~silly. fun.~

Family travel = time for silly fun!

~we had to get away: wrap up~

It was rather warm as we traveled around on Saturday, but as we were enjoying a comfortable nights sleep a cold front filtered down to Texas! On Sunday, the temps stayed near the high 40s and low 50s. No matter what time of year, a Texan appreciates a cold front!

After enjoying silly time and a filling breakfast at Ihop, we decided to visit Scottsville, Texas. Virgil had read about an old cemetary there with lots of statues. Though the weather was crisp, it was still lovely to be outdoors and the cemetary was beautiful!

After the cemetary, we made a quick stop at Caddo Lake State Park. Most of the trees were verdently spring green. However, the cypress had yet to bud and the gray spanish moss against the gray bark of the trees and the gray tint of the overcast day lent an eerily surreal atmosphere to parts of the park.

We wrapped up our trip perusing a few antique shops and having lunch {complete with sugar free coconut cream pie} at Kitt's Kornbread Sandwich and Pie Bar .

Now...where we goin' next?

~we had to get away: part 2~

Part 1




After a day of driving around East Texas, our eyes feasting on luscious pines, and taking a boat tour of a bayou, we booked a ride on the GHOST TRAIN!


The Ghost Train departs at 9:00 p.m. and winds through the woods alongside the bayou. The conductor tells *true* ghost stories and, ahem... on our trip, BIGFOOT was spotted.


Wait, no...that's just Stephen!

{Of course, I needed a picture of all of us together on the train.}

~we had to get away: part 1~

Spring fever settled in on our household heavy last week and we knew we had to GET AWAY! Saturday morning found us up early and driving east to the land of pines. Three and a half hours later we found ourselves in Jefferson, TX. Jefferson is a fun little town full of antique shops, fun eateries and tons of steamboat history. We decided to take part in a boat tour of Big Cypress Bayou.

This gnarly, old tree is one of the first sights we enjoyed as our tour began.

Cypress trees have really unusual root structures.

We saw TONS of snapping turtles. These two were sunning themselves as we floated by.

A lovely view down the bayou (which I pronounce BY- YOU; but the locals pronouce BY-O)

Our tour guide shared local stories and historic tales.

My honey and me!

Love the light playing on the water.

more on our getaway to come...

~arbuckle wilderness - march 19, 2011 - in pictures~

~my last minute St. Patrick's day *gifts*~

My friend, Jenny, inspired me when she signed a recent card, "Hugs & No pinches!"

I found this video on youtube for crocheting little four leaf clovers. I hot glued a pin on the back, and printed up these cards that say, "Wishing you luck & no pinches." Next, I punched two little holes in the card to run the pin through.

Can't wait to give them out tomorrow! ;D

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

~mo mo maker~

Sunday evening we made mo mo together. Virgil made the sauce, Stephen prepared the mo mo, and me? I just had to make the rice! WOOT!

~peek-a-boo spring~

Peek-a-boo Spring. I see you....

~part of me~

Back when my dear son was this little guy, he had some awesome sayings.

{a unicorn was a hornicorn}

{a skunk was a stunk} - how great is that one? :D

But, one of my favorites was >>

Mimicking his Dad or me saying "pardon me" after a little gastrointestinal eruption, if he burped or tooted, he would triumphantly announce, "PART OF ME!" {as if a little piece of him was getting away!}

Why do I have the sudden urge to take folic acid and buy an ovulation kit?