Sunday, May 29, 2011

Quick 2-Day Overview

With the onset of a seriously drippy nose, I crashed pretty early last night. Here though is a quick overview of just a few of the many things we've done the last two days here in C'ville.

After her doctor appointment, getting her hair done, a visit to the cemetery, and shopping on Friday, Mom and I visited my cousin, Kathy, at her bakery.

































When we got back to town, we were surprised to find that Amber, Ross, and their boys were at her folks'!



















They brought their new camper up for the first time too!












Saturday morning, Rich and I went to Litchfield to shop. We picked up a couple of things for Mom that we put up when we got back to her place. While we were there, a fast moving storm pelted the area with ping pong ball sized hail. My camera was in the car so after the hail stopped I raced through the icy rain to get it...thus my sniffles. But it was worth it...just look at these!



































When we took Mom to Wal-Mart, we saw my cousin Kathy again along with her sister, Betty; Betty's daughter, Crystal; and Crystal's cute-as-a-button kids, Emily & Dylan...oh yeah another Dylan in our family!



































By the time we got Mom home and her stuff put away, I was starting to fade. We went back to W&M's where we had dinner...


...played some cards...













...and TanMan got a haircut!

















By then I guess I wasn't the only one who was about to conk out...what do you think?






































Lovin' Life ~~ And Fun Family Times
Bev

Thursday, May 26, 2011

My Maternal Grandparents

[Note: edited May 27th to add photos taken on their 60th & 66th Wedding Anniversarys]

As I write this, we are driving south in the motorhome toward my hometown for the holiday weekend. After reading blogs and editing some project stuff, I decided to post photos of spring flowering trees and Mother's Day roses that I haven't posted here yet. When I opened the folder to download them, I was quickly reminded that yesterday I deleted nearly all the photo folders from my hard drive. That was intentional because Rich had loaded all of my digital photos onto an external drive so that I could work on projects while we travel. Where is that drive, you ask? Conveniently stored in a bedroom drawer that can only be opened when the bedroom slideout is extended...geesh

While looking at folders on my hard drive to see what's left, I happily discovered the folder with hundreds of Mom's and Dad's old photos that my youngest brother scanned for all of us!

So today, I want to share photos of two of my favorite people ever...my Grandma and Grandpa Price, Bill & Bernice. Grandma was born in September 1905 and Grandpa was born in January 1906. My life is continually enhanced by my memories of them. They had such an influence on me; I was so blessed to have had them in my life for more than four decades.

This one of my favorite photos of them...they were so in love for all of the 68 years they were married! We don't know what year this was taken but what I do know is how lovingly playful they were together and this photo always reminds me of that.

This is their wedding photo, November 1924.


Their 35th Wedding Anniversary 1959


Their 40th Wedding Anniversary 1964


Their 50th Wedding Anniversary 1974


Their 60th Wedding Anniversary 1984


On their 66th Wedding Anniversary in 1990 Grandpa arranged for them to renew their vows.


Summer 1991


This is why I have such a passion for family photos. Looking at these and many more as we drive along today brings Grandma and Grandpa back to me in a very real sense...these people I love so deeply.

Lovin' Life ~~ And Special Memories
Bev

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

MOAO ~ Before & After

This "Before" photo was taken last Saturday.


This "After" photo was taken moments ago.


I can't remember how long Rich has had a beard...several years...but he decided to shave it off yesterday. What do I think, you ask? Seriously, I have no opinion...no really. For those who may have wondered if there is anything in the world about which I have no opinion...you now have one example! *giggle*

Oh yeah, be sure to notice the embroidered Wheaten on his ball cap in the "Before" photo...a very cool Door County pet shop find.

Lovin' Life ~~ And MOAO, Bearded or Not!
Bev

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Cool Ride!

You must surely be wondering what else I did today that would be special enough to warrant its own post. Not to prolong the suspense...I rode a Segway! There is a short list of things I would like to experience and riding a Segway was on that list. But, when faced with the opportunity to do any of them I usually chicken out...not today.

We stopped at a farm market I had remembered from my previous trip to Door County; they now also offer Segway tours. After talking to him about the tours, the guy asked me if I wanted to try one...did I?

I did!


And I'm very proud of the fact that I didn't chicken out because these things are a blast to ride!








































Rich had declined to ride one and wandered off to shop but, lucky for me, he returned in time to take these photos. Knowing how rarely I post photos of myself, you must know how much I loved getting to do this!

Lovin' Life ~~ And New Experiences!
Bev

Not Your Kids' Grilled Cheese

For dinner this evening, Rich made these delicious Grilled Cheese sandwiches on our panini grill. They are filled with Mozzarella, Provolone, and Boursin cheeses; sliced tomato; and fresh basil on hearty bread brushed with olive oil...oh my! Asti served in our new wine glasses and the patter of gentle rain were the perfect accompaniments.





















My favorite chef in the whole wide world!


















Before the rain, we had attended an antique auction and visited a couple of galleries. Fine Line Design Art Gallery in Ephraim offers amazing metal sculptures. If we had agreed on one, there might have been a sale but alas...







































The girls were with us and enjoyed another romp at the dog park.



We drove out to another county park with a scenic overlook but on this gray day there was not much definition between sky and water. Driving on, we discovered this remote beach where the girls got to check out the water.






























While driving through the country, we continued to enjoy seeing more of the...



...millions of dandelions and...












...trillions of Trillium!













There was more but it warrants its very own post!

Lovin' Life ~~ In All Its Variety!
Bev

Friday, May 20, 2011

Sunset on Green Bay

After a delicious dinner at Al Johnson's Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay, Rich stopped in Fish Creek on the way home. We walked down to Sunset Beach Park in time to view the stunning sunset from beginning to end. This was my favorite, and it's SOOC!






While there we were treated to a pair of swans flying low over the water.
















And a bit later, a fly-by of four pelicans.













A breathtaking end to another lovely day in Door County!

Lovin' Life ~~ And Awesome Views of Nature
Bev

Blossom Hill

Do you think these are the blossoms they had in mind??? Nah...probably not.


This time of year here in Door County, there must be millions of dandelions. They completely cover yards and huge meadows; they fill in the rows between the fruit trees in the orchards. Wherever there is open sunny land, it is thickly carpeted with dandelions!































And the floors of the shaded, heavily treed areas are carpeted with Large Flowered Trillium, a trillion Trillium Rich estimates. teehee





























Lovin' Life ~~ And Seasonal Wildflowers
Bev

Thursday, May 19, 2011

A Few Favorite Things...

...Meandering around the Wisconsin peninsula of Door County today.


This Large Flowered Trillium blossom that Rich brought me back this morning after he walked the girls. What a lovely way to start the day! I dropped it into a glass from a wine tasting we attended at a local winery yesterday afternoon.


















An old barn seen on our drive across the peninsula to Lake Michigan. I took many photos of old barns, sheds, homes on our trips this past year...someday I'll post a selection of them.








Rich and the girls in Baileys Harbor on Lake Michigan.











The Ridges Sanctuary













Reiboldts Creek













A view of Cana Island in Lake Michigan














A country road that we had all to ourselves.











A porcupine having lunch alongside the road. He stayed calm until Bella barked, which sent him scurrying into the brush.











Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in Peninsula State Park

















Sculptural installation art by Mother Nature



















Trees growing on and out of moss covered rock















 

Eagle Panorama Overlook

In the far distance you can see the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.










 Rich at Eagle Panorama


















Another of the thousands of sculptural installation art pieces by Mother Nature...I love dead trees!
















You also know how I love gates, doorways, entrances. This one is near Sunset Beach Park in Fish Creek.

 
Lovin' Life ~~ Thankful for All These Perfect Days
Bev