Happy Independence Day!

Wow! Can you believe that it's July 4th already? Where did the first half of this year go already? Things have been really busy around here. We are in the midst of the summer tourist season and my dear husband has been working alot of hours lately. As a matter of fact, he's working right now. Yes, he's working on a holiday, something that happens quite often around here since we do live and work in a tourist town. We really don't have big plans for the day, just relaxing when he gets home, a nice grilled chicken and fruit salad, and then, if he's not too tired, maybe we'll go watch some fireworks at Big Cedar Lodge.

Last Sunday night we took my mom and dad to the Honor America celebration at The College of the Ozarks. We started with a fantastic BBQ buffett dinner. there were BBQ ribs and grilled hamburgers out on the patio.


Inside we had choices of bratwurst, BBQ chicken (I had seconds), and hotdogs with all of the fixings. Potato salad, coleslaw, fresh fruits and cheeses rounded out our meal. Oh, and yes they even had miniature cupcakes that I just had to try ;)




After dinner we retired out to the patio to enjoy another beautiful ozarks sunset before the fireworks. The weather finally gave us a break and the evening air was very enjoyable. There was popcorn and strawberry lemonade, homemade ice cream and even old fashion popsicles for dessert. Then, as dusk aproached we heard the firing of the cannon letting us know the fireworks would soon begin.





We were not disappointed. The fireworks were absolutely beautiful! Blazing reds, greens, pinks and blues filled the night sky. There was oohing and aahing all around us. My husband's favorites are the ones that look like a weeping willow tree and he said it every time one of those showed up in the sky. (cute) It was a fantastic display to honor our country's birthday.






I also want to remind everyone that many, many years ago there were brave souls that risked everything for the freedoms that we have today. We now have more brave souls that continue to fight to protect those freedoms that many of us take forgranted. I want to encourage all of you that the next time you see one of our brave soldiers to simply say thank you to them. You'd be surprised how happy you make them with a simple smile and a "thanks for doing what you're doing to keep us safe".

I hope you all have a great 4th of July, be safe and take lots of pictures!

Sunday Sa-Wheets

Hello, my name is Kristy, and I am a cupcake-a-holic. Ahhh, sweet relief, I finally got that off my chest.



Every Sunday my husband and I go to Sunday brunch at the College of the Ozarks in Southwest Missouri. My husband earned his degree here and we like the food. (Okay, so we love the food, and his alumni discount makes it taste even better. Wink, wink.) Normally he starts with breakfast and will work his way towards the lunch area, move onto salads, and then he might have dessert.
Oh, no, not me. I have to start with lunch because I love their ham. It's fantastic and they actually raise the pigs and cure the hams right there at the college. Yummo! Shhhh, sometimes, I even go back for more ham because it's so good. Then I have to have some salad because they have the best homemade ranch dressing that I have ever had. We have even purchased it by the mason jar just to have some at home. Then I might have a smidge of dessert. I ususally have to try what ever flavor of butter cake they have that day and maybe a chocolate truffle, but not too much because my favorite item is waiting for me by the door.


You see, as you walk into the dining room there is a quaint little coffee counter that has fresh muffins and pastries showcased right in front. They're on one side of the case and on the other is my weakness, my nemesis. Sa-wheet, delectable, mouth watering, slap-yo-mamma cupcakes. Vanilla cupcakes with thick, creamy buttercream frosting. Some are topped with a white chocolate covered strawberry. Some have beautiful fondant sunflowers or butterflies resting on top of their frosting. The chocolate ones are drizzled with caramel and have crushed bits of candy bars blissfully sprinkled on topped. What you don't understand is that I cannot control myself when I see these delicious creations. I HAVE to get one. Every week, I get one. My husband knows I'm going too. I might have just said, I'm fuller than a dog tick on a hounds ear", but he knows I'll be taking one of those cupcakes home with me.



Oh, I don't eat it right when I get home. I don't even eat the whole thing all at once. I usually have half of it Sunday evening for a snack and then the other half Monday evening for dessert after dinner. Then I'm completely satisfied for the week. I know that I can hold one until Sunday rolls around again and the sweet little voices of the C of O cupcakes call my name from deep inside their glass case as I'm walking out of the dining room..."Eat me, eat me, eat me."



So, now you know my secret weakness.
Cupcakes.

"Hello, my name is Kristy and I'm a cupcake-a-holic. It's been 7 days since my last cupcake and oh my, look at the calendar, it's Sunday already, here cuppycake cuppycake."