We're Not In Kansas Anymore

A lighter basement!

2011-12-27T00:26:00.003-06:00

Tree Trimming Party 2011

2011-11-30T23:40:00.000-06:00

Fun Day

2011-11-06T18:28:00.000-06:00

Here I am, in front of the new bridge!

One of the riders was kind enough to give me a trot on her horse.

Funny Cat

2011-11-03T01:49:00.000-05:00

This was shown on

the Ellen DeGeneres show

and I think it's so funny:

Our trip to Charleston, South Carolina

2011-11-03T01:23:00.002-05:00

If you want to view a handful of pictures

of our trip go HERE.

Charleston is a quaint seaport

with beautiful architecture.

We had a spectacular meal

at Halls Chop House

celebrating Bret's birthday.
A family run restaurant
where they were extremely friendly
and attentive and the food
was phenomenal.
While sitting on a bench
in the business and shopping area
we were treated to
free hush puppies from
Hyman's Seafood Restaurant.
They were scrumptious!

The town's aquarium and library

are entirely too small

and not worth walking into.
The aquarium seems only
geared to small children for
very brief visits.
The library collection is uninspiring
and small. I got the distinct feeling
this library catered to a
neglected segment of the population.

Another dismaying feature

is the garbage cans

permanently set out along all the streets,

both residential and commercial.

New York and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Trip

2011-11-03T00:13:00.003-05:00

In September, we drove to Albany, Ithaca and Saratoga Springs in New York and to Philadelphia in Pennsylvania. I finally got the photos posted.
I have provided a link to them so I didn't 'flood' this blog with all the pictures. Remember to go "Older Posts" for more pictures.
If you want to take a look press THIS.

FInal Choices for Basement

2011-10-09T14:09:00.000-05:00

Pool table light:

Over sitting area:

Two of these

one at the foot of the stairs

one in front of my desk:

Fabric for the Roman shades:

Cranberry Fabrics

2011-10-02T00:08:00.001-05:00

Light Options

2011-09-21T23:43:00.002-05:00

Valence Material

2011-09-21T23:41:00.000-05:00

Fireplace Mantle

2011-09-15T22:35:00.000-05:00

We found this at an architectural salvage place:

British Colonial

2011-09-14T00:10:00.002-05:00

Another fabric choice

for the shades in the basement:

Fabrics we are considering for the basement

2011-08-27T19:58:00.002-05:00

These first 2 are the most likely contenders.

This for the valences:

This one for the shades:

Other colours that the fabric comes in.

This is daintier and might be too delicate

for the big leather couch and chair.

Chesapeake Bay Trip

2011-08-27T19:46:00.004-05:00

The coast near the Inn we stayed in.

The first floor of our Inn.

White Swan Inn.

Board Game

2011-08-27T19:27:00.000-05:00

Andrea's father made this board game.

The detail is beautiful.

Take a closer look!

Jana, Evan and Ken

2011-08-14T20:06:00.000-05:00

Needlepoint Pillow

2011-07-21T20:27:00.000-05:00

Bret finally made my needlepoint pillow!

The house is our dollhouse in different colours.

It is sitting on the bench on the top floor.

Here is the back:

Adam's 'lost brothers'?

2011-07-10T20:57:00.001-05:00

Tree Trouble

2011-05-18T20:15:00.000-05:00

Two trees from our neighbor's yard

fell across the horse trail

into the wooded part of our lot.

Mother's Day

2011-05-08T20:19:00.000-05:00

Adam gave me flowers and my favourite chocolates

and then took me to dinner for Mother's Day!

Animal Kingdom won!

2011-05-07T23:35:00.000-05:00

...and so did I!

They're finished!

2011-05-07T23:33:00.000-05:00

Here they are!

2011-04-19T23:28:00.000-05:00

While Bret, Kent and Adam were creating these beautiful stairs

I escaped to Florida to avoid the construction hassle.

Aren't these shoes pretty?

Since I couldn't buy them, I took photos instead.

Where I stayed in Boca Raton

2011-04-19T23:17:00.002-05:00

View from the room

Coral Gables

2011-04-19T23:14:00.002-05:00

Merrie Christmas Park where Marla played as a toddler.

House Candy

Fun mailbox

Where I was created
(the house, not the truck):

House across the street

Street where I was created

First dental office my father worked in.

I think I worked in this building when I was in college. It's on Douglas Street in Coral Gables.

Boca Raton Branch Library and Community Center

2011-04-19T23:03:00.001-05:00

Palm Beach

2011-04-19T23:01:00.001-05:00

Where we stayed in Orlando

2011-04-19T22:58:00.001-05:00

The lobby as a whole didn't impress me but it had some nice spaces, close up. They ran a salt water aquarium video from Sea World on big screens throughout the lobby that was fun to watch.

I stayed in a hospitality suite which was 780 square feet. It made for a very large bedroom.

The bathroom was also nice size.

Here is the balcony from the other bedroom. It's really big.

Views from the balcony

Magic Kingdom and Epcot

2011-04-19T22:49:00.001-05:00

First we went to the Magic Kingdom in Disney World.

First stop: Fantasy Land:

We saw all the parks but they aren't as picturesque. We stayed for the fireworks at the end.

Epcot:

Bicycle Ride 12 March

2011-03-19T18:58:00.001-05:00

My first day out on my new bicycle!

Tree Time

2011-02-25T17:04:00.008-06:00

A big wind kicked up and knocked down our neighbor's tree.
Scott was kind enough to come over to clear our driveway even before I realized there was a tree across it!

We got lots of help from the kids!

The mailbox got bonked and on closer inspection, it seems the hinge broke. Maybe Bret can fix it. I like this mailbox.

After all the hard work, time to exercise the brain:

Photo Fun at Gra'mas

2011-01-04T01:34:00.002-06:00

Catching Up with Friends

2011-01-04T01:28:00.002-06:00

Just Sayin...

2011-01-04T01:12:00.003-06:00

These are illustrations from a children's book called "The Dream Pillow".

Busse Christmas 2010

2011-01-04T00:32:00.011-06:00

Christmas Eve

2011-01-04T00:25:00.002-06:00

Neighborhood Christmas Caroling

2011-01-04T00:16:00.005-06:00

We had an wonderful time!

Occoquan

2010-12-22T02:00:00.008-06:00

We had a wonderful time playing tourist in Occoquan, Virginia.
In the Golden Goose Christmas Shop:

We went to The Cottage

Outside of the Golden Goose:

In the Mom's Apple Pie Store:

Musicians

2010-12-16T20:31:00.002-06:00

My Surprise Party!

2010-12-12T01:07:00.010-06:00

Birthday Cards!

2010-12-09T01:46:00.004-06:00

Look at the beautiful card my Mother-in-Law made!

And here are Bret and Adam's homemade cards!

We are just becoming a family of cardmakers!

My Fiftieth Birthday!

2010-12-08T23:11:00.016-06:00

While I was sleeping, I think

Bret was out getting me more birthday gifts.

Before I got out of bed,

he surprises me with a beautiful red poinsetta plant.

He knows I love them and love having them around for Christmas.

Then we have lunch home

because we are going to have a big meal for dinner.

Then we set out for downtown DC

to see what we can see.

Our first stop is the Decatur Museum

but it is closed.

So we give a quick peek to their gift shop

(there are lots of books on the White House,

by the way.)

Then we braved the cold and wind to run to the Renwick Gallery.
We saw this exhibit on Gaman:
"Gaman" means:

"enduring the seemingly unbearable with patience and dignity"
I think that's commendable.
Not that I would handle the seemingly unbearable that way.
But to each his own.
I have more a tendency toward ranting and raving.
But I digress.
Look at the imaginative and talented artwork
of these Japanese internees.
These birds are made from wood scraps:
These flowers are made from
seeds, wood, tiny shells, ribbon, and all sorts of found objects.

Then on our way to the National Building Museum,

we drove through Chinatown.

This is the exterior of the National Building Museum:

Inside, some Corinthian columns:

The columns are huge!

We saw a few exhibits.

But the most impressive thing we saw

(then again, we didn't see their Lego exhibit)

was their gift shop.

It's the best museum gift shop I have ever been in.

Then it was time to go home.

We got dressed for dinner

and then the boys wanted me to open my presents.

And guess what was in one of the boxes!

(see Middleburg post)

Bret surprised me with the

fox figurine I was oggling in Middleburg!

That was the biggest surprise!

I think he drove all the way over there

this morning to get it!

Middleburg is about an hour away!

I don't know how else he would have gotten it.

It's not like they are all over town.

(I know, last night I was online, seeing who else had it

because I was contemplating getting it.)

I love it, it's so 'horse country'.

And best of all, it will always remind me

of one of the best suprises I ever had!

And what a loving husband Bret is.

Bret also surprised me with many other wonderful gifts and a homemade card.

Adam and Jessie also had goodies for me with a homemade card!

Then off to the restaurant-another surprise.
Here is Adam not posing for the camera

and Jessie doing her best, considering.

Bret took us to the Bourbon Steak Restaurant

in the Four Seasons Hotel.

Don't worry, this was a quick kiss.

Nothing smoochie in front of the kids.

Chocolate for dessert of course:

A delicious ending to a wonderful day!

Middleburg for Christmas

2010-12-08T00:26:00.013-06:00

We had a wonderful time in Middleburg.

Our first stop was this store.

I bought a heavenly scented soap.

I'm keeping it by the bed.

Here is another store nearby on the same side of the street.

Merry shoppers

Inside the Christmas Sleigh store:

The Red Fox Inn:

The Fun Shop

I love this fox porcelain figurine:

the Queen:

Back to the Red Fox Inn for dinner:

David Baldacci

2010-12-05T23:28:00.006-06:00

When Bret and I walked into Barnes and Noble this afternoon,

who should we come upon but our illustrious neighbor signing books.

While we went about our shopping, the +200 line of fans was winding down.

Meanwhile, Bret found one last copy of David's latest book.

"Here, have him sign this," Bret said as he thrust the book into my hands.

"Go ahead, I'll buy it for you."

(He knows what a cheapskate I am and the book was only 30% off.)

Well by now, he the line had disappeared and he had just stood up from the signing table.

"Who should I sign it for?" he asks as he opens the book and signs his name.

"Oh, for my mother, she reads all your books."
"What's her name?"

"Libby"

But I'm not finished with him.

I introduce myself and say I'm a neighbor

and tell him I almost saw him at the Halloween party two years ago.

I also point out we are the same exact age and

ask why he describes any character thirty-three years or older as slowing down.

He smiles as Bret takes another photo and says,

"Oh but we look like we're thirty-three."

Christkindlmarket!

2010-12-03T01:46:00.001-06:00

Here is the link to our Christkindlmarket visit:
http://gruppoitaliano.blogspot.com/2010/12/christkindlmarket.html
It was a lot of fun and we all came home with wonderful goodies.

Breakfast Nook

2010-12-02T01:38:00.001-06:00

Andrea made me this beautiful Advent Wreath:

Basement: Swell Noel Tree

2010-12-02T01:27:00.003-06:00

Our newest tree edition. A medium sized tree to showcase my beloved Swell Noel collection.

Foyer

2010-12-02T01:25:00.000-06:00

Living Room

2010-12-02T01:17:00.007-06:00

As you can see, I'm experimenting with lighting. Trying to show the tree lit up and create some ambience. I'm having marginal luck with this.

Nativity Chest

2010-12-02T01:16:00.002-06:00

Hearth Room

2010-12-02T01:13:00.002-06:00

Church Street Christmas Stroll 2010

2010-11-30T01:11:00.007-06:00

Inside original part of the Vienna Presbyterian Church

Upstairs in the Freeman House

Freeman House General Store

Post Office in the Freeman General Store Freeman General Store from the street

Original part of the Vienna Presbyterian Church

Tree Trimming Party 2010

2010-11-29T03:37:00.003-06:00

Click on us and join us for our Tree Trimming Party!

Outdoor Elves

2010-11-29T03:17:00.001-06:00

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-11-29T03:00:00.004-06:00

Our little Christmas Wreath

2010-11-21T23:14:00.000-06:00

New Hobbies for Bret!

2010-11-21T21:27:00.003-06:00

Look at this!

Bret is reading a book!

And he is enjoying it...

Bret trying his hand at card making:

Fall Is Here!

2010-10-27T12:31:00.003-05:00

Map Room Evolves

2010-10-15T20:33:00.003-05:00

Roman Chariot and Kidney Table

2010-10-15T20:01:00.004-05:00

Marla gave me this Roman chariot piece

which sat on the piano in our parents house.

Thank you! I love it!

Marla gave me this kidney table too!

Isn't it wonderful?

Homemade Pillows

2010-10-13T01:00:00.002-05:00

I couldn't find any pillows so I made them!

Dad helped me shop.

Bret cut the fabric nice and even

and I did the hand sewing.

Maggianos

2010-10-10T22:46:00.002-05:00

Dinner at J. Gilberts

2010-10-10T01:51:00.006-05:00

At dinner, Adam was reluctant to pose for photos. I don't know where he gets this peculiar behaviour. We also learned that the 'J' in 'J. Gilberts' stands for 'John'.

The food was delicious and we all ate toooo much.

Middleburg

2010-10-10T00:22:00.015-05:00

We had a wonderful time on our trip to Middleburg. Bret planned it and we were surprised at how beautiful the scenery is and how quaint and upscale the shops were in town.

Wayne and Marla pose at the start of our Middleburg visit.

The Fun Shop is this enormous department store gift shop chockful of the most delightful goodies.

These beautiful needlepoint pillows and cushions might just be the inspiration I need to finish up some needlepoint projects:

http://thefunshop.com/

See those two covered bowls, they have crabs on them and are so cute! I might get them!

This didn't turn out wonderful, but the goodies in the window are worth searching for.

Wayne obviously enjoys shopping.

We ate at The Red Fox Inn

http://www.redfox.com/dining.html

where we had a delicious lunch in a wonderful colonial setting.

This is The Christmas Sleigh shop:

http://thechristmassleigh.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?

Then we found a Halloween festival:

The farmer sisters:

Here I am with my little pals:

My Cute Husband

2010-09-15T01:15:00.000-05:00

Tourist Time!

2010-08-29T21:02:00.004-05:00

Saturday, we went to MeadowLark Botanical Gardens. I like it because it seems very natural rather than a bunch of Disneyworld like flowerbeds like Buchart Gardens. (By the way, the park near Buchart Gardens is lovely and natural looking...and free.)

Sunday afternoon, we went to the Natural History Museum where we saw Adam's hamster:

and other mammals:

This tiger was up above, flying through the air...

Also, soaring above were these Manatees:

Then we passed the "Castle" as we made our way across to the Freer.

This kiosk between the Castle and the Freer was too picturesque to pass up.

and a glance at the Capitol...

and back through the Natural History to get to the car.

Adam's Birthday!

2010-08-24T21:57:00.005-05:00

While Adam was at school, Jessie and her friend Vina (sp) came over and decorated his bedroom. Jessie also filled his car with balloons at work:

Adam and Jessie just got back from PF Changs and birthday cake that looks like a car that Jessie made.

Jessie got Adam a Chinese Hamster with a fancy abode.

A New Craft

2010-08-17T23:10:00.002-05:00

I had fun learning a new craft at my friend's house.

In Germany, they take decorative napkins and use varnish to adhere them to objects. The paint used is acrylic craft paint.

Adam at work!

2010-08-07T21:06:00.002-05:00

Earthquake!

2010-07-16T23:10:00.016-05:00

Well since no one seemed to notice, I am letting you know:

Guess who was in da news!

At 5:04 am, I felt something, a rumble like an airplane flying overhead but it wasn't overhead. I was in the basement, thankfully because then I actually got to feel the vibration, since I was on the ground. Bret was sleeping on the second floor and so he only felt the house shake. I didn't know what happened. If it was an airplane, then I was ticked that they could now fly so low as to shake the house. The weather radar showed no storms. I didn't know what it was. An hour later I thought to check the news. There it was, they said the DC area got hit with a minor earthquake. Maryland and DC. But no mention of Virginia! So I did my civic duty and called Associated Press (since they share with everyone). So now I'm famous!

Article

and just in case the link expires:

Hosted by Back to Google NewsMinor earthquake shakes US capital's movers
By KAREN MAHABIR and JESSICA GRESKO (AP) – 11 hours ago

WASHINGTON — Earthquakes are so rare in the Washington area that even a geology student wasn't quite sure what was going on when a minor one hit early Friday. Was it a truck passing by? A low-flying plane?

Gerasimos Michalitsianos, a rising senior and geology student at the University of Maryland, College Park, said he was sitting on his couch looking at e-mails when the temblor occurred.

"I didn't actually know that I was in an earthquake," said Michalitsianos, who is studying postseismic relaxation, how the ground changes following major earthquakes.

Michalitsianos said he only found out he'd been through an earthquake when he looked online.

"It was a rare treat to see an earthquake occur here on the East Coast and to actually feel it," he said.

Washington area residents are used to politicians being the region's movers and shakers, so it was a surprise when the earth below shook. A 3.6-magnitude earthquake rattled windows and jostled dishes but apparently caused no serious damage. President Barack Obama told reporters he didn't feel it.

Though Californians may scoff, it was the strongest quake to hit within 30 miles of D.C. since officials began keeping records in 1974.

The quake hit at 5:04 a.m. and was centered in the Rockville, Md., area, said Randy Baldwin, a geophysicist with Geological Survey's National Earthquake Information Center. By noon, more than 15,000 people had logged on to the U.S. Geological Survey's website to report feeling it, some from as far away as Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The website said earthquakes east of the Rocky Mountains can be felt over an area as much as 10 times larger than a similar magnitude earthquake on the West Coast.

Police in Washington and nearby Montgomery County, Md., said they received many calls from residents Friday morning, but there were no immediate reports of injuries or damage. Water, gas and electric utilities reported no problems to the District of Columbia Department of Homeland Security, which said streets were clear and the subway wasn't affected. Crews did go out to inspect bridges, however, to check for damage. None has been found.

Residents, meanwhile, spent the day asking each other "Did you feel it?"

Matthew Castelli, 40, of Fredericksburg, Va., said he didn't.

"I understand in this area for a lot of people it's 'holy cow!'" he said. "I think people tend to forget that we're near a fault line around here."

The Washington area has had small, infrequent earthquakes over the years, including a 2.5-magnitude quake in 1997 that was within 25 to 30 miles of Friday's quake and a 2.3-magnitude quake in 1996 that was within 15 miles. But since they are so rare, many residents weren't sure what they were experiencing.

Debby Taylor Busse said she was watching television in the basement of her home in Vienna, Va., when she felt the quake.

"I didn't know what it was," Busse said. "I have never been in an earthquake before. It felt like an airplane going overhead or thunder, but it wasn't coming from above."

Busse said it lasted just a few seconds and compared it to a strong thunder strike — enough to rattle the house, but not enough to knock anything over.

Tafelila Pilgrim, 78, said the shaking was strong enough to knock a plastic glass of water over in her home, but nothing else was amiss, though the quake shook her.

"I start screaming," she said. "I was afraid."

Washington resident Denver Turner said he too was awake to feel the quake. He'd been answering e-mails when he felt the carpet begin to vibrate beneath his feet.

"I didn't know DC got earthquakes, really," Turner said. "Definitely my first experience and not something I'd want to go through on a greater scale."

Associated Press writers Matt Small, Kathleen Miller and Nafeesa Syeed contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

And that my friends, is all the news that's fit to print.

Google news links shows the news articles that I'm in from putting in "earthquake busse" in Google.

Harper's Ferry

2010-05-25T22:44:00.003-05:00

We went to Maggiano's

2010-05-25T22:41:00.003-05:00

We were especially impressed with the desserts!

Our tourist outing

2010-03-12T07:49:00.006-06:00

The other day, a friend and I had a 'tourist day'. Our main destination was Old Town Alexandria but we made a few stops on the way. First this German Gourmet caught Kristen's eye and we stepped into a quaint shop full of imported goodies as you can see from the photos I took off their website:

Link: German Gourmet

They also had lots of marzipan!

Our next stop was Eden Center where Kristen wanted to show me a unique area with all Asian shops and restaurants, etc.

Link: Eden Center

(She is a good tour guide!)

Then we headed for Old Town Alexandria. People are very friendly there. I was applauded for my parallel parking manoeuvres by three guys driving by. They stopped to clap and then drove on. Then we got out and walked around and had a bite to eat. My scarf flew off and I didn't notice it until maybe ten minutes later. There it was a block behind us, on the sidewalk, no one had stolen it. As I swooped down to pick it up, someone said, "oh you are lucky." and I was. The weather was just right and my feet didn't start hurting until the last fifteen minutes! We got back to the car and there was no parking ticket for exceeding the two hour limit!

Photos I did not take but found on the net.

For photos I took, go here.

I took these when Queenie visited.

2010-03-12T07:18:00.003-06:00

The other day, Kristen and I had a 'tourist day'. On our way to Old Town Alexandria, this German Gourmet caught Kristen's eye and we were pleasantly surprised to find a quaint shop filled with yummy baked goods, all kinds of German grocery products and most of all marzipan (which isn't shown but I assure you is there.)

Here is a link to their website: German Gourmet

Then we detoured to Eden Center which was very interesting to see.

It's a strip mall with all Asian shops.

Then off to Old Town Alexandria where I was applauded by three guys in a car for my parallel parking manouevres. We walked around and had a bite for lunch and then

Comparing the two snowfalls

2010-02-08T13:58:00.003-06:00

This shows the first snowfall.

Note where the snow comes up under the chair seats.

The legs are still exposed.

Here, in the second snowfall; the legs are covered.

Snowstorm Part II

2010-02-08T13:40:00.006-06:00

So, this tree fell down...

See the root:
It cut the power to about thirty houses.
The rest of the neighborhood was affected by some other tree mischief.
They were out for a day. We were out for two.
The mailman is going to love this:
(Actually, I dug it out afterward...yes, me.)
Our snowfilled street.

Our excavated driveway

Our excavated walkway

driveway

Our cars pretending to be snowmen:

Back Stairs

Pretty Snowfall

2010-02-03T11:17:00.002-06:00

We had such a pretty snowfall overnight.

I took pictures this morning to catch it before it melted.

Already, at noon, the branches are almost all free of snow.

Kitchen Improvements

2010-01-27T01:39:00.004-06:00

Our silverware drawer needed a real dividers:

So Bret put made them just right!
I thought I had put this in the blog before,
but the little decorative piece on the wood
and the trim was added
so it wouldn't just look like a plain slab of wood
over the sink.
(I don't like 'plain' anything.)

2010-01-02T04:09:00.003-06:00

Go here to see the Busse Christmas

December Snowfall 2009 1

2009-12-21T22:36:00.004-06:00

We had a little snowstorm:

December Snowfall 2009 2

2009-12-21T22:33:00.002-06:00

Thanksgiving

2009-12-01T23:18:00.008-06:00

Guess who came home for Thanksgiving:

If you want to see the tree trimming party

go here:

http://gruppoitaliano.blogspot.com/2009/12/tree-trimming.html

http://gruppoitaliano.blogspot.com/2009/12/tree-trimming-ii.html

http://gruppoitaliano.blogspot.com/2009/12/tree-trimming-3.html

Gingerbread Cookies

2009-12-01T23:16:00.003-06:00

Putting up the outside lights

2009-12-01T23:11:00.002-06:00

Living Room Drapes and Cornices

2009-11-22T07:18:00.004-06:00

We finally got new drapes.

Bret made beautiful cornices to top them off.

He also covered the piano bench cushion with the same fabric.

We went with a gothic look

to go with the feel of the house.

Guess who I found at the grocery store!

2009-11-09T22:05:00.004-06:00

Here is Hermie and Rudolph!

When Adam was little, he looked like Hermie

(better than looking like Rudolph).

His hair swept across his wide forhead

and he had big puppet eyes just like Hermie.

Sometimes it is fun to go to the grocery store!

Halloween is coming

2009-10-24T21:45:00.004-05:00

Adam came home for the weekend

and he, Jessie and Meow helped get us ready

for Halloween!

Louisville, Kentucky: American Printing House for the Blind

2009-10-24T21:22:00.004-05:00

We visited their museum which was founded in 1858. "Visitors can take a plant tour and visit the Callahan Museum which is housed in the 1883 section of the facility. Exhibits include historic, tactile books, maps and globes, and a collection of mechanical Braille writers."

This is how they do math!

It's a Brannan cubarithm slate:

Their typewriter:

Look what else you can do with Legos!

Look how they play checkers!
http://www.aph.org/about/highlite.htm

Louisville Kentucky; Kentucky Derby

2009-10-24T21:19:00.002-05:00

This is an all glass model.

This isn't:

Louisville, Kentucky: Glassworks

2009-10-24T21:16:00.002-05:00

Here are some samples in the pricey gift shop:

Louisville, Kentucky: The History Museum

2009-10-24T21:10:00.003-05:00

This is a wonderful history museum.

I am not usually fond of history museums.

I would rather read a book or watch a documentary,

but this museum is an exception.

It doesn't bombard the visitor with too much information

which would not be easily remembered.

These are life sized figures in battle.

They are very life like.

This map is provides a wonderful visual showing the westward expansion in the United States.

Louisville, Kentucky

2009-10-24T21:07:00.002-05:00

Here are a few outside views:

First we have the bat making building!

Some architecture that caught our eyes.

Wow!

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Thank You Susan Gann!

These are all rubber stamps, ribbon and other goodies

to make cards!

Family Time!

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Party

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Our only momento (but a good one)

of our party:

Mall of Americas

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Here we are at Tony Roma's in the Mall.

Book Signing

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There were mega lines for book signings

in the middle of the mall.

This one is for some squeaky fashionisto.

It seems his name is Christian Siriano.

Here's a link to his book:

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fierce-Style/Christian-Siriano/e/9780446546010/?itm=1&USRI=christian+siriano

Lindt Store

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Lego Land

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REI Store

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The boys wanted to go to the REI store.

They didn't get enough shopping at the Mall of Americas.

These Peanuts statues were outside the store.

The boys posed with the one which had the hair most similar to theirs.