To set the scene...

Era:

2015 Central Louisiana. We find ourselves in a sleepy little southern town. The neighborhood is quaint and old. The people are friendly (if not a bit nosey...), the food is good, and the air is filled with the smell of Gardenias in spring and wood burning in fireplaces in fall. 

The Characters:

The House:

Our home is old. Really old. Built in the late 1800s or early 1900s (we are not yet quite sure), it is a Plantation Cottage. Once home to my mother and father, it is now home to our primary cast. It itself is a character that will play heavily in this blog, as we are undertaking its renovation. It is quaint, airy, and old. Think Southern Living with a bit more rust and a few more cobwebs. It has a big front porch, a screened in back porch, and a large back yard for gardens. 

The Cat:

Her name is Penelope, but we affectionately just call her Cat. She's strictly indoor excepting her wild and raucous ventures to the back porch. Hobbies include: meowing incessantly at 6am until breakfast is served, stalking Mockingbirds and squirrels from the safety of the windowsill, kneading her paws on an available lap, and shedding hair all over the place. Her job is to do cat things, and to allow me to irritate her.

The Man:

This is Alan. He is my partner in crime. He is an endless source of inspiration, support, and comic relief. We are getting married this October. He is a 1st Lieutenant in the Army. His hobbies include video gaming, singing, "Let It Go" at the top of his lungs, drinking, memorizing esoteric factoids, and doing outdoorsy stuff in general. If you ask me, he's a heartthrob.

The Woman:

I'm Wallace, and I'll be your narrator. I'm writing this blog to record this ever-unfolding life of mine. Sometimes it feels like a dream; others, well, less so. I'm a wine and spirits specialist based in central Louisiana. I enjoy crafting, knitting, and other handicrafts. I spend much time renovating our house, fixin' delicious meals for my friends and family, crafting fun and tasty cocktails, and searching out the best places to explore in central and north Louisiana.

The Town:

We live in the little southern town of Alexandria, Louisiana. It's old, and has an equally old downtown that's begun the process of crawling its way back to relevancy. We're small, but growing. The people are friendly, the cultural scene is ever-growing, and it serves as the doorway to some of the hidden treasures that central and north Louisiana have to offer.

Our little life is simple but fun. This blog is to show to the world the hidden gems of life down south. There'll be a bit of gardening, a bit of cooking, a bit of nature, restaurants, shops, and scenes. I'll be doing some homemaking, some renovating, and some adventuring! And drinking. There will definitely be some drinking. If you like a good time, let us show you how we do it!