Branson Vacation Part 1

WORLD'S LARGEST TOY MUSEUM

This year was quite the vacation needless to say. However, I hope to share some of the highlights of our trip. This year Dad, Aunt Wanda, Patsy (Dad's daykeeper) and myself went to Branson. Dad was real excited to show Patsy a good time. It appears that she had never been on a "real" vacation. I took turns in taking Aunt Wanda and Patsy around the sites. Someone had to stay with Dad when he wasn't able to go running around.

One of the places that Patsy and I went was the world's largest toy museum! The museum had 20,000 toys. They were stuffed everywhere. You could spends two or more hours in that place and not see it all.

It was such a fascinating place to see all of those toys past and present. Of course, I especially liked the antique toys. I saw toys that I had never seen before. The old transportation toys were fabulous!

Some of the old, old toys really caught my attention. There were just some many so see and ooh and ahh over. The momma turtle and baby was a favorite. As well as, the little donkey. How can you not smile over these two?

A really usual toy was the pop-up "Our Gang". Boy did it bring back the memories of the TV show of these cute little characters. They also had toy scenes on display. They even had a complete display of the stages of Christmas Scrooge.

Naturally I couldn't pass up this section on Steve McQueen just for Danell!

If you ever go to Branson, Missouri, you need to go by and see this great toy museum.

Auntie Phiss

Amy's Gang

Ready or not here we come....and they are off to find the Garden Critters.

Here is the gang starting out on the hunt! Rebecca "Becca", Hannah, Joshua, and Jael.

WOW! What fun I had with Amy's grand gang. They are the cutest and sweetest kids. Amy, you should be proud of your four little munchins. I am! I don't get to see them every week; therefore, when I do it is a treat.

We played my "Garden Critters" game and it was just to cute to see the kids running around looking for Auntie Phiss' critters. They were so good in letting me take pictures. Listening to them say I found it! Pose, repose, smile, snap all in the backyard. What a crew of fun. There was horn blowing and running around in the backyard. The neighborhood was bound to know we were all there!

HANNAH

Hannah is the oldest and such a precious girl. Not only is she pretty, but she is so sweet. The white dress just highlighted her beautiful skin and smiles. She is just like her mother! Don't believe me? Just look at the picture of her with pen and paper! I know, I got to have fun with her while she grew up! Lucky, lucky me! Above are some pictures you will enjoy of my sweet Hannah girl.

JOSHUA

Joshua is a boy of all sorts! He is absolutely hilarious. He likes to cut up and play. He is a star for sure. His silly grins and comical "boy" actions were just too funny! Playing with the doggie door? Yep, that is what he is doing in the picture! He took after Amy's side of the family with the blond hair "Wright" look. I can just see him now in the classroom...favorite of both girls and boys. I am sure that he will give his teacher a run for her money. Bright, sharp and full of fun. Don't worry he will be a favorite of the teacher also. Enjoy the pictures of this fantastic boy.

JAEL

Jael is our darling acrobatic girl. She is my little "pixie" girl. Tiny but a barrel of energy. I use to call Amy my "Smurf". Jael is a real eye catcher. Those brown eyes that are sooooo expressive. She got right into the game and had fun. She was especially cute while she opened her gift bag. The Ohs and Aws were really adorable. She is one that you could just hug all day. Better watch out Jael, Auntie Phiss is going to hug and squeeze you tight!

REBECCA

Jael is our little shy girl. She wasn't sure that she wanted to play this silly game! Mommy had to help her. She has a cousin name Leah and they were born on the same day! What fun. In fact, the Mommies of the girls were best "buds" growing up and have continued to be bosom buddies. You just can't get better than that. Once she got over the strange enviornment, Jael had a good time. If you want to drown in some be beautiful eyes, just look at Jael! What a girl.

FUN WITH THE PRIZES!

The fun really began when the prizes were given. Each one received a bag of "goodies" all their own. The smiles and oohs sounded in the living room. What an incredible treat to see these kids enjoy and giggle over each little gift! It was hard to keep up with the pictures! Once the bag was emptied, the toys and treats had to be tested. The bubbles seemed to be a favorite along with the candy of course. However, it was fun to watch them blow the horns and squiggles (?)

POOR, POOR JACOB!

All of Amy's kids like dogs. One of my favorite incidents was when Hannah decided to "share" one of her prizes with Jacob!

TREASURED TIME!!!!!

As the kids were playing with their toys and then watching "Land Before Time" (they had never seen it!), Dad and Amy shared some time together. He showed her the album of his family. The pictures are priceless.....

Amy, thank for taking the time to bring the kids over and let Grandpa and I have so much fun! It was such a blessing to be with you and the kids....a truly "Treasured Time"!

Until next time....I love you and the kids!

Auntie Phiss

Day Lilies

I think day lilies are beautiful; however, they are not usually a choice flower of mine because they do not bloom all summer and into the fall. I like to have my color last for a long time.

This year I had some day lilies to finally give a good bloom for me. If I remember correctly, I acquired these from a "beautiful" lady at my church by the name of Paralee Gregg. Therefore, these unusual beauties are special.

I have seen orange lilies and reddish color (bronze lilies) on many occasions. But these lemon yellows take front and center stage! These give me a greater respect for this flower. I think I will keep these around for a long, long time.

Enjoy the beauty of the day lily.

Auntie Phiss

Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks

Rocks are a great way to add character to your flower beds. When choosing a rock to display, you need to keep a couple of things in mind. Shape, color, size, and character should be considered. The key is to place the rock so that it can be seen. Don't hide the rock. Give it room, give it air.

Shape

The more odd the shape, the better. Look for ways to place the rock so that it compliments the plant. Try to work the rock around the plant or offset the plant.

Rocks that twist and turn, holes, or sharp points are as eye-catching as a beautiful plant.

It is great to see a plant rise through a hole in a rock.

Color

Rocks come in all colors! Red, purple, pink, blue, green, you name it. They are out there.

Rocks of color can be found along the highways. I was able to get green and purple rocks in New Mexico. It's exciting to spot a rock, pull over, dodge traffic and hold up your treasure for all to see! You should see the back of our car. Rocks are more exciting to find than walking a crowded mall. I guarantee it! (Sounds like Men's Warehouse)

Quartz and pink granite are down in the hill country of Texas. I get my brother to bring me back rocks from his hunting trips. He has brought me real treasures. Colored rocks among green foliage are fabulous for those shaded areas.

Size

Rocks of all sizes can be used. Large rocks are hard to cart around; therefore, pick your spot wisely the first time! Tall rocks look great lined up with the pole of a fence or in the middle of a window. Dan brought me this mammoth rock from the hill country. I don't know how he did it; but he did. It's a real beauty.

Large round rocks are great under the foliage of a bush.
Be sure and cut back the lower limbs so that the rock can be seen.

Character

Look for rocks that talk to you. You may have to break down and buy character rocks. These can be hard to get.

A long white rock that looks like a loaf of bread.

A rock that has a depression created by water.

A rock that has a hidden treasure.

One of my favorites is the turtle rock.

The pattern looks like the shell of a turtle.

When picking out rocks, take your time...better yet, spend some time among the hills, along a freeway (make sure it is legal to take them), or down a dry river bed. It is amazing what you can find. Become a geologist!

Auntie Phiss

Beautiful Pentas

Pentas in clusters make for a stunning display!

Pentas or Egyptian Star is one of my favorite plants. Once established, they do very well in the flower bed or pot. They come in red, bubble gum pink, white, and lavender. The red and bubble gum pink are my favorites. They seem to glow.

The flower is a cluster of small star-shaped flowers. Once it blooms, the plant is rarely without blooms throughout the summer and fall season! As the season continues, the plant just gets larger and larger. It stays a pretty shape as it grows. It does not get tall and gangly like an overgrown teenager.Also it is a big butterfly attraction. Another plus for this plant is that it doesn't seem to get any diseases or have any insect enemies. If you like color and butterflies, get this plant!

Pentas snuggled among potatoe vine create a stunning picture in your flower beds.

Dare you to try it!

Auntie Phiss