Musical Monday

Happy Monday, everyone.  I am looking forward to a smooth and lovely week.  Did you read that, powers of the universe?!  I've been listening to a lot of songs on repeat lately, especially the first two on this playlist.  I have a real love for good dance music and Robyn just fits that bill.  As for Fast Car, it's just such a solid classic and Tracy Chapman's voice is unlike any other's.  Some of the other songs on this list are more recent additions to my heavy rotation, but there are a few that have been there for years.  I hope you enjoy!

Kewpee Hamburgers

This post could also be called "The Time We Drove The Whole Way Across Ohio For A Fast Food Joint", but the above title is shorter.  Really, though, we drove the whole way across Ohio to visit a fast food restaurant.  I don't know where or how I first found out about Kewpee Hamburgers, but I knew I had to visit.  So this place originated in Flint, Michigan in 1918 and there are still three locations, all located in Lima, Ohio.  I was warned by at least one friend that Lima wasn't really an exciting place and probably wasn't worth driving out of our way, but since when do I listen to anyone?!  After scouting the locations online, I knew which one we had to visit.  It was built in 1939 and, from the photos, it didn't look like it had really changed much over time.  I was definitely not disappointed! 

How perfect is this tiny building with the giant naked Kewpee on top?!

 Adorable Kewpees everywhere!  I wish I had taken a photo of the cute old man who was eating in the rear booth.  Right next to him, above a doorway, was one of their slogans, "Your grandpappy ate here."  It seemed so fitting!

I'm sort of regretting that none of us actually ordered a hamburger, especially since the cup says they make your heart go flippity flop.  The pecan pie, fries, and frosted malt were all pretty tasty, though.  I saved one of the cups and the sweet cashier was kind enough to give me a few of the unused fry containers when I was purchasing some mugs for souvenirs.  I still don't know if Lima has much to offer, but the Kewpee Hamburgers is so worth the drive!

Musical Monday Returns

I thought about making a playlist of what I've been listening to lately, but really, it's the same stuff I was listening to when I last updated this blog and probably when I started this blog and possibly for the last ten or fifteen years.  I'm a creature of habit.  Instead I'm having a sad return to Musical Monday.  I'll try to make up for it with something lighter tomorrow.

I can't recall the last time I felt really emotional over the death of a musician.  It was probably Kurt Cobain and I think I cried when Jerry Garcia died, but that was more about never being able to experience another live Grateful Dead show.  I was also an overly-emotional teenager for both of those.  But the death of Scott Hutchison, the singer of Frightened Rabbit, earlier this year, hit me really hard.  I've been absolutely enthralled with Scott and his band since seeing them open for Death Cab For Cutie back in 2011.  We had no idea who they were at the time, but it was instant love and I came home from that show and downloaded all of their music and it's been on heavy rotation ever since.  There are a handful of bands who have gotten me through the dark/rough times, bands whose words I relate to and singers who feel like they're speaking right to me.  This is one of those bands.  He was one of those singers.  After his death, it became evident that he was one of those singers for so many of us.  This Pitchfork article probably explains it much more eloquently than I ever could.  So I'll leave you with that and a few of my favorite songs.

Let's Catch Up!

Hello!  I've made several attempts at posts, but nothing has stuck.  I'm still busy, just like everybody else, and still wishing I had more hours in the day.  Again, just like everybody else.  As my boys get older, though, it feels like life gets busier and time somehow speeds up.  That's part of the reason I should get back to posting regularly, to sort of freeze time and be able to revisit adventures and experiences.  I can't imagine there are many of you still out there, after so long without a post!  The longer I neglect this little blog, the more difficult it is to come back to.  I miss typing posts and sharing photos.  So I'll give it a try again and hopefully there will still be some people visiting my page.  At the very least, I can still count on my grandma to check out my posts!

In the nearly nine months since my last post, we've had tons of family adventures.  The photo above is from my birthday adventure to Pittsburgh, taken at Randyland.  I seriously need to do a post on that, because the place is magical (both Pittsburgh and Randyland!) and that visit is sort of responsible for reigniting my creativity and helping me get back to regularly working in my little happy space on doll faces and other art.  The boys have also continuously grown, but I think that's what they're supposed to do.  They keep me busy, along with the sometimes hectic day job, my handmade business, and my new role as bear den leader to the most awesome group of kiddos.  So there's a quick update, now I just need to stick with it and get back into the blogging groove!  Thanks for reading, especially you, Grams!

Lunchtime Walks - Zion Reformed Church of Christ

We recently had one of those rare warm January days, so I forced myself out of my office and out on a walk.  I love the old buildings in the town where I work, especially some of the beautiful old churches.  I've seen the cemetery behind this particular church many times, but I've never ventured in.  The founder of Hagerstown, Jonathan Hager, is buried there and there are so many lovely old headstones.  Although the church is situated on the corner of two fairly busy streets, the cemetery felt peaceful and I think I got lost in trying to read the old markers and make out the well worn symbols adorning many of them.

Rewind to Fall

When the bitter cold of winter came, it hit extra hard.  Fall had been so lovely and mild.  October is always so unpredictable, but this last one was kind and allowed us to enjoy some hikes in nearby woods.  We are currently back to temperatures that seem pretty close to those of fall, but I have a feeling the cold isn't quite finished.  I won't be upset if it is, though, because these boys of mine have lots more exploring to do!

Handmade Arcade 2017

I suppose a lot of the time I spent away from blogging was filled with making tons of new stuff for Handmade Arcade in Pittsburgh.  I believe this was my fourth year doing this show and I will just keep applying and crossing my fingers every year that they will have me back, because it really is and great show and the organizers are a seriously amazing bunch.  I also have a ton of love for Pittsburgh and take any chance I have to spend time there. 

I made these little tea cup scenes the very first year I did Handmade Arcade and hadn't made them since, so it felt like they needed a comeback!

Shadowboxes are the most fun to decorate and this one will forever be one of my favorites.  The most adorable Instagram friend bought her and that made me extra happy!

 I spent hours the week before the show figuring out my display.  I had the most stock ever this year and had to ask my grandpa to make me some extra shelves at the last minute.

Donnie came along with me this year to help.  He was a great helper, but I don't think he quite appreciates the amount of thrift and antique stores I like to stop at on my way to and from the show.  This photo was taken right after he helped me set up.

Can you spot my helper in this photo I sent to my grandma later in the day?  Some of what's in this photo is gone now, but I really need to get to work on updating my online shop and listing the leftovers.  Not pictured in this photo is what would have been a very tired and happy Molly!