25 Apr month in MO

Thurs Mar 17 – Apr 19

What a trip! Kinda burning it at both ends, but life at The Inn At Possum Trot was never dull. Mark and Michelle (Aarons parents) are excellent hosts, even so far as to supply a different nightcap for each day of the stay:) Mornings we would focus on our own computer work, earning that magic green paper. The first weekend was filled with good food, local music, and getting to see the area.

It’s a great part of the country for antiques and flea markets so we poked around a few of those. Also the local spring waters lend themselves to the brewing of many fine products so we went to moonshine tasting at the liquor store. They have 30 or so local wines and sprits to taste free and we made it through most of the lineup before throwing in the towel (we tried all the good ones).

The next day Michelle showed us the Brown Derby flagship store, where they have a little cafe and has serve yourself wine dispensers with 25% off for happy hour and a great cheese and deli selection.

One night Michelle took us out on a hot tip from the neighbor across the street. Her dad was a gospel/country musician on the circuit back in the 60s and 70s and a few of them still get together to jam at the local historical society. It was a good time and great music, though Sarah was the only one of us that recognized any of the tunes. The next night we all picnicked with a proper charcuterie spread along the river down by the old mill in Hurley.

Don’t forget karaoke with the church crew! Went to the coffee shop, split a hot chocolate, and watched the 4 people who had the gumption sing for two hours straight.

Alas it all can’t be fun and games, there was much to be done getting the house prepped in time for easter guests. The entire basement was gutted and the carpet guys were slated to come April 11th, which gave us barely three weeks to insulate, drywall, and paint.

On top of that a chicken coop was called for, which I ended up designing with CAD to add to the portfolio. After several iterations we settled on a design and kept an eye out for cheap materials. Some days, weather permitting, we planted various things. Squash mounds and a strawberry patch were started. A line of wildflowers and sunflowers along the road, as well as a variety of things in the veggie garden: four kinds of onion, carrots, kales, lettuces, mizuna, spinach, broccoli, and dill.

After a lovely couple days in Eureka Springs for our anniversary, we got the chicken coop framed and put together over the course of three days from wood we bought off this sketchy craigslist guy. He had two dogs on chains and told us “this one don’t bite, this one bites.” Well, turns out most of the wood he had left was not exactly what was pictured… still, we got “$50 worth” and with the addition of a few sheets of plywood and requisite hardware, it was enough to make it work!

After that Sarah headed up to Wisconsin for 5 days to see her parents and extended family. But the Griep household was calm no longer, with Pauline and Johnny (close family friend, Aaron’s sister Mariah’s husband) arriving shortly after Sarah left, and the next day followed by Aaron’s other sister Callie, her husband Ryan, and their infant twins Auguste and Elizabeth, and their two dogs Arthur & Walter. All bringing good cheer and helping hands, the new arrivals allowed for the final, finishing touches on the basement before the carpet guys arrival Monday morning.

Monday came, and with it rains, and with the rains a puddle, in the basement – postponing the carpet installation until the last possible day before the Easter weekend. Sarah returned a few days later with some stormy weather, which allowed a little more time for leisure, and we were able to get some bbq with the whole gang. Friday’s carpet installation went smooth and finally the basement was finished and ready for guests again!

Easter weekend brought more excitement, and more people. Brock (Pauline’s son) arrived Saturday evening, and Mariah and Aaron’s brother Josh made it, caravanning from Minneapolis shortly after sundown. Josh drove Mariah and Johnny’s moving truck since Johnny recently found a new job nearby in Nixa, and the newlyweds have decided to relocated, much to the parents’ delight!

With the gang fully assembled, its was time to celebrate. Easter Sunday brunch was an epic spread of too many delicious dishes to keep track of! The day was filled with a classic Easter egg hunt, target practice out in the back field, and of course some board games! Sunday night we took Josh out on the town, to the only place open in the region: a place called “The Bar” which is more like “The Trailer With A Bar In It.” Utterly fantastic with free pool and a full 3 types of beer offered: Bud light, Busch light and “Busch Heavy”.

We stayed through Monday night and hastily prepped for the road, squeezing in final work sessions, a couple small van projects and packing. What a whirlwind month in Missouri!