The last day of August. Where has the summer gone? We ask that every year.

We didn't win the Powerball lottery last night. Someone in New Hampshire won it. Now what use on earth could someone in New Hampshire have for $145 Million dollors, I ask you.

Lets move into September with hope and optimism.

Love

Mary

Bobbie and Bill came for supper tonight. We had our usual late summer Saturday Corn and Fresh Sliced Tomatoes and I made a cherry pie from some Door County Cherries I had in the freezer. Yum, Yum.

We had a nice visit too. Big Oscar is still shy enough to spend most of the time down in the family room hiding from the big bad strangers. Foxie Roxie, on the other hand, hung around and checked them out thoroughly. NOW that they are gone, she had disappeared and he is downstairs with Jim.

I will go to 8:00AM Mass tomorrow. We haven't started choir yet and I DO like to have the day ahead of me. I always stop at Mother's after Mass to visit for a bit. Once choir starts, we do most of our singing at the 10:30AM Mass, then I will go later. Actually, in the winter, that is not a bad thing.

I am almost done with my wall hanging for the Quilt Show. I will take a picture and post it on this site when I am done.

OK?

Have a good Sunday

Mary

I was thinking of my children today. Bart was such a somber little guy, so serious and intense. Bret was a happy go lucky fellow and a ball of energy. And they haven't changed.

I remember one year we were going to make a trip from California to Wisconsin to visit Grandma and Grandpa Deeley. Bart was only three and he said he didn't want to go because they had red tomatoes in Wisconsin.

That really had me confused until I questioned him and found that he had heard me say that a tornado had touched down in Sheboygan Falls that Fall and a child was killed. He interpreted "tornado" as "tomato" and didn't want anything to do with that.

Have a great day

Mary

Today, I went out to Rocky Knoll with Sr. Marcia and 8 other people from Blessed Trinity to help the residents play bingo. The residents are disabled in many ways and this is a new event for them. I gather that it was started this year and obviously has turned out to be very popular. The host people (us) bring the winnings (.50 per bingo and $1.00 for the last game of blackout.) They love it and the quarters are great prizes because they can use them in vending machines.

This was my second visit. I thank my blessings and I bless these people. They cheerful and excited and a pleasure to be around. Our next big game will be in October.

Joy to you.

Mary

P. S. We are LOVING the new cars.

When I lived in Huntington Beach California, I had chickens. Sounds silly doesn't it. But a friend was moving who had 8 chickens of various breeds. There was one little polish chicken, a little black one with a white crest that was the only one who laid a WHITE egg. It was a teeny tiny little egg.

There were three Rhode Island Reds and a leghorn who laid brown eggs.

The last three were Araucona, a breed of chickens that layes green eggs. These eggs are supposed to be lower in cholesteral, a claim disputed by many. But the eggs are fun and make Easter very easy. I wish I could find some of these eggs around. But though the stores will have brown eggs, (at a much inflated price) you never see green eggs. By the way, only the shells are green just like brown eggs.

The eggs we got from these chickens tasted so good. Of course, they were fresh eggs and I fed those chickens nothing but the best.

Bart liked them and used to sit out in the back yard a lot just watching them. I wish I could raise a few again.

Have a nice day.

Mary

Tomorrow, we are going to pick up our new cars. This will make a very interesting day for sure. It is a bit cooler tonight and we are having a little rain.

We had guests for dinner tonight. George and Patty Cedzo who are tour guide and driver on many of our bus tours. We have become pretty good friends over the years.

I fixed Pork and Beans for dinner. By pork and beans, I mean a pork roast boiled with fresh green beans, potatoes and onions. That is one of the best summer- fresh vegetable- dishes there is. We have enough left for a couple of more meals too. That pork gets so tender and good.

Try it sometime. If you need more insturctions, just let me know.

Love

Mary

I'm on pets again today. Mainly because I read something I wanted to share with you all. It is an old Italian Proverb that says "When a person dies, so the legend goes, all fo the animals that they had in their lifetime will be waiting for them at the gates of Paradise." Such a comforting thought.

Also, on a sillier note. Those of you that know me, know that I do a lot of humming and whistling as I go about my daily tasks. My human companions have accepted this quite readily, but I have discovered that Foxie Roxie doesn't like it when I whistle. She even wakes up form napping to tell me to shut up.

Wonder what that says about my whistling.

Love

Mary

Another week gone from the year. August is almost over. September is full of birthdays and anniversaries. But the end of August is pretty quiet. September is also full of plays and events but the rest of August is not. We do not even have plans for the Labor Day weekend which does not break my heart.

We are replacing our cars and went out last night and picked them out. We were going to just replace the Spirit with a 4X4 but decided upon studying that it was probably in our best interest to just replace both of them and be set for the next 5 to 10 years. We will be picking up two Hyundais, a Santa Fe and an Elantra on Tuesday. Should be fun.

See you

Mary

My computer is really strange. A couple of years ago, Jim gave me Felix, a computer cat, who wanders all over my screen. He is black and white and really no trouble at all, except for one thing. He keeps reproducing.

One day, I turned on the computer and there were two of them. I told Jim and he said that it is not possible, or if there is a second image, it is a mirror of the first. He has to admit that this is not true on my screen. In the following months a third cat appeared.

I never know from day to day how many cats will be there. They are not mirror images and only two appear on the screen at any one time. I usually just close them. The guys accused me of killing them but I am sure that I am just putting them outside because they always come back. At least these kitties are not eating all the pretty little birds that fly around outside.

Who ever thought that cats could reproduce in the data base.

Mary

If you missed me yesterday, I really had a very good reason. My computer crashed and it took Jim most of the day to repair it. Then I got up this morning and found out that it was working. Turned it on, tried to get my e-mails and found a VIRUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Jim, we had to get him up in the early morning which is completely out or his realm. But the dear boy did eliminate it and I didn't lose anything. At leas nothing that is very obvious.

It is hard to believe that Bret, my oldest son, will be 36 next month. He was an early talker. I was thinking about that today. He was about a year old and just barely up and walking. We were all out in the front yard one Saturday afternoon. He staggered accross the yard to his father carrying part of a six pack and said, " Daddy, want a beer." and he never stopped talking after that. Never bothered with one word requests. he always spoke in sentances.

Love

Mary

I went to the bust up party for the trap league that Rosalie and I just completed. We had a great meal. Steak sandwiches, beans and potato salad. I am a little tired so will just leave you with a quote from Cadfael.


"He who has no scruple has always the advantage of those who keep the rule."
```An Excellent Mystery - Chapter 6

Have a great day.

Mary

Long Grove was OK but very HOT. I did a lot of shopping around but really did not find any real treasures. However, there are two Irish shops in the village and one of them carries Irish Black and White Pudding and bangers. So I got a package of each. Yum Yum.

Tomorrow

Mary

Tomorrow we go on a bus tour to Long Grove, IL. This is supposed to be a shopping town. A historic shopping town. As I read the description of the place, I think we have been there for a short time once time. We are going to be there for hours this time. I hope Dick is prepared. I thought we might look for some unique Christmas presents. Otherwise, we are going to get mighty tired just roaming around. Dick IS taking the cane, which does help a lot.

Well, we will see. I am really glad to be going away for the day. Sometimes that is all that is required of a trip.

We had Sinner's Chili for supper.

Yum Yum

Mary

Sheboygan Quilt Guild meeting tonight. We had a wonderful speaker talking about quilts that were used in the underground railroad as a code to the escapees. She referenced and had available signed copies of Jaqueline L. Tobin's Hidden in Plain View. I bought the book because the story is so fascinating. It always fascinates me how the art of peoples in various parts of the world ----- Worlds apart - - ---will have similarities.

I am putting two quilts in the quilt show next month. I have to finish both of them. Why do I do that to myself.

Love

Mary

I didn't have to go anywhere today. What a luxury. I did some sewing and some trimming outside on the hedge and caught up on my e-mails and began working on the Celtic Faire that we will be having at Blessed Trinity on September 28. These masses have been very well attended and we do try to have fellowship and food following the mass.

I downloaded the pictures that I took while Bret was here and will attach one of Bret and Bart that I am particularly fond of. Have a great tomorrow.




Mary

The past four days have been much too busy to update this site. At about 1:00AM August 8, Bret arrived. We were all exhausted, but so glad he was here safe and sound. He looks WONDERFUL and I will post a picture when I get them on the computer.

Friday, we went to see Mother, Bret's Grandma Deeley, in the morning, then scooted up to De Pere to have dinner with Bart and Barb so the boys and I could have some quality time.'

Saturday, we shopped a bit then came home and napped and got dressed for the WEDDING. Becky, my baby brother Randy's daughter, we married at 2:30 that day at St. Luke's Church, followed by a really good meal and a rousing reception at the Range Line Inn in Sheboygan Falls. We were there til 11:00. Yesterday, Bret and I went trap shooting at Rhine, then I fixed lasagna and cheesecake for us, including Bobbie and Bill and Bart and Barb.

The limo picked Bret up at 10:00 this morning and I am sad and exhausted, but you can see why there was no time to update. Tomorrow, I will be more lucid.

Love

Mary

This is the Tall Ship the Dennis Sullvan, a reproduction of the schooners that were a big source of trade on Lake Michigan. It is a tall ship and a beautiful vessel indeed. We toured it last summer.




Mary

I decided that since I have fresh raspberries, I will fix Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake:

Here is the recipe:

Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

1 Keebler Ready Crust Chocolate Flavored. (Or you can make your own, but why?)
12 OZ Cream Cheese, Softened ( I use no or low fat cream cheese to cut the fat - it works fine and tastes the same here.)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 teasp. Vanilla
2 Eggs
1/2 Cup Fresh or Frozen Raspberries (well drained and thawed if frozen.)

Glaze

1 OZ unsweetened Hershey chocolate
1/4 Cup Powdered Sugar
1 teasp. Margerine or Butter
1 teasp. dark corn syrup
1 teasp. boiling water
1/2 teasp. Vanilla

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In medium bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Gradually add sugar and vanilla. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition until well blended. Fold in raspberries. Place crust on baking sheet, fill with raspberry mixture. Bake for 35 minutes. Cool completely and chill. When cool make glaze.

Combine first five ingredients over low heat until chocolate is melted. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Pour over chilled cheesecake and chill again for three hours. Garnish with more raspberries.

Nummy Nummy in my tummy.

Love


Mary

Sometimes I think back to the days when I was very young. I remember that after I started working at Citizens Bank in Sheboygan Falls when I graduated from high school, we were open from 9 to 3 Monday through Friday, but on Friday we reopened at 6 for the factory workers and stayed until 9:00.

Those nights I would come home and eat a late supper in the kitchen by myself. I guess, "by myself" is silly with 10 other people in the house, but I WAS eating by myself. My brother, Matt, was about four years old at the time and on weekends could stay up later. He often would join me at the table, seeming to feel that I needed somebody to talk to. I learned many things in our evening chats. The most important thing he taught me was the following. He told me he could see Guardian Angels. He had discovered that if you gently press the corner of your eye, you see double and he had determined that the second image had to be Guardian Angels.

Makes as much sense as anything. So if you ever feel alone. Go to the mirror, press your eye and you will see your Guardian Angel. A special friend sent by God to protect you on this earth.

Love

Did I tell you about the wild grapes? I saw Dolores at Becky's bridal shower on Saturday afternoon. (By the way, Erin, Jessica and Sara did an absolutly smashing job on that shower. We enjoyed the games and it is always such fun watching the bride to be open all her presents. The food was great too.)

Dolores asked me if I would like some wild grapes. Apparantly, a bird or something planted a wild grape vine on the back of their property and it is covered in grapes. A workman, who had something to do with Kenny's HUGE workshop in the back noticed it and said it makes good wine. So Dolores will let me know when they are ripe. I will keep you informed.

The current wine is fermenting and clearing and is a beautiful color.

Later

Mary