This Is Not Just Your Grandparents' Bransonnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sun, 18 Oct 2026 17:50:54 -0500Blogger http://www.blogger.com19125http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/en-usnoThis Is Not Just Your Grandparents' Bransonnoreply@blogger.comhttp://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2014/08/memes-antiques-country-cafe-reeds.htmlGood Eatin'noreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sat, 16 Aug 2014 14:53:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-4677877089720607291The Branson area is known for a wide variety of restaurants, and the most popular seem to be those that feature good old-fashioned down home cookin'. A couple of weeks ago we found another such cafe with an added attraction: antiques! Two of my favorite things under one roof!  Delicious food and beautiful antiques! MeMe's Antiques & Country Cafe Located at 17 Spring Street 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2012/02/welcome-to-family-branson.htmlHomenoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Mon, 31 Dec 2012 18:29:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-5067867922477114764Welcome to Branson! (Note: the advanced date above is to keep this post at the top of the selection.) I decided to write this blog when we made the beautiful Ozarks our home in 2007.  Though raised in Iowa I lived in Arizona most of my adult life but began visiting Branson in 1997.  When family ties tugged at our hearts we left the desert behind and headed back to the Midwest. 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2012/12/billy-gails-mourns-passing-of-billy.htmlBilly Gail'sGood Eatin'noreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sat, 29 Dec 2012 16:13:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-1928092744155231325 It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing of Billy (George William) Blong of Branson's popular restaurant, Billy Gail's. He passed peacefully this morning, December 29. Billy's wife Gail and their family will be welcoming friends and neighbors who wish to express their respects and share stories at the restaurant on January 2, 2013, from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm.  Cards of 1http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2011/11/billygails-cafe-surprise-birthday-card.htmlBilly Gail'sGood Eatin'noreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:03:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-4744412655987307842 Billy Gail's Cafe is open 7:00 am to 2:00 pm everyday. Way back in March of 2009 I posted a story about BillyGail's Cafe in Branson, MO.  At that time they had just won the 417 Magazine Best Breakfast and the accolades continued to roll in.  So did the customers!  During their winter break in 2010 Billy and Gail expanded their kitchen to accommodate all their new friends as 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2010/10/ray-stevens-returns-to-branson.htmlRay StevensShow Timenoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Mon, 18 Oct 2010 21:46:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-5478717116652565453Ray Stevens is has had people laughing for over 50 years and last Friday night was no different.  One of the first theater owners in Branson, Ray returned for a 6-week engagement at the Welk Resort Theater.  He will wrap up his performances on October 23, so if you are in the Branson area this show is a must see!  I have seen shows where I laughed till I cried, and others that 2http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2010/10/awaiting-autumn-in-branson.htmlFallnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Mon, 4 Oct 2010 22:45:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-8100137501889376642This video "Forever Autumn" by Justin Hayward. has beautiful pictures of this incredible time of year.  Here in Branson we anxiously await the fall colors, hoping for the brilliance only nature can create. 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2010/05/hummingbird-inn-bed-and-breakfast-and.htmlHummingbird InnSleepin' Spotsnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Wed, 26 May 2010 14:45:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-993357237819651882 Once you turn off Hwy 160 onto Hampton Road, you quickly find yourself on a winding country road, canopied by a forest of trees so thick it is often difficult to see the sky. Nearly completely hidden by these trees is an old milking shed near a watering hole visited by all sorts of wildlife. Then you come to a three-tined fork in the road; taking the middle tine straight ahead brings you to a0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2010/04/boys-are-back-oak-ridge-boys-that-is.htmlOak Ridge BoysShow Timenoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:33:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-8477232765987532006 For someone who loves live shows like I do, living in Branson, Missouri is like living in a candy store!  So many great shows!  Some of the biggest names in entertainment!  Theaters that give you the feeling you are right on stage with the entertainers!  One of the biggest theaters is The Oak Ridge Boys Theater, so named because that is the home away from home for none other3http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2010/03/silver-dollar-city-to-be-featured-on.htmlSilver Dollar Citynoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Thu, 25 Mar 2010 20:07:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-4691046616880613567Silver Dollar City to be featured on Undercover Boss on Sunday, March 28 8:00 pm Central.  One of the most popular attractions in Branson, and definitely my favorite place to go, is Silver Dollar City.  With its own unique Ozark style and friendliness it is impossible not to have a great time, whether you visit one time or dozens of times!  The park is in continuous 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2009/03/billy-gails-cafe-best-breakfast-in-417.htmlBilly Gail'sGood Eatin'noreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sat, 28 Mar 2009 19:34:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-7593226690515675917 Billy Gail's Mourns the Passing of Billy --- December 29, 2012 Click here. I love March in Branson! Not only do we see the buds and birds of spring, but we begin to see more out-of-state license plates than Missouri plates! The theaters begin another season of sensational shows, the unique shops are stocked, and all the attractions are shined up and welcoming visitors of all ages. 25http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/12/merry-christmas-and-happy-holidays.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Wed, 24 Dec 2008 22:40:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-768145638541572204To everyone who reads this blog regularly and to those who stop by once or twice, I hope you have holidays filled with love and joy, family and friends, lots of good things to eat and amazing memories to carry you through the year. 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/11/happy-thanksgiving-everyone.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:11:00 -0600tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-5858817284882783729When I count my blessings this Thanksgiving I will be counting every one who is reading this blog. You are why I love blogging!Sending you smiles and hugs and wishes for a blessed holiday!Barb0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/08/showboat-branson-belle-is-for-all-ages.htmlShow TimeShowboat Branson Bellenoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sat, 9 Aug 2008 17:00:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-6925390142419285895 Branson has dozens of shows for the whole family, but the only floating show is on the Showboat Branson Belle which takes three cruises daily on Table Rock Lake. This is more than just a boat ride around the lake on a cabin cruiser or pontoon boat! There is dinner, music, live variety show full of surprises, and magnificent views from the largest boat ever built for a fresh water lake. As of1http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/just-some-of-fun-you-will-have-in.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:26:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-3899846172262152829[This is a reprise of my March 25, 2008 post on Picture This, At Last. ]Yes, This Is A Blatant Plug for the Fun You Will Have In Branson, Missouri We love living in one of the vacation capitals of the country -- heck, the whole world! Here are just a few reasons why:So many wonderful places around the United States are spectacular vacation spots. But for a wide range of entertaining and inspiring1http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/branson-landing-fire-and-water.htmlBranson LandingShoppin'noreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:23:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-6623161558455158135 Back in March I posted some pictures of the new Branson Landing and featured the dancing waters of the fountain in the center square. That was before the Fire and Water attraction started up for the season. Just a few short steps away from the center fountain is the beautiful Branson Landing Towne Square Amphitheater. Lined with thousands of blooming flowers, this is an attractive place to 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/when-ladies-wore-gloves-to-tea.htmlGood Eatin'Old Town Bransonnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Sun, 20 Jul 2008 22:39:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-3748533053215996084Branson has a secret. The beautiful theaters and thrilling attractions made Branson a big dot on the map, but they would not be here if Rueben Branson hadn't opened the first general store in this county. This store also became the post office for Branson, Missouri and a little dot carrying Rueben's family name popped up on the map back in 1882. Nestled on the bluff between Lake Taneycomo and 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/its-not-too-early-to-plan-for-christmas.htmlChristmas ShowsShow Timenoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Fri, 18 Jul 2008 20:30:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-6765817726074959616 [This is a reprise of a story published on Picture This, At Last in December 2007] One of the best reasons to live in the Branson area --- or to visit --- is for the Christmas shows and true spirit of the season. We have countless opportunities to see entertainers from the little-known to the world-reknown put on Christmas shows with everything: music, comedy, sparkle, spirit, and FUN! 1http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/beatles-love-branson-yeah-yeah-yeah.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:30:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-6442278542215814154A common myth of Branson is that it is a mini-Nashville, all country music, especially old country music. This myth is busted, especially the "country" part.Case in point:The rock group that rocked the world off its rocker more than 40 years ago lives on at the Starlite Entertainment Theater in Branson. Managed by Louise Harrison, sister of Beatles legend George Harrison, The Liverpool Legends 0http://thefamilybranson.blogspot.com/2008/07/im-new-resident-and-this-is-why.htmlCooper CreekHomeSleepin' Spotsnoreply@blogger.com (Barbara)Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:52:00 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6745106858972664292.post-976374388289977911Branson, Missouri was a favorite get-away spot for my aunt and uncle for many years. Each fall they would take their travel trailer to Cooper Creek Resort Campground for several weeks. They had many friends from all around the country that joined them there. Other family members made regular trips to Branson and I began to hear more and more about the theaters, entertainers and fun spots. So in 0