"And all the monkeys aren't in the zoo . . .

. . . every day you see quite a few." Here are my two visiting monkeys, Blake and Taylor. As a reward for outstanding final report cards, each child was granted his/her own special day. Taylor chose a "pajama day," one of my personal favorites. Together we made jewelry and played Dino-opoly while Blake played "couch potato." Blake chose a visit to the Peoria Zoo on his special day. Here are a few photos!



Who doesn't love an elephant nosed shrew?
Last, but not least, always my favorite -- the meerkat.

More visitors . . .

. . . during this busy time! Our friends Blake and Taylor are visiting from the Indianapolis area. Since they are used to visiting at our former home in Tampa, it is somewhat challenging to replace the instant gratification we had there of stepping out the door and into our pool. This morning we took a walk to a nearby park and found this cool fort to play in. Unfortunately play was cut short after Blake and a muddy puddle collided; we had to return home to wash everything, including his shoes, and send him to the shower.Later this afternoon Taylor and I spent some time making jewelry. I think she is a natural! She instantly grasped the purpose of different components, i.e. wire guards, crimps, crimp covers, etc.
Here are her first creations. I see more jewelry making in Taylor's future!

On Memorial Day weekend . . .

. . . we had a visit from kids Kris and Jon (center), Kris' hubby Dave (left), and grandsons Cade and Cole. Hey, no pictures of the boys? Oops!We took a trip to Wildlife Prairie State Park in Peoria, Illinois. This was the first time I've ever been so close to the very majestic bald eagles. Don't they look wise? Maybe like they should be old Supreme Court judges . . .
Among the animals living in the park was a grey wolf pack. Personally, I wish they could roam free. Nevertheless, it was good to see them.
We closed out our trip to the park with a train ride and then it was on to One World for lunch amidst the glorious air conditioning!

It's not often . . .

. . . that I blog about food, but here's a quick one. Mmmm, strawberry shortcake for dessert tonight.And have you seen this? I picked this up at our local Kroger. McCormick has pre-measured the spices needed for Rosemary Roasted Chicken with Potatoes. On the back is a a tear-off recipe card with instructions and a list of other items you'll need, in this case just olive oil, salt, chicken and potatoes.

Bon appetit!

Is there anything . . .

. . . more joyous than a healthy, new baby? We can't help but smile and be SO happy for our dear friends, Alice and Bob, on the birth of their beautiful baby grand-daughter, Nora, shown here partying down on her one month's birthday.Have you ever seen a prouder Grandpa? I have to believe Nora's birth has opened a chapter in Bob's life that he never expected. That often happens to men who were BUSY, BUSY, BUSY during the birth and childhood of their own kids.
Nora completes (at least for now) the wonderful family of Stacy, Geoffrey and Murray (the dog). We wish every good thing and happiness for all!

Spring has been . . .

. . .springing up all over the place! Our first look at this 1925 house we bought was last November, long after most blooming had stopped. We didn't really know what we had in the way of landscape plants till recently. Perhaps the best of what we inherited are the magnificent peonies. I have loved them all my life but haven't lived with them in my yard since childhood. Here's what we've got:

The lovely lilacs came from the neighbor's yard.

Here are a couple we've picked up at the nursery: good old standard petunias;

weigela, Jim's favorite flowering shrub;

and a hanging fuschia. Have you ever seen one so beautiful?

The quest . . .

. . . for serenity has been a recurring theme in my life for these past fifteen years or so. Sometimes the need for a bit of peace escalates and makes me want to throw my arms up over my head and yell "Serenity NOW!"

who have hobbies may have a better way to settle their souls and I think that's what jewelry making does for me; it puts me in a 'zen' kind of place. Yesterday was that kind of a day and here is the result:

Wire wrapping each bead to form the chain, hand forging the clasp, making the charm holder and coiling wire around it, stamping SERENITY on the flat piece of silver -- yes, all of this takes time. It's worth it, though, because the work helps me get to my "happy place" and when I'm finished for the day I have created something that I hope will bring calm and solace to the person who will wear it. I've invested my own energy, my serenity, into each piece.