Pink Saturday/Pink Tea Party

It's been a while, but I am once again joining Beverly at How Sweet the Sound for Pink Saturday!

This week I'd like to share a special link. Please visit Katillac Shack to see an amazing room makeover that Kat created for a cancer patient. We need more people like her to bring cheer to people in trying circumstances! She is also having several giveaways for those who leave comments. Also, Guidepost magazine will leave a donation of one dollar for each comment posted, so that others can receive this same kind of gift. It's such a worthwhile cause, and will take only a minute of your time.

Since the last time I posted for Pink Saturday, I have acquired the accoutrements for a pink tea party!

I pulled out my old pink Goodwill tablecloth, and added an old white cover.

My angel statuary takes a turn as a table decoration, with pink flowers in her hair!



I found the pink roses plate at Goodwill for only fifty-five cents, then later found the teapot at a church garage sale for $3!


Isn't that little bud rose at the top precious?

This pink rose is also a Goodwill find for three bucks.


The spoon and knife were part of a giveaway that I won a couple years ago. I've had the perfume bottle for a long time. I think it was a garage sale find.


For some reason, the color isn't quite right here. However, this really is a teacup with little pink roses. I couldn't find the matching plate, so found one that would still complement the cup. Both were fifty-five cents each at GW.


On a trip home from a short vacation, I found this beautiful cup in an antique shop. I was so touched by the "mother" reference, and decided it must come home with me!



This was another lucky find at Goodwill. I think I spent a total of just over a dollar.

I thought that a tea party was the perfect way to share my new pink finds. Won't you come over and have a cuppa?

Please visit Beverly's above-mentioned blog for a list of other Pink Saturday participants.

What I've Been Up to This Summer, Part 1...Boating!

Since I had been absent from the blogging world for so long, I'm sure that some of you wondered what I have been doing with my summer. Besides work....LOTS!

One of my favorite things is to go boating, and living in a town with three rivers, this is a great place to do it! My friend Monica and her husband Jon own this boat. Just a reminder, you can click on any pic to see a larger image.


It was time for me to get a new pair of boat-worthy flip-flops and join in the fun! Yes, I know I have cankles.


We set off on Sunday of Memorial Day weekend on the Auglaize River from this boat launch, downriver from the Power Dam.


Here is a shot of the pretty river.


There was a family on board, besides my friends and myself. Their little boy was adorable!


He brought along a little friend. I was only too happy to watch Mr. Teddy while he "drove" the boat. (It was anchored at the time and the ignition was off.)


We saw some fun sights along the way. A boat was pulling a dock along in the water with this teenage boy perched on top. Not your conventional way to transport a dock!


In one part of the river near an island, there is a sandbar. Boats put down anchor there and people swim. I imagine that they also drink...quite a lot, though we didn't care to participate in that part of it.


Though Memorial Day was unseasonably warm in the high 80s, the water was still pretty chilly. I can't believe all these people went swimming!


So did some of our party!


On the way back, we had a view of the Power Dam. Electricity used to be generated here. It's now a popular fishing spot.


After we were back on land, I noticed that we were in a picturesque spot, and there were some pretty trees.


I have a passion for barns, and couldn't resist taking a picture of this red barn across the street from the boat launch.


As the day drew to a close, the sun began to set behind the trees. It was time to head home.

We went out again, this time on the Maumee River, the next day. I didn't get any more pics that weekend, but did a few weeks later...

...On July 3, I took another boat ride with Jon and Monica. This time, my sweetie and his son and daughter joined us. We launched the boat from this dock. This dock floats to accommodate the fluctuating water levels, and believe me, it can vary a lot.


I know that some of you have been wondering what my sweetheart looks like. He isn't really ready to share many pics, so I did this picture of him, myself, and his daughter in paint. You can't see them clearly, but have an idea of what they look like.


Here is the pretty river, the Maumee. We traveled almost all the way to the dam, then back near the city's downtown area.


It was a beautiful warm day, perfect for some water sports. Now I won't get in that icky muddy water, but our host Jon, and Sweetheart's son decided to go on in.


Here is his son tubing in the river. What a blast! He did a great job!


Besides boating and tubing, our next plan was to set anchor not far from the confluence of the mighty Maumee and the Auglaize Rivers, adjacent to the library grounds, the site of the former Fort Defiance. There were scores of boats lined up to watch the fireworks!


The fireworks were beautiful. It was such a treat to watch them from the river, unimpeded by trees and big crowds.





As the fireworks ended, we had a leisurely ride back to the boat dock in the dark. It was actually really nice being out on the river that late, though it was chilly. My sweetie cuddled me close, and people along the riverbank were setting off their own fireworks. I told Sweetie to kiss me, so that I could say that when he did, I saw fireworks! lol He was happy to oblige.

It was the end of a wonderful day.

Tune back in again soon to hear what my other activities have been this summer. I've been having tons of fun!

Prom 2010

One of the nicest things that went on during my little blog vacation was my son Jared's prom. Here he is with his girlfriend Kylie. They've been dating since November.


They went to first her prom, then his prom. Since I was out of town during the first prom, he put on his tux for me so I'd know how handsome he was going to be!


I think he looks so GQ in these pics, especially the second one!



They posed for me out on the porch. It looks like she is checking Jared's belly for a food baby here in the first pic. Nope, flat as a board!



I also took a couple pics out in the front yard.


She said, "It looks like he is checking out my boobs in this pic."


This was my favorite of the cute couple. He's leaning in for a kiss.


They had so much fun! Hope you enjoyed seeing them in all their finery.

Chicago! Chicago!

Before I start telling you about my trip to Chicago, I again apologize for not having posted sooner than this. I have been making a priority of keeping my home cleaner, and and even bigger priority of building a relationship with my sweetheart. We have been dating three months, and I can honestly say that he is the best man I have ever dated! He drives an hour one way to come see me, but still manages to make the trip an average of twice a week, and sometimes more! I've been staying busy with a lot of fun activities, and will try to share those with you soon too.

However, I'll start with a very belated account of my trip to Chicago in April of this year. I had taken the train there to attend a women's retreat called Women On Fire, and I can honestly say that it was one of the best things I have ever done for myself. It was enriching and the fellowship was fabulous. I was among some of the most vibrant, intelligent, and supportive women I have ever met!

I stayed at the Embassy Suites in downtown Chicago near the shoreline. These open floored hotels must be the new thing. This was the pretty dining area. It's open all the way to the roof! While this looks cool, for an acrophobic like myself (scared of heights), this presented quite the challenge. I clung to the walls on the way to my room and tried not to look out over the edge! I kept my back turned in the glass elevators!


These two story bamboo trees were pretty.


I also liked this water wall. I love fountains and the sound of water.


I had a great view of Lake Michigan from my hotel room! I couldn't wait to get down to the shore and get near the water. Navy Pier was right there and within an easy walking distance. I bundled up in my jacket as it was in the low 50s, and took a hike.



It was so exciting to approach Navy Pier! This was a place I had always heard of, but really didn't know what to expect or see.



Here is a look back at the city, from where I had just come.


One of the first things I wanted to check out was the Stained Glass Museum...and it was free! I highly recommend it. Some of these were by Tiffany!






After that, it was onward to explore the rest of the sights. Me near the Beer Garden. No, I did not drink any beer!


The famous Harry Caray's restaurant. There were a lot of people out despite the chilly weather.


And here is the famous ferris wheel. I am terrified of heights...didn't ride that!


This theater is at the very end of the pier.


After my stroll through Navy Pier, I decided that I really wanted to get out on the water, despite the chilly temps and wind. I love being on the water, and the tours were not really too expensive.

This looked like it could be a fun ride!


The pirate ship approaches from the lake.


Although this might have been a lot of fun, it was a little more pricey than I cared for.


I spotted this seagull while I pondered my decision.


There were so many to choose from!



I eventually chose the shoreline tour for $14.


I had great views of the pier.



And some of the lighthouse.


And even one of a naval ship far in the distance. Great Lakes Naval Base is not far from the city.


There were great views of the Chicago skyline.




On the return trip, I spotted these noisy seagulls. There were literally hundreds of them!


Once off of the boat, I decided to head out from the pier and take in a few last sights before heading back to the hotel. I was so intrigued of this sculpture of TV's Bob Newhart with his psychiatrist couch! That was such a funny series.



I also loved this sculpture of a sea captain.


I said my last farewell to Navy Pier.


See the smile on my face? That's because I had such a great time!


Later that day, I ran into Debbie, founder of the Women on Fire event, and my former babysitter! This was the first time I had seen her in decades. Oh how wonderful it was to see her again! Such great memories, with more to be created over the next couple days!


Even later, I met my roommate Carin, a most amazing lady! She was the coolest and we got along so well. I had never met her before that night, and was so happy that Debbie suggested we room together. We had an instant connection, and I feel like I've found a new sister!


This wouldn't be complete without a picture of me with Debbie and Stedman Graham. See, I really did meet him! This was right after I handed him my business card.


Chicago is an amazing city. I hope to be able to take the train back and visit again someday! I would also stay at the Embassy Suites again. The hotel was really nice and the breakfasts are included in the cost of the room and were delicious. The only drawback is that if you drive, it will cost you over $40 to park your car at the hotel. Since I took the train, that was not a concern.

I'll really try to make a better effort and posting and visiting! I have so much to share, including a wonderful garden tour which afforded me the opportunity to take some wonderful pictures!

I've missed you all!