"Last Week......."

Last Thursday we had an impromptu gathering on the front deck. Since it was such a nice day, instead of going to Ancora as we normally do on Thursday, we decided to come home and have coffee on the deck. We were soon joined by others....................

Here is Rob with Benjamin contentedly sitting on his lap.


Tracie and Bridget also stopped by with Evie, who had a get well gift for me. She did a painting for me! The colors are beautiful!


I, too, had a small gift for Evie. While recovering from my knee surgery, I'd decided to knit her a purse. I knitted a few more while I was at it, plus a number of wine bottle cozies as well. All of these pieces had to be felted (washed in hot water and shrunk), so I had to wait until I was recovered enough to easily go up and down the basement stairs. That finally happened earlier in the week.

Here is Evie with her new felted purse.


Tracie, Bridget, and Evie also had a birthday gift for Don. A variety pack of beer! A greatly appreciated gift. :)

Here are Bridget, with Tracie in the background, helping Evie maneuver the 6 pack over towards Don. :)

I had brought out all of the felted wine cozies too, so that those gathered could pick one to take home. Evie immediately chose one for Tracie and Bridget........... one which had pick and purple in it, her favorite colors. :)


I thought I'd include this photo of the wine cozies which shows them with bottles of wine in them. Even though the same brand of yarn (Cascade 220) was used for each one, some of the colors must react subtly different when felted as they did not all turn out exactly the same height and circumference........close but slightly different. I also tried a variation on the pattern, using a smaller number of stitches, to make a beer bottle cozy. I succeeded and will have a photo of those soon.

"Weeks Update....."

We had an unplanned Happy Hour last night on the front deck. Don and I went out to have coffee around 4 and didn't make it back into the house until around 8!! We plan on having a short happy hour tonight after Don gets home, but also plan on going down the block to attend a gathering at Krista and Jacob's. They had a gathering last Sunday but we didn't feel up to attending, so we get another chance. :)

Don took numerous photos of last night so I will have blog photos to start with next week.

I hope everyone has a GREAT weekend!

"Time Enjoyed......"

We have been very fortunate in that the weather has been very nice as of late, and we have been spending quite a bit of time outside on the front deck.

Copper loves being out front, watching people walk by with their dogs and greeting friends as they stop by to say hello. I thought this a very nice photo of Copper. Don, of course, took it.....


The bright sun makes the tulips open wide. :) This is a new one that I planted last year. We bought it from Thu, a young neighbor who lives in the next block, who was selling them in a fund raiser.


Hello from Madison in the Spring! :)


The area next to the front steps is coming up very nicely. I had ripped everything out and replanted it after the deck had been built. I love these ferns........


Another tulip from out front......

"North Dakota Neighbors......."

As many of you might remember, our former neighbors now reside in Grand Forks, North Dakota. And.......some of you also know that Jonathan is an avid bicyclist. And........has been known to "collect" bikes, too. ;) He finally has his custom fit bike that he ordered some time ago. I thought I would post some photos of his new bike and its proud owner that he sent via email.


Custom means not only fitting the bike to the person, but also about making decisions for everything........ even to the colors.


I have never seen fenders with any type of texture before. I think these are very cool.......


Jonathan says that his new bike fits like a glove. I'm looking forward to hearing about his first significant ride on it.


Jonathan and Maniphone have also been working on an outdoor space in their backyard. They spend much of their time at this new patio area, affectionately called "The Lake House".


Jonathan has attached outdoor speakers to the fence and salvaged tree cuttings for tables, giving the area a very nice rustic look while having music at the touch of a button. :)


They have broken the area in very well with many fires and s'mores made over their fire pit. A VERY nice area, eh? Great job Jonathan and Maniphone!!!

"Sara and Jonas......."

Our former neighbor Sara, and her son, Jonas, stopped by to bring Don and I a butternut squash/walnut lasagna. How nice is that, eh?! :) It was delicious and fortunately, we will be able to have it for another meal, allowing me yet another break from deciding what to make for dinner. :) (I began cooking again last night) :)

It is amazing to see how Jonas has grown!!


Jonas liked watching the parakeets, Topo and Sam. Copper tagged along for company.........


Jonas also wanted to visit the chickens. I save the left over parakeet seed to take out to the girls and fortunately, we had a small bowl of it, so Jonas was able to give the girls a treat.


Heather and Buffy are pretty tame and stayed pretty close to Jonas and Sara. They know that humans bring treats. ;)


Jonas checking out his image in the "reflecting ball". :)


It still amazes us to how tall Jonas has gotten. The last time we saw him in person was when he was only a month or so old! Now he is doing some talking, plus knows some sign language as well!

"Don Update....."

Don came home from the hospital yesterday, late afternoon. After all the tests, nothing has been discovered, except that there is nothing wrong with his heart, nor is he dehydrated. :) He is feeling better than he has the past few days, but not up to normal as yet. All in good time, eh? :)

No photos left so a short blog entry today. ;)

"Don's Birthday....."

Unfortunately, as I write today's blog, Don has spent the past night in the hospital "for observation and tests". He woke up yesterday feeling extremely light headed, making it hard for him to stand and/or walk. After calling his Dr., we drove him to Meriter Emergency Room, where we spent the afternoon and into the early evening hours. He was diagnosed as being "dry", meaning he was dehydrated, so was given 3 liters of saline. When this did not fully work, it was decided they would keep him last night for observation and some more testing. I spoke with him this morning, and it was NOT a restful night. I will be going up there at some point this AM, after elevating/icing my knee (which was his main concern yesterday because it was not possible for me to do so or take pain meds). So....... I am being a good boy and doing so before going to see him. ;)

The following photos are from last Saturday, April 25, which was his 58th birthday. I, along with our neighbor Rob, took him to the Monroe Street Bistro for dinner. After dinner, we came back home for Don to open his birthday presents.

A book on Mineral Point........we love that little town.


Historic photos of Madison..........


A story goes along with this present. We spent Thanksgiving with Don's relatives in Des Moines. A cousin brought out Templeton Rye, offering it to the guests. It is distilled in Templeton, Iowa and is not available anywhere but in Iowa and Illinois (after my asking around here in Madison and then searching the internet). I had a bottle shipped to me from a place in Illinois.


Notice the smile on his face......and Rob's, too. :)


A toast to the birthday boy!


I thought this was an exceptionally nice photo of Rob.