Happy Birthday Weekend Mister - Part 4 - Oak Cliff Mardi Gras

An early morning walk to the coffee shop starts out our day and then some necessary home chores take place, BUT -- the afternoon is all ours.  We are on our way down to Oak Cliff for the Mardi Gras parade and it's a drizzly, cold day.  Hmmmm --- last year it was just cold and now we get rain along with it.  Drat.  As we are driving, a quick look at the Leaning Tower of Dallas.  This has been in the news all week as the building that just won't go down.  It was imploded and this part still stands.  Perhaps there is a reason it wants to stay.

Happy Birthday to Mister - Part 3 - Two More Breweries in Dallas

We have so enjoyed out day seeing history come alive.  It's time to relax and Bitter Sisters is along the way.  Well, kind of, but it's not far off our path.  With Mardi Gras weekend celebrations abounding, they have free shrimp etouffee, dirty rice, and King cake.  Dinner is solved, although we really aren't that hungry as our lunch was pretty late.

Just one drink, but as we visit with others we are informed of a new brewery just a mile and a half away.  It's only been open a couple of months and ---- why not?

The Odd Muse - great name.

Happy Birthday to Mister - Part 2 - Up to Sherman

On the road again and still heading north.  As we arrive in Melissa, it's a stop at Buc-ees to search for a new hat.

Unfortunately, luck is not on our side.  They DO have the hat we wanted, but they come in one size fits most and Mister is not most.  Drat.  It was a great price and a quick check online shows that they don't even make them in different sizes at all.  WTW?

All stops at Buc-ees require a restroom break and I want to state right here and now that one of the reasons I love this place is that they have this part of life down pat.  I've stated loudly many times that there needs to be either a sink or at the very least, hand sanitizer in the stalls and here it is.  Perfect.  Just add that to all the reasons this is the best place to stop when you are driving around.

Continuing north, Anna is next and as we drive through, this cool building stops us for a peek.

Happy Birthday to Mister - Part 1 - Donuts and McKinney

Happy Birthday to Mister!!!  We have decided to spend the day playing around the metroplex and as he has been mentioning donuts for about 3 months now, that is our first stop.  A funky little shop down near Love Field is the ticket and as we sit and enjoy our sweet treat, the traffic in and out of here is non-stop.  Lots and lots of Saturday morning Dad/Child visits.  Love those traditions.

One of the items he has been promised for his birthday is a new hat and I saw one a couple months ago that the person had purchased at a Buc-ees.  There is one north of McKinney so that is our direction for today.  First up:  McKinney.  Parking on the square downtown gives us the ability to just walk and see.  This is one little square that we have not walked before.  Every corner has these beautiful planters and the whole area is just bustling today.

Red Hat Valentine - Miss Etta's 95th Birthday

For two months in a row, I am able to attend Red Hats luncheon.  I know that that is coming to an end quickly, but I'm loving it while it lasts.  March is out for me and although I can't locate the email, I think both April and May hit during my retreats as well.  It is what it is.  I'll be pretty clear after that until fall.  Fingers are crossed!!

Anna is in charge of our gathering today and it involves a hat contest and I'm loving the creativity put into these.  I didn't play this year, but others did and they are so fun.  As people gather into the room, plans are being finalized and friendships are being renewed.

Happy Valentine's Day

Ahhhh, a day of love!  One of my favorites.  Also one of the most difficult for me as so many that I love are so far away.  My sweetheart is so understanding of this and greeted my day with treasures all over the house.

Manhattan Project Visit

I've been gone for the better part of 2 weeks and my sweetie has stayed near to the house.  It's just what he does.  So, after I arrived home today, I asked if he wanted out a bit before the work week starts again.  He read that Manhattan Project is having their food grand opening this weekend and we love their beer.  We were there once before when it was basically a large warehouse.  You can read about our first visit and their vision in this Previous POST.

Today, the place is gorgeous.  EXACTLY like the artist rendition of what they wanted it to be.  Taking up a spot at the end of the bar, we meat Juan, who is bursting with information and we soak it up like sponges.