Family

Yes....I do have family.   More than Ashley and her kids - who are the bestest of my family - next to John.

I have 2 brothers and a sister.........none of whom live locally.   My parents live at Burcham Hills - a retirement home in East Lansing.   They recently made the decision to sell their home in East Lansing.  My sibs were here this past weekend to help clean out the house.  

Everyone came to my home on Saturday for dinner together and a photo shoot!!!

My dad is 95 and my mom 93.

On another note, I thought I had hogweed in the back fourty - but the extension agent says it's ambrosia....hope she's right.   It's a HUGE plant with large leaves and stalk.    I am waiting to see whta the flower looks like!!!

Memorial Day Weekend

We went to Ohio on Friday.  

Blogger loaded these pics so out of order that I will just comment on each one.   This first picture is Mike helping Allison with the shot put.   She is doing that as part of her track team.  

Alexander is coaching Andrew on wrestling - on a deck with a step in the middle!!!!!

These goofy kids..............so happy!!!!!

Mike was grilling buffalo burgers on his grill.

Picnic lunch in Ashleys'  back yard.

Back to showing me how the shot put works.  We were at Andrews' baseball practice and she was using a rock.   Showing me the technique.   Maybe that helped because the next day at the track meet she threw a PR and got a medal!!!!!

A boy and his quilt outdoors........

The kids playing after their picnic.

A girl and her quilt....outside.   I made this for her a few years ago.   She loves it!!!   and that makes me feel good!!!

Sunday afternoon we went to Andrews' baseball game.   He got a hit and was on first base.    Paying attention!!!

And when the next up got a hit - off he goes to second base!!!

Alexander is a member of Ventures - a branch of scouting.   His group marched in a parade Sunday morning and again on Monday morning.   The march with rifles - and do salutes with blanks.....at least that is what he said!!!

Back to the picnic.   Ashley and John are reading manuals trying to figure out how to make the buttons in her car open the garage door.   They did!!!!!!!!!

It was good to see everyone.   Monday morning brought rain and we left after breakfast.   Andrew was in the parade with his baseball team, Alexander was marching and Allison was with her dad.    Rain all the way home - and still raining here.  

The lawn is getting long and needs attention - Johns' job.   I need to get plants and seeds in my garden.  

It will all happen in good time..........

Two quilts shows in two days!!!

Friday, Pat and I went to the Sauder Village Quilt Show.   My quilt, Ode to Mickey D won a third place ribbon.  
I got some herbs from the Herb Shop.   Also picked up a few dark chocolate covered malted milk balls for Ruth - but since she moved to Minnesota and I don't think they would last in the mail, I will eat them for her!!!!!!!!!!   And think of her when I enjoy one.

We went to the dinner and award ceremony.   Good speaker, but WAY too traditional for me!!!!!

The Inn at Sauder is a wonderful place to spend the night - especially when you have the best room.   All the way to the end of the third floor - very quiet and view of the fields!!!

This morning we headed back to Lansing and stopped at the Capitol City Quilt Guild show.   LOTS of nice quilts and saw so many people that I know.   I am taking a break from guilds and small groups......NO meetings, etc.   Still quilting lots, tho.  

Spring is here, so did a little yard work then sat on the deck and read.   Also cleaned out my golf bag as we are playing in the morning.   I need to plant my garden as it is finally drying out!!!  

SPRING!!!

The trillium are blooming.....must mean it's finally Spring!!

Got out for an afternoon walk in shorts!!!!

The shooting stars are together, basted and I have started machine quilting............but no home!!!

This and That

One last picture from the Lincoln Race- Leslie and I with Abe and Mary after the race.

This is a thoroughly modern baby quilt for a new little boy to my library family.   I also made one for a new little girl - not quite so modern looking.  Welcome Babies Ray and Willa.   This is something I do for new little ones to the library family - let them know they are loved.

Someone is DYING to go golfing.   He got out his new shoes, cleaned out the bag and clubs.........now if the weather would just cooperate!!!!

My garden looks like it's floating..........no kidding!!!

I would really like to get peas and beans in the ground - but NOT SOON!!!!

The creek is wide and has quite a current flowing.   I expect to see a kayak any minute now - except that the temps are falling and it's only 35 at this moment!!!!   With the wind today I can almost see whitecaps on the water!!!

Where oh where is Spring????????????

Lincoln Memorial 1/2 Marathon

My friend, Leslie and I set out for Springfield, Illinois last Friday morning.    We got there, checked into the host hotel and walked around seeing many of the tourist sights.

This is a statue of Abe and the old RR depot in the background.

We walked to see the only house that Lincoln ever owned.   There are many restored homes on that block.

Of course, one must sit with Abe.

Race morning with Abe!!!!    SOOO excited!!

We walked (others ran)thru part of town and toward the state capitol building.

 

South of town thru a neighborhood of big, beautiful homes and then to this fantastic huge park where the  carillon  was playing.

The first half of the course was flat....then the hills started and continued.    After a winding downhill and then up we passed Lincoln's tomb.   The other battle was 25 mph winds.........this was not an easy race.

 

I came in second in my age group - got the bust of Lincoln!!  Presented to me by Abe and Mary!!   I was almost crying it meant so much to me. 

After lunch and showering we walked town a little more.   We toured this building where Lincoln had offices and represented people at the federal court there.

So happy we found Obed and Isaac's Micro-Brewery for dinner.    A great local restaurant - serviec with a smile and good beer.  I could eat there every night - an maybe lunch, too!!!

My flatbread (made with the malt from the beer) and bacon, blue cheese, onion and peppers with olive oil.   YUM!!!

Leslie's horseshoe  - a local meal.    Bread, leg of lamb (or other meats), cheese sauce and fries........she said it was YUM and ate it all!!!!

Sunday morning we arrived at Charlie Parker's just before it opened.   This place has been featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives on the Food Network.   I do believe I've seen the segment.

Everyone is greeted by a loud "Good Morning" and find your own seat.   Great menu choices here.  

This was a great race - not only because I placed and got the bust, but it was with a good friend and training partner.   I do love doing a destination race - seeing the country and doing a race in the same trip.   Some day, I want to go with John and do this - he won't race, but maybe he will cheer me on............

Easter 2013

We drove a small rental truck loaded with bedroom furniture for the boys.    Nice driving conditions on Easter weekend.

Everyone looked sharp in their new clothes.

Monday we drove back to Lansing with Allison and Andrew so they could have some time with us.    Alexander had track practice so he stayed at home.

Andrew didn't feel well when we left, but seemed better.......HA!!

With a fever of almost 105 later in the afternoon, we headed to Urgent Care and then to the Pediatric ER.   He had Influlenza B and got fed tylenol, motrin and tamiflu. 

Tuesday he spent the day watching WKAR and kid shows. 

Wednesday he was much better and dyed eggs.

Allison got to go with John to Burcham to visit her greats, but did her eggs when she got back.

Andrew wanted to do an experiment with an egg - dropping it off the deck and see what happened.   He knew it would crack - but just how bad in one drop?   two drops? 

Three drops (I think the last one was a heave-ho!!) and it was in many pieces.   I'm sure some of the many critters we have passing thru our yard ate it that night.

Mango may be blind, but he still loves to be cuddled and petted.

Thursday the weather was a bit better for enjoying some outside activities - like roller blades and skates.

And for hiking in the woods behind our house. 

I don't think the kids can come here without playing in the creek.   They were fishing for seaweed/algae  like stuff.....brown and icky looking.  And of course, someone had to slip on the rocks and get his shoe wet!!

 

Good thing there is an abundance of sticks around here!!!!!   

John drove the children home on Friday morning as I left for a race in Springfield, Illinois with a friend (another blog entry).   We had a great SHORT time together.