bloggity blog.

So you want to start a blog?

Go for it.
Dive in.

Find something that interests you and let the world share in your joy!
Document everything you do and have fun adventuring.
Think about want you want to share and create a voice that is friendly and inviting to comments and advice.
Also!  Respond back to your viewers, it will create a blogger-like bond that will foster online friendships.

It really is that simple, I could go in-depth on various strategies, but it is what you make it be.  Let your blog express who you are and what you want to share.  

Random blog post, I know.
Where the adventure is, I'm not sure.
But!
Be sure to check back in a couple of days as I venture out into the wonderful world of autumn in Stillwater.

fried pie.

Due to the ill nature of my sweet baby Mac laptop, Adam, I will not be able to bring visual goodness to you this week.  Hopefully, colorful language will suffice. 

And yes, I did name my laptop.  You should name your laptop too.

On that note, we’ll begin the adventure for this week.

Have you ever got in your car just for the sake of going for a drive?  It’s terribly relaxing, and I suggest it, but that’s not the adventure this week.  The adventure began in a car though!  While driving through downtown Stillwater I noticed something I had not seen before—Boom-a-Rang. 

With the image of this corner diner etched in my memory, I invited a few friends to join me for dinner later on that night.

Adventure: Eat somewhere you never have before.

As my friends and I briskly walked into Boom-a-Rang we were warmly greeted by a staff that dawned big smiles.  Sitting down for a short wait, we took in the scenery.  Surrounded by 1950’s memorabilia and old photographs of Monroe and Lennon, this restaurant captured our attention with its small town charm.

We found our way to our table nestled under photographs of The Beatles and took a look at our menu.  Learning the diner lingo was a cinch, on the back of the menu was a diner translator that explained what items such as “dog soup” meant.

Our group decided to order completely different meals so that we may fully experience the restaurant.  Ranging from a chicken tender basket to a hickory-smoked burger, we all enjoyed our dinner.

After dinner, we couldn’t resist the urge to splurge with dessert.  Once again, we all ordered differently.  Just before our mouths began to water, we saw our desserts coming over to our table.  Chocolately brownie goodness covered in hot fudge accompanied with a scoop of silky vanilla ice cream, bright red strawberry shortcake with cloud like whipped cream and two tightly wrapped fried pies with an ooey-gooey cherry filling sat in front of our saucer sized eyes.  Needless to say, we were definitely satisfied.

However, even though we enjoyed our meals, the best part about Boom-a-Rang diner was the atmosphere.  The 1950’s style was playful and inviting and there was not a college student in sight.  We enjoyed our dinner alongside families and older couples who call Stillwater home.  I loved this.  It is wonderful to step away from a college atmosphere and experience community with the people who are at the heart of the town you live in.

So.  I challenge you this week to have a night out.  Grab a few friends and dine at place that catches your eye, I would love to hear about your adventure.

don’t you love mini-ventures?

I’m not sure what all of you thought about this week, but if you live in Stillwater, this week was absolute crazy-ness due to the biggest homecoming in the nation.

Blaming lack of sleep and time, I was only able to devote myself to a quick mini-venture early this Saturday morning: The homecoming parade.

The homecoming parade drew my attention immediately—what better way to celebrate the community of small town than to be an active viewer of the annual homecoming parade. 

What I enjoyed the most about this early morning festivity was the wonderful opportunity to people watch.  It seemed that everyone was connected to each other in some way, whether it be old classmates greeting each other after a year of being apart or a school teacher saying a passing hello to one their students, people were brought together through the excitement of a fall, football homecoming.

This morning was splendid.   It was wonderful to see a community come together and enjoy each other’s company through a delightful parade filled with tractors, horses, floats and lots of smiles.

On a terribly random note, have any of you heard of JJ Heller?  If you haven’t, please Google her now.  Her music is inspiring to the weary college student—her lyrics are a lovely reminder of where we can find pure joy and peace.  If you happen to listen to one of her past casual podcasts, you can tell she has an overflowing joy in her heart that definitely comes out in her faith-based music.