Girls' Weekend!

Sarah and I left home early Friday morning to pick up cousins, Susie and Pam in Columbia and then head to Galena.  We stopped at a Steak & Shake for a quick lunch.  

I noticed as we were walking in that Sarah didn't have her purse with her.  I asked how she thought she was going to buy lunch?????  Mom, of course.  

We met up with my mom and sister at the hotel and then headed to the historic downtown area to shop and have dinner.  We had reservations at Vinnie Vanucchi's.  It was good and it was nice to sit down inside where it was warm.

When I had made the reservation, I asked if there were steps and the person told me just a few but that there was a ramp at the side.  The building was 4 stories and the entrance was on the third floor. 

Here is Pam looking up from the main street to the third floor (the sign way, way back there), and my photo doesn't do justice to just how steep the "ramp" was.  She braved the steps, and then we were informed that if we had entered from the back street, there was an elevator!  We used it when we left.

Back at the hotel it was hot tub time.  Sarah hadn't brought a coverup, so borrowed my quilt guild shirt.  Never thought I'd see her wearing something with a sewing machine on it!

We spent most of the next day shopping in the historic district.  It was cold and it SNOWED!  Big beautiful flakes just like in a Hallmark Christmas movie, and it didn't stick to the ground.  

Back at the hotel, we played cards, ate pizza, and told stories.  But those stories will remain with the participants!

It was a really fun time and we enjoyed the drive back with some car sing-a-long to the oldies before listening to the Chief's game.  My mom and sister stopped in to see another aunt and uncle before making an impromptu stop to see the Iowa women's basketball game at Drake.  It was a really good game and went into overtime.  

I spent Monday doing laundry, cleaning, catching up on the bookwork  for the church and the community center and doing piano lessons.

Tuesday dawned to the most beautiful snow.........

After Willow got a nose to tail massage, 

I headed to the sewing room for a NBS day.  Since I still had gold thread on the longarm, I put this quilt my mom had given me on and quilted it and a couple of table runners.

And, it's deer season.  We have people hunting on our farms.  Here is one of the trophies!

Some of the hunters come from Florida.  They bring fresh shrimp up with them, so we are invited to the shrimp boil Thursday evening.  

Sarah has our car in St. Louis.  Hers is here and will be fixed on Friday.  David and I are going to Hermann on Friday (in the farm truck like the true rednecks we are) to stay all night for our 30th Anniversary.  Sarah and Aaron are meeting us there on Saturday.  We are anxious to meet Aaron and give him the third degree.  I'm also hoping to take some family photos is the weather is cooperative.

Sarah will be coming for Thanksgiving week on Sunday afternoon.  She has a new car ordered and should be able to pick it up sometime that week.  

I made the first round of grocery shopping for Thanksgiving week this morning.  Sarah says she is going to help with the cooking.

Well, more piano students arriving soon........

Christi