Ronnie’s Country Store, 642 N. Cherry St., Winston-Salem NC

We came across this gem not far from the Arts District in Winston-Salem by accident several years ago. Going to Ronnie’s Country Store the day before Easter has since become a tradition.

The store was originally the W.G. White Grocery until 1994, when Ronnie Horton purchased it.  Stepping through the front door, edged with fresh produce,  is like stepping back in time.  Old-fashioned candies, purchased by the pound, wait in wooden cheese hoops.  Whole country hams hang from rafters in the back of the store, while pickles of all types (including pickled egg varieties) and jams and jellies line the walls. Mops and brooms are nearby.   Canned goods such as Spam and pork ‘n’ beans and beanie wienies are well stocked as are several types of corn meal and grits.  Old-timey glass bottled grape, strawberry and orange soda pop await in a cooler. Barrels hold peanuts and dried beans of all types while country antiques adorn walls and hang from the ceiling.  Along with whole country hams, customers will find ham slices, ham hocks, ham meat (and almost sold out that day) fat back, the favored green bean flavoring of southern cooks.  Tomato plants, marigolds and gorgeous dahlias were available out front.

Mr. Ronnie Horton was there the day of our visit and very kindly consented to having his picture taken with my DH.  He was also gracious enough to allow this blog post about his establishment.

Treat yourself to a visit to Ronnie’s, truly a treasure. It’s just a block from the convention center.  I wish we’d had time for a visit to the nearby Rescue Mission thrift store.  Just look for the illuminated cross and Jesus Saves sign a block to the northeast.

For more photos of Ronnie’s, click here:  http://www2.journalnow.com/list/gallery-ronnies-country-store/gallery/

I love April.  It is not only the month of my birth, but the most promising of seasons.  We live on a short little street, just four minutes from uptown.  But it’s like being in another world to us.  Quiet and shaded by giant oaks, it’s as if you’re driving into a forest when the turn is made off Queens Road.  We were just kids when we moved here, and never plan to leave.

Shown above is the gorgeous next door cherry tree which now covers a portion of our yard.  Puppydog Numa surveys her surroundings, ready to become friends or to protect.

This is a part of our new front yard landscaping.  I’ll share more later this week.

The birdhouse was found in my home state.  It’s roof is an Illinois license plate.

I blinked, and it was suddenly spring in the Carolinas!  Each morning when I walk through our back garden, I find more and more plants have emerged. There was not a sign of baptisia yesterday, and today it has poked its sprigs four inches through the soil.  Most of our older azaleas are blooming, and the dogwood are coming into full flower.  The first of our wildflowers is blooming, hostas are bursting forth, and even the lilies of the valley have shown their shoots.  The red knockout rose is covered in buds, with the other strains not far behind.

I know we’ll probably pay later on for having had literally no winter.  Right now peach farmers are holding their breath for fear of a freeze.  Gardeners were once cautioned against planting too early.  The last official frost date here is April 26.  It’s not unusual to have a big snow after the daffodils bloom…..as on my sister Sue’s birthday in 1993.  Thirteen inches of snow on March 13.  But I digress.  I’ll enjoy the beauty and try not to think about what summer may bring.

The last plant shown is a calico euphorbia.  I was fascinated by a beautiful variety my DIL had gotten from her grandmother, who calls it primrose. Apparently there are over 2,000 varieties of the species.  This was the only one I was able to find in Charlotte.

]]> http://ellenguerrant.com/2012/03/spring-glorious-spring/feed/ 1 http://ellenguerrant.com/2012/03/bartered-art/ http://ellenguerrant.com/2012/03/bartered-art/#comments Mon, 12 Mar 2012 21:20:39 +0000 Ellen http://ellenguerrant.com/?p=2199

Mixed Media Pin by PJ Howard created completely from recycled materials

I’ve long admired the fun and quirky work of fiber artist PJ Howard.    In chatting with PJ, recently,  I told her I’d always wanted to buy a piece of her art.  Minutes later she handed me the above pin.  I love it and  don’t know how she knew my favorite color is purple!  She wouldn’t let me buy the pin,  but asked for a handkerchief from my vintage textile collection in return.  ”Printed or white and lacy?” I asked.  :White and lacy” was the response.  White and lacy it shall be.

To read more about PJ and the fiber art group to which she belongs, click here:

http://fiberartoptions.blogspot.com/2009/01/pj-howard.html

Today would have been my Mother’s 97th birthday.  She died unexpectedly in 1989 and was buried on my birthday.  My longing for her and my Father will never go away.