Medieval Faire of Norman, Oklahoma

If you've been following me for a few years, you know that one thing my family and I love doing, is going to local Renaissance Festivals.

Our yearly tradition when stationed in Arizona, was to go every February as soon as the Ren. Faire came to town.  Well, to Apache Junction which was about an hour and a half from us.  Nonetheless, we would get in the car and happily make our way there.

We would spend the whole day, just walking around, looking at all the vendors, watching the shows and he jousting and just having an absolute blast.

Since leaving Arizona we haven't had a chance to get to one.  The closest one to us when we lived in Idaho, was about 45 minutes, but it was so small and we just never felt like we wanted to go see it.  Truthfully speaking, I have yet to find one that matches the one in Arizona.

Yesterday, we set off to Norman, Oklahoma.  They were having their yearly Medieval Faire and not only did we want to go, but our family had never been to one, so off we went.  It was a 2 hour car drive, one which of course the kids didn't enjoy too much, but it wasn't too bad.

Did we enjoy it?  Yes, we always like being in that atmosphere, but it was nothing like Arizona, nowhere near as nice or as big.....something is just missing.

We did meet up with some family from Oklahoma too and walked around a bit with them.  Would I go back?  Maybe, if I can't find any other that I enjoy, but I don't know, just wasn't what we were used to.

There is another about 2 hours in the opposite direction, just past Dallas, called the Scarborough Renaissance Faire which runs all the way through the end of May, and we might go check it out in a few weeks, we'll see.

Anyway, here are some pics of the one in Norman, hope you enjoy :)

To check out the rest of the photos, be sure to visit my Flickr Album, Medieval Fair of Norman.

There is absolutely nothing better

than having the love of your life back home with you. It doesn't matter if he's gone a year or months or weeks, just watching him walk toward you is sure to send you to cloud nine. That's how I felt last night as I saw him approaching us with a big smile on his face.....the kids screamed out "DADDY" and took off running towards him, they jumped him before he even put his bags down.

Me being the mommy, I had to wait my turn, which meant being last, and those are the times I wish I was the kid so I could run up and claim first hug LOL
But no matter because the minute he got to me and his arms went around me, all was well with the world, really, is there anything better than being in your husband's arms????

So I'm a happy woman this morning, for the first time in the past two weeks I slept peacefully knowing that he was right there keeping us all safe. I'm in Heaven!!!
My heart goes out though to all the other thousands of wives who are still awaiting the return of their husband from Iraq or wherever their deployments may have taken them, I just hope and pray that very soon they'll be able to wrap their arms around their hubbies :)

Last night we had The Ultimate Meatballs and Spaghetti Supper, it was soooo good, and the kids kept going on and on about how they loved the meatballs. You know I used a mixture of Ground Pork and Beef and it really does taste wonderful.

While we're on the subject of meatballs, you may want to give my Portuguese Meatballs a try, they're different than the usual ones, because they're not cooked in tomato sauce, but I'm sure you'll enjoy them anyway. I use the same recipe to make my homemade Sausage Biscuits...they're delicious.

It feels wonderful to be back in the kitchen, cooking a meal for the family. For dinner tonight I'm making Apple Cider Chicken, and I've posted the recipe as you can see, so go on over and take a look if that sounds yummy to you.

While talking to hubby this morning about what he did in Vegas for fun...he told me about the Las Vegas Renaissance Faire that he and a friend got to go to. I am so jealous, if there is ONE thing that I LOVE is anything medieval, and for the longest time hubby and I have wanted to go to one of these Faires, so I don't blame him for going given the chance. I'm SO thrilled that he got to go and see a Joust and sword fights, everyone dressed in medieval costumes, fairies and elves, Pirate Ships having canon ball fights, and he even got to eat chicken on a stick (which he says was really good) and a HUGE turkey leg. He LOVED it, I don't blame him, though I do feel disappointed and jealous that I wasn't able to join him. LOL
But you know there's always next year :)

Doesn't that look like fun??? Seriously, if you're ever near a Renaissance Faire in your area, be sure to go, it's a great way to spend a family day. My kids are dying to go, and when daddy was telling them about the horses in armor and the battles, they were just thrilled.

I got all my housework done yesterday, so today I'm able to relax and do whatever I want to. Hubby is playing a game on his computer, relaxing while the kids are rediscovering Video Tapes. Do you know that we have tons of them, and for the longest time they seemed to be set aside because, let's face it, with DVD's nowadays, who buys video tapes anymore, certainly not me.
But this morning while hubby was looking through his DVD Movie Collection, the kids all of a sudden realized that there's tapes. So they've been sitting on the couch, with a blanket and a bowl of popcorn, watching Rolie Polie Olie, Dumbo, Charlotte's Web and Fern Gully. It's pure bliss watching them sitting there having a nice relaxing day.

So I plan on spending this afternoon, reading or knitting, or maybe watching a movie. Just being happy and content with my life and my family, seems that the minute Curt came home, my sanity was returned. Nothing like him to ground me and make me feel normal again, I am ONE.LUCKY.LADY!!!

Before I leave, I want to remind you of some great things going on in blog land, beginning tomorrow.

Gibee at Kisses of Sunshine is hosting a Homemade with Love feature.
Write a post about homemade gifts for Christmas and then go on over and add your name to Mr Linky so you can share it with others, I'm sure you'll be getting tons of great ideas from the other participants too :)

Jennifer from Snapshots is hosting a Gift Idea Exchange, go on over and read the rules if you want to participate.

And finally also starting this week, Theresa at Bullfrogs and Butterflies is starting the Blog-O-Lantern contest. She encourages us to carve a pumpkin and then show it off for everyone to see, she's have a post up with Mr Linky so you can add your name and allow others to see your work of art.

I want to send a HUGE hug and kiss to my family in South Africa, I loved talking to them yesterday and I miss them terribly. Love you guys!!!

You all have a wonderful Sunday and I'll see you here tomorrow morning :)