There's no place like home...

I think it's the coolest thing ever to pack up the car, fill the tank with gas, program the GPS and begin driving. Road trips are the best. And I cannot think of a better way to experience America. (Jeff might beg differ but this is a road trip, after all, not an Appalachian Trail trip.) This time I logged 2,750 miles and seven states.  Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Louisiana.

Of course, it's always nice to have a destination in mind and people waiting for me to arrive on the other end of the journey. Family. Friends.  

Jan and James.  Thanks for always having a room ready for me.  Our visits are always a balm for this girl's heart.  See you again in the fall!   Jessica.  What a great week we had, heh?  Working at the deli together, seeing Mandy in Concert, making several batches of tofu, walking to Indian Beach to see the sunset, hanging out on Lido Key, meeting new friends, entertaining and cooking for good friends.  Thank you.  And Christopher and Leigh.  What a perfect way to round out the trip.  Thanks for making it so easy to drop in, stay a couple nights, hang out, rest up and then finish out the rest of my journey back home. 

Home.  It really is where the heart is.  

On the road again . . .

Margaret & Kimberly, June 2010

Road trips are one of my favorite things. They're even better when I'm accompanied by my Mom. She's the best driving companion a girl could ever ask for.

We recently made the 1,700-mile journey from Ozark, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and back again (to visit the lovely Tarajean, Paul and Gavin-the-adorable). I traditionally break this trek to Oklahoma into two days; this time wasn't any different. Day 1 is from Ozark to Conway, Arkansas, 500+ miles. Like I told my partner-in-gardening-crime, Jan, Conway boasts a Ruby Tuesday, a Hobby Lobby, a WalMart and a Super 8 Motel. Need I say more? Reaching Conway by the end of the first day makes Day 2 an easy drive. And traveling 75-mph on the Muskogee Turnpike for the home stretch into Tulsa makes it even breezier.

Our trip to the Warren Home was terrific. Decent weather prevailed --a bit of downpour while driving through the Jasper, Alabama area -- started listening to an audio book by Anne Perry...but the reader's voice was wimpy and too difficult to hear over the sound of rain and of truck traffic. So we settled for listening to GLEE soundtracks until we could get to a Cracker Barrel to rent another book-on-CD. (Diane Mott Davidson's SWEET REVENGE wasn't a whole lot better, story wise, but Barbara Rosenblatt's narration was easy to hear above the road din).

The return trip was just as good. We stopped at this beautiful rest stop in Arkansas and I was so happy to find it again (since it's on the westbound side of I-40 and I missed it on the trip to Tulsa). Jeff and I stopped at this same rest stop last fall. I knew that late spring/early summer would be better for a stunning floral display. I was not disappointed; it was gorgeous.

Mom and I spent a restful evening at the Super 8 in Olive Branch, Mississippi (I just love the name of this town); only a short distance down the road from Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis. We made a stop to eat and another to browse the Dollar General store. We purchased fresh peaches and tomatoes at a road stand somewhere in northern Alabama and several hours later pulled into Ozark. Jeff, Stubby and Girlfriend were all present to greet us and welcome us home. It's always wonderful to pull in the driveway after such a good road trip. This journey was made more special because Mom and I got to travel the distance together!

Hawaii

Photo by wedding photographer

Tarajean and Paul were married on February 6, 2010, Kona, Hawaii. It was an amazing ceremony and couldn't have been more beautiful. The bride, the groom, the setting . . . it really was perfect. Nicely done, you guys. Blessings to the new Warren family!

The Finest ThingAmong the finest things in life,
a good marriage
is the most satisfying and rewarding,
the deepest and best of pleasures.
That blessed relationship
uplifts, enriches, encourages
and strengthens both husband and wife.
A loving marriage
overcomes any obstacles
the world may put in its way,
strengthening the special marital bond
with every challenge conquered.
Your wedding
is the start of something better
than you can imagine.
May your marriage
be all that you dream of and more.By Joanna Fuchs

'tis the Season for giving Thanks

...a blessed long visit with my mutti who is one of the best girl companions this daughter could ever have...receiving news from Tarajean of the upcoming Hawaiian nuptials...Abram's return from Afghanistan after a long deployment...Jeffrey's continued love and support and hearty laugh...Gavin turning 6-months-old... beautiful weather, sunny and dry...lots of new work for Earthshine Giftworks, keeping creative juices flowing...a successful November program for our Master Gardeners...and tomorrow? a road trip to Sarasota to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jessica...the love of family and friends... for all these things I am truly grateful.

Tulsa, Oklahoma, Summer 2009

Gavin and Babka