{These Moments} in North Carolina . . .

It just dawned on me that today is Thursday.  Not Friday!!  I usually save "moments" posts for Friday but I'm too far into this to delete it now and I know I won't have time to post tomorrow because  I'll be driving into Manhattan to take Jakhai home.  Where did this month go????  "Back to School" commercials have been on for the last week or so and Cracker Barrel has Halloween decorations for sale which I find to be such a tease because then I get all excited for fall and you step out of the store and it's 95 degrees and humid out still.  I was so tempted to buy some of them though.  I'll definitely be paying them a visit in the next month or two!!  Couldn't you just go crazy in a Cracker Barrel gift shop??  I'm not so thrilled with their food.  God knows I've tried to be but I'm just not.  Their gift shops are a whole other story all together though!!!  I'm not even sure if they have them in other parts of the country.  We're getting them in dribs and drabs in New York but there's one on almost every corner the further south you go.  Have you ever been to one?

My dryer just finished turning.  On to the next load!!!  : )


So long for now from atop Mt. Washmore!! ~ Wendy

Our Journey to the Polar Express . . .

 Last week we took our annual road trip to Essex, Connecticut to ride the Polar Express.  It's a beautiful steam engine train that is decorated for the holidays and, twice a day for several weeks, is filled with children (and even some parents!!) dressed in their pj's waiting to catch a glimpse of Santa, Mrs. Claus and the sleepy time elves.  It is something we have come to look forward to every year.  My sister-in-law and I have already begun scheming as to how we're still going to go even after the kids no longer want to anymore.  : )
 

 Our journey begins with a visit to Cracker Barrel for lunch and some retail therapy.  It's located at the halfway point between home and the Polar Express (about a two hour drive to Essex, CT) so it breaks up the ride a bit.  The food is good but, as far as I'm concerned, the shopping is BETTER!! 
 

 If you're a lover of all things country and nostalgic, this is the place to visit.  There are rocking chairs that line the front porch and there's vintage charm everywhere you look.
  

 

 

An old tricycle hanging from the ceiling.

I couldn't resist taking this guy home!!  Unfortunately there's no volume control and with a two year old pressing the button over and over (and over) again it gets to be a little monotonous after a while but I still love it!!  : )

 

My nephew Andre in his jammies waiting for lunch to be served.

My nephew Jason in his jammies.

After we ate lunch and spent time in the gift shop, we changed Megan into her jammies and it was back on the road again. 

NEXT STOP!!  The Polar Express!!!! 


Many blessings for a happy Monday ~ Wendy

{this moment} . . .

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your 'moment' in the comments for all to find and see.

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Rocking in her new pink rocking chair.

Many blessings for a wonderful Friday and a beautiful weekend ~ Wendy