5/31/10

Remembering and Goodbye's.

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Yesterday was a hard day for me.  My son Josh and his wife Dawn were driving to Southern Wisconsin to visit with her parents.  And tomorrow, they hop a plane back to Phoenix.  They generally only get one trip a year home. And although we try to get out there once or twice a year,  it's still hard to have them so far away.
With that in mind, hubby suggested a drive to get me out of the house and to chase away the blues.
I'm not sure visiting cemeteries is a sure fire way to chase away the blues, but visit we did.
The church above is one of the many country churches we stopped by yesterday.  This little church, is one his parents still attend. 



Well, we drove and drove and drove.  Dan had a general idea where this church was located but it had been a very long time since he had been there.  This church, built in 1896 is situated in the most beautiful valley.  His Mother was baptized and confirmed here.  And his Great Grandparents, who passed away long before he was born are buried here along with numerous Great Aunt's and Uncles. 





It had been a beautiful sunny day but became quite overcast once we arrived.  No one but a lone caretaker was around and the church is no longer in regular use, although they do have one service and reunion in the summer.


 

The views of the valley below are just amazing! 




A little tiny country church with roots entwined in my husbands family.




You know it's a country church when you have views of  cows' grazing below.





It's  so green right now!!  My son and wife swear that we must have painted it before they arrived!
LOL.



Such a beautiful, peaceful place.




Well then we drove and drove and drove some more.  This last little church has roots in both of our families.

My Mom and Dad attended this church for awhile and this was before Dan and I had even met.  My Dad's funeral was here and Dan's paternal grandparents, along with various aunt's and uncles are buried here as well.
My parent's lived in this area for about 5 years while they restored an older home.  Later, after Dan and I started dating we found out that two of his great uncles had built the home my parent's were then restoring.
Sometimes our lives become entwined in ways we can't even imagine. 
I still feel great sadness when I see this church.  It was a gloomy and cold March day when we buried my Dad.   
But Dan was able to find his relatives markers.  His paternal grandmother passed away when Dan's Dad, who is now 84, was just 5 years old.  Sadly, it was shortly after the birth of her 7th child.  Life may have been simpler back then, but it certainly wasn't easier.
Now I hope I didn't make you all gloomy and down feeling.  I actually enjoyed our drive and feeling the history around me.
Thanks everyone for stopping by.
I hope you are all enjoying your Memorial Day Weekend.

Cindy  


5/28/10

Happy Birthday Pink Saturday with some of my favorite Pinks!

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In celebration of Pink Saturday and Favorite Things Saturday, I would like to share some of my favorite pinky things!  It's a two- year birthday celebration for the blog meme called  Pink Saturday, so let the party begin!   My painted daisies have just started to bloom!




They are a glorious shade of pink!




And one of my favorite pinky things!




And more pretty pinks are sprouting in my garden.  And making me smile!





And pink petunias are spilling out of pots.





Victorian Ladies are selling Kis-Me Gum.




And Pinky Heart Wreaths are hanging on my wall!





And a Pink Birthday Cake to boot!
 I kept this short because I know we are all busy this weekend.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend Everyone!
Please visit our hostesses Laurie and Bev for more great posts!
Cindy






5/24/10

Mad Town Week-end and Frank Lloyd Wright's Monona Terrace!

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On Saturday, hubby and I headed 2 hours south to one of our favorite towns Madison, Wisconsin. We went to shop the farmers market and just get away for a day. 





This outstanding farmers market is held on the sidewalks outside our state capital.



It was very crowded and so I didn't get a lot of pics but it was a beautiful summer like day.


  On Sunday morning we headed over to tour Monona Terrace.  Monona Terrace was  designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, probably the most well known American architect.  Wright was born on June 8th, 1867 in Richland Center, Wisconsin. He attended the University of Wisconsin, Madison and first presented his vision and design of Monona Terrace to the city of Madison in 1938. 




In 2002,  43 years after his death, his vision was realized with the completion of Monona Terrace. 
Monona Terrace links the shimmering waters of Lake Monona to the State Capital.  It spans 90 feet out over Lake Monona.  (The pic above and the one below are  from their website)










It truly is an amazing place!   Look at that view of Lake Monona!







A breathtaking design that leaves you in awe of his genius.





And the view of the lake keeps drawing you in.




There are 5 or 6 levels with the rear side facing the capital building.



Street level to.................




an upper level that features an open air cafĂ©.




It was early Sunday morning and nothing had opened yet but it was nice to have it mostly to ourselves.




Gardens and views!




A truly amazing place!
If you are ever in Madison, make sure to check it out. 
On another note, our average high temp for this time of year is mid to upper 70's.   We are supposed to reach 94 degrees today with a heat index of 100!   My son and dil are flying into Wisconsin from Phoenix tomorrow.  I  think they thought they would get to escape the heat.   And their not used to this kind of humidity anymore so it may be a bit of a shocker.   On the bright side, my plants are loving the humidity!
Take care everyone and have a nice week!

Cindy

I am linking this post to Blue Monday with Smiling Sally  and

Outdoor Wednesday with Susan at a Southern Day Dreamer.

Thanks Ladies!

5/21/10

Happy Birthday to my son, Joshua Mark.

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Happy Birthday to my son Joshua Mark!!  And here I am very pregnant with him.  He was born 2 days later coming into this world 10 days early.
7 lbs, 14 ounces.  10 hours of labor.
It feels just like yesterday. 
  At three months of age.  He was the best baby!  He always smiled and hardly ever cried.





About age 5.




About age 7.  We were in Nova Scotia.  Josh was in his shy for the camera stage. He loved to travel and still does.




Wonderful big brother!!




At his uncle Matt's wedding.  Boy, you hated that tux!!



High School Graduation pic.




And with your Mom and little sister.





College Graduation.






And your wedding day.  These were some of the happiest days of my life.  You've made your Mama proud!  I love you Josh!  Happy Birthday.


Thanks everyone for letting me go down memory lane today.  Josh and his wife Dawn live in Arizona.  Josh is a teacher in a very tough school.   They are coming home to Wisconsin to visit next week, I can't wait!

Have a wonderful weekend,
Cindy

5/16/10

It's a lilac festival at our house!

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It's a lilac festival at my house!    My favorite time of year is when our lilacs come in full bloom.
And since they only last a wee short time,  you have to get them while the getting is good.
Mackinac Island, Michigan is one of my all time favorite places to visit. I have been there a few times and it is the most amazing place.    Every year they hold their annual lilac festival in June.  It's on my bucket list of things to do.   Hey Jane, need another trip this summer?   But until then , I decided I would create one of my own.

 

Their here, in my blue ceramic pitcher they I got for a buck garage sailing on Friday.




Their filling my side table with their beautiful scent!   The white pitcher came from GW, only $2.  The blue one was a buck.  I made the little teapot pin cushion and of course the lilacs were free!!   Their aroma is filling my home with their lovely scent!




Their on my bedside stand.




In big vase's  and little one's too.






Deep purple and light purple, their scent is heavenly.




Freshly laundered sheets from the line and lilacs!  It doesn't get much better than that.





Their filling up mason jars.......




And their even showing up on my plates......






And as a centerpiece for my table.  How about Sunday brunch?  It's beautiful here today, sunny and mid-seventies. There is a light breeze and it feels like late Spring.




So I set my table for a Sunday brunch.  My lilac plates were purchased last year at K-Mart.  They were reduced to 15.00  for a 20 piece set.  Yes!!




The etched glassware was a recent garage sale purchase.  Six of them for $5.00!  Happy Dance time!





Come sit for awhile...





The sun's pouring in and our lilac table is ready for brunch.





Just scratch and sniff the computer.  (OK kidding)




There's a light spring breeze coming thru the window's.





Pull up a chair and stay for awhile! 





It's a lilac festival at my house!


I am joining the following blog parties. 

Met. Monday @  Between Naps on the Porch.

Blue Monday @  Smiling Sally's.

Tabletop Tuesday with Marty @  A Stroll thru Life.

Woohoo Wednesday  @ Always Nesting.

Tablescape Thursday with Susan @  Between Naps on the Porch

And if you want more info on Mackinac Island's Lilac Festival .http://mackinacisland.org/

Cindy






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