gorgeous weather

The weather has been SO terrific that we've spent most of the last few days outdoors. Henry is enjoying it too:) Today I picked all the remaining tomatoes, and the rest of the basil, which we'll eat tonight. Walked 5 miles yesterday, and shooting for 10 today. The weekend will prove busy with getting one of the rentals cleaned out and ready for new people. So far there are 3 special needs folks coming and possibly a fourth. Lots to do. Looking forward to a quieter start to next week, with a dinner party on Monday night, and Elise and the baby coming for a visit on Tuesday.

engagement party pics

Added just a few of many party pics from the weekend. Paul and I will have a super busy week getting one of the rentals ready by October 5th. He is out now buying furniture, and I'm busy shutting down the pool for the season. Elle has a full day, with vocal practice, school, play practice and marching band, putting in a 7 AM to 8:30 PM schedule. Luckily tomorrow will be easier. The house smells good...slow roasting a whole chicken with some garden herbs:)

Happy Birthday to James:)

Today we celebrate with James on his 31st. birthday, and hope he is having a terrific day! This morning I'm shoring up travel plans for Elise and Belle to join us in Fondy for 14 days in October. Besides the Briggs and Al fundraiser for Children's Hospital, we plan a little camping trip, and a whole lot of visiting! Thanks to everyone who has pledged or helped in any way with the fundraiser, particularly Judy from Fondy High and Chris and Matt for their help with the 'Team Ellie' buttons:) We appreciate everything you've done!

Busy Saturday:)

Henry helps in the kitchen today, while we get ready for Theresa's engagement party, and Roger's big birthday bash at Finnegan's. It's also Marian's homecoming and Eva is slated to do some of the entertainment there, as well as mass tomorrow morning at Dorcas Chapel at 10 AM. Anyone who wants to join us there is more than welcome!

different directions

Today Elle heads to Green Lake for a choral retreat which finishes up on Saturday night. Photo today is Elle and her good friend Jaime, at a recent party. This evening I'm headed out for a 'girls night' Arbonne products party, complete with foot spas:) I'm bringing pumpkin bars and brownies...should be a relaxing night. Walking this morning will be very different from yesterday, when we had a record breaking 84 degrees...we've dropped 20 degrees so far. The wind took our pool cover off, so we have a little repair work also:(

Birthday greetings...

Birthday wishes go out today for my nephew's son David! He's shown here with his cousin True, painting at Grandma/Aunty NeeNee's house. We hope David has a terrific day. He is a very bright child who loves math and science...also art from the look of today's pic:)

Mascoutin Trail

Hiked today along the Mascoutin Trail toward the Eldorado Marsh...nice break, now back to work for a while.

Happy Birthday to Gretchen:)

Today we celebrate with my oldest niece Gretchen on her 33rd. birthday. Picture is from 30 years ago, and a favorite. My Dad made me the boots for Christmas 1980 and I loved them...thought they were SO cool.

Road all finished!

Finally the road project is complete, and the neighborhood is celebrating with a block party on the 2nd. of October! Great way to get together and enjoy the new road, street lights, approaches, etc etc. The grass is growing well too! Last day of summer tomorrow, but really looking forward to cooler days and the fall schedule. Today after a hike at Rienzi, I'm helping Paul haul brush from a rental. It's his day off so we have to work when we have the time:) I took off too.

quiet evening

Tonight everyone is home with no plans. Ahh, nice. We're having homemade chicken soup and french bread. The pics today are random...Baby Belle standing...black and white Ellie, and my nephew Ty and his new wife Karen as they attended a pirate wedding! No kidding. Actually the decorations and food were cleverly done, and keeping with the theme.

Game day fun and a Packer win...we'll take it!

Itty Bitty Kitty

Our kitty Leo is 2 years old! He was born on friend Stanley's farm, and abandoned by his kitty mom, who was possibly injured or killed. He followed Me and Aliyah around for a day, then made his way toward Mary in the barn...another cat lover. We couldn't resist bringing him home. He now lives at Marian U, with college kids and a graduate student. He is a lucky boy, and has grown into a very handsome Tomcat:)

Peebles Trail

Home briefly for lunch, and decided to upload today's hike on the Peeble's Trail east of town. How lucky we are in Fondy to have these wonderful and FREE trails to explore:) Tonight we plan to attend the Fondy High football game with dibs on the bleachers close to the pep band:) Hope the weather holds.

Picture from 1998 late fall album...trip to Canada

I like to throw in an oldie occasionally. In the picture with the girls is Elise's good friend Emily, who is a talented musician herself, and lives and works in Milwaukee. The late summer of '98 we took the Agawa Canyon train tour north into Canada from Sault St. Marie. Nice memory.

Wild Goose Trail

Today's walk took me and a teacher friend on the Wild Goose Trail. Quite cool and windy, but at least no bugs...just frogs:)

Happy 19th. to Erik T:)

Today we celebrate with nephew Erik on his 19th. birthday! He hails from Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, where he's enjoying his first year on the soccer team...best of luck Erik and have a terrific birthday! Erik shared his birthday with Grandma Hilde, who would have been 88 today. We remember her as well, and are grateful for all our fond memories.

Fondue Fest pictures

Thanks to Bob for the Fondue Fest pics today...just taking a quick break to check e-mails, then out the door again. Had a great coffee visit this morning with Teri-Ann, and I'd like to congratulate her on another beautiful grandson...Cashton Randall.

Vote, Vote, Vote!

I'm getting an early start on my walk today, then heading to the Senior Center to vote. That venue is such a great place to vote because they always have extras...sloppy joes, bakery, crafts, etc:) I also plan to visit my friends at St. Francis for lunch, following everything up with about 6 hours at work this afternoon. Picked another dozen very ripe tomatoes...hmmm...what to make with this batch???

Yay for 10 miles!

Henry and I walked 10 miles today (5 miles this morning, and again 5 this afternoon) in an effort to get in shape for the Briggs and Al Walk/Run for Children's Hospital in Milwaukee on the 9Th. of October. Many of you will remember how sick Ellie was at 5 years old, and how Children's Hospital doctored her into a remission. We have been so grateful that we try to participate in the event every year. This year Elise and Belle will be joining us...I've playfully joked with Elise that she has to get in good physical shape:) We just got the t-shirts in the mail this week. Lots to look forward to. Today we share a photo of Ellie and Drumstick, a cat originally owned by James, and a favorite pet of the neighborhood. Although to be honest, we do have one neighbor who doesn't appreciate Drummy entering his house with him, and watching the news at night perched on his lap:) I don't know...I see the humor. The animal seeks out the one person who is 'allergic' and spends an hour there...hmmmmmm.

Beautiful weather:)

Got up early and walked 5 miles before church, and now looking forward to working a respite with a very nice girl:) The house smells great...finally got around to the frittatas, using our Little Farmer galas. While Paul is busy playing with the Lighthouse Band on the lakefront, Elle is doing choreography for the play. Eva and Mike are hiking, so we'll have the house to ourselves. Even Henry is outside enjoying the great weather. Paul may be back in time for some of the football game later, and Elle picked out some spinach pizzas for supper. Next week we're planning a tailgate party here with friends for the noon Packer game, and looking forward to some great new recipes, and of course a few local wines for our friends:)

9/11

Today let's remember all the vicitms of 9-11, but especially Lt. Col. Dennis M. Johnson from Wisconsin who was killed at the Pentagon. He was 48 and married with 2 daughters.

busy days, but fun filled

First of all, I'd like to thank Elise for the cute pics of Belle and her little friend. I haven't taken many pictures lately, so appreciate the ones I can steal off of Facebook:) I had the greatest day today. I was able to reconnect with a good friend from years ago, and also had a great visit with Aunt Jeanette. As I was leaving, she shared that she really should get down to the phy ed room, because she cycles every day for 15 minutes. Nice. I can only hope at 89 I am doing the same thing. Yesterday was another great day. On my regular 5 mile walk, I saw a red fox out near the ledge. I couldn't get to my phone camera fast enough to snap a pic, but it was a great thing to see...I was no more that 15 feet away. I could see his fur moving in the wind. Later Eva bought some apples from the Little Farmer, and I found a great recipe for apple frittata from a local news station, which we'll try tomorrow. I'm busy making a few batches of brownies tonight for the Fondue Fest, and Holy Family's choir fund raiser. I need to get them there early tomorrow morning. Also for our local family and friends...Elle is playing with the Lighthouse Big Band from noon until 2 PM at the Fondue Fest, so come and support our musicians if you can. Paul and Eva are doing a couple of weddings, so won't be able to join the group. Many thanks to our church friends for supporting our many musical groups...it means a lot!

no parade:(

Just got the official word there will be no parade because of the severe weather. It's OK with us since we have a flooded street again. We have all new sewers but the street isn't finished, and the water can't find it's way in:( On a lighter note, the festivities at Lakeside Park are still on, so Elle and I plan to walk up later. We have some fresh sweet corn and a skirt steak for later, and plenty of garden produce. Also had some great BLTs for breakfast. Thanks to Elise today for the lovely photo of Miss Belle.

some photos from today...