Vacation: Seeds, Theme Parks, Battlefields and a Quilty Shop Hop

My husband and I have not had a vacation together for 

10 years!  Sure, we have had some time off but we

either stayed home, visited relatives or watched our 

granddaughter for the last 10 years.  

Not this year.  We took TWO WHOLE DAYS off work

and went to Branson, MO because I missed  Silver Dollar City.

Along the way there and back we stopped for other

attractions, one being Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds in

Mansfield, MO which is just outside of Springfield.

The seed room was huge with every cubby holding 

packets of seeds, arranged in sections for vegetables,

flowers and herbs.  We were there on a Thursday

morning so really the only ones there which was perfect.

I hear when they have their festivals it is filled to the brim.

Here are some of the seeds I selected for the garden.

As a hint, if you have cucumbers that are getting eaten

by bugs, plant amaranth.  I discovered it accidentally 

when I had it growing wild and neglected to pull it out.

Then I found that all the bugs were eating it rather than 

my cucumbers- Perfect!!

In the second section of the building there are rooms devoted

to fabric, stitchery, candles, soaps and other crafts and hobbies.

You can see  the bee hive sign at the lower right.

They also have a library of various helpful books.

I picked up these Aunt Martha's hot iron transfers.

Next stop Springfield, MO

This is Bass Pro Shop's magnificent entrance,

it is stunning when you are actually there.

Any time we are in Springfield, MO we stop in.

My husband enjoys looking at the equipment

and I love the decor, just amazing.

This statue is made out of bronze, 

huge and incredibly beautiful.

Quilts and Quilts Branson, MO

There is a quilt Shop Hop going on right now, not just

in Missouri, not just in the U.S., but everywhere.

There is an embroidery pattern which is bordered by

this pretty bee fabric called Bee Creative by Deb Strain

through Moda.  It is difficult to find the fabrics since so many

have signed up to make the quilt (free on line) so I thought it 

was a perfect time to check out the shops in Missouri during our

trip.  As it turned out I found everything I need.

Now to start the embroidery, and catch up with my other

quilt along where we make a sampler out of six inch blocks.

Sew Simple in Ozark MO

We visited several quilt shops and a few were stunning,

amazingly stocked and everyone was so nice.

Each shop created a pattern called Row By Row with the 

theme of Home.  When you visit you can get the free pattern

or purchase a kit the contains the pattern plus material.

I purchased several kits so I would have the right material

and just took the free pattern in some cases.  Hopefully

I will find time for that when all the summer chores are complete.

We tried to find a little cabin where we could cook but 

last minute reservations were tough so we settled on a motel.

This was Ozark Valley Inn in Branson, MO and it was very nice.

It was not perfect but it reminded me of going to motels when

I was young and I love parking by the room- ours was the first 

floor which actually was the middle level here due to the slope

of the ground.  There were chairs in the covered hallway too

so you could pull then up to a table and stay out of the sun.

The hallway led to the pool and over to the office and 

breakfast room where they served a complimentary meal; 

however, due to my dietary needs we chose to go out

instead.  My husband is not thrilled with Cracker Barrel 

where we ate the first day but I liked it, also 

Stavin' Marvin's breakfast buffet the second day.

Ozark Valley Inn

Branson is still Branson only much more crowded.

We drove the strip and to the old downtown where 

we went into the old five and dime.  They have built up 

the old section of town, I would not have recognized it 

once you got to the river!!

Sorry that you got the back half of King Kong but

it was my only shot.  This is on the strip across from

the big Ferris wheel.  I think it was Ripley's Believe it or Not.

This is inside one of the restaurants.

It's all glitz and Hollywood like sets

but not all the food is good.  My husband thinks

it is because we are used to St Louis restaurants

where the food is fantastic and well prepared.

I had to send back the calamari, it was so tough.

Here it is delightful, breaded with a tempura coating

and fried until tender, not chewy.

We did have a good dinner at Red Lobster, something I have

not had in years and years!  I had a lobster tail and grilled shrimp

and my husband lobster and steak . This was on their special 

menu for the season.  He thought his steak too well done, preferring

it red and cold in the center.  I think many restaurants are afraid to 

cook it that way or just don't know how to cook it that way.  To 

me it's raw so I can't really critique it.

Silver Dollar City was not as much fun this time.

As soon as we arrived we had a torrential storm with 

lightning, thunder and buckets of rain causing them to 

close down the rides and outdoor events.  I think they 

must have sold every poncho in their stores!

We were able to see some of the indoor artisans,

the Saloon show and ride Fire in the Hole plus

go through Grandpa's Mansion which is the fun house

sort of attraction.  Nothing scary, just off center so things

look like they are downhill but you are going up.  That sort of thing.

The atmosphere would have been better if it had been nice

but since we had a package deal we had to go or lose the 

admission price.  It was still good and maybe we will try again sometime.

Photo credit 

Just outside of Springfield is Wilson's Creek National Battlefield

where we stopped for a few minutes. My husband picked up

some books and I purchased a little hankie doll kit.  He and

his brother are going to go back down and spend the day there

sometime.  They should have a nice time.

plus a bonnet

to put my hair up in while I am gardening.  The bees seem to 

like my hair a lot, a whole lot, so I may see if it helps to 

cover it when I am up in their area, but not in a bee veil

which is too difficult to garden in.

We also stopped at Shepherd of the Hills Outlet where I 

found this perfect bee jewelry.  I don't wear much jewelry

but when I saw these bees I had to have them.  The best part

is that they must be on closeout because they were $2.99 each!!

Shepherd of the Hills Factory Outlet in Lebanon, MO

Some of the items here

We arrived home Saturday afternoon, tired and ready to be home.

I still have not caught up with cleaning the house.  I hope no one

comes over unexpectedly that we are not close friends with,

they might see what really happens here in the summer when

we work all day at our jobs and then back home to work for

hours in the garden, with chicks, bees and canning!

Day 1 vacation Saturday:  Chicken butchering/pickling

Day 2 vacation:  Breakfast at Denny's and trip to the river 

Day 3 vacation:  laundry, thrift shopping, gardening

Day 4 vacation:  Quilt Shop Hop for the Row by Row patterns

Jackman's Fabrics (Creve Coeur MO)
The Quilted Fox quilt shop (Frontenac, MO)
Merrily We Sew Along quilt shop (Valley Park, MO)

All are the St Louis County area

Yard Work: weed whipping, gardening 

Shopping:  Supplies at Wal-Mart 

Canning:  making pickles

Day 5 vacation:  Preparing for our Branson trip

Day 6 vacation:  Up at dawn, in the car and on the road!

Stopped in Mansfield, MO at Baker's Creek

Stopped in Springfield MO for quilt shop hopping

A trip into Bass Pro Shop

On to Branson MO for quilt shop hopping

Trip to the Branson strip and old downtown

Dinner at Red Lobster

Day 7 vacation:  Silver Dollar City

Torrential rain, lightning, thunder.  Rides closed, outdoor activities

delayed.  We saw some craftsmen, the saloon show and road

Fire in the Hole (indoor roller coaster with a mine theme)

Day 8 vacation:  Pack up for home, stopped by Ozark MO quilt shop,

visit to Wilson's Creek national battlefield outside of Springfield,

Shepherd of the Hills Outlet mall in Lebanon MO and back home

Day 9 vacation:  church, pickling, unpacking

Kathy's Pickles

This is my first batch of pickled cucumbers that I picked from 

our garden along with the home grown dill for flavoring.

We planted pickling cucumbers and trying to pick

them small so we have a lot of pint jars.

I washed and cut up the cucumbers, some were

small spears and some were crinkle cut

I added pickle crisp, spices, my dill, 

garlic and the cucumbers, filled it with 

brine and let the pickling begin.

This is our small hot water bath canner.

They will sit for a week and then I'll get to see if 

they taste as good as I hope!

Day 1 vacation Saturday:  Chicken butchering/pickling

Day 2 vacation:  Breakfast at Denny's and trip to the river 

Day 3 vacation:  laundry, thrift shopping, gardening

Day 4 vacation:  Quilt Shop Hop for the Row by Row patterns

Jackman's Fabrics (Creve Coeur MO)
The Quilted Fox quilt shop (Frontenac, MO)
Merrily We Sew Along quilt shop (Valley Park, MO)

All are the St Louis County area

Yard Work: weed whipping, gardening 

Shopping:  Supplies at Wal-Mart 

Canning:  making pickles

River Day

It was a river sort of day, a combination of my birthday and

Father's Day both on Sunday during a week when I am on 

vacation and had nothing more than relaxing on my mind.

I am not a huge fan of the boat ride.  It is not like on a nice,

calm and deep lake, not here.  The river will suddenly drop to

a few inches of water where you can see each and every river

rock, including the gravel, as you are flying over them at a

really fast speed.  You can't use a prop, rather a jet is required

to get you up on plane and skip over rocks and hopefully the

semi-submerged logs from trees downed by storms or as 

the bank gave way.  Some of the root wads are huge, and

some you can't imagine how the tree is still standing, most of the

root hanging over the bank in a tangled mass.

You can see how they lean, farther and farther over.

Some are small like these, but others are massive and you hope

your boat isn't in their way if they fall.

On this stretch of river it is more quiet.

The canoes and kayaks haven't taken over the river, 

full of people that have not educated themselves on the

rules of the road as it were.  I think the canoe outfitters

should give them a course on river safety to keep them

and the power boaters happy and safe.  They need to be 

accountable to some degree, not just send people out 

who have no clue about boats.  That is when they tip 

and get themselves in dangerous places or do things

that are unsafe.  They also don't understand they need to 

share with the power boats that can't just stop like a car

so if they tie themselves together and take up the entire

river-especially around a blind bend, there's trouble.

It was only a couple of years ago a landowner got tired of 

the teams of people stopping on his land, leaving trash and partying.

(legally they have the right to be there if it is 

below the high water mark).  A confrontation occurred

and the owner killed him.   This was in the high canoe-kayak

area that has been inundated with drinkers, drugs, nudity, etc.

Not the family friendly canoe trip.

With a little respect that could have been avoided.

Our beaches are nice, some gravel and some sand.

Generally everyone gets along.

Hopefully it stays that way.

It's really pretty and relaxing (except for the ride).

There are eagles, sea looking birds, turtles, herons

and lots and lots of pretty shells to collect.

All this to see and yet I saw a boat go past where 

the driver was the only one looking at the water.

Everyone else in the boat had eyes on their phones 

where there was so much to see if they just looked 

around.  Sad really.  I think riots would break out if

we lost cell communications and all internet.

How would they survive?

This is one of the results of our recent floods.

The bank has all but gone and this house is doomed to 

fall into the river.  Some did and some are being 

renovated.  You can still see debris high in the tree tops

where bits of dock, houses and junk still dangles since

the water receded.  

If you can see the blue awning to the left on the beach, 

this is also a place where people camp.  Either day camping

or for the weekend.  If we plan to be there for the day we bring

the collapsible awnings, chairs, side tables, bbq, coolers, etc.

The kids float on rafts, watch the minnows try to nibble on their toes

and see who can get more dragon flies to land on their fingers.

I plop my chair about waist deep, just enough to keep my drink out of

the water, and attach a small umbrella to the back of my chair to 

avoid the sunburn.  We cook or bring a picnic lunch, arriving early

to stake out our claim. 

I hate the ride but love the beach!

Day 1 vacation Saturday:  Chicken butchering/pickling

Day 2 vacation:  Breakfast at Denny's and trip to the river 

Day 3 vacation:  laundry, thrift shopping, gardening

Day 4 vacation:  Quilt Shop Hop for the Row by Row patterns

Gardens, Bees and Chicken Feet

Summer is a busy time around the Usher place,

never a moment's rest until the gardens are put

to rest and the winter months arrive, more 

quickly than anticipated-- or wanted.

Saturday morning began at 4 AM, preparing to help

 our neighbors butcher their chickens, as they

helped us last weekend.  It is great to share the workload

and set up an assembly line to get the job done faster.

Afterwards it was back home to can a few pints

of Aunt Mary's hot pickles with the pickling 

cucumbers that are starting to come in.

We set up a trail cam to find out what was 

able to penetrate the fencing and bite off cucumber

stems that are about three feet high, past a 

4 foot+ fence in narrow garden beds.

A deer would have trouble, with the beds so narrow,

jumping into the other side of the fence and it would

have disturbed the dirt and other plants.

Truthfully, I was thinking a giraffe, but not sure how

many we had running around wild here.  Or tame for that matter.

Maybe an ostrich or am emu?

Just kidding, probably birds or our raccoon friends, but

I would think a raccoon would eat the fruit, not nip off a branch. 

There was also cilantro bit off from the top, romaine too.

Our visitor, probably the one that comes to 

the porch and eats the leftover cat food.

With black bear now in our area we may have

to rethink that plus our chicken food storage.

I will tell you that the Cornish Cross chickens have the

BIGGEST FEET EVER!  Our neighbors were saving them,

dehydrating for dog treats.  I don't have a dog and not

interesting in eating them so we didn't keep ours.

The flower garden had been doing well with the cool spring and

wet weather but I am having to water now that temperatures have

hit near 100's.  It has helped the vegetables though, peppers have

doubled in size from last month.

I have flowers and herbs planted in the larger garden

for the bees. They have salvia, zinnias, lavander, 

snap dragons and of course the flowers from squash plants

and the tomatillos, elderberry and blackberry plants.

They seem to be doing well and they don't bother

me at all while I am at the garden. They may buzz

but don't sting.  I don't care for them to be at face level

though and I now make sure I keep my shirt tight 

around my waste so they don't fly up.

What would I do then?

Well, it's my birthday so at some point today we 

will go eat --at Denny's--because they send me a 

coupon for a free breakfast which is served all day.

I can't eat the pancakes anymore so I will choose 

something else.  Then it's back to the house for more work.

See you all later.

Little Beek in the Making

Taylor, my granddaughter, loves her bees!

She dressed in my suit and helped her Pops with 

checking the hives and changing out the sugar syrup.

She was fascinated and let the bees crawl all over her,

on purpose!  She's really a country girl at heart!!

She was amazed to watch the bees launch an organized

attack against an ant that was trying to get into the hive.

We had two weak hives that we combined to make one strong one.

To do this we had to put the extremely weak hive box (deep)

on top of the other two deep where the stronger colony was.

To prevent fighting to the death we had to put a single sheet

of newspaper between them and make a couple of slits

in it with a knife.  Since there is no entrance or exit, the

bees had to chew through the paper to get down to the 

lower levels where the exit and entrance are.  By the time

they do this, they are used to each other.

You can see their chewing here.

And it worked!

Now we have put a queen excluder in so she cannot

move up to the top boxes and lay eggs.  The larger boxes

are where they lay eggs and keep honey stores for themselves

to make it through the winter.  The smaller boxes on top are

where the excess honey will be made. 

We have a secondary entrance on the top boxes so the bees can

go directly in there rather than making their way from the bottom.

Except for the queen, they can still access the entire hive.

While the bees fly several miles in search of food, I have

supplied them with a flower bed, elderberry bush, blackberries

and herbs.  Currently they are all over the wild grapes that

line the road, you can even hear them as you walk up the road

towards the vines.

One of the blackberry varieties has huge berries.

I have some nice borage for them as well.

It's time to go up and check the garden, which is where the bees

are.  This is the larger garden that is farther away from the house.

We don't have a lot planted, concentrating on peppers, 

tomatillos, herbs tomatoes and squash.  Pretty soon I'll

be wrapping that duct tape backwards on my hand and 

hunting for squash bug eggs!

Strangely enough, I look forward to this.

My husband tells me that I am the lady of their nightmares.

When the mommy squash bugs want their kids to be good

she tells them the story of the sticky handed lady who

wanders through the squash fields stealing eggs and 

plastering juveniles to her tape wrapped hands!

Sleep tight and don't let the tape hand bite!