Monday, July 18, 2011

Pictures, Pitcher (as in a small Creamer) and a Picture

Wow, what a mouthful huh?

Well last week Thursday we headed to hot humid Arkansas – why you ask did we head South in the midst of this Summer Heat Wave?
Well my husband and his cousins had their annual COUSIN’S REUNION…mainly it’s for the adult cousins but this time the daughter of the one hosting it was home from California and the other cousin’s daughter and family came along too because they rarely get to see each other so it was the perfect time to have them join in.

Martinsen cousins
In order of age…oldest to youngest - Doug, Jim (our host), Alan, RuthAnn, LeAnn, Phyllis
(missing: Kenlyn, Karen, Jeanne)
Cousins 1 
Me and LeeAnn helping in the kitchen
Karen and LeeAnn
This sun room Jim built on recently (by himself) – he actually finished it on Monday and had the tile floor put in the day before the reunion weekend (on Thursday)…he was sweating (and not from the heat) in fear it wouldn’t get finished in time and it looks off into the woods.
Sunroom 
He lives in Bella Vista, Arkansas which leads directly into Bentonville, Arkansas, Walmart headquarters among other companies.
Jim’s community is just gorgeous.
Bella Vista offers lots of wooded common ground, 7 Golf courses, 7 man made lakes, 4 club houses, RV park, a marina, 3 swimming Pools, 2 Putt Putt golf courses, 3 playgrounds, Tennis courts, 2 workout facilities, miles of walking trails, a dog park, and a ball park...ALL FOR THE USE OF POA (Property Owner Association – which are all of $24 per month!) for those living in Bella Vista. We were very impressed. Jims house is at the end of a cul-de-sac and completely surrounded by woods – well the entire community is woods.

After lunch on Saturday we took a site seeing tour with Jim (3 vehicles in all) and our first stop was the Cooper Chapel (we couldn’t stay long because there was a wedding to be held there)
Cooper Chappel 1 
On path to Cooper Chappel
Cooper Chappel 2 
Cooper Chappel 3 

The entire group
Cousins 2011

After that Jim took us to the Crystal Bridge Trail
Now this was supposed to be a block and a half walk along the trail (Now for any of you have been in a Tropical Rain Forrest at the peak of heat, you will know how warm and humid it can get…that’s what it felt there).

Three of us were feeling the heat something awful and it was on the way into the walk. Well what was to be a block and a half turned out to be a MILE AND A HALF - ONE WAY…..in 100 degree heat – in the woods!!!!  And no one thought to bring water along because it was to be JUST A BLOCK AND A HALF….I don’t think Jim is ever going to be able to live this one down – his sister said she’s going to use it against for a long time to come. Jokingly that is….she’s a journalist for a newspaper and write a column like Erma Bombeck did.

But I will say the walk was beautiful – even though every part of me was wet and dripping from my hair as well. But on the way back there was a rest room and Doug brought out some paper towels and part way back there is a spring fed stream and he wet them for the three of us to wipe our faces and arms with and it actually helped…by this time my heart was pounding in my ears and I started to hear humming so I knew I reached my limit so I was thankful for that good cold stream.
At the beginning of the trail there are gardens to enjoy.
At entrance to Crystal Bridges Trail
Crystal Bridges Trail 1
Crystal Bridges Trail 2
Crystal Bridges Trail 3
Crystal Bridges Trail 4

The wonderfully COLD spring fed stream!
Crystal Bridges Trail 5

And the goal was to see the Crystal Bridge Art Center – the photo here is from their website and not the real thing – not sure how they got this to look real because it’s still under construction.
Crystal Bridges 

This is what WE saw
Crystal Bridge center 1 

Then we went to the Ernest Lawrence Plaza so the little ones could play in the dancing waters (along with their grandma LeeAnn)
Ernest Lawrence Plaza 1
Ernest Lawrence Plaza grandchild

They also dragged grammie LeeAnn in with them – don’t think they needed to pull very hard though…100 degree temps basically drew one in.
Ernest Lawrence Plaza LeeAnn and grandchildren
Ernest Lawrence Plaza LeeAnn

Then we stopped in the Original Walmart store
DSC03833 

I know this post is picture heavy so I’ll just show a couple more.
Doug and I arrived on Friday early and that evening those that were there early went out to dinner at the Shrimpman’s Yacht Club – I tried to get a good Sunset picture but I guess I waited too long.
This was the view from our table.
Sunset at Fishermans Yacht Club
Group at dinner 

On our drive home I saw this sweet Ice Cream stand somewhere in IL
Ice Cream

And in Phillipsburg, MO we stopped at Historic Route 66 Antique Mall.
I have not seen an Antique mall filled with sooo many Primitives – not ever like this.
I will post on them later this week and also I want to post about Country Freckles – I still need to do that so I have lots to post about.
http://www.picturetrail.com/rt66antiquemall

I found this wonderful black and white print of George Washington there. It’s 22 x 26 so it’s a generous size and the frame is also very old.  My hope is to put it over the fireplace one day WHEN we get the wood replaced up there.George Washington Picture
And I found this great creamer with attached lid!  Not sure why the color is different on the lower part of the creamer but that didn’t bother me.  It’s 6 inches tall and the maker is Brewster Pewter.
Pewter Pitcher

And to end this looong post, we received two pictures from Dan our son – over the 4th they were in IL to some friends house and he likes to shoot – in a good way.
Dan and Jamie were able to shoot a few and here they are shooting a Barret 50cal., and I guess there’s quite a kick to it from the look on Jamie’s face.

Dan with gun
Jamie with gun

Our other son Darren/MaryAnn have hand guns and go to the shooting range and Dan and Jamie are hoping to buy some as well and join them on weekends.

So that’s it for me for this post. I know it’s long but I had a few photos to share.

Take care and blessings,
Karen

21 comments:

  1. Wow Karen....it looks like you all had a great time! It has been hot, but it looks like ya'll made the best of it!

    Love your George Washington picture too!

    Hugs,
    Tammy

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  2. What a fun adventure you were on....Everyone seemsto me like they had a great time even in the heat....Thanks for sharing your pictures....

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  3. Hi Karen~

    Sounds like you had a wonderful time despite the heat. That chapel is beautiful!! I knew you would find a nice little antique mall somewhere along your route.

    Have a wonderful evening~Becky

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  4. Karen, What a fun trip! Glad you had a good time, even though you probably melted. I've never seen the chapel before, but WOW what a neat place to get married. Can't wait to see what you purchased. We had fun over the weekend - the Wisconsin bunch was here. ~Ann

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  5. What a great time you've had and to top it all off to have shared the time with family. Looks like you all had fun and thoroughly enjoyed yourselves. Thanks for sharing the pic....and, no....there's not ever too many.
    Maa.

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  6. Oops...meant to say all the pics. Maa

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  7. what a great trip and great pictures and memories to keep!
    Love the pic of George there. Very very neat.

    Jennifer

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  8. Ohhh my goodness!!! I would have been exhausted in that heat too.

    That cathedral is gorgeous!!! I can see why someone was getting married there.

    And that sunroom... awesome I would LOVE to have one.

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  9. Wonderful family time together. It doesn't get any better then that.
    Great pictures too.
    Tale Care
    Earlene

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  10. What a fun time. Close families seem to be a dying breed. Glad you were healthy enough to enjoy your trip.

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  11. What great photos!! Looks like a good time was had by all.

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  12. Looks like - and sounds like - a wonderful mini-escape....('Cept, lucky you, you got to come right back to the heat and muggies!! But no worries, this is Wisconsin, and it will pass!!) That chapel is amazing....sorta reminds me of one in the hills of Sedona, Arizona we went to - very different architecturally, but in its uniqueness...And I WANT that George Washington picture!! Oh my HECK!!! LOVE it!!! Have a wonderful week...wishing you cool breezes...Smiles & Hugs ~ Robin

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  13. Karen, I am so glad you had a wonderful trip!! Welcome back to the heat and humidity here! UGH! it's awful isn't it?? OLM

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  14. Hi Karen...glad you enjoyed yourseves with family..
    Lovely photos..It is good to get home, though, eh?
    God Bless

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  15. What a fun trip - in spite of the heat! I love the picture of the original Walmart. I wish they could all look like that!

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  16. Karen:
    So you experienced some of the Missouri and Arkansas heat..It has been a sweltering summer.. My girls (from Georgia and Michigan ) are here this week and it's record heat all week long... but we are gonna make the best of it and be happy to be together. In fact, one daughter just left for Memphis airport to pick up daughter # 2 so we will enjoy a week together.. Your trip sounds delightful . Your family always looks like your enjoy being together... Families are the best...
    btw I sent your books back yesterday in the mail.. thanks so much for the enjoyable read !!!

    Blessings,
    Maurine

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  17. looks like you had so much fun! Cooper Chapel looks amazing, what a perfect place to have a wedding. Glad you all enjoyed each others company & survived the heat...we're actually getting the heat here now. BTW did you get the email that I sent you a couple of weeks ago? Take care!! ~Kriss~

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  18. Wonderful Post, Karen. Looks like you had such a fun time.
    You and Doug find fun everywhere you go. Love all of the pics and can't wait to see more.
    Linda

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  19. Karen ~
    What a beautiful chapel!
    I look forward to hearing more about the antique mall!!!
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  20. great photos, that looks like a beautiful walk! Love that little ice cream stand also!

    Cathy

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  21. Karen,wonderful trip,beautiful family. Looks like you had a grand time!

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So glad you came to visit - feel free to leave a comment.
I will try and answer as many as I can - maybe not immediately but I will get to you!

Karen