French Connection at Cantigny Park

Last Sunday dear husband and I went to the French Connection Day at Cantigny Park. 

My DIL told me about it and wanted to know if we would go with them

…..well of course……

A day spent with family AND it was about France!

We have been to other venues there and it’s always wonderful to be back in that beautiful park.

We indulged and shared a chocolate crepe

 wandered aimlessly  thru the aisle of vendors. 

the 2 piece band was delightful  

the mime priceless 

and the stilt walker incredible... especially to the tiny grandchildren.

Such a goof ball!!!

The Rose Garden

We sat here and took it all in

There are fountains and a beautiful mansion  and ponds and so much more to see.

Hummingbirds

Dear friend Chris has more hummingbird feeders that I can count.....

well a bit of an exaggeration but you get my drift. 

When I was there last time and enjoying the hummingbirds coming to visit at the end of the day I was talking to her about the new small feeders she had hanging. Being the generous person she is she gave me the two that you see in the pictures.  

The birds found  the feeders (as well a some scary wasps) and I have only been lucky enough to see them several times.

Success!

They love my hibiscus flowers

Zinnias & Mom's Flower Vase

I contemplated using this vase of my mom's  for a long time and as I was looking at my zinnias the light bulb went on in my little brain and 

voila! 

I knew this would be the perfect flower to use and it was interesting 

to build the bouquet in the specified spots. 

I reminds me of all the arrangements she made with it over the years.... 

but it also makes me miss her.

Red Lake Ontario

My son captured this rainbow on his first Canadian fishing trip to Red Lake Ontario.

 A double rainbow shows up for his first time there!

I love that you can see the beginning and the end in this one.

Garden Head Planter

Fiber Optic Grass

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Corkscrew Grass

Hen & Chicks

Hen & Chicks

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Vintage chicken feeder

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 Susie's Garden 2016

1910 (?) Vintage Paris Beaded Dress

About 10+ years ago I went to an Estate Sale with friend Gail and as we walked in both of us saw this vision on loveliness folded in a zip lock bag. Both of us knew instantly what a find it was and that each of us wanted it. Unfortunately she spotted it a nano second before me so it was hers.

 Big sigh here.......however fair is fair

Lo and behold several weeks ago she called me and said that she had started to thin out her collection and needed to get rid of things and knew that she needed to give me "the dress". 

Overwhelmed, shocked, grateful 

yet terrified to take it out of the plastic bag.

After scrubbing the table I gently slid the dress out and painstakingly unfolded this beauty.
It was as I expected it to be....extremely fragile and falling apart in places but exquisite none the less.

How I wish you could see this "live"  up close and personal

Visions of Downton Abbey are floating thru my head!

Gail never took it out of the bag in all those years

Ooh la la

 Beads everywhere!

 Look at the stitching that was done!

Happy Friday and Dandelions

Happy Friday to all

When I was out speed walking so I could get back in my allotted work break time today and saw these sunny flowers. I was reminded that recently Wesley and I were taking a walk and there was a yard that had at least a million dandelions ( gross exaggeration but you never know!) 
"I bet Grampa is sad that he doesn't have all these beautiful flowers in your front yard.

.....Ummmm.....

My response:

"Trust me it would be a whole new level of sadness if we had these flowers in our yard."

I was staring at one very confused little boy!

(Picture scrunched up eyebrows and momentary silence)

Relaxing

"I didn’t get anything accomplished today"

I’m not sure when life segwayed from relaxing to I didn’t get anything accomplished this weekend.

Yes, even when I take a day off to do something I have wanted to do that in no way involves work, I have to say that in the back of my mind I think that I should be home cleaning or weeding  or something that needs to be done.

When my kids were young I was a firm believer that it was priority to spend time with them and worry about all the chores some other time. I had a wonderful time and so did they plus we built memories that they still talk about. We survived without cell phones and cable and so many other things that they have a hard time believing we didn’t have "way back then."

I, for one, am so glad that I adopted that lifestyle 

and I am going to work on letting myself do nothing every so often now too. 

Like reading 

or a marathon re-watch of Downton Abbey 

or baking…..

Or taking a long bath and reading....

and eating what I baked!

I always feel this relaxed after doing any of the above

or perhaps I'm just experiencing a sugar coma....

either way I'm happy!

Ancestry Search

I have been bitten by the Ancestry bug lately. Most of my free time is spent searching and searching & then more searching. Neither of my parents were interested in recording all the family members so I didn't have a lot to go on. Though honestly, I had some key information that was helpful. I was so excited that I actually was able to get information as far back as my moms great, great, great grandparents on her grandfathers side. Remarkable. I was shocked that I was able to get names that far back & I know I have only scratched the surface.

So far I know I'm German and English!

I simply can't wait to find out more. 

Fast forward to my great grandfather and finding out he came from a family of 9 kids so needless to say I have a lot to explore & record with just that! 

Holy smokes... I will need a big chart just to fit all that in!

Vintage Thimble & Needle Case

Thoughtful Kindle DIL and my son gave me these beauties. 

They are beyond beautiful and perfect since my passion is sewing. 

I haven't the vaguest idea how old they are but visions of the owner of something like this 

just  makes my imagination run rampant!

(The hankie was an earlier gift..how perfect)

Peppers

I was chopping away one day and truly wasn't paying attention to the luscious picture 

that was forming right in front of me. 

I am only growing red and green peppers this year

 but I think next year I will have to try my hand at orange and yellow too!

Salads, eggs, potatoes, etc etc, etc

YUM

Grown Up Coloring Books

With adult coloring books being all the rage these days I signed up for a Zendala  Coloring class..

Well it was a coloring class 

but we had to create the Zendala/Manadla first. 

What a humbling experience that was!

The instructor, who is an art major and teacher was positive and calming but the very thought that artwork was part of the evening was intimidating. 

When she said it doesn’t have to be perfect and that’s ok

…..the seamstress part of me was like….

what do you mean it doesn’t have to be perfect??? 

As the evening progressed it was abundantly clear that my sister was blessed with all the artistic ability in the family so I will enjoy my coloring book.

Tho I have to say I was impressed by the beautiful designs that others in the class created

…and completed…unlike me.

That’s ok. My talents just lie in other areas and I actually did learn things

....like I need erasable colored pencils for one!

Maxcera Green & White Toile Rabbit Mug

Oh, how do I love thee lapin (rabbit) cup? 

I love thee alot!

I'm ready to take my first sip of coffee.....ahhhhhh

Now for the pictures.

So French Country right???

From Friend Susie

She has so many unique and amazing shops in her area.

Thank You Again and Again and Again!

Indiana Visit

Friend Susie has been searching for this walking trail for awhile now. She finally was able to track it down and we went for a long walk in the woods. Unlike my neck of the woods,  it was startling quiet with the exception of the birds singing their little spring hearts out and the water in the creek gurgling along..

Here are some of the things I spied

Susie is prepared to go all the time, like every day possible, to walk and relax in the woods. I’ll look forward to walking with her again on my next trip south.

She is also bound and determined to stay in the tiny house for a day. She would love to wake up in the quiet of the forest but I’m afraid that if they let her stay she may never want to leave!