4-30-2010 Storm a Comin'

There's a big storm a comin' today
so I'm battening down the hatches...
I removed all my flowerpots from the deck railing
and tucked them in a corner behind the fountain
to weather the storm...


And thought I'd take a pix of the beautiful iris in bloom
as they will probably be torn to shreds
in the 60-80 mph winds they are predicting with the storm!

4-29-2010 Oceans

DH & I went to see the new movie "Oceans" today...
WOWZA! What amazing photography!!!
And what amazing ocean creatures!!!

4-28-2010 Progress Report

... on the socks I'm knitting...

4-27-2010 A Stitch in Time

Today I finished this dishcloth for a friend's birthday...


started a 'spiral' hat with some chunky yarn...


and finished the blanket for this layette...

Now I need to get busy and do more knitting on my socks!!!

(See posts on April 7 & 8)

4-26-2010 A Bouquet of Lilacs

A breath-takingly beautiful bouquet
of fresh, fragrant lilacs
from my dear friend Susan V.!
Thanks so much!!!

4-25-2010 OldCapCrit

Today DH & I were invited to watch our SIL race in his first Criterium in Iowa City!
I think he had fun trying out his new road bike...
we certainly had fun watching the races
and going out to lunch with our DD and SIL after the race!
Today's pix are of our DD pinning the racer number on our SIL
and the beginning of the race at the starting line.
Thanks so much for inviting us to come visit and watch the race, kiddos!
Love you lots!

4-24-2010 Cream Puffs!!!

Today I made Cream Puffs
to serve for dessert at the dinner party
I'm having at our home tonight. Mmmmm!!!
(Apologies for the blurry pix... there was steam coming out of the oven!)

4-23-2010 Hot Corals

Today I planted Hot Coral Geraniums
in the flowerpots
on my back deck railing...
They almost glow!!!

4-22-2010 Special Olympics

Thank you, Texas RoadHouse,

for teaming with Iowa law enforcement
and having a fundraiser lunch

for Special Olympics!

DH & I were happy to attend

and support your efforts yesterday!

4-21-2010 BPL

I love this place...
it's one of my fave places to hang out
and they have a great coffee shop too!

4-20-2010 Wafting

Spring is sprung
the grass is ris,
I know where
the flowers is!

And their fragrances
are WAFTING
right into my nostrils!!!
Mmmmmmm!
I love Lilacs in the Spring!

4-19-2010 Washing Windows

Washing Windows and window sills
is the beginning of my 'Spring Cleaning.'
It is very cathartic to wipe away
all the dirt and grime that has collected
over the winter months
and let in sunshine and fresh air back in!
This is the first house I've lived in
that has windows that tip in
so there is no need for lugging a ladder
around the outside of the house!
I love it! Now, it's on to the floors!

4-18-2010 Just Chillin'

DH & I were blessed
to spend time with
our son in Chicago today!
Thanks so much for lunch
and the pleasure of your company!

4-17-2010 Grass Denizen

Have to be careful mowing the lawn in the spring...
never know when you might come across
a grass denizen!

4-16-2010 Mississippi River Aquarium

Today DH suggested we go visit the Mississippi River Aquarium.

This 3 Horned Lizard was my favorite character in the place:


This lady was having a conversation and laugh with Mark Twain:


And afterwards, we had lunch at the Shot Tower Inn:

...because the Bricktown Restaurant had closed
and is no longer in business. :-(

4-15-2010 Out of This World!!!

Tonight DH & I went to see "Hubble 3D" at the local IMAX theatre.
WOWZA! What amazing pictures of our mysterious universe!
The above photo is of the Cat's Eye Nebula, one of the first nebulae discovered.
It has one of the most complex forms known to this kind of nebula.
Eleven rings, or shells, of gas make up the Cat's Eye.

I downloaded this photo from the http://hubblesite.org/ (gallery tab) where you can go see many other amazing photos taken by this magnificent eye in the sky!

4-14-2010 Oh, My Aching Back!

DH shoveled 2 pickup loads of river rock out of his truck
and put it around the front of the house today!
I'm guessing he'll have a sore back tomorrow!

4-13-2010 A Gift with Heart

Today a friend and I attended a "Knit One, Pray Too!" retreat
and had a fun day working on our individual needlework projects,
reading a morning devotion, enjoying the serenity of a pond,
walking an outdoor labyrinth, sharing stories,
growing our friendship and sharing a noon meal.
It was my friend's first time visiting the retreat.
I hope she enjoyed her day and will go with me again sometime.
Here is a pix of my finished needlework project:
a brown cotton knitted dishcloth for a dear friend at church.
I plan to give it to her tomorrow morning at breakfast.
I hope she likes it!

4-12-2010 Every Morning

Purples
Crimsons
Yellows
Greet me

Springtime
Colors
Make me
Happy

4-11-2010 Sylvan Island Stampede

After Clavinova duties at church this morning
I spent most of the day watching mountain bike races:


Timing chips...


pinning on racing number:


some of the 109 racers assembling near the starting line:

race course volunteers:

caution!

over the river and through the woods...

crossing the finish line 15 miles later:

Road Rash from crashes:

A cute kid telling his dad about his exciting race:

It was a beautiful day to be outdoors

and sharing it with my family!

4-10-2010 Bookworms

DH and I were among the bookworms
checking out the sale
at our local library today.

4-9-2010 Comfort Food

Today DH and I helped serve a funeral luncheon at church.
We took comfort food: potatoes and brownies.

4-8-2010 Three More Hours

with yesterday's 2 hours...
here's what 5 hours of knitting looks like!

4-7-2010 Joan Would Be Proud

I bought this gorgeous purpley yarn today


and started a class with Judy...
to learn how to knit Toe Up Socks...
2 socks at the same time...
on 2 circular needles...
here is how much I have finished after 2 hours!


And here are some other yarns I got for 2 other projects:

My friend, Joan H. would be proud of me...
she is a sock knitting fanatic!!!

4-6-2010 Hieroglyphics

Did anyone else catch this on TV last night?
Way cool...

4-5-2010 Time to Mow!

After 6 months of winter,
it's great to see things greening up!
I'm actually looking forward to mowing the grass!

4-4-2010 Blessed Resurrection Day!

Alleluia! He is risen! He is risen indeed!
I celebrated the Lord's supper this morning...
"Do this, in remembrance of me." Jesus said.

4-3-2010 The 10 Commandments

starring Charlton Heston as Moses
is playing on ABC tonight...
thought I would watch it this Easter weekend
as a reminder of my Passover Lamb, Jesus.

4-2-2010 Crown of Thorns

Seemed appropriate for Good Friday...

4-1-2010 Flower Beds

Before...


After...


DH and I weeded and cleaned up one of the flower beds at church so it would look nice on Easter morning.

It felt wonderful to be outdoors for a few hours today!