Master Gardener Sustained Excellence Award

On Friday, August 19th, I went over to Champaign in Little Red Car for the State Conference where I received this award with 11 others from throughout the State.   On large screens appeared a picture of me doing "gardening." A thrill!  Over 50 MGs received the Outstanding Master Gardener Award. I received one in 2011 but was unable to attend because of Neal and Carla's wedding! And Teamwork Awards -- Last year our Herb Garden over at The Hort Center received one. 

Little Free Library

Many years ago, I heard Jean Feraca do an episode on Here on Earth, Radio Without Borders out of Madison, WI describing Little Free Libraries. I was enamored.   In November of 2015 an article appeared in the Pantagraph about the LFLs in the community and that got me thinking.  I wrote to Everyone@Charterwood....to see if anyone was interested in having one in the development and 5 terrific people immediately responded!  We became a study group and now are stewards.  Truly a labor of love.  I'm in the process of registering the LFL so it will appear on a world map showing the thousands throughout the world.  Our LFL will contain books for all ages.

Our study group put up the funds to purchase the LFL.  Charterwood residents are voluntarily contributing $10.00 per household.  Hopefully we will receive enough donations to reimburse the stewards. 

Karen Gottlieb volunteered her garage for painting.

Oompa and I transported the LFL in Little Red Car 
 to our garage for finishing touches.

The Charter Number is important when 
registering the LFL so it may appear
on a world map.  There are 
thousands of LFLs throughout the world.

A large bright light is on top of the pool house 
to deter vandalism.

People are beginning to add and take books.  So exciting!

The sponsorship sign cost extra.

Grocery List from Daad

This is particularly dear to me because of what Daad said at the end of the list. 

Laurie on the Bouncy Bounce

Uncle Bumpkin sent this to us when Laurie was about 4 and we were living in Sawyer Hall where Ed  was on the Dean of Men's staff.  I wish they still made these. 

A huge rubber inner tube with a canvas top.  Fabulous!

Can't Believe We've Been Married 50 Years! A Fabulous Ride!!!!

To celebrate, we're taking our family to Glacier National Park for a week  -- we've been there twice.  Neal cycled through a week after one of our trips -- left from Augusta, Oregon and ended up in Minneapolis.  Both Merkow-Hines and Ackermann's are hikers.  Signy is now 12, Roslyin is 9 and Liesl is 7 with little Gabriella Riva Hines a robust 2 years old.  Staying at Many Glacier, the lodge at the Eastern cusp.  Precious Carla arranged for a professional photographer to take a group picture while we are there. After the kids leave, Oompa and I will spend a few days at Waterton in Canada, again a place we've been and adore.  We are truly blessed. 

We call this picture "Dreamy Eyes"

Photographer:  Greg Linder.  Notice our gold notes.

F

The Copy Shop laminated and sent this to us.  We received over 40 Anniversary Cards! 

The Annabelle Hydrangea

The Annabelle liked how Daad cut it way back last year because this year there are many blooms, first giant white balls, and then they turn green.  They are one of my favorite everlastings!

This vase from Crossroads used to hold dried Bells of Ireland.

99% Invisible, One of my Favorite Podcasts Featuring Brilliant Roman Mars

I treasure my 99 PI Challenge Coin.  Snapped this photo and sent it to Roman Mars via Twitter. By the way, many of my favorite podcast people are Oberlin alums including Roman Mars.   Jennie and Scott King, Oberlin grads know this.

Curing Candy Onions

Good crop of Candy Onions this year.  For my lunch, I sliced one and sauteed in skillet with olive oil, then topped with shredded Parmesan cheese and topped with a fresh basil leaf.  Divine.  

At Maggie's in Minneapolis, actually Orono, a Suburb

Maggie invited the girls to come up to Mpls so we flew them up and had a marvelous 2 days.  The girls stayed  after we left, and Neal was in charge of getting them to the airport to fly back to Dallas.   Incredible food by Neal.  Tim, Syrah, Robbie and Evan also there.  Carla taught us all how to make tie-dyed shirts. We stayed at a Renaissance but we do not think it was a Marriott.  Good, tho.