PROM 2013

Reliving our youth last night by attending

 PROM

at Valparaiso Ballroom.

My date - same one I had in 1970! 

Don & Mary - $3.00 dress from Goodwill.

Doug and Sue -what?  No tux?????

Mixing it up a little!!

A couple of group shots.....

No flash - but very nice!

Definitely, a night to remember.

Thank you Valparaiso Ballroom!

I took My Husband to Northwestern Hospital........

for a routine colonoscopy and while he was sleeping............

I went downstairs to the $6.00 Accessory SALE!!

The good news is I found all of these deals in the

5 for $10 section!!!!

That is my knee down there at the bottom of the picture.  UGH!

It was also the day of the Chicago Blackhawks Victory Parade in Chicago.

Photo taken outside The Peninsula Hotel.

A Post from a CRAZY Knitter!!

Another Quilt to The Big Apple

Sending a sample quilt to New York City today.

The fabric group is Norwiegan Woods.

The squirrel section is hand quilted.

Really fun to do!!

Orville Reddenbacher, King of Popcorn

My husband and I had the opportunity to attend a 

Celebration in the Park Saturday Night

commemorating 

30 years of VNA Hospice 

in the Valparaiso Community.

A lovely affair attended by approximately 300 - 

including community, staff & volunteers.

My volunteer contribution was making the blue fabric ruffles for the bar tables.

It was actually the sewing project from.......hell-o.

Good thing there was alcohol served at the party!!

Look at this hot couple.  Waiting to dance to a great live Latin Band!!

Dennis found his way to the statue of Orville Reddenbacher in the park.

Valparaiso was his popcorn company's hometown.

This bronze statue was done by Chicago artist Lou Cella.

Viewing Orville in his popcorn commercials and on "Hee Haw"

helped him capture his signature suspenders, wavy hair, toothy smile, bow tie and famous black horn rimmed glasses.

Orville's folksy image is now owned by ConAgra Foods and the company forbid Valparaiso from including any references to popcorn in the statue.

I think I will just have to drop off a bag of popcorn for him 

the next time I visit the park.

Chalk the Walk!

What a lovely surprise I found yesterday in downtown Valparaiso.

Local artists were participating in Chalk the Walk - a fundraiser for

Family and Youth Services Bureau.

3' x 3' squares were purchased by families and businesses for $150 t0 $500.

Each participant was given a box of bright colored pastel chalk.

The rain will not wash them away and the art will be bright for many days!

Take a look at what I found!

Getting Ready for the 1st Day of Summer!!

Nothing like a cold beer - especially a Sam Adams!

The beer is chillin' in preparation for a HOT week-end!

Stop by for a cold one!

Happy Fathers Day, Hot Dog!!

You guessed it - I had another hot dog hat in my bag for Big D!!

Catch you in the next picture, Natalie!!

Happy 88th Birthday, MOM!!!

All of my hard work and crazy ideas 

for my mom's birthday on Saturday

 really paid off!!

See for yourself!!

Fresh flowers from Alison and Natalie!

Several six packs and a pound for lunch from Taco John's.

Why Taco John's you ask?  Not available in the Chicago area.

Goodie Baskets filled with fresh Albanese Gummies!

Figure 8 cookies - pick two for 88!!!

Paper flowers for Grandma Dot made by E, E, D!!

Ella, Ellen & Dennis!

Great work!!

Are you ready for some BINGO??

A super selection of prizes!!

Add it to your resume, Kristen!!

BINGO is a serious game for all ages!!

And the wiener is.........Alison!

A great prize choice to take back to the Hillshire Brands Office.

A hot dog hat and my husband is saying, "Did you spend $$ for that?"

Wow!!  We could not have hoped for a better family photo!!

One more for kicks!!

My sister & I with MOM!!

Grandchildren - Alison, Austin and Natalie with Grandma!!

Ella with Great Grandma Dot!

We could not have had a better day to transition my mom to nursing home care.  What an emotional and heartfelt day.

I am so glad I went the extra crazy mile!!

Love you, MOM!!

88! 88! 88!

In the kitchen today baking cookies.

Yes, they are numeral 8s!

My MOM will be 88 on Saturday.

Wait until you see these cookies decorated!!

Nap Time!!

Sunday afternoon - the best time for a nap!

To Market To Market

Indeed, I headed out to Chesterton's European Market this morning 

to see what I could find.

Oh my!!!

Organic HOmegrown Strawberries from Michigan

Fresh baked Pizza - today's special Red Rita

Sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, red onion, yellow peppers, cheeses

Sweet Potato Vine Plants

that are already in the ground!

Fresh Rhubarb - wish my Grandma was here to prepare this!!

Treats for Webster - 3 varieties of sticks - chicken, pork and deer!

Locally made Ublee Soda - Lavender Cherry

The Hot Dog Gal in her happy shirt and hot dog hat!!

Even a candy corn plant that will bloom all  summer!

Froelich's from Three Oaks, MI is always there.

Feast your eyes on this Rosemary Flat Bread.

Stir 2 T. of the Olive Relish in a tub of soft cream cheese and it is so good!!

Am always trying to challenge Natalie with hot stuff so this is for her!

Jalapeño Jam

Habernero Apricot Jam

Three Pepper Relish

The HOT Trio!!

And, yes, a jar of Martini Pickles.

Alison loves these in her chicken salad.  

And how exciting is this??

I bought some shoes!!

A pair for me and a pair for BIG D!  Sanuk  - these are not shoes.

I have a couple pair of their flip flops and they are the best!

These will be a stretch for BIG D but a great Father's Day surprise!!

Heading to the kitchen to eat pizza 

and see what I can make with strawberries and rhubarb!  Whoo Hoo!!!