Mamma Mia---(Here I Go Again) and a Fun Tag!

Last Thursday, I met Bonnie and Patty for lunch on the Square in Independence, MO.  I cannot BELIEVE I didn't take a single photo of the place we ate!  I was famished and my brain must not have been working!  We chose the SQUARE PIZZA as our lunch destination that day.  If you click on their name you will find the website and a great photo of the interior.

The restraurant serves wonderful specialty pizzas, pizza by the slice, great calzones and salads.  Yes, the pizza comes out piping hot in a square pizza pan!   

The Square Pizza was packed with teachers on their lunch breaks that day.  The Independence School District opened the doors of school year 2008-2009 yesterday. The teachers had spent several days of last week preparing for the students. 

After lunch we walked over to the PHARAOH THEATER, another business local lawyer Ken McClain and his wife Cindy  have breathed life back into on our square.  They refurbished the old theater and re-opened it recently.  It is so nice to have a small (four screens!) theater right in the middle of a growing shopping district.

  It was raining that day, so I was a bit afraid to spend much time taking photos outdoors.  I didn't get the tall sign that says PHARAOH on it, but I did get the listing of shows!

Which one do you think we saw?  Yep, Bonnie and I went to see Mamma Mia again---this time Patty went with us!

I enjoyed it even more the second time around, as there was so much I had missed the first time.

I am not ruling out a third viewing, either.

No trip to the Square is complete without visiting Sharleen at her shop, LUTICIA CLEMENTINE'S.

We are standing in front of a gigantic display piece she just purchased from a local antique shop.

From L to R are me (Dana), Sharleen, Bonnie and Patty.

Beverly, did you notice our PINK glasses?  Bonnie and I picked up the light pink specs, and the darker ones Patty has on, when we were on our recent road trip.  They were only $3.50 each.  I can see out of mine, but Bonnie can't. The strength was wrong on her readers, but since they were the perfect color, the only ones left,  and only $3.50, she figured they were a good investment for pink shots--like last Thurs..  I happened to have one more set, and  although they are a darker pink, they were still pink.  Sharleen was able to don them for our picture.  I hope to talk Sharleen into buying some sparkly pink readers to sell in her shop----but they must be CHEAP.  :-)

After our visit with Sharleen, we strolled over to THE KOBE HOUSE BAKERY for a little sweet treat!  They have the most scrumptious apple strudels (I bought one half a strudel to take home), cookies, and breads.  They are known for their traditional Croatian recipes of walnut and cheese-filled povitica.

 

These photos were taken  last spring when we attended the Garden Sale on the Square.  We had a little sweet treat that day, too!

I'm sorry to report that after fourteen years of business, they will soon be closing.

The bakery was started by the family of Caroline Kobe as a way to make money to help provide for her care as an Alzheimer's patient. 

The family will still actively continue with "Grandma's Alzheimer Fund", created in 2000 in memory of Caroline Kobe.  It is a component of the Truman Heartland Community Foundation and now helps local Alzheimer's patients and their families.

This wonderful business will be missed.

 

 

 

Bonnie gave me these  CDs for my birthday!

THE STONE RABBIT and I have been  hopping all over the place to the wonderful tunes!

Yes, the more I think about it, I do believe I would like to see Mamma Mia again.  Anyone want to come along? 

 

 

 

 

              THE TAG!!!!!!!

Pat of MILLE FIORI FAVORITI has asked me to play a little game that involves naming five songs I would be embarrassed to say I enjoyed.   I think I am like lots of folks.  I enjoy a wide variety of music---and I can't honestly say I'm embarrassed by anything I like.  This game made me think back on songs I really haven't thought about recently and when I did, I still like to say I enjoy them.  

So here are some of the tunes that I have spent my time singing along with or dancing to or both.                      

1.  THE TENNESSEE STUD  by written by Jimmie Driftwood .

    My mom and dad knew Jimmie, as they were from the same town he was from in Arkansas.   I remember going to his house to meet him and listen to him play his guitar and sing to us.  I was pretty young, but I recall he was larger than life and the first real "celebrity" I had met. 

I fondly recall going for drives in the family car and all of us (parents and two siblings)  singing that song at the top of our lungs.

Jimmie wrote hundreds of folksongs that were recorded by other artists, including The Battle of New Orleans made famous by singer Johnny Horton.

2.  LOUIE-LOUIE  by The Kingsmen

    I  danced like a crazy person to this song my Freshman year in college.  The first time was at an all school "sock hop" (REALLLLLLY dating myself with that term), then in our rooms at the dorm.  It was still pretty popular by the time I was married about three years later.  My fingers still snap when I hear that song.

3.  ME AND BOBBY MC GEE by Kris Kristofferson

    My husband and I had just finished college.  I had started my first job--he was trying to get into a graduate program.  He was spending lots of time working odd jobs (painting houses, bar tending, substitute teaching---he's very flexible ! )and I was home a lot alone because of his hours.  We had just fallen in love with Kris K. and his current EIGHT TRACK TAPE (another dating myself statement!) was constantly playing.  I always loved the way he sang his own songs.  Of course, I did like to hear Janis Joplin sing Bobby McGee, too!  We're still fans of his and have several of his CDs.  I like his gravely voice and I enjoy(most) of the films he has made. 

4.  THE NAME GAME by Shirley Ellis

     This classic was released in 1964 and was soon being sung everywhere.  It was a children's rhyming game that creates variations on a person's name.  

     The song using my name (which is pronounced Dana, like Nana or Manna or Banana!)

     DANA, DANA, BO-BANA

     BANANA-FANA-FO-FANA

     FE-FI-MO-MANA

     DANA!

     Of course, certain names always brought howls of laughter when the rhyming game was applied--we thought we were SO funny!

     

5. THE TIME WARP from The Rocky Horror Picture Show

     My niece Carrie had to "teach" me what this movie was about.  I had never heard of it and she was telling me how "they" (her friends) would go to watch this show---over and over.  It had turned into a real cult-like draw and a regular party atmosphere ensued while it was showing in the theater.

    You either hate or love this movie--it's odd, but I have to say, Jim Curry's role in it was "over the top" and fascinating.  I love this song and the dancing that went with it.

 

6. DANCING QUEEN by ABBA

    I wasn't a fan of ABBA (I hear gasping out there!) when they were in their prime.  I guess my life was busy with work and school and starting a family.  HOWEVER, I have made it all up since I first saw the stage production of Mamma Mia here in Kansas City a few years ago.  My daughter and I had front row seats.  I was enthralled  with it from the moment the curtain opened and was still clapping and moving----right up until my daughter pulled me out of the theater.

I love all of the songs in the play/movie, but I am partial to DANCING QUEEN. 

  The rules to this tag are, I have to pass it on to other bloggers!  So I am going to tag the following unsuspecting gals---please play along if you would like to!

 Kim of KIM'S TREASURES

 Jean of ONE DAISY CHAIN

 Joy of JOY TO THE BLOG

 Mya of CREATIVE MUSINGS WITH MYA

 Brenda of THE BRENDA BLOG

 

Hope your day is filled with great fun, great friends, great food and great music.

 

DANA

 

  

   

Comments

[Darlene]

Long ago, we used to have a place in Houston that made square pizza and it was the BEST!! Looks like you had a great time shopping and you saw Mamma Mia again...where was your tee shirt???? I haven't seen it as it is not playing in our town but I would love too....I LOVED Abba back when they WERE popular!!

[Jean]

Thank you Dana! I will definitely take this tag and dance/run with it! LOL!

~Jean

[Wonders Never Cease]

What fun!
You always make me laugh and wish I could come along!
Becky

[Wonders Never Cease]

What fun!
You always make me laugh and wish I could come along!
Becky

[Jeanne]

Dana, I am not sure I told you I took my dh and saw the movie three times. Oops, Mamma Mia, of course. I too, saw the Broadway play, only in New York City, with my four sisters. I only have to play the music to start jumping and singing. I become the Dancing Queen. well, sort of. smile. I loved your story about the little trip and the pink sunglasses hit the mark. Great fun.

Today is my 100th post, come over for the give-a-way drawing on Friday.

[Brenda Kula]

You are the only other person I know with the name "Dana' that pronounces it like that other than a childhood friend. It is usually, as I have found, pronounced "Day-na." Yes, I will play along, but I never listen to music, so will have to improvise! I enjoyed your tale today!
Brenda

[mya]

What a fun post. you and your gang always look like you are having a great time. Thank you for the tag. I will post my songs in a couple days I need to think.
Happy pink.
-Mya

[Pat]

Hi Dana...I am assuming the square is in the old part of Independence where the courthouse is. When we were there a couple of years ago, there was a German restaurant on the corner. Is it still there? We had lunch there. J always looks for places serving German food.
We enjoyed our visit to that part of town. We also saw Harry and Bess' home and the library. Would love to return!

[Dana]

Hi Pat! Yes the Square is in the old part of Independence. The German restaurant is still there and I am embarrassed to say--I have NOT eaten there. I must see that I do just that. You do need to return so you can add our courthouse to your photo gallery of Missouri County Courthouses! You also need to see Mary Carol's store she opened in the North part of KC if you haven't done so already. Dana

[Kim V]

Hi Dana! It sounds like you had another fun day!!! Your adventures always look like so much fun! :)
I have been missing in action the last few days...I have fibromyalgia and when it decides to rear it's ugly head I know it's time to slow down. But the pumpkins are at various stages of ripening...the patch looks pretty sad all die-ing down. I will have to take a picture soon. It really is fall-like here. I want to thank you for the tag...I will be posting on it this week! It is a fun tag! Hope you have a great week!
Kim

[Tracie~My Petite Maison]

Hi Dana,
I finally get back from my break and you're talking Mamma Mia - I don't blame you one bit. I'd love to see it again too!
Your lunch sounds delicious, now I want pizza for dinner. Those glasses are darling and just the right shade of pink.
The songs you picked (especially Kris Kristofferson, need I say more?) are great.
So, what about the song at the end of Mamma Mia - I still think of how much I loved how they made it should "old" thank you for the music with the little bell chimes and all... hmm, I may have to get the soundtrack (my husband will be so glad to add it to our other ABBA collections ;)
Happy night sweetie!
xo~Tracie

[Tracie~My Petite Maison]

I think I'm in Mamma Mia mode - hyper! I meant sound old - which I'm sure you realize fellow ABBA lover ;)
xo~Tracie

[Beverly]

It sounds like another great day with your friends.

I do believe everything looks better through pink glasses.

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

Woo hoo, Dana!
Are you up to date with GH? I'm not - four days behind (thank goodness for Tivo). I will have to show you my Luke & Laura sweatshirt (signed no less by Genie Francis), impressed yet?

So you remember Jessie, Dr. Hardy and Audrey? ;)
xoxo~Tracie

[Cathy Santarsiero]

OK Dana, I must confess that I was one of those crazies who went to the RKO Theater in New Rochelle, NY every Saturday night at midnight as a teenager to 'watch' the Rocky Horror Picture Show. No matter who was where, we'd all know you could meet up there. We'd bring 'props' that were necessary...toilet paper, toast, water pistols (you had to be there, ok??) and yeah baby, we did the Time Warp! xo Cat ^..^

[An Enchanted Cottage]

Oh, Dana, you lead such a wonderful life with your wonderful group of friends... It seems like you are always getting together and having such fun!! I don't blame you one bit for seeing Mamma Mia a 2nd time (I've been 3x already - once with my sister, once each with both of my daughters, and like you, I like it more and more each time!!) And Dancing Queen has to be one of my favorite parts of the whole movie... I love all those women!! I will certainly be buying the DVD as soon as it goes on sale... Donna

[cherry]

Ok.......you guys have wayyyyyyy to much fun. I went through a part of Missouri...I would love to go back. Your making me hungry talking about pizza...and it is 12:oo not good. rofl, cherry

[Tracy]

Hi, Dana! What a fun post today...It's always such fun here at your place, and I love how you take us places with you :o) Fun with the song game...I'm not a big ABBA fan either (I know, shock-horror!) But I am keen to see this Mamma Mia for the fun of it! Happy Days ((HUGS))

[Jill]

Another fun day trip. I hope you're starting a scrap book with all these great pictures of all of you girls.

Jill xoo

[Melissa]

Hi Dana,

I just found your blog via The Daisy Chain.

What a wonderful blog you have. It made me giggle and smile.

Thank you for creating such a fun place to visit.

Melissa
Sunbonnet Cottage

[Jillian]

Great songs! I was just tagged by The Daisy Chain to list mine...stop by my blog and check 'em out when you get a chance!

Jillian

[Pat in NY]

This was a fabulous post, Dana! From the pizza, the movie theater, the friends photo, and the dessert in the bakery that sadly is closing. I love the pink reading glasses!

Your song choices were great and I remember them all except maybe the TENNESSEE STUD one --but I bet it was a thrill to meet a star!

Thanks for playing the tag! You're the best!

Hugs, Pat

[Jeanne]

Hi Dana, just stopping by to let you know you are in the book drawing. Thanks for you sweet comments as always. I do enjoy getting to know you more as time goes by. We will definitely be in Gladstone in May next year. when it get closer we will hopefully arrange a get together.

Hugs, Jeanne

[Michelle]

What a fun day and I love those pink specs!

Michelle

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

Okay, ABBA lady~
Who do you think you're dealing with? Of course I saw Luke & Laura's wedding. I wouldn't have missed it for anything - when Elizabeth Taylor (whoops Helena Cassadine) showed up and then Scotty Baldwin - Oh my Gosh!
When Laura finally came back on the show years later, a co-worker and I hid in our bosses office (with his exec assts permission) with a dinky TV while he was on a business trip and watched for the days she was on. We were bad, very bad ~ see what happens when there are no Tivos? Guess the VP's office is as good a place as any to watch GH! Hope you're smiling ;)
Better tell your son Genie Francis is coming back.
xo~Tracie Quartermaine (whoops, that's wrong too!)

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

Okay, that will be my Mission tomorrow (I've chosen to accept it - remember Mission Impossible?) anyway, not to get off track... I will Google and find out somehow (pay people off, whatever means necessary ;).
I hope Genie Francis is going back to GH not somewhere else and Brenda - I LOVE Brenda, what a doll. It seems like Sonny's leaving. Gee I better blog/post about this shouldn't I? Another episode tomorrow... Don't even get me started on Dark Shadows.
Happy night!
xo~Tracie

[Tracie - My Petite Maison]

And why don't Carly and Jax just end it?

Okay, I'm gone ;) (for real now!).

[Kathy]

Another wonderful outing!
Kathy

[rue]

Good morning Dana :)

I had so much fun going to town with you! That piece behind y'all in your friend's shop is amazing!! Love the glasses too ;)

Laughed until it hurt (as always) when I read about your razzle dazzle game for Pink Saturday LOL

hugs,
rue

[nola]

Both Kris and Janis' version of ME AND BOBBY MCGEE were fantastic! Don't worry about dating yourself, I still have 8-tracks AND a player. I don't dare try to play them, I'm afraid they are as old and brittle as I am! I just keep them around to freak out the younger generation!

[Donna]

Hi Dana-My dad grew up on Strawberry Hill in Kansas City and my grandmother gave me her recipe for Povatica. I can't believe I saw that on your blog! I usually make it for Christmas. Thanks for sharing!