Fall Fun

 We are experiencing a most beautiful fall season. I am trying to soak in the gorgeous colors before all the leaves are gone--the view out my window, the countryside on longer drives, walks on our road.

Fallen leaves provide great entertainment for the young'uns and exercise for the adults. I spent nearly an hour Sunday, after a very windy Saturday, clearing the driveway of leaves and sticks.

Uncle Skye and Rebecca

And it's pumpkin-carving season. 

"Look at the faces we designed. Any favorite?"

Recently, I enjoyed a memory that surfaced and the story represented--young David and gigantic Goliath, BUT GOD! 

Any giants in your life?

Stephan carved this some years ago

This is the last picture of Michael at the Matthews shop Tuesday, the day before he and Stephan took off for a duck-hunting trip out west with nephew Jeff and his son Cody in the wilds of Idaho.

Yes, he worked practically non-stop till the last minute and then slept through two flights and a five-hour drive to their destination. 

The first day the weather was beautiful, great for enjoying the scenery but not so good for upland bird hunting.

On the homefront, Wednesday was a full day with a fun visitor all afternoon. Rebecca and I played games, walked in the woods, delivered a meal to a family with a newborn, colored together, and went to Basics Jr. at church.
Here she is showing off the little panda "Beary" that great great grandma Hoyt purchased for her with her Bingo Bucks because it reminded her of panda bear I used to have as a little girl.

Rebecca likes to swing Beary on my exercise pulley.

Thursday I visited Mother again on Bingo Store day but mostly because it was the Fall Festival where the residents welcome the community families for an evening of trick or treating. Mother had fun handing out treats, and I tricking the kids with the strange-eyed Victorian mask.

Saturday morning treats from Deluxe Donuts appeared on our counter. Moriah thought of us even while out partying Friday night! I just had to take a bite while they were fresh, then I put them in the freezer to enjoy together with Michael when he returns. I hope that works.

How is fall treating you?

P.S.:
The BIG family news of the week:
Skye and Destiny found out that their baby due in March is a BOY! Skye is very excited!

2016 Week 33: A quieter week

A quieter week, not so many of my own photos, so I'm borrowing from various Facebook postings, for my weekly record of events and memories.

Sunday was Rebecca's birthday. We had celebrated with a party at her house the day before.
I liked cousin Bruce's picture of mommy-hostess Kayla and Rebecca wearing the festive dress she started out with.

The lovely dress was removed for cake-eating time. During gift-opening, Nanna Leah quickly dressed her in one of the many new outfits. The finishing touch came when Rebecca opened the gift with Mouse ears. She immediately went to check out her look in the mirror. Leah was able to capture this priceless reaction, my favorite pic!

I also enjoyed Bruce's views of our homestead.

Stephan had fun carving fruit and veggies:

"Playing with planets...and yes, that is the Death Star in the background lest we become complacent..."

My artistic outlet was this weekly coloring while watching the Olympics or listening to music.

However, my main accomplishment of the week was the syllabus and preparation for teaching Spanish 101 again, starting Monday.

Friday's routine was somewhat rearranged. Mike was invited to another of the robotics students birthday celebration. It was here in town and I stopped by for awhile.

What are they watching?

Oh, the trampoline tricksters!

The whole town was out of electricity for a couple hours. The birthday-boy did not have to go in to work and my writers' meeting was cancelled, so we all lingered.

When we got home, Mike taught me how to turn this thing on. Can you guess?

I tried a new recipe from a beautiful Argentine cookbook.

The leftovers of Medallones de berenjena con queso

Saturday there was another Ivanhoes' Garfield sighting, this time with four Koch-boys.

Photo credit: Kristie Koch

2016 Week 27: Celebrating Independence

This week's pickings

The celebration began with a grand picnic/carry-in at church Sunday.

Monday, the 4th, we took a friend to the Indianapolis airport and spent a day in the city enjoying the sights and sounds.

Lucas Oil across from our hotel; Ivy Tech sign, a reminder that classes start Aug. 22; fun architectural designs

A sweet bonus was that coincidentally niece Tina and her young family were spending a few days in Indy and we got to hang out with them.

Betsy getting acquainted with la tía abuela (great aunt) 

Besides walking downtown and listening to a patriotic concert by the canal, we experienced the Rhythm Discovery Center, a fascinating percussion museum. (Take a virtual tour by clicking on the link and perusing the many images.)

Mike and I went back downtown later to see the fireworks display. We were rather disappointed. Due to weather conditions the smoke hung in the air in a growing cloud.

We caught a glimpse of Victory Field's fireworks, after their 20th anniversary sold-out game.

Tuesday, more family reunion fun--Stephan, Karen, and I spent the afternoon in Warsaw with my two younger brothers and their families--Ivan and Kim recently returned from Argentina, and nephew Jon visiting from California. 

Met great niece Adalyn and learned of her fascination with shoes.

Wednesday was a quiet day at home. Michael went in to the robotics shop nearly every day. They are getting ready for another competition next week.

I got tired of spending so many long days alone, so Friday evening I begged to go along on his regular bike ride. We ended up doing 22 miles on the tandem.

Saturday, the plan was to take Leah out to celebrate her adopted birthday, but that fell through, so I cleaned house all day.

It was also Argentina's Independence Day. I was moved listening to this very special guitar rendition of the national anthem by an 18 year-old--Himno Nacional. 

Sunday was a full day.  The friends visiting from Uganda shared in church and I was able to get an updated photo.

In the afternoon we went to a wedding shower for a dear young friend we met in the Basque Country three years ago. She is now marrying a young man from our town!

Courtney and Nathanael

 It was very fitting that Mike and I wear jerseys from that first Circle Tour for yet another pleasant evening ride, 20 miles this time.

My coloring page for the week also has a good message for us in these troubled times when the freedoms we celebrated even this week are being threatened.

2015 Week 12: Quiet Week

What happened this week? It felt like "Same old, same old," as they say, the usual weekly responsibilities and activities, but as I look back there were extras thrown in, but not many photos to show.

• Meetings of groups or committees we belong to, plus a writing workshop for me.
• Doctor visits: lung clinic for Michael; eye check-up for me, Rita.
• Exercise groups and activities, the usual, plus a couple bike rides for Michael and a nice long walk together. 

It was time to replace the winter wreath for one that Stephan and Karen gave us for Christmas--a portent of spring and summer to come.

A few visitors stopped by after the senior's lunch to see our special tree.

Another day, someone came to pick out pieces of Mike's pottery to display and sell on consignment at the new coffee shop in town--The Bridge Cafe. Can you pick out the Klaytivity items?

Speaking of visitors, I loved seeing this picture on Facebook--Simon visiting his great grandmother!
(You can see how low on photos I am this week, that I have to resort to stealing!)

Here's another Facebook steal--my own lovely granddaughter and great granddaughter!

Good news yesterday for Team 1720, The PhyXTGears--they qualified for state competition and were accepted! Now they have to raise a bundle of money to go! And also improve the robot. They came up with ideas how to increase the speed and Michael has been working on the design for the changes.

This morning we enjoyed watching Sunday Morning on CBS, the coverage of Ice Alaska.
How many times can you see the whooping cranes of Koch and team?

Have a great week. I hope I do better with taking pictures.

2014 Week 41: Fun Times

Michael found what he is able to do without bringing on the hip/leg pain. He had a very productive week, spending hours at the wheel throwing honey pots, yarn bowls, and chicken roasters.

I stay well occupied writing, teaching, helping. This was the view from the classroom window when I arrived. You can see highway I-69.

And here is the building as I was leaving later.

The moon was beautiful this week. Mike got up before dawn to watch the lunar eclipse. I did not.

I stopped to visit Kayla and Rebecca on my way to Muncie, and finally got to hold mi preciosa.

Kristie had an opportunity to help out with a program Malachi attended, so I stayed with the boys for a few hours Wednesday evening. We had fun playing together, reading books, listening to music.
And it happened to be Jude's second birthday!

Thursday was a busy day catching up and preparing to be gone Friday.
Mike had made plans for us to go experience the ArtPrize event in Grand Rapids. The weather was perfect and we had a wonderful day admiring a variety of art from the 1500 contributions to the event as well as touring the Frederik Meijers Sculpture Park. We were able to take the tour tram.
Later, back in town, we walked around until it became too much for Michael. The city was abuzz with excitement as the event was coming to a close and the winners were about to be announced.
Our focus was mostly on 3D pieces, and I will try to post some of the many photos throughout the week. However, I was drawn to this painting. Can you see a fourth figure?

Saturday afternoon most of the family came together to celebrate Kayla's birthday.

So we got to visit again with Rebecca!

Conversating with uncle Skye

Jude was more interested in the puppy.

Intense play

Another fun week is over, a new one begun.