Yep, it's time to head for the southwest. Days are getting shorter and colder. Hoping this year the trip will be the easiest. By now we have about everything divided up between the houses and don't have to bring much back and forth but the clothes for travel. There is a case of kraut already in the back of the van but that's because we can't get it in AZ and I would be hanged if I didn't bring smoked sausage and Sauer kraut to the monthly pot lucks.
This year it will be a little difference in the IL house. Our son and grandson have graciously moved into it while we're gone to keep an eye on it. One works days and sleeps nights and the other works nights and sleeps days so beside the alarm system it will have human content.
It's been a nice change having them here this week before we leave. Cooking for Ron and I isn't very interesting but adding two healthy appetites to the mix makes for a lot more enjoyable meals.
Sorry I haven't been a consistent blogger but the body was willing but the spirit was not.
Sunday, October 25, 2015
Friday, September 11, 2015
Summer Continued.....
It hasn't been a normal summer at our house. We've spent most of it mowing the lawn. Make that he's spent most of the summer mowing and I've watched or did something else.
We did manage to have two picnics this summer which is two more than we've had in quite a few years.
July 4th was a combination celebration of Independence Day and my 70th birthday. As you can see, I'm not quite as old as the United States but still proud to be born close to her birthday. We decided to stay home this year instead of traveling to Wisconsin to watch his nephew set off fireworks. As it turned out we had a spectacular show from our back deck. Aerials going off in a 180 degree circle. People must have spent a fortune on pyrotechnics. Ron's brother and his wife, Bob and his girl joined us till around midnight and by then we had our fill of ooos and ahhs.
Labor Day weekend was also a nice cookout with family. Monday capped off a double celebration. Betsy turned 50 on Wednesday and Bob's girl turned 48 on Friday so we had a lot to celebrate. Bob even brought a cake decorated to them both.
Sorry I haven't written often but it has been an uneventful summer with a couple exceptions. A lunch and visit with friends from Cactus Country on their way back to the east coast for the remaining time. A visit to the Sandwich Fair. It's the last county fair in the state of Illinois and we think it's the best. Some things changed this year. Less farm machinery to crawl over and ooh and ahh at the prices. It rained on us so we didn't get to see as much as we liked, especially the harness races and the campers but we did get a meal at Fay's. They sell pork chops and chicken cooked on an outdoor pits by their tent. The price went up but we went ahead since it's a once a year treat. The other change there was no white bread, only wheat. It's the first year with no white bread.
Thanks to the Illinois Lotto we kept dry. They aren't paying the lottery winners but they were giving out free rain ponchos.
We did manage to have two picnics this summer which is two more than we've had in quite a few years.
July 4th was a combination celebration of Independence Day and my 70th birthday. As you can see, I'm not quite as old as the United States but still proud to be born close to her birthday. We decided to stay home this year instead of traveling to Wisconsin to watch his nephew set off fireworks. As it turned out we had a spectacular show from our back deck. Aerials going off in a 180 degree circle. People must have spent a fortune on pyrotechnics. Ron's brother and his wife, Bob and his girl joined us till around midnight and by then we had our fill of ooos and ahhs.
Labor Day weekend was also a nice cookout with family. Monday capped off a double celebration. Betsy turned 50 on Wednesday and Bob's girl turned 48 on Friday so we had a lot to celebrate. Bob even brought a cake decorated to them both.
Sorry I haven't written often but it has been an uneventful summer with a couple exceptions. A lunch and visit with friends from Cactus Country on their way back to the east coast for the remaining time. A visit to the Sandwich Fair. It's the last county fair in the state of Illinois and we think it's the best. Some things changed this year. Less farm machinery to crawl over and ooh and ahh at the prices. It rained on us so we didn't get to see as much as we liked, especially the harness races and the campers but we did get a meal at Fay's. They sell pork chops and chicken cooked on an outdoor pits by their tent. The price went up but we went ahead since it's a once a year treat. The other change there was no white bread, only wheat. It's the first year with no white bread.
Thanks to the Illinois Lotto we kept dry. They aren't paying the lottery winners but they were giving out free rain ponchos.
Friday, July 17, 2015
Summer 2015
We've had a very easy summer in northeast Illinois so far but today it took a turn for scorching with one to follow tomorrow. I've enjoyed the nice spring weather. Been spending a lot of time sitting on my porch swing reading and enjoying life. I know there are some who crave the heat and humidity but I'm not one. The humidity drains me of all my strength. For now I'm staying inside my air conditioned home and waiting for it to cool off again.
I must say thanks for a cool weather birthday this year. I can't remember when it was 59 degrees at 10 am on my birthday. Nice getting ready to go out and not needing a shower after shower.
We've been staying close to home, husband has a new hobby, mowing the lawn. He's mowed it 24 times since we got back. Tells you I don't have a life either, keeping track of his mowing.
I wanted to do some traveling, see the new great grand son in New Jersey but can't be gone that long, got to mow the lawn twice a week between rain showers.
I see Tucson is getting their Monsoons and that's great. They always need the rain. Looks like I'm stuck where I am, hot and humid in both places.
I must say thanks for a cool weather birthday this year. I can't remember when it was 59 degrees at 10 am on my birthday. Nice getting ready to go out and not needing a shower after shower.
We've been staying close to home, husband has a new hobby, mowing the lawn. He's mowed it 24 times since we got back. Tells you I don't have a life either, keeping track of his mowing.
I wanted to do some traveling, see the new great grand son in New Jersey but can't be gone that long, got to mow the lawn twice a week between rain showers.
I see Tucson is getting their Monsoons and that's great. They always need the rain. Looks like I'm stuck where I am, hot and humid in both places.
Friday, July 10, 2015
Birthday and Independence Day Celebration
It's kind of a puzzle effort to get this blog done but it's a labor of love. July 4th and 7th were both fantastic days. The 4th turned out to be a family get together. Both my children and most of my grand children and two great grand children were here with spouse and significant others. One of Ron's brothers decided to forgo another family get together and him and his wife joined us for the weekend.
I did all my part of the cooking on Friday so I could enjoy the 4th with everyone. My son and his girl stayed till after 10 pm watching the neighborhood fireworks. Believe me they matched anything a village put on with beautiful aerials. Lots of oohs and ahhs.
My birthday was very special. A beautiful bouquet of white and red roses from my husband were sitting on the table when I came downstairs. While I was eating breakfast my son stopped on his way home from work with two dozen red roses. What a surprise. I still got some birthday cards in the mail and lots of internet wishes. Sure did feel special. We even tried out a new steak house for dinner. Jamenson's Chop House in Darien. I'd definitely go back.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
New Year's Day.
What a difference a few hours make. At midnight it snowed and now most of the snow is on the mountain tops. We're going to have some chilly days to start off the new year but I have every confidence that by mid January it will warm up till it reaches the beautiful warm weather we're used to in Southern Arizona.
Wishing all our family and friends a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Monday, December 1, 2014
Roses in Bloom
Thought I'd take a quick picture of one of our rose bushes in bloom. They were to far apart to get them both in one picture. The other one is multi color pink.
It's been warmer than normal here since we arrived a month ago and we're enjoying it. December and January are our real winter months and then February and March warm up again for all the great things going on. Looking forward to the Gem and Mineral Show and Fiesta de la Vaqueros. The Tubac arts and crafts fair is a lot of fun and we may make it to other things going on as time permits.
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