Weekend in Branson, MO

I made a trip back home to Missouri this past weekend.

My sister, niece, her baby, and I went to see the beautiful lights at Silver Dollar City.  I love the barn of decorated Christmas trees... they are so gorgeous!  I put up a cardinal tree every year in my home.  It's not near as big and beautiful as this one though, ha..

It was such a clear but chilly night.  You can only imagine how the 6.5 million lights shone so brightly.  I was in awe just as much as kids.

Even though there were lots of people there, it sure didn't seem like it at times.  It was almost as if we had the place to ourselves... which added to the magic of the night.

My favorite part of the City, now that I'm older, is the shops.  I did love the rides more as a kid but I have definitely outgrown that, lol!  So it was nice to just take our time, take in the beauty of the lights and check out the shops.  Isn't this macrame just the cutest?!

You just have to keep with tradition when you go to the City... funnel cake!  My sister and I shared the sampler.  Oh MY!  Three adorable little cakes... pecan w/ maple icing (my favorite!), chocolate cake with marshmallow creme, coconut, & chocolate chips, and then oreo crushed cookies w/cream cheese icing.  All of it was so good that we made ourselves sick on it 😬

The next day, I went to Branson Market Days... a handmade and vintage show with a different sister and nieces.  We had such a great time!

They didn't want their picture made with Santa, but I made them, hehe!  How could you not with that awesome old farm truck, come on now!?  Santa was a little on the skinny side but it was a great way for us to get a group photo.

With every trip back home, it makes me miss it more and more.  😢 Thankfully, it's only about 3 hours away.  I'm going back again this weekend, as my parents always have their Thanksgiving celebration on Saturday.  Thanksgiving Day will be spent with my husband's family and our kids.

Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by those you hold dear to your heart 💛 ~

First Snow

We had our first fire of the season to go along with the first snow of the season today.

Even though the weatherman said we would get anywhere from a dusting to 5", it was still a nice surprise to wake up to a blanket of white... you just never know with our crazy Oklahoma weather. But by the time I decided to take pictures, it was already starting to melt. This is looking out the front door.

I love having the blinds open and the doors open to watch it snow and rain. It was coming down so softly and so pretty today. I saw leaves fall from the trees the same time that snow was falling! It was nice... none of us had to work or leave the house at all today. That's one good thing about homeschooling. 😉

Sweet Rich fixed breakfast for us since he was off today. Then he made a big crockpot of chili so it was nice for me to have a day off from cooking! Then this view is out the garage door, looking into the back yard. With the leaves falling, we can see more of the pond now.

When the latest iPhone update added the screen time feature, I was appalled at the amount of time I spent on my phone. Holy moly! So I've been making a conscious effort to reduce my screen time. I was pretty proud of myself for the weekly update that showed my screen time for the last week.

But still... almost 5 hours a day?? Ugh! Why have we become so dependent on our phones?

My new motto.... less technology and more relationship, more intent, more living, more purpose, more joy.