What's up Wednesday?!?

 

October is almost over - what on earth?

Colder weather is here in Missouri - time to keep warm!  Oh and this year is FLYING!

~*~

1) What we're eating this week:
Sun - taco bar

Mon - chicken wontons

Tues - leftovers

Wed - 

Thurs - 

Fri - out/bring food in

Sat - chili

2) What I'm reminiscing about:

our trip to Dogwood Canyon - it was so pretty!

3)  What I'm loving:

I had a socially distanced girls night bonfire on Friday and it was just what my heart needed.

4)  What we've been up to:

Keith walked for his masters

We hiked Dogwood Canyon

We helped my Dad fence out his new property

5)  What I'm dreading:

In a way, the holidays.  Its been recommended that families don't celebrate together so we may be doing it just the 2 of us.

6)  What I'm working on:

I've gotten further in my 2019 scrapbook.

I finished the 2nd guest room.

7)  What I'm excited about:

Halloween - that's about it for now

8) What I'm watching/reading:

I started Emily in Paris - I'm hooked!  I've also started Hallmark Christmas movies.  Those are addicting too!

9) What I'm listening to:

Bobby Bones in the AM - really only time I'm in the car

10) What I'm wearing:

I switched my clothes from summer to winter already so got a new pile of schtuff to go through to see what I'm keeping and getting rid of.  So right now anything warm!

11) What I'm doing this weekend:

Halloween at my sister's as of now otherwise nothing - and I'm ok with that!

12)  What I'm looking forward to next month:

13) What else is new?

Nothing...and I'm honestly tired of that.

2020 is not our new norm.

At least I hope not.

What's new with you?

Dogwood Canyon & a masters graduation

 2 weekends ago we finally got away for a little bit.

It felt AMAZING!

I had my moments of "should we be here" and "keep your mask on and stay away" and "is this ok" but all was good in the end.

We drove to Springfield on Friday, stopping for lunch at Ebbet's Field, which Keith was introduced to the last time he was down there.  It's the perfect place to watch a game at and the food was good bar food.  Springfield has an amazing scrapbook store so we stopped there and I got some new goodies before heading down to Branson.  We had to hit up the Coleman Outlet, and few other outlets that Keith has better luck at than the ones up here.  However our main goal for trekking there was dinner with my cousins at the family condo.  It was a good time!

We then trekked back up to Springfield for our home away from home.  I kid you not, we wiped the heck out of that hotel room before touching anything and I lysol-ed everything before sitting on it.  I felt okay in the hotel but you just never know.

On Saturday we decided to hike in the Ozarks at Dogwood Canyon.

It was beyond gorgeous!

Dogwood Canyon is part of the Johnny Morris/Bass Pro/Big Cedar portfolio.  It has been on my bucket list forever and when our original plans folded (homecoming was canceled) I jumped on the opportunity.  Its about 45 min south of Springfield and its a piece of God's wonder.  You have the option of walking, biking or taking a tram - we suggest anything but the tram unless you can't manage a walk.  I only say that because the tram doesn't allow you off at all the 25 stops to explore.  They drive by, give you a history (that you get yourself on the walk from the map) then continue on.  It was a 3.5 mile walk through the park then you loop around and walk it back.  We walked up the ridges on other paths on our way back and had a great few hours exploring:

 

 

Once back in Springfield, we relaxed for a bit before meeting up with my parents who came down and Keith's coworker & family for a private graduation dinner at Springfield Brewing Company.  We had booked this room back before this all hit so it was nice to be able to be away from others.  It was a good celebration:

Sunday was the big day - graduation!!  This was rescheduled from May and it was socially distanced and just the right size.  Every other row was occupied and six seats in between each group of people.  We had masks on the entire time and honestly I think all graduation ceremonies should be like this one.  

It was pouring afterwards so we began our trek home, grabbed lunch in Lebanon, then finally made it back to St. Louis.

We needed the time away.

The graduates needed this time to celebrate.

It was a great weekend!

Five...er Four on Friday!

 

Hello weekend!!

I've got some posts to do but I've not had time to be on my CPU this week so I'm planning on next week.  But for now:

1) The Presidential Debate

I watched last's night debate. I already know who I'm voting for, it didn't change my mind, so that's not why I watched.  I don't care who you vote for either, just vote!  That's one thing I HATE about politics.  Some people say they can't be friends with people who think the other way but whose to say their thinking is the correct way?  I'll be there bright and early Nov 3, mask on, and voting.  I hope you do too - and we will still be friends! ;)

2) Bonfire weather

We are having a socially distanced girls night at my house tonight.

I'm planning on a bonfire with s'mores.

I hope the weather cooperates.

It won't be our entire group like usual but just a few.

Fingers crossed for no rain and that I can get one started!

3) Birthday month

I celebrated my birthday a few weeks ago at the beginning of the month.  This weekend I'm going to try to use more of my goodies that I was sent.  I've used a few but its always fun to treat yourself!

4) We got boo'd!

We found this on our porch the other night and it was fun to find.  I plan on passing the boo on, just haven't yet.  There's chocolate at the bottom and a candle, such fun in times like this!

That's all I got for this week.

Have any weekend plans?  Girls night tonight, then nothing the rest of the weekend.  I'm okay with that as I've been scrapbooking more - its been great!

Have an amazing weekend - cheer!

39 while 39 bucket list

Another year, another bucket list.

Let's see what fun we can have!

~*~

1) Go to a balloon glow

2) Take a cooking class

3) Build a new wine rack for the kitchen

4) Re-do one of the bathrooms

5) Replace the deck

6) Put up bird feeders/hummingbird feeder

7) Visit Johnson Shut Ins

8) Paint my kitchen cabinets

10) Take a road trip somewhere

11) See the Blues play in a new city (if there is no Covid and there is a season)

12) Throw a surprise party

13) Watch Keith walk across the stage for his masters degree

14) Go on a vacation

15) Finish my 2019 scrapbook

16) Start/finish 2020 scrapbook

17) Weekend away to bike new trails

18) Hike Pickle Springs

19) Trip to Lake of the Ozarks

20) Go bowling

21) Lose another 5 lbs

22) Trek around Dogwood Canyon

23) Have a social distanced bonfire

24) Get professional pictures done for our 10 year anniversary

25) Make a outside welcome sign

26) Participate in the American Lung Association Fight for Air Climb

27) Do a double under!

28) Make new workout shirt(s)

29) Make a trip to Eckerts - completed Oct 2020

30) Landscape the backyard once deck is done

31) Celebrate Keith's 40th birthday

32) Play golf at Top Golf

33) Visit a new to us winery

34) Buy a tent for us to camp

35) Print the twins 2 year Shutterfly book (just waiting on my sister)

36) Hire a cleaning person for 1x a month

37) Career change?

38) Something personal ;)

39) Do something memorable to ring in my 40th

~*~

1/39 = 0.02%

Gotta get working!

September book review!

 

5 books for September.

I loved some, I liked some, I was just ok with some.

~*~

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads says:

A princess is sent away to safety during World War II, where she falls in love and is lost forever.  All she wants is to be "normal." Secrets are revealed and long lost people come to light.

I say:

Another book I really enjoyed by DS.  I know not a lot of people like to read her but if you're looking, give her a 2nd chance.

~*~

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads says:

Eileen is sick of being 79.

Leena's tired of life in her 20s.

Maybe its time they swapped places...

Leena is ordered to take a two month sabbatical and Eileen is looking for a 2nd chance at love.  Neither want to do it in the town they currently reside so they decide to swap and explore the other.

I say:

This was a good book.  It was interesting, and I feel like I read it before, or it was a movie, but I can't remember.  I think a swap would be somewhat fun, depending on location.

~*~

⭐⭐

Goodreads says:

Mary Trump, a trained psychologist and Donald's only niece, shines a bright light on the dark history in order to explain how her uncle became the man who now threatens the world's health, economic security and social fabric.  She alone can recount this fascinating saga, not just because of her insider's perspective but also because she is the only Trump willing to tell the truth about one of the world's most powerful and dysfunctional families.

I say:

I wasn't a fan of the book.  I am not saying that because of my political stance, nor does this indicated who I am voting for.  I read it because people couldn't stop talking about it and it just wasn't my cup of tea.  I feel that it focuses more on her grandpa Fred and her Dad, Freddy Jr. Either way the family is dysfunctional but who's family isn't?

~*~

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads says:

A captivating and heartfelt tale of a couple who have everything except the dream the long for the most.  However, this Christmas, a reunion with someone from the past could gift them a once in a lifetime last chance.

I say:

This was a cute quick read. Eugene & Rosemary are a great couple whose only wish is to expand their family. Unfortunately due to medical reasons, they will not be able to naturally. This doesn't stop them from living and moving on with their lives. Due to her medical issues, the couple is put into touch with Ethel, Eugene's caregiver from the past. Ethel has gone through a lot of hardships in her life and it makes Eugene & Rosemary's hearts happy to help her and her grandbabies out. You'll have to read to find out just how they help. Feel good book that doesn't have to be read at Christmas time. Thank you Netgalley for the advance copy.

~*~

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Goodreads says:

Two best friends jump start their lives in a summer that will change them forever.  Ellen and Unity are best friends who have had their own struggles with life but have come to terms with what they think will be for themselves.  The Friendship List is made to make others think they are just fine.  However Ellen and Unity discover that life is meant to be lived with joy and abandon in a story filled with humor, heartache and regrettable tattoos.

I say:

I couldn't put this book down!  I was cheering for both Ellen and Unity in everything they were branching out to do.

~*~

What are you reading this month?

Let's be friends on Goodreads!

38 while 38 - the final score!

  

My birthday has now come & gone.

Covid put restrictions on a lot of my goals this year but I will be transferring them to my 39 while 39 list.

Its been a great year but here's to this year's goals being even more!

1.  Get a massage - completed Sept 2020

2.  Eat at the Blue Owl Restaurant in Kimmswick - completed Sept 2020

3.  Go to a balloon glow

4.  See the Christmas spectacular at Silver Dollar City - completed Nov 2019

5.  Take a cooking class

6.  Build a new wine rack for the kitchen

7.  Re-do one of the bathrooms

8.  Create a shirt - completed May 2020

9.  Put up a hummingbird feeder and/or bird feeders

10.  Make something crafty - completed June 2020

11.  Visit Johnson Shut Ins

12.  Tour the Daniel Boone home by candlelight - completed Dec 2019

13.  Get a membership to something - completed Jan 2020

14.  Go to Fast Eddie's
15.  Paint my kitchen cabinets
16.  Take a spontaneous road trip somewhere
17. Take a trip with my siblings - completed Jan 2020

18. Visit the Hoover Dam - completed Jan 2020

19. See the Blues play in a new city
20. Throw a surprise party
21. Celebrate our 9th wedding anniversary somewhere - completed July 2020

22. Take a trip to Disneyland or Universal Studios
23. Finish my 2018 scrapbook - finished April 2020
24. Finish my 2019 scrapbook
25. Get back into education in some way shape or form
26. Bike to a winery - completed May 2020

27. Visit Rocky Falls
28. Take a trip to Lake of the Ozarks
29. Run a 5k - completed Nov 2019
30. Replace bed in guest bedroom - completed Oct 2020

31.  Road trip to a new amusement park
32. Purchase an item from Simply Southern - completed Oct 2019

33. Go bowling
34. Host a family movie or game night
35. Replace our microwave - completed Sept 2020
36. Lose 5-10 more lbs - continuously completed
37. Explore the Blues exhibit at the History Museum - completed Nov 2019

38. Add another charm to my Pandora bracelet or get a new necklace

1//38 = 53%

To be on the positive side, I completed a lot.

Covid presented me with a lot of road blocks but I'm ready for the challenges!

K&J's Staycation 2020 - pt. 2

Our staycation continued the rest of the week...

The weather couldn't have been more gorgeous so on Wednesday we trekked over to the Great River Road and bike the 30 miles round trip from Alton to Grafton.  Once in Grafton, we hung out at Drifters for lunch before biking back to the car.  It was something we had been wanting to do for awhile and had a lot of fun:

Later that evening we finally finished another project that has been on our list for awhile - our 2nd guestroom needed a new bed and we picked it up from my Dad's and got it set up.  I feel so much better that we got the bed that came with the house out of there.

Thursday was a shenanigans day with the twins.  We hung out and around the house with them.  Sometimes they are just what the dr ordered!

Keith was dying for another breakfast day so I agreed only if we hiked before hand. So on Friday we started our day out at Castlewood State Park hiking the trails

then had brunch at the Shack.  The rest of the day was spent doing more odds n ends around the house.

One of my favorite spots is the Missouri Botanical Garden.  I've always wanted to buy a membership but haven't however on Wed and Sat mornings, if you live in STL County, you get in for free.  While it was a dreary day, it was good to start our Saturday morning there.  I try to go at least once a year and it had been awhile and I forgot just how relaxing it can be:

After that we ran to Ikea (big mistake, nothing we needed was in stock), then the Container Store (don't watch Home Edit on Netflix or you'll find yourself there too and surprise, nothing was in stock there either).

You'd think we would have been done by now but to finish our week out, we were invited to a family wine day at Wild Sun Winery on Sunday..  The sun was shining, the wine was flowing and it was a great end to our staycation:

So while we couldn't go to Disneyland, Universal & San Diego, we made sure we still had a fun week.  No worries, we social distanced, wore our masks, sanitized and kept to ourselves as much as possible unless it was family.

Here's to 2021 - we've already got stuff in the works.  Here's hoping we can travel then!

Happy birthday to me!

 Hip hip hooray - its my birthday today!

I cannot believe that I've arrived to my last year of my 30s.

While I know I'm officially getting old, I've never felt better.

I told myself in 2019 it was time for me.  It was time to take more time for myself, my mind and my body.  My path lead me to my latest obsession, Burn Boot Camp, and that has shown me that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

There's so much I thought I'd accomplish by now and I haven't but also haven't given up on some of my dreams yet.

Here's hoping my 39th year is one of my best yet!

Cheers!

K&J's Staycation 2020 - pt. 1

Being off for 9 days was GLORIOUS!

I can't wait until I get to do it again, haha!

Since we couldn't go anywhere this year, we had a staycation and we made the most of our time the best we could.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday were spent camping with my family.  We had never been to this place and it was heaven.  Each site had a dock and water access, along with live music, play areas, etc.  It was extremely relaxing.

Our campground was close to Elephant Rocks and the city of Caledonia which is known for its antique shopping.  So of course we trekked to both areas on Saturday:

On Sunday, before going home, we found a winery in Potosi we stopped at and it was very cute.  Edg Clif Winery is hidden and its a gem.  Its popular with the locals and we were treated with such kindness and respect.  The wine was great, the atmosphere relaxing and its only an hour from our house so I think we will for sure visit again:

Keith decided he needed to go in at least one day (since he's in charge of tech for virtual at his high school) so Monday I spent the day lounging around and getting random things done.

One of my bucket list items has been to eat a meal at the Blue Owl in Kimmswick.  Every time we go there for a festival we can never get in, its that popular.  I mentioned it to Keith and we decided to eat brunch/lunch there on our way back from running an errand in Festus on Tuesday.  Keith loves breakfast, could eat it for every meal, so we made sure we arrived within the time frame of him getting that and me trying lunch.

This was one of the best grilled cheeses I've ever had.  Sometimes you just need a sandwich like this.  Keith loved his breakfast and was savoring every minute of it.  We never make it to dessert but that is what they are known for so we had a piece of caramel brownie cheesecake...even more yum!  Kimmswick has a lot of cute stores so after lunch we walked a bit and I finally got to go to the store that has Simply Southern, which I've become a fan of the past few years and am trying to get more things from them.

Our staycation has been great so far but its not done yet.

The rest of our adventures will be posted on Thursday.  You won't want to miss out!