Hello again! We are packed up, fed, and ready to go. Everything has been turned into the shop for shipping and the car is pointed east. We're playing tourist and shopping all the way to St. Louis.
Chillicothe is our first stop (we were here a couple of years ago and here is a
LINK to that post) and we get a chance to check out some new-to-me murals. There is not a second story railing here - all painted. This is part of the Palace of Fashion mural that I shared info on in the above mentioned link.
The Library is FABULOUS! I am in awe. The Livingston County Library moves outside. Many famous books in the mural can still be checked out today. A mural that people can look at for hours and each time find something different. This mural stands 32ft tall by 84ft long & honors Lillian DesMarias, a retired Livingston County librarian. There is a spot on the globe which represents Grundy Center, Iowa, where Miss DesMarias was raised.
The Chillicothe Arts Mural stops me in my tracks. I honestly thought the guy on the ladder was real. Chillicothe has always had a strong support for the arts from the community and organizations. Honoring this tradition, and paying tribute to local muralist Kelly Poling, Cultural Corner Art Guild commissioned Poling’s 60th mural, insisting he portray himself inside the mural. This was the last mural Kelly painted before he passed in 2018. This area is now known as the Kelly Poling Arts District.
This is a new mural just going up. It is going to be Grahams Mill & Bridge.
UPDATE: I found some info on the previous picture. The Facebook page says: "Finished last week. Once all the base color was on, the detail work only took 5 days. Total of 135 hours to paint this giant mural. So honored to be part of this project and so glad to have paint on this wall once again." It was finished in early August and looks like this:
Onto Cuts and Bolts for a quilt shop stop.
Magically, I find some wood fabric for my Galway boats. Yes!
We are taking a new route today and the scenery is wonderful. I do manage to find beauty in farmland.
Next stop is Quilt Shoppe and it's out on a private residence property.
Unfortunately, no one answers the door, even though it states these are opening hours. Oh well.
Back down the country roads - almost hear banjoes.
I read about a covered bridge near here that I want to check out. It is Locust Creek Covered Bridge.
Built in 1868, this is the longest of the four bridges in Missouri and was once part of a transcontinental road. It is located near Laclede and has been moved to Pershing State Park to be over water again. It takes us a bit to find it, including a stop at a very strange ranger station - story there, for sure. When we finally arrive, I hop out to enjoy for a few minutes.
As I'm taking pictures, I hear rustling behind me and cautiously turn to see a deer emerge from the woods nearby. She's watching me as closely as I'm watching her.
Apparently, I've been deemed as safe - off she goes.
One more shot of the bridge and then back with the girls. I guess I'm the only covered bridge fan. I wish this wasn't blocked off and I could have gotten inside. Oh well, some days things just don't go the way I want.
Into Brookfield - First stop is at Bohemian Fol Barn Quilts. I have to admit that I've never been in a shop like this and I fell in love with their work. I am hoping to go home and order a Welcome sign for my own yard. (Now, if we're being fair, Jen found this and didn't realize it was barn quilts - a happy mistake.)
They work on a different material than wood and also use stencils --- if I lived here, I would definitely be making one as they let people work on them right there in the shop. So cool.
Just down the street is Fabric Chateau -
Buying doesn't seem to be my jam just yet, but finding unavailable ones always seems to work my way. I LOVE this apron and will have to find it online as they are out of the panels.
More gorgeous eye candy out the window.
Brunswick brings us the World's Largest Pecan - or so they say. "A central part of our agricultural heritage is expertise in farming pecans, the Carya illinoinensis species of hickory tree. Vast orchards in the Brunswick area produce tasty, distinctive Missouri native pecan nuts, as well as larger specialty grafted pecans. Our nuts are sourced from national ingredient manufacturers, exported internationally, and sold in local retail shops.
Brunswick was officially declared The Pecan Capital of Missouri in 1972, when Missouri State Representative Norwood Creason secured the state proclamation. We launched our first annual Pecan Festival in October 1980, and the tradition continues. Center stage on Highway 24, visitors can visit and take photos next to the World’s Largest 20th Century Pecan replica." So, there ya have it.
Also in Brunswick is Sew Sweet Quilt Shop. This is kind of funny because we've been here before and didn't realize it until we rounded the corner nearby. It's a VERY cool shop which usually means I spend lots of money. In 2023, I even did a spotlight on this amazing shop - here is the
LINK as I'm not going to take as many pictures this time.
I LOVE this pillow pattern - but they don't have the kit with a light background. It's really not my shopping day. The Fractured Star is pretty cool as well, but, again, doesn't have the light background in the kit. I'm saving money all around.
Well, I was saving money until I discovered that this is also a retreat center. After a quick tour around - no pics, I'm sorry - a quick discussion ensued and we booked the place for our 2027 Road Trip. I'm so excited - this will be so much fun.
I did manage to find a couple of patterns as well. I think I'm in fall mode, judging from all the items I've been looking at.
We've decided to drive out to the retreat house that we booked and check it out. The center we toured was not available - even 2 years out. Crazy. As I'm turning on the street, this is spotted. Very cool.
Here is the house we are renting for the retreat. We can't go in as there are people there right now, but it looks very nice.
Grounds around the house -- perfect for a walk in the morning or evening.
Back on the road and Salisbury is next up with Sew Creative.
Some of the owners work is on display and I'm in awe of this one. The embroidery is wonderful and this is just so sweet. Whatever you do, do not miss seeing this quilt in the second room. It was made with pieces of the owner’s mother and grandmother’s lace work, and it is exquisite. The photograph truly does not do it justice; it needs to be seen in person. I took a closer picture of one block just to show the workmanship and detail present in the quilt. From the snow on the roof to the smoke coming out of the chimney, it is amazing! I spent at least 20 minutes just looking at this quilt, so allow yourself at least that much time here! The pattern is Lace Cabins and was a BOM with Crabapple Hill quite some time ago.
I like this one as well and it's in a book she has in stock. Yes!
And this - I think I'm in luck - they are all in the same book.
My purchases here - one canvas type fabric and one pattern book.
Honey Stitch is our last stop for today. We are now in Moberly.
This shop is super cute and they follow the "honey" theme all through it. There are also a ton of vintage items in here - which makes my heart sing.
No purchases for me this time and I'm ready to head to our home for the night. I'm actually pretty excited about it as well.
We are on an Alpaca farm. How cool is this? These are the boys.
I have to get out and wander a bit.
Oooh, I've found the ladies and children. They have complete freedom to wander this lush green grass and they are hanging out in the mud. Is it cooler there? It's pretty dang hot today.
As Jen and I are standing near the fence, this frog hops along. Of course, the minute I try to take a picture, Jen moves and sends him hopping away. This is just before he disappeared under the tree.
We're all together and ready to go get some dinner.
Mexican, it is. Dos Arcos in Paris. That all makes so much sense, right? Cindy's pretty happy about the decision. Gwen? Not so much, hahahaha.
Upon our return to the house, we get a chance to chat with Liz for a few minutes, but she is busy breeding this evening. She tells us that she has a shop on site and we get a chance to look around a bit. We'll catch her in the morning for some shopping. For now, it's time to relax.
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