Happy Father's Day Sunday

These are just a few of the photos I took of the beautiful campus at Mercyhurst College in North East. The photo of the stained glass hardly does justice as theses are so rich and amazing.






Janet and Bob are building a wonderful home with a view of Lake Erie that does not stop. One of their son's owns the property next to them and another, the grape acreage across the road. I had never thought of a lake having surf, living near the Gulf as I do, but there is the sound of pounding surf.



Hopefully I'll have time to post another set of pictures of the wineries that we toured. I did not take any of the food plant as they were in production for a new product to be released this summer. I do wish I had thought to take one of E in the white coat, hair net and beard net he wore during out tour.

Kids are all due over later today and, as is our family tradition, the kids will be cooking for E. He and I will entertain the little guys and vice versa while E's father's day meal is being prepared. I've missed seeing Colvin and Landon!!!

Friday in (northern) Paradise

With all the kids out of the house, Janet and Bob are downsizing, building a new home on some property right Lake Erie (photos tomorrow). They have donated their current home to the college, Mercyhurst, that Bob and Janet have helped endow. Bob will retain his corporate building on the grounds but all else will belong to the college. This is a beautiful location but then, so is their new place going to be.









After a wonderful breakfast at a darling nearby restaurant, we headed to the new house to check its progress. This is going to be a wonderful home for the two of them. And my room is not too shabby either...lol. When we got back to the house, Janet took us on a tour of the college(pictures to follow tomorrow)and, much to E's delight, the chef who runs the culinary arts program was there and they could chat. The college is an old seminary and the chapel is beyond belief with the original stained glass windows. They just do not make them like that any more.

While the family had a meeting in the afternoon, Bob and Janet's daughter-in-law, Karen, volunteered to take E and I through one of the food plants and then to two
amazing wineries...pictures coming soon.

More tomorrow. While our flight home was a delight (funny flight attendant and when we landed, the pilot said "Whoa...whoa" over the intercom), we are both tired and our kitties in need of TLC.

Thurs and the Surprise Anniversary Party

While Janet knew she was going to be feted by her family (between them, they have seven kids), she believed it was going to be a simple family get together at a local restaurant. Ha!

We spent most of the day exploring their property around the Lodge and relaxing, we did get cleaned up, packed up and headed back to North East which is about an hour ten from the Lodge. This is where Bob has his corporate headquarters, one of the production buildings and their beautiful home.


We veered away from North East and headed toward Lake Chautauqua where we boarded the Chautauqua Belle, a renovated late 1800s paddle wheeled steam ship. And not only were family members waiting to celebrate Bob and Janet's 40th, but scads of friends as well. There was cake and tons of food and a dee jay for the four hour boat trip around the lake.






e
E and I have been buring the midnight oil and, hard to believe, but we have not been to bed before 11:30pm any night we've been here. Janet and Bob have raised some of the nicest, most friendly young people we've met. Chel and her husband Robert picked us up at the airport and entertained us until Janet and Bob arrived at the Lodge, all came up to us on the boat and introduced themselves to us checking to make sure we were enjoying ourselves and, yesterday, dear sweet Karen, who is married to Jeff, the wine grower, took us around the countryside and to the wineries and the plant in Erie while the Millers had a family meeting.

We are off to the airport later today and winging our way home. More tomorrow.

Surprise Janet

After telling Janet we were heading to Baton Rouge for a few days, E and I boarded a plane to Buffalo, NY, compliments of Bob, Janet's wife as party of his anniversary gift to her. We were picked up by Chelle and her husband, Robert. Chelle is one of Bob's daughters. Bob had lured Janet out to their lodge and we surprised her there.






Janet and Bob's Lodge is an amazing place about an hour outside of their hometown in Pennsylvania. The Lodge and Bob's little cabin sit on over 500 acres with two large lakes and several out building including a modern "out house" named after Janet's mother.




The inside of the Lodge is filled with many of Bob's safari and hunting trophies. The evening was cool enough for a fire in the firepit after our dinner at a wonderful cafe a mile or so down the road.


Bob fixed us plum dumplings for breakfast and took us for a ride through the property on a big golf cart like vehicle. What fun!





We changed our clothes, packed up our belongings and headed into town for the supposed family dinner. Janet found out about all the kids coming into town for the anniversary because the airlines that most were booked on called the house to confirm the reservations.

But...more surprises were in order!

Boys' Birthday Party Part I

A picture is worth a thousand words...here are a few shots from the little guys' first birthday party. I did forget to add the one of the boys' in their darling shirts and will put a couple more up tomorrow if time permits. The boys had the best time although Colvin was not as wild about the cake as was his brother, Landon. There are two parts so please scroll down.

Boys' Birthday Party Part II

Happy Birthday Colvin and Landon

My how you have grown! It just seems like a few weeks ago we were rushing down to the hospital in Clearwater hoping to see your Mama before the dr. took her in to bring you boys into our world. And here we are, one full year later. And what a day...you were pampered and loved all day long by both sets of your grandparents. And Papa and I sang the birthday song to you bright and early this morning. We hid your presents in the garage for your daddy to hang...two bright red bucket swings for the big tree in your yard. And while you were napping, Papa and I cleaned the lanai as a surprise for your Mama and Daddy. Your party is Sat. and you got your first big gift today...a box came with no name from the sender filled with a play bus and an airplane.

Whomever sent these darling toys, please accept our thanks.

These little guys have been the very best belated birthday present a Nana could want!

It is just another birthday in Paradise

I remember thinking one year when I was visiting my Nana in Waterloo, Iowa for the summer, "Wow. Nana is sure getting old" I think she might have been 62 or 63 at the time and here I am today...64.

I have to say this past year has been one of the best and, in some ways one of the saddest. We lost my dad and our best friend, Chuck and our friend, Bill, had a serious stroke while he and Jo were wintering here. On the upside, Kristen and Chris gave us two funny and wonderful grandsons and we have another little one on the way. While we have drifted away from some friends, we have deepened out ties with others. This is the way life is. E and I traveled far and wide and have had lots of friends come for visits. Clare, Janet, Pam and I celebrated a belated Christmas on Captiva Island Our home is coming together as we want it and we love our little town. Our health is good and we've been working harder at staying in shape. I have Book Club and we have Dinner Club for variety and I keep myself busy with designing for the wonderful Posh Scraps, A Cherry on Top and Gingersnaps Creations. E gardens and cooks. We have lots of exciting plans made for the summer: travel and company and I have several weekend crops with some of my gal pals.

These are the best gifts I could get for my birthday: the well wishes of friends, the love of family, my health and husband's.

Hope your Thurs is a good one!

La Vita E Bella (Life is Beautiful)

1. Being able to spend time with our pals in St. Louis recently

2. Having fun being a Nana

3. Two funny little guys to hang out with (see pics below)

4. Another little one on the way

5. Scrap booking with second graders yesterday

6. Amazing meals by my honey (see photo below)

7. Our family all living within twenty minutes of each other and we enjoy our time together

8. The boys' first birthday this Friday and the party on Sunday (gifts bought and wrapped)

9. Garden in full bloom and new arbor, gate and fence ready to be installed.

10. My last two technique workshops scheduled for this Sat. at Posh and all workshops to repeat this coming fall.

11. Saw my layout in a new scrap book while I was in St. Louis.

12. My vertigo has not returned.

13. Wonderful women with whom to scrap.

14 Witty, clever and smart friends both near and far

15. I turn 64 tomorrow and am content

HOPE LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL FOR YOU TOO

Home is where the heart is

and my heart is home along with the rest of my assorted body parts.

This past Friday, Nick and Kay and I met up with my aunt, Mary, my uncle Mike, and our friends, Steve and Dee Dee who are coming for a visit in just a couple of weeks. We met up at Rizzo's, had some snacks and drinks and enjoyed each others' company.



Yesterday, Kay took me out on their pontoon boat for a nice ride around the lake. Unfortunately, the boat over heated and we had to be towed back to their dock...oh well, it was a fun ride anyway.

We all got cleaned up and went to Cedar Lake Cellars, a fairly new and very lovely, winery near their home. There was a great band playing,Crossfire . If you live in the St. Louis area, add this winery and this band to your winery hopping list...both are FIVE STARS!





Home now with one load of laundry in the washer and another still to go. Found a cute sundress for Kristen and two piece Cardinal outfits for the little guys for their b'day. We give them each a savings bond for their college fund, and E is hanging their bucket seat swings this coming Friday (their b'day). But we wanted them to have something from Nana and Papa to open at their party this coming Sunday.

E is fixing something wonderful for my welcome home dinner...pics to follow tomorrow. Hope you had a great weekend

We've been toasting you right and left, Chuck Adams!

Kay and Nick have been a God send; picking me up at the airport, providing me with a wonderful place to stay and sharing memories of our friend, Chuck. Dear friend, we've toasted you near and far and miss you.

Kay and I took out her Hobie Cat kayaks twice this week...I need one of these! Kay has the pedal system and we've went all around the lake the second morning we went out. We use to come out here to their place when it was a shed, and a dock on their lot and have the time of our lives. Great memories. As a matter of fact, the first time we met Chuck's Linda was out here! And we've loved her ever since.

I lost track of the days right off the bat and called my beloved E the day BEFORE our 16th. Anniversary. He laughed and called me the next day, the right day and sang to me.

Kay and I went shopping and out to lunch a few days ago and the next day met our sweet Linda for lunch. There are two things I can not find 'down south'...toasted ravioli and gooey butter cake. Now, my favorite son in law, Chris, makes a mean gooey butter cake but no one I know can do toasted ravioli. I've thrown caution to the wind and od'ed a bit on the ravioli...but omg...I am so happy. Kay and I ate one day at a Pasta House and I had one of the salads there...another be still my heart moment. I have heard we can order the dressing for this fave place and Rich and Charlie's on line. Will be checking that out when I get home.

I told Kay and her sister, Susie, about the game Left, Right, Center and they told me about Kings in the Corner (got to get this game). Kay made us strawberries dipped in dark chocolate.










I'll put some more pics up tomorrow...I have to be at the airport at 7 ish and we are about an hour out from there. My plane does not leave until 8:30am so hopefully I can get on line.

We went to the neatest new winery today, Cedar Lake Cellars and E, I have a couple of new wine glasses for us to add to our collection. The band played the best ever 50s and 60s and my pal, Nick, and I danced in the grass to Mustang Sally!

Good night and thanks for hanging in here with me. Internet has been intermittent and, to be truthful, I just haven't felt much like posting. Thanks to all of you have send me love; it is appreciated.

Posting from the tree tops at Lake Sherwood, Mo.

Chuck's visitation and funeral were done so beautifully and what a tribute to him and his life. At the visitation, which started at four pm (we got there about five ish)the line wound out the funeral home door and down the street and did not stop the entire time we were there and we stayed a couple of hours. The funeral was held at the church that he joined a bit after he married our friend, Linda, Ebenezer Stone church . . The last time any of us were at the church was for their wedding in 2005. While the funeral of anyone is a sad event, this one was truly a celebration of Chuck's life.






I am staying with Nick and Kay whom I've known for years and years. Nick and I actually attended the same elementary school for a couple of years, when my folks, sister and I lived in Lindenhurst, Long Island New York.

Nick, Kay and I have been telling Chuck stories since I arrived. We had dinner after the visitation with Jill Drayton Lawson and Dennis Breznahan, two others who knew Chuck from our teaching days and met up with Steve and Mary Ellen Bourner, who have known Chuck even longer than Nick and I have, all of us having taught together. There was a lovely luncheon after the funeral where we all got a chance to talk.

Kay and I are taking her Hobie Cat kayaks out on their lake this morning with our coffee for our own toast to Chuck. He loved the water...sailed, kayaked, canoed...

Right now I am sitting on Nick and Kay's upper deck being serenaded by birds and cicadas and a humming bird just landed on the table where I am typing. There is a mist rising off the lake and we're having coffee and reading the paper. It all seems a bit surreal if you know what I mean.

I've always felt the highest honor we can pay a friend who had left us is to embody a bit of their attributes into our lives. Chuck was a supporter of a mission and orphanage in Jamaica. He worked on rehab missions outside of New Orleans and served on several committees within his church. I want to find something back home to do, a way to give back. I'll keep you posted.