April 28, 2022

Oh Si! #BloggingBranson Bye Bye Branson- For Now. #hosted

 Babushka was hosted by #BloggingBranson to see the many maravillas for familias it has to offer.

  The series of posts are BB’s honest opinions and views.



HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
So, "tell me how you feel about a place without telling me how you feel about a place."
That foto says it all.

Our last day in Branson, MO. 
 Time to gather the memories and souvenirs. 
To make sure todo we want to take back is packed away- at least in our recuerdos.
BYE BYE BRANSON...
pero first, 


BREAKFAST!!

Oh how we were going to miss this....
Actualmente, we were going to miss our Castle Casita mucho.



Es cute, quirky, a timeless beauty that doesn't take itself too seriously, but knows its worth and is happy and comfortable in its being. Welcoming all with amor and simple sincerity. Sounds familiar verdad?  Si Beautifuls, if there ever was a true kindred spirit, this palacio is BB's place.

The Beautifuls de #BloggingBranson had arranged a visita with The Track Family Fun Parks that Babushka had saved 'till the ultimo dia.  As soon as she saw that ferris wheel and the montañas surrounding us she knew that was how she wanted to end this trip. 




The Family Fun Tracks  a fun place whether you play or just watch. 

Perfecto for the intergenerational trip de familia!!

Feibu https://www.facebook.com/bransontracks

Tweety https://twitter.com/bransontracks

IGrammy https://www.instagram.com/bransontracks/


BB's trip to Branson, MO.  And for those that didn't see the other places, a quick resumen-


Clay Cooper's Country Express

 Legends in Concert 







If you'd like a more detailed descripcion, here are the posts per day:





So Beautifuls, what's BB's verdict on Branson MO as a place to visit?



Branson is a place for families; establishments are owned and run by families, not big corporations. A little piece of the US that is big on pride and gratitude. Where God, Familia and Country are celebrated in every show and all are welcomed. Here are the big shows of Vegas and Orlando, without the casinos or chaos. This is Branson, Missouri, and this is a place BB looks forward to visiting again.

BB2U

April 26, 2022

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 3 Stone Castle, FlyRide, Hughes Brothers Country, The Haygoods


Babushka, her Little One, and Sweetie were guests in Branson, MO .  
Hosted via #BloggingBranson , we saw many of its maravillas.  
These are some of our opinions and observations...


Branson MO, #BloggingBranson, BBabushka
Flyride, Hughes Brothers Country, The Haygoods, Stone Castle
#BloggingBranson #hosted

HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
Ok, Ok, Si, the collage is a bit busy, but then again, so were we!!!
The fabuloso friends of #BloggingBranson had our plates full on this final dia.
Y speaking of full plates...

Stone Castle Breakfast Buffet
Sweetie's Happy Face, the only reason he'd get up early. A good breakfast.


Fully rested and knowing he was going to have a good desayuno, Sweetie was ready for his two servings of breakfast. They switch up the types of fresh fruit and fresh baked muffins, pero the main elementos of scrambled eggs, country gravy, sausage, biscuits, waffles, cereals and coffee were the same. Delicioso. So just one go round?  JU SO FONII!!  Especially since today he was going to play catch up on missed activities. 


And catch up he did!! We went back to Beyond the Lens because we knew he'd love it. (ok, because we wanted to do some things again too.) Naturally he had to take pics with the alien and Big Foot, play virtual, electronic basketball (had to drag him from that one), pose in the GI Joe box, play some Skeeball, read EVERY SINGLE Kennedy conspiracy, took in the simulated oval office and sat in the president;s chair.  We had to rush him a bit at the end, porque although it was in the same edificio, we had an appointment to go on FLYRIDE, and BB was not about to miss out on that! 



Although, looking at this picture you might think otherwise...

What you see Sweetie hanging onto is a pic of the seats used in the ride. They move and help simulate flight through different regions. Along with air currents, water spray and sound, you truly do feel as if on a magic carpet in faraway places. So realistic que BB is rethinking the rapid water rafting item on her bucket list... Seriously, this ride is worth signing up for and glad Sweetie took his Dramamine. It's very well done.

And speaking of well done, a show that has held it's own for years...


 “It’s good ol’ Country & Western music, with a tad of Doo-Wop, Patriotic and Gospel mixed in.  Expect Country Music past, present, and way cool.  Everything from Ghost Riders in the Sky and Johnny Cash to Aaron Tippin and Diamond Rio. 

 The harmonies this band of brothers produces are a treasure richer than all the gold in California."


And they ain't just whistlin' La Guantanamera Beautifuls!
True to life hermanos, they have been performing together since childhood and it shows.  The good natured jokes and jabs, it's like being in a family reunion- of a very talented familia. BB can just see them as niños...

Little One was most amused and amazed by the bagpipes...

 The years have their timing and tuning down to a T, the harmony impressive and at times hair raising at the perfection.  A not so simple talent that is truly a gift. 



Ask them what the gift is and they share it's God, Familia and Country. 
As Babushka said Beautifuls, it's like being in a family reunion. 



Y speaking of family reunions, Cubanos are known for their "cajitas" of food in fiestas. That's where the finger foods are served in individual boxes so they'll be protected from the elements, distributed evenly, and be easier to take home.  BB uses this to explain why she didn't partake of the included BBQ; we were waiting to be served during intermission. Apparently it was served before the show. We saw the ends of it when we came in, but we figured halftime so everyone stays...



Oh well, barriga empty pero corazon lleno.  It's a show worth seeing, even without the food. And from Babushka, you know that means mucho.

Hughes Brothers Country Show
Feibu Hughes Brothers Theatre
IGrammy the_Hughes



If the Hughes are the understated downhome family, the Haygoods are completamente opposite!  This familia of 5 hermanos and one sister got their start listening to their padre's 60's lp records and remastering them acoustically. And Babushka does mean master them Beautifuls! Raised in the Ozarks they share their downhome roots, but in no way are they understated.


What they are is very talented, in many ways and on many diferente instrumentos!
 Oh, and mountain does not mean not modern. Miren pa' esto- 

Performing Beyonce

They sing, play instruments, tap dance, pero of course they play to an almost capacity theater every time!! Ya figure, to have a favorite show for 28 years, they gotta be doing algo right. Don't pass up this one if you want to be energized and entertained at the same time.  Amazing the variety of songs they cover in their style and they do it so well!! BB garantia that everyone will leave hablando and happy.


The Haygoods   https://thehaygoods.com/



What a dia Beautifuls! 
Cansada pero Contenta, we headed back to our Castle Casita.
One more noche in the mountains, enjoying todo and feeling blessed.
Hasta Mañana, 

BB2U

April 20, 2022

A Mother's Love- Heart Locket #Giveaway #mothersday

 

pictures on gold, heart locket, sterling silver jewelry, custom jewelry, mothers day, personalized jewelry

 HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!

We all knows Madres are special people. Here's a chance to say gracias to yours. Or gracias to someone who's been there for you, or Beautifuls, even to yourself.  Go ahead and enter, and with each entry remember fondly and send some amor.  A chance to love with a chance to win.  Now THAT is BB's kinda twofer! 


Sponsored By: PicturesOnGold.com


Hosted By: Love, Mrs. Mommy



Winner Will Receive: 

A Beautiful Sterling Silver 2 Photo Heart Locket w/ 18" Singapore Chain 

from PicturesOnGold.com worth $152+! 



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Just use "MOM10" at checkout on PicturesOnGold.com!

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build your locket, pictures on gold, heart locket, picture locket

Love, Mrs. Mommy's PicturesOnGold.com Review:


Pictures On Gold has such an easy website to use. They take you step-by-step through the process on their website, to create a piece of jewelry you will be delighted with. Their website allows you to see what your pictures, engraving, and art will look like in real time before you hit the purchase button. You will also see the price upfront as you customize your piece. 

Look at the beautiful necklace Love, Mrs. Mommy made!


pictures on gold, heart locket, sterling silver jewelry, custom jewelry, mothers day, personalized jewelry

PicturesOnGold.com will go even further to make sure your gift is perfect. They will make sure that your photos fit perfectly, no matter their size, and if there is awkward spacing in the photo, they’ll enhance the photo to eliminate blank space. Often, they can even remove the background of a photo, leaving your loved ones front and center in your favorite photo. The laser engraving is 100% waterproof & scratch-proof and is guaranteed for a lifetime!

Open To US and must be 18+ to enter
Giveaway Dates ~ 4/19 9:00AM EST through 5/17 11:59PM EST
Good Luck!!

Disclosure: Love, Mrs. Mommy and all participating bloggers are not held responsible for sponsors who do not fulfill their prize obligations. This giveaway is in no way endorsed or sponsored by Facebook or any other social media site. The winner will be randomly drawn by Giveaway Tools and will be notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to reply before a replacement winner will be drawn. If you would like to participate in an event like this please contact LoveMrsMommy (at) gmail (dot) com.

Buena Suerte Beautifuls!
BB2U

April 19, 2022

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 2- Stone Castle Hotel, Beyond the Lens, Legends in Concert, Rick Thomas Illusionist

 This is a hosted fam trip to Branson MO, #BloggingBranson.

Opinions shared are Babushka's. But if you go there, they'd be yours too.  😉





HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
Feliz and ready to start day 2 of our #BloggingBranson adventure, we made our way to breakfast.  Desayuno is included in the hotel stay, and is served from 6 - 9 am everyday.  It's an interesting set up actually.  There are tres buildings that comprise the Stone Castle Hotel, connected by covered walkways. Little confusing the first time out, pero after that your tummy leads you. 


Down home cooking is DELICIOSO!! And the vista is too.  We enjoyed our desayuno of sausage patties, bread, scrambled eggs, country gravy, muffins, butter, juice, and coffee. Of course coffee. It's a special blend and Sweetie and BB had seconds. Actualmente, we had seconds of everything we tried. Sweetie filled up so much that he decided to go back to bed! So off to discover Branson went BB and Little One, a lovely mother-daughter time.

We drove around Branson Missouri to see the strip. And boy is there a lot to see!!
  Little One and BB decided to visit Beyond the Lens porque it seemed so interesante.


Epic proportions for an epic exhibit of soooo many American memories! The entrada gives a good indication, grande and airy, at times a bit scary. Ya veran, you'll see what Babushka means...

BBAbushka Big FootBeyond the Lens Branson MO Lobby
Big Foot w/ BB



They have "TECHNO-TAINMENT" that'll have you there all day!! BB's not much for a virtual mundo, but this one was definitely worth going into.  Matter of fact, we visited again the next day with Sweetie because we knew he'd enjoy it as much as we did. Moments in American history, Pop Culture, Aliens, Big Foot, interactive exhibits, so much pa' cer Beautifuls! A definite place to enjoy con familia and we could have continued, pero it was time to pick up Sweetie to go to a show. Will share more about Beyond the Lens in the next post, but pictured are just some of the highlights the whole family will enjoy. 



Legends in Concert. Now what kind of entertainment strip would it be without celebrity imitators? Bueno, Branson definitivamente has some of the best. This is such an interesting and fun way to introduce and reminisce. For her part, now after watching "The Blues Brothers" on stage, BB wants to see some of the original films, and remembered fondly Mama's love of The Tempations and Elvis. A wonderful time was had by everyone in the theater. 



The final show of the day was Rick Thomas's Mansion of Dreams.
 An award winning illusionist, he performed 15 years on the Vegas strip and now calls Branson home.


And what a casa it is Beautifuls!
The Andy Williams Moon River Theatre is spectacular. It truly shows the classy, simple elegance that was Andy Williams' style y persona. Just being there made Babushka nostalgic and so glad this teatro was still in existence.  


And not only is it in existence, it is currently magical, inside y out.


To be honesta, the scenery was mysterious and on the verge of macabre, pero  magical it was for sure.  The show just took you into another world with wonders and wizardry, pero before you got too swept away, the "real mundo" was given credo too.  Rick brought children onstage to participate and lighten the air, and then adults were brought up to entertain from the audience tambien! Si, a family show, not only by audience participation, but as most shows in Branson, it was a family show,  as Thomas' wife and fur babies were major elements. For BB, that is what real magic is.  Go, you'll be enchanted.



Enchanted, Encantados, that's what we were/are with Branson. 
To our casita in the castle, to rest y mimir feliz, looking forward to the next dia.


BB2U


April 18, 2022

Oh Si, #BloggingBranson Baby!! Dia 1- Stone Castle & Clay Cooper

Babushka was given hotel and show tickets for the following series - #BloggingBranson.
The opinions are mine, Sweetie, and Little One's.


Branson_Missouri_BloggingBranson


HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
This blog post was years in the making, or mejor dicho, the actual #BloggingBranson trip has been.  First the dates didn't work, then Covid, pero finalmente Sweetie, BB, and the Little One were able to go.  Was it worth the wait?  JU SO FONII!!  Let Babushka share some of the many maravillas de Missouri- Branson.

Stone Castle_Branson_MO

What a welcome sight after 2 days of traveling!!
 Impressive yet homey at the same time.

 


The lobby is a perfect clue of a hotel. Of another era, quirky and cool.
Sooooo BB.

Quirky, cool, and with a sense of humor. Es Babushka or what??
Themed rooms are available for those with kids, or those who are kids at heart.

https://bransonstonecastle.com/accommodations/unique-rooms/

Clean and comfy, amplio space w/microwave and fridge.
You can't ask for more Beautifuls!

Pero as tempting as just staying in the room was after the trip, we were eager to see what #BloggingBranson had to show. We had entradas to  Clay Cooper's Country Express and weren't about to miss it!


Beautifuls, what you see is what you get and mas!!
 If you think being from The South means being slow, then you have to come see este hombre. 
Quick witted y comico, he had great audience repartee and showmanship. He also has great talent, pero most of all, he loves to showoff his familia, and you KNOW that is an A+++ in BB's ojos.  

Clay Cooper's Country Express BBabushka
A variety family show truly worth attending.



Tired but very feliz, we went back to our room. The first dia was a perfecto indication of what was to come. Down home, old fashioned hospitality and entertainment. Babushka has no problema with that.

BB2U

April 01, 2022

April Showers Rain Dollars! $100 #Giveaway #BTEvents #AprilShowers #MakeItRain

 



HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!
April showers bring May flowers, and se puede comprar lotsa flores with $100!!!
Have some fun looking around y entering.

It's time for April's showers, and we're about to make it rain! This month we're giving our readers the chance to win $100 PayPal Cash! This event is HOSTED by The Mommy Island and The Kids Did It and sponsored by the awesome bloggers, authors, and Etsy shop owners! Click Your Way Over To The CoHosts! Sonya's Happenings..., Sybrina's Book Blog, Deliciously Savvy , Golden Goose Giveaways, The Frugal Grandmom, LitNuts, Raising 3 Savvy Ladies, Beautiful Touches, Ottawa Mommy Club, Versatileer, It's Free At Last, Babushka's Baile, Chatty Patty's Place, and Saving K.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter
ONE entrant will be selected by the entry form to win $100 PayPal Cash! Open for entry WW, 18 years and older from 04/01/2022 at 12:01 a.m. ET thru 04/30/2022 at 11:59 p.m. ET. No purchase is necessary. Void where prohibited. This event is not sponsored or endorsed by PayPal. A winner will be chosen after/around May 1, 2022. The winner will have 24 hours to respond to the notification email to claim their prize or a new winner will be selected. See Rafflecopter for official rules. The Kids Did It and The Mommy Island are responsible for sending the winner their prize. Twitter and Facebook dummy/fake accounts are ineligible for entry and will be blocked. Authentic accounts only are eligible to win. a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's hoping for a downpour!!

Buena Suerte Beautifuls.
BB2U

March 31, 2022

Women's History Month is Part of Us All. #TBT Conexion Florida March 2022



Written for the 2022 March edition of Conexion, BB confesses that she hadn't known about these ladies until it was time to write the column. Totally enjoyed doing the research and learning about them, Babushka hopes you do too.




HolaHolaHola Beautifuls!


In March we celebrate Women’s History Month. Por supuesto BB has to write a twofer and write an article about the contributions of Latina Women in the US. There have been many and in many varied areas. Following are but a few, both in history as well as current times.


In the early 1900’s, Mexican American Jovita Idar made her stand for woman’s suffrage, writing in her family’s newspaper, El Progreso, about the need to give women the right to vote. Her conviction wasn’t only via the written word, for when the Texas Rangers came to close down the newspaper because of an article she had written against government treatment of Mexican American’s on the border, she physically stood in front of the door and did not let them pass.


In sports, 11 latinas played for the AAGPBL. The All American Girls Professional Baseball League was founded in 1943 and setting records for RBIs was Margaret “Marge” Villa. She started semiprofessionally at age 13 and was signed with the Kenosha Komets in 1946, playing over 500 games with them as a record breaking catcher.


1961 saw the founding of LatinX education programs, ASPIRA by Dr.Antonia Pantoja. A passion project, because she saw the racism, abusive conditions and racial inequities faced by laborers, and became a community organizer working to shed light and change, knowing education is a leveling factor. 


These are just three of the countless latinas we should honor in  this month dedicated to women’s history. Truthfully though Beautifuls, aren’t we all part of women’s history? Somos hecho y parte of our family/mother’s historia. Y esto being true, we must be made conscious of our importancia, not for ourselves, but to those around us and those that will follow us.  Don’t downplay your part, for you too are part of history. Be conscious of your link in the making of mañana. Do from the heart and follow what you know is right.


Babushka Besos a Todos. Cuidensen.