Weekends Don't Great Much Better

 We started our weekend taking care of business, pumpkin busness.  Our local nursery has ordered pumpkins for Jon and Charlotte's wedding.  Of course I brought a few home and a giant sunflower seed head to dry for the birds.

 It is so tranquil and serene being here during the week.

 Without the crowds...

 To admire all the beautiful things.

 We went into the city to pick up our girl. Funny that they had a pumpkin smashed on their block, and a very happy and chubby squirrel.  It's only September.

 

 We headed for the Lake.  Our girl is Lake Crazy like Grandma.  We walked and played.  Built a little sandcastle...

 then found this masterpiece down the shore.  It is a pleasure spending time with Penny.  She has great ideas, funny jokes, songs to share...and best of all , she still likes to snuggle.

 We went apple picking but went on Monday.  Grandpa put aside all thoughts of work and spent the day with his girls.  Orange zinnias...next year.  This year marigolds, one of my favorites.

 We picked the perfect day, had the orchard all to ourselves, and we got to drive right in!

We picked a bushel of honeycrisp.  They are huge and so delicious.

Penny and I even got a ride back to the car with our apples in a golf cart.  Poor Grandpa had to walk.

We've shared apples with Kris and Elizabeth and still have plenty to share.  I see a couple of apple pies in our future.  I haven't tried peeling yet, but I am glad to tell you that I can do most anything with my hand. The finger I dislocated is healing, and  so are my other bumps and bruises.  My pride is still a work in progress.  I feel so dumb, but it is a lesson learned.   Thank you for your kind comment and well wishes.

Now the weeks are flying by and a few jobs left to do.  I am typing a program, making favors for the

rehearsal dinner.  Did I mention that I am doing the sweet table for the Wedding reception?  More on that after the fact.  I've got a few surprises up my sleeves.  

Thanks so much for stopping by.  If you find yourself here, I so appreciate that you take the time to visit.   Enjoy this beautiful day.

With Love, Penny

Weekend Update/Eye Candy

As the days fly by and the wedding of our son gets closer, I am looking for ideas, I am searching for calm.  My bumps and bruises are healing, still in a splint.  I have baked for our bake sale that was this weekend., with the assistance of my dearest who did all the heavy lifting, washing of bowls and beaters.  We've found a venue for a rehearsal dinner.  I made the invitations by computer and embellished with some stamping.

Really liking this metallic pumpkin thing happening at the Pottery Barn, 

On Sunday we headed north and ended up at the Northwind Perennial Farm in Wisconsin.  We live just 1 hour from the boarder, so it's a quick trip.  Northwind has the coolest displays, inside and outside.

This vista, a barn door open, gives it a dreamlike quality.

Dried and beautiful.

Everyplace you look, another sweet vignette.

All the chickens were out in the garden.  We usually see them here.

So tranquil, the reflection perfect.

There were things growing out of that birdhouse. I found that delightful!

This is the loft in the barn, filled with treasures.

I came home inspired.

I have a garbage picked birdbath and a glass round...

I think this was my favorite display.

I have a cloche similar to this one. It's been in the same place for a long time.  Time to shake things up a little.

What doesn't look great from behind a iron gate?

Reminded me of daughter Kristen.

 Only two blooms on their hydrangea.   Just like mine this year.  And nary a Monarch.

Spiders, we have them too.  We cleaned our front entrance of all the cobwebs using my swiffer floor mop.  It did a great job and now it doesn't  look like the Addams Family lives here.

So that was our little trip.  We found some serenity, inspiration and were renewed.  Ready to face this week and all we have to accomplish. First things first, orthopedic appointment.  If I can remove this splint, I can get back in the game, so to speak. ;-)

Thanks so much for your kind comments and for your friendship.  It means the world to me.  Enjoy this beautiful day.

Penny

The Nicest Labor Day Weekend

Edwards has the most beautiful Autumn decorations

 No one loves to plan the perfect weekend as much as me, but sometimes a perfect weekend just happens.  We had no plans as I am recovering from my fall and finger dislocation.  Having your finger in a splint really inhibits your ability of throwing a good cook out.  So we visited our favorite apple orchard and wandered the countryside.

Outside too

What a welcome!

Thankful Heart indeed!

 A ride through the cornfields was peaceful and delicious with a sack of apple cider donuts.

 We walked the Lakefront one evening.  How different the light is now that Summer is winding down.

 Our favorite tree will soon start dropping it's leaves.  Another season is coming.

 Not Christmas yet. ;-)  I was so surprised to see holly growing right near the shore.

 "and more than that it's oh so sad to see the summer end" John Denver

 A little bit of Autumn at home.

So Sunday I made a pot of sloppy joe"s and we had an impromptu get together.

The cousins came and Uncle Jon gave wagon and wheelbarrow rides for the kiddies.

 We got to spend some time with our beautiful baby beans, already five months old.   Talked wedding with Elizabeth, Kris and the bride. Watched baseball with the guys and had the best time.
We even had a sleep over with Jon, Charlotte, Kris and Penny.  Oh to have two of my chicks under our roof for the night.  Mikey, you were missed!

 On the way home from the city we stopped at the Grove for a walk in the woods.  Everything looks spent.  Gone to seed or berry.

 Not many flowers...

but still lots of green.

We ended our day with dinner with Jon and Charlotte...more wedding talk and some decisions made.

All in all a really nice weekend, and a reminder that sometimes the best things just happen.  When life gives you a dislocated finger, make sloppy joe's.;-)

Thanks for stopping by and for your kind comments.
Enjoy this beautiful day.

Penny

Wedding Shower for Charlotte and Jon

 We celebrated with family and friends at a wedding shower for my son Jon and his lovely wife to be Charlotte.  Charlotte loves Owls so I ran with that as the theme.  In our family we make a towel cake as a centerpiece and gift for the happy couple.  Since the wedding will be all burlap I bought ecru towels and decorated with handmade flowers, upholstery webbing, and a couple of cute resin owls.

 The simple flowers were purchased, the roses I made.

 I also made this coursage for the bride, with a purchased owl.

 The shower was held in Chicago, in a trendy little restaurant called Fennel and Iris.

 There were a Parliament of Owls watching over the festivities.

 The favors were small glassine bags of peanut butter cups, Charlotte's favorite, or pumpkin spice tea.

 Here she is our lovely Charlotte.  What a wonderful addition to our family.

Here with the Moms, the happy couple. I love these guys so much.

 OWLS everywhere.  I made these from a Paper Source kit.

I have plenty more photos, but there is more to the story I want to share.

When the shower was nearing it's end, after a very happy time, I started to gather some of my things to take out to the truck.  One of the ladies kindly opened the door for me, my arms full,  I stepped out, completely missing a step and ended up sprawled on the sidewalk.  Humiliated, and taking an inventory of my pain, I got up and immediately noticed that I had dislocated my ring finger on my right hand.  I scared everyone with a loud hard fall, but I FREAKED everyone out with the finger going in a weird direction.

What a way to end Charlotte's shower, heading off to the Immediate Care Clinic I noticed on the way over.  To make a very long story short...It took me till yesterday to get my finger set by a orthopedic surgeon...I hurt my hand and finger on my right hand, banged my right elbow and right knee and pulled an arm muscle on my left side.  I feel so stupid.  There is so much to do for the wedding, just 6 weeks away.  I will be in a splint for 2 weeks then may need some therapy.  I've had my pity party, but I am so grateful I didn't knock my head, break a bone...  I am sore, I will be for a little while, but I am walking, using my good fingers to type, I missed a step, but at my age it could have been so much worst.  God watches over Knuckleheads like me!

Thanks so much for stopping by, I so appreciate your kindness and your friendship. 

 Enjoy this beautiful day

Penny