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

A Very Grand Village

Kringles Christmas Store

Sugar Leaf Bakery

Mulberry Mill

Corkys

Kringles Christmas Store


The Beautiful Grand Village 



Mulberry Mill

Charleston's Books & Gifts

The Branson Tri Lakes area has been experiencing a rather wet period. In some ways I have enjoyed some catch-up time to do errands and such. My youngest child loves the shops at Grand Village. Since he was a toddler, he has enjoyed Charleston's Books & Gifts. Great children's books and gifts, as well as a magical display of Dept. 56 Villages. He has a new favorite store, Back In Time Toys. They are a vintage toy store carrying classic toys and board games. Mulberry Mill is one of my favorite shops ,everyone enjoys the taste testing there. One of my families favorite dip mixes is Cugino's Tomato Lime Salsa ,and my son loves crackers seasoned with the Savory Saltine Seasonings. Mulberry Mill not only has a delicious selection of gourmet foods, but beautiful home décor, clothing and jewelry! Those of you who know me, know of my love for flip flops. I recently purchased my first pair of Corkys flip flops, love them! How wonderful to have an entire Corkys shoe store in the Grand Village! Grand Glitz has women's apparel, shoes, and jewelry. They have hand-made pieces by Mariana (gorgeous designs), and Alegria shoes, and so much more. Let me just say, I am a cookie connoisseur! The best cookies in Branson can be found at Sugar Leaf Bakery, along with lots of wonderful treats! Ask ten people, and you might get ten different favorites from this made from scratch café. Pies, cakes, cookies are the ending. Yummy salads, sandwiches, and soups, make for the perfect lunch stop. When you have had time to catch your breath, head over to Kringles Christmas Shop. It truly feels like Christmas here any day. So many lovely things (trees and décor) to see. Many, many collectables, like Possible Dreams, Fontanini Nativities, Christopher Radko, Mark Roberts, Steinbach, Byer's, and Annalee. Just to name a few! You never know who might drop by, the "Big Man in Red", is often spied shopping here! Oh my, I have only begun to name the delightful shops in this quaint village. Suffice it to say, Grand Village is a must see, and I have much more to share about one of my favorite places in Branson.

Pickles & Pies

Produce Stand

Peaches ,Pickles & Pies

Peach Cobbler

Oh my, we are so happy at our house when the peaches are ready. Our favorite produce stand/farm in Branson West grows fabulous peaches and blackberries

Peach Pie

(and many other fruits and veggies). How many peach and blackberry desserts are too many? Hum...I'll get back to you. Peach cobblers, peach pie, peaches and cream. I enjoy trying new recipes, so the possibilities are endless. I do have a favorite blackberry cobbler recipe this year. It's Brandy's Blackberry Cobbler-Al Recipes. Since I am in the area I stop by another of my favorite shops, Country Barn. Country Barn not only sells handmade crafts that I utilize when decorating, but the most divine pickles and relishes.

Blackberry Cobbler

You MUST

try the Pineapple Sweet Fire Pickles! They do pack some heat! Not much more delicious than  backyard grilled burgers with Sweet Fire Pickles. They have so many yummy pickles, relishes and such. Recently my Mom and I were decorating her porch for summer, we found the cutest primitive bird houses at Country Barn. They came in many different colors and sizes. We also purchased a large wooden American flag there. It was perfect for Mom's porch. Next time you are visiting Branson, check out this great shop. Country Barn Gifts, 3396 Hwy. 265 Branson, Mo, (417-338-2345) If you have time, stop by the produce stand on the south side of West Hwy. 76, Branson West.

The Harlem Globetrotters at Silver Dollar City...then Whitewater

The World Famous Harlem Globetrotters are performing at Silver Dollar City through July 19  (except Wednesdays). We saw them last week and our 13 year old loved the show. Their basketball skills combined with their humorous antics , make for an entertaining experience. After each show the Globetrotters host a meet & greet for autographs and photos. Another must do while it's available is Night Water at White Water. White Water added a new ride in 2014, KaPau Plummet, with two 245-foot slides. Riders are dropped into a 70-degree plunge! Me, I prefer the Aloha River, (yes, the Lazy River) White Water is so much fun for everyone, any age. Night Water at White Water is Friday and Saturdays until 10pm, July 3-August 22



The Summer Wind, and decorating

 Happy colors!

Another wonderful thing about living In the Ozarks, (or vacationing here) is enjoying four distinct seasons. So far this summer has been a bit unusual. It is the fifth wettest July on record here. Having said that, I am enjoying my summer décor more than usual. With all the rain and flooding we have experienced of late, the cool turquoise blues and delicious, vibrant oranges remind me of the water I do enjoy! They are happy, happy colors! My kitchen is a soft dove gray, with white cabinets and subway tile backsplash. I chose this neutral color scheme because I change my kitchen décor/accessories seasonally. I cherish my Lenox British Colonial China. For many years we had a Lenox outlet in Branson, sure miss them! This china pattern says summer to me. It evokes a feeling of being at the lake or beach .Mulberry Mill in the Grand Village Shops,(2800 W. Highway 76 417-336-4300) has wonderful kitchen linens, placemats and the like. The placemats and napkins are by Park Designs, love all the color choices they offer. Park Designs have the most wonderful holiday linens! Another of my favorite gift/décor shops, Boomland Gifts in Ozark, Mo.(1996 W. Elm. Ozark, Mo) also has linens and so much more.

Antique shopping, hunting is a passion of mine and we are blessed to have so many great shops in the area. The large Asian coral and vanilla vase came from Andersons Antiques in Branson(2345 Highway 265 Branson, 417-338-5561.  I love to use clear glass containers to decorate. Not only are they affordable, but there are so many fun things to fill them with. Candies are a favorite choice at our house. These mint stripped candies come in colors for any palette. Orange & white,  yellow and white, green and white, and of course red & white. You can find these in large tubs at Tuesday Morning. My family loves pasta, so this is another great filler for me. Antique shops are also where I find my best framed framed  art .  A  great  resale shop find of mine is this pretty Thomasville dining set. I love old prints! Let me share one of the best, most affordable places I have found for canvas art. Tara's Affordable Art in downtown Hot Springs Arkansas(258 Central Ave, 501-623-7793) You may have to sort through drawers of unframed, unstretched canvas to find the right piece, but it's worth the effort! Whatever the season my majestic Intrada Italian Rooster resides on his perch!  Hope you are having a great summer! Happy hunting!

 

Mickey's A Taste of Chicago , Branson West, and where to buy peaches and tomatoes

Mickey's...

 Those of us who live in the Branson area are fortunate to have many great restaurants to choose from .Mickey's A Taste of Chicago (West Hwy. 76 Branson West 417 272-0259) is a weekly must for my family. There are so many delicious choices on Mickey's menu that I don't know where to start. The Chicago Dog is oh so good with scrumptious relish and peppers, and my husband can not decide between the Philly Cheese Steak, and the quarter pound slider!

Our 13 yr. old does not even try to choose between his favorites, he just orders the hot dog, double cheeseburger slider & w/fries. Yum! Their Gyros, and Lorrie's Italian Beef, are local favorites. So many choices! What's a girl to do? If the food isn't fantastic enough, the décor is downright delightful. A fun collection of 50's memorabilia, a classic diner. Can you tell I love this place? Owned and run by a very nice family. Another local favorite I would like to share with you is a produce stand east of Mickey's on West Hwy. 76 .This family farm has been here many, many years. (The owner is 84!) They sell a variety of fruits and vegetables. The peaches are outstanding. ( they sell several varieties) I have made a peach pie, 2 peach cobblers, and a blackberry cobbler in the last 2 weeks! The blackberries won't be available much longer. Beautiful tomatoes as well! Safe travels, and happy eating!