An Improptu Trip To Branson

As part of an upcoming wedding celebration the kids were invited to meet friends from Arkansas for supper in Branson last night. Details weren't ironed out until yesterday morning and I was invited to ride along and hang out if I wanted to. 

Of course I wanted to! I love Branson and hadn't visited since John and I made our last trip together in 2018, but I had a couple of things that needed to be rescheduled in order to go. Well, I swung into full gear, got things rearranged in a hurry, and off I went!

While in Branson we stopped at the Ruth and Paul Henning Conservation Area and walked the Dewey Bald Trail. The kids climbed the 40-foot viewing tower that is located at the top.

We drove the 76 Strip...

...caught the sunset over Table Rock...

...enjoyed supper at Cracker Barrel with a whole host of lovely young people (who chose to 'dress up' just for fun!)...

...and, afterwards, before leaving town, decided to drive Shepherd of the Hill's 'Trail of Lights'. It was all so lovely and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!

We did all that and still managed to get home at a reasonable hour. What a totally fun and unexpected mid-week trip! 

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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I took a few moments this morning to stand on the back porch and watch leaves falling like rain in the backyard. It was so beautiful!

How was your weekend? Mine here was jam-packed...but great! 

I worked on Friday; early Saturday morning, I rode up home with Patrick and Amber, and their family, where Patrick had a chess tournament that day and Amanda and Aaron were having a double-birthday party for their girls that same evening. 

The chess tournament that Patrick was playing in was in a hotel next to Bass Pro in Independence. The area was absolutely lovely! There was a little lake and a walking trail right behind (and between) the two businesses that connected them.

Audrey and I took the two younger girls with us and walked part of the lake trail and visited Bass Pro...which was gorgeous! (I have visited the Bass Pro in Springfield many times, but none of these businesses were there when we lived in the area, so all of this area was new to me.)

Later in the day, Buddy and Christy and their family met us at Bass Pro. 

We left from there to head to North Kansas City to the birthday party where we met even more family.

We had a long day and a late night, but it was worth every moment of it! What a great day!

Now, here we are! It's Monday and the day is getting away from me...again! Let's get started...shall we?
 

This week's master 'to-do' list...

- Clean house

- Do laundry

- Remove, soak, and unclog my shower head

- Straighten the Van Gogh room up and make it company ready

- Present a program on wild turkeys at the local library

- Figure mid-month budget and go to the bank

- Solidify Thanksgiving plans

- Work

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Turkey Italian sausage with fried cabbage (freezer), baked potato, and oven-roasted baby carrots

Tuesday - Chili dog and oven fries

Wednesday - Lentil rice casserole with baby carrots and dip (change of plans - Chicken Chowder and Good Earth Rolls)

Thursday - Oven-roasted chicken, baked potato, and corn-on-the-cob

Friday - Turkey burger and chips

Saturday - Fish sandwich and oven fries

Sunday - Leftovers

Well, that's it for today! I hope you're having a nice Monday and that your week is off to a great start! 

Until next time,

~Rebecca

(#49 in this week's lineup over at Grammy's Grid's 'Unlimited Link Party #138')

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On Tuesday I was invited to go to Blue Springs with Christy and the grands to visit Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area.

Amanda and Aaron and the girls joined us as we toured the nature center and walked a couple of trails. 

The autumn color was absolutely gorgeous!

What's the autumn color like in your neck of the woods?

Until next time...

~Rebecca Knox

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Home Economics 101

I'm not sure that home economics is even taught in schools anymore, but, if it isn't, it should be.

Did you take home economics when you were in school?

If so, what's the one thing that stands out most in your mind that you learned there?

Any fellow 'Future Homemaker's of America' club members out there? 💗

I'm looking forward to reading your answers!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

(#64 in today's lineup on Grammy's Grid's Unlimited Link Party #137)

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Last week we had our first hard freeze with temperatures dipping down into the teens; this week it looks like we'll have plenty of sunshine and highs in the mid- to upper-70's. Beautiful!

Barred Owl

Tuesday morning the weather was perfect for finding 'frost flowers.' As a result I conducted an impromptu 'frost flower hike' at work. 

Frost Flower

Five brave folks weathered the elements to join me, but, unfortunately, I wasn't able to spend as much time with them as I would liked to have had because my van was acting up. The engine was overheating, but I had absolutely zero heat inside. My fingers were absolutely frozen! 

I nursed the vehicle home a little at a time and when Bud got off work he came over to take a look at it. It turned out to be exactly as he suspected...the engine was air-locked. He bled the air off and had it fixed in no time. He checked everything over, made a list, and told me to pick up the brakes, oil, filters, and other items needed, and, that instead of taking it down to the vo-tech, like I usually do, he'd do the work on the van himself. I plan on picking the parts up today.

We had a nice crowd turn out at the park Saturday in celebration of National Bison Day. 

There were hikes out to view the bison and crafts for the children, as well as bison chili to be eaten and enjoyed . I'm pretty sure that everyone that came had a good time!

I pulled up this year's zinnia plants after last week's hard freeze and piled the dried plants in two gigantic piles on my front porch. I spent a couple of hours yesterday afternoon cutting the dried flower heads off of many of them for seed, but only made my way through about half of them. When I'm finished I should have an ample supply of seed for my own garden next year, plus plenty to share with family and friends. If you would like to receive zinnia seed from my garden just contact me with your name and address and I would be happy to send you some.

Well, the day is getting away from me and I need to head to town, so let's take a look at the week ahead...shall we?

Tiger and Bear

This week's master to-do list...

- Clean house

- Do laundry

- Wash bedding

- Deep clean bedroom

- Pick up van parts

- Pay personal property and real estate taxes

- Grocery shop

- Finish collecting zinnia seed

- Vote

- Visit Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area with d-i-l and grands

- Work

- Present 'Terrific Turkeys' homeschool program

- Attend granddaughters' (Alysia and Kayla's) birthday party

- Get the van to Bud so he can get the brake job and oil change done

Morning Sky Over Tallgrass Prairie

This week's menu plan...

Monday - Turkey Italian sausage link with fried cabbage and baked potato

Tuesday - Leftover beef and beans with cornbread

Wednesday - Chili dog with oven fries

Thursday - Beef stroganoff with oven-roasted carrots

Friday - Turkey burger and oven fries

Saturday - Out

Sunday - Leftovers

Well, that's it for today! I hope you're having a nice day and that your week is off to a great start! 

Until next time...

~Rebecca

(#24 in the line-up over at Grammy's Grid's Unlimited Link Party #137)

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Thanksgiving Planner

It's hard to believe that the holidays are upon us already and that Thanksgiving is just around the corner.

Are you thinking about Thanksgiving yet? Do you know where you'll be spending the holiday and what you'll be making?

I've shared this Thanksgiving planner based on my own past experiences before and, although it isn't all encompassing, it is a good guide to help you think things out as you make your way through the days and weeks ahead leading up to the big day! 

This photo was taken at our youngest daughter's Thanksgiving

2020. If you look closely, you can see my husband lurking in

the background. I sure miss him...especially with the holidays approaching.

WEEK ONE OF NOVEMBER:

- Begin holiday organization.
- Invite your guests for Thanksgiving dinner. A cheery phone invitation or a written invitation is always welcome.
- If you’re ordering a fresh turkey, do it now; if you’re buying a frozen turkey you have time, but don’t wait until the last minute. Start watching those sale ads now.

WEEK TWO OF NOVEMBER:

- Make up Thanksgiving dinner menu; at the same time compile your grocery list. You can pick up the dry goods and staples for your meal now. It’s easier on the budget and makes shopping faster later. Check off items on the marketing list as you purchase them.

- Plan your Thanksgiving table setting and centerpiece early. Check your silverware, plates, and serving dishes to be sure you have enough for the number of guests you are inviting.
- Name cards can also be completed ahead of time. As a family sit down and find verses with a thanksgiving theme. Take a blank 3” x 5” index card, fold it in half, and stand it on the table. On the front write the name of the person who will sit at that place and inside write a Thanksgiving scripture. When everyone is seated, each person then reads his or her verse.

WEEK THREE OF NOVEMBER:

- Make any last-minute arrangements for Thanksgiving. If you’ll be going out of town, ask a neighbor to collect your mail and newspapers. If you are cooking, finalize your menu and entertainment plans.

WEEK FOUR OF NOVEMBER:

- Special holiday events will be happening Thanksgiving week. Decide which event you want to attend as a family, then schedule one special event for each child individually.

FOUR DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING:

- Start defrosting a large (15 to 20 lbs.) frozen turkey in the coldest part of your refrigerator.

TWO DAYS BEFORE THANKSGIVING:

- Prepare the serving pieces, plates, flatware, glasses, etc.
- If using cloth napkins or tablecloths, iron them now.
- Make the cranberry sauce; a couple of days in the refrigerator will give the flavors time to develop.
- Cut and cube bread for the stuffing now, and set the cubes out in a single layer on a baking sheet to dry.

ONE DAY BEFORE THANKSGIVING:

- Pick up the fresh turkey and purchase perishables.
- Prepare the stuffing. Refrigerate overnight.
- Make the giblet stock for gravy.
- Assemble and bake pies.
- Peel the potatoes; refrigerate in a pot of cold water.
- Make side dishes that require baking and reheat them tomorrow; or assemble them today and cook them right before dinner tomorrow.
- Set the table tonight or first thing in the morning.

THANKSGIVING DAY:

- Remove the turkey from the refrigerator and cook as desired. (Some people...like me...even prefer to slow cook the turkey overnight.)

- Make mashed potatoes and bake or reheat side dishes.
- Prepare coffee, but do not brew until about twenty minutes before it is to be served.
- Prepare iced tea and other beverages early and refrigerate.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

(#52 on Grammy's Grid's Unlimited Link Party #136)

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