IT's Fall Yall !

Loving Fall Yall !

Like most people I love Fall. Living here in the Ozarks we are fortunate to have so many beautiful places to enjoy. Soon the leaves will begin to turn, and the views will be breathtaking. We love kayaking, and Fall is the best time, not so hot out, and so pretty out! Whether on one of the nearby rivers or lakes or playing golf on one of the beautiful courses, Branson is the perfect getaway. Then there is Silver Dollar Cities Harvest & Cowboy Festival. Total delight for the senses! Oh the tastes and smells! Apple dumplings, and other delicious autumn goodies. The craftsmen there have something for every taste. You will not be disappointed. Shopping in the Branson area is always great and if you enjoy decorating for fall we certainly have many stores with great fall décor. T.J.Maxx, Cracker Barrel, Kirklands, Mulberry Mill(Grand Village), and Silver Dollar City are all stocked with beautiful Fall merchandise. I have enjoyed filling our home with all things pumpkin! Just think, in just weeks we can have a Pumpkin Pie concrete at Andy's Frozen Custard! There are some fantastic shows this Fall also. More about those later.

Silver Dollar City

Mulberry Mill, Grand Village

 

Where to eat? So many wonderful choices!

 

                       Where to Eat!

Reeds Spring Pizza Co.

 

My family is always hungry, and we have lots of wonderful choices when dining out. Like Reeds Spring Pizza Co.( downtown Reeds Spring). I have said before with so many great combinations we can try a different pizza each week! Not to mention their Wednesday night "Noodle Bar", you get to choose the pasta ,sauce etc., and the calzones, yum ! I know if you are visiting the Tri  Lakes area you may be afraid to venture of the beaten path, don't be! You do not want to miss these great options. Locals and visitors love Danna's BBQ & Burgers (963 Hwy. 165 Branson, & 15 Hope Way Branson West) My favorites are the BBQ Nachos, and the Stuffed Baked Potato, piled with tender pulled pork, baked beans, and slaw, so yummy! If you can handle it, try the Garbage Burger! It's all so good!

Danna's BBQ &  Burger Shop                                               



Billy Gail's Café                                                                                         
Our 13yr. old  LOVES breakfast at Billy Gail's Café! The food is delicious and large. Whether you choose blueberry or chocolate chip pancakes,  French toast with peanut butter, hash browns, or amazing biscuits, you won't leave hungry.

A place you should visit, Sandstone Gardens!

Sandstone Garden's

 What a fun day trip from Branson, Sandstone Garden's just west of Joplin, Missouri. About 50,000 sq. ft. of shopping delight! Sandstone Garden's has beautiful décor for both inside and outside. Cast-stone for your home or garden, art, furniture, textiles, dinnerware, seasonal décor, just more lovely things than you can imagine. When you feel like you need a break, and a bite to eat, they have a wonderful Bistro. The Bistro serves lunch daily, and has delicious homemade entrees and desserts. (417)206-6305 info@sandstonegardens.com

Branson's Calling: Jim Stafford is BACK!

Branson's Calling: Jim Stafford is BACK!: Jim Stafford is Backkkkk! Happy to say the very funny, very talented Jim Stafford is back in Branson this year. Many of you know his hits...

Jim Stafford is BACK!

Jim Stafford is Backkkkk!

Happy to say the very funny, very talented Jim Stafford is back in Branson this year. Many of you know his hits, Spiders & Snakes, Cow Patti, and My Girl Bill. His incredible guitar playing will amaze you! This season Jim has added Rick McEwen on the bass, and the Anderson Brothers on banjo and guitar, making this a great show for all ages! Jim Stafford is an amazing singer , songwriter, and comic genius. We enjoyed every minute of his show. He was very generous with his time after the show, meeting and greeting all! I would be remiss if I didn't tell you about Andy's Frozen Custard that happens to be just across the street from the Jim Stafford Theatre . There are too many wonderfully delicious ice cream treats to name, BUT, I will say, it is Key Lime Pie and Peach concrete season! Such a great idea after the show!

Table Rock , hurry it's August!

Rocklane Resort & Parrots Pavilion Tiki Bar

Showboat Branson Belle

Branson Ride The Ducks

Hurry, It's August

It is the same each year, we are happily paddling our kayaks around the lake,  and then it happens, August. My sister and bother-in-law begin meetings, practices, and trips to the teacher supply stores. My sister teaches choir, my bother-in-law a band director. Yes, back to school is lurking! (Seventh grade at our house this year). Trying to squeeze every ounce of time at the lake possible, we rented a tritoon boat from Cricket Creek Marina this weekend, and oh how fun it was to ride! Table Rock is such a beautiful, and diverse lake. Table Rock Lake has a shoreline of 745 miles. Just think of all the exploring to be done if you are a " perimeter putter" like me! Cricket Creek provides a towable tube with your boat rental, who knew!  We of course spent hours dragging our child around the lake. So much to see, so little time. Rock Lane Marina/Resort has the Parrots Pavilion Tiki Bar, a fun pit-stop on the lake, and a great place to grab a snack or drink. Big Cedar Lodge also has courtesy slips/parking for boaters. They offer shuttle services to their restaurants and you can sit inside or out at the Buzzard Bar and enjoy great food and drinks ( the Bass Bait is a local favorite)! You can take a lake cruise on the Showboat Branson Belle (417-334-7263) ,or Ride the Ducks (417-266-7600)  Don't forget the Branson Summer Cruise Car Show is August 6-8(http://www.supersummercruise.com) See you there....or cruising

Table Rock.

Tritoon from Cricket Creek Marina

Branson's Super Summer Cruise

It's almost August and I must say seeing school supplies on the shelves makes me a bit sad. Summer goes by faster each year. The annual Shepherd of the Hills Summer Cruise is anxiously awaited at our house every summer (our youngest is thirteen). All ages love this car show and cruise. Cool cars from all eras will be seen in Branson for several days. The festivities will include a midnight cruise, awards and live entertainment. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 8am-5pm the Vehicle Show & Shine at The Shepherd of The Hills. You can register your car by mail or online. Multiple vehicles can be added to each registration when applying online. If you love cars you don't want to miss this week-end. For more information : http//www.supersummercruise.com

  Super Summer Car Show & Cruise

     August 6, 7 & 8                                                                                   

And then there's the garden...

Clemson Spineless Okra 

And then there's the garden...

 

 

Anaheim, Poplano, Serrano & Jalapeno

   Last year here in the Ozarks we were in a drought, praying for rain. Not so this summer! We experienced a cool spring , followed by heavy rain, humidity, and heat. Our tomatoes didn't like this. Rapid growth has caused lots of splitting. Having said that, were feel fortunate to have plenty to share and enjoy. The squirrels, groundhogs and deer are definitely enjoying the fruits of our labor ! My husband grows yummy watermelon usually, but after 4 attempts he had to accept defeat this year. His watermelon patch is on part of our low-lying land, and it has been under  water 4 times! Sad! Along with many varieties  of tomatoes, peppers (hot and sweet),okra, purple hull peas, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumbers, eggplant and beans, we grow many herbs that I enjoy cooking with. Pesto made with just picked basil, is such a treat. I use thyme, rosemary, and parsley in so many recipes, and fresh dill brightens potato and pasta salads. As I have  said before , my family loves pasta, so basil and oregano require more

Bells

Herb Planter with parsley & basil (curious fawn)

than one plant. Not only does my husband have a green thumb, but he is pretty good with a hammer. The herb planter he built for our back patio makes it so convenient when cooking, to go cut whatever I need. As you can see in the picture, we have some pretty cute visitors! We do freeze many vegetables, but I also take advantage of the garden and make large batches of chili and spaghetti sauce to have in the freezer for busy days. Roasting many varieties of peppers (poblano, Anaheim, serrano, jalapeno) give them such great depth of flavor, really adds to my chili and sauces. See, it's not just about the fruit pies and cobbler at our house! Enjoy your veggies!



Chili & Spaghetti Sauce

Branson's Calling: Downtown, everythings waiting for you!

Branson's Calling: Downtown, everythings waiting for you!: Farmhouse Restaurant Downtown, every things waiting for you!  Downtown Branson is charming by anyone's standards. You could spend...

Downtown, everythings waiting for you!

Farmhouse Restaurant

Downtown, every things waiting for you! 

Downtown Branson is charming by anyone's standards. You could spend days wondering around, and still miss something. There are some lovely antique shops on Main Street. My family can spend hours in Dick's 5&10!(103W Main St.) I have not seen a busier store, except maybe black Friday. It is truly amazing what we can find there. It has saved us many times when doing school projects. It is like going back in time, returning to your childhood. Love it! Another,

great downtown store is The Flagstore, any kind of flag imaginable. If you are feeling a bit tired, needing some fuel. How about some blackberry cobbler, or an apple dumpling from Farm House Restaurant(119W.Main St.)Moving along, I love Aromatique potpourri.(made in Heber Springs Ar.)How thrilled I was when they opened an outlet in downtown Branson. Yay, 50% off, Aromatique! Fabulous scents I love. "The Lodge" is a new favorite for the powder room. "Valencia Orange" in my cool blue and orange kitchen, "Grapefruit Fandango" in the living room.I love their products.Funny thing, I have this passion for pickles. Who knew Aromatique sold pickles! Yes, "Picky People's Pickles", also made in Heber Springs Ar.,so good. Leave it to me to find something wonderful to eat in a potpourri store!



Dick's 5&10

Aromatique

Dick's 5&10