Weekend Vacation

This last weekend we traveled to Springfield, Illinois to see Abraham Lincoln's Presidential Museum. The museum was very informative and had a lot of good visuals and films that were high tech. They also have a hands on area for children to pretend they are President Lincoln and his family. We really thought this was worth the trip. We also visited Lincoln's home which the National Park Service owns. This is where he lived when he was married and when he won the Presidential election. They were able to replicate many of the items in the home from pictures that were taken at the time. They had a few original items as well. We also went to Lincoln's tomb and took some pictures of the State's Capitol. I collect pictures of capitols. Illinois' capitol is very pretty and ornate.

Short vacations like this are nice getaways. My husband and I enjoy the car rides together, listening to music that we like and talking about things that are on our minds. I like it the most because I don't do the driving!

I think our next short trip should be to Memphis. Blues and jazz music. Check out their BBQ. I better start planning the trip.

Quick Trip

We had Tuesday off from work for Lincoln's Birthday and took a quick trip to St. Louis to see my daughter and family. They took us around the area to some really cute shops that I thought my blog friends would be interested in knowing about - if they are ever in the area or would like to shop online with any of these shops. These shops are in Webster Groves and Kirkwood.

First we went to "The Apple of Your Eye". This store had a lot of cute bags, baby gifts, and knick knacks.

Another store we went to was "The Empty Nest". This store has furniture, dishes, frames, candles and many, many other cute and fun things.

After shopping we went to a wonderful pizza place in Kirkwood called "Deweys". Wonderful salad and specialty pizzas.

Before we got to the pizza place we were stopped for a funeral procession. If you have not heard about it, but Kirkwood had a terrible tragedy in this small town. A man went into a city council meeting and killed two council members, a city worker, and two policemen before turning the gun on himself. The story on CNN is here. The funeral processing was very long. Police officers from around the state had come to give tribute to their fallen comrades. Very moving site.

We had a great time looking through small shops and eating great pizza as well as a fun time visiting with my daughter, SIL and granddaughter!

Happy Valentine's Day

1 Corinthians 13:7

...Love never gives up.

Love cares more for others than for self.

Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Love doesn't strut,

Doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle,

Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

from The Message

Valentine Gift

I saw this cute craft idea on the internet somewhere. Someone's blog or a craft website. I would acknowledge their cute idea if I could just remember where!

You use a small canning jar, combination of different valentine candy, small valentine card, ribbon and a small votive candle. I made five to give to a few special friends.

They were fun to put together and just a lil' something something to give to a friend.

Is anyone else making something to give for Valentine's Day?

One Month Old Tomorrow

Cora's first month. It has gone by fast for Grandma anyway!

Valentine's Day

One more week until Valentine's Day. What do you have planned? What is your favorite V-Day? My husband and I are going to a church Valentine Banquet on the actual day. I'm not sure what is planned exactly, but I'm looking forward to an evening out with friends and no cooking.

I told my husband no candy or flowers this year. In fact, no gifts. (OK, jewelry would still be good!) I just want to spend the day together doing something fun and interesting. We've heard that Lincoln Museum in Springfield Illinois is really a good place to visit. We like visiting President's homes and this would be a day trip for us. We have Monday, February 18th off for President's Day - so maybe we should go learn more about a President!

Doesn't sound real romantic does it -- I'm good with that though -- just spending the whole day together doing something we both like to do is pretty romantic.

Hair Style

I think Kathryn Heigl's hair style is really cute. Wavy and curly. She is a very pretty woman. I tried to copy her hair style tonight by curling my hair with my hot rollers. It is a little poofy right now. I'll see if I can calm it down a little bit and get the cute wave she has. My husband thinks my hair looks more like Loretta Lynn right now! I don't think that was very nice.

It's fun to try new styles. Of course it might help if I had Kathryn's hairstylist to help me!