What a difference a day makes 
                starting with fun breakfast and      then           a trip to the skating rink
                                                            

one time around the rink  and  ...... Jackson takes another turn    ... did a great job

                   then Grammy took a turn and ended up   making a trip to the   ER

There are advantages...  good excuse for not cooking, cleaning , wrapping..

A blessing to have MIMI  and family in town.  She chauffered , shopped,  cooked, cleaned...

So, I will just do what I have to do...nothing.

                I have much to be thankful for.

from Nursery to Studio

The gingham has to go

                                           Gingham curtains...OUT

                                                 Gingham shades  OUT

                                          Gingham wall paper   OUT

                                                    Ron and Tina - terrific team !

                                    Our neighbors to the rescue

                                   This wall is part of Phase Two.

                                                We are getting there.

                                                 You get the idea.  

                                    sorry don't know why that didn't turn out upright.

Dinner by the fire...

   did I say dinner by the fire.   OK, I am by the fire,  Darrell is by  UCLA  vs  USC.

OK,   that is not me in that tourquoise blouse with perfectly manicured nails eating Mexican food in San Antonio.   I just don't have a cute photo of me in a wool sweater with left over Chinese food.
And I am not sure who is winning the game. OH, I think it is over.

Such an exciting life.

A few more photos of our 42nd Anniversary Celebration

  The corner table with windows on two sides and a spectacular view  

                                       A little out of order, but you get the idea.

                                          These complimentary appetizers
                                                          were bite size and very yummy
                                            And we brought along our friend, Stanley.

                                            Prawns for Kathy

                                               Darrell's cesar salad

                     This Filet Mignon was sitting on those special mushrooms and
                                                             Yukon potatoes ( roasted )

                              Our desserts  and four sugars and cream for my coffee.
                                                I want to copy the little candle holders.

                                                    Always a trip or two to the ladies room.

Celebrating our 42 nd Wedding Anniversary

We had been there more than 42 years ago.  You know, the snazzy places you go to when you are dating.    The name had come to mind now and then and since we had no other plans, I made the call.  They were busy on the  27^th, so we went tonight.

We don’t go to a snazzy place without  some preparation

First a trip to the car wash.  ( some bird had flown too low and left its mark on the hood )
   We wondered  ..Would the valet notice?
Darrell was gone so long I thought he might be bringing home a little corsage.
Should  I wash my hair a second time?
 Darrell had one choice of garments.   The suit he bought a couple years ago for weddings and fancy stuff.

Me, I had to think and plan and finally made my decision.    
   About  now I am wondering if anyone will notice anything at all.
  My dainty diamond earrings that Darrell bought for me last year ( and were “missing” ) until two days ago.  My festive shoes and silky stockings ( no bare legs thank you ) No corsage, but where would I  pin it?!? 

Ready !  Leaving in more than enough time we arrived  ½ hour early. ½  hour before they open

 So we got to  make ourselves at home . While chatting by the fire, Darrell told me that he had gone to several places looking for a corsage, but found none. ( you have to order ahead of time )

  A very nice thought. We could hear the staff as they gathered in a circle around the dining room getting details on the menu and other details  ( I think that is why they have been so popular for so long – they are a well informed and trained  staff)

We are seated by the window. We are sure it is the best table in the house. Spectaclar view.

Little complimentary appetizers
Caesar salad for Darrell, prawns for me
Fresh, warm rolls and real  butter
Filet Mignon.. superb
Soufflé for Darrell, Crème Brulee and coffee  for me
Complimentary  macaroons  and box of chocolates

And service. Service and more service with smiles.

How did they know which car belonged to us?  
Who knows, but it was waiting at the door  warmed up and ready for the ride home.
Did anyone notice ….anything?  
I didn’t notice,

 but, my only regret…ate just a little too much . ( we only spent 2 ¼ hours )

 A Baby Shower
                      Starting with a Book

                         I think you get the idea. The hostess had a "sweet" idea.

                                            and fun decorations and there were lots of gifts.
                                      Many brought a book to add to the baby's collection

                        
   
                                    We played a couple games - tricky games - 
                                                            "Write the children's book name on
                                                                         the line provided."    No clues.
                                                                               No mutliple choice.
                                                     
                                                        Example:    All involved Produce Droppings.
                                                                         ___________________________

                                            Got that answer?
                                                    Well, I'm not telling. 
                                                     Obviously I did not do well on that game.

                                                          The cake was delicous.  


 

                                   OH !  
               Hostess and happy guest of honor  

A Tale of Two Cities ( and two weddings )

Two Cities, Two weddings, 
                at least two similarities,
                           and a test.


Chicago
We are picked up by great friends
 a fun lunch

There is Zentangle on the wall which our Hostess has done,

(not visible, but you get the idea it is a fun spot )

 It is the day of the wedding rehearshal and our host and hostess are very involved, so we get to be involved too. 

Chapter two..

 Saturday.  The Wedding Day.
Our Host makes a fantastic breakfast ( and he cleans up the kitchen, too )

The bride loves the style of the Royal family
So we have fine china for the wedding party. The bridal party are wearing those fascinating fasinators, along with long black gloves to match their black shoes.
Red is her favorite color.

 Here comes the bride......    the pictures speak for themselves.

It was a lovely wedding.  So priviledged to attend.
( more wedding photos are in another story, though the camera stopped . plain stopped.  )


and after the wedding,  An after party

Home tour
Amazing paintings
Back rubs,
amazing back rubs,
 by my new best friend
oh and some very tasty food






Chapter three...

The rest of the weekend was spent eating, touring our old stomping grounds ( Oak Park ) eating,

Chapter four
 Then a tour of Bible Truth Publishers

Chapter Five...

 Why are we always hungry?    Do you recognize the umbrella? 

         or the couple in the center picture wearing cute outfits ..

We are hoping Chick-fil-A will come our way

Chapter six...

    Our final dinner...this is not Chick-fil-A.   We tried as   many      desserts as we could Someone had to do it.

  Chapter seven..

  Back home and some of the amazing Zentangle of our Hostess

   These were on the bed side table in our room,
 right across from our private powder room.

 Did you ever get lost in a bubble bath?



Some of the homes in Oak Park  and  Peterson's Ice Cream 
                                 Favorite old haunts

   The beautiful back yard where our host grilled filet mignon and vegies from the garden.

And   then off to a race but first stop.....

                          The best ice cream in town,
                              before the best race in town.

                             Katie is a winner ( not first, but close enough )

Then off to the airport.
A great long weekend !


two weeks later



Toronto ( Mississauga )
Chapter one. 
We picked up our rental van ( with GPS )  Three pretty young ladies greet us at our lovely accomadations  They give us a tour.
Our Host and Hostess arrive a while later, and even though it is close to midnight, they put on a spread of food to feed an army.   Well, by then a few more guests had arrived.  I think by the final head count there were 16 of us sleeping soundly.

Chapter two
Saturday. The wedding day.
Another  huge spread of food and very good coffee 
  ( maybe Tim Horton's ) 
    Preparation for the big day.   

   We had our own private bath.

Behind this home is the amazing and charming

 wedding and reception

 I think you get the picture....then we go down the path...

                    Here comes the bride.

Here comes Mr and Mrs. Adcock

 Dinner is served.
              and then comes desserts and 
                 more desserts and of course, Coffee.

Sweet ladies and Sweet donuts 

 Then the final event. 

This is the Celi - a  dance for all the young    and young at heart.

 

We are moving on to Chapter Three 

                       having fun and a lot more good food.

                                 women have fun too. 


              Chapter four   Our Host and Hostess took us to that                              tall,   tall building
  The top floor revolves and  they serve amazing delicacies 

We just followed our leader and continued taking photos, until camera died,  just before dinner was served.  You will have to imagine a very elegant  affair.

Chapter five

                 Final breakfast - well just the start.
                                  We also got to taste caviar.

                      Off to the races.    Katie is a winner.
                              not first , but close enough

 Toronto is quite a surprising city

         and these are our suprising  hostesses 
                                  before we head back home

             How many airports have ipads in the cafe, 
                                                at each table !?!



I live an exciting life
           a very exciting life