Let's Go To The Star!

Before we go anywhere, let me just share with you the beautiful planter that Alice brought to dinner the other night.  Now, keep in mind, Gail's Flamingle Flag, as well as Josephine (our original flamingo flag) are both stowed while we are in transit.....so, how she knew how special flamingoes are to me, I don't know.  But, they're special to her too, so I think that's really the reasoning behind choosing this particular planter...  But, isn't it lovely?  It is precious, as is she.  I tell ya, I am a firm believer that the Good Lord puts us where we need to be at any given time, and He brings people into our lives for specific reasons.  We don't always know what they are (HA- do we ever?? ), but there are reasons, of that I am sure.  

So, as a farewell to Connie, and a thank you to Alice, we all went out to dinner in Allen, sort of a midway point we could all meet up at.  It was a yummy dinner at Cheddar's (a place we had never been before), but, doggone it if they didn't have croissants (manager came by after we waited about 15 minutes and said they would be another 38 minutes.....ummm...NO, thank you) and the server forgot to bring my cole slaw.  Actually, he brought one, set it down with, "here's your slaw," and left.  Both Dick and I thought it was our own, but only one of us remembered to eat it, and the other one forgot all about it.  Until she left the restaurant, and reflected that she had had no salad with her dinner.  :(  So, being still a bit hungry (well, not really, just not overly stuffed), we thought maybe we should go check out a new creamery in town, down by The Star.  The Star  is a new facility, where the legendary Dallas Cowboys and the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders train and practice.  There's also a Lincoln dealership, several restaurants, coffeshops and an gym.  They bill it as a Fan Experience, with lots to see and do.  So, of course, we did!  We started out in the FREE parking deck, thankful we had our little compact car.  The max height allowed was only 6' 7" -- we know PEOPLE taller than that!

They have immortalized various All-Star players with these huge 3D numbers along the sidewalk.  The planters have plaques showing the stats and records of the players, along with some etchings of their favorite inspirational sayings.

There is a monstrous statue of players huddled together, down in the middle of the round-a-bout.  It was funny to watch cars drive down the street and around the circle, just so they could take a picture.  Seems like parking and walking down to it was the safest option, so that's just what we did.  Of course, there was one of us that thought a goose was in order....

Midway was a Ring of Honor.   High overhead, there where photos of more Cowboys legends, the owner and the coach.  None were identified, so, not knowing anything about the team, we were left to just admire the artwork and move on.

Onward, ho!  To the Cow Tipping Creamery, our intended and original destination.  We had to move a couple of teenage girls out of the way, in order to take this photo, but they were happy to oblige and moved right back, once we had our obligatory shot.

Connie was the first to receive her selection.  She was a bit overwhelmed by it, needless to say.

Dick was handed his next, and he was just about drooling with anticipation!  I'm pretty sure I was still trying to make my choice!  All the toppings and flavors sounded really good.  Connie ended up with a Reese's peanut butter cup; Dick had a Southern Charm (kind of turtle-y) and I eventually decided on Death by Chocolate.  What a way to go, right?

There was a nice, wide bench just outside the Creamery, and Dick & Connie had to pose for me.  Then an Aussie came along and offered to take our whole group's picture.  You always hear about strangers offering to take a picture, then running off with the camera, so we really were a bit hesitant, and said so!  He had such a charming personality though, and that accent, and he thought it a riot that we would think that way... He eventually convinced us he was trustworthy though, so I let him have my phone.  

Right after he snapped the photo, he acted like he was gonna run off, and boy, did my heart stop!  It was all a joke, though, and he came right back and returned my phone to me and we all had a good laugh.  Good times, with a dear friend.

As darkness fell, the LED screens got brighter and brighter down by the Ford Center.  There was an Astro-turf field out in front, where there were several children and even some adults playing, what else....catch with a football.

All in all, the weather was absolutely beautiful and a great time was had.  We certainly enjoyed catching up with Connie and look forward to having her come visit us, maybe later this winter, when we settle a bit in Rockport, TX.