Fun Times in the Windy City (Chicago!)

We drove to Chicago Thursday, March 17th.
Yes! St. Patrick's Day.
Mr. Shady's sister Claudie and our bro-in-law Har' took us to a local Country Club that was serving a St. Patrick's Day meal! Fun!

We took the Metra downtown on Friday, March 18, 2011.
There's still green water in the fountain.

Upon reaching Millennium Park, we found the Cloud Gate sculpture
created by Anish Kapoor. (Locals seem to call this the Lima Bean Sculpture).
Click on the photo below to visit an official site.

Below, Mr. Shady is ready to walk the Nichols Bridgeway to the Art Institute's new wing.
(I was so happy, because we spent several hours at the Art Institute Museum!!)

Friday afternoon found us driving from Elmhurst to Glenview to visit and stay with friends for a couple of nights.
These are their "youngest kids." :-)

Saturday, March 19, 2011
Jenise and I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden.
Yes, I know it's so early that nothing much was "out,"
but what a place of promise!

Please click on either photo above or below to visit their site.

Their tropical greenhouse.

The arid desert greenhouse.

If you had one of these plants below . . .

or better yet, a whole passel of them, would you make . . .

This? :-)

Japanese gardens

And winter aconite!

A special violet/primrose show.

Sunday, March 20, 2011
Jenise took me to the Chalet this morning - what a great nursery/gift shop!

After lunch, we returned to our bro- and sis-in-law's house.
Claudie took us to the Elmhurst Historical Museum.
We were able to view an extensive display of Ann Frank's life
and the general state of affairs during this very difficult/tragic time period.
(click on the photo below for information)

Monday, March 21, 2011

We stopped at Starved Rock State Park,
Ogelsby, Illinois.

We stopped here on the way home.
Click on the link above for a LOT more information about this scenic site!

This lodge was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

What a special time we had. Many thanks to our family, friends and Mr. Shady. :-)

Mailing These Tomorrow!

Three little granddaughters are getting new skirts and outfits for their dolls. I hope the skirts fit! :-)

Getting Ready for Christmas!

'Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Shady was running--- less quiet than a mouse!

The downstairs was littered with fabric and ware,
In hopes she'd sew pieces together with care.


Granddaughters would get clothing, little jumpers and such
and their dolls would have matching - for nothing's too much!


With Mr. in his recliner and Shady in her gown,
She continued her running, both upstairs and down.

While down in the basement there arose such a clatter,
Mr. Shady roused to ask what was the matter...

But away Shady flew to her machine, like a flash,
stitching and sewing and finishing quite fast!

As he looked at the fabric-strewn floor down below,
Mr. envisioned the projects, and so...


while retreating and climbing back up the stairs;
Shady popped out with her pattern and shears!

She placed fabric together and stuck in her pins;
With pieces constructed - Christmas magic begins!


Quite quickly she made them, three jumpers in all
And she laid out the dresses matched by the ones for the dolls.


Then back to the cutting and sewing and joys,
It's on to the p.j.s for two little boys!

Now collar, and sleeve, a front and a back,
the pant legs, a pocket, elastic and hem tack!


Now stand back, admire and with a camera - "Snap!"
Fold them, box them and give them a wrap.

To the top of the stairs, to the top of the day
Shady was ready for Christmas - let's all say "hooray!"

What fun!
Now I'm working on some little skirts...
and more p.j.s?

Making Memories over Christmas Celebrations

A Sweet Way to Make Memories!

A Visit to Gothic House

A visit to Gothic House with Cindy

I Went Home Last Week . . .

. . . to visit my parents and whatever family I was privileged to see!

This is Dad, Aunt MEA, Mom
Aunt M and Uncle S
Dad and Aunt M were celebrating their birthdays this month...
and I timed my visit perfectly! I got in on the celebration!!


Dad and Mom's Backyard Garden

Dad's side - looking towards Mom's

Mom's side

The trellises on either side of the gardens are Dad's. He loves his climbing roses... which have been affected by this year's rainy Spring weather, I think. They normally are covering the trellises by now... and would be in full bloom!


Visiting my Aunt MEA's garden on the way home!

'Betty Boop'

What is this? I took a "close-up" photo for detail, but it's a grassy plant of some sort.

More to come... :-)

Gabby Garden Gals

Five of us toured SE Iowa today!

First, we visited Tender top Nursery. They maintain lovely gardens both in the shade and in the sun, and three ponds that are very intriguing. They sell plants for any environment. This is where we began our purchases. My little Toyota Camry has a trunk that dares to compete with the storage of most SUVs. ha! :-)

In went our first purchases.
(To be quite honest, I didn't purchase these (not available) ...
but the are definitely on my wish list!)

Next we visited Lowe's - home/garden/lumber store. Of course we were interested in their plants, especially the bargains. We found a few!

Again, in went quite a number of purchases, but they fitted in perfectly with much room to spare.

(I DID purchase this!)

You can see that it's already "in place!" :-)

After lunch at Culver's (yum!), our next stop was Hilltop Gardens, owned by Gerald Hobbs. Mr. Hobbs is a member of Cedar Valley Iris and Day lily Society. He not only grows but develops new varieties of day lilies. A copy of his plant list is here.

Hmmmm. Those look interesting . . .

We're all smiles as we look for the perfect flowers!

Into the trunk went several of his day lilies ... check out the trunk!

Our next stop was Hillcrest Hostas & More, just west of Donnellson.

Yes - we found a few plants to bring home. Most of our purchases were miniature hostas.

There are two spaces left . . . just the right size for Becky's and my hostas. :-) The others had to balance their purchases on their laps, all the way home! ha.

A fun time was had by all. We missed the rest of you! Next time! :-)