Celebrating Milestones

On our 50th anniversary trip, we stopped in Washington, Pa. for a selfie in front of the very same motel where we'd stayed the night of the wedding.

On to Wheeling, staying at Oglebay Park-even riding the Good Zoo train.

The hotel is landscaped with colorful flowers and plenty of walkways.
 

Bob liked the courtyard with an outside door from our room.

We traveled along the Ohio River to the northern part of the state and stopped at the Fiesta Plant in Newell, WV.

Texting photos to Chris, we picked up dishes he liked.
 

Of course we made a point to eat lunch at the nearby restaurant that served on a variety of fiesta plates, bowls, cups-always an eclectic setting.

We met Chris in LaVale for lunch with a plan to meet there again soon. We took back roads back home, stopping for fall produce and decor.

We used our State Park gift card the kids gave us to stay at Cacapon.

It was a typical state Park visit, with cooler temperatures and rain. 

We love that area where we visited Berkley Springs, Winchester, Millwood and Middleburg, stopping at our favorite places along the way.

I was happy to find apples to share with the dietitians.

Back home, we spent a long weekend celebrating Bob's 72nd birthday with cake, calls from the kids, a birthday sundae and lunch out.

 

We love our little house on the corner of the woods where the wildlife venture into the yard at all times of the day. 

 

Like a State Park

Our home sits in a spot like a state park cabin. We have a perfect spot for deer crossings. We love sitting on our deck, waiting for deer sightings. We also watch squirrels building hutches and hummingbird visits while listening to the sounds of many song birds.

The garden and yard is gorgeous, attracting a variety of insects. I love summer mornings when Bob and I work in the yard.

We've had enough rain and humidity to produce an abundance and variety of mushrooms.

Water aerobics is over.  I walk up and down the hill for a lap or 2 around the truck yard 3 times a day. We're taking rides to view country roads in the summer.

Our Sunday trip to Cool Springs Park brought memories and chats to my sister Terry. 

We rode to the Ohio River at New Martinsville on a gorgeous breezy day this week.

 

 

It was a gorgeous day when we went to the nearby graveyard office to purchase a plot that looks toward our house. We are doing fine at the moment so we decided to do this for many other reasons. How happy we were when we stood on the lot , looked to the left and saw our hill.

 

50 Year Celebration

We celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary early when our kids were here to join us. It was Bob's idea to celebrated with a meal, cake and champagne. It was an honor to do that!

During the week when the kids were home, we took them to places we all would enjoy-Hoffaters Wildlife Farm, Oakland, Thomas, Blackwater Falls, Chestnut Ridge and Cooper's Rock Parks. I made many a meal and we enjoyed coffee, ice cream and mini treats out.

 

 

 The gardens are in full bloom and my urge to replace spent flowers is no longer.

 We had a mega wind storm that felled trees and power.

Here's Bob building a campfire to heat water for coffee. 

 At months end, we made our annual trip to Gettysburg and the orchards of the Catoctin Mountain. 

 

On the Road Again

 

We hit the road again-driving on back roads to the Fiesta Outlet in Flatroads.  It was a beautiful day, driving along those roads of yesteryear, viewing American Flags and America 250 banners along the way. At the outlet, we texted Chris pictures of pieces to see what he liked. We got those seconds and a few small treasures for him.  I got a few Fiesta USA plates.

 

 The boys and I did good treating Bob to a happy fathers day. Here we are at Bob Evans enjoying a meal with more to take home.

The 55th Class Reunion was held in Barton, another small town where streets are lined with American Flags. It was a good time. Many favorite friends were there. Here are a few:

 

 

We don't wait till Flag Day to post the colors, but it's especially nice in the summer.

The water was not cold when Water Aerobics began at the City Pool.  I've loved this class and watched everyone but the instructor grow old.  I was especially happy to find I could still walk gracefully out of the pool and to my car after the class was over.

 By Midsommar, celebrating summer solstice in Sweden, gardens were blooming, fawns were appearing with their moms and my favorite time of year has arrived. Here's Greg and Michelle with their flowered crowns celebrating with friends in Gothenburg. 

Here I am, on one of many coffee dates with Bob, wearing the shirt gifted from across the pond. 

Staying at Home

May was a long, stay at home month while Bob received his last three doses of targeted chemo. He has no cancer, but recurring infections and irritations. In mornings, he does laundry, yard work and run errands. Then he crashes.

This month was cool, with lots of rain. Flower planting was delayed. Our yard looks so good.  Bob laid mulch, lined beds with rocks and did routine weed eating to make our yard look like the perfect woods nested retreat. My first trip to my friend Susie's greenhouse was before Mothers Day. I love this little lady to death-she's a few years older than me, tiny and feisty.

 

Chris was quick to order me a flower cart to replace a failing 3 tiered ground planter. Bob put it together as quick as it came.  Greg and Michelle sent an Amazon card, where I purchased banners, a flower pole and garden flag (celebrating USA's 250 year!)

The deer and birds venture into our yard now and front porch time finally arrived. We both love it. Summer mornings are my favorite and my "stay-cation" plans include free mornings to walk down the hill, water plants, listen to birds and do a little sitting on the porch to appreciate our little home that matches any state park cabin.

I've done lots of de-cluttering in the house, and reading. Small meal planning is tough but I do it.The farmers market vendors are our friends. Arugula, green onions, garlic, fresh strawberries, eggs and plants are on the routine purchases. I start the day with fresh fruit and fermented dairy smoothie and top it off with a grainy, seedy muesli or other made from scratch grain. 

We love our calls from the kids and the pictures of places they travel and the things they do.