Family Heirloom

If you've found your way here across the vast internet sea then odds are you have heard of the famous Collin Street Bakery in Corsicana.  Their fruit cakes are world renowned and are a hugely popular gift every Christmas season.  (Don't get me wrong, their other stuff is great too but the fruit cakes are easily the most celebrated.)

Even if you haven't had one of their celebrated confections, you might have seen their signature red tin.  For many, long after the fruit cake is gone, the round metal container holds sewing supplies, toys and anything else that needs to be kept decoratively secure.

So it should come as no surprise when one of these beauties shows up in a famous setting.  In fact, one of them shows up in one of the most acclaimed films of all time:

Take a close look at the scene around the 48 minute mark.  As Sonny takes a phone call, you can see the signature red tin in the background:

Looks like the Corleone family received a nice dessert treat for Christmas and, like so many others, kept the tin around to store stuff (possibly, connoli?  That's my guess.)  This was such a coup for Collin Street Bakery that they use it for marketing:

So the next time you want something sweet that comes with a collectible tin and a mafia pedigree, you know where to go.

Scenes From a (Closing) Mall

Originating in Dallas, Sanger-Harris was a hugely successful department store...until it wasn't.  It was bought out in the 80's but the distinct murals and arches that made up their stores were left behind and inhabited by other stores.

Recently, the news broke that the Valley View Mall location was scheduled for destruction.  The mall itself is a shadow of what it used to be, seemingly choosing to go out with a whimper.   The tear-down process of the iconic Sanger-Harris exterior began the other day and I went to check it out:

The rest of the mall is on its way out to.  I took the opportunity to take a look around at what's left and snap some pics.  Enjoy:

Time is running out for you to stop by and pay your respects before this little piece of Dallas history is gone forever.

Top 5 Things For Sale at Texas Treasures

Previously: Top 5 Items for Sale at the Alamo Gift Shop  

I recently found myself in the unusual (for me) position of having to waste time in a mall.  While in the Galleria in Dallas, surrounded by clothing stores and pretzel/cookie/yogurt places, I stumbled across the only store that could hold my attention:

I'm not sure if other states have these kind of stores but most Texas malls seem to have the obligatory "Texas Store" packed with "Texas Stuff."  So, for the sake of the blog, let's head inside and countdown the top five things they have for sale!

5.  Texas Lip Balm

Looks like they haven't forgotten about you, West Texas!  If that hot weather and dry air is making you feel a little chapped then why not keep some Texas Lip Balm in your pocket...or holster.  It works waaaay better than the New Hampshire stuff.

4.  Lone Star Pasta

Need a side dish for all that barbecue?  Then why not whip up some macaroni and cheese with some Lone Star Pasta?  Shapes seem to include the state of Texas, cowboy boots and Lone Stars.  In Texas, mac & cheese counts as a vegetable.

3.  "Come and Take It" Cuff Links

It wouldn't be a Texas themed gift shop without a wide variety of "Come and Take It" accoutrements.  This time we get cuff links...for the well dressed AND well armed gentleman.  These also have the added feature of being difficult to photograph while trying to look casual in a store where you're not buying anything. 

2.  Texas Postcard With Bluebonnet Seeds

If you've ever wanted to send a little bit of Texas to your peeps in other parts of the world then now there is a convenient way to do just that.  These bluebonnet seed packs are in postcard form so just a few stamps are all you need.  Just let your friends know their not supposed to pick them or step on them.  And that they are required to take pictures of their kids surrounded by them once a year.

1.  Texas Baseballs

What's more Texas than baseball?  Well, football I guess.  But they didn't have any of those so check these out. I can't imagine anything better than throwing on your favorite Nolan Ryan jersey and tossing one of these around.  Extra points for the vintage postcard motif!

So there are my picks for a Texas Treasures shopping list.  Feel free to pick up some of the many novelty hot sauces and barbecue sauces while you're there too!