Visitors in June

The first of June my two granddaughters, Amanda and Ashley flew in to visit me! What a fun week--(plus)...we had. I will be sharing some photos so you can see some of the places we went and things we did!

Ashley started this drawing as soon as she arrived! And finished it the day-day they left!  Soon you will understand why I put "day-day"! She drew something for everyday they were here, I love how she dated every drawing!

Sunday we went out to eat with my son Randy, Vicky and the twins, Eden and Ivy! That was so enjoyable. Everyone got to catch up on what was going on in each other's lives! And the twins got to color!!!

Then the girls and I went to the Queen of Peace, here in the city. It is an amazing place to visit.

The girls are walking up to the statue of 

Immaculate Heart of Mary Queen of Peace. (Constructed of stainless steel and 30 feet tall.)

Have you ever seen something for the first time and are so moved that it brings you to tears?? That is what happened when I walked in this room and saw this sculpture.  Since it is life sized it was almost like being in this room with Jesus and the apostles. Just seeing this sculpture of The Last Supper was very moving for me. (This Life Size sculpture of the Twelve Apostles was carved by Jerry Traufler of LeMars, Iowa. It is made from Pine and Basswood, and was completed in 1993 after 7 years of work.) 

There were so many gorgeous flowers in the gardens as we walked along the way. 

This was the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes.  So beautiful ! Luckily the sun was shining just enough to light up the stain glass window.

This beautiful gold-tone bronze statue of St. Francis of Assisi stands at the pond near the entrance to the Outdoor Cathedral. As we stood on a bridge Ashley got into just the right position and snapped this photo! It was so moving...

Monday we got out and went to lunch at Table 32! Their Mom and I went there when she was home in March. She must have been impressed as the girls wanted to go there too. The food and service were both absolutely wonderful!

Wednesday we made it to the Farmers Market! It was a treat for me to get down there again. Tom and I used to go every Wednesday and Saturday. We knew all the vendors and absolutely loved it! Being the day and time of the year, there weren't as many vendors or fresh vegetables available. But we did get a few things. The girls got some jellys to take home. 

That evening we went to my monthly potluck! Amanda made a big pan of her famous macaroni and cheese. Ashley made Snicker salad. Have you ever made it? It's with apples and snicker candy bars, Cool Whip and pudding, I believe..there was nothing left of that! Plus the mac and cheese went over really good too. Amanda froze only a couple little servings for me. When I ate the last one the other day, I told her she had to come back and make me some more....ha...ha!

The next afternoon, on Thursday, we went over to see their cousin Lacey and her girls, Lorelei and Maggie. I told them the drive (which was beautiful, by the way) was about a 45 minute one. Ashley laughed and said she drives that to work everyday!! The visit was so enjoyable! A funny thing....Lorelei ordered a root beer float off of the  "childrens menu", when it came...it was huge! When Lacey asked about it, the waitress said you should see the one off the regular menu!! Ha! That is why Ashley drew Lorelai with her BIG float!

The next afternoon we went to visit the kids aunt and uncle. They had made a nice lunch for us...and just being with them was so memorable ..for everyone.

Then Saturday came...the day of doom- for me. They were flying out in the afternoon. Ashley and Amanda made lunch for everyone. Their cousins Lacey and Wendy along with the girls. Randy and Vicky took them to the airport. Ashley said I wish we could stay another week, we are having such a good time. And oh, how I wished for that too.. well.....sometimes a persons wishes do come true...lol They left for the airport about 2:30 and were back here by 5 pm. Their flight to Chicago was cancelled due to weather ! So I got them one more night...smile...I loved it! Sunday they left the house  again at 1:30 to go to Dallas...to make a long story short...they got home in Atlanta at 4:30 Monday morning...ugggg (again due to weather!) Those poor girls... I still miss them and their Mom everyday, and hate that they live so far away. But we defiantly had a great time!!! 

Can you believe tomorrow is the last day of July? Where did the summer go? "Winter" is yawning and stretching...she's ready for bed, as am I.. I hope you enjoyed this adventurous week with me.

Blessings and good night...or good morning wherever you are.

What an emotional Day

My morning started with Brenda enjoying a cup of coffee with me. I was really savoring this moment. We were blessed to be able to do this for five mornings. Drinking our coffee, discussing the news that had happened over night, and planning our day. But today was bittersweet as I knew by evening I would really be missing her. She was heading back home to her family. I know her husband and children were really missing her and glad to have her back with them.

 

My son, Randy and his wife Vicky, came over. Vicky took Brenda to the airport, while Randy stayed with me. It was nice to have him here. He watched TV for awhile, then slept for a bit. My heart just breaks knowing what he is going through. But he is so-so blessed to have such an amazing wife. Vicky is his rock right now.

We had gone all week with out taking pictures of us together!! So we did a little 'selfie' last night..smile... We did a few things this week. Wednesday we stopped at the Farmers Market. It was the first time this year that I have been able to go! We saw some friends (vendors) that Tom and I have grown to know over the last several years. It's always good to see and visit with them. I bought some 'grass fed hamburger', it always tastes so much better than store bought!!

 

Last Sunday, I had a visitor...little Miss Maggie Sue.. She hasn't changed too much, just gotten a little bigger. But look at that unchanging sweet smile.. smile She is adorable...

 

Thank you for taking the time to stop by and for all your good thoughts and prayers.

 

Blessings and good night!! 

Busy Saturday

It was that time again...Tom needed a hair cut! So we headed off to go to his barbers. I was able to sit out in the van and read a book I had brought along! smile.. It worked out great as there was only one ahead of him..but it started filling up afterwards! Then we thought we'd make a trip to the Farmers Markets! Tom found a spot in the Handicap parking lot. (It's not very big, so there was only two spots left.) Due to this shortage of parking spaces, one car had parked in between the rows of cars, which blocked several cars in,  and they couldn't leave! (I had noticed a police car pull in.) Well, as we went down the center aisle of all the vendors, I saw a policeman walking with this little old lady, as we passed by I heard him say, "We just need to find you a better parking spot." He was being so kind to her. (Bless his heart!) She must have been the one who blocked all those cars in and they must have called the police.

 

Here is our friend Laurie, (she filled all our pots with plants out on the porch). We just had to stop and say "Hi" and get a bouquet of fresh cut flowers from her. (I will share a pic tomorrow, they are gorgeous!) It was so funny, Tom was carrying them and people would remark, "boy, you've got a keeper!", or they'd look at him and say "good job!"...of course I'd have to agree with them! smile...

We also stopped over to see Audrey and her family. Her son (in the background) raises tomatoes and other vegetables. We picked up some of his cherry tomatoes and of course a jar of his Mom's jelly (Rhubarb and strawberry! Yumm) 

Lot at those clouds...pretty and unique huh?

 

We had quite a surprise yesterday. My daughter in love called and said they would like to come over. (With all four great grandbabies!) I was so excited. (We were actually out and about.) After we had a bite to eat, we headed home and here come the twins along with their Meme! The other two Greats weren't able to come as baby Maggie had an upset tummy and had to go home. But these little girls were such a delightful treat. They have grown so much and are so adorable!!

 

We're having lightening and are in a Thunderstorm Warning...so am signing off.

 

Bye for now...

 

Farmers Market and more...

 

I spotted these yesterday! They are all over town, it's that time of the year! They are so pretty. I wish I had seen some yellow ones,. smile....

 

As I was waiting for Tom, I saw these. Aren't they pretty? Wish I  could have bought one! Maybe another time! smile.. Actually, I was talking with my friend who has filled several pots with flowers for me. Yeah!

 

 

Our Farmers Market started yesterday. We stopped in to see our friends. (Flower lady!) and jelly and meat lady! Lots of hugs.. We got some grass fed meat, a rhubarb-strawberry pie Yummmm We even got Rusty some treats! ha..ha... We didn't stay long since it was about to rain, and I had to use my walker since we haven't got our van back..sad..(So no scooter)

 

We did go out and eat, later I got very sick. I'm sure it had MSG in the soup!! Today hasn't been real productive, I'm really tired tonight. Must take my MS shot. Then I'll hit the sack. 

 

Hope you're all doing well....

Farmers Market in July

 

Yesterday, we thought we'd get up 'real' early and head off to the Farmers Market... (oh ya!) We did get up kind of early (for us..) But didn't get going until about 9 or so. And look how busy it was already...smile...

 

Saturday is always a busier day than Wednesday. Obviously because people who work can come on Saturday, Wednesday is mainly for those of us who are retired..smile.. There were pretty flowers and hangars, and of course the lady who makes all those pretty shawls etc. On the right side is our friend who sells jams, jellies, vegetables and meat. We brought back several jelly jars for her to repurpose, Tom had to slip behind the table to get them to her...their booth is always soooo busy, which of course means they sell some amazing products!! We did get some tomatoes but will go back Wednesday for the jellies that I want to buy. And the bottom photo is the lady who did the flowers on our front porch. I did get another pot of flowers from her and will take a picture of them later..smile..

 

There are always lots of dogs down there, we thought this little puppy was so cute. The owner picked her up so we could get a picture of her. She is part St. Charles Cavalier (and not sure what the other part was...) Isn't she adorable?? I had to take a photo of the menu Carol's Kitchen had put up, what caught my eye was the Root Beer Floats ($1.25)..when my daughter and granddaughters were here a few years ago...they had to buy a few of those root beer floats, but I think they were $1.00 back then! We were going to have a little of her breakfast items, but there was a 15 minute wait (or more) so Tom just bought a rhubarb pie. I thought Karen would love that, but I guess she isn't crazy about Carols crusts...so sounds like Tom and I will have to eat it...lol (Then there was jewelry there also..pretty...)

 

There was a guy selling steaks and had little 'one bite' samples...(they were good but too expensive)..I love how this one lady sets up her display, carrots, broccoli, chard etc. We did get some green beans and snow peas from her. AND I just had to buy those little onions. The guy said the bulbs grow on top of a 5 foot stem. His wife's family were Amish and they grew them. I think they might be like shallots!! They have an amazing aroma. Then as we were leaving..this gal was laying on the ground playing her guitar while her friend was singing. (Not sure how much money was in their pot...lol)

 

Here are just a few of the items we got yesterday..the tomatoes are almost gone. The day was fun, we saw so many people that we knew. They all came up and talked to us, from some of my Red Hat friends, church friends, friends of our family members, a lady from the Dollar Store and one from the doctors office...and just friends.. How blessed we are...

 

Hope you're having a wonderful weekend..

Summer Has Begun

 

What's your favorite thing to do in the summertime?? There are too many to list..but you know yours and I'd love to hear them. Ours is going to the Farmers Market!

 

It was a true summer day..HOT!

 

We first stopped at the flower lady's booth. She has the neatest items to sell. Look at this cute little wagon.....

 

Then these..so sweet... she even had doggie bones. So..of course Tom had to buy some for Rusty!!

 

Isn't this really neat? It's a piece of a pallet. With the cutest little birdy picture on the front. Then she accented it with those beautiful flower pots. Wish I had a place to hang it!

 

 

Then we headed down to see our friends, the Browns. She makes every kind of jelly you can imagine! Our favorite is Bumble Berry! When the kids were here a few years ago, Ashley bought a jar for her fiance. They got so hooked on it...we sent them some as a Christmas gift! ha! Also, they have the best grass fed beef! They  had a sale on the hamburger, and we love their soup bones! So of course, I had to have some of them too.

 

I thought this lady had so many pretty shawls..they just shined in the light! (My photos aren't that great, have you ever tried to see your display on a digital camera in the sunlight??) Not sure how to correct this problem. Anyone know what to do???

 

This is the pie lady! Remember, when we bought a couple pies the last time we were at the Market? We took one to the potluck and kept the other one here for us. Anyway, I was telling her how good they were!

 

On Saturday's she brings in her food trailer and cooks different items! She said last night (they had lots of rain and hail) she went out to set up the trailer and have it ready to head out at 4 a.m. this morning...and found that the hail had broke their skylights and there was water all over inside!! She had to clean that up before they could get things ready!! What trials people have to go through.. Bless her heart!!

 

We headed out and Audrey was waving at us..."see ya"!! smile..

 

And with that..."See Ya!"

Off to the Farmers Market Again..

Before we left for the Farmers Market, I had to go down and exercise, while I was busy doing that, Tom went out and cut these pretty flowers for me. smile.. Remember, I mentioned the shasta daisies...well the container I put them in is one of those wonderful Ball jars that I won from Home is Where the Boat is. Don't they look oh! so pretty??

These are a few of the sites we saw when we pulled into the Farmers Market. The weather was nice today, but it was quite warm, with the sun shining on us! I got my sunglasses out...but Tom couldn't find my big hat...smile.. Off we went..but with the bright sun I could only point and shoot!! Some of these photos aren't the greatest due to this!

Again,we headed to our favorite booth and favorite people..smile.. As always they were so...so busy. I parked at the end of their booth (in the shade) and waited to visit with Audrey! Couse it didn't take her long and she was there!! We ended up with more tomatoes and some green beans! Yumm...

Also, look at those beautiful sunflowers that another booth had. So pretty!! But of course, as you saw I have my own flowers...smile...

Now, here's the exciting news..an exclusive restaurant in town, who uses our favorite booths merchandise, will be presenting a 5 course meal at their 'farm'. I told Audrey...I thought this was so exciting and what great advertising this was for them! I'm sure it will be a great event, but of course we couldn't go...it is quite pricey. That being said, I would love to be there with my trusty little camera...ha..ha.. That restaurant was selling taco's made with Wagyu beef. So..we bought a couple..however..as you can see the taco shell was quite small and hard to eat. Lesson learned!

Then we went downtown and went by this mural. Isn't it just so pretty??

Don't they look so real??

And here is a policeman standing guard...smile...

Later this afternoon, our neighbor came down with his children with some bass that he had fried for supper. He had caught it recently, it was so...so good! What a thoughtful thing!!

How has your day been??

more as it happens here in the city.....................