Chatbug Karen

Last spring, my mom, my sister and I headed out for our own quilt shop hop. A shop hop is when you hop from one quilt shop to another. Sometimes, the shops plan these hops but this was one we girls planned as a way to check out a few quilt shops in the Cincinnati, Lexington areas.

We were in Burlington, Kentucky and spent some time at a teeny tiny quilt shop that made me feel very claustrophobic. I survived and even purchased a bit of fabric. Maybe that is the intent of the shop owner, make you feel so squeezed in that you feel as if you should buy something to make more room for the poor gal.

While in Burlington, we ate at a fabulous restaurant, Washington Square. We had read about another restaurant, Tousey House Tavern, but they had a waiting list and we were too hungry to wait. Washington Square offered awesome food and the atmosphere was fun. I vowed to bring my husband to this restaurant if ever given the chance.

On our way home from my sister’s house, where we celebrated Thanksgiving, we took a slight detour to Burlington, Kentucky. This wasn’t planned but we weren’t in a hurry so off we went. Do you think I could remember the name of the restaurant that had struck me as fabulous? My brain was like one of those refurbished computers that was missing a few parts! Anyway, we ended up at Tousey House Tavern! The restaurant I had wanted to try! All was good.

I suppose, everyone was home, eating leftovers because we had the place to ourselves. The food was delicious and not expensive. I loved learning a bit about the history of the place.

In 1817, Erastus Tousey purchased the land where the house sits now. The federalist style home was built in 1822. Mr. Tousey and his wife, Catharine, had six children. They built up an extensive estate that included properties in Kentucky, Kansas and Iowa.

The Tousey House has been many things over the years…home; taven and livery; hotel; boarding house; gift shop; consignment shop; and restaurant.

The history of the families who lived in this beautiful house was heartwarming. It is hard to believe that there was a 10 year period when the house sat empty. Thankfully, it was restored and brought back to its former glory.

If you ever have a chance, visit Burlington, Kentucky.

The thing I love most about traveling and visiting family is that I totally relax. I do offer to help cook or whatever else needs to be done to keep everyone fed. I straighten up my stuff so as not to add to the chaos of having so many people in one house. What I do not do is make decisions! I love relaxing and going with the flow. It helps that our family is usually on the same page when it comes to what we are hungry for and when we want to eat. We all like to travel down the road to check out the local shopping and visit with other relatives.

This past trip, we visited an Amish furniture store. My sister purchased a new bedroom suit from this store and I was curious as to what else they offered. I could have spent some serious money had I had any to spare!

Her new furniture is not exactly like this picture I found but it is similar.

We slept on one of those air mattresses that you blow up. It worked great. I had only slept on the old types of mattresses that never held air. I was so glad that this mattress was great to sleep on. It is hard enough sleeping in a strange house with noises I am not used to hearing.

Back to work tomorrow. I see that there are two messages on the answering machine. I am not listening to them until morning.

While visiting Meramec Caverns in Missouri, we were treated to a rare sight. There, in an enclosed case, was a quilt that had once been owned by Abraham Lincoln.

Bridgette Anne Lawson, great-great-grandmother to Roberta Jean Reser Kaczmarek, owner of the Lincoln Quilt. Bridgette was born in 1858, the daughter of Hutson Lawson and his wife whose surname was Win. Bridgette was a second cousin to Abraham Lincoln from her mother’s side of the family. She could remember attending his funeral in Springfield, IL.

The quilt was a memento sent home by Lincoln’s wife.

I can think of many things that are so different than the way they were just 50 years ago. Gone are the days of wringing clothes through the ringer of a washing machine. We use heat irons to seam carpet instead of sewing the seams by hand. Tube Bending is a method used to bend tubes for different uses. As needs arise, tube bending has been adapted for the needs of car builders, plumbing contractors, etc. Quilting has not changed much over the years. Many of the tools we use today make quilting easier but the way we pick out colors and the patterns used are the same as years ago. Many things have changed to make our lives easier. It is nice that some things stay the same.

After visiting with my son and daughter in-law over the weekend, my family and I have hit the road for Branson, Missouri. I have been looking forward to this vacation for a long time!

I have been amazed, as usual, at the change in the terrain in just a few short miles. I forgot that this area is known as the Ozarks. I have seen very few houses and vast amounts of trees. Is it absolutely beautiful. There must be a zoning law that keeps builders from cutting down trees and building housing additions in this area. I am so glad!

This morning, we are heading into downtown Branson. We stayed in a lovely hotel last night but it is situated on top of a hill so we have not really seen all the theaters and shopping sites. My husband is ready to find a good fuente cigars and I am always looking for bargains. I hear there is an outlet mall here. Woo hoo!

There are nine people in our group so I better get down to the lobby and cast my vote for what is happening today. See ya!

It is hard for me to believe that it has been at least three years since we visited the Outer Banks area and saw the Currituck Lighthouse. I have been on a quest to visit lighthouses. There is something intriguing about them. Perhaps it is the assurance they provide to sailors as they journey across vast oceans. For me it is their sense of isolation. They stand alone in areas found inhabitable by most.

As ships found themselves in low and hazardous waters of the Outer Banks, they often struck land before they were aware of it. The coastline is made up of mostly brush and very few trees were found to point out the dangerous banks they were nearing. A lighthouse was needed as badly as the body needs creatine however, it wasn’t until after the Civil War that funds were found to build the Currituck Lighthouse.

Finally, a foundation of stone and timber piling was laid seven feet below ground, and well over a million bricks were used for the 162 foot tower. On December 1, 1875, the last brick lighthouse to be built on the Outer Banks was illuminated for the first time.

While traveling through Ohio and Kentucky last week, we searched for quilt shops. We also searched for eating establishments that were locally owned. We found a wonderful place in Burlington, KY, near Florence, KY. Washington Square Cafe and Catering is one place that I am anxious to return to and share with my husband.

My sister, mom and I had the most wonderful meal that included a “to die for” bread pudding. We needed no Mesothelioma treatment after that filling meal. I had a meatloaf sandwich while mom and Grace each ate the Rueben sandwich. We tried to eat light because a man who was eating bread pudding told us that we absolutely had to have some. We took him at his word and OMG!, was he ever on the mark.

The restaurant is located in the Joseph Graves House, the 1817 building may be the oldest brick structure in Burlington and is one of the few surviving structures built on Union Square. Built facing North on lot 16, it was originally the residence of Joseph Graves (1773 to1836) an early prominent citizen of Boone County, born in Virginia. The Graves family moved to Boone County in 1797. Graves was instrumental in the development of Burlington as the county seat. In 1816, he and several others were appointed to draw plans for the new courthouse. Graves served as Boone County Sheriff from 1820-1822.

Washington Square Café & Catering – c. February 2010

Today Joyce McNeely is living her dream of owning and operating a hometown, family owned restaurant in this historic Burlington Community. Joyce along with her family, Dee & Mike Dragan & children Patrick, Ashley, Drew and Chelsea; Dawn & Brad Denham & son Kye; and mother Sophia Brinegar are proud to serve you at Washington Square Café & Catering.

One of the places we visited this past week was a wonderful antique shop, Wilma’s Linens and Lace. I have never been in a cleaner antique store and I have been in many. Wilma and her staff must dust every old fashioned bottle containing hair loss products for men, each tea cup bearing price tags of $25 and $40 each and other such interesting collectibles.

My sister happened upon a vintage Singer Feather Weight sewing machine after looking for some time. The price was right on this well kept machine. I was so excited for her. Feather Weights at reasonable prices are hard to come by as they are highly collectible. The Singer Featherweight portable sewing machine is a model made by that company between 1933 and 1964.

While running around this past week, finding new quilt shops, shopping and eating at new places, we visited Kentucky’s capital city, Frankfort. Their capitol is a beautiful building as you can see by my picture.

While visiting Wilma’s Linens and Lace, an antique/fabric store, in Frankfort’s historic district, we discovered that the first courthouse in Frankfort was the Old Capitol and was just a few doors down. It was actually the third Capitol of Kentucky and was built in the Greek Revival style by Gideon Shryock. The building served Kentucky as its Capitol from 1830 until 1910. It is now operated as a museum by the Kentucky Historical Society. The Kentucky State Capitol Building in my picture, was begun in 1906.

In 1955, the newer Capitol was renovated at a cost of $2,500,000.00 and rededicated. The wiring, adequate in 1910 but inadequate as government workers relied more and more on electronic office equipment, was ripped out and new facilities were installed. Updates bearing energy auditor certification were needed. Also installed were new plumbing, heating, and – unheard of in the early 1900′s – air conditioning.

Kentucky State University is located in Frankfort. Daniel Boone is buried in Frankfort. He was the first white man who settled in Kentucky.

Frankfort has so much to see that I think I will have to visit again!

We had such a great time while visiting Washington DC. It is hard to believe it has been 4 years ago already! Our son was interning with Senator Evan Bayh. We knew we would have a great tour guide so we packed our Eagle Creek luggage and headed to our nation’s capital.

Greg gave us a tour of the capital. He made it so interesting with all the tidbits he knew about. We got to the capital building through a tunnel that connects it to the building Greg worked in. So cool! We took a tour of the White House Gardens and got up close to the big house itself. The Air Force band was playing while seated on the balcony. I found out that they only allow these tours twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall. We really lucked out. We went to the Bureau of Engraving and saw money being made. We rode the Metro everywhere. What a cool way to get around! We took cabs if Greg wasn’t with us. We were chicken to try the Metro without him. LOL We walked and walked and walked. Sweet memories.

What a week we have had! I am not going to complain because times are tough. Any jobs that come our way are a Godsend. That doesn’t make the work any less trying. It is time for a getaway!

We pondered over what we should do for a short getaway. Vegas vacations, a short cruise or a weekend at a campgrounds. What should we do? Where should we go? Well, we decided it was time to return to Nashville, Tennessee. Hmm, is that how you spell Tennessee? I always have to look that up.

So, tomorrow morning we hit the road for Nashville. I booked our hotel through one of those online sites so I hope it isn’t flea infested or a total dump. We usually have good luck and save so much money booking online. When we stayed in St. Louis two weekends ago, our hotel was only $50 per night. That hotel was beautiful and our room was fabulous.

We are meeting my sister and her husband for a weekend of visiting quilt shops, touring the Hermitage and whatever else tickles our fancy. We are open for any suggestions. See ya’ll next Tuesday!