Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Ozark Mountain Break



We love to travel and sometimes we just need a quick weekend getaway and after six weeks of working on our rental home we needed some rest and relaxation.   The heart of the Ozarks are only about a five drive from our home and seemed a perfect change of pace with winding roads through farmland and picturesque valleys.  Fall is my favorite time to visit when the foliage is at peak but even without foliage we enjoyed our drive and just having some couple time.




Instead of fall foliage the tops of the trees were covered in 
ice crystals which made for a beautiful display! 


Never mind that is was freezing cold and we just happened to squeeze a trip in before the "blizzard" was scheduled to hit Oklahoma City,  it was still a nice getaway from our regular routine.   Thankfully we arrived home in time to get to the grocery store which was overcrowded and full of empty shelves.  (Turns out the "blizzard" passed us by)




Our trip started with a breakfast stop along a section of historic Route 66 in Stroud to the Rock Cafe.  The Rock Cafe is a fun restaurant with lots of history and memorabilia  and they serve great homemade food cooked on a flat top grille named Betsy 
that is original to the cafe. 



Our stomachs full,  we were back on the road to Tulsa and up winding roads to Eureka Springs for a nice shopping stop and stretch of the legs.   This time of year many of the shops are closed for the season, so if you are a shopaholic you might want to wait a few months, but I enjoyed that there were no crowds.  


Photo source: Southern Living

We haven't been to Branson in about six years and enjoyed the newer area of Branson Landing with all of the great shopping and restaurants.    The dancing fountains were beautiful along the promenade and Lake Taneycomo.  




Photo source:  Branson Travel











  

We did take a quick shopping stroll through the historic section of town and I enjoyed a nice little shop called 
The Classy Flea.
Filled with lots of great retro and antique items my husband and I had a great laugh when we discovered a set of canisters identical to the ones we had 37 years ago!  Avocado green with a mushroom motif...so stylish in the 70's and now again if your are into that retro look!




The owners were very personable and fun to talk with. 
I found a fabulous set of Boopie vintage glass dishes that I just couldn't pass up!  Perfect for my next  Miss Bloomer's tablescape, this Federal Boopie snack set just had to come home with me! 



 The price was $13.75 for a set of eight...two of the cups are missing but I'm sure I will be able to get find a couple cups to complete the set. 


My husband enjoyed shopping in the vintage
 Dick's Five and Dime 
and could have spent hours there.  




 I will definitely need to check out this place next trip...they were just closing as I got there.  (Insert sad face)  Love the birdcage
chimes hanging by the entrance!



Our condo has a lovely screened  porch with views of the river and we spent time enjoying the peace and quiet of nature from our third story view.    Saturday morning we watched fishermen fly fishing and catching trout and yes the fish were bitin'!





We had a lovely Sunday brunch at the Chateau on Table Rock Lake with amazing food selections as we enjoyed the views from the dining room and listened to a talented pianist.

I'm so thankful to have had some quiet time with my husband. 
Now that we are back home ...going to start a fire and make a pot of tea...enjoy your week!
    

Linking with:

Susan's Outdoor Wednesday


Thursday, February 21, 2013

Wishing for Spring!

We had thundersleet last night!  Really it was quite something to hear thunder and ice pellets hitting the windows all night.  I'm not really complaining because we so need the moisture but it was a little weird!


I am so ready for spring as so many of my fellow gardeners are.  Another year to plant, replace and build in the garden is exciting.  


Don't we all love Pinterest on a snow day!   Such a great place to share and save ideas and get inspired!  


I love garden sheds and greenhouses.
I have several on my wishlist and have collected all my favorites on Pinterest.





So I'm counting the days till flowers are blooming and I can get my hands out in the dirt...but in the meantime we are taking a little trip through the Ozarks for some rest and relaxation after six weeks of refurbishing our rental we are a little weary but glad it's completed and rented again. 


Enjoy your weekend!

   Internet source