Best/Worse & What did I learn today?visit with friends #117

Got to go unpack some of the car..not all..that can wait until tomorrow..

See what greeted me home..

Bet you can tell just how excited I am to be home among my gardens....still haven't checked all the front gardens...

Bev & Scotty, promised to take photo's of the 'secret garden'..will do so tomorrow...just took a photo though of the overgrowth of the 'hop vine' over the arch for you..

Betty! So happy to hear you are home safe. Sorry the road trip was so long....and sorry I sent you off the wrong road....DH even said I should have not changed my mind at the 290 NF exit.

We are busy cooking.

Betty....I took 455 pictures! DH said it is going to take several CDs ...and he is going to go by some big ones that we he can burn them on....and I will send them out personally! AND...after I am looking at them...probably 50 of them are trash from window glare!

Ya'll, Betty was out of control.....we tried to convince her Elvis really was dead....but she was going in after him!

This time I truly am going to call it a night...

I've so many treasures everyone gave me that I can hardly wait to show you all... I'll unpack them, find a place of honor for them and take photo..

Thank you all for making me feel so welcome...appreciated...

Best of the day..getting home safely and having a fantastic trip

Worse of the day..hearing about my friend's passing, then the minor worse of the day..lol..quilt throw I bought matches nothing..oh well..

What did I learn today..ooops forgot to tell Darlene / Mike I was going and they were having a fit as to where I was until one night they called and Cathy told them where I was off to..won't do that again...lol

Debbie, you little imp...now how in the world did you find that photo amongst 455 AND while you were soooo busy preparing..

Are you on overload or is most of everything done...

I so enjoyed your company..you were a terrific travel companion, never complaining, well perhaps you held the seat from time to time...

Who else could make me laugh until I was ill....can't wait to tell the boys all about our adventure...

Laughed when Bev said she tried to reach us and point us in the correct direction..guess gps was confused after being in the corn fields all afternoon..just toooo funny..Bev, bet Scotty got a laugh out of us going around in 50 mile circles...but shucks, we sure did enjoy our visit with you..you are both too cute..I'll be back you know when I can stay longer...

Car emptied, can't settle down so will show you my treasures and once they have a home will repost...

After hearing about our adventures, Judy provided me with another travelling companion..a Travelling Angel..must have been what got me home..lol

I just can't wait to get into the gardens tomorrow...

Crissy, thanks for the most beautiful of angels and my gnomes...

Look at this gorgeous 'hand', don't know Liz where I'll find a garden spot so that everyone shall see both the angel and the hand...but, I shall find one...

Bev, couldn't wait to open the box from you and Scotty, tears in my eyes, won't be using those treasures..omg they fit in perfectly with my color scheme..I'm thinking that tomorrow I may re-arrange the 'cafe' shelving and put them out on display..know I keep saying 'you should not have given me such a keepsake, know you loved them and knowing you wanted me to have them has touched my heart beyond measure...

Would like to thank Shar for taking me to the most wonderful fabric shop..got a few ideas, quilt pattern and fabric for my Christmas apron swap...as well, love the top and thank you for being most gracious in sitting and helping me to learning muscle structure for my sketching the grandchildren..am sure they will take on a more realistic look...

Tubby hope you are gaining strength..need to see that project you said was a secret and was working on..come on, time to share...

Trisha, sorry to hear not only about the computer but the vehicle as well...was there any kind of guarantee on the work they did? know you hate having a car payment but sometimes in the long run it's cheaper...any clue as to what is wrong with the computer? thank goodness you have Laura's...

LindaKay, how is the knee????

Sure had some humid days, thought of all of you..think I'll settle for the snow than the humidity...

One more photo...see how Missy will not leave my side? so glad someone missed me..Sailor is also laying at my feet as I'm typing...no idea where Ryley is..guess she'll show up...

Got to get to bed...omg it will feel so nice...

Thanks for listening to my ramblings...

Ohhhh Betty! It is prettier than I even imagined! That will be so lovely in your home.

I am busy beyond belief....but...I took a step back and didn't rush over to DD's house to help them. I told them to call if they needed me....they haven't called.

Paul and I finished 4 lbs of meat balls....with sauce. Then I made 3 lbs of pasta/speghetti salad adding a little extra.

ZhinusMom...so very happy you liked the squash casserole. I don't care for squash that much, but am growing to love it. So glad your DH liked it also! Now you need to try the speghetti summer salad one. So simple!

Judy....guess what was waiting for me when I got home? A nice cold RC! ROFL You really did make my day with that.

Betty, thank you so much for your patience with me and understanding. I had a wonderful time and so many new wonderful memories.

I want to share this beautiful picture of Bev, Scotty & Betty. That front porch was so full of warmth and genuine friendship, it was such a great time. And that Scotty is a hoot! Had me in stitches....and let me know what a wonderful woman he has.....we already knew that.

Debbie

This is Bonnie & I, had such a great time with her....and I soooooo love those pups! She has a beautiful daylily yard, and the hybiscus are just breathtaking!

This is from our lovely visit with Judy & Liz. It was so much fun also.

Now, I must tell the truth. Since Betty has already called me a squealer...

I must really put it out there. Betty did such damage in Chicago...they wanted us out. They wanted us out so bad. We had a personal escort!

Not just Steve....but the Chicago finest motorcycle brigade! I think the word spread rapidly thru Calvert City....the cornfields...and to the windy city...and they were taking NO chances of us getting left there! ROFL

This is the last one for tonight.....I have to clean up the ones from Chars....and about 450 others. LOL

Betty you have a beautiful garden area. I love the Phlox but doesn't seem to want to grow for me. I won't forget you hosta seed. You were everything I imagined you to be and I treasure your friendship very much. Debbie you are a sweet thing too. Enjoyed every little min with you both. Glad you are both home and safe. Scotty says HI!!! LOVE & HUGS BEV
"Enchanted April"

What a way to get up in the morning, beautiful memories posted through photo's...isn't technology wonderful...

Debbie, you are more than welcome, now that you feel adventurous I'm waiting for you to visit...you do take lovely photo's...

Bev have to say that it's not often one feels the love of others so deeply, both Debbie and I commented on you and Scotty..know that he's been ill, that you've had tremendous set-backs but what you have is more than anyone could hope for, true love and affection...couldn't help but feel envious of you...as I said before, someday I'll be back to spend more time...

Debbie, you just had to tell didn't you..lol..not everyone gets an escort out of town...amazing that they brought us to the thruway and not the border line...lol

Was fun unpacking last night and finding treasures...

My present to myself looks pretty .. now to find a place for it..

As promised (to myself) I'm going to rest today, play out in the gardens...see what mischief I can get into without really working..

Haven't made the front gardens as yet, wonder what is showing it's pretty head....

It's overcast here today, won't be much over 70 if it reaches 70..just nice..tomorrow is a heat wave day..maybe boating will be in order...

Now what do you all have planned for the day or weekend?

Missed you all so much, can't stop gabbing...

So much to see outside..

Just got to purchase more lily's..love them

Almost ready to open and give me joy!

In the very back hidden amongst the trees is a little stained glass bench (still have to pour the proper legs for it)...forgot to tell Cathy there was a plant back there..almost dead...now I get to doctor it up..lol

Barb, I'd love to have dimensions for the quilt ladder..hope one of the ones he's making is for you...he'll be busy making them with all this sewing going on...I'll have to show you the paper piecing pattern I picked up..done in fall colors...next weekend might get out and purchase what I need...with it being paper piecing, not much to doing a block here and there...

Debbie, would imagine you are neck deep in food, worried that all is done...I'm sure it is, take deep breath, think of the cornfield, have a good laugh and you are off to graduation..congratulations to Shannon..my goodness she's pretty....

Bev found a home for the cannister set..omg it matches perfectly..had you seen my decor and gone shopping you'd not have matched it so perfectly...

Not a good photo, off to take another...

While you wait, here is one of the secret garden rooms...

Here's a better one Bev/Scotty...isn't it just too adorable..

You can tell I'm on a high today, all the laughing of the past few days are still bringing me happiness..

Told you I have ESP Betty. Enjoy LOL Hugs to all BEV

Just love that garden room!!!!

That you do Bev...is it ok for me to show a few photo's I took of your yard?

The 2nd room within that area Barb haven't been decorated as yet..want to get a new wicker set for the gazebo either this fall when on sale or next spring, then the set I presently have will sit within..kind of kitchen then living room atmosphere...plus I just put the metal arch for the opening and the vines haven't grown enough to hide it...

So cute...little note welcoming me to 'Cathy's Inn'..you just got to feel good about being home..(and thinking of my next adventure) lol

Sure Betty you can post them. I was so excited that I don't even know what you took. You go girl. HUGS BEV

Crissy, how is your birdie doing...
Here's my 'tweetie' in his birdcase - motion makes him sing...
Should have bought another like you purchased, why didn't you say "Betty, you'll know you want one as soon as you go home?"

Oh sorry forgot to say thank you for all the goodies. Just love the memory book. I will work on that this winter when I have to look out at all the snow.

Barb, here's the quilt of the photo I took in Elizabethville..was used on the train when Lincoln was doing his train ride...I love tied quilts..hmmm best I think of red/white/blue swap for 2010

Barb, another beautiful quilt...

Was overwhelmed by the history in this little town, maybe it was precious because of a truck where man/lady half out of the truck told me they loved my outfit and what a pretty lady I was..lol..made my day! especially with the southern drawl...

Lincoln monument in town center...roundabout directly in the middle of town..cutest of all towns I saw...

Of course, it could have been the shop right next to the Lincoln Museum...

Guess the gourds I have sitting on a shelf will soon be Santa's...

Just beside the Lincoln cabin was the prettiest little area