Chatbug Karen

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!

Mom and I are always on the look out for new quilt shops. This was the plan when we found ourselves in Warsaw, Indiana. Warsaw is located in Northern Indiana along the historic Lincoln Highway. We found a nice quilt shop, Lowery’s, where we shopped til we dropped. I should say we shopped until we needed a snack. Our trips usually involve Dairy Queen or a search for Macadamian nut cookies. After our visit to the quilt shop, we decided to turn left and see where the road would take us. After traveling through an industrial part of town, we came to a fork in the road and turned right. We were pleasantly surprised to find a lovely reclaimed area. The shops had been restored to be quaint and inviting. We found the nicest little bakery where we bought lemon bars and coffee.

The sitting area of the bakery was so inviting that we settled into leather sofas and read the paper. I visited the restroom and was so intrigued with the decor that I took a picture! I am an odd duck, I admit it. Vessel sinks are awesome! I am always amazed when businesses decorate a bit above the par.

I looked up the history of this village and discovered that all the buildings had been moved as a way to save them and keep their historical value. I am so glad that someone made the effort. We sure enjoyed our visit.

When we were driving through St. Louis a few weeks ago, I saw a sign for the Laumeier Sculpture Park. I was curious to find out about this park and now I cannot wait to go back to St. Louis to visit.

Because of the generosity of Mrs. Henry Laumeier and the cooperation of many of St. Louis’ leaders and generous corporations, the Laumeier has developed into what it is today – an internationally-recognized open-air museum. The ninety-six acre outdoor museum is designed to encourage creative thinking through exhibitions, educational programs and contemporary art.

Take a look at just a few of the park’s past exhibits.

Tony Tasset-All Things Must Pass

The park is located at 12580 Rott Rd, St Louis, MO. The park sponsors many events like the Music + Movies series. Music + Movies pairs performances from local musicians with popular movies. The music begins at 7:30 p.m. at the Laumeier Outdoor Music Amphitheatre, followed by the night’s featured movie at 8:30 p.m. You are going to love the price: FREE! There is also free parking available next to the park.

I am all packed and ready to head out in the morning. I am going to Paducah for a big quilt show. I know what you are thinking. I went to the Chicago quilt show last Saturday. Hey, I cannot help that they scheduled the biggest, baddest quilt shows back to back.

So, I shall see you on Monday. I’ll let you know if I find any great buys on hair loss products, beanie babies and hula hoops. Seriously, I will see you on Monday with a lot of fun stories to tell.

That is our local forecast for the next few days. I am not complaining. I don’t have to go out in it. It does cause me to be a bit stir crazy. I think I am having what is called “cabin fever”. You know, that claustrophobic feeling you get when you have looked at the same walls day in and day out. The inauguration helped break up the monotony a bit but now we are back to the same reruns on tv and it is getting to me. Do you have the symptoms of restlessness, irritability, forgetfulness, laughter, and excessive sleeping? I have an idea.

Let’s check out the Hilton Branson Escape Package available in Branson, Missouri. Both the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing and the HIlton Branson Convention Center Hotel are offering a relaxing retreat that will make this weather so much more inviting.

Start out your day with a scrumpious breakfast and then head over to the spa for a few hours or pampering. Then you can visit the many retail stores available and decide on which theater you want to visit that afternoon. There is so much to do in Branson. You will never run out of different restaurants to try! After dinner be sure to check out the town square where you can watch light and fire as they are displayed with the help of a fantastic water dance choreographed to music. Take a moonlit stroll along the beautiful river walk and then crawl into your comfy bed in your hotel room feeling refreshed and renewed.

That sounds so much better than watching reruns and doing laundry.

One of the nicest vacations I had was when I visited Branson, Missouri. Branson is the live music show capital of the world. When I was there, I saw the Osmonds, Andy Williams and Yakov Smirnoff. Here is a picture of Andy Williams singing to my mother in-law. I thought she would never wash her hand! LOL

They were great shows. I loved the small theater feeling. The theaters weren’t actually small but they were able to give the feeling that the performers were singing directly to me! Branson is so easy to get around so there isn’t the congested feeling you get in some touristy places.

The best way to have a great time in Branson is to park your belongings at a wonderful hotel like the Hilton Promenade at Branson Landing. Their Winter Escape Package will help you get through the dreary winter months. They will treat you so much like royalty that you won’t even care what the weather is doing back home. Their Annual Ice Carving festival is something to see and who knows, you might decide to participate in the 2009 Polar Plunge! This yearly event raises money for children and adults with mental disabilities.

The Hilton Branson Convention Center Hotel is near everything you want to see. I especially enjoyed checking out the outlet mall shops. I stocked up on shorts and drooled over those “name brand purses”. You will love the delicious food at the restaurants in Branson. Branson has something for everyone.

I love having company! My husband’s aunt and her two daughters came to visit last week. Their visit spurred hubby and me into a cleaning frenzy. I knew that they would be spending the night at our home so that meant some deep cleaning. I cleaned my sewing room and organized things so you could walk without dodging piles of fabric. It feels good to have things put away. I even dusted my book shelves and office furniture here in my office. You can see the top of my desk! Now, if it would all stay clean and organized, that would be great.

I have a beautiful picture that I use for my laptop wallpaper. It makes me smile when I boot up my computer each day. When our daughter was stationed in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, we took a road trip to visit her. Elizabeth City is near the Outer Banks. The Outer Banks of North Carolina are a dynamic chain of barrier islands that sweep way out into the Atlantic Ocean. The islands include Duck, Southern Shores, Kitty Hawk, and Kill Devil Hills, (where my picture was taken), Nags Head, Roanoke Island, Hatteras Island and Dare Mainland.

We visited the Hatteras and Bodie Lighthouses and shopped in the many little shops along the way. We ate ice cream at the outdoor stands and tasted fish at local eateries. It was a wonderful trip.