Back in time!

So in between all the stress currently surrounding my life, we have made it a point to go out of our way to soak in the moments, to visit places we will miss when we leave.

You gotta take the bad with the good, there has to be balance right?

Yesterday we headed to one of my favorite places, it is like stepping back in time to the 1800's, to a time when things were simpler....well, simple in some ways, in others we know that they struggled more so than we do nowadays.

But anyway, I wanted to show you some photos, not all of course otherwise you would have to grab a cup of coffee and sit here scrolling through over 100 photos, no kidding, I'm that nuts with my camera. 

It is everything that I love about simple life.  The old buildings, the bare necessities, the few items strewn through the house and the whole family in one room kind of life.

Rolling pins, you know my fascination with these and just look at the one on the right, tell me that is not just beautiful?

Oh goodness gracious, the amount of old sewing machines I saw made me incredibly giddy.  I wanted to tuck them all under my arm and run home.

The Teacherage above, a one room tiny building but funny enough when hubby and I went to look inside he said right away "oh YOU would be happy here" LOL

Not my fault that it looks so homey in there. Loving the lace curtains and every single item on that dresser.

When I find myself in a place like this, I tend to walk around and imagine what it would have been like during those times, I wonder who lived in those buildings, what they did, who they were, how they died.

Just gorgeous, the machine, the quilt block, the table, everything.

I could have stayed in the dress shop all day long, matter of fact, I would have just plopped myself down on one of those chairs and sewed happily away.

Beautiful quilt, beautiful cradle, beautiful trundle bed....just beautiful everything.

And I could stay here all night long and show you picture after picture, but there are SO many, I'm afraid I would fall asleep.

But if you're interested, you can go and check out all the photos at my Flickr set "Pioneer Living History Museum".

Don't I look happy up there?  It truly felt like home to me :)

{ The Perfect Mother's Day }

I'm so blessed to have the most amazing husband and children. A family that puts me above everything else and stops at nothing to make sure that I have a wonderful life, full of love, full of ways that show me how they feel.

I could say that I celebrate Mother's Day every single day and I wouldn't be exaggerating. But on day's like today, they go the extra step to make me feel special and today was no exception.

It started out early this morning with a breakfast made my hubby and the kids. I had coffee, toast, bacon and the yummiest omelette you could imagine. We call my hubby the breakfast master because without a doubt, he can make the best ones around.

Then came out the presents. I got a beautiful next gold watch, something that I haven't had in years and I guess they noticed that I was always asking "what is the time?". But with that, I got the sweetest cards, lots of chocolate truffles, a locket and earrings set from Nicholas (he picked it all on his own) and some Swarovski Crystals, a beautiful rose that says "My Wife, My love, My best friend" and "Mom I love you".

What more could a girl ask for? I love these 3 with every fiber of my being.

If that wasn't enough though, being that they know me better than anyone and know exactly what I like, they swept me away to the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum. Oh my word....I was right in my element.

Just a mere 40 minutes from where we're stationed, I can't believe we hadn't been there yet.

Are you ready for some pictures, because I took a gazillion, do you have a gazillion minutes to spare? No? Well I guess I could show you just a few you and then point you to the Flickr Album for the rest.

Oh and by the way, when you go with your husband somewhere, don't ever make the mistake of handing him the camera and telling him to go ahead and take some pics of the scenery. Apparently in man talk it means something completely different.

All I know is that looking back through my pictures from the day, there are quite a few of me, but not my face. There's boobs and butt shots all over the place. I mean, really? Really Curt? *shake head* LOL

Exhibit #1

Exhibit #2 - How about a pic of the face Curt? LOL

Exhibit #3 - Really?

See what I mean, and oh there are plenty plenty more but I wouldn't dream of boring you with them, I don't understand how they pertain to a Living History Museum. What is he trying to say? LOL

Anyway, let's move on to the real pictures. Sit back and relax.....oh and if you nod off during this post, just go to my Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum Album on Flickr.

This is my house, I've decided I want to live there.

And I want to sit on this porch, and I don't care if it's falling apart, I just don't care, I want to sit there and sip Iced Tea and chat with a friend.

Then I saw this Dress Shop and decided that I wanted it to be mine too. Yep, I just see, like, decide, and it's mine. Easy Peasy.

Because we're crazy like that.....

But we can also be serious....sometimes, not often. It's not worth it being serious and mopy, it gives you wrinkles and makes life so boring.

I wanna put them all in jail for being so darn cute

Now I'm going to take you in the bathroom, just because I hate public bathrooms and hate going in those alone LOL

We ended off the day with Lunch at the Pioneer Restaurant "Whis The Road to Run". Don't ask, I've been trying all day to figure out what in the heck it means.

But I don't care what it really stands for or why it's named that way, because it's such a cute place to have a bite and let me tell you.....the BEST Beer Battered Onion Rings you will EVER eat, in your whole entire life. Yes I said, in your whole entire life, I'm not joking. And how cute are they in that bottle?

Pioneer Burger.....green chilies and swiss cheese. Lawd have mercy, I am drooling just remembering. It was SO good.

There ya go, if you're ever in the area and want to spend a fun afternoon with your family, head to the Pioneer Arizona Living History Museum, but you have to stop and eat at the restaurant, you just have to, no other way about it.

A quick stop at the Pioneer Mercantile for some souvenirs and stuff. I got some beautiful taper candles that I've been looking for to hang from my shelves, also some organic soap and three books that I am itching to get my hands into.

A Garden Supper Tonight
Log Cabin Cooking
Easy to Make Early American Folk Dolls

With our tummies full, we said goodbye to the 1800's, leaving behind dirt, dust, a beautiful recreation of life in the Pioneer times and loads of memories of the Perfect Mother's Day!