A Trip to the Hollow

I recently had the fun opportunity to go and tour a new outdoor/indoor venue in Broken Arrow, OK! The name "Tranquility Hollow" is a perfect way to describe the 20 acres surrounded by trees, hills, and a lot of love from the owners, Bob and Lola! Limited only by your own dreams and imaginations, this venue is a perfect setting for a wedding, family get together, birthday party, or a day spent with friends! They have different "packages" you can buy, which include a wedding weekend for a small group of overnight guests! If you decide to book a wedding weekend package with them, the entire venue is yours for the weekend so you don't have to worry about any "wedding crashers!" Otherwise, you can choose an activity package based on your wants and needs by the hour, or time of day! Just call ahead to get prices and package options! DJ and I throw around ideas about a venue to get hitched at, and I stumbled across this place (which is much closer than the other locations we were looking at). I came home with pictures and stories and cannot wait to take him out there in the beginning of May for a photography session with our friend Natalie who owns and operates, Hugs and Smiles Photography! I had been e-mailing Lola so much, that when I finally arrived it was as if two friends were meeting up for an afternoon of walking and talking and "catching up"! Her husband Bob, was hard at work on the land and I didn't get a chance to visit with him, but I'm absolutely positive we will get along! I snagged some pictures with my phone while I was out there to bring home to DJ so he could see the place, and Lola has given me permission to share them with you all! You can contact them for rates or questions but here is a small list of fun activities they offer at the Hollow (they offer plenty more than I'm giving you here):

Catch and Release Fishing

Horseshoe Pitching

Swings

20 BEAUTIFUL ACRES

Zip Line

Fire Pits

Swimming

You can choose a weekend package for up to about 8 people! This is one of the beautiful rooms they have put together to make your stay as comfortable as possible! This is also the room that Lola said would be her idea of the groom's room for weddings!

This is one of the beautiful bathrooms downstairs with this stunning bathtub! Doesn't it just make you want to grab some candles and scented bubble bath and relax here?!

Upstairs you'll find the designated "bridal suite" which has it's own bedroom, bathroom, living room and kitchen! It's almost like giving the bride and her girls their own private apartment with a screened in porch overlooking the land! I think this would make a great "apartment" to relax in the day of our wedding! 

As if all the activities outside are not enough for you, if you need to wind down and relax why not choose to do so in their own movie room! They have lots of movies for you to choose from, or you can bring your own favorite! I'll show you the reverse of this picture where you get to cozy up and relax during the show :)

 

A beautiful sunny afternoon :) 

Here is the lagoon style pool with winding slide that you all can enjoy on your trip to the Hollow! It is cooled off in the heat of the summer, and heated if it's cool outside! Remember to call out there if you have questions about prices or policies! I know I have your interest by now!

Enjoy sitting around the campfire at night and roast weenies or s'mores! Grab a guitar and have a jam session with your friends-whatever your heart desires!

 

They have built a fun tree house for kids or children at heart! 

 

We had massive Spring storms a couple days before I went out with high winds and heavy rains! Normally the pond is much cleaner but the pounding rain causes every pond/lake in OK to get a little muddy! Still absolutely beautiful! 

I know in writing it is hard to give this place the credit it deserves! I had an absolutely wonderful afternoon and can't wait to go back soon! My mind is reeling with ideas for functions and wedding ideas! Plus, I gained a great new friend from my experience and know it will continue through the years (we brainstorm and think alike on a lot of things!) 

Call and book your event at Tranquility Hollow and let me know how it goes! I'm anxious to see what kind of ideas people come up with for their events out there! Everybody sees things in different ways, and this venue gives you room to stretch your imagination and offers you so much more than just your typical "outside venue"! 

~Shelly~

Final January Challenge Update

I did it! One month down and 11 to go for my photo challenge! I'm going to start a new challenge too, that I'm very excited about! I absolutely can't wait to see the finished project, however I didn't learn about it until a few short days ago, so January will be skipped and I'll be starting it today! (HINT: capturing time, in a new way) So, here are my last photos from January!

Sunshine

Through

Grow

Down

Self-Portrait

Last Sunday was a cloudy day here in T-town! So, my sunshine picture didn't really work out! By far, I think these two (along with the other 3) bring so much light and happiness in the family that this picture of Macy and Morgan at a shower for my sister's family is my substitute "sun" picture! Love that I have 5 sweet kiddos in the family to bring sunshine to a cloudy day!

D and I travel sometimes with his work and sometimes we get to go to places that there is nothing to do there unless you want to drive 20+ miles! I decided sitting in the hotel one day last year that I was going to give crochet a try! I was "hooked" and have loved trying to teach myself over the year! I'm still not very good at reading patterns and a lot of times if I'm trying to make a circle I'll get another fun shape like a triangle or something of that nature! Anyway, I'm finishing a blanket for my niece (she wanted a "BIG" one) and this is my needle going through the loop to make one of the squares!

My love is working hard on making a tank extension for our little turtle children, Sheldon (on right) and Lilly (on left). They have grown so much they can barely keep both of their bodies out of the water on the log we have in there. It's hard to tell but Sheldon is about the size of my hand now and Lilly is catching up quickly. When we first got them, they were about the size of a quarter! We love these silly little pets, and they are so spoiled! Can't wait to see the final habitat D is building for the top of the tank so they can get out of the water and sunbathe and hang out! 

The end of the day means comfy slippers and catching up on the DVR! This is what I saw when I looked "down" before going to bed!

The final photo was a self-portrait! I was getting ready to head to Target to hang out with two fun ladies and their precious little girls! Nothing like sweating your rear off at the gym, rushing home, making yourself "going out" acceptable and rushing back out to have a little girl time! I always love our little get together time (even if the cold northern winds ruined our park time)! 

January

Today

Something new

Heart

The view from here

Movement

Mine

Street

Something beginning with "t"

Paper

One o'clock

Water

Surprise

Circle

Something yellow

An ordinary moment

Two things

Ready

Shadow

Delicious

Something you saw

What you did

Corner

Electric

Stripes

Landscape

Together

Sun

Through

Grow

Down

Self-portrait

Now, I have not forgot to update ya'll on my reading list! I finished, The Alchemist, and absolutely fell in love with it! I got to follow a shepherd on his journey to discover his life's treasure! You'll feel the anxiety as he sells everything he has to pursue something he's not sure even exists! You'll listen to the wind, and sun, and feel the tension as he wanders farther in to the desert to seek out his treasure! You'll be there when he falls in love, and watch him learn and grow as he learns that the whole world can communicate in the same language, you just have to be ready to listen. He speaks with nature, and through his journeys meets all sorts of people who help him discover the meaning to life (and the way to his personal treasure)! I highly recommend this book! It is beautifully written, and an easy read! You find yourself connecting with his lessons, and the people he meets, and cheering him on as you quickly turn the pages to find out what happens in his next step on his journey! I'll leave you with this quote from the book, and seriously believe everyone should experience this book!! 

" 'Don't give in to your fears,' said the alchemist, in a strangely gentle voice. 'If you do, you won't be able to talk to your heart.' " (Coelho)

It's $7.19 on Amazon.com right now!