Door County - Finding a Hat for Venita!

Venita our only sister-in-law who was brave enough to come with us, had one thing that she was really looking for while in Door County..A HAT! She is outdoors a lot and wanted something just right to cover her head from the sun but not be a hat that would be too hot to wearWhenever we went into a store, we would like to see if that store carried any hats. Venita would go over and check the style and of course the price.Here she is checking the price on this orange hat.

Here we find her trying on another hat she found.

Did you realize that after many stores and trying on many hats, that it was the very last night we spent in Door County that she actually found the right hat! After we had supper at The Cookery in Fish Creek, we had some time to shop in Fish Creek before we headed for the play, Wait Until Dark.

Someone had noticed a shop where they had parked the van, that was a store with just ALL HATS! Since I had been taking photos of Venita trying on hats, I didn't want to miss her shopping at this store. Well, if you wanted a hat, this was indeed the place to shop. Thankfully I saw one with an opening at the top of the hat. "What do you think of this one Venita?" I asked. She tried it one and love it. "I like the way the top of the hat is made. I don't think my head will get too hot with the opening at the top." Venita replied.

So just before heading to the play, Venita was able to purchase a new hat. Not only will it serve her well, it will be a great way to remember her trip to Door County.

Door County - Just Us Girls 8-22 to 8-26-09

Well it was so much fun and so many photos! It all started out here in Rockton with my sister Louise behind the wheel along with my sister Linda and my sister-in-law Venita. (Of course I tagged along.) We headed for Watertown, Wisconsin to pick up my sister Jan. Jan took over the driving as we headed for Sister Bay. Thanks to Tammy for letting us use her van. I'm not sure how all of our items would fit in my Buick which Tammy would drive up the next day with just three people in the car. Here we have the five of us.

If you have ever been to Door County, you know it is beautiful part of Wisconsin. It has many shops and places to eat. One could go there just to check out all the restaurants and shops, but you never have enough time.

One really neat place to visit in Sister Bay is a resale shop. We all had fun shopping there. As you can see from the photo above, I think we all found something to buy. I think that I was so pleased to finally find a picture for our bedroom.

Isn't it just beautiful!

My sister-in-law Venita was looking for a certain hat to wear for walking and working in her yard. I will do a post on just that one event. It was fun watching her trying on different hats and finally on our last day, she found just the one.

Speaking of placing to eat, I wanted the girls to try Wilson's. We had two booths. I sat with Jan, Linda and Venita. We all got a nice thick malt to eat with our meal. And it truly was thick and refreshing.

When I was refilling my malt, I wish I had taken a photo of that because it overflowed and I had it all over the table. Such a lost for me.



When you have such a group that we had, we all did different activities. Us brave ones..Beth, Jan, even Linda the cane lady and I took a bike ride. Peninsula State Park has a nine mile bike path. The day was overcast but we would still see how far we could go before it would start raining hard.

Here you have the four of us ready to take off. I entitled this photo: "Look mom no hands." As you can see our feet are not on the petals. Linda and I stayed together while Jan and Beth stayed together. As Linda and I was nearing the one mile mark, we heard thunder and decided to head back. Good idea. As we waited at the bike shop for Jan and Beth the heavy rains came. Soon Jan and Beth appeared like wet rats. But they get credit for going the farthest.

In the evenings at Charlene's we did various activities. Thanks to Jan, Beth and Tammy were able to do some stamping.

One evening we ALL played Apples to Apples. Now that's an event you ALL would have loved to been to. We laughed and laughed so hard that some of us almost...well you know what I was about to say. Other nights just a few would play the golf game that my sister Linda taught us. We were so busy that I never got to even watch the news. I had no idea what was going on in the world. In fact on Wednesday evening, the night we got back, my sister Linda was watching a program on the Kennedys. At the end of the program they had listed the birth and death dates of Senator Edward Kennedy. I turned my head around to look at Gary and said, "When did Ed Kennedy died?" "Today." was his reply.

But some of did enjoy watching some of the Rosemary & Thyme series.

One of the beautiful thing about staying at Charlene's is that she lives out in the country. But very close to the town of Sister Bay. One morning I wanted to just walk up the hill from her home to view the beautiful house at the top. Linda said she would join me. I didn't now how far she could go but she made it to the top. Along the way we began to pick up wild flowers here and there. We ended up with a beautiful bouquet to put in a vase. My sister Linda has a photo of that!

The main event on our last day, was to eat at The Cookery in Fish Creek and see the play Wait Until Dark at the Peninsula Players Theatre. Which we did.

As you all know, vacation time always goes way too fast. Soon we were packing up to leave.

We packed the truck of my Buick as full as we could. But we still needed to have Tammy take some of our items in her van. Oh the problems you get from shopping too much! And yes Tammy's van was packed to the gills.

What great memories we all have to share! Too many cooks in the kitchen at times! Lack of sleep. Fun shopping, eating, resting, walking, playing games etc. When we got ready to leave I made the comment, "Are we all still friends?" "WE ARE ALL STILL FAMILY!" was my sister Jan reply.

Garage Sales

Well this post will be done in reverse! Sometimes I get the photos in the order of the story, but it's 4:00 a.m. and I'm so far behind in my personal blog that I'm just will have to tell you this event in reverse. Thanks to my sister-in-law Sheila, we had a delicious lunch at their home after the garage sale. She is such a great cook! Something I am not. We had a great quiche, salad, french bread and a delicious cake made from scratch.

She even spent time making these delicious cupcakes!

Now to the beginning of the day. With my huge family, we started the day off with my sister Louise, her daughter Tammy and her three children, Megan, Caleb and Jacob. Then we had my sister Carol from Connecticut with her daughter Beth and her four children, Isaac, Zachary, Austin and Mikayla. Then my sister from France Linda and me. Now that's a crew to go to garage sales with! Above we have Zachary and Isaac trying out some neat seats. My sister Linda and their grandmother Carol purchased them for my wonderful great nephews.

Here we have Mikayla, Jacob and Austin also making another purchase. In the background we have Megan, Beth, Isaac and Carol.

Now we did not make this purchase, but Mikayla looked so cute on it that I just had to take a photo of her.

It again was a great day to spend with my sisters, two nieces and then all those great nieces and nephews. And to end it with a relaxing lunch with Scott, Sheila and their grandson Aidan.

Thanking God once again for all the relationships He has given me.

Ann-Marie Turns 31! Linda Turns 69! = 100

It was just a nice small get-together with my one and only, who also became a "MOM" for the first time this year. Just getting away for a short time without Sam was going to be the big challenge. With my oldest sister Linda here from France, who also shares the same birthday it was great to have them be together. In the above photo above, my brother Dave and his wife Venita phoned us while we were eating to sing "Happy Birthday" to them. It was indeed a wonderful surprise!

One of Ann-Maire friends, Angie was able to join us.

Here we have Ann-Maire and her Aunt Linda celebrating their birthday together with some type of drink. Linda reminded us that with Ann-Marie turning 31 and her turning 69 it equaled a century! They don't look that old. Well at least not my daughter! Just kidding Linda.

And here we have our party group. And so thankful that Candice, Ann-Marie's cousin could also join us!

After dinner, we went and saw Julie and Julia. Can you believe that my sister Linda had never heard of Julia ! It truly was a fun evening. As they say in Chicago...Happy birthday to the boat of you! Sam must have survived the evening because we never had a call from his daddy!

Andrew Turns Twelve

On August 18, twelve years ago Andrew was born. Gary's daughter Camille wanted to name him after her brother, Andrew who had been killed in a car accident when he was only eighteen. Camille had even asked her father if he would mind her naming her son after his son. And of course I'm sure he felt it an honor for her to do that. Some of you may not know, but Camille doesn't really enjoy her own birthday, because that was the day her brother was killed.

But with all the sorrows that life brings to us, God sheds His many blessing on us also. Like our grandson Andrew. He has been a real joy to this blended family. Well, I'm not a Cardinal fan, but Andrew and his dad are real good fans of that team.
Here we are all getting ready to sing "Happy Birthday" to Andrew.

My sister from France wanted to give Andrew a special gift. So Andrew was so happy to get some euro money. I told him that he could take it to the bank and cash it in for American money. But he said that he just wanted to hang on to it.

With approval from his parents, Gary was able to purchase Andrew his first pocket knife. Which we also added some money to his card. His already thinking about getting a case for his new knife.

Then we have Andrew's sister Brigitte who just had her hair cut and was having fun with her mom.

Happy birthday Andrew...just think, next year he will become a TEENAGER! That will become a whole new world for everyone!

Moving Day for Ann-Marie & Brett

WHAT A DAY IT WAS---from morning to night. But thankfully all the big items got moved into their apartment so they could start living in their new "HOME". One is always so greatful for the help they can get. Several of the men from Morningstar were able to give some of their time to help. Since there was not a rented U- Haul, it took many trips back and forth. But we were also thankful that the apartment was only one mile away.

There were several ladies who came later and helped with taking items out the freezer and frig. I tell you when you go from a two story house to a two bed apartment, you appreciate all the help.

Of course with all that lifting and lots of calories burned, one needed to stop and enjoy a sandwich from subway.

Above we have Gary and Brett putting the bed together in the apartment.

We were all so thankful to my sister Linda, who is here from France, to stay at the apartment and take care of Sam. She was also able to unpack lots and lots of boxes with items for the kitchen. Oh and we don't want to forget to thank her for getting supper for us later that evening. Thanks Linda.

It was indeed a very busy, exhausting day for everyone. At night while I was sleeping, if I had to move from on position to another my body ached. But I have to say I love their new apartment.

Sam seems to feel right at HOME!

We still have things yet to finished up at the house, but it will get done. As Gary always say, "Get it done!" And he does just that!!!

Just want Ann-Marie, Brett and Sam to enjoy this new avenue in their life. After all...Home is really where they are TOGETHER.

Gramma Done Good

I know that the title of this blog is not good grammer. But to me it fit the occasion. What a joy to be able to have my grandson Samuel for a full day. I was not sure how the day would start or end.

Samuel arrived at my home asleep. Now that's a great start. After Ann-Marie and Brett left, I thought of all the things I needed to get done in the kitchen. The first item on my list was to make good use of three ripe bananas. Plus at the Heilman Reunion, I had a bag of fresh black walnuts that Gary's cousin had processed. Doesn't that just make banana bread sound good? So while Samuel slept, I was able to check off the first item on my list. Banana Bread Done
Next on my list was to process zucchini that my sister Louise had given me. I'm so thankful for a food chopper. It made the job easier. I was able to get 6 cups of zucchini to freeze. Then when I want to make zucchini bread or muffins I have my zucchini all ready to go. I must confess that I did have to stop between chopping to fed Samuel. But he went back to sleep and Gary and I were able to enjoy lunch together.

The last item on my list was to make a beef pot roast for all of us for supper. And please forgive my photo above. I meant to take a picture of it before we devoured it...but I forgot. So at 1:00 p.m I put the roast to cook slow in the oven. My plan was to fed Sam at 4:00 p.m. then put the potatoes and carrots in at 5:00 p.m. Somehow it all went according to plan.

Ann-Marie and Brett arrived around 4:30 p.m. and Ann-Marie was able to get a very short nap. At 5:30 p.m. we were all able to sit down together and enjoy supper as a family.

Oh you are probably wondering how Sam survived the whole day...well, I would say as his Gramma...

SAM WAS A PERFECT LITTLE GRANDSON. Wouldn't you agree!!