Thematic Photographic #59 --- Elemental

Every Wednesday Carmi over at Written, Inc. runs a new photo challenge called Thematic Photographic. Tonight he gave us a very elemental theme --- in fact, that's it! Elemental! I also give credit to Mojo, the guru of photographic illusion. Together, Carmi and Mojo are a the gurus of blog and they came up with this theme. For hours of enjoyment jog on over to their sites.

With the theme of elemental the first thing I thought of was water --- and how much I love fountains. It is fascinating to see how water can be sculpted with pressure, nozzle shapes, and motion. Add some light to that and what a show!

Here in Branson we have no shortage of the element water, from the lakes to the underground water tables. Then there are the fountains! At the Branson Landing we have the Fire and Water show and a lovely reflecting pool in the main square. Last week we took our friends from Phoenix to the Landing and we enjoyed sitting in the square watching people and the fountains. Right at dusk I started snapping some photos to get the lights under the water while the shape of the water was still clear. The result is quite interesting. I don't know what I will do with this, other than post it here, but it is pretty!

If you are playing along with Thematic Photographic I look forward to seeing your photos. If you haven't played before, please do. The rules are over at Carmi's blog.

Thanks for stopping by!

Macro Monday/Thematic Photographic --- '57 Heaven

For this week's Macro Monday I am taking the size up a bit... quite a bit.... but these are still close-ups. There are several photos cuz I had difficulty picking just a few.

Also, as last week, I am combining this with the Thematic Photographic topic shadows.

So, a bit of background, and tie-ins to both themes. One of my favorite theaters in Branson is the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. Visitors get to see some of the greatest acts i American music, and a trip downstairs takes them into a time warp back to a 1957 American town. Featured are beautifully restored cars, all 1957 models and all made in America.

For Macro Monday I am showing close-ups of shiny grills, white-wall tires, and fender fins. For Thematic Photographic, this is a look at shadows of American-made cars of the past. Can you identify these magnificent classics? During the next few days I will put these and more on Flickr.

Cadillac

Packard

Cadillac

Buick

Thunderbird

Buick

Chevrolet

Nash

Cadillac

Corvette

Corvette

Lincoln

Lincoln

Aren't they beautiful? They might not make cars like these anymore, but let's hope we keep making cars in America --- but don't get me started on that subject!

Have a good week, everyone!

Thematic Photographic 8 --- Monochromatic

Carmi threw me a curve with this week's Thematic Photographic! While I truly admire b & w photography, I don't do much of it. I'm an all-about-color kind of gal. However, in April of this year SW Missouri lakes and rivers were far above flood stage and the dams all along the White River system were open as far as possible.

I took dozens of pictures at Table Rock Dam and posted some at that time. The skies were gloomy and, aside from the blue color of the dam's superstructure, the photos were quite monochromatic. I removed the color and made them b & w. I'm quite proud of these photos and have sold many at our little shop at the Branson Craft Mall. So, until I get into my files and find a few other photos that I think will fit the theme, here is a reprise of the dam photos.

The next two photos were taken from the top of the dam. I am too short to lean over the wall, so I wrapped the strap of my precious Canon 40D securely around my wrist and just started clicking. The results were dizzying! I just wish you could hear the sound of over 400,000 gallons of water per second.

The lake levels were so high and with the strong winds on the lake, water was actually coming over the gates as well as through them.

It is interesting how many Google searches I still get about Table Rock Dam.

If you haven't already, come join the fun with Thematic Photographic. The rules are simple and the people you will meet are great.

Tourists Deserve a Big "Thank you!"

Skyrocketing gas prices, air fares and costs for nearly all consumer goods hit the tourism industry first. For a town like Branson (population 6500) that hosts over 7 million visitors per year this economic condition is disastrous. So when I see out-of-state license plates on vehicles of any size or shape I wave, give a thumbs up sign or some other gesture of welcome. When I meet people in our shop, in the theaters or restaurants I thank them for coming to Branson. We are happy they are here.

We gauge our busy season by the traffic in town. Sad to say it has been fairly easy to get around without too many traffic jams. Last weekend, though, we nearly had gridlock! Some of the visitors I saw in town were from:

Maryland Texas Virginia Oregon Florida
California Iowa Washington St. Indiana Colorado
Illinois Oklahoma Nebraska Tennessee Mississippi
South Dakota Minnesota Pennsylvania Kentucky
New York Michigan Kansas and, from the north, Canada

So, to all of our visitors:

Thank you for coming to Branson in the beautiful Missouri Ozarks. You are welcome here any time!

When Ladies Wore Gloves to Tea

Branson has a secret. The beautiful theaters and thrilling attractions made Branson a big dot on the map, but they would not be here if Rueben Branson hadn't opened the first general store in this county. This store also became the post office for Branson, Missouri and a little dot carrying Rueben's family name popped up on the map back in 1882.

Nestled on the bluff between Lake Taneycomo and the "strip" of theaters is the original town of Branson with many of the original buildings. There is an old-fashioned 5-and-dime store, corner drugstore and quaint little shops of all kinds. Many of the settlers' homes, some no larger than cabins, are now occupied by accountants, beauty shops, and even a dog groomer, but only their unobtrusive signs belie their new identity. The tree-lined streets welcome visitors the same as the cozy neighborhoods they once were.

My mom and I discovered a jewel in old town Branson. Sitting right on Main Street is one of the original homes that has been converted to a charming tea room called Ruby Lena's Tea Room. You enter into a cozy foyer furnished with antique bent-glass curio cabinets and china hutches. The contents of these beautiful antiques range from delicate old china and tea sets to doilies and dolls that once cheered a young girl. The main room is bright with large windows and lace curtains. Tasty lunches and homemade desserts are served to guests seated at a variety of tables which are prepared for cozy parties of two or luncheons for eight. An eclectic collection of tablecloths and cloth napkins make each setting unique. Even during their busiest times the chatter of conversation is barely above a moderate buzz, leaving one to be able to hear the faint echoes of bygone family gatherings in that house.

The lunches are creative and light, with specialty quiches such as chicken pecan. The crust is actually made of pecans! I love the chicken strawberry salad which is a surprising taste treat. Morsels of specially grilled chicken are tossed with fresh strawberry slices and blueberries on a bed of all those fancy greens. Very refreshing on a hot day. But what I always order is the strawberry soup. As thick as potato soup it is actually very cool and creamy. Yum -- wish I had some now. Then there are the desserts --- oh my!

Ruby Lena's is a special treat any day. For a break from the noisy chain restaurants, this is the place to go in Branson. They are open from 11:00 a.m to 3:00 pm, a perfect break in a busy day.

I can't provide a link to a website since they don't have one yet, but a Google search of tea rooms in Branson MO brings up many references.

Pork Rinds Revisited

An interesting aspect of blogging is the phenomenon of visitors arriving via Google searches. This is great and I welcome all readers. The most curious Google searcher was one whose search included "pork rinds", of all things. Picture This At Last actually landed in the list of results! Well, I guess the post I wrote about Branson, Silver Dollar City, and other local attractions did include the words "pork rinds", describing them as tasty snacks found at Silver Dollar City.

Jerry and I paid another visit to Silver Dollar City this week. Wonderful acts from around the world are featured this month, including Irish dancers, Chinese acrobats, Scottish singers, to name a few. On the way to the venue for one of the shows we stopped at the Pork Rinds concession stand. I felt the interest in pork rinds deserved further research, and pictures. (You're kidding, right? Nope, serious.)

Pork rinds are amazingly simple to make. A scoop of pork rind chips quickly blow up to light puffs. It's all in the oil that is well over 400 degrees. Being nearly 100% fat I wouldn't put these on the healthy snack list. Dipping them in ranch dressing, or some other condiment, might improve the taste experience, but would only add to the cholesterol catastrophe. But, hey, it's all about the fun.

A scoop of pork rinds. I think they are smoke dried first.

When the chips hit the hot oil they puff up in a matter of seconds!

Our friendly host!

So, if you are searching for pork rinds, either on Google or at an amusement park, half the fun is watching the frying process. Yum!

Yes, This Is A Blatant Plug for the Fun You Will Have In Branson, Missouri

We love living in one of the vacation capitals of the country -- heck, the whole world! Here are just a few reasons why:

So many wonderful places around the United States are spectacular vacation spots. But for a wide range of entertaining and inspiring shows there is no better place than Branson, Missouri. The theaters are spacious and comfortable, plus shows are offered throughout the day, even breakfast showtimes. ALL shows are rated "GF" - Great for the whole Family! Take a trip down memory lane at the Dick Clark American Bandstand Theater. Remember Paul Revere and the Raiders? How about Bill Medley? Chris Montez, the Chiffons, and Fabian!

For all day family fun there is Silver Dollar City. In fact, it takes more than a full day to see and experience all it has to offer. During the summer all the rides are open, and by rides I mean thrilling roller coasters, rafting the rapids, and exhilarating spinning and swinging for all ages in the family. Be prepared to get wet at the interactive Geyser Gulch where water cannons aimed at specific targets can trigger a shot of water right back at 'ya! My favorite is watching the artisans and crafts people actually working at their specialty: woodcarvers, blacksmiths, glassblowers, furniture building, to name a few. All they make are available to buy in the fantastic selection of shops. Then there's the food! Oh, my gosh! The aromas of fresh-made food is everywhere in the park. Everything you can imagine, even fresh pork rinds which are really good! Honest! Oh, the music and live shows! Well, I could go on and on about Silver Dollar City. Click on the link and see for yourself the adventures waiting there. You can also find all the fun at Celebration City, White Water, Showboat Branson Belle, Ride the Ducks, and Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede.

Branson is also a great place for a golfing vacation. Beautiful courses from the recreational to the championship. A spectacular course is being built at the Payne Stewart Tribute Golf Club in Branson Hills.

For water-lovers three spectacular lakes are perfect for water-crafting, scuba-diving, fishing and swimming. Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, and Bull Shoals are all awesome! Nothing is more beautiful than watching the sunset on Table Rock Lake while pontooning with your family on this 52,300 acre lake created by Table Rock Dam. Then again, the sunrises are spiritual, as well!

What would a vacation spot be without shopping? The Ozarks are known throughout the world for craftsmanship and original works of art by artisans in a variety of genres. Peter Engler tops the list of woodcarvers and his work is found throughout the area. It is not unusual to see Peter carving away in front of his store at the Grand Village. Click on shopping for a preview of the one-of-a-kind shops to the large outlet malls. Don't miss Branson Landing!

Do you love the hand-made crafts that you can't get anywhere else? That's the best part about shopping in Branson! My favorite craft store is the Branson Craft Mall. And now for a really shameless plug: that is where my little shop is, Made For Keeps Originals, featuring original photography and handmade greeting cards.

So, do you have your bags packed yet? Come on! The very friendly people of Branson and the Ozarks are ready to welcome you with open arms and down-home hospitality! If summer travel seems like an expensive luxury, stretch your vacation dollars in America's heartland where there is something for everyone!

Could This Be Spring?

At 74 degrees, today was the closest to spring weather we have had yet. Definitely a day to enjoy because tomorrow is forecast to be 44 and raining. (sigh) In the spirit of carpe diem Mom and I decided to get out and enjoy the beautiful day. One of my favorite places to walk and shop is Branson Landing. I call it a miniature Kierland Commons after the beautiful shopping/residential square in Scottsdale. Open only a couple of years, Branson Landing winds along the shore of Lake Taneycomo and features great shopping, restaurants, fountains, hotel and condos. Shops are easily accessible along the brick mall and a trolley comes along every fews minutes to make the trip quicker:

Overlooking the mall and Lake Taneycomo are the Hilton Hotel and luxurious condominiums:

Today I couldn't resist sitting in the sun and watching people, sometimes with their pets, strolling along and enjoying the dancing waters of the fountain. I really had the most fun capturing the crystal clear water in motion, freeze-framing it with amazing results!

This English Bulldog was thirsty but seemed very concerned about falling in!

I love the way the water mimics the young trees here:

I like the way the angle of the fountain contrasts with the straight lines of the structures.

Come on over to Branson! There's a bench by the fountain waiting just for you! That little tree will be providing shade in just a few weeks!

Rockin' and Rollin' Back In Time

Warning: If you were born after 1965 you may be asking "Who??" as some entertainers are mentioned below.

One of the most popular theaters here in Branson is Dick Clark's American Bandstand Theater. http://www.dickclarksabbranson.com/ The driving theme of the theater is '57, as in 1957, not the average age of the audience! Trivia question: When did American Bandstand go on the air? Answer: 1957! Besides featuring icons of rock and roll music on the stage, the theater has a car museum on the lower level. All of the cars are 1957 models and are restored to beautiful, pristine condition. The showroom is quite a blast from the past with displays of 1950's homes, gas stations, car dealers, and even police cars. It's like walking through Mayberry!

Last week we enjoyed a high energy run down memory lane with Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Bill Medley, half of the duo The Righteous Brothers. (Bobby Hatfield passed away in 2003.) Paul Revere is counting down to his 70th birthday on January 7. (I'm hearing groans from the baby boomers!) He is still going strong --- wearing the trademark tight white pants and tri-corn hat. At this point the youngsters are asking "Who??". This group was so hot with hits like "Hungry For Those Good Times, Baby", "Kicks", and "Steppin' Out". Mark Lindsay used to be the lead singer. For the past 4 years Darrin Medley has been in the spotlight. Darrin is the son of Bill Medley of the Righteous Brothers. With Bill Medley the second act on the ticket, we enjoyed Darrin's versatility throughout the show.

Bill Medley's half of the show featured some of the greatest songs of all times: "You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling", "Unchained Melody", and "Rock and Roll Heaven". Bobby Hatfield was greatly missed and his "brother" Bill provided a tribute in pictures to his partner of over 40 years. Son Darrin doesn't have the bass voice like his father, but he proved to be a fitting partner for the duets. Bill has gone on to record blues and gospel. The voice is raspier, but the reach-down-and-grab-your-soul emotion is irresistible.

The Christmas shows in Branson are wrapping up for the season. Until March it will be pretty quiet in town. If you have ever been stuck in traffic on "the strip", Hwy 76 through town, this is a season to look forward to! Actually, the locals know alot of short cuts to avoid the "longest parking lot in the country"!

Christmas In Branson

One of the best reasons to live in the Branson area --- or visit --- is for the Christmas shows and true spirit of the season. We have countless opportunities to see entertainers from the little-known to the world-known put on Christmas shows with everything: music, comedy, sparkle, spirit, and FUN!








We went to one such show last week. Dino Kartsonakis, generally known as just Dino, is a classical concert and gospel pianist, emphasis on the gospel. He and his wife Cheryl team up for entertainment extravaganzas at Christmas, Easter and dates in between. Whenever we've been in Branson at the same time as they are you could find us at their show. Because of personal connections we usually have the pleasure of sitting in prime seats. This was one of those times. Much to our surprise, the show we attended last week was also being filmed for broadcasting on the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on December 22 (10:00 p.m. CST). The host for the evening advised us that the stage wasn't the only area being filmed. Given our second row seats we could just possibly show up on TBN! No acting was required because the show was truly inspiring and entertaining. Pictures here are of Dino, Cheryl and various shots possible in the dark with no flash and very fast moving dancers! Dino's website is http://dinoplayspiano.com/

Other shows we will be seeing will be Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede Dinner Show, Paul Revere and the Raiders (you need to be older than dirt to remember them -- Paul Revere is almost 70!), the Music of Mannheim Steamroller, and anything else we can fit in. Of course there will be the all-day excursion to Silver Dollar City and their 4 million lights, stage shows, and the best hot chocolate in the world.

Hey! Y'all come to Branson! You'd be surprised what you'll find here!