A Moment In Time. . .

As "Mr. Ed" and I age. . .
we find our Annual Trout Fishing Trip to Bennett Spring State Park
has taken on a more relaxed style.

Ah~h~h, yes. . .
there's still the early morning trips to the Spring
for the limit of the day's catch of Rainbow and Brown Trout.

As well as , the usual marathon shopping
at Boomland Square in Ozark, Missouri.

But, this trip, there was something even m o r e special
in this year's excursion for both, "Mr. Ed" and I.

You see, "Mr. Ed" had been on Google Maps
researching the address of his maternal grandmother's house
and found that it was now a catering business.

So~o~o. . .
of course, we had to make a special "drive ~ by" the property.

"Mr. Ed" and I parked in the gravel driveway
that was in its original place, on a level part of the lot,
just to the side of his Grandmother Ida Kerby's Home.

Grandmother's original mailbox was located on the opposite side of the street.

Although the Happy Chef Catering Company had given the home
a fresh coat of paint added flower boxes and shutters to the windows,
repaired and painted the porch floor;
I was thrilled to see that the brick columns and the concrete step remained !

Also,
the sidewalk leading around to the side of the house was in its original condition!

Grandmother Kerby never opened her front door.
You always entered at the side door that opened to her back porch.

While I was taking photos of "Mr. Ed"
standing on the porch of his Grandmother Kerby's home,
he commented that a van bearing the same name had just gone down the street.

Sensing we had over stayed our 'welcome'
and that the neighbors had possibly called
to report us taking photos and walking the property,
the van turned around and pulled up in front of the home.

The man inside the Happy Chef Catering Company van
rolled down his window and asked if we had once lived in the house.

"Mr. Ed" was over taken with emotion. . .so, I answered.

"My husband's Grandmother lived her for many years.
We are Trout Fishing at Bennett Spring State Park and drove down for the day.
Having seen your business on Google Maps, we wanted to stop by for a moment."

Can you even imagine how thrilled we were
when he asked if we'd like to take a look inside?

For a moment in time,
both "Mr. Ed" and I were transformed to the precious memories
of the early years of our marriage and our many visits to see his Grandmother!

Once, "Mr. Ed's" Grandmother Ida Kerby's living room,
Happy Catering Company uses this room for 'tasting' .

"Mr. Ed" remarked how exceptionally small
the rooms appeared to him. . .and they, truly were!

The kitchen and bedroom were just as we both remembered.

Ida Kerby Home, October 1980. . .

"Mr. Ed" @ Happy Chef Catering Company, October 2019.

Grandmother Ida Kerby Home ~ Living Room, October 1978.

Grandmother Ida Kerby Home ~ Kitchen, May 1974.

Grandmother Ida Kerby Home, February 1975
her daughter, and "Mr. Ed's" Mother, Mary Kerby Cantwell.

"Mr. Ed" and I will cherish our time in Ozark, Missouri
and the kindness of Chef Phil of Happy Catering Company
for allowing us a moment in time that warmed our hearts
and will give us precious memories, once again, of Grandmother Kerby's Home.

Until next time. . .



Special thanks to :

Happy Chef Catering Co.
408 North 4th Avenue
Ozark, Missouri  65721
417- 860-7734
www.happychefcatering.com

Deep in the Heart of Texas. . .

To celebrate our Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary, 
"Mr. Ed" and I took a road trip Deep in the Heart of Texas
to Fredericksburg.

We had the most wonderful stay at Lindsay's Haven,
a local Bed & Breakfast.

Step through the front door with me
and I'll give you a glimpse of this comfortable, English Cottage establishment.

Waiting just inside the front door
and resting on the shelf for our room keys,
was this petite vintage sterling silver vase filled with real roses.

Two twin beds, with the most comfortable mattresses
and gorgeous linens, made for a restful nights sleep.

I took full advantage of the lovely library on the shelves next to my chosen bed
and flipped through the pages of several gardening titles.

While a downpour rain storm took place our first night there,
"Mr. Ed" and I enjoyed watching Out of Africa,
from the amazing DVD selections.

I absolutely adored the elegantly set Table for Two!

The gorgeous vintage drop leaf table was beautifully
set with Chintz Rose dinnerware.

Two petite loaves of homemade banana bread
atop a crystal cake stand and an appealing hand painted  fruit tray
made a near still life portrait for our arrival.

A fragrant fresh rose and an anniversary card 

added such a personal touch to an otherwise formal table setting.

Our hostess, Mary, won "Mr. Ed's" heart with a fully stocked Coffee Bar.

A full bodied dark robust coffee was awaiting us,
along with a wide assortment of teas.

Extra dinnerware and glassware was stored directly above.

The wing back chairs were perfect for journaling, reading, relaxing
and television viewing or simply sharing conversation with each other.

On the mantle  of the intricate faux fireplace,

a petite blue Wedgwood plate held freshly baked Chocolate Chip Cookies!

Within the hearth,
 a basket of fresh begonias scented the air with a heavenly aroma.

Next to the Coffee Bar was a curtained hallway leading to the bathroom.

Directly outside of the bathroom was the mirror, shelf

and blow dryer area where I applied my make~up each morning.

Great use of a hallway space!
This area allowed me to leave the main bathroom free for "Mr. Ed's" needs.

The shelves above the toilet where perfect for housing our Cologne.

Lindsay's Haven is to the side of this beautifully owned home of our hostess, Mary.

I thoroughly enjoyed the views of Mary's private Gardens from the windows.

It was from an article that I read within my Winter 2018 Edition
of Cottage Journal, that "Mr. Ed" and I choose Fredericksburg, TX.
as our Fiftieth Anniversary celebration destination.

Although it was difficult to say "good~bye",
we will always remember our Fiftieth Anniversary spent
Deep in the Heart of Texas.

Until next time. . .