Do You Burgoo!

This view is the downtown view of Utica, IL, today.  The annual Burgoo Festival was held as a fund raiser to support the Historical Society.  Over 100 craft vendors, flea market vendors, and of course food vendors were participating today.   As it shows in my picture, it started out gray and chilly while we shopped the vendors.  We headed back to the house for the people watching, getting warmed up, shrimp cocktails and bloody mary's while waiting for dinner to finish cooking.  

Mmmmm.... the sweet smell of grills. We enjoyed a mouth-watering meal of pulled pork, pasta salad, etc. Our hosts today were Tony and Luci, our new bowling partners.  A great time was had by all!  So proud of myself, I didn't buy a thing.

On the way home, I convinced Rod to drive by Kohl's.  I had some Kohl's cash burning a hole in my pocket and wanted to pick up some new PJs.  I love a bargain and got new PJs for $7.92!

We headed to the horse barn.  Watered and fed the horses, along with giving them some attention.
Cleaned the barn and headed home.  About the time we headed for home we both realized it was now warmer than it had been all day.  Go figure! Arriving at home, I tackled the loads of laundry waiting.  My motivation was the planned sewing day at Mary's tomorrow.  Its Columbus Day and Mary has the day off.  Woo HOO!  I'm ready.  Haven't even unpacked from my Hand Applique by Machine class taught by Beth Ferrier on Saturday.  Sleep tight.......Terry

Laugh Out Loud

Last Saturday afternoon the northend business district had a French Soiree with food vendors, crafters, music and specials in the local businesses.  We were strolling through Beetz Me enjoying all their fall decorating ideas, wine selections, drooling over the chocolates and then happened upon Agi the artist.  Agi was drawing caricatures of two teenage girls who had a case of the giggles.  Rod and I started to leave and I turned to him and said I would really like to have a picture drawn.  Agi had just finished with the girls and I asked if I could be next.  Below is the result. 

I hope this made you chuckle today!  Have a great weekend and enjoy this wonderful weather.
Terry

Hornbaker Gardens, A Little Slice of Heaven

On Friday, one of the first days I was really starting to feel like I might be retired, I received a call from quilting friend, Nancy Boomgarden.  She and two friends were headed down to Hornbaker Gardens to purchase shade plants to go between her new garage and the house.

 They asked me to join them for lunch and wanted to know where we could enjoy a glass of wine with lunch.  After a short discussion, I came up with the idea that it would be so peaceful to enjoy a glass a wine in the gazebo and listen to the babbling brook at Hornbaker's.  So the plan was made.  The girls brought cheese and crackers and I arrived with the wine.  With their shopping finished, we just sat back and relaxed in the gazebo.  Nancy and friends told me about their past and future travel plans.

We cleaned up the table from our picnic lunch.  Then they loaded the plants up in the SUV and the girls headed north to their homes.  I stayed awhile longer to take in Hornbaker Gardens and all it has to offer.

How about this display with the chummy frog sunning himself?

As I walked about the yard and displays, it just makes your troubles
fade.  Its just a little slice of green heaven.
They have statues, fountains, Pottery Row, hosts, irises, and every perennial in between.

New to me are the fairy gardens.  Tiny little displays of miniature items.  Study the pictures closely.  Can you find the bird houses made of gourds? See the fairy with her face turned up to the sun?




This was a "Calgon take me away" type of experience.

Enjoy the rest of  your day and come back to visit soon.

Terry