A Welcome Visit

Lori and C-Bear are here visiting us for 2 weeks. We are taking it easy around here just enjoying having a little one in the house again. We take walks, sing songs, play hobbledee-hoy, watch Yo Gabba Gabba, swim in the baby pool, sit on the porches... well, you get the idea. Lots more pics to come but thought you'd enjoy seeing these.

Granite or Quartz

Yesterday was our 41st wedding anniversary. Deke took me out to eat at Olive Garden and toward the end of our meal, the server came to our table with a beautiful little white tray held aloft and covered with a white cloth. She said she and the staff wanted to wish us a happy anniversary and to show their happiness for our occasion, they wanted to congratulate us by presenting us with... voila!

At first I was completely stumped, but quickly figured it out when I looked at the huge wide grin on Deke's face. He had arranged this whole thing with the staff to surprise me with a gift of new kitchen countertops!

I have poured over the brochures and samples since last night and have pretty much decided on quartz. It's a little more expensive than granite but once it's installed, it's done. No upkeep, no chipping, no scratches, no sealing, no nothing. It's pretty much maintenance free.

So every time I think my hubby just couldn't come up with a bigger surprise than the last one, he comes up with this one. I think I'll keep him!

Flying High

Here's Deke's first flight this year.

Only in Indiana

Saturday Deke and I tooled up to North Judson to see a train steam engine that was making a run for the train fans in the area. While in town, we strolled through their main street's annual event, the "Mint Festival," with the usual fare of elephant ears, lemonade shake-ups, and tenderloin sandwiches. Never could figure out where the mint was. But that fare is normal for any festival in Indiana. However, in all my wildest Hoosier dreams, I wasn't prepared for the exhibit at the wood carver's display. All I could do was shake my head in wonder and give thanks for my little digital camera I keep in my purse most times.

This picture is for all Hoosiers and Wolverines and Buckeyes. Only you could know what you're looking at; no one else would have a clue. In fact, some would be grossed out at such an exhibit. But we Hoosiers salivate when we see something of this nature, and we celebrate our heritage and stick out our chests a little farther and dream of those May days tramping through the woods. So why not sit down on your favorite bench, surrounded by the constant reminder of those glorious expeditions. As we say in Hoosiereze: "The morel, the better."

The masterpiece



The master at work

The reason for the trip in the first place

Random Ramblings

I know this is a terrible picture, but it was taken through a window and screen in the early morning light with a camera that is not made for action shots. But it's so rare for hummingbirds to share a meal together and there were so many of them buzzing around the feeder, I just had to try to capture the scene for posterity.

Hummingbirds are horribly territorial and the dominant bird will not normally allow another to drink while "he" is drinking at the feeder. The other morning, I observed at least 7 of them feeding or hovering around the feeder. Of course my digital was never quick enough to capture the event but this gives you an idea of what a feeding frenzy among hummingbirds is like.

Now you see a hay field...




Now you don't.
Aaaah, the smell of new-mown hay. Back home again in Indiana...




Mama Jo and Carole at the hair salon just before Mama Jo's perm

And the new and improved Mama Jo!

PPG Whee!

Today was a milestone in Deke's life. He soloed in the Powered Paraglider! Photos tell the whole story.

Getting last minute instructions from his pro instructor

It's a thumbs-up!

Fruit 'n' Flowers

The strawberries are producing full-force right now and to tell you the truth, we are just about sick of the little things. BUT not quite. We eat them on our cereal in the morning, with our sandwiches at lunch and for our dessert at night. What bliss.

Another gorgeous spring attraction is the peony. It's the Hoosier state flower and my personal favorite. I have 3 varieties around the hacienda and all are beautiful. Tonight I picked this variety and the only way I can describe it is "pink chiffon."

The daylilies are just beginning to bloom with the Black-eyed Susans catching up quickly. Because of the rains, it's lush and very green around here, making this spring one of the prettiest in years.

PS Pictures are blurry because I shot them in low light to avoid the glare of the flash. Erin, I need your camera!