Snow and Sunshine

Were in Phoenix for the next few days--where the weather right now is chilly and windy...and the sky is quite dusty. BUT at HOME---the story's quite different. This is a scrap of our driveway and road to our house! The beautiful photos were taken by our neighbor and dear friend.

So just LOOK what we're missing!

Digiscrappers I used recolored papers from Alma Townsend's kit "Gratitude" and the font Windsor Sword. I also used Terry Maruca's white "fairy dust." Terry and Alma show and sell at scrapbook-elements.

1-2-3- PULL

Chester just loves to make a mad dash for his kennel and yank out his favorite blanket.

This is hilarious to watch--all so he can lie on puppy patterned fleece! He litterally SPRINGS into his kennel to snatch it.

La Posta Memories

The La Posta Restaurant, Old Mesillla, Las Cruces, NM.

48 years ago my parents tempted my fiancee to savor the firey salsa at La Posta Restaurant, then owned by the Griggs family who were patients of my father. Tonight, half a century later, we remembered with the happiest thoughts, those days long lost, but re-lived half a century later.

48 years ago Katie Griggs gave me the recipe for Mexican cole slaw which I regularly make even now. It tasted just the same tonight when I had my “usual” --a Cadillac Margarita and Green Chile Enchilladas. Bigger, busier, but memories of days gone by--ours to treasure after a 400 mile drive.

Years ago there was--right in the midst of the old Hacienda style restaurant, a pretty nice museum that contained pieces from Billy The Kid's time in Old Mesilla! This area was one of his western-most outposts. (He usually was over in the Rio Hondo area east of Ruidoso in Lincoln County) We did not see anything left of the old museum, but a greatly expanded restaurant with the traditionally phenomenal Mexican food.

Who Spoils More?

Here's the pose--watching Dr. Phil--intently--never saw TV before, and VERY comfortable! Today he is 20 weeks old. Chester was born Wednesday, July 5th.

Chester's been Delivered

Chester came to us today---and OH MY is HE CUTE! He was terrified with his first experience in the back of the Kennel Master's truck, but soon settled in, took a big nap (on Dad's chest), then was fascinated with the Dr. Phil show--- and then began to figure out what transitioning from a DOG to a PET is going to be all about. We'll think he'll try very hard to keep his promises---(see this blog post) He's all registered and his registered name is Chesterbrooke Jester. (Kennels are the Brooke Hollow Kennels), so we took part of that name for him. He is just absolutely adorable! We're in Puppy Love!

Yakov Smirnoff

We wound up Branson in GREAT STYLE with a favorite show....Yakov Smirnoff. But this time it was a REALLY different performance. Early on DH was included in the show--did he want to catch sawblades, being tossed and juggled by Slim Chance, a sidekick of Yakov's. NO NO he said, and soon he was named "SISSY DOG." Well throughout the show, whenever anybody was somewhat chicken about anything--they'd point to DH and call out Sissy Dog.

Second part of the show, Smirnoff was being trained how to be a Santa and go down a chimney--which of course failed, and off he sailed across the audience on block and tackle and a climbing gear setup--and they hollered out to Sissy-Dog to CATCH HIM (like a baby)--so there he was holding one of the most famous comedians in America in his arms in front of a house full of uproarious laughter. Had a fantastic time, played along gloriously, and it was a roar! And me---I was so nonplussed and absorbed that I did not even pick up my camera in my lap---can you believe THAT? DH asked me when he sat back down if I got good pictures, and I said....
D U H H H H!!

Guaranteed the blog will become a whole lot less interesting than it has been--as we depart Branson in twenty four degree weather tomorrow to head back to Springfield and Chester who will come to us about 2 o'clock tomorrow. From there we'll begin our trek Westward.

A reminder from Yakov---the gift of laughter is truly a gift that is given AND received by two people. Live well---laugh often--- ENJOY!

Digiscrappers, the font I used on this montage is Brittanic Bold.

Stairway Studio

A "studio framing" of a converted to black and white shot of forward ladder on Branson Belle. Table Rock Lake Dam is in the far background. Digiscrappers I used Mike W's action for studio frames for this. Be sure to double click this for a larger view.

Sunset on Table Rock Lake

Destined to become my favorite photo from the Branson Belle Showboat cruise on Table Rock Lake is this photo of the sun setting off the bow of the boat.

Stairways

Just some stairways to tomorrow--to share some of the architecture on the beautiful Showboat SternWheeler--the Branson Belle. Dinner Cruise on Table Rock Lake, MO, outside Branson.

Paddlewheel Architecture 2

Just because I love photographing stairs and architecture!

Paddlewheel Architecture

Posted just because I think it is one of those rare--just plain amazing photographs.--and because "architecture" is one of my favorite subjects to photograph. (Nikon D50)
enjoy. Be sure to click the photo to see the full size of this one.

The Branson Belle

Nice cruise around a teeny arm of Table Rock Lake. The performance included a young, and good little troupe, a Russian adagio and acrobat family act that was a SHOW STOPPING performance with an incredibly skilled 11 year old daughter, beautiful mom and stronger than Hercules father. The adagio they performed was absolutely BEAUTIFUL, the best I've ever seen.

THEN there was following them,Todd Oliver--the ventriloquist who's been on TV with his DOGS...a Boston Bull, Westie and Basset that he does ventriloquism through. It was HILARIOUS, and the dogs were SO good!!! They didn't move while he worked a "chin" under their muzzles. We LOVED it.

Had a power failure too, as it powered down, turning out of the wind (which was very brisk), but 750 people on board just thought it was part of the deal. Rog and I didn't because we know emergency power lighting on a boat when we see it--and the absolute silence of being dead in the water with no engines running. Soon was back on--probably 10 minutes total out. Three diesel electric engines propel the paddlewheels which really are the propulsion of the ship. She's an amazing showboat, huge (football field size) built AT the lake and launched into it on skids lined, with bananas! REALLY! She's been in service a good while--(didn't listen really to how long) but it is a perfect replica of the Mississippi Show Boats (without accommodations) Served an elegant and delicious dinner with sakad, chicken kiev and pot roast, garlic potatoes, vegetables and a lovely meringue dessert.

OH! Christmas Tree

How Lovely Are Thy Branches.

Each theater shares the most exquisite Christmas decorations we've ever seen! Here blocked out are four of our favorites. Top Left is the Lawrence Welk Champagne Theatre's tree, top right The Shoji Tabuchi Theater's all Santa Tree in the lobby. Lower left is the prettiest of them all, the one in the Grand Palace done in white and teal, and very Victorian in flavor, and the lower right is a beautiful Patriotic tree that is part of a "Trail of Trees" Competition for design and tree decoration that starts at the Gatlin Brothers-Lennon Sisters venue. And one we saw that "took the cake" was one that was totally upside down. It was loaded with ornaments for sale in a rather tiny gift shop---so having the tree upside down hanging from the ceiling made room for customers to walk around it and pick off the ornaments they wanted to buy. How about that for merchandising!

Click the image for a larger view (on any of these blog photo posts)

Gatlin Brothers---Lennon Sisters

All I can say is OH WOW! This Christmas extravaganza is our very favorite so far. All the Shows in Branson have been extraordinary. All our seating has been the absolute very best. Today we were center front--row 3! The magnificent Welk "Champagne Theatre" was the venue for the performance of the Gatlin Brothers and the Lennon Sisters (now a trio). Following the careers of these two groups for fifty years is wonderful, and I'm here to tell you--their voices are still perfect, and their delivery flawless as they sang familiar--and new songs for almost 3 hours. Just can't describe it. In one Christmas number, Lennon 7 and 5 year old DGD's sang --so cute--and then were angels in another gorgeous new-to-me Christmas carol. Imagine, those little girls singing so many years ago, presented today little girls the same age they were when they sang for the first time with Lawrence Welk, only these were THEIR granddaughters.

Digiscrappers--this is put on a background --a photo of the sheer lame' curtain that covers the stage in the Champagne Theatre. Shots are from throughout the show, and the singles photos that show Kathy Lennon and Larry Gatlin are pasted-into and extracted from a modified multiphoto scrapmap from Sassy Scrap (Australia). The font I used this time was Engravers MT

Mickey Gilley

"Don't The Girls All Get Prettier At Closing Time," --"You'll Have a Room Full of Roses"--"Stand By Me."--"A Heartache Tonight"--"Window Up Above"---Do those titles bring back some memories?

Last evening's performance at Gilley Theater in Branson was an evening of memories and fun. Top notch comedian side kick Joey Riley added to a fun performance with an hilarious routine that had us doubled over. Mickey's not lost his smooth touch, and the evening was wonderful. Again we had marvelous seats, eight rows back center! Can't ask for more, although the camera struggled some! Information about his quietly amazing career is at his website Gilleys

Shoji Tabuchi--You Gotta GO

Gold and onyx, rich mahogany and elegant gold fixtures make the Men's Room at the Shoji Tabuchi Theater in Branson another GOTTA GO place. Classic Christmas trees, elegant ribbon festooned lighting, rooms for resting and relaxing--a place to play a quick game of pool, and Santa arriving down the chimney all mark elegance ala Tabuchi Men here in the top page.

From Angels to Amethysts and crystal, from elegance to opulance, the very Victorian Ladies Room at the Shoji Tabuchi theater a necessary Branson stop. All decked out in Christmas glory, the amazing decorations include a Giant Father Christmas atop packages galore, a stunning 8' Christmas tree decorated all over with 18" Dolls, Santa's coming down the chimney in the main lounge area of the bathroom--you can see his feet! And, the entrance welcomes you with a table set with illuminated gold and silver, organza angels in front of pink, purple and gold gladiolas. These are all set around the edges of this layout. I posted this one a little larger, so if you click on the picture, it will take you to a little bigger look at this extraordinary place.

The wash basins are gold-fixtured onyx, with ivy, amethyst and crystal adornment around the mirrors. This is one FUN place---and then--there's the SHOW to boot! Shoji is our favorite, and the second trip to see the theater and the amazing performance was indeed delightful.

Digiscrappers fonts used here are Windsor Sword and Brush Script MT.

Branson Christmas---Shoji

One of the best loved, and longest running shows in Branson is Shoji Tabuchi, a masterful violinist with an incredible show. His Christmas Show is light, beautiful, fanciful, artistic, gorgeous!
Tomorrow will follow pictures of the theater all decorated for Christmas, together with photos of the world-famous bathrooms there.

Scrappers , I used a template I made and Windsor Sword font for the word-frame and the name on this layout.

Showboatin in Branson from our Land Yacht!

We're getting ready to "paint the town" in Branson this week. Here's the fun we're looking forward to while we're here.

Mannheim Steamroller Christmas: Tues--Nov 14th, 8:00 pm

Shoji Tabuchi, Nov 15th--Wed-- 3:00 PM---DH's Birthday --and a Branson favorite

Mickey Gilley, Thurs-- Nov 16th Nov 8:00 pm

Gatlin Brothers Fri--- Nov 17th 2:00 pm

Branson Belle Showboat--dinner cruise on Lake Taneycomo -- Sat--Nov 18th 4:00 pm

Yakov Smirnoff-- Sun--Nov 19th 3:00 pm

Digiscrappers, I used a font for the filigree curly embellishments on this layout. It's called Curly Art Noveau at more than 100pts and the design under the letter "n." The background is a painterly texture on a gradient, ala Splat....and the image is a photo of all the fliers I've picked up for the shows we have tickets for.

Digiscrappers, are you looking on my blog for a Priss Tip? I'm going to start putting a few in now and then--and here's your first one. Thank you for looking.

CTRL+double click the program's workspace in any version of Photoshop to bring up your new blank document window. How's that for a super quick on the fly way to make a new blank to work on.

Chester Makes Promises

If you'll JUST LET ME OUT

I promise:

I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
The garbage collector is NOT stealing our stuff.
I do not need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm lying under the coffee table.
I will not roll my toys behind the fridge.
I must shake the rainwater out of my fur BEFORE entering the house.
I will stop trying to find the few remaining pieces of clean carpet in the house when I am about to throw up.
I will not throw up in the car.
I will not roll on dead seagulls, duck poo, fish, crabs, etc.
I will not lick my human's face after eating animal poop.
I will not wake Mom up by sticking my cold, wet nose up her bottom end.
I will not chew my human's toothbrush and not tell them.
I will not chew crayons or pens, especially not the red ones, or my people will think I am hemorrhaging.
When in the car, I will not insist on having the window rolled down when it's raining outside.
I will not be a doorbell, and I will not bark each time I hear one on TV.
I will not steal my Mom's underwear and dance all over the back yard with it.
The sofa is not a face towel. Neither are Mom & Dad's laps.
My head does not belong in the refrigerator
Whenever I bay, I'll remember to bay with a Southern Drawl.

Introducing CHESTER

Please meet CHESTER
Born July 5, 2006, in Ava Missouri from line of Champions of the Brooke Hollow Beagle Kennels.

In residence in Sequim WA, January 2007

Branson, Missouri

We made a trip to Branson to visit the brand-new shopping promenade called The Landing. It was just a wonderful day, a beautiful place, and interesting view of the huge change we see in Branson since we last visited ten years ago. The city now stretches from horizon to horizon, and new theaters are everywhere.

The top one is a panoramic that shows the Glades and the Balds--of Branson. In the Ozarks, and mountain South, these are the common terms for a hilltop that is devoid of vegetation. The Ozarks are rolling hills, with deep "hollers" but the tops of these hills go on for miles and are very flat, not unlike the mesas of the Western US, only heavily forested with hardwood trees. The inset on that photo defines glades and balds.

The lower photo is of the main fountain at play at The Landing, in Branson. This interesting fountain's play is synchronized to music, and in this photo, was accompanying the National Anthem. Followed--a display of patriotic tunes honoring Veterans Day in water sound and fire. There are wonderful parades, and a lot of emphasis honoring Veteran's Day in Branson, and for some RV this weekend will be a sought after, and long-awaited gathering.

Eureka Springs, AR

Today we made a wonderful trip a few miles (about 30) to the famous town of Eureka Springs. This historic Victorian village is just a wonderful place to enjoy boutiques, heritage buildings, and enjoy the meticulous reconstruction and restoration of buildings and homes dating from the mid-late 1800's. We had lunch at the Crescent Hotel, resplendant in vintage design; today not only an elegant hotel, but also a reknowned health spa. This area is absolutely beautiful, and our day was wonderful.

Digisrappaers, my font is Rebecca and the papers and ribbons I used on the 2 page layout of this town came from Alma Townsend and Misty Cato's kit "Gratitude."

Heralding Christmastime

Today we moved from Springfield, down the short drive to Kimberling City, MO. We are in one of our all time favorite RV parks, (a second visit), now Water's Edge. It is located at the Port of Kimberling City on the banks of the huge and gorgeous Table Rock Lake. We were met with some mild disappointment to find that not only were the boats that we had started the engines in for the first time ever ten years ago SOLD at auction this past fall, but also that all of the Marina's have shut down their rental services, and winterized their fleets. But the thousands of lights and hundreds of Christmas decorations welcomed us to this place, and the view from our site is stunning. Kicking through the ankle deep oak leaves to take pictures looking across the marina, through the docks of houseboats at rest to some of the mile of lights was truly thrilling.

We'll be here a week, sidetripping to the various points of interest, and probably fishing from the banks of this bass-rich one-of-a-kind lake. The stars are undisturbed in the autumn sky and merge with the Christmas displays in a continuous brilliance that is indescribable.

The Jefferson Ave Footbridge

Recently restored, this 562 foot--end to end--Jefferson Ave Footbridge in Springfield, MO, is one of the few still used by pedestrians. Train watching continues 24/7 over 13 sets of tracks just below the bridge. Some nice studies in perspective and in architecture are here at Springfields "largest public art sculpture."

Textures of Autumn

Beautiful and bizarre, the textures of autumn are caught where we are!


Fallen leaves on a marble creek bed decorate the sublime detail of the rocks around them. The carpet of fallen color provides a crunchy step through the nearby woods, where I found this incredibly strange green "Hedge Apple," a nubby, bubbly, ugly, inedible fruit. There are hundreds of them on the ground near our RV Park in Springfield, MO.

The Road Less Traveled

"Sometimes the road less traveled is less traveled for a reason." (Jerry Seinfield) And our reasons are sometimes that the road's too far,---or doesn't go where we want it to go!

This will probably be the last fall-colors I scrap this year. It has turned cold and wintery overnight in Springfield MO, and the colors are mostly gone, and trees losing all their leaves very quickly. This little scarecrow was a decoration outside Lambert's restaurant in Springfield, and the picture of the motorhome and the leaf-covered road was taken in the KOA R.V. park where we stayed when we were in Joplin.

Digiscrappers....the papers, leaf, and frame are from Karen Aicken's "Thankful for Family" kit that came with this month's Scrapper's Guide Premier newsletter. The font I used was Rebecca.

Future Farmers

I finally had a minute to scrap some pictures of our cousin's little 15 month old boy---discovered inside the hopper of the big "driller" (planting machine) as Dad and Grandpa finish putting in this year's crop of winter wheat. His dad took these adorable pictures of his first experiences with wheat and what it's all about. It's a steep learning curve from the seed to the table, and this little guy is figuring it all out--and ready for it! I have several more photos to work on from the visit to the family's early properties in KS, MO and OK, but thought that these were just so cute, I had to do them first!