Packing party

The church is remodeling its kitchen this November so we had the first of four schedule packing parties today. I wrapped so many plates, coffee cups and small bowls. We have 100 table settings and 200 coffee cups and saucers. Not to mention some pasta bowls, platters, salad plates and little cups we couldn't decide if they were for soup or sugar or something else.

Doesn't everyone look like they're having fun?

Fun, fun, fun.

It's nice to have a young, strong volunteer to pack up his car and take boxes to a storage facility. We did have a pizza lunch (and brownies) and since it was delivered late, the church will be getting it for free. The "party" was continuing after lunch but they were going to start packing glasses so I ducked out.

Midnight meeting

When the neighborhood raccoon looking for food discovers Mango sleeping on our porch.

Baby carrot?

Not sure how this carrot ended up in the baby carrot bag.

Roaming the neighborhood

I went for a walk and saw Schubert and Mango in our alley. Guess they were tired of our back porch and were going to their next hang-out.

My buddy

I love how August puts his paws on my arm or hand.

Oktoberfest

Now that's a pretzel!

We went with Allison yesterday afternoon and met Julie and Kevin at the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest.

We had perfect fall weather.

We sat inside and could see the band and people dancing.

How cute is this dog dressed in lederhosen for the occasion?

Helping the Monarchs

The Water Reclamation District sends out free milkweed seeds on request if you agree to plant them and help the Monarch butterflies. I have some milkweed already but I seem to be better at growing weeds than flowers so a few more can't hurt, especially if they attract butterflies to the yard. Our tax dollars at work.

So that’s where he goes

I was out watering our flowers the other day and found Schubert sleeping under our back porch.

Fall has arrived

Another fall decoration? Oh, Muffles!

On my walk

I stopped by Irving's community garden on my walk the other day. This monarch loved these flowers.

Azula and pumpkins

E and D took Azula to a pumpkin patch over the weekend. There was a posting on a local Corgi geoup and she said about 40 Corgis were there.

Sunday service & signs

Group photo of the retreaters this weekend. We were missing four of the young adults who left dinner to go walk to the lake and watch the sunset.

Our Sunday morning church service started out outside but moved inside when it started to sprinkle.

A few of the signs we saw while driving around this weekend ...

We drove though downtown on the way home and picked up an office chair from Andy's office. Not a cloud in the sky.

Retreating at Tower Hill

Andy and I were in the camp's kitxhen preparing fruit for breakfast Saturday morning. The camp was inable to provide food for us this year so we brought our own. It worked out well.

Our friend J made eight quiches! (Lunch was cold cuts for sandwiches with various salad and dinner was storee-beought lasagnas and salad.)

After breakfast Andy and I went to a few stores in the town ...

and a few antique shops. We didn't find anything but this was an interesting display.

After lunch we walked to the lake.

It was a gorgeous day.

Dipped my toes in the water.

Busy at the beach.

We went on a nature walk.

Afternoon happy hour with a surprise guest - a former church member and L's voice teacher who moved to Michigan stopped by to see us all!

Interesting picture of the cloud blocking the sun during the happy hour.

Ended the night with the usual campfire.

We’re in Michigan

We left yesterday afternoon for our annual church retreat at Tower Hill Camp in Michigan.

Our first stop was in New Buffalo at the Church Brewery. It was a beautiful day and we sat in an upstairs patio area.

We were trying to figure out what denomination the church was before it became a brewery. The stained glass in the door was in a flame design so I was thinking Methodist. This bathroom sign, though, gives off strong UCC vibes.

We met other church retreaters at the Stray Dog restaurant.

We ate on the outdoor patio.

Pretty sunset.

By the time we got to camp it was my bedtime.

Wrecking my wreath?

Not sure which cat is responsible for this.

Interesting shopping trip

I pulled i to the Jewel parking lot the other day and "Stairway to Heaven" by Dolly Parton came on the radio. I like many of her songs but she shouldn't have messed with that song.

Hmmm. These don't look like apples. Must have new employees in the produce department.

Keeping dry

Mango spent an hour and a half the other morning sitting on our back porch railing to escape the rain. I haven't seen him do that before.

E’s condo

Saturday's sunrise from the yard behind E's condo.

The pool and hot tub. The previous owner didn't leave E a key to the pool but another tenant let us in. She'll have to contact the management agency and get a key.

Azula showing off the living room. They've done a lot of painting since they've moved in.

This is the second bedroom they're using an an office.

Dining area.

And the kitchen.