Twin Lakes in Palatine and A Package at Our Door!

Bill, the girls and I spent a relaxing day at Twin lakes Recreational Area in Palatine today. We had been planning this for some time now...in fact, since we attended a Banjo Buddies outdoor concert a few years ago...yes, I said years.

Why is it we take so long to do certain things in our lives, while others are accomplished at lightening speed? Yet another life mystery to add to my ever expanding list.

Here are my lovely girls at Twin Lakes.....


The girls played volleyball until the hot, hot sand was too much for their poor feet. They took lots of photos (to follow of course), took a walk, talked together, and simply took in the beautiful surroundings.

Bill and I read....big surprise....


When the heat got to be a bit too much, we headed back to the van, stopping first for a little ice cream. Max pointed out that we have been having "a whole lot" of ice cream this summer. Yep, the guy is observant all right...maybe a little too observant.....


As Bill and the girls enjoyed their snack, I realized that there were paddle boats, canoes, and fishing boats available for rent. The girls checked the rental prices at the boat house, perhaps for our next trip to the lake? They came back with a rental price of only $7.00!

Guess what happened next????



I love it when I can make people this happy for just $7.00...


Once home, the happiness continued. We found a mysterious package waiting at our back door!

Inside the girls found a bonanza of cool clothes, compliments of Robin's equally cool daughter, Nora. The girls had a ball divvying up all of these great pieces.

Thanks so much Nora!!!!!!! The girls have worn just about everything so far this week and look terrific.

Yet another outstanding summer day.

Engineer to Artist.. ...of course......

When I met the love of my life nearly 24 years ago he worked as an engineer, and he was very good at it. We eventually formed our own consulting engineering firm, which ran successfully for 17 years.

Throughout this time I knew that Bill was good with his hands. I knew that he could fix anything put before him. I knew that he was a good problem solver. Yet I also knew that there was something more about him, something powerful and creative waiting to come forth.

And come forth it has. Bill does extraordinary woodworking, specifically turning bowls...photos to follow soon....but as it happens he is also a wonder in creating beautiful, unique jewelry utilizing techniques such as enameling, working with silver and those skills and talents he has yet to reveal!

Here are a few of the lovely pieces that he has recently gifted to the girls and myself....graciously modeled by the lovely Mollie.....

















Bill and Mollie are planning on enrolling in a pottery class this fall at Harper College. I can only imagine what wonders will follow,,,,,,

Our Beloved Alley is Famous!!!!!

This article appeared in this weeks edition of the Arlington Heights Post. Seems we are not the only people who love this beautiful spot in town!Arlington Heights Alley

Lovely photos from the article too!

Capannari's Ice Cream, a Butterfly Garden, and a Much Loved New Book...

We made a stop at Capannari's Ice Cream in Mount Prospect (hopefully the first of many visits this season) where you are always certain to find excellent ice cream, as well as a visit to a beautiful butterfly garden.




Alas, there was no Mango Ice Cream this week (unbelievably good, fresh, refreshing...I could go on and on...) but I did try a brand new flavor, Pomegranate! It was sweet, creamy, fruity, just marvelous. But Mango still holds the number one place in my heart. Maybe next week?




We have been watching the growth of Capannari's lush Butterfly Garden for several years now, and this year proves to be a stellar one for those plants chosen to attract large varieties of butterflies. It was absolutely lovely.





We even got a peek at the garden's baby bunny sunning himself....



An oasis of beauty provided by the nice people of Mount Prospect, being enjoyed by two of my very favorite guys.



Lastly, a quick stop at Borders Book Store. Tess finally was able to use her birthday gift card from Aunt Rose..And what did she choose?

After a little browsing...the winner is.....



...."A Tree Grows in Brooklyn"....finally a copy of her very own.

Mid-Summer Blooms

This Should Keep Us Busy for a Few Weeks......