Found in my "To Do Later" pile.

And Do Later is now, because I'm working on clearing my desk as well as my computer. I found I hadn't journaled our Christmas trip from 2022, so I guess it's about time I got to it. There won't be a 2023 Christmas trip journal, as I had to cancel because of a kitty who needed attention - tapeworm, another story altogether. But I truly believe things work as they should. The trip was to Nashville, and I really don't care for country music. I chose this trip because Niece Terri really does like country music. And so does her friend, Sue (the chicken dinner Sue from last week), so she took my place and the girls had a great time, and said that I would have hated this trip. And now I have a new Chosen Niece, so I was right. Things do work as they should.

This is a long post, but mostly photos. 

But - about the 2022 trip - we went to Kansas City with Sunnyland Tours.

Day 1: 

I was told that Bucca di Beppo means Joe's Basement. They're a restaurant chain, and I understand they're all in basements. You enter a maze of hallways and rooms filled with pictures and all kinds of reminders of Italy. Leave a trail of breadcrumbs if you have to visit the bathroom. Ours was located in Country Club Plaza, the area patterned after Seville, Spain, with lots of fountains. Photos of the area HERE. 

This is the entry to the restaurant. You can see that it's below ground, with the legs coming down the stairs t the top of the photo.

Your first visit to one of these restaurants is a big surprise. Where did they get all this "stuff?" I was taking photos on the run, so some are a little blurry but you get the idea. There are a lot of photos, but they're all so fun, I didn't know which ones to skip.

Notice that some of the labels have writing on them. To mark an occasion?

Dish towels. One of my go-to souvenirs when traveling. Takes little room in the suitcase, non-breakable, and a reminder of the trip every time you use it. My other favorites are scarves. Same reasons.

Notice the ceiling.

I'm a real foodie, but our lunch wasn't memorable. My only photos are of the salads. I think we had some chicken and two kinds of pasta - bread, of course.

Outside the restaurant is a replica of the boar in Seville. You rub his nose for good luck. You can tell by looking at this poor guy. I also saw this statue at Buchart Gardens in Canada. I couldn't figure out why he was there.

Our next stop was The Nelson-Adkins Museum. Be sure to read about this piece.

I'm not sure I consider this art, but I guess it's a good excuse to drink. Hey, I need more bottle tops!

My favorite things.

I wouldn't wear these, but it was fun seeing them.

A special exhibit.

We stopped for dinner at a BBQ place which wasn't worth photos. In an old building, paper plates, mediocre food.

After dinner, our favorite coach driver of all time, Rory, who can go places we swore he couldn't, took us for a tour of lights at the Country Club Plaza, and then out to an upscale neighborhood for more Christmas lights.

Then to the hotel. We stayed at an Embassy Suites, which made me happy, because it was quiet.

Embassy Suites

220 W. 43^rd Street

Kansas City, MO

816-756-1720

Not much in the way of Christmas decorations.

There was an indoor pool, but I don't think anyone used it. Maybe too tired.

Day 2:

We had a buffet breakfast at the hotel and then off to the TWA Museum, my favorite stop of this trip. It's located at the old Kansas City Airport, and I'd never heard of it. 

When TWA went bankrupt, their assets were acquired by American Airlines. A lot of the employees worked for AA, but they were still a cohesive bunch and though most are now retired, they volunteer as guides at this museum, and are still enthusiastic about their past. Great tour, great artifacts, and a gift shop.

Look at the cute little hats.

The china used in first class. Ah, the good old days.

The black-and-white check furniture came from Howard Hughes office. The round tables were made from a part of the airplane (the engines, I think).

There are great photos on Tripadvisor HERE. I couldn't find a way to take a photo of the section of an interior or the actual side of a plane.

And there's a newer and bigger exhibit in Queens, New York, at the TWA Hotel. Click HERE.

Off to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Again, not great food. The stars of the food show were at the entrance.

Next stop, the Hallmark Greeting Card Center.

More photos HERE.

We were within walking distance of Crown Center, a large indoor mall, where we walked, shopped, and ate junk food for dinner. I didn't take photos, but you can see it HERE.

Rory picked us up and drove us to a junior college in the area where the students put up the most wonderful display of Christmas lights I've ever seen. We drove through in the coach and the tour was long; displays on both sides of the coach, many with animation. No way to take photos though. 

Back to the hotel where Linda, Nan, Terri, and I gathered in the atrium at a table to eat our cheesecake from lunch. We each got a different flavor, so we could pass it around and sample each. Rory joined us, and accepted bites from everyone. Great fun.

Day 3:

On the road, headed for home, but first a stop at the Truman Presidential Library. This is the second update for the library. Now it's much more interactive to encourage the school groups to learn. I miss the movie at the beginning. Almost all presidential libraries have them, and it's a good overview. Now there are little screens throughout the exhibits, but I liked the movie theater with a big screen movie better.

Really? Take a look at 2020.

Again - really? Guess they didn't have mail-in ballots then. Or drop boxes.

This mural was in the former entry - you have to look for it now. Painted by Thomas Hart Benton, a Missouri artist. While in progress, Truman was invited to climb a ladder and paint part of the sky. Benton also painted murals in the Missouri capitol. A short video on YouTube tells his story. Click HERE.

President Truman, his wife Bess, only child Margaret, and Margaret's husband Clifton Daniel are all buried in the courtyard of the library.

More about the Truman Library - Click HERE.

Then on the road home with a stop at a Red Lobster for lunch. Great trip.

More time in the kitchen. Niece Terri had never heard of the "Impossible" recipes from Bisquick, so I thought I'd try a new one to show her. I love the Impossible Pumpkin Pie because of the very thin crust.

IMPOSSIBLE PUMPKIN PIE

2 eggs

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 cup evaporated milk

1 tsp vanilla

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup Bisquick

3/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Heat oven to 350°. 

Generously butter a 9”pie plate. 

In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs and then add the ingredients in the order given. 

Bake 35-40 minutes.

Here's the Impossible Quiche I made this week. I used sausage, artichoke hearts, and stuffed olives.

IMPOSSIBLE QUICHE

4 eggs, lightly beaten
1-1/2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled to room temperature
2/3 cup Bisquick
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup shredded cheese, Cheddar or Swiss
1/2 cup cooked bacon, ham, sausage, whatever
Add-ins: frozen spinach (squeezed dry), sautéed onion, minced bell pepper, sliced olives (ripe or stuffed), corn, chopped broccoli, etc.
 

Heat oven to 350°.
 
Butter a 10” pie plate or tart dish.
 
Sprinkle cheese, meat, and add-ins over the bottom of the baking pan.
 
Whirl the remaining ingredients in a blender and pour over.
 
Bake 40-45 minutes. 

Let stand five minutes before cutting.

You can even make your own version of Bisquick.

BAKING MIX (LIKE BISQUICK)

Mix together

8-1/2 cups flour

3 Tbs baking powder

1 Tbs salt

2 tsps cream of tartar

1 tsp baking soda

1-1/2 cups dry milk

 

Cut in

2-1/4 cups shortening 

Store in covered container. 

Will last 10-12 weeks.

I'm experimenting with easy desserts. This week's selection.

CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

1 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 additional cup whipping cream
1 Tbs + 1 tsp powdered sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
 
Heat the chocolate chips and 1/2 cup whipping cream in a microwaveable bowl in 20 second increments. Stir after each, until chips are completely melted.
 
Set aside to cool to room temperature.
 
In the meantime, whip the additional cup of whipping cream, and beat in the powdered sugar and vanilla.
 
Put the whipped cream in the refrigerator while the chips cool.
 
Fold whipped cream into melted chips, and pour into serving dishes.
 
Chill thoroughly.
 
Garnish with whipped topping, cherries, and nuts.

Remove from the refrigerator a few minutes before serving to soften.
 
Note: Try different chips for other flavors. Or make Jello Mousse.

Another salad recipe - 7 to go. I love cilantro, so I just add it before eating. Some people just don't care for the taste.

BEAN SALAD OLE´

15-oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 15-oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz can whole kernel corn
3/4 cup finely chopped red or sweet onion
1 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
1 jalapeno pepper, seeds and veins removed and finely chopped
Fresh cilantro leaves (optional)
1/2 cup salad oil
1/2 cup white or wine vinegar
Juice of 2 limes
1/4 cup sugar
2 cloves minced garlic or garlic paste
1 Tbs + 1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsps ground coriander
1 tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
 
Mix both beans, corn, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno in a large salad bowl.
 
Blend the oil, vinegar, lime juice, sugar, garlic, and spices in a shaker or jar.
 
Pour dressing over salad and chill thoroughly.
 
If desired, top with minced cilantro leaves.
 
Note: Substitute black-eyed peas for the pintos at the New Year for good luck. 

Fannie Mae treated Mim and me to lunch at La Hacienda to celebrate Mim's birthday. No photos again, and I kick myself because there's a most unusual ceiling light fixture I wanted to show. It has fancy black metal and glass pieces attached to a wagon wheel. I commented on how strange the combination, and Fannie Mae said it must be Tex-Mex. Perfect explanation!