Little Happies: vacation recap

We were on vacation last week, hence the lack of posting! (Besides the scheduled posts that Mr. M wrote.)

Going on vacation is a BIG happy, but I thought I'd share some little happies from our trip to the Midwest!

{one}

churches

We were blessed to encounter several beautiful churches on our trip. (I know, such a Catholic nerd thing to be excited about!) 

Cathedral of St. Cecilia, Omaha

Inside St. Cecilia's. We light a candle for our goddaughter, whose middle name is Cecilia.

Holy Family Chapel, between Omaha and Lincoln. 

Honestly, we thought this chapel was a barn when we saw it from a distance. But it turned out to be really beautiful and really symbolic! The little stream led from the visitors' center (designed as a tomb) to the chapel, symbolizing baptism, which brings us from death to life. And the wood of the chapel is meant to symbolize wheat in the field, which is meaningful both for Nebraska and of course for the Eucharist. 

Etched glass of the Holy Family behind the altar

We had an interesting discussion about church architecture and decided that even though the chapel looked "modern" (i.e. it was made out of non-traditional building materials, especially all the glass) it was very classic because everything had meaning, right down to the light fixtures that symbolized Christ outstretched on the cross! As opposed to a "modern" church where all the meaning has been drained out and there's very little symbolism or beauty.

Okay, off my soap box =)

Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Kansas City

{two}

saints we saw

Continuing the Catholic nerd theme...it's always nice to see friends while you're traveling!

St. Ann, in the Omaha Cathedral

St. Cecilia - I bet you didn't know she played folk guitar! Also in Omaha.

St. Gerard, in Kansas City. I said a prayer for everyone hoping for a baby + expectant moms!

{three}

beautiful flowers

Another thing we enjoy seeing while travelling.

Irises in a memorial garden near Lincoln

Rose from a rose garden in Kansas City

Such a delight to stroll around here!

So many varieties

Yes, we did stop to smell the roses =)

{four}

our bed & breakfast

I love staying at bed & breakfasts! This is a once-a-year treat for us and we take full advantage of it! We stayed at this lovely Victorian inn in Kansas City:

out of a dream...

I was amused that our room had a nautical theme, seeing how we were in the smack dab middle of the country...!

The dots on the walls are actually all sea shells

This is where the sherry was kept, which we enjoyed heartily 

There were wine and hor d'ourves in the afternoon:

yum

...and a fresh-baked cookie at night! It crossed my mind whether anyone has ever tried to live forever at a bed & breakfast. The thought is very tempting...!

Our own little patio

{five}

food

We joked during the trip that all we ever did was eat!! A pretty perfect way to spend a vacation, I think =)

French toast stuffed with swiss cheese and ham

BBQ meat + baked beans + cheesy corn

Frittata with feta and goodness

Pork BBQ sandwich and fries. Classic.

I also had a strawberry ale that tasted like an alcoholic strawberry smoothie - amazing.

Oh, and ice cream on several occasions.

Good thing we walked so much too!!

{six}

fountains & statutes

Apparently Kansas City has the second most fountains in the world after Rome! Who knew?! There were a lot of statues too, mostly sweet or quirky. Penguins, mermaids, warthogs, etc. 

Diana in the parking garage

Italian dude and his monkey

Neptune coming atcha!

And our personal favorite...

Little boy being happily squirted on by a frog (?)

{seven}

other

Of course there were so many other happies on our trip that are not as possible to photograph! Time away, time with Mr. M, time with friends at the wedding we attended in Lincoln, time to sleep in and read a book and swing on the porch swing and wander around without worrying about what time it was and basking in the sunshine and enjoying not being at work. Et cetera.

Happiness was had by all =)

+EcceFiat+