Day One

We started out bright and early yesterday when Melanie and Chaela picked me up. Off we went heading south through Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Our first stop was at The Precious Moments Museum in Carthage, Missouri. It is amazing! It is all painted by one man, Sam Butcher, who was subsequently asked to make his paintings into sculptures. We know them as the Precious Moments figurines that are the MOST collected item in the world. Here are a few photos I took which do not even begin to do it justice.

Melanie and my niece Chaela.



The ceiling of the chapel. Mr. Butcher lay on his back for hundreds of hours while painting the ceiling.

The main painting in the chapel depicting the welcome into Heaven.

Please click to enlarge the photo so you can read it.



The last photo is Sam Butchers headstone that he designed. When he passes, it will be engraved with the correct dates. You can see his home from this spot.

We stayed last night in Bartlesville, OK at the Hilton where my nephew, Chaela’s husband Tim, arranged a great room for us.

This morning we were up bright and early to drive the 20 or so miles to Pawhuska, Oklahoma where we visited the Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond’s Mercantile and other stores. We had breakfast at the Mercantile and it was amazing!

I ordered Grandma Ella’s pancakes with sea salt caramel syrup and cinnamon butter. Oh my! Oh my! Also homemade sausage, bacon and eggs arrived with the pancakes. I haven’t had a breakfast as good as that for a long time. A huge quart glass of ice tea was just 25 cents.

The Merc.

Parked outside the door was a shiny red farm truck from the Drummond ranch.

Inside was full of wonderful kitchen and other home items as well as Ree’s signature flowy clothing styles. 

Upstairs was a bakery and coffee shop with lots of room to sit and chat. We were there very early so it wasn’t very busy yet.

Even the bathroom was decorated nicely.

This was the boardinghouse next door although the reflection in the glass makes it hard to read.

After wandering around for several hours we jumped back into the car and headed to Frisco, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. We spent a few hours wandering around IKEA and finding treasures there.

Tim once again found us another Hilton tonight, just four miles away from IKEA. This time he reserved us a suite with a living room, bedroom and bath. Two TV’s and a kitchenette. We each have a bed! That boy is a keeper! Such a sweetie.

Tomorrow will be more adventures and I’ve been voted to be the one driving through Ft. Worth! I’ll let you know how it goes. 😍

Dennis is holding down the fort at home. Mom had a medical procedure today that kept them at the hospital most of the day. Please keep her, (and us), in your prayers.

Blessings and love,

Betsy