happy birthday

September is very full of family birthdays.  Starting on the first with my mother-in-law we have eight birthdays in the month.  We were able to get together last weekend for fun and celebration.  This party was even more special because we were celebrating Sara's 90th.  What a special day of family,laughter and food.  The weather was a little chilly at the state park but we had a wonderful time together.  We missed those who couldn't come and  felt sad that they couldn't be with us.  We are all busy and some times it's not very easy, but it is important to make the time to be with your family, crazy as they might be.
I want to wish my son's Nathan and Rich a happy birthday today.  I couldn't ask for better kids, ornery as they may be!

Our guest of honor

My crew

Alan's crowd

Sara and kids

Cathy, Mike and Ty and our youngest family member Zelma

new family member

When I found out this little guy needed a new home I knew the perfect place for him.  My Mom had mentioned earlier this spring she would like a new dog, their Shit Tzu, Jade  is getting older and she loves having some one to fuss over.  Gizzmo aka Gizzy is a year old, potty trained, neutered and over the worst stages of puppy-hood.  his owner just couldn't give him the time and attention he needed.  If you look around at shelters, humane societies or ads you can often find pets that need new homes and lots of love.  Pets are such a joy and add such blessings to our lives.  They love you unconditionally and will never talk back like your kids.  If you are looking for a pet consider an older dog.  For Gizzy and Mom I think it was love at first sight.

company time

My parents are older and don't come to visit very often.  This week they arrived along with my sister and brother in law for a long weekend.  We took care of some business, ate, visited and solved all the worlds problems, ate, went to Decatur for a mini reunion with some of my aunts and uncles and ate some more.  There were plenty of hugs, fun and laughter.  If you still have your parents, aunts and uncles cherish them.  These are the people that make you who you are.  You just don't know how long they will still be around.

Country holiday

There is really something special about the way small towns celebrate the holidays.  Big cities can pump thousands of dollars from tourism and special funds into making a holiday big but small towns must depend on donations, volunteers and donations for just about anything out side the city budget.  My town is no different.  After 30+ years without any festivities, an eager young volunteer fire department has put together a great fourth of July celebration.  In the morning there was a car show full of fancy cars and a parade in the next town over.  Early in the afternoon we had our own parade right down Main street.  Where else can kids deck out there bikes or senior citizen be the highlight of the parade riding in an open buggy.  Of course there were plenty of fire and EMS trucks, sirens blaring, from neighboring towns. Later that day the Lions club starting selling burgers and hot dogs out by the pool and golf course.  The streets around the golf course quickly filled with hungry folks ready for food a live band and finally the fireworks.
I love living in a small town.  The simple, safe and very good life style far out weigh the few negatives.  Last week AH who drives to work at 5:00am was followed all they way there.  When he arrived the truck pulled in behind him, the driver got out and told him his tail and brake lights weren't working, a very ticket able offense.  Yep it was someone he knew who just wanted to help.  In a big city if you were being followed for miles the police would have been called and the other driver charged with stalking.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA we are all blessed to live in such a great country!

fun color run

For the last several years our town has done a 5K run to raise funds for various community projects.  From building a new play ground to upkeep of the swimming pool the proceeds help with a great cause.  This year they decided to do a color run and part of my kids and grand kids participated.  Since it goes right down Main street in front of our house we had a great vantage point.  I was watering hostas when the race started and had plenty of takers for my offer too spray them down, it was really hot a sticky out.  Everyone including my littlest grand son finished and returned to the house covered with paint.  We spent the rest of the weekend camping and even a  rain and a collapsed tent didn't stop a weekend of family, food and fun.  Now all I need to do is get the piles of laundry done.

before

before

she was so far ahead of the rest of the family she could stop for a second to get her picture taken

after

after

wedding time

Last weekend our pastors daughter got married and had the reception in our community building.  Her Mom had collected hundreds of vintage plates,linens, cameras, lanterns and books to use on the tables.  Each place setting was different and the big room which is very rustic looked beautiful.  No family weddings in our immediate future but I'm always up for ideas.

new bed

Yards and gardens change and grow throughout the years.  When we put in our front beds that line the side walks, they were in full sun.  Now the east bed has a large maple tree that makes it very shady.  Time to rethink the lilies, roses and sedum that are there.  I had AH mow around the tree and several feet out. The young man that is helping with the gardens, his brother and my grand daughter laid down card board and mulch.The two younger kids painted some yard sale chairs and we made new seats for them.  A quick lesson on how to use an impact driver and the chairs were whole again. with AH's help we dug and  transplaned several of my hosta that need divided.  We  added the two chairs, a rusty free a table, solar light and bird bath.  The kids worked hard, hopefully learned a few things and the new bed looks great.  Is it perfect, no but they had a great time and who cares if the paint isn't perfect?

before

crowded beds, it is good for hostas to be divided every few years

great helper

I could not have nearly this much garden without this guys help

bird bath won't hold water but does a great job of holding a plant

after the hostas will fill in quickly

close up of chairs and table

week end fun

No kitchen update this week.  We spent the weekend in the big city visiting with kids and grand kids, the very best kind of fun.  Saturday we had the opportunity to visit the St Louis Vintage Market Days.  It was a chilly morning but the rain held off.  The white tents extended out at least a half mile on both sides of the main walk way.  Every kind of vintage wares you could hope for were beautifully displayed.  They really discourage you from taking pictures but I did make several sketches for new products after I got back to the car. Yes the prices were high but I went most to check out ideas and see what's new in the vintage world.  I've thought and talked about throwing a  vintage show in this area for several years now.  If I want to do it this is the time, now I just have to find the cash to develop it.  I only bought one treasure this beautiful aluminum basket.  It would look great with flowers, I could pile it with  new mail or I might use it for  napkins for our next dinner party.  I've never seen one like this so for me at $12 it was a real score.

meet the family

Yes it's Monday, but there is no kitchen update this week.  We spent time in the big city visiting with family over the holiday weekend and nothing got done most of last week.  AH has finally agreed to take some vacation time the end of this week so we can make some serious progress on the kitchen.  We probably won't get done but should come close aside from the little things and the floor.  The floor won't be refinished until it is warmer and I can be gone.  The poly makes me sick for days.
We had a great time with my parents, sister and family and brother and girl friend over Easter. We can't forget the reason we are celebrating is Christ dying  for us. Where would we be without that forgiveness and promise of eternal life?  We are a strange, goofy bunch and along with great food and conversation there was so much teasing and laughter.  I know I am so blessed that we don't have the drama, grudges and fighting so many families thrive on.  We certainly don't agree on many things but we know we love each other and that's what counts the most.

Paula and Bernie.  The devil horns are from my brother, I have few pictures where he isn't doing something like this.

Rick and Christine, I think she is still a little overwhelmed by us.

Mom and Dad, he's ready for his shrimp Alfredo.

Andy and I

A perfect stranger took this pic, he just kind of got drafted because he was nearby.

Roxy the sheep dog

Hollie is so sweet and quiet she almost gets over run by this noisy bunch.

Matt, Paula's son being cool or trying to nap, not sure witch.

Mom and Dad with Tyler and Braden, Matt's  sons

family fun

Our son Nathan wanted to take his wife on a trip for her birthday so we spent several days staying with the kids.  I know I'm biased but these are some of the best behaved kids I've ever been with.  They did what they were asked and never gave us a second of trouble.  We had so much fun with them and while they were in school we even had time to explore parts of the big city we usually don't have time for.  We checked out old parts of the city including a farmers market that has been in business since 1779.  While there had the best ham and cheese on croissant we had ever eaten.  Then we found the candy shop where of course we had to buy some of the hand made turtles.
We had the kids cooking and tasting new foods.  J made chocolate covered strawberries, C made baked cookies and we made stuffed baked potatoes one night and real not out of a jar spaghetti another.  Hopefully we made memories with them, that's far more important than anything else we could give them.  Their new puppy is a pain but cute as she can be, once she grows up a little bit and learns some manners she will be great.  My one regret is the nasty cold I managed to bring back with me.

the strawberries were delicious

this kids likes to try new things, he now loves peas and caramelized onions

Lexus is very sweet but I have bruises where she stomped on my feet and Diva is still ticked off.

Winter Jam

Winter Jam is a Christian concert featuring all of the most popular Christian bands in one 5 hour show.  This was our gift to our grand kids for Christmas this year.  Unfortunately our oldest grandson was not able to go due to a scheduling conflict.  Insert rant about schools that fill every waking moment with games and practices.  In my personal  opinion there shouldn't even be competitive sports in jr high. The crowd of 19000 was crazy and the music was loud.  We had great seats and a wonderful time.  There is such a power being in a large crowd all worshiping the Lord.  It was such a pleasure to be able to share such an experience with family and friends.

Lauren, a part of the family at least for this night

Kaylie

Barb

Tracy and Joe

Zack

Ben

Jaydin

Katelyn

Chase



Missed Nathan and Andy they were probably on a food or potty run with one of the kids.  In six hours I think the food total was 6 hot dogs, 7 hamburgers, 8 sodas, 18 bottles of water, 4 pretzels , 3 bags of pop corn and 5 bowls of dipping dots.  Who knows how many potty runs.  The fun we had experiencing it together, priceless.