Oh Boy Am I in Trouble!

I received a phone call last night from Orlando and was yelled at by my brother~ he wanted to know why I didn't do a post for Erik's birthday.  It was October 7th!  Yikes!  How could I wish everyone else in the family a happy birthday and not Erik!  I'm so sorry Erik!  I will make this really special, how's that!

 

Erik turned 18 last week!  It's hard to believe that he is in his last year of high school and will be leaving home for college next fall.  He's so grown up, mature looking, braces off, and just plain adorable.

I adore Erik!  He is so funny, intelligent, talented, and has such a good heart.  I have had the pleasure of spending time with him during the winter when Richard and I visit.  We have witnessed his drumming at the football games and also in concert.  Erik puts his heart and soul into his drumming and when he plays, his enthusiasm radiates.

Erik has always appreciated fine food also.  He never hesitates to make menu recommendations to me when visiting, he can tell me who has the best creme brulee or tiramasu.  Erik always compliments me on my cooking and doesn't hesitate to tell me, this is fabulous or this is incredible.  He knows how to inflate my ego.

Erik has a very tender side also.  He isn't bashful about giving me a hug or sharing his thoughts with me.  He is  my buddy.  I like to play Words with Friends with him, however, he puts me to shame.  He is so very good.  We also mark on the door frame in the kitchen at his house, who is taller each time I visit.  I wonder if people look at the door frame and wonder what those red and black marks are.

Erik, I wish you the happiest of birthdays and please forgive me for not posting earlier.  It certainly was an oversight.  I promise next time I see you, I will make you my bananna pudding or creme brulee, OK!
I love you!

Aunt Barbie

The Baptism

We went to Chicago Saturday for Joslyn's baptism.  First of all, it was an absolutely gorgeous day!  The temperature was warm, a nice breeze, fall colors, and family together to witness our little girl being baptized.

Joslyn is wearing the baptismal dress and bonnet her Mommie wore when she was baptized.

Concordia Lutheran Church in Berwyn, IL

Aunt Jessie is Joslyn's GodMother.

L to R:  CJ (Joffrey's bestfriend), Jessie, Joslyn, my Mom, Mommie and Daddy

Later in the day, Aunt Maggie and Joslyn

Four generations: Jackie, my Mom, my sister, and Joslyn

Auntie's!!!

I would say that Joslyn is definitely the center of attraction at any family gathering.  We all had to share her ...they were two grandma's, one great grandma, one grandpa, a stepgrandma, three aunts, an uncle, and several friends.  We all wanted to hold her and love her!

May the Lord bless you and keep you Josie!

It's Time to Feel Your Boobs!

 

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Be proactive!

 This photo and title came from Spontaneous Clapping.  She is a breast cancer survivor.  She was diagnosed at the age of 27!  Yikes!  Please just do it!

RIP Steve Jobs

Color Tour Photos

It really was a color tour but as I edit my photos, there are no shots of the trees.  What was I thinking?  I would say, all in all, the color was spotty. It definitely was not peak.  Some areas had a lot of orange and yellow and some areas nothing.  I would say, peak would be in a week or two, depending on the temperatures.  Speaking of which, it is gorgeous here.  This is our Indian summer this week.  Today was 72 degrees and it is suppose to hang right around there until next Monday!  Yay!   I love this weather.

Our first major stop was in Traverse City at Left Foot Charley's, a winery.  They were hosting their October Harvest Fest so it was a little crazy around there.  We were able to get a little wine tasting in.  The favorite of the locals was definitely the Hard Cider.  I didn't really care for it but many people did!

Little music, carriage rides, and just plain beautiful afternoon to be outside and sip!

We continued on through Traverse City and made a stop in Elk Rapids.  They have a very quaint downtown area and waterfront.  We walked out to the end of this little jetty.  It was so peaceful and the water was crystal clear.  Odd thing was all the zebra muscles on the shore in the rocks.....thousands of them.

The water is the Grand Traverse Bay.


We continued on and hit a few other small communities, East Jordan and Bellaire.

We found this wonderful pumpkin place way off the beaten track on some back road.

Gourds, pumpkins of all sizes, and squash.  We got quite a sampling to take back home with us.  I can't wait to cook up some squash.  We bought butternut, sweet mama, and sweet dumpling!..Yum, I love winter squash.

Now brace yourself!  This is my husband's idea of a road trip!

Down a two track for about 3 miles, in the middle of no man's land.  I think this might be the Pine River.  God only knows where we were!

Back onto paved roads and we headed homeward.  It was a gorgeous day today.  We did see some color, drove mostly back roads and really enjoyed a day or two away.  Back home safe and sound.  Thanks Richie for doing most of the driving.

Babs~

Color Tour

We headed to the north country to take in some color. Will come back with pictures, I promise!

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday dear Lenny!

 

Can't believe you are 26 today.  As Uncle Jack would say, half way to 52!  Wow!

I admire you, Lenny!  I love your intelligence, your sense of adventure, and your wonderful spirit.
Hope you have a great year and best of luck to you in your Toledo Oregon job!  I miss you and love you!

I really like this photo of you!

Love Aunt Barb