Wave your Flag

 ***  Stars and Stripes  ***

Hard to choose favorites when you 

have such cute subjects!

and what Brother did....so did Sister

* F L A G *

You flow in the breeze,
And show glory in the wind

Jackson wanted his picture taken with Baxter and Lili

 How fast they grow into such sweet individuals.  

Fishing was tops on Jackson's list this weekend.

No more letting a bobber soak.... 

it's jigging on the lake bottom for this young man! 

Even with a three week old worm on his hook, 

he managed to catch an 11" walleye.

To hear his fishing stories..........priceless

 Lauren is becoming quite the story teller.  Arms folded, lips smacking after every other word, you almost want to keep asking her questions just to hear her talk!

Such a pretty little girl.

Happy Memorial Day

at 

Three Lakes, WI

2 0 1 2

Ocean of Memories

The waves whispered......

calling us

to the soft sand.

 The water sweeps over our feet

surrounds us where we stand.

 Ocean of Memories.......

Topsail Island, North Carolina

~ 2 0 1 2 ~

Be Sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit

Our family gathered in Lake Mills, WI for a very special Easter weekend. 

Tami was confirmed Saturday, April 7th. 

   "St Monica" is her chosen name. 

Allison was her sponsor.

Unbeknown to each of them, they were dressed as twins!!
Right down to the three quarter length sweaters!!

Confirmation Group

"Be sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit"

She now renders a bond with the Church more perfect.

Thanks for a wonderful weekend.

Easter giggles, eggs, 

and for sure the BEST Chocolate!

Jackson found the 

"Hallelujah Egg"

A tradition Steve started in our family.

I hope it continues...

An Easter egg from Hughes

filled with the finest,delectable 

chocolate candy!

Jackson with his eggceptional expression!

He said "Easter Bunny was busy"!!

Lauren and Tami hunting for eggs.

Lauren looked behind every tulip.

This was serious business!

Loving every minute with my grandchildren.

Got a "Latte"...that dark, sexy brew

I love coffee: the taste, the caffeine, the whole coffee-shop experience.  I don’t go a single morning without that smooth, bitter, dark and sexy liquid goodness. So as I sipped my morning latte, I got to thinking:  what is it about coffee and the coffee experience that’s so….intoxicating?

Walk into any coffee shop and just take a look around. It’s like all the people are hypnotized. Some are entranced with others while sipping the mysterious brew, others still are alone often sharing their delirium with their laptops or a can't put down wonderful book. Either way, the coffee shop crowd has a certain look in their eyes that’s unique to the drink.

Yes, a "Latte" brings a smile to my face every morning.

Did you ever notice how inviting these shops always look.  

Open that door and you are hooked!

"VINO LATTE" is the coffee~wine shop I stop at every work day.
A great selection of wine from all over the world.  You name it they have it ...or they will order it in for you.  You can even reserve a private room for prayer groups, book club, meetings, any social gathering imaginable!  

How much do people like their coffee?  

Well, along with water and tea, coffee is one of the three most popular beverages. Northern Europeans drink the most coffee — about 11 kilograms, or 24 pounds, per year. Germans drink about 9 kilograms of coffee per year, while the French drink about 6 kilograms per year. Italians and Americans drink about 4 to 5 kilograms, or 10 pounds. People drink about one third as much coffee as the amount of water they consume.

That's quite a bit!  

Now if only I could add a coffee aroma to this blog.....

Mmmmm back to my dark....sexy...brew!

Early Morning Pins

Early morning Pins seems to be my 

new favorite pastime.

Somehow gets my juices flowing.  

Sometimes it is inspirational, 

sometimes it takes me on a day dream 

.

Some of my new boards 

Road Trip...... Lucketts, Leesburg VA

Easter Board

                Flower ideas

I get to see what some of my  friends are pinning!  

 See what others want, like this tree house Kathy wants!

It’s like being in the same room with them; drinking a glass of wine, or a cup of coffee…..paging through magazines.  If you are wondering where I am….it’s a place called Pinterest.

Check it out…..you will be hooked too!

Let it be Christmas

Could there be a more nostalgic holiday than Christmas.....I doubt it.
At least not for me.
Decorating the trees can some times take for ever.  Each ornament I place has some special meaning or memory.  Like this star that always hangs to the front of my tree. A tag adorns the branch it hangs from "In loving remembrance of a wonderful, beautiful wife and mother, may this star shine brightly on your Christmas tree.  Even though mom is not with us in body, her spirit will shine within our hearts forever.  We love you mom!!!"

Each year the Christmas story is going round and round in my mind.

Memories of ornaments we made together for the Church Bazaar.

The ornaments my kids have made are my most treasured.

Then there is the ornaments Mom and Dad would bring home from a trip.

This one from China Town - San Francisco.

A new one this year.  I made a hand blown glass ornament in Sagway, Alaska this summer.

Will bring wonderful memories of our "Sister Trip" with Chris.

Merry Christmas Sis...Love ya!

And now my tree would not be complete without a newly made ornament of my Grandchildren.

This one of Jackson......is there a greater treasure than grandkids.......

As George and I wrapped gifts, he asked me if I really thought the kids would appreciate the time I take wrapping each of their presents.  Does it matter if they did not notice...sure, but the self-satisfaction is so much more.... I  think about each and everyone of them as I wrap their gift.

Mom always had the most beautiful gifts under the tree.  I think back and that is what I remember more than what was in the present!  She was so talented.  Her home was her castle and she loved decorating and arranging the most beautiful centerpieces....to this day they are impressed in my mind.

Merry Christmas 2012

Let the beautiful lights all around us this Christmas keep shinning through us as we once again welcome birth of Jesus in our hearts.  

Who's Babysitting WHO!!!!

One quickly remembers 
how a little one wants your attention 24/7!!!

Sunday was a long day for all of us.   Jackson and Lauren faired very well.

Our first stop was at a gas station in Stanley.  

We had a picnic snack of string cheese,  dill pickle chips and juice.

We won't talk about the next stop......let's just say we one upped Grandma Kathy!!

On to Uncle Brian's for fun in his back yard.

A little Football practice before the big game.

Jackson needs a "Rodgers" jersey!

 Lauren ran....and ran.....and ran around Brian's yard!

 We finally got a peek of a smile!

Even Lauren got into throwing the football.

One more stop-Great Grandpa Harvey's

No pictures-they were eating, but we did get to see  Sue,  Gordi, Nicholas, Johanna and Kim.

What a nice surprise.

Off to Antigo, and it was supper at Culver's.

Then off to the Deer Farm to see the white deer and the BIG Buck!

 Feed a little deer some corn.

Something spooked the deer-probably Lily's whining to get out of the car!

This was the best shot of the BIG Buck I could get.

Good morning Monday!

A little Finger painting,

and shhh, it's a surprise for Mom and Dad-

we can't show you or it won't be a surprise!

Enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

A mid morning snack of honey crisp apples and carmel-yum!

Guess who's pooped?!!   WHAT GREAT DAY!!

After supper, Papa George and Jackson did a little fishing off the dock.

No luck, will try again tomorrow.