Sweet Sixteen - Happy Birthday Anna!

Good morning,

Kids sure grow up fast, don't they!  Our oldest granddaughter, Anna, just celebrated her Sweet Sixteen Birthday.  She told her Mom and Dad that she would like to have a Dance Party Theme and WOW, what a party she had! 

Here Grandpa and Brother Alex are checking out the dance floor while others were working on the party set-up.

Anna supervised while sisters Lexi and Kate set up the chocolate fountain...

 ...while Grandpa and Dad worked on table covers...

 Alex continued to test the dance floor in this private room at the recreation center.

 Mom sure did a fantastic job putting this party together!  What organization!  There are strawberries and other good stuff to dip in chocolate to come, but we're almost set up.  I have to give Mom tremendous credit for finding a Sweet Sixteen party color theme that was NOT Barbie Pink and Purple.  That was quite a task in itself!

 Grandpa took over at the Gift Collection Center...

 ...while Daddy DJ set up his department.

 Sister Kate was in charge of the kitchen...

 ...while Alex tested the turquoise-ness of the color-theme turquoise lollipops.  Yes, very turquoise, indeed!

 Dad and Kate are at work on the wall decorations.

 Mom, the table decorations are fantastic!  So cool!

 Sister Lexi took her turn at testing the dance floor, but when the party began the room became dark and my pictures did not turn out all that well, so I'll jump to the present opening table in the corner where the lights are brighter...

 Woo Hoo!  Presents!

 Anna loves to roller skate so these were a hit.  (Grandma and Grandpa had inside information.)  ;)

 Present opening continued until...

...birthday song singing and cake cutting time.

Happy Birthday, Anna!!!!

Love you,
Grandma and Grandpa, too  ;)

Catalpa in Bloom and Beautiful Bouquet

Good morning,

The Catalpa Tree above is in full bloom.  It is approximately 80 feet tall and is beside our driveway.  In 2010 we had to remove a similar tree from our front yard.  It was a sad event, but the tree was damaged and ready to come down on its own so for safety we had it removed.  I have pictures of that event here on my blog.

This is another Catalpa Tree in full bloom.  I took the picture from the same spot in my front yard as the first image.  The second picture is the Sycamore House (should be the Catalpa House?) on the campus of Xavier University.  The entire neighborhood is filled with the delicious aroma of the catalpa flowers.

And, this is the bouquet My Honey gave me for Mothers Day.  He took me along to the florist so I could pick out the flowers and colors I wanted.  I so appreciate that!  These were just perfect for the table for our dinner on Mother's Day.  They are still quite pretty as I type this many days later.  ;)

This week's flowers are gorgeous inside and out!

Enjoy,
Lois

Indiana Farm

Good morning,

This beautiful old farm is located in Southern Indiana.  A large barn is on the other side of the outbuildings.  I believe the small building closest to the house is probably a cook house.

Such a pretty place.  I am sure there is a great deal of history here.

All the best,
Lois

Linked to Barn Charm!  Click to take a look.  :)

Auntiques and Uncle Junque - Metamora, Indiana

Good morning,

I just love the name of this place in Metamora, Indiana. 

The yard outside the old home-turned-antique-store is beautifully planted with flowers.

The store was closed today, but a peek in the window reveals much of the merchandise available.  I see items in there that are the same as those I inherited from my Mom.  :)  We will have to return on a day when they are open so we can go in and look around.

All the best,
Lois

Georgia Tornado - January, 2012

Good morning,

I was going through images from our trip South last January and found this one that is in such contrast to the images of Spring we are taking now.  The image above was taken in Georgia shortly after a deadly tornado had passed through.

It is totally amazing what damage the storms can do.  Images like this give make me stop and realize just how frail life is and how important it is to tell those we love that we love them every day.


Lois

Syttende Mai - Norway's Constitution Day

Happy Birthday to the Kingdom of Norway!

Today, May 17, is Norway's Constitution Day.   Click on the link to see how the day is celebrated in Norway with parades of celebrants in national costumes, wonderful food, and lots and lots of flags.

The image above is of a model that sits in our living room.  That's the Norwegian Sail Ship Christian Radich that was my husband's first ship, a training ship, when he left home at age 15 to join the Merchant Marine in Norway.   He shows the grandchildren the mast he climbed and where his bunk was on the ship.  When my husband and I were sailing on another ship in Norway we saw her many times docked next to us in Oslo.  The Christian Radich is absolutely gorgeous to see in real life.

The Christian Radich launched in 1937 has a long history as a training ship, in movies, a visitor to the United States to celebrate our bicentennial, a tour ship, and is still in use.  Click on the link to read more about this very impressive ship.

The model was a gift from me to my husband several years ago. 

Happy Birthday, Norway!  We are sending you best wishes from across the pond.  :)
Lois

PS - I have been asked about My Honey's education since he left home at age 15 to go to sea.  At that time, higher education was the original co-op program for seamen who worked hard.  Unlike the proverbial seaman who spent his money on booze and women, each time My Honey came home for vacation over many years at sea, he went to engineering school to complete his various levels of education, then study for and complete the many exams for licenses that lead him to the top of his profession as a Maritime Marine Engineer and the position of Chief Engineer. Needless to say, I am very proud of My Honey.  :)

Whitewater Canal at Metamora, Indiana

Good morning,

These are a few more images from our trip to Metamora, Indiana, a little town built on the Whitewater Canal.

Most of the town's buildings are now gift shops and restaurants.

You can take a ride on The Ben Franklin III, a canal boat that is pulled by horses. 

There's that handsome man who appears in so many of my pictures.  ;)  The railroad tracks run parallel to the canal.

Across the street from the railroad tracks are more stores and restaurants.

The ducks on the canal are a part of the attractions.  You can purchase corn to feed them and everyone wins.  The ducks get fed, visitors have fun feeding the ducks, the merchants sell corn.  :)

 Train rides are also available, but not the day we were there.  That's OK, we'll come back again.

Enjoy,
Lois