Welcome to Puckett's

Sporting five locations, I was completely unaware of Puckett's Grocery & Restaurant until my recent visit to Nashville. The location I visited was brand spanking new; in fact, it wasn't even officially open yet. Thanks to my very persuasive friend Michelle, we were able to crash their soft opening and enjoy their amazing (yet fairly unhealthy) menu. Starting out as a grocery store back in the fifties, Puckett's focuses on "providing friends new and old with great food and Southern hospitality." I'd say that they succeed.



Even though things were still a bit new and there were a few bugs to iron out, the staff was super friendly and the food was delicious (definitely worth the wait!). I also really dug the decor, which was an eclectic mix of vintage signage and antiques.







We were all a bit creeped out by the little guy poking his finger in the bread.



Check out the cool ceiling!



Now bring on the food! Fried green beans were a great appetizer:



I chose the Piggy Mac and Cheese for dinner. Gouda cheese...barbeque pulled pork...and fortunately it was appropriately sized. Otherwise, my arteries might have clogged on site.



And for dessert...nothing less than the deep fried brownie sundae would do. And yes, that's a huge slice of candied bacon on top.



This is why I run and work out.

More from Puckett's at my main website.

Praying on the Matterhorn

I could not resist when I saw this vintage photo of actor Robert Crawford Jr. and his girlfriend on the Matterhorn. Her face and praying hands say it all. Crawford had a bit part on three episodes of the Disney "Zorro" television show in 1958 as well as a part in the "Little Men" episode of "The Shirley Temple Show" in 1960.



Here he is with Shirley herself!



Robert's brother Johnny was one of the original 1955 Mouseketeers.

More vintage and current Disneyland Matterhorn photos at my main website.

Temple Tuesdays: 1950s Shirley

Shirley Temple helps us usher in Valentine's Day with a color photo showing Director Mitchell Leisen zipping her up in one of the Don Loper gowns that she wore on "The Shirley Temple Storybook," circa 1957. The edge of another one of her dresses can be seen to the left. Oh, hey...here she is with Producer Alvin Cooperman wearing that very dress on set, December 1957.



But back to the original image, here are some detailed shots:



Here is her famous blue diamond ring that she received in 1940; currently estimated to be worth between $25-35 million. That sure would make a nice Valentine's Day gift!



More 1950s Shirley at my main website.

Just when you thought it was safe...

Yes folks, it's the return of SCARY Mickey and Minnie Mouse! Three new vintage shots to add to my collection, beginning with one of Mickey and Minnie from January 1959, hanging out in Fantasyland. The little girl in front looks like she's about to lose it. I think I would, too.

Even though this second image is from the 1960s, I think this particular iteration of the mouse costume might even be scarier. Instead of soft furry faces, you now have giant hard ones.



In this August 1961 shot, Minnie looks a bit more approachable; could it be the parasol?



More vintage and current Disneyland character photos at my main website and see more photos of the Monorail at Disneyland.

Inside the Bazaar

Vintage Disneyland slides are always thrilling to discover - especially when they show the exterior of an attraction, shop, or restaurant. Back in the day, most people didn't bother taking indoor shots because your typical consumer camera needed a flash to do the job, and even then, the results were less than spectacular. This is why I was pretty excited to add another Adventureland Bazaar interior shot to my collection. This first one is from July 1963, and shows that the wares are hand engraved solid brass from India. I don't think you'd see that sign on any of the merchandise sold at the Bazaar today.



This previously posted 3D image was undated, but most likely also from the 60s:



...as is this other shot from the same batch:



Although the offerings inside have changed quite a bit over the years...





the exterior really hasn't.



More from the Bazaar at my main website.

Miner's Hardware

My earliest shot of the Miner's Hardware store in Rainbow Ridge is from November 1956. Recently, I acquired a beautiful February 1958 image that allows us to see all kinds of detail...in vivid color!



TWO pot belly stoves for $6.75? What a deal!



Miner's Hardware lived on through most of the 70s (as seen in the image below), but when Big Thunder Mountain replaced the Nature's Wonderland attraction in 1979, apparently Rainbow Ridge no longer needed this store.



More Miner's Hardware photos at my main website.

Japanese Dancers at Magnolia Park

These Japanese dancers from December 1961 are performing at the Magnolia Park bandstand, located approximately where the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse would be built in less than a year.



These are the most "recent" shots in my collection before the bandstand was removed from the park and shipped off to Roger's Gardens in Corona Del Mar.



I had to zoom in for a closeup of the outfits.





More vintage Magnolia Park photos my main website.

Temple Tuesdays: Shirley is MAH-velous

On October 23, 1960, Shirley Temple and Fernando Lamas starred in "Little Men," an episode of "The Shirley Temple Show." This is inspired casting at its finest!



Judging by these photos, Shirley spent a lot of time crying during this episode. Or did Fernando actually break her heart?



Somehow I doubt that.



The program also starred Mary Wickes, one of those character actresses who seemed to be in just about every movie or TV show that needed a grumpy woman with a heart of gold.



On the right is Eleanor Audley, best known as the voice of Lady Tremaine in Walt Disney's "Cinderella" as well as Maleficent in "Sleeping Beauty." She was also the original voice for Madame Leota at Disneyland's Haunted Mansion.



I wonder if Fernando put the moves on Shirley? At this time, his marriage to Arlene Dahl was just ending. Even if he did, I'm sure Shirley told him to go fly a kite!



More Shirley and Fernando at my main website.

Splash Mountain Ride-Through

This year will mark the 28th Anniversary of Disneyland's Splash Mountain. While it is still a popular attraction, it is one that I rarely ride. Typically, guests get fairly wet, so unless you bring a change of clothes, things can get somewhat uncomfortable for the rest of your stay in the Park. These photos were taken last May, about three years after the last time I had been on this ride. Oh how time flies. Shall we?















I still find it terribly ironic that this joyful sing-a-long attraction is based on a movie that the Disney Corporation is afraid to re-release due to content that has been deemed inappropriate.











My face says it all. See you in at least three more years.



More vintage and current Splash Mountain photos on my main website.