Here it is – my new kitchen… Yes – I know – it’s lovely. This is our temporary kitchen in the basement. There are just a few essentials like coffee machines and paper plates and cups and plastic silverware. Today I will box up any remaining food in the kitchen and then it will be…

We’re back from our Switzerland Vacation – actually we have been back a few days but those few days have been a blur and I have barely had time to think of posting our photos. I’ve been trying to get over my jet lag and the days have been full of ups and downs. It’s a long boring…

We are just about to take off for our big summer vacation, but before I go I wanted to post a couple pictures of my honey. One of him at the Triple Bypass bike ride out in Colorado and then a couple of his early birthday celebration (this key lime pie recipe was great). Stay…

Today I took the girls to the Chicago Botanic Garden. On hot days like this I really notice all the fountains at the garden. Seems like around every bend there is another water feature that the girls are drawn to. It really makes me appreciate the hardscaping and all the different styles of fountains. Plus…

I spent some time in my garden today. There was an explosion of weeds while we were away in Michigan. Taking care of my garden is the one task that I do where I am not distracted. I can weed and weed and just let my mind wander. I don’t listen to a podcast or get interrupted…

I got a new hair-do for watching the fireworks.

What a treat to have all the Chapman clan together. Dave and Kim’s kids are so grown up and tall and my girls just eat them up. We got to see Mike and Michelle and congratulate them on being engaged! Lots of fun, lots of laughing, lots of pictures.

A typical visit with Grandma Dice includes: A tour of her garden. Some tea and lemonade with cookies. Pet the kitty. And then a game of Skipbo.

All the time we were at Jennifer’s house Bea kept telling me that she wanted to get a back yard like Jenna’s. We got to see Jennifer with her Bees. Yes she’s raising bees – I can’t get over how cool it is. I took lots of photos. Then it was time to do some…

We just got back from a fun week in Michigan. I think I got some really great pictures of cousins and grandmas and aunts and uncles and a new sister in-law (!). But before I sort through all the photos I had to do a massive unpack slash tidy-up slash laundry session. I’ve been cleaning all day and my…