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.

Belated b-day dinner

Almost a week late, but B got his birthday dinner yesterday.

He chose an Italian restaurant, Il Porcolino, in the Loop from a google search. B and I had the chicken parmesan, Andy had spaghetti and meatballs and Cindy had the chicken and penne. It was all very good.

The waitress asked us if we were celebrating anything and I blurted out "B's birthday" before I realized he wouldn't want a bunch of singing and dramatics. The waitress said not to worry and after dinner, brought him ice cream with a candle. We all shared it and it was tasty - chocolate and cherries.

Family pic. After dinner we drove B home. THe Pride Parade was in his neighborhood earlier in the day and the people-watching was incredible. Lots of people having a fantastic time.

It was a beautiful night so I suggested we walk and show Cindy the Riverwalk. That's a huge flag hanging on the Wrigley Building.

Eventually we stopped for a beer while Cindy got an iced latte. Andy pointing out nearby buildings for Cindy.

Right in front of a Riverwalk sign.

I think a lot of people will be enjoying this fountain later this week.

At church that morning, we celebrated the 100th birthday of one of our members with a fellowship hour luncheon on the front lawn.

I brought a tray of ham and turkey sandwiches on Hawaiian rolls. We had quite the soread and celebration - and the weather was perfect. Supposed to get close to 100 this week so we're bracing ourselves.

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.

Palm Sunday

My artsy Palm Sunday photo.

They had us march into church yesterday with our palms.

Not really my thing, but I do like how the sanctuary looks in these pictures.

Another Lenten night

My friend, M, asked over the weekend if Andy and I would be attending the next Lenten soup supper on Monday. I told her yes, if she has a good craft planned since Andy really enjoyed doing it a couple of weeks ago. She said she had a good one planned so we agreed to go.

And, as promised, he liked it.

The finished product. Mine is on the left, Andy's is on the right. I was having some issues trying to get the pompoms to stick to the cross.

I've been going through my cookbooks and magazines and getting rid of ones I know I'll never use. This book had one recipe marked - Pecan Turtle Bars - and since I had all of the ingredients, I made them and took about half of the pan along. They were a success. I came home with an empty dish.

Pizza party

Friday night the ladies got together at C's house. I thought it was a belated birthday dinner, but apparently it was just a get-together. Whatever the reason, it was a fun night of conversation.