Carnival Brazilian

T-day minus one

We are taking this small netbook to use while traveling so today I test to make sure all is functioning as it should.  Lovely to have a keyboard rather than two fingers even though it is small.


As usual, I am about ready to close the suitcase and George has nothing in his at all!  Hopefully he will gather his clothes today although putting up an antenna and towing the boys tubing is higher on his list.  We'll be ready to roll on Saturday in any case.


First stop is Souix Falls, SD after a long travel day.  Nothing too exciting in Iowa but lots of corn fields.  Then we drive into Rapid City and will spend three nights there while we visit all the sights.  I expect then to begin my photography project.


We will keep up with Paint the Beach, our plein air competition in Florida, but now have only three spots on the waiting list and not much to worry about.  Hopefully the wifi will be good throughout this adventure.


So stay tuned!!!

Getting out the suitcases again.....

Days are numbered now until we take off for the wild west with friends Dennis and Dale.  This is the third big trip we've done with them and planning has been as much fun as the trip will be.  It takes a whole year to get all the details right.  Dennis took the lead on this one and has a binder that would earn him an A+ in any classroom. 

Because we are staying in national parks the reservations had to be made months in advance.  We have a detailed outline of where we will be and what to see.  It will all be beautiful and I'm looking forward to amazing.  From here to S.D and the Badlands to Glacier, Banff, Jasper, Lake Louise, and then back to the US and Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and lastly Jackson Hole.  I plan to post while traveling and hope that Wi-Fi is good everywhere.

For now the puzzle is packing as we expect to have a great variety of weather.  This time it is much easier as we can fill the van and don't need to worry about weight or suitcase limit.  And what a load we will have too...cameras galore, my paint kit (I hope to have some time), food, (even a coffee maker for those early morning starts)and boots, along with the usual pjs!!

Right now I'm tearing the house apart looking for my beading kit, which I had planned to take.  It seems to have disappeared much to my chagrin.  Rarely do I loose things and it seems I've really done it this time.  Several projects were inside as I am beading for the wedding shower prizes.  Sure hope it turns up.

While we travel the kids will enjoy the last of summer here at the lake as it is beautiful now here in Michigan.

Snacks on the patio, a little gin rummy and the grandsons....lovely!!   Funny about the snack tray, a tradition I started when the grandchildren were little. Now they still ask and look forward to it.  What makes crackers more special when served by Granma in a special dish???? 

Everything but....

Making art!!!  Spending time with my grandsons, reupholstering chairs, gathering supplies for western trip has taken most of my time these days.

I did travel to Mayo with Kris and Mitch to visit the doc. He will have his final surgery on Sept. 18.  I will be caring for Ethan and the dogs while they are away for almost two weeks. I'll get out of the car and right back in it to to their house!! Timing is to get M healed and ready for baseball in the spring. No sports until then.


I will be taking some art equipment on the journey west and hope to get a bit of time to paint what I know will be beautiful sights. We should have thousands of photos as well.

A  photo of the sailboats here on our lake will be the inspiration for a canvas I plan to donate for the FMBAA raffle in Nov.

A beautiful day....

Yesterday was the most beautiful summer day so far this season. Perfect weather here on the lake for zooming around the lake towing our grandsons on the new Razor tube. It is triangular and flies across the lake. Ethan is our fearless one and loved the speed despite getting flipped off several times.
Ole grandma had to do spotter duty and sit backwards watching him. First time I have done that! Small mishap when the rope got sucked into the jet...who knew?? Poor grandpa had to paddle on the Razor back to shore, not an easy task. E and I eventually flagged down a jet skier who towed us in.Gap and E eventually were able to dislodge it without sawing the rope into pieces, as all the google suggestions said, and we were back on the lake again. Mitch finally got out of bed, the teen sleeps like the dead, and took my place then tried it out himself. All agreed it is much more fun than the old Big Bertha tube which finally split after twenty years of fun.Wish I had a photo of us but who had times or hands.....I was hanging on for dear life!!!!

July jotting....

I'll post some work soon but in the mean time....painted Saturday with PAAWM and loved it. Painted needs work but good practice. Boys and Cutter have been here while Kris stains her oak cabinets. Kitchen is looking amazing.

Tomorrow I will be with Paige and Karen for taste testing and wedding gown shopping!!! Then the whole family will be here for the weekend. A busy week but so much fun and good memories being made.

Happy 4th of July!!!

It's been a while!!

On June 11 I participated in a paint out at Leila Arboretum in Battle Creek.  It was the first time they had hosted such an event and did it very nicely.  We painted all day with a nice lunch provided then met for a reception.  Unfortunately the weather turned ugly and the tornado sirens and warnings went off just as we were getting started.  After hurrying to take the paintings down we spent the next 45 minutes in a cellar waiting for the all clear.  Crazy end to a nice day.  Below you can see me working in oil.

 I keep forgetting to fix this umbrella!!!

Next, we went to Crown Point to celebrate Paige's graduation with a great party.  Lots of friends and relatives showed up to honor Paige for her achievements and then Karen too, who graduated from IU, got a job teaching 6th grade science and English in CP, and is turning 40 too.  Lots of happy hugs, delicious cupcakes (200) and smiles all weekend.

The T-shirt quilt was a hit and highlighted all Paige's many interests and accomplishments over her school years.

 

Paige and Thomas announced their engagement on Memorial Day.  He is in the Air Force and a fine young man.  A July wedding is planned for next year!!! Meantime she will attend IU and transfer when she moves to Georgia next summer!!  No dust collects under this young lady's feet!! 

 

 

This means next summer we will have the shower, wedding, Alli's graduation and election year all rolled into a few months!!  Yikes!!

 

 

Next we had a visit from a grade school classmate and dear friend Karen Wellington Bennett, who travels the country with her husband Rick in their 5th wheel home.  They are currently visiting Michigan lighthouses and stopped a week near by to see us.  We had a great visit catching up and talked like we had seen each other yesterday.  Such fun to have Karen back in my life.  (We kept in touch when she moved in "58 but lost touch for about 20 yrs. in the middle.  I kept googling her name and found her again!!!)  We were so busy talking this time we forgot to take any photos!!!

 

 

And this past week has been busy with the boys.  My son in law came down with a fever etc after visiting NY for a conference.  As it got worse not better the doc sent him to the hospital where Kris stayed with him and I kept the boys and Ranger.  Despite lots of tests, all negative, they never really found the cause of his illness but antibiotics seem to be helping and he was able to come home yesterday.  Still ill, but hopefully recovering.

 

 

So missing Jeff, we had the big family birthday party here at the lake with all the family except him.  The kids had a blast swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking, and eating!!!  Crazy day and we were pooped at the end.

 

 

Today friends are coming for a picnic by the water and perhaps we'll stay awake long enough to watch the fireworks around the lake.  It's very pretty and ends a great day.  The weather here is finally perfect for the lake and we intend to enjoy it!!!  Hope your holiday is as fine!!!