their calendars for the upcoming 42nd Annual Spring Original Round Top Antiques Fair Scheduled for March 31, April 1, 2 & 3, 2010. For more information, contact Susan Franks, The Original Round Top Antiques Fair, PO Box 180, Smithville, TX 78957; Phone: 512-237-4747; Email: info@RoundTopTexasAntiques. com Website http://www.roundtoptexasantiques.com
WedOct20097
Airing of the Quilts, Smithville, part 2
Airing of the Quilts is based on an old European tradition. Quilts were treasured possessions, essential for long winter nights. After much wear and tear the ladies would “air” their quilts in the sunshine. See quilts displayed all over town on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 10AM – 5 PM. Smithville is located 13 miles East of Bastrop, and 110 miles West of Houston, off Hwy 71. Smithville Chamber has more information about Smithville. There are many Bed and Breakfasts around town. The Katy House is one block from Main Street and will be displaying quilts. Many of the antique shops will have quilts for sale.
There is a raffle quilt called “Lapsided Log Cabin”.
Admission is free and it will be a photo opportunity.
ThuJan200929
Why choose a Bed and Breakfast?
Simple answer, because every one is different. Each is a unique and personal expression of the owner/innkeeper’s commitment to the dedication of sharing of one’s home and grounds is the last and greatest form of hospitality.
When someone calls and I hear that they only need a place to sleep, I refer them to the motel. I ask questions like: “Do you want to stay in a place, like the Katy House, that will add great memories of your get-a-away?” Want to know where to eat, where to hike, where to shop? Innkeepers are active members of their communities, and are up to date with the area and the activities around them. Smithville is a wonderful small Texas town and we are actively involved here. “Where should we go to dinner for our anniversary?” I’ll give you a different answer to the question than the manager of a local motel.
When calling a B&B, you should ask the following questions:
1. Do the guest’s rooms have private baths?
2. What type of breakfast is served? (Full, or croissants and juice)
3. Is smoking allowed?
4. Is there adequate parking?
5. Can you prepare breakfast for guests with certain food allergies or vegetarian restrictions?
6. Are there pets on the property if you have allergies to cats or dogs?
7. Is there free Wi-Fi available? (if that is important)
8. Are you a member of Hospitality Accommodations of Texas?
If making reservations on line, these questions should be answered on the web site.
A Bed and Breakfast can be a wonderful part of your get-a-way. Every room is different; you won’t find a “cookie-cutter” bunch of rooms. Years ago, people were worried about the cleanliness and décor of the rooms. The B&B as an institution has become the first line of hospitality. You can see the rooms and read reviews written by other guests.
There is only one state Bed and Breakfast Association in Texas. All members have been inspected and approved, all having met certain standards: Hospitality Accommodations of Texas. It can be found on the web at www.HAT.org . If you choose a HAT property you won’t be disappointed. The Katy House has been a proud member since 1996.
Bruce and I welcome guests, show them around and then they are on their own. We might not see them till breakfast, or we may see them when they come into the dining room for tea or coffee. Cookies are baked each afternoon, and the cookie jar in the parlor is a busy place late at night. We live on the third floor of the home, along with Buddy and William, (two Welsh Corgis). We’re always available if anyone needs anything.
We’ll have the coffee ready.
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