Back to the city

Here's the retreat gang posing for an after-breakfast group shot Sunday morning.

We had breakfast, loaded up the car, decided to skip worship and were on our way home.

We made a quick stop in New Buffalo, Mich., to see the lake since we didn't walk to the beach from camp.

Then we made a quick detour to the Albanese candy shop where we got a huge bag of gummi bears for $10. Andy bought a bag to take into work too.

Back in Chicago.

Full retreat day

Saturday morning started with breakfast followed by our one "churchy" activity. Afterward Andy and I went to the local thrift and antique stores but didn't find any treasurer.

We went into Sawyer to a produce store. Aren't these flowers pretty?

We bought some honeycrisp apples and triple berry jam.

Lunch was a salad, grilled chicken fingers, roasyed sweet potatoes, and mac and cheese. It was ok but it was better than dinner - salad, veggie lasagne, garlic bread and corn chowder. I had the salad and bread. And no dessert? Fortunately, a church member provided dessert later so I got my chocolate fix.

After lunch we drove to Watermark Brewing Co., in Stevensville, just north of our camp.

We enjoyed a beer in their large beer garden.

I wanted to see the lake without walking, if possible, so we drove to Glenlord Beach Park in Stevensville. There was free parking but no beach access. Boo.

We found a Meijer grocery store so I convinced Andy to stop so I could get some Diet Coke. We also bought Jiffy Pop popcorn for 25 cents. I miss having a Meijer store nearby. I didn't buy these but how cute a football-shaped chocolate chips?

Back at camp, we had a (cold) outdoor happy hour, the bad dinner then played a trivia game. My team lost.

We finished the game time with my friend Maureen explaining the directions to a balloon game. Our team won that one but another team claimed victory too so we had to share the honors. Let's just say some people are way too competitive.

Then it was time for Andy to start the campfire! I didn't last outside for long because it was pretty cold and I was wearing a T-shirt, flannel shirt and sweatshirt. THe low temperature was 42 to 45. Brrr. The good thing, though, was that B called.

Retreating time

We left about 1 p.m. for our annual church retreat in Michigan. The one good thing about driving through Indiana is lower gas prices.

Our first Michigan stop was the Church Brewery in New Buffalo, Mich.

We drove our friend Leslie to the retreat and here we are enjoying our first drink. Cheers! Her husband went to camp a few days earlier to help with some landscaping so he drove over and joined us.

We checked in at camp then went to the Red Arrow Roadhouse for dinner.

I had the beer special - an Alaskan amber - just like I had on the Alaskan cruise.

We're staying with Leslie and Byron in a cabin with a full kitchen ...

it's nice because we have a comfortable sitting where we can all relax and talk.

B-day with the church ladies

Our church ladies' celebrations of birthdays that started out as cooking for everyone has evolved into dinners at local restaurants. I wanted to save everyone some money, but didn't necessarily want to cook either, so we catered dinner in from Margarita's, our local Mexican restaurant. It was the same food E had for her rehearsal dinner and we ordered more than needed so we'd have leftovers. Everyone pitched in $20 for their share (and to cover tax and some of the drink cost). I ordered two table runners (one for the table and one for the buffet) thinking it was keeping with the Mexican theme. L, though, said it was cultural appropriation. Boooo. And I disagree. I decided on the birthday wine glasses for water and the small cut glass ones for margaritas.

Me and the church ladies. I won't give away their ages but I'm the last to turn 60.

Here's the spread.

Andy was the evening's bartender making margaritas on demand.

My friend, C, made dessert. I requested something chocolate and she outdid herself ... and even brought ice cream to go along with it.

Slow July Fouth

This sign welcomed me back to the Farmers Market Saturday morning for my second donut shift of the season.

I was the outside coffee server, working 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and this was my breakfast. It was a holiday so it was a pretty light day. Regardless, I was a bit achy after standing for three hours. Andy was the first donut captain then left to play golf. Needless to say, he gets home, falls asleep and there, again, our day is shot.

Meanwhile in Florida, L sent a video and pictures of the Air Force doing a fly-over at Epcot. They flew over Magic Kingdom too, but she was working in the Members' Lounge at Epcot.

A closer look.

I had planned to grill out Italian sausages for dinner but it was raining with no chance of letting up for two hours. Good thing our local pizza shop was open!

Lots of choices

Planning my church lady birthday dinner next week and trying to decide on the table linens. I decided against this white tablecloth and tossed it on the floor. Within a few minutes, Piper was resting on it.

I chose a red tablecloth (have to get those wrinkles out!) and moved onto the glasses ... matching, different? We'll need one for water, right?

This is the plan for dinner - catering from our local Mexican restaurant to serve at our house. This is what E and D ordered for their rehearsal dinner - chicken and beef fajitas, Mexican potatoes, refried beans, rice, and it comes with chips, salsa, sour cream, tortillas, and pickled carrots.

Hibachi birthday

The church friends were gathered at New Star Chinese Restaurant last night celebrating our friend, L's, belated birthday with a hibachi dinner.

The three women at the end of our table were celebrating a birthday too. I was expecting some flames but this was a tad excessive.

The dinner came with salad, soup, grilled vegetables, fried rice, noodles and our choice of protein. I had the steak. So much food. I brought home enough for two lunches.

My friend, M, surprised me with a thank-you gift for helping out with the kids' Connect (sort of Sunday School during worship) for the year. The teachers were recognized in church the Sunday after we returned from Jamaica so I told her I didn't think I'd make it to church that Sunday. It's a $10 Target gift card which I'll put to good use.

Meanwhile, Andy stayed downtown after work to go to a Latvian event with his co-worker, R, and a few others in the office. R's mom made her delicious ham/bacon buns. I'm jealous Andy got them and not me.

Wings, donuts and bargains

Andy and I kicked off the Memorial Day with dinner of wings and a beer at a local happy hour Friday. He had to go to church to set up everything for the Saturday donut-making operation so we didn't have time for a real dinner.

Saturday I arrived at church for the start of my 5:30 a.m. shift coating and bagging donuts (while simultaneously filling the empty, but necessary, runner role). It was opening day of the Farmers Market season. Andy did the first captain shift and was in by 3 a.m. so he went home and slept while I worked my shift.

So many donuts! My shift ended at 8:30 and by then I was hopped up on coffee and sugar so it was time to hit some yard sales with Allison and search for bargains!

Neither of us had much luck. Allison did find some really cute Starbicks cup Christmas ornaments and I found these handmade greeting cards for $1 each. Hopefully next weekend will be better.

Easter Sunday

Soon after I woke up on Easter Sunday L sent me a photo of a cardinal she saw while working at Wilderness Lodge. They say seeing a cardinal is a spritual sign which seems even a bit more intriguing on Easter. It is spring, though.

Andy went to church early to make pancakes with our friend, N, for the Easter breakfast.

I made a casserole.

That's a lot of pancakes!

A picture of the Easter egg hunt. These kids were fast!

The sanctuary looked really pretty with the white draping and all of the spring flowers. This was the end of the service when everyone is invited to the choir loft to sing "Hallelujah Chorus."

I went home while Andy went to pick up B. The table is set.

Piper welcoming B home.

Let's eat.