Abby's Art Show

Abby had some artwork displayed at a very special gallery this past month.  The pieces were actioned off to fund the Education Foundation and Abby was one of a very few artists whose work was chosen to be presented.  This first piece is now ours and will be at the cabin.  It is a water color of a richly colored sunset over a grove of pines.

I could not afford this second piece.  The gentleman who bought it introduced himself to Abby and said he thought it was very pretty.

The gallery was set up at the school and was beautifully catered.

We were also treated to music as we enjoyed the art.  Such a classy, classical evening.  I should have dressed better...........  Diana

Utica Ice Cream Festival

Last Saturday was the annual Ice Cream Festival in Utica, Ohio!  We NEVER MISS IT!!!!Even though temperatures were in the nineties and thunderstorms were predicted, Chuck, Jenn, Eli, Abby and I met at the festival and immediately set about finding our favorite treats.....cuz that's what it is really all about........eating! 

Eli went for a banana split and worked real hard at finishing it.  Humongous!

We stayed until the heat drained our energy and then headed to our air conditioned cars and home.  Of course I had to hit a few yard sales on the way back!  Diana

Beautiful Girls

It is so rare to meet someone who is as beautiful on the inside as they are on the outside. It is even rarer to meet two young ladies who are that way! But our two nieces are just that......pretty, intelligent, kind, funny......a pleasure to be around. We only wish we lived closer to them so we could see them more. For now we have to settle for occasionally trips from one side of the country to the other.

Brittany.

Allison

We love you girls and can't wait to see you again.

Our Trip To See The Boys

 We were so lucky to go on a trip this month to California to go to the temple with our son's wife Crystal.  We went a few days early so we could spend some time with the boys!  The first day we went on a hike with Archer and Ronan (Odin was in school) up in North Fork along a canal.

When Odin got home from school we hung out at Crystal"s mom's house.

Odin ate one of my homemade marshmallows.

Played with Grandpa's video glasses.

And then we went to the school ground to play.

Ronan skinned his knee.

The next day we went to Chucky Cheese, the toy store for new toys and to the hotel pool for a long swim.  The boys were exhausted.

Saturday was a peaceful day at the temple and we saw many of our old friends from California.  It was a great trip.

Five Days In Holland

When Ron got stuck in the Netherlands during the country wide strike in Nigeria, I took the opportunity to visit him in Arnhem.  It is a medium sized city east of Amsterdam.

While Ron would go in to the GE factory each day, I would walk around the city and take pictures with my new camera.I mean, who gets to do stuff like this!

Warrens of narrow streets lined with quaint little shops all offering lovely wares to locals and tourists alike.

I loved the stained glass on this store front.

Every building is narrow and at least 3 stories tall.

Even though it was mid winter, I found tulips in the flower shops.

At one end of the city square stands a magnificent building.

And a sweet little flower stand.

It rained ALL THE TIME.And once it was so cold the rain turned to hail. 

Here is the inside of a chocolate shop.  I went there twice!

Skinny little shop.

Old school.

Building at river's edge.

River walk.

Here is the tea shop where I had lunch one day.  I had a brie and apple sandwich and bought a sweet to take back to the hotel.

Who could have resisted a slice of this cake.I am not a fan of fondant but this cake was covered with a fondant that was delicious!  I am now on the hunt for a supplier that makes one as good.

The blackberry is covered in edible gold (or gold toned)!  And is tasted wonderful!

On Saturday Ron was able to take the day off and we went to the zoo by bus.

Just a few pictures of some of the animals we encountered.

This bird was so fun.  It was some sort of dove and when we cooed at it, it would coo back at us.

Just a shot of one of the neighborhoods we quickly passed by on the bus ride home.What an unexpected treat this trip was.  But now the strike is over and Ron is back in Nigeria and I am home in Ohio.  Eating dutch chocolate.