Tinker Swiss Cottage - May 04, 2010

On the first Tuesday of every month, we have Senior Saints Prayer Breakfast...usually at Jessica's in Roscoe. But this time we decided to have an activity after our breakfast so instead of Jessica's we went to Stockholm Inn. And as you are all aware of...they have a great menu for breakfast. Are activity for the day was to visit Tinker Swiss Cottage! I don't think that I have ever visited it before. But if I had, a lot of changes have been done to the cottage and continue t0 be ongoing.

Can you believe that this tree is over 300 years old?

This photo is actually the back side of the cottage. I'm standing on a suspension bridge which the older people loved jumping on and making the bridge move...me no like that feeling!!!

They of course had a shop to purchase some items of interest...like Gary getting my a York mint patty. He said it was for my birthday!!

They showed us a video before going through the cottage with a lot of history behind the home.

There is so much to see in this cottage. One must go and see it to get a great appreciation for what Robert Hall Tinker did for his home along with his wife contributions.

Here we have a photo of some of the people who where there. Some had to leave early because of work.

So if you want a fun activity and learn some factS about Rockford...GO SEE TINKER SWISS COTTAGE.

Mother's Day - Before Mother's Day

With out much thought, I had committed myself to go with my sister Jan to S. C. to help her take care of her five grandchildren. Not a hard task for us. We had done this before when there were only four grandchildren and one more wouldn't matter. The dates were May 6 - 16th. Not thinking that I would be gone not only for my birthday but Mother's Day also. And I didn't even give it thought that this was my first year as a Grandmother.

So when I told Ann-Marie the dates, she was glad she knew about these plans because she had been planning something special for me. OOPS!!! So before I left for Anderson, S. C., they gave this beautiful bracelet. As you all know Robert is my first husband's name. What a blessing to wear.

And even I didn't think about being a grandmother via my wonderful daughter. Oh, I enjoyed my grandchildren Andrew and Brigitte via my marriage to Gary, but to think that God would allow Ann-Marie to become a mother and then me a grandmother is words I can't express.

And of course, my daughter know me very well....I love chocolate...not just any kind...but chocolate with carmels. So she hand picked these at Fannie May Candies.

So I did indeed celebrate Mother's Day early. Got to wear my new bracelet on the plane to S.C. Ate some candy...but also left some behind so I could enjoy when I got back. THANKS! THANKS! Ann-Marie, Brett and Sam! Thanks for these wonderful gifts.

An Evening with Kathy & Judy 4-29-10

I always look forward to an evening out with my daughter. So when she found out that the talk host girls from WGN. Kathy and Judy would be speaking in town, she called me immediately and asked, "Do you want to go?" "Yes! Let's go." So she signed us up quickly because she knew the tickets would sell out fast...which they did. We had only heard Kathy and Judy on WGN. I didn't hear them alot when I was working. But after retirement I got to hear them a lot more.They are not believers but we would enjoy the different topics that would come up on their show. They even at times talked about what different people at the radio station believed about God. And since of the people who work for WGN are true believers, Kathy and Judy would actually tell us what those people believe. Which I found very interesting because it was the gospel in a nutshell.

At any rate, Ann-Marie and I were able to meet some really great ladies at our table. We even had a Kathy and Judy at our table...just not the ones who worked for WGN.

Both Ann-Marie and I were wondering if Kathy and Judy would mention why they were fired from WGN. Which of course they did but were very careful of what they said because they were still under contract...ending soon. But perhaps one of the reasons they explained was due to rating. Now, I'm not sure how that could apply to them, because they seemed to have a huge following. But at the same time they both expressed that there is life after radio and express different directions they might be taking.

After a delicious dinner and various FUNNY skits by different people we finally enjoyed just listening, crying, laughing as Kathy and Judy caught us up with what they both were doing. The photo above is us with Judy.

And here we are with Kathy!

Now whenever we hear of Kathy and Judy, we can say, I saw them both in person. It was a wonderful evening and I'm so glad that we attended an evening with Kathy and Judy.

Garage Sales - Footville, WI

Finally I was able to download the photos from my sister's Jan's photos to show you just how full you can pack a car that already has five passengers. (Fours sisters and one niece.) We heard that there were alot of garage sales in a small town called Footville. So Carol, Beth and I met my other sisters, Louise and Jan near Footville, WI. And there certainly were alot of garage sales. I saw this old antique oil container that I thought Louise might want. She did purchased it and found out from her husband that indeed it was used to put lamp oil in.

My sister, Carol who at that time would be moving back to WI from CT saw a vacuum cleaner that she felt she could put to great use.

With the five of us we packed the trunk FULL! Now I wonder where would we put that vacuum cleaner Carol had purchased?

Never fear! With Louise big old card, Carol just placed it on her lap. No problem !

Oh, and what about that piano bench that our sister Carol purchased....just let sister Jan and me hold it on our laps.

It was indeed a fun filled day. We did stop for lunch at a small place right in the big town of Footville. Then continued on to finish a few more garage sales. As you will note from the photos above, it was time to head home.

Jackie Retires 4-02-2010

It was on again! It was off again! I'm talking about my dear friend Jackie's retirement. You would find an "X" through a date that Jackie told me she would be retiring! Then something would come up and she decided to wait a little longer. But after all, it was up to her when SHE wanted to reitre.

So after so many "X's on my calander I wasn't for sure when she told me that April 02, 2010 was to be her day of retirment...and it truly was finally. So, I just wanted to have a small supper for her. I had invited Ann-Marie and Brett and of course little Sam just follows them. Later I found out Candice was home alone since her family members were all in Texas, I invited her and Brielle too. My day was busy making a new salad receipt from Rachel Ray. I was so surprise that everyone loved it! I know I did.

Then I made a scalloped potatoe dish. The steaks were being marinated. Later the guys would cook them on the grill.

It was so much fun getting this dinner ready. I had fun making my own nut cups. Setting the table with a plant for Jackie to plant in her yard as my centerpiece.It's that beautiful hydrangea plant in the photo above.

I had found a nice card that said at the top, "I DID IT". Then I downloaded a photo of Jackie in it. Since it has magnets on the back of the picture, I hope she put it on her refrigerator!

And as always, Ann-Marie find those funny cards about retirement.

And of course what goes with a good dinner...desserts! Yes, my friend Jackie made the dessert!!! And they were so delicious. The above one WAS and apple and pear dessert.

And for the CHOCOLATE LOVER...you truly would love the above one. Something like a triple chocolate dessert!

Jackie survived the evening. We even made her play a game she had never played before. SEQUENCE!

I just want to wish her the best retirement! HAPPY RETIREMENT MY FRIEND!

My Easter 2010

Well, I am so disappointed with myself for not taking my camera to St Charles, where we spent the entire afternoon with Brett's brother Dave and his wife Dawn. It was a beautiful day! Lots of food..good ham, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes etc. And of course plenty of chocolate candy. Ann-Marie and I even got out and took Sam for a nice stroller ride around the park next to Dave's home. BUT I FORGOT TO TAKE MY CAMERA TO TAKE PHOTO OF SAM'S FIRST EASTER!

But I can back-up to when Sam came to Grandpa and Grandma house to give them an Easter Card. And, of course, I had my camera ready. Isn't he so sweet...he looks so bashful!

Now he's starting to look right at us.
Happy Easter Grandma and Grandpa!

So, I'll just remember this Easter in a very special way.

Dave did get his camera out and took lots of photos! And we did enjoy visiting with Brett's family.

Family Gathering March 22, 2010

It's been so long since I have updated my blog, I'm not sure where to begin..but begin I will. Let's just start at the Rehfeldt's gathering out at the Berg Farm. Due to my mother passing on to glory, the family would all be together once again...I hope not our last!! Farmer Elmer aka Bruce Berg, married to my beautiful sister, Louise (She just might read this.) have a wonderful large farm in Brodhead, WI> And they are both great people when it comes to having a huge group of people around.

Plus, Louise is an excellent cook! And with the help of her daughter, Tammy everything seems to flow just right!

Another fun aspect of being on the farm is that Farmer Bruce will just hitch up the horses to the wagon and anyone can enjoy a nice country ride!!

It was a time for cousins to visit with each other...we really enjoyed having Anna here all the way from France! That's always a treat.

It's a time for hugs, providing that you let people hug you!! Above we have Ann-Marie and Alex her cousin from Montana greeting each other with a hug.

It's a time to see new babies that we haven't seen nor held in person...like Trey! He was such a joy to watch crawling around everywhere! So happy that he is now one healthy baby!!

It's a time to catch up with other families that we don't see that often!

Above brothers and sisters go over the plans for Mom's Memorial Service for the next day.

It's time for my younger great nieces and nephews to be up to no good!! Not really...I think they are being good.

It's a time to be silly and just enjoy each other's company! Like Tammy and Colleen. I think they'll be after me for posting this photo.

Ann-Marie and her cousin Michelle from Oxnard, California.

It's a time for sisters to try and take a photo together. It took awhile but we did it. I guess we forgot to take one of the brothers.

Just enjoy the photos. There are so many photos on facebook from other family members so if you are not bored by now, you can check out their pictures.

Thank you Lord for my large family! And thank Bruce and Louise for allowing us to have once again...fun, food and fellowship!!