May Days

COW POOP

I have been remiss about listing family birthdays lately.

Today, May 17th, is Barry's 50th!  We celebrated this past Saturday at Lacey's lake apartment. Wish you could have been there!

Christi, husband Jim and son Connor were at the party and it was nice to see them!

  Cupcakes were the birthday dessert.
  Lacey and Nancy are so "with it!"

Chow Time!

Barry is the big boss man at a propane company.  These hats are company hats---get it?

Lacey loves the hat and just had to try on Nancy's for a pic.  She will get the "dig this" tee that is too large for Nancy. 

It wasn't sunny, but all in all not a bad day---no rain!

The men getting the boat out.

Connor, Christis' son and Nancy's grandson. 

 He's a really neat kid!

Yes, men are different than women.  Take the bathroom, for instance.  A woman goes in and does what she has to do and gets out.  Men, on the other hand, seem to take forever in there!  Linwood is no exception.  In a one-bathroom residence a timer might be the answer!

Finally Some Fresh Air!

MAY DAY, MAY DAY!

A boat ride---what a great idea for some quality family time!  above:  Nancy is too busy listening to the weather radio for any marine warnings to talk to me, Lew can't hear a thing with all the wind and the boat motor, and Connor is texting while sitting up front with Barry.  This is the 21st century!

(Seriously, we had a lot of fun on the ride!)

 

For being an only child, Barry has fit into our large and boisterous family from day one.  He is always there if anyone needs help.  What a great guy!

We wish him a great year and many more to come!

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My next update will include another big event happening in May: 

High School Proms, and more.

What's Happening

COW POOP

Haven't heard from Billy and Carol in ages!  Everyone in my neck of the woods is okay and busy with gardens, flowers, lawns and spring cleaning.

The "southern" contingent of the family is practically into summer!

The Winner Gets His Prize!

Gregory, the one and only TWO-TIME champ in the March Madness Allen Family feud, received this Dick Vitale bobblehead from the Commish, Scott A.

On the back of the bobblehead it says:

"Awesome, Baby!"

We couldn't agree more.

Patty and Renee Visit Kate

Kate has a tortise and a rabbit for pets.  That's something different!

Renee and Patty clowning around.

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Something's Brewin' in Louisiana!

Vintage bottle capper (circa 1931)

Timmy cleaned it up and, by replacing one small gasket, has it working perfectly.

It's all iron---I'm sure it has quite a colorful history, too!

As I mentioned on a previous post, Kerry got Timmy a beer-making kit for Christmas.  After making a trial batch, Timmy is forging full-speed ahead with his home brewery.

A Day in the Life of Brew Man (formerly Pi Man)

The man in action.  Believe it or not, he even has a back-up capper!

Anyone interested in attending the intervention our family is planning, please E-mail or call me!

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Jeff in Germany

Armed with a new camera and lens, he's experimenting and taking some nice photos.

Below are pictures taken at Nymphenburg Palace (in Munich) early in the morning.

Lew and I visited this palace and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Munich and Austria were my favorite stops.

2011

                                                                                2005

May 2011    This is my favorite:                             

2005   (we were there in the fall)

and today  . . .

Spring in Munich.

It looks even better than I remember!

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I forgot to post this picture of Renee's 50th.  Cathy gave her these flowers.

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Meeting A True Hero

David, T & J's son, met Senator John McCain while in Washington on business (May 5). 

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We usually see Brew Man with the critters, but here is a nice picture of Kerry giving "Carlie" some TLC.

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I took this photo of "Lola" and "Alex" from inside the house while dog sitting Easter weekend.

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Just Picked

Nancy gave me this bunch of daffodils from her large patch.

They make wonderful cut flowers.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

Plenty of Family Stuff

C O W    P O O P

Plenty of POOP right now!  Renee celebrated her 50th birthday!  Nancy and I went to visit cousins on the Allen side, the Barry-man has a new toy, Brett's dog also celebrated a birthday with a bow-wow day, and more!  Oh yes, our family is just soooo exciting! 
*remember you can click on pictures to enlarge!

We gathered at our favorite lunch spot, The Country Kitchen.  It's so nice to visit and just enjoy being together.  Renee looks wonderful---so hard to believe she is 50!!

(click on photo to enlarge)

No, it's NOT a baby bootie!  It's a change purse with lady bugs on it.  The good stuff is inside:)

A candle works just as well on pie as cake.

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Barry's New Toy . . .
His old tiller was constantly breaking down and took longer than this:

                                                

According to all reports, he's lovin' his new machine!

Looks to me like the garden will be quite large this year. 

And on this theme:

Nancy found a new doggie to watch over the garden (at Cracker Barrel).  His name is "Tiller."  Like Tommy and Judy's dog, "Killer," he requires no feeding or vet visits.  And her garden flag with the boots sure fits the weather:  rain, rain and more rain =
mud, mud and more mud.
You watch over that rhubarb, "Tiller!"  I want some!




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I recently had a remote-controlled, room-darkening shade installed on the large window that is up too high to open and close without a long ladder.  This should help keep the house much cooler this summer.

Of course Nancy just had to come over and play with it.  She gave it a thumbs up.

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"Ronin" Turns Four.

Let me at those presents!  They smell fantastic!

It's okay to spoil our pets as they never grow up!


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Calling on the Cousins

Nancy with Joan

My sister, Cathy, heard that there was a get together of cousins on the Allen side of the family and let us all know (tho she could not make it).  It was an informal gathering---coffee, snacks and conversation.  On Saturday, April 30, Nancy and I went to Jasper, NY, to cousin Joan (pronounced JoAnn) McCaig Button's home.  It sits upon a hill overlooking the town and beautiful pasture land.  They recently built this cape cod  and own 100 acres across from them---how nice is that?!  Joan has decorated the home with a vintage feel, just what we love.  Many of these ladies I have not seen since I was a child.  We hope to attend more gatherings and get to know them better.  It was a very enjoyable time!

What a view!

                                             front porch view

Okay, so I have not seen many of my cousins in years---one more minute can't matter.  Let me at that COFFEE!!

If the Alps were in the background, this could be Julie Andrews at the beginning of "The Sound of Music!"

Nighty-nite "Tinkerbell" and "Carlie."  These two older dogs were rescued by Timmy and Kerry.  Now they enjoy each night, safe and sound, in their loving home!  So sweet.

                       Another post coming later this week.   SMILE!