MarytheKaytheBlog

The Most Imaginative Place I've EVER Been!

Can you remember being a kid, and experiencing the thrilling wonder of exploring the woods behind your house and discovering a secret creek?...Or being allowed to explore your grandmother's chest of drawers deep inside her darkened closet, and your sheer delight of finding boxes of sparkly jewelry or stacks of old-fashioned hats nestled into colorful round boxes?

That is the BEST way I can think to describe St. Louis' City Museum.   Or, rather, the way I FELT the entire 6 hours we were there recently.

My husband Dave and I giggled when, halfway through our visit, I asked him, "How many times have I said, 'This is so AMAZING'  today?"  But, I just couldn't help myself.  The City Museum is just that:  AMAZING.

On our drive to the City Museum that morning, right after the new year, we were worried about the $12/person entry fee, and really hoped we were making the best choice for our last day in St. Louis during our quick and last-minute getaway.  After it was all said and done, Dave and I both agreed--that was $48 WELL-SPENT!  It was by-far our favorite St. Louis attraction!

From the moment we walked in, and were told by the sweet girl at the Admission window, "There aren't any maps of our facility--we invite you to explore and discover today!" I KNEW this was going to be a wonder-filled visit.

Every square inch of the City Museum is creative, thoughtful, mysterious, and artistic.

There are gorgeous mosaics on the floors and walls and columns, and all of them tell imaginative stories.

There are tunnels to explore, trees to climb, nooks and crannies to discover--a child's (and parent's!!!) imagination paradise!

 Every inch of the museum was created by a team of 20 artists, using building materials reclaimed from its city, to create a magical playground, funhouse, surrealistic pavilion, and architectural marvel--all made out of unique, and found objects.

To experience the fullness of the wonder, Dave and I had to join in, and explore right alongside our daughters.  We climbed treehouses, explored hidden caves and dark tunnels, and even slid down the 10-story slide!  I was so happy I'd changed into my tennis shoes in the parking lot.  I couldn't have explored as easily without sensible shoes.
  I felt comfortable letting our daughters explore together when the tunnels got a little too small for my taste.  I would not have felt comfortable letting my 8-year-old explore alone.  So, if you plan to go--decide ahead of time what scenario would make you most comfortable.  The City Museum is well-staffed, but we didn't always notice the staff, and there ARE a lot of dark tunnels and nooks and crannies...

I really liked the fact that a staff member was at the darkened cave area and outside play area entrances, very carefully admitting children WITH a parent.  They also made sure children were with the same parent upon exit of these areas, too.

What a delight that the cave area was completely hands-on!  In fact, I'm not sure we found ANYTHING that was hands-off or off-limits.  It was an explorer's PARADISE!

Just when we thought we'd explored every cool nook and cranny of the Museum, we climbed the stairs and found MORE whimsy and delights around every single corner!

Oh look!  The Architecture Museum was just around the corner!  Showcasing original architectural pieces from buildings of Louis Sullivan, considered the father of modern architecture, and his chief draftsman George Grant Elmslie, later an important architect in his own right.

And around another corner...a circus!  We were sad the Circus Harmony tumblers and aerialists weren't flying through the air while we were there, but one of them sure was doing some impressive yoga.

How about a huge indoor "skateless park" to run off some energy after lunch?  Yes, thank you!  I must admit...that running these bowls made a certain mama feel...a little older than she is...in her mind!

It took us a while, but we finally found the human hamster wheel!!  It did not disappoint!

I had to throw in my picture--just to show you that I WAS THERE, too!

And, of course, who could ever forget the OUTSIDE of City Museum?  The antique airplanes and connecting metal tunnels and catwalks are the first things you see when walking up.  Our girls COULDN'T WAIT to explore the dizzyingly high tunnels!  As you can tell, I watched from ground-level.  To take pictures, of course!

I could post 100 more pictures (literally) from our day of exploring St. Louis' City Museum, and I wouldn't even begin to capture its MAGIC and WONDER.  I'm sure it's why they don't issue maps of their sprawling building.  The whole experience is about hands-on exploration, and mysterious discoveries, and wonder-filled moments around every corner.

I haven't felt more like a child in a very long time.

The whole experience was amazing and thrilling and happy and smiley...and maybe the very best day our family has ever spent together.

Have you been?  What was your favorite part?

Branson's Best Hiking Trail, and How I Realized I'm Not in as Good of Shape as I Thought...

First, I should be honest.  I have only hiked a couple of places in Branson.  Now, I do plan to remedy that fact, because our family had the BEST TIME this weekend hiking a GORGEOUS trail--the Lakeside Wilderness Hiking Trail.

In case you didn't notice in the title, this is also the story of how I felt pretty confident going in...and came out a sweaty, huffing, tired, and muscles quivering kind of mess.  Albeit a smiling sweaty mess.

Our family has been wanting (okay, maybe only ONE of us has been wanting) to hike this trail for quite a while.  However, we sort of stumbled onto it this weekend, as we were on some geo-caching hunts.  This particular hunt was called "Soldier's Cave."  And it was a spectacular hunt, indeed!

Our hunt for the soldier's cave took us down the blue trail, and we ended up going even farther--as far as Rebecca is pointing.  On our way back up, an experienced hiker told us the trail leads as far as Sunset Park--at the Branson Landing. (Although, supposedly, a land owner recently put up a fence blocking part of it at the end.)

This hiking trail is located on Fall Creek Road--directly across the street from Dick Clark's theater.  There's a nice gravel parking lot, and even public restrooms.

From the moment we arrived, all 4 of us kept saying, "This is just so neat!"  "This is beautiful!"

One of my favorite things about this hike is the fact that Dr. Lyle Owen's abandoned old rock home is in the middle of the woods on the hike.  Even though we knew the house was nestled in the woods there, when we came up on it, we felt like we were the first ones to discover it!  Surrounding the old homeplace are beautiful hand-laid rock walls.  I could just picture Dr. Owen, a rocket scientist who retired to this homesite in Branson in the 1930s, carrying rock after rock after rock to form the graceful wall.  

The picture above is the lovely entrance from the home's yard to the staircase of hand-laid fieldstone that winds down the bluff towards Lake Taneycomo.  Dr. Owen and 2 other men spent 2 years (1937 and 1938) building the lovely staircase--315 steps in all.

Exploring down these weather-worn and foot-worn steps made me feel like we were traveling back in time.  It made me wonder what the men were thinking each day as they'd add another couple of steps.  Did they have any idea that 75 years later, people would still be admiring their beautiful craftsmanship?

Once we reached the bottom of the stairs, we kept going.  We were on the hunt for a secret cave that a Confederate soldier hid in during the Civil War!  All along the way, we just marveled at the beauty surrounding us--the lush greenery, little peeks of Lake Taneycomo down below, the rock cliffs carved out by dripping water and waterfalls.

We met a couple of families on the way, whose kids were just as thrilled as ours to be running ahead of the parents, in search of the next "amazing thing" ahead!

We found 2 caves, both of which we braved it, and walked into the darkened caverns.  The girls loved learning how quickly their eyes adjusted to the darkness just by closing them for 30 seconds.  The Confederate's cave was larger than we had imagined.  It was thrilling to imagine him living there, and braving the elements.  (Yes, we FOUND the geo-cache!)

Sweet Sara Beth was excited to find some pretty wildflowers along the way.  By this time, we were on our way back up the stairs--remember there are 315 of them!!  Of course, she handed the delicate bouquet to her mama, who in an out-of-breath huffing voice said, "You.  Are.  Going.  To.  Have.  To.  Hold.  Them.  Mama.  Is.  Too.  Tired.  To.  Hold.  Thank.  You.  Sweet.  Girl."

We stopped and rested a few times on the way back up--mostly to give the mama a chance to catch her breath, and wipe away more sweat.  We had to move up the steps pretty quickly, as we were trying to "beat the dark home" (a quote from one of my FAVORITE movie sequels) and get some dinner in our ravenous tummies.

We all fell into our seats in the car, and were silent for a few moments as we all sucked on water bottles.  I noticed that, even though we all were exhausted and sweaty and tired, we were all smiling.

This was a family hike that I think we will all remember.  It was just a family MOMENT we will all remember--a family adventure that was free of fussing and complaining, and that was just plain FUN.

What's a memorable adventure YOU'VE experienced?

Girls' Trip: Pictures always tell the story

This past weekend, I was able to go on a beach trip with some girlfriends.  Normally, I don't write about this annual trip--mostly because I don't ever want the content here to sound exclusive, or make anyone feel anything but encouraged.  I know that, for myself, sometimes pictures of exotic trips and friend gatherings--especially on Facebook--can make me feel left-out and wishing my family could travel like that.

However, I think all of you here already know my life is not glamorous.  Or to be envied.

Looking at the pictures I actually took of this recent girlfriend beach trip says it all.  Seriously--from the looks of these pictures, all we did...was eat...and lie around.

Which, in fact, is completely true.

 

See for yourself.  These are--honestly--the only pictures I took on the trip.

We do like tradition.  On the drive from the airport to the beach house, we always eat at a nearby Whataburger.  Always.  (We Missouri girls have learned that Whataburger is AMAZING.)  We always talkabout ordering the Whatburger Junior...but learned several years ago to be smart--and just order the big Whataburger.  #1 please!

 

No--this is NOT the amount of queso we bought...or consumed.  However, if we could sum up our eating habits of this trip it would be one word:  Cheese.  Finding the Velveeta Queso Blanco on our beach grocery shopping trip for the week was truly a game-changer.  White queso and chips for lunch every single day?  Yes, please.

(My hiney feels compelled to tell you that we did get up and run every day.)

 

I think it's funny that I didn't snap any pictures of the beach or the ocean.  The one non-food picture I did snap sure sums up our week:  Lying around and relaxing.  This is a picture of our feet propped up in our favorite oversized comfy chair.  Note that we each have our own blankets.  Make that 4 blankets, please. 

This is the position we sat in daily--in the mornings before heading out to the beach, and in the evenings after the sun set.  Many serious and giggly conversations took place in this very position.  As did some serious television watching.  I'd like to thank the Kardashian family for providing the entertainment.

 

A girl can't just live on cheese all week, can she?  Another tradition:  Waffle House for at least 2 breakfasts.  Not on the same day, though.  This year we learned you can get your hash browns scattered, smothered, covered, diced...Who knew there were so many options?  For us Waffle House veterans, we know that ordering at Waffle House is much like ordering at Starbucks.  Know what you want, and order it appropriately.  Scrambled, dry, over-easy, over-medium, crispy bacon, limp bacon, crispy waffles, hash browns scattered, in a to-go cup...

 

Another trip to Whataburger means...driving back to the airport to go home.  This trip to Whataburger is always bittersweet.  We do love our beloved fast food restaurant with its homemade ketchup and cherry and vanilla Cokes, but it also means we're heading home.

This time I ordered a Whatachicken--just so I could quote, "How's yer Whatachicken?"  That quote just makes me SMILE.  Please please please tell me you've seen the movie 8 Seconds.

 

Now...these next 2 pictures I didn't actually take.  My friends did.  However, I did HAVE to show you our VERY EVENTFUL arrival at the airport for our departure.

Note to self:  CHECK the DATES on your airline tickets.  Go on--look at the dates.  Do you notice anything strange?

Um, yeah.  Evidently, we were planning a VERY SHORT trip to the beach.  Arrive October 6th and return home THE SAME DAY.  The funny thing was that we ordered these FREE (Frequent Flyer) tickets on the phone with an American Airlines agent.  We were very specific about our arrival and departure dates--she must have just typed in a wrong number.  She booked all 4 of our tickets at the same time, redeeming our Frequent Flyer miles.  She then sent us confirmation e-mails, with our E-tickets attached.

Not ONE OF US noticed the return date was the same as our arrival date.

Until checking in, when the agent told us, "You don't have a reservation for today."

WHAT????

However, after MUCH looking, and talking, and explaining, and calling her higher-ups, and (thankfully) kindness and smiles--the very sweet Becky worked it out for us, and booked us out on the last flight of the night.

Even though we were NOT looking forward to spending several extra hours in the airport, we WERE THANKFUL not to have to purchase 4 new FULL-PRICE tickets home...or what would have really happened--renting a car and DRIVING THROUGH THE NIGHT to get home.

So, thank you, Becky--for--at your own discretion--putting us on that last flight!

After she had printed out our new tickets, and we had all breathed huge sighs of relief, we asked Becky if she minded if we posted her picture on Facebook with our new tickets?  Even before we got out the word "Facebook," Becky had picked up the tickets, fanned them out, and was smiling for the picture.

We couldn't stop giggling about her instant picture pose!

What's YOUR idea of a perfect getaway trip?  Does it include as much cheese and lying around as mine?

South Dakota Vacation: The Pioneer Power Show

I don't know if you guessed or not, but last week we were out-of-town on a much-needed family vacation.   We headed north, and spent the week with family in South Dakota and Minnesota.  We had such a wonderfully relaxed week!  It was great.

Our first day of the vacation just-so-happened to coincide with one of our favorite fall traditions in South Dakota--the Pioneer Power Show.  (I'm sure you can guess which one of us loves this tradition more!)  I believe this is always held the last weekend in September. 

 This was the 25th annual Pioneer Power Show.  This picture pretty much sums up the whole event to me--good people, young and old, enjoying life in a farm community.

I love that the Pioneer Power Show doesn't change from year to year.  We can expect the exact same things every year.

 Oh, you betcha there are tractors!  Rows upon rows of shiny old tractors...

 And the old-timers (did I just call him that???) debating over which brand is the best...and which one in particular he used to ride on his grandpa's farm...  Oh, and Dave would want me to tell you, this one was not on his grandpa's farm.  I just snapped his picture here.

I just love acting really interested in the tractors with my husband.  I love saying things like, "Well, that Standard 77 was a good model, but nothing like the Super 66.  That was one good tractor."  Dave kept asking me if I really did want to look at the tractors with him.  I told him that of course I did, and I was taking pictures to make a tractor calendar for him.

Really, I was just buttering him up for some donuts that I knew were nearby...

 At noon on Saturday, there is always the tractor parade through the middle of the grounds.  Tractor, after tractor, after tractor driving past--oh, and a few classic old cars, too.  Personally, I think the people-watching is more interesting.  But, what do I know?  I'm just a city slicker.

 There's a flea market out front, when you first walk in.  The glassware always draws me in.   You'll almost always find me fingering the pretty glasses and dishes, trying to justify buying yet another pressed glass bowl.  This time, I nearly bought a $37 clear glass elephant that used to be a Grapette bottle.  I wanted it because it was stamped "Camden, Ark."  It was a cute little thing--and  was from near my hometown.  But, it wasn't $37 cute.  *sigh*

  There's an old school building they moved from nearby Walz to this location.  It's the real deal--with the old cook stove inside, as well as desks, a bookshelf, and even a map on the wall.  How do I know it's the real deal?

 Because that old fella right there attended this very school!  He was pointing out where he used to sit, and how everything looked the same as he remembered it!  Except the fire extinguisher.  I don't think that was there...
 
 There are buildings full of cool old antiques, where you can show your kids how people used to pump gas...and your kids can ask you questions like, "If that wheel ran over you, wouldn't it CRUSH you and KILL you?"  "Why, yes, sweetheart, it would kill you."

 There's even a very cool collection of old ball caps.  Moms of sons--see?  This is why your son needs those new hats every season.  So that someday, he can donate them to a local festival, and forever have them mounted on the wall for all to see.  I actually love this collection!  In fact, the building this is in houses a very large, very impressive steam engine.  I'm sure most engineer types would be posting picture after picture of the engine here.  But, not me.  Nope, I'm posting pictures of the hat collection...as well as one of my other favorite things at the Pioneer Power Show...

 Ah!  Here it is!!!  The mini donut maker machine.  No, no, no--it's not a mini machine.  It makes mini donuts!!!  I love this thing!  You better believe we bought a bag of mini donuts sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.  You know what?  If my husband really loved me, he would buy me this for Christmas...  And make me mini donuts every Saturday morning.

What are our girls' favorite things at The Pioneer Power Show?  Here--I'll show you!

Love the little animals!  I wanted to put that little pony in my back pocket and take her home!

This is such a fun old playground!  I mean--can you imagine any school putting up a 20-foot slide nowadays?  Whew!  I'm just glad the girls didn't ask their heights-challenged mama to slide down it.  It also might have been embarrassing if my rear end got stuck halfway down, too. 

 At these kinds of things, most kids would be whining about wanting another ice cream, or more mini donuts, or another Coke...  But, Rebecca--every time we'd do another activity, she kept wanting to head back to the wagon wheel loom.  The same lady is there every year, and every year she is kind enough to let Rebecca weave a while.  I think we went back to this like 419 times that day.  Okay, maybe not that many...but it seemed like a lot.  I think we may have a future weaver on our hands.   (Does this make the song "Dream Weaver" get stuck in your brain?  Good--cause now it's stuck in mine, too.)
 
And one of the favorites of the day--the mini ferris wheel!!  Something about the girls holding hands in line together just melted my heart. 

Okay, that's enough.  If you want to know more, you'll just have to go along with us next year and see for yourself.  But, don't ask to share my donuts.  Get your own $3 bag!

 The Pioneer Power Show is always a low-key, laid back family kind of day!  Just the kind of day our family needed!

 

Do you have a favorite festival /event in your area that is a family tradition?

10 things I would do if money were no object...

 

 
 1.  Take my entire family to Maui, and stay for 2 weeks at the luxurious all-suites Kea Lani hotel.  I would hire a nanny to help with the kids--so all of the adults could have a couple of hours each day to lay out and relax. 

2.  Pay off my home mortgage.

3.  Pay off my family's home mortgages.  (Aren't I nice?)

4.  Add onto our house:  1)  A master suite, with a master bathroom embarrassingly luxurious; 2)  Enlarge our kitchen--full gourmet kitchen, baby; 3)  A garage apartment suite - So we could have a lovely space for our guests, or have the option to rent out the space to a part-time babysitter/maid.

5.  Buy my husband his dream car--a beautifully restored 1962 Chevrolet truck, step-side, light green color.

6.  Renovate our backyard--with a separate space for our dogs (who tear up the yard--grr), and a lovely space for a pool and patio.  Oh yeah--and hire a full-time pool boy.  Oh wait, I have daughters.  Scratch the pool boy idea.

7.  Spend a month at a time, exploring different countries of the world with our family.  Also, finding a way to serve in that country while we are there.  I want our daughters to have an understanding of the world we live in, and I want them to experience serving people in many different cultures.   Have you heard of The World Race?  I just heard about it this summer for the first time...  THAT is what I want to do--but, with our KIDS.

8.  Buy a retro silver Airstream, decorate it with bright red and white polka dot awnings, and put out my shingle, which would read: "MK's Cakes and Cones...gourmet cupcakes and sno cones."  If I don't feel like being open every day, I'll just travel to places I want to see, and set up during craft fairs and seasonal festivals.  Perhaps this should be my retirement plan!

 
 9.  Open a Chick-Fil-A in Branson.  So I could eat there!

10.  Turn our basement into a game room--complete with some of  my favorite old-school games:  Galaga, Centipede, a pinball machine, and Whac-a-Mole.  One side of the room would need to have a long soda fountain bar with a Coke products only policy--and my very own Icee machine! 

 
 11.  Oh, wait.  I need one more.  And money is no object, right?  I would buy a jet, and hire a pilot to be at my disposal.  That way, I could jet off to see my family any ole' day of the week...and jet to the beach when winter starts getting on my nerves.

Oh, I could keep going... But, I'll stop here.  Did you notice there are no "Set up a savings account" or "Set up college funds" or "Invest wisely" items on my list? Yep, I'd be a real happy-go-lucky millionaire.  No time for investments or financial planning--we've got to get busy HAVING FUN.  I bet people's lists tell a lot about them... 

Now, what would YOU DO if money were no object?

This post is part of Mama Kat's Writing Workshop.  Jump over there, and see what other people are saying!  Oopsie daisie...Now that I am linking up, I see that I got the prompt a little wrong...It should have read, "10 things I would do if I didn't have to work." 

Spring Break Means...Camping!!!

Yesterday, I alluded to leaving spontaneously to go camping.   Guess what?  We went!!  And, boy, what a wonderful time we had.

This was our family's first official camping trip.  Well, we did camp out in a covered wagon last Fall.  And Dave has taken our oldest on a Father Daughter camping trip.  But, this was our whole family's inaugural camping trip with a tent.

Which is actually funny...because we didn't end up using the tent...But, we just rolled with the punches (isn't that what camping is all about anyway?), and had a wonderful time!

The reason this camping trip was so spontaneous is because we knew rain was in the forecast for later in the week.  We decided not to wait and see if it rained...we decided to grab the opportunity, and just GO!  Once we got there and started setting up camp, Dave noticed a change in the weather forecast, and knew that our first tent experience should be a positive one!   We gave the girls some options, and ended up setting up sleeping bags in a common room at our summer camp.  We still had the whole campsite experience, and you better believe we cooked over a campfire--we just slept inside on a nice, carpeted floor!  Now, that's MY kind of camping!!

And now--for some camping ADVENTURE!!!

 Climbing rocks...

Discovering old abandoned forts...

 Finding a rope swing, and flying through the air...

Discovering an abandoned pool...Anybody up for a SWIM? 
"Kids--DON'T fall in--'cause I'm not coming after you!!!"
 

WHEW!  All of this exploring, discovering, and running around is making me tired...and hungry.  How about some grub, kids?

 

 And here he is, folks--the Master Griller!  Nobody grills a hot dog like Dave!  He's working very hard on dinner.  This is why he's the Master Griller--he makes it look so easy, doesn't he?

We're fancy campers:  We serve appetizers before dinner!

(Oh, please note the Miss Matched socks!!!  Makes a mama smile...)

Wasn't it nice of the sun to set while we ate dinner?

Now, answer this question as QUICKLY as you can:

WhatIsTheBESTPartAboutCamping???

 

Why, the S'Mores, of course!!  Duh!

Hand on your heart:  Moment of silence, please.

Also, this is PROOF that I was actually there camping with them.  This is MY hand. 

(How appropriate that the only picture of me...is holding a S'more!)

Note:  No two S'more are exactly alike... 
 

Well, kids, let's call it a night.  Let's set up our tent sleeping bags on the nice, soft carpet!  Ya'll go on to sleep, now.  Mama's going to read her book...in the La-Z-Boy chair...by the light of the lamp....This sure is MY kind of camping!!

Good night, sweet girls!

 
THE END.

Now...whatever shall we do tomorrow???
 

Vacation Craft!!! Creating Seashell Frames

Hey, I know it's dorky to post this whole picture...but I really wanted to show you how MUCH I love our shell frame.  It sits in a spot of honor on my favorite hutch!  I smile every time I pass by, and see the fun beach picture in the cool frame!

 I love this craft for 3 reasons:

1)  It gives my kids a constructive project - on a rainy vacation day, or when they just need some "down-time."

2)  Our family has a useful souvenir to take home--that reminds us of our fun trip for years to come!

3)  Once you're home and unpacking, and find that huge sack of seashells your kids collected and just couldn't bear to leave behind...You can USE those shells for a constructive craft project!  (And, stealthy Mama can find a "good, safe place" to "store" all the leftover shells.  You are picturing my "air quotes," aren't you?)

 
Sadly, I cannot take credit for this craft.  Once again, it was my brilliant sister-in-law who came up with it.  In our family, Aunt Gina is our Craft Lady!  Every holiday, we always look forward to the newest craft project she teaches us!  (HEY CRAFT LADEEEE--whatcha got fer us this year?)

Aunt Gina taught us the seashell frame craft about 5 Spring Breaks ago, when our family traveled to Rosemary Beach, Florida.  One afternoon, when the kids really needed some down-time and some structure (aka, they were probably cranky and fighting), we grabbed our buckets and set out to find the prettiest shells to decorate our picture frames.  (Gina had already planned ahead, and bought plain wooden frames and craft glue at the local Walmart for everyone.) 

Everyone found the prettiest/best/most unusual/weirdest shells.  (You know--when the kids say 1,000 times--"Hey look at THIS ONE!  This one is really...*insert word here*"  And we all know, as responsible adults, we are to answer, "Ohhh, yes.  Yes it is!")

After finding those prettiest/best/most unusual/better than yours/weirdest shells, the kids had fun sorting them all out on the table.  And once again, as responsible adults, we oohed and aahhed appropriately.  We had the kids arrange them on their frames before gluing.  Once they started gluing them in place, we did help the younger ones a little.

Amazingly, the frames ALL turned out really great!  The kids were really proud of their vacation creations!

But then...dun dun dunnnnnnnn...we had to get all dressed up for our family beach picture.  You know--so we'd have something to put IN the frame.  How do you get a big family with several little kids to smile all at the same time?  Heck, how do you get a big family to stand still all at the same time?

Yeah, I have no help for that.  But, whatever you do, snap a family beach pic of some sort and slide it into the shell frame. 

 
STOP. THE. PRESSES!!!!!!

I'm sorry.  But, I just HAVE to point out my wittle bitty bald baby.  My goodness, I miss that sweet little bald head...that I thought she would never grow a full head of hair!!  Do you see my sweet little bald Sara Beth? (I'm sure she'll LOVE me for this later)  My dad is holding her.  Sorry about the picture quality.  Looks like some moisture has gotten into the frame over the years...

Yeah, and we're squinting into the sun.  We're not professional pitture takers, ya know.

Linked up with:

 

Throwback Thursday - Spring Break Memories

 Today's post is in honor of all of you heading out on Spring Break trips.  Or, perhaps you've just returned home from one, and are still trying to catch up on the laundry...  I just thought it would be fun to post some retro pics of some of our favorite family Spring Break trips.

 

We LOVED visiting our grandparents' house in Florida!  We didn't, however, love the loooong 2-day drive there.  Poor Ginny--she always had to sit in-between John and me, that little space where the arm rest would be...because that's where the upholstery "lines" were.   Somehow on those trips, I always got sucked into a game of Thump Knuckles with my brother.  Word to the wise:  If my brother ever asks you to play Thump Knuckles--RUN AWAY.  That boy can draw blood in one single blood-curdling thump.  (The same goes for the ever-popular game Hot Foot.)  Shout out to the Buick Electra Wagon!!!

 Fast forward about 12 years:   Before Winter 2011, the PREVIOUS Blizzard of the Century occurred at the beginning of this Spring Break...where we spent 3 days in airports and airport hotels trying to get from Arkansas and Texas to Washington, D.C.  It sure was worth it once we got there!

 Washington, D.C. helpful hint:  Ask your Congressman if he/she knows any janitors--especially at the Capitol.  Our Congressman was friends with the Capitol janitor, and we got a VERY COOL behind-the-scenes tour at the very top of the Capitol dome. 

 We even got to go outside the Capitol dome!  No, I wasn't a unicorn that day--that's the Washington Monument coming out of the top of my head!

 

Another fun Spring Break... Austria!!   I'll never forget this day--as we were out sightseeing, it started snowing the biggest snowflakes I've ever seen!  It was absolutely gorgeous, and just how I imagined it would look in the Alps!

I sure love this picture of my dad, sister, and me!!  Oh look!  Tapered jeans!  You young kids call them "skinny jeans" now...

We had 1 day set aside to ski the Olympic slopes in Innsbruck.  There sure is a story about this day...  In our family, this is The Day We Do Not Speak Of (well, at least 2 people don't speak of it!!!  Ha!)  I'm not real sure what that sign says, or what it means...but I think it was an omen of the stress about to happen on the slope below...  Oh, heck--you want a hint?  Let's just say that at one point, there were 2 bottoms slowly scooting their way down the slope...

Does anyone remember when windsuits were really popular?  You know--those jogging suits made of synthetic fabric, that made a "swishing" noise as you moved?  In case you don't remember--take a look at these mighty-fine windsuits below...  I never could figure out how the sophisticated Europeans always knew we were Americans...   Puzzling, isn't it?

 

 Change of scenery!  This may be my FAVORITE Spring Break of all time!!!  Our family traveled to Maui to my favorite resort ever--the Kea Lani.   Nothing says tropical like an open-air hotel lobby...aaahhhh.

Who are these cute, tanned, and skinny kids?  Oh, all right--only one of them is tanned...even though the other one worked ALL WEEK on it.  Some things in life are just unfair.

 
 If there's one thing my family likes to do on vacation, it's EAT.  (sorry for outing you, family--but we know it's true!)  I sure do love these good people.  Ever last one of 'em.
That native man at the end of the table...is my husband.  It's just not fair, people. 

Okay, I leave you with this sassy photo.  Who do I think I am, trying to pose all cute?   I didn't realize it yet when this picture was snapped...but we had hiked up to this overlook...shocked to discover one of Maui's nudie beaches.  Eeeekk!!!!  (heh heh heh, she said "nudie.")

 
 If you'll note...there are no exotic Spring Break pictures in the last decade or so...  Isn't it funny how parenthood leaves you too broke, too tired, and too frazzled for exotic?   Oh well, I wouldn't trade these broke, tired, frazzled years for ANYTHING.  Surely exotic will still be there again someday...  Right?  Right?  Hello?  Is anybody there???

Happy Spring Break, good people!!! 

What are some of your favorite Spring Break trips from years gone by?
 

Our Top 10 Favorite Car Travel Must Haves (alternate title: The Beverly Hillbillies Done Hit the Road)

I don't know about you, but holidays around our house usually involve some travel.  I thought it would be fun to share some of our family's favorite car travel tips.  Who knows?  Maybe some of them you'll find helpful.  Otherwise, I bet you'll just find us odd.

 10.  Hire a driver.  I like to hire my husband Dave.  It's a win-win.  He likes to drive, and I like to be driven.

9.  Constant coffee supply for the driver.  I'm not mentioning names, but steering wheels can make *some* drivers very sleepy.  If I am going to be able to read my book, or take a little nappie, I need to feel assured that my driver is awake and alert.

8.  Speaking of reading and naps, the rider must always travel with her pillow, in her lap.  I have no idea why, except for the fact that it feels cozy.  I feel very forlorn on a plane without my pillow.

7.  A stack of good books.  I look forward to holiday reading almost as much as the holiday itself.  I have a special satchel that is dedicated to my books when traveling.  This trip I brought 5 books.  You'll see my first one in the picture above.  It's Annie Downs' first book--From Head to Foot: All of You Living All for Him--and it is fabulous!!  If you have teenage or tween daughters, BUY IT for them.  (that's an order)  Oh, okay, I'll dedicate an entire post to Annie's book soon. 

6.  If you look closely at the top left of the picture, you will see an absolute necessity for our family's car travels:  a Coca-Cola.  I find that having a Coke in that little cup holder keeps me cheerful on a long ride.  My dear husband was very disappointed to learn upon marrying me that I like to get a fresh Coke at every stop.  Doesn't matter if I still have half a Coke left--if we stop, a fresh non-watered down one is an absolute necessity. 

5.  We have a little bit of a double-standard in our car.  The mom and dad have a constant supply of coffee and Cokes, and the backseat riders...well, they are on a rationing program.  Through a bit of trial and error we have learned the mathematical equation that 1 Coke for a wee one = 16 stops for a wee one break, in a manner of speaking.  1 chocolate milk included in a Happy Meal = 1-2 stops.  Not bad, but not perfect, either.  1 small cup of ice = no stops at all.  I guess their wee bodies absorb that precious amount of water for simple body functioning.  Hey--that works for us.  And the kiddies just love cups of ice.  "Hey kids!  Would you like a small cup of ice...or a cup of air???"  They ask for the ice every time.

4.  Speaking of the back seat, on our car travels, we've decided we like to take 2 girls along.  We figure--we've got the room in our super-cool minivan, we might as well take these girls that insist on calling us "Mom and Dad."  Through lots of screaming trial and error we have learned that one per row is just perfect.  Since Sara Beth likes cozy little cubbyholes and tents, she chooses to sit in the far back.  The large dog kennel piled high with clothes and coats next to her helps provide the perfect cubbyhole environment.

3.  Large dog kennel???  Yes, we like to travel with our 2 large hunting dogs.  In fact, I'm not sure if push came to shove on minivan space, who Dave would pick between the dogs and me.  He would probably tell you that the dogs don't buy as many Cokes.  Or possibly that I don't point pheasants nearly as reliably.  We have found that  nothing helps create a happy travel environment like big dogs who...(how can I say this delicately?) who cause Sara Beth occasionally to cry out, "Daddy!!  Please open the back windows!!!" 

2.  One the most essential components of a successful car trip:  Dvd player with headphones.  I am sure the person who invented the car dvd player was a mom, who had heard too many times the familiar whiny words, "Mo-ommmm!!!  She's on my side againnnnn!!  She won't leave me alonnnnne!!!  Mo-ooommmm!!   She called me a name again!!!  Mo-ooommmm!!!  She's looking at me!!!"  It is a unanswerable scientific question why, when the mom and dad are sitting SIDE BY SIDE, that the word, "Da-aaddddd!!!!"  is never uttered.   Why, oh, why is that?  But, with 2 beautiful dvd players and headphones on every little head, all is calm, all is bright.

1.  The Snack Bag:  Essential for a happy car trip.  What, with all the coffee buying, and  Coke freshening up, and extra small cups of ice--I like to save a little money by packing an exciting bag of snacks.  This snack bag happens to be a little heavier on the junk food than  normal...but my husband found a really great deal on a huge box 'o junk.  For those of you that know Dave, that doesn't surprise you one bit.

 

Well, there you have it!  I hope your holiday travels are happy and  memorable.  I hope that your own super-cool minivans transport you safely to the arms of your families in far-flung places.  I hope that as you arrive, you're able to extend grace to the weirder family members, and that they are able to extend grace to you in all your weird-ness, too.  Most of all, I hope that as your family gathers together for that delicious Christmas meal, you will take a moment to thank the One that created this whole holiday anyway.  The little baby in the manger over on your mama's sideboard.  I hope you thank Him for being born.  And, I really hope you sing Him Happy Birthday.

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My New Happy Place...Rick's Bakery in Fayetteville

Well, of course I mean Arkansas!  Sorry, North Carolinians...but this is an Arkansas girl here talking!

This past weekend, since I have recently become a Hunting Widow (anybody empathize?)--being pheasant season and all--I decided to hop in the car and meet my sister in Fayetteville, Arkansas.  Fayetteville, as in my Stomping Grounds while I was at the good ole' University of Arkansas (Pig Sooie!).

My parents were also heading there for the Arkansas-Ole Miss game.  Since our family likes to plan all events around "Where are we gonna eat?", we decided all to meet up Friday lunch at one of my sister's favorite places--and my new HAPPY PLACE--Rick's Bakery, right on College Street.

Now, if you are from Fayetteville, or have spent any time there, you already know about Rick's Bakery.  That Rick--he sure knows how to make some killer buttercream frosting.  God bless him.  Truthfully, I have no idea if there is a Rick...but somebody there SURE KNOWS sugar.

But, maybe you haven't heard about LUNCH at Rick's...  Oh me, oh my!  If I lived in Fayetteville, I would have to eat at Rick's at least once a week!   Rick's has a wonderful lunch menu--with all my favorite kinds of lunch items:  soups, sandwiches, salads...and a FREE sample of the dessert of the day!  Yes mam, you heard me right--FREE DESSERT!  Last Friday's dessert was chocolate silk pie.  Here--I'll just show you:

This was no piddley sample of pie, either.  It was plenty enough!  Especially since I planned to have at least a cookie, too!  Don't judge--it's just what you do at Rick's.

Umm, lunch!  Roasted tomato soup, and a half chicken salad croissant.  Oh, how I love half soup/half sandwich deals!  Plus, don't forget the free pie!!  Never mind the half-eaten pie at the top left...that was just a little appetizer. 

But, look at me getting all ahead of myself...One of the coolest parts about eating lunch at Rick's (besides all the dessert!) is the Cake Decorating Room.  You can eat lunch, overlooking the crazy-busy cake decorating going on behind the large glass windows!

How cute is this room?  And do you see the countertop seats where the kids are eating?  Front row seats to watch the busy cake decorators practice their art!

 As you can see, the kids were mesmerized by all the icing action!  Smart kids.

Oh, and Rick's is filled to the brim with darling gifts!  I could have spent lots more time (and money) browsing for clever gifts.  Instead, I spent my money on food and dessert!  This is only one small section of the dessert cases.  And I gotta tell ya--I'm feeling some deep regret that I didn't try a cupcake.  Do you see them on the 2nd to top row?  (click on the picture to see a bigger view)  They were big, and beautiful.  As our family friend Alene used to say, "Hon-Neee, I'm tell-Lin YOU!"  Next time, cupcakes are definitely in my plans.

Decisions, decisions...  Check out the adorable mini cakes on the top row!  They are so cute, I just wanted to squeeze their little cheeks.  (Do cakes have cheeks?) 
 
 But, last Friday, Razorback cookies were our treat of choice!  (I'm sorry, Ole Miss...)  How did we rate the cookies?  Let me show you...

 

My nephew says, "THUMBS UP!" 

  And...so does my mom!!!
 I absolutely cannot have a post on Rick's Bakery without a little shout-out to my FAVORITE SUPPLIER of Rick's cakes and cookies to me every single summer.  Hey, Amba!!!  Remember this post waaaay back in March?  Yep, Amba came to visit and brought a Rick's cake.  We dug into it right in the CAR!  And...ummm...when ya coming to visit again, Amba???  *grin*