Miss Effie's

I mentioned Miss Effie's

a couple of posts ago.

I'd met the owner in the past

and found her delightful.

Going to her flower farm is something

that's been on the local to-do list for awhile.

 It was delightful.

 The kitties were charming.

 Sitting in the cornzebo

watching the sunset

was spectacular.

And chef Chris Grebner (along with his team)

fed us a fabulous meal.

{7 July 2012}

Yarn chandelier

 This project has been on my 'make it'

list for a loooong time.

With the July heat in Iowa I got it started, at least.

and I'm using up that extra yarn.

YAY!

{July 2012}

Good eats

Some of my pals and I went for a

multi-course

local

organic

meal at

Miss Effie's Country Flowers

 It was scrumptious

 Delicious

 Mouthwatering

 Sensational

And of course, dessert

was the best course.

(I got TWO scoops, thanks to inviting a dairy intolerant friend!)

I'd recommend

The Farmer's Table

to anyone, anytime.

{7 July 2012}

UP, up and up

 The next Colorado adventure:

going to Mt. Evans.

We enjoyed the vistas on the way up.

 Drove quickly by the lake...

 Hassled the wildlife with excessive photo-taking.

 Squealed over the pretty flowers.

And got artsy by the bristlecone pines.

It was a glorious day!

{23June2012}

Red Rocks

 So, I went to Colorado.

I actually went for 'vention,

But got some tourism, too.

I have a cousin who lives in a Denver 'burb.

And she's a most excellent tour guide.

Our first Wednesday am stop was Red Rocks.

We spent some time ogling the workouts going on in the ampitheater.

Oh, and ogling the scenery, too.

{27 June 2012}

Radish Sandwich

 I love fresh garden radishes.

I love them even more on homeade bread.

With butter.

And a sprinkling of sea salt.

Simplicity.

Perfection.

{June 2012}

Tall Ship Windy

 A-sailing we will go...

 A-sailing we will go. (In brightly-colored clothes)

Away on Lake Michigan...

A-sailing we will go.

{24 June 2012}

Lawn Seats

On the 23rd day of June two thousand and twelve.

Five ladies went to see listen to A Prairie Home Companion

at Ravinia.

It was a grand old time.

Especially the people watching.

I have a goal to go back again sometime.

With a fancy picnic.

Some of these people even had tables with tableclothes.

And fancy cheeses.

And peeled grapes.

{Okay...maybe they weren't peeled!}

Thanks to Sheri, Nancy, Mel, and Kimberly for making it a fun excursion!

{23 June 2012}

Unplugged

 Even though I'm not their mother,

sometimes I worry that these guys will get

toooo attached to their video games.

So...last time they visited, we went to the pond.

 They caught and released this frog. {Several times.}

 Got the garbage out of the sinking skiff.

{And yes, that green stuff IS mostly poison ivy.}

 Netted minnows out of the stream.

{Amongst more poison ivy?}

And even found the tiniest garter snake I've ever seen.

{The poison ivy aftermath was a little discouraging, but we'll do it again, with layers!}

{June 2012}

Pelicans

These large pelicans always fly over Muscatine in the summertime.

But this year, they've hung around.

It was pretty neat to see them up close,

fishing by the dam.

June 2012

Sunset on the Mississippi

There's a first time for everything.

And this was my first time on the Mississippi.

(at least, the Mississippi near Muscatine)

And yes, I've lived here for nearly 10 years.

It was a lovely evening.

So lovely that we stayed out too long

and had to put up the boat lights!

{June 2012}

Independence Day

Since I haven't photographed any flags lately..

This is the closest I could come.

Its ALMOST patriotic!

{4July2012}

The Good Wife

My sister.

She's amazing.

And yes, she can back up a boat trailer.

Among other talents.

{June 2012}