Springfield Trip - Day 2 - Lincoln's New Salem

Lincoln lived here in New Salem Village and worked as store keeper, postmaster and surveyor. A interesting site with very well informed costumed narrators.

Day 2 - Springfield Trip - The Capitol & CiCi's Pizza

Rounding out the day, we stopped at the Springfield Capitol Building for some photo opportunities of this beautiful, beautiful building....


We spent much time, and gas, searching for Darcy's Pint, a restaurant featuring the much touted award winning, Springfield's "horseshoe sandwich". We followed direction , used the TomTom to no avail. Frustrated we finally gave up, headed back in the directions of our hotel, spotted CiCi's Pizza Buffet and called it a night.


Dinner....


Dessert....


Back to the hotel to watch the North Carolina and Indiana primaries, and take a quick dip in the pool.

Tomorrow....The Presidential Museum and Library!

Road Trip!!!! - Springfield Illinois - Day One

We haven't been anywhere is such a long time, plus we have wanted to visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum for a while now, so....

ROAD TRIP!!!!!!!

First stop after a few hours drive.....


What a nice spot for....


....a picnic dinner from home....


Tess never misses a chance to capture the moment on film....


Getting closer to our destination....


The loan of Christopher's TomTom was a great help on the road....


Finally at our hotel, Comfort Suites....


Bill sets up our Wi-Fi...can't be without the Internet....


While the girls relax at the pool....



Next up....Road Trip Day 2.....

Bill's First Concert!!!

After much practice, Bill finally was able to play Bass Clarinet with the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band this past Sunday.

We were all excited to see him in his concert togs.....


Father and son looking fine....


Tess waiting for the concert to begin....


Tess in her element....


Conductor Adam taking a turn at the french horn...


Bill and Tess during intermission....


Lastly, beautiful roses for Bill and Tess from wonderful friend Will....

A New Guitar for Tess

Tess with her new guitar. A beautiful Taylor Big Baby Acoustic.
Lovely sound and fits her like a glove.

Naperville Municipal Band Concert

Bill, Mollie, Tess, Robin, Denise and I attended a fabulous concert this past Sunday featuring the Naperville Municipal Band.


The music was wonderful as led by conductor Ron Keller......


Guest conductor Col. Arnald Gabriel, a retired Air Force conductor....


And from our own Arlington Heights Community Concert Band, conductor Adam LaSpata, leading the band in his beautiful "Rejouissance"...go Adam!!!


Also featured was an incredible trumpet soloist, Dan Moore, playing a tribute to Harry James....


The Naperville Big Band will play a concert in July featuring big band and jazz sounds. This is definitely on our list of summer excursions. Great music provided by Naperville, and all at no cost. Life is good.

An Amazing Gesture From Melissa.....

Recently, after dinner we were discussing our Internet pursuits. I said that I wished that I had a laptop to use in the living room or kitchen. I don't like feeling isolated while on the computer in my office when things are going on downstairs. I like being in the midst of our family life.

Little did I know that this innocent, offhanded comment would, within hours, lead to this.....


Melissa was at the front door bearing the above.....a laptop for me to use while away from my upstairs office. She said that she thought about what I had said after dinner, went home, packed up one of her laptops...including a new digital mouse...and presented it to me.

Shocked...I didn't know what to say...I still don't. Her gesture was wonderful, amazing and generous. Words truly fail. I have been enjoying using this great laptop in just about every room of the house.

That first day, Christopher and I were able to find a recipe for Orange Vinaigrette that I needed for dinner. Rather than run upstairs, do a Google search, print out the recipe, etc. I was able to gather the information when and where I needed it. It was just great.

So, I sit here, again without words, to say thank you my dear for this amazing treat. You are wonderful. Again, this is why I like having this blog....to capture, in print and in picture, moments such as this.

Switch Time Jazz Concert

Today Bill, Mollie, Tess, Robin, neighbors Roger and Florie, and I were lucky enough to attend the Palatine Park District's "Senior Matinee", featuring the amazing Big Band sounds of Switch Time Jazz.



Bill, the girls and I found this terrific concert by chance last April, and this year we brought along our friends to share in the music.


One of the highlights of the concert was a vocalist who might have rivaled Frank Sinatra playing the Sands in Las Vegas! She is just wonderful.


This was a beautiful way to spend a rainy afternoon...great music, dear friends...who could ask for anything more?


Well....I could have asked for a clear group photo, but a crazy guy jumped into the photo frame just as I was snapping this group shot and threw me off balance....still a nice memory to hold on to...

Bill - A Member of the Band.............

On Wednesday night Bill officially became a member of the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band.


He will be playing Bass Clarinet and, if last night's rehearsal was any indication, he loves it.


He will play, along with Tess, Mollie and Robin, in the upcoming May 4th concert. You never quite know where life will take you next......

Movies with Grandma Joy - I Dare You Not To Smile!

I recently happened upon this site via one of my favorite blogs Pink of Perfection. The story of Shauna McGarry and Grandma Joy makes me wish that I too had a Grandma like Joy!

Watch their Music Video, and read their Interview on Pink of Perfection. See if you don't fall in love with them too.