We just returned from a marvelous final Sheboygan Symphony performance. It was a celebration of Broadway from way back when to the present. Boy, do we have talent in Sheboygan. We had two excellent guest vocalists but many solos were handled by members of the Sheboygan Symphony Chorus. The guest conductor, Richard Hynson, was charming and Very good. He was not one that applied for the position of our conductor but I was glad that I saw him work. He even sang a bit for us at the beginning of the performance.

I have never seen Les Miserables in its entirety, the movie does not hold my interest, but they finished with three songs from that musical and I was as the kids say "totally impressed." Live is the only way to see some things.

I made pepper jelly today. We were all out. This batch may be a bit hotter because I used jalapenos instead of Pete's peppers.

I also make a batch of mexican beans that I found on the Good Morning America site. Pinto beans, ham, bacon, chorizo, tomatoes, onion, tomatillos and spices. It really tasted good, unmatured even. I like a nice batch of something to intersperse during the week. I maked my days more free to do other things.

Our sleep last night in our new bed seemed a bit broken but Dick and I both agreed that we were very comfortable so I am sure that it was just the newness.

Rained lightly today. But when I got up it was dry and Chelsea got her first walk in two days. She was a happy girl. The dampness didn't bother her a bit. She dragged me right by the house for the last stretch. This wet weather is now being predicted through Wednesday. I WANT SUN!

Love

Mary

Today was another adventure of a day. I gave blood for the very first time. My friend, Peggy Feider and her husband Bob, sponsor a blood drive every year in honor of their son Joe. It is called "A Gallon or so for Joe". I really never thought much about it before. Peggy had mentioned it last year but I believe we were out of time on the day of the special drive. Anyway, I went over there at about 11:00AM. They took my history and an initial test. I found out that my count is 43 which I was informed was very good. Acceptable is 38 to 50 and women are usually lower than men. Then they took me to the room to hook me up. It was really quite simple. I felt no weakness or anything. I took their advice an got up a bit at a time and walked slowly to the waiting room where I had a piece of great poppyseed cake and a can of orange juice. Then, Peggy and Bob had arranged for a massage therapist to "do" necks and backs. It was great.

I also got a t-shirt because I was a first timer. AND my blood type is B+ which is apparantly one of the rarer types and quite in demand.

Had a grilled cheese and french fries when I had lunch with the ladies in Plymouth. It was the first time I had seen them in three weeks so we had a lot of catching up to do. I also went to the Sewing Basket and got the rest of the fabric that I need to complete the Celtic "Hand of God" that I am making for Celtic Faire. I am really jazzed with the color choices. Now I can get going on the next section.

Tomorrow, I get to stay home ALL day until 6 or so when Dick and I will be going to the Sheboygan Symphony. This is the season finale and will be a Broadway Extravaganza. We always enjoy them and this one will be very light and easy to listen too.

Now I am tired and must go to bed, our NEW bed. We had ordered a new air bed. The old one had sprung a leak. It took weeks. I think they lost our order (after confirmation which is REALLY odd.) But it arrived a week after Dick called and they scrambled to correct the error.

Mentioned it to Jim and Michelle and suddenly Michelle had everyone spinning around and the old one was out of the bedroom and the new one in. Sure glad they were hear because, Dick and I could not have done it. Well, we probably COULD have but it would not have been a pretty sight and would have been a morning to nignt job with lots of frustration and tears. The new bed is SO comfortable.

Have a lovely weekend.

Mary

Let the rain come down. My roof's got a hole in us and I might drown. Oh Yes! My roof's got a hole in it - I might drown.

Remember the song? Since I decided to get Chelsea trimmed (seemed like the cold weather was over) we are having five days more or less of temperatures in the low 40s to high 60s. The cool air doesn't seem to be bothering her much, but she looks a bit bewildered. She is definately aging. Tonight when I got home from choir she was sound asleep under my desk and didn't hear me until I called her name.

I went to a funeral today. A dear little man, Bill Berg, a member of Blessed Trinity and a wonderful musician (he has been the only tenor in the choir for over a year) died this past Monday. He was 89, a year younger than Mother. I stopped and walked Mother over and then took her to the Villager for the meal. I feel that if one knows the family, the meal after the funeral should be attended because it is a tribute to the deceased and a chance for the family to share, care and be cared for before facing the home and the next steps in clearing everything up. A celebration of what that person was and is in the hearts of us left here.

Enough. Tomorrow I am going to give blood for the first time. A friend of mine sponsors a drive every year in memory of her son and I thought there is no reason not to. I guess, I am somewhat of a prize because I have B+ which is a bit rare.

Then I will go to Plymouth to have lunch and do several errands. Hope you stay dry and warm.

Michelle will be here for supper tomorrow night. Then they are going to Flint, Michigan on Saturday so Jim can meet her sister. Sounds fair, she has met most of Jim's family.

Have a great day

Mary

It was an eventful day. I only had to leave the house once. Chelsea got her hair cut today. She was a perfect angel again. You would not believe how much hair can come off of one little doggy. How do you like the picture? Doesn't she look little?



I will have to watch her in the sun for a bit and be sure that she doesn't get chilled. Wouldn't you know that the temps are due to drop into the 50s for the next few days. But she sure will be grateful during the heat of summer.

The rest of the day was spent making Rhubarb Struesel Muffins, homemade venison (bratwurst) patties and working on the computer. This evening I just finished a quilt top - the one with the applqued kitties. I found a small hole in a motif, so I added a sleeping mouse next to the sleeping siamese cat. Now I need backing and batting so I can get it quilted.

Til tomorrow

Mary

Richardson's came and did the final measurements on the kitchen counters today. They say they probably will be able to do the installation in two to three weeks. That is as long as it takes to make the tops to the specifications. We are getting Corian with a stainless steel under the counter sink.

Aside from that and spending almost an hour in Walgreens waiting for a prescription to be filled, it was a very quiet day.

This evening I went into the den and worked on my animal quilt. I should be able to finish the last kitty tomorrow and put the final sashing around the edge. I really like it. Next step will be backing and quilting.

I really don't have much to say so I will send you two pictures of Rose Windows. The first is in the National Cathedral in Washington DC and the second is from the Basilica of St. Josephat in Milwaukee. Enjoy.






We sure enjoyed seeing them.

Mary

Tonight I picked up Mother and we drove accross the street to the church office and helped put the squares for the quilt being constructed for Celtic Faire into the order we wanted them. I knew that she would enjoy seeing all the squares and seeing all the quilters. About 10 of the quilters made it. She was delighted to see that all these people quilt. It is again going to be just spectacular. Pat Mersberger is going to join the squares with the green sashing that we bought. Then we will have it basted to the backing and fill and hand quilt it.

We decided tonight what we will do next year so it won't creep up on us again. We have decided on a holiday quilt and will try to get the fabic this year when the new stuff comes out and there is a big selection.

Went to Bible Study this morning and Writers Club this afternoon. Why does everything have to happen on one day?

I thought you might like to see a picture of Kenny and his turkey.




Kenny said that he looked like a dinasaur walking through that brush.

Dad's poem to my Mother when he retired called

TO THE BOSS IN THE KITCHEN

Mary, Mary much contrary
How does your kitchen grow
Since you've declared sovereignty
To it I fear to go.
So please relent and repent
For this you've always known.
No matter what you think or do
What's yours is mine and what's mine, My own.

He was a tease. On May 11 it will be fourteen years since he passed on. We miss him

Love

Mary

Today was DOUBLE gorgeous. It was in the high 60s, blue skies and still air. Chelsea and I had our first walk together in four days. The past three days I had MY exercise out hunting but poor Chelsea was on her own as I am the only one who does more that just let her out the back door and telling her to "Run Chelsea, Run."

We had a nice breakfast, Dick and I, Dick and Brenda and Jim and Michelle. I had put an overnight egg casserole together. Michelle asked that I put the recipe on the blog. So I will but it is a meld of two recipes that I found on the web and a hint from a realtor in California who used to serve when we would have realtor open houses. So here it is.

Spray a 9 X 13 or somewhat equivilant baking pan with cooking spray.

Cut the crusts off of enough pieces of half and half rye or marble rye bread to layer the bottom of the baking pan. This makes a psuedo crust.

Suggested additions: Layer over bread. Pice two or three AND the cheese.

3 green onions diced
3/4 lb cheese (your choice - I used fresh parmesean, and colby/mozzerlla)
Sliced mushrooms (sauteed and cooled)
Veggie crumbles
Bacon - fried and crumbled
Sausage - Fried and crumbled
Ham - Diced
Peppers (red, yellow and/or green) diced
Spinach - fresh or frozen (thawed and dried out)

Whisk together.
6 to 8 eggs
1/2 cup milk for each 2 eggs.
1 teas sea salt
1/2 teas pepper

Pour over all and sprinkle a bit more cheese over the top. Bake at 350 for 1 hour or perhaps a bit more if needed.

It was served with some breads - toast, lavendar bread and chocolate zuchini. Such a pleasant visit we had.

I had to leave at 10:00AM to get to Mass to sing at the First Communion Mass. It was so nice to see all the beautiful children. I told one of the Dad's that I know a bit that since he had his daughter all coiffed and dressed in that beatiful white gown that he ought to see if he could arrange for her to get married before she out grew the dress. He laughed and said that he thought that there was probably as much fuss.

Anyway, they were beautiful. Thank God for Kids.

Hope your week is WONDERFUL.

Love

Mary