Living in a small town

Some of the best things about small towns -
Well, we have Shirley's Cafe (run by SuperWoman - she hurt her foot a while back when a roast she was cooking at home slipped and dropped on her foot - there by proving she not only cooks at home but at her cafe) and the Hungry Mule Cafe - both supplying good All American food and are places where "Everybody knows your name" and that in the morning that you want black coffee and ice water before they even ask.
DH and I went for breakfast the other morning - since we do not currently have a stove (more on that later) and Shirley came out and told me she had been given a ton of tomatoes; Would we like some? I took 2 bags, thinking that we could can them. Then DS' best friend's father gave us another bag full.
Well, we had the world's most annoying electric stove - with burners that worked intermittently and an oven that was not really heating evenly - so we went to the Home Depot appliance sale - no payments or interest for a year - and picked out a great gas stove. The delivery guys showed up on Thursday, hauled off the old stove, and downloaded the new ---- which was damaged badly - looked like it had been dropped; and we declined it.
Well, what we didn't realize was they only deliver in this remote corner of the world on Thursdays. So no stove. Which really didn't sink in by Friday morning at Shirley's Cafe, until we got home to try to set up to can..... Well, we have been talking about getting one of those outdoor Turkey cooker burners....So off goes DH to pick one up and a refill on the propane.
So you haul a big pot of water out to boil, drop in the tomatoes for 60 seconds, and then haul it in to drain and drop the tomatoes into an ice bath. That gets heavy and I still can't lift more than 10 pounds....
So I start slippin; and coring, and quartering. We fill up our quarts with fruit fresh, salt and tomatoes - got 7 quarts and DH cans them at 5 lbs pressure for 15 minutes - another hauling of the canner outside....and I got another 2 quarts of juice.
But the price of the tomatoes was right and all winter we will have to bless Shirley and Joe for our chili!
And DH wisely set aside a tomato to slice and have with our grilled burgers, potato salad (from the store) and beans (our grill has 1 burner).
AND now for the rest of the story:
A couple of years ago, during a bout of insomnia (and some of us in the family may have implied sleep loss induced temporary insanity) DH watched an infomercial and bought us a NUWave succulent chicken infrared oven cooker. Well we may all have teased him rather unmercifully about succumbing to the lure of an infomercial but I just made bread pudding and homemade croutons (so much better) in that very oven. So I think we have to stop kidding him about "now how much would you give for it???!" Thanks, honey! Smart and great at the heavy lifting! You are the greatest.
He is cutting the boards for the new built-ins going in the closet, too.

DS and I have been doing power shopping, getting ready for college. We bought a small microwave (his room mate is bringing a small frig), crock pot, can opener, bowls, some silverware, towels, and such on the first trip. We have twin sheets, pillows etc.
Then DD, DS, and I went clothes shopping - It being the tax free weekend. I even got a pair of jeans and a vest at Coldwater Creek - and we ran into the bookstore for a minutes. We hit Walmart for socks and underwear, too. I had a lot of fun with them.
And finally we got school supplies done finally - Ryan even found foot shaped paper clips.
He leaves for school a week from this Tuesday.

Well, I had the 2nd mastectomy for prevention of cancer - and I am spending the time healing - takes a while at my age - since I am much, much, Much older. I am very tired of being convalescent and hurting. Wah!
DS goes to University of Missouri on August 14th. That is going to cost a fortune but I sure envy him the experience. We have to go shopping next week - got him a computer last week. I am not letting him take a vehicle - It is $600 for parking alone!! He whined for a while because he thinks he'll want to come home every weekend. Hah! So I told him that he has to stay on campus until Labor Day - we go to Illinois to visit the inlaws and we will stop in and see him and if he wants...(right ;->) he can come with us.
I start school on the 27th of August at Missouri Western - I applied for an extension of my GI bill due to ill health - It runs out in 2008 but I am pretty sure that I have some pretty good justification....Of course it is the VA! so it will take forever.
DD is doing clinicals for Sonography.
DH is still working on R&D - They have to present their new product in September at some conference so the pressure is on. He painted our room and put in wood flooring while I was in Europe - Right now he is redoing our closet - painting it to match the room, putting wood floor in to match, and building in organizers - more shelves, 1 long hanging area, 2 double areas, shoe holders, and shelves with baskets and boxes for socks. He is upset that he is short on the flooring....
But home improvement is never-ending - our bathroom is next - right now it is wallpapered and has one of those fiberglass shower stalls but is is stained past redemption. The wallpaper is coming off and moldy above the shower. We have a new gas stove coming in August - have to run a new gas line over but we both Hate the old electric stove - the burners only work on alternate days in alternate combinations. Right front and left back today.
DD graduates next summer and I'd like to have a family party - so put that in your long term planning -
My best friend is going to go to school with me this fall. She qualified for Honors English so she gets to take a class with my favorite professor. Her boss - she has been driving a handicapped bus, moved her to the St Joe district and wrote a waver so she can take the bus over to school which saves a lot in gas for her. We can go together. I have all those associates degrees so I am finally going to get a bachelors in Journalism. That is the only degree that they offer that I am interested in.
Put a new flower garden in in front of our front porch - Blue, yellow, and white. We have lots of swiss chard, zucchini, basil. Some peppers, tomatoes, cukes. We got beans and beets from Gene's brother and canned 18 quarts of beans, 6 dilly beans and about half and half of plain beets and pickled. I want to freeze corn and can tomatoes, too.
I got Gene a bee hive for Christmas but I forgot to order bees before I went to Europe and so missed the window for ordering bees. Next year!
We have a a pipeline going through the property next month - gas - the compression station is about a mile behind our property. Now that area can only be used as pasture or strawberries but that was all we used it for anyway. I am mourning the trees they are planning on taking down.
Life chugs along.

Visit to Missouri Western

My closest friend Kathy and I went to visit Missouri Western University - about 40 minutes from home and wemare joining the ranks of the Non-traditional students there.

www.missouriwestern.edu/

Missouri Western State University is a public four-year college in Saint Joseph, Missouri. The school enrolls 5100 undergraduate students and has a new Master's degree in Applied Science with emphasis areas in Information Technology, Chemistry, and Human Factors and Usability Testing. The university was founded in 1915 as a two-year institution called St. Joseph Junior College. It was transformed into a four-year college in 1969 and became a member of the State of Missouri higher education system in 1977 with the name Missouri Western State College. On August 28, 2005, the name changed to "Missouri Western State University" due to a state law changing the institution's name. That will take some getting used to since I went there last in 2005. Then I started feeling terrible and could not think at all - so I took a break. I think that was the diabetes.

Kathy got a 29 on the reading ACT and will be great at being a student. We spend a lot of time talking about ideas. She is a pastor with the Mid-American Indian fellowship, along with her husband Randy. They have helped so many people, including myself and my family, that I have often told her that she needed the documentation from a college - then she could make a living from her gift. She is joining me as a student there and getting her degree in social work.

I now have to overcome two obstacles - What degree do I want to get? (or what do I want to be when I grow up) and since I took "Sick Leave"; can I extend the GI Bill for the 2 years I need to get my bachelors degree? I paid in the money, so I hope the bureaucracy will have some give.

Well, I reviewed the majors and I would like to take journalism and French. The GI bill extension is in work. I wrote a letter and I had my Primary care doc to write one about my illness. Man, when you put my diagnosis in medical terms it sounds sort of serious.....Which it was but I am doing well now - so it doesn't seem real to any of us.

Visit to University of Missouri

After our return Ryan and I attended Summer Session on the 12 & 13th of June in Columbia, Missouri at the University. This is the briefing for incoming students and their parents - and the opportunity to chose your classes.
Ryan got every class he wanted and not ONE starts before 10 am. I am so impressed by the beauty of the campus, the briefing process and the enthusiasm of the students that conduct the tours. I was saddened by ow many parents wanted to control the choices of their kids....Maybe it is because this is my 4th student but it is time to let them make their choices! Advice, sure = but time to let go of control. Will they make mistakes? Sure, but that's learning about life and consequences.
And DH and I are so envious! What a great school and opportunity.
But I am returning to Missouri Western with my best friend Kathy. I plan to take my associates degrees (3) and actually acquire a bachelors in Journalism. This is good for us both and I am proud of us. Will it be easy? Nope; but it will be good.
I also got to see my lovely daughter at work. She is a grownup. Wow - They all are....How did that happen?

Neiderhaslach

We visited the Loire Valley and saw lots of castles - the weather was rainy the day we went to Amboise and we went early. There was no one there! We were in the council chamber room and Ryan said "at last a "real" ballroom" and we danced down the middle in a sort of waltz.

We went to Vouvray and there was a wine fest at the Bonne Dame Cave - We tasted wines and bought 8 bottles and some pate to take home. I had to spit, since I was driving. Sacrilegiously - the wines in this region are WONDERFUL!

But the best event was going to a tiny village in Alsace called Neiderhaslach. This is the village my grandfather Lucien Abelhauser came from. The Abelhauser family still owns a hotel/restaurant there -- The Pomme d'Or. I had been told that they had sold it; so I went to the bakery and found the post lady there - I told them my maiden name and they told me to go to the hotel.

After a quick stop at the City Hall - I found Lucien's birth record there, I went to the hotel and in the Restaurant found my cousin Pierre and his wonderful wife.

They gave me copies of family documents - including a great photo of the hotel being added on to in 1936 - with my great grandfather Theodore and the work crew.

They also fed Ryan and I a wonderful lunch. And although my French is rusty, they told me some family stories. Lucien was apparently an expansive personality. When he was young he climbed up the outside of the Eglise to the parapet and then took bows to the applause of the villagers.

Later in life he ecame fond of wine, women, and song and he was indulged by his father Theodore - until his older brother put a stop to it. Apparently, he helped himself to some of the hotel money and was then in disgrace. Later he decided to emigrate to the US and his brother, worried that the money (substantial, for those days) might not make it to the ticket office, escorted him to the boat and saw him aboard. According to the documents from the boat, he also had $140 on him - a rather princely sum for those days.

They also told me that someone from the village went to the US for work and found Lucien and brought back the news that he had a new son (my father) which made them happy.

The most surprising thing was that they had pictures of my younger sister, Barb - from her meeting with our cousin Charles in Canada. She is famous!

We really had a wonderful time and the food in the restaurant was great!!

France trip went as planned

So Ryan loved Paris! I saw the view from the top of the Arc D'Triomph, the Rodin museum, and the Gallerie LaFayette - the view from the terrace cafe is great! All new for me. So it was pretty amazing for us both.

We also did a Rhine river tour when we arrived in Frankfurt - That was fun, too! Lots of castles and some wine tasting.

We went to Mont St Michel and had the most amazing experience - We were told that an English tour would leave from the courtyard at 10 - so we joined a group with a guide speaking English and followed along - Turned out to be a Rick Steves tour - oops - but we got to the dining area where the monks would eat in silence while one brother would read the Bible. the tour guide Magdalena pointed out the acoustics and suggested we sing. The group sang Amazing Grace and they sounded like a choir of angels. It was truly awe inspiring. Later another tour guide met up with ours and when we got to the scriptorium our guide said they had heard us and they wanted us to sing again and they ( a japanese group) would sing for us.

I got tears in my eyes when our group sang but when the other group sang - you could tell it was a holy song --- I swear you could feel the Holy spirit and angels there. Tears just poured down my face. I really have no words for the moment.

We followed advice from Rick Steves Guide book and went up to the Mont early - Stayed at La Jacoterie nearby - very nice! and went to the Mont at 08:45 and it was nearly deserted - later the crowds were outrageous but early on it was just us and some shopkeepers. It is quite a hike - 200 steps to the top of the mont but it was so totally worth the effort. What an amazing building. And we saw the Mont very differently from your average tourist visit. Ryan said it looked like a scene from Harry Potter:

Back home again and almost caught up

The parties went really well! We had fun at the casino - and the picnic was fun - They all swam and had fun. And our Mugs and Muffin Brunch was a blast. It was fun and making all the food ahead of time made it relaxing and fun. And a good time was had by all.

And we got up early the next day and left for France.

Our plan for France

DS is graduating on Sunday. We have a get-together Friday - All you can eat crablegs at a local casino, a picnic on Saturday, and a brunch on Sunday. Graduation is Sunday afternoon.

Then it is off to Europe to visit France. Here is our planned itinerary:

Itinerary
14 May 2007
US Airways 3390 operated by US Airways CONFIRMATION CODE (RECORD LOCATOR): CPEXKQ
Departs Kansas City-Int'l, MO (Kansas City-Int'l, MO) on May 14 at 10:17 am Arrives Charlotte, NC (Charlotte, NC) on May 14 at 1:22 pm
Seat: 6A

US Airways 704 operated by US Airways
Departs Charlotte, NC (Charlotte, NC) on May 14 at 4:30 pm

15 May 2007
Arrives Frankfurt, Germany (Frankfurt, Germany) on May 15 at 7:00 am
Seat: 19A
Hotel Excelsior
Mannheimer Str 7-9 Frankfurt/Main

16 May 2007
D360 Frankfurt (Main) Hbf 10:50 Paris-Est 17:02
Hotel Eiffel Kennedy
12 Rue de Boulainvilliers
Paris 75016
Fax 33(0)1 42 30 83 32
Stay 16 -21 May 2007

17 May 2007
Shop Rue Cler, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, Paris Illumination night-time bus tour

18 May 2007
Louvre, shopping, Arc de Triomphe Batobus

Need to remember to have Ryan stand on left side - see if we can combine the shots! Family tradition invented by my sister Barb.

19 May 2007
Orsay, Rodin Museum, picnic?

20 May 2007
Laundry, Pompidou Center, Twilight ride up Eiffel

21 May 2007
Visit Montmartre, Travel to Versailles (pick up tickets to Rennes), picnic, explore gardens
Ibis Paris Chateau de Versailles
4 Avenue du General De Gaulle
Versailles 7800
33/1/39530330

22 May 2007
Visit Versailles Palace (08:30 a.m.)
LV Versailles Chantiers at 11:27 Chg Paris - Arrive Rennes at 14:13
Pick up Rental Car Hertz
Drive to Mont-St-Michel
La Jacotiere
Ardevon
Mont St Michel 50170
On route D976.

23 May 2007 Ryan's Birthday
Explore Mont St Michel, Drive to Tours
Star Tours
137 Avenue du Grand Sud
Chambray-les-Tours FR
23 to 27 May

24 May 2007
Visit Villandry, Usse, Azay le Rideau

25 May 2007
Visit Chinon and Chenonceau

26 May 2007
Visit Ambois, Anjou wines

27 May 2007
La Closeraie
Guesthouse
6 rue du Commerce
37210 Vouvray
Wine tasting

28 May 2007
Cap Europe
6 rue de Bitche
Strasbourg
28 to 31 May
Explore city

29 May 2007
Laundry
Get picnic stuff at market - visit Neiderhaslach our family village

30 May 2007
Explore Wine route, Gewurztraminer Return Rental Car

31 May 2007
US Airways 701 operated by US Airways
Departs Frankfurt, Germany (Frankfurt, Germany) on May 31 at 11:10 am ---- Arrives Philadelphia-Int'l, PA (Philadelphia-Int'l, PA) on May 31 at 1:55 pm
Seat: 16A

US Airways 3785 operated by US Airways
Departs Philadelphia-Int'l, PA (Philadelphia-Int'l, PA) on May 31 at 6:50 pm --- Arrives Kansas City-Int'l, MO (Kansas City-Int'l, MO) on May 31 at 9:02 pm
Seat: 4A

So I will post what really happened on our return. I am bringing Springtime in Paris socks and some socks for my DH with me. Don't know how much progress there will be.

World wide Knit in Public day

This year world wide knit in public day will be held on Saturday, June 9th.

http://wwkipday.com/ is the blog for World wide Knit in Public Day.

We keep on waiting for the world to change…don’t wait any longer, and join us to change it.
How?
Knit. Wait, that’s something you already do, or you wouldn’t be here at the world wide kip day site. Establish a community with your fellow knitters. Break the blog-oshpere boundries and get out there. Share your smile, your look of sheer determination, and your happiness when it all goes your way.
Political? Nah, but if everyone in the world were a knitter do you think there’d be as many wars? I don’t think so. Seriously, we’d all be too busy swatching for gauge.

Basically the volunteer host(s) for each area scout out good places for people to gather at to knit and converse comfortably. Cafes, parks, malls and museums are good places. Then they usually pick a time, 10:30am and on seem to be popular times. Some people in the past have done dinner gatherings at local restaurants Next they let the owner of the shop/city planners know in advance with an estimate for how many people they expect as a courtesy. Then they put together a list of things that people might want to bring to be comfortable. The next thing is coming up with a short paragraph to get people excited about going to the gathering. Then send me the info, with a link to the place you’re planning on gathering if available so that people know how to get there. The last thing is to hand out/hang up fliers with your local info at yarn stores, libraries, etc. It sounds like a lot of work, but it’s not so bad, and it’s really a lot of fun in the long run. The best turn outs have been in places where the host(s) got local yarn stores involved, and had local bloggers post about it in advance.
-danielle

Where are you planning to celebrate WWKIP Day? (most recent on top)
Berkeley, CA, USA Menlo Park, CA, USA Santa Barbara, CA, USA Phoenix, AZ, USA Milano, Italy Tallinn, Estonia Fargo, ND, USA Copenhagen, Denmark San Rafael, CA, USA Aberdeen (Grays Harbor), WA, USA Turku, Finland Delft, Netherlands Seattle, WA, USA Bankstown, NSW, Australia Helsinki, Finland Kokkola, Finland Tauranga, New Zealand Lincoln, NE, USA Sioux City, IA, USA Pittsburgh, KS, USA Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden New Hamburg, Ontario, Canada Joensuu, Finland San Francisco: Redwood City, CA, USA Victoria, BC, Canada Austin, TX, USA Stuart, VA, USA Pittsbugh, PA, USA Chicago, IL, USA San Francisco, CA, USA Cologne, Germany Alexandrea / Watertown (Wilson County), TN, USA

I ate dinner with Ryan's Prom group at Strouds - what a beautiful, friendly, and polite group of young people. They made me feel so welcome and were all so charming.

I've made cinnamon bread, blueberry muffins, and Sausage Breakfast casserole for the family visit and frozen them. I love being able to make things ahead and again.

Prom Day

Well, it is chaos and madness here. Ryan is driving with Bree to pick up her dress and then later will drop her off to get her hair done, come home and get ready himself - then we will drive separately to Lauren's to take pictures of our crowd of friends going together. And wouldn't you know - it needed alterations.
They have yet to decide on a restaurant......I told them I would not help make any last minute arrangements unless they decided by noon today. (which should have been noon a month ago!) Oh well, you let them start making decisions when they grow up and gain experience that way. It is phenomenally difficult for 14 teens to come to a consensus - even something as relatively simple as a restaurant!
We went and saw my friend Kathy's daughter perform at a Bluegrass gathering at Northcross United Methodist church. It was fun. We stayed late and some of the groups that performed there were amazing. The youth performances were early on and it was really wonderful to see all the young talented performers.

At the moment I can not access my camera memory card, much to my frustration. I will save this as a draft and see what I can do to add pictures tonight. OK, Darling Husband to the rescue!

Now they have settled on a restaurant that is a local tradition - Strouds --

Stroud's is a long time established restaurant in Kansas City. We are the winner of many food awards including the very prestigious James Beard Award. Famous for our mouth watering pan-fried chicken, we have through the years added some very tasty entrees that rival our chicken in taste and popularity (most notably the Kansas City Strip and the Broiled Pork Chops!).

No Reservations, so My dd and I are going down early and holding down a table for them. I have always wanted to try this Kansas City tradition. And the other teens said I could stay and eat.

I'm not knitting right now

Well, Life has gotten in my way.....So no knitting right now. I am planning Ryan's graduation, Our trip to France, trying to get all the medical stuff taken care of before we leave for Europe....

Oh, and Prom preparations!

Here is the plan for the graduation:

May 11th - We are meeting at Ameristar Casino for their 'All You Can Eat' crab legs. We are going to go around 6 p.m. and would love to see you there. This is a dutch treat event. You can choose to gamble or go to the movies afterwards. They have a great buffet.

May 12th - Wallace State Park picnic pavilion near the lake -- The hours will be from 12 to 7pm.
Travel north on I-35 to Exit 48. Make a right turn off the exit ramp onto Hwy. 69. Turn left at Hwy. 121 and continue into the state park. The park is about two miles from I-35. See map.
We will have banners up. Bring swim suits! We will celebrate Ravyn (Ryan's friend - we decided to colaborate) and Ryan's graduation with a picnic. If you are local and want to contribute a potluck dish call me.

http://www.superpages.com/cities/mtg/9675/

http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=HGD115-210
About the Picnic Area/Playground --Picnic sites are scattered throughout the wooded area of the park and near the lake, providing an excellent place to enjoy lunch. For our large family gatherings, the park has an open picnic shelter that overlooks the lake and the open shelter also has playground equipment.


May 13th - The family will get together for Mugs & Muffins and a few other brunch goodies between 9:30 a.m. and Noon.

The Graduation ceremony takes place at 2p.m. I am going to collapse after that and try to sleep before Ryan and I leave for Europe in the early hours of the 14th for 2 1/2 weeks.


Hotels in Cameron

Super 8 Motel www.super8.com1710 N Walnut St Cameron MO - (816) 632-8888

Econo Lodge www.choicehotels.com220 E Grand Ave - (816) 632-6571

Comfort Inn www.choicehotels.com1803 Comfort Ln - (816) 632-5655

Cook's Country Cottage -
7880 NE Bacon Rd, Cameron, MO
(816) 632-1776 -

Hotels near Kearney, MO 64060
Western Way Bed & Breakfast - more info »
13606 Henson Rd, Holt, MO
(816) 628-5686
I have taken cooking classes from the lady that runs this - she is a great cook!

Super 8 Motel www.super8.com210 S Platte Clay Way - (816) 628-6800

Econo Lodge www.choicehotels.com505 Shanks Ave - (816) 628-5111
Country Hearth Inn & Suites www.bestwestern.com601 Centerville Ave, Kearney, 64060-8821 - (816) 628-5000

Hospitality Inn Bed and Breakfast -
400 S Jefferson St, Kearney, MO
(816) 628-3922



Hotels near Plattsburg MO 64477

La Belle Maison Bed & Brkfst200 W Broadway StPlattsburg, MO 64477
(816) 930-3243

American Eagle Inn
4951 Se pp Hwy, Holt, 64048 - (816) 264-3311

Very cheap but not very nice.

Happy, Happy Easter

God's Blessings on you all!

We went to visit my in-laws for Easter - They are the best! They are happily settled into their retirement heaven and have been busy improving their home. It is lovely. Phyllis is a great cook. We had so much fun. Dad, Gene, and Josh built me a GREAT yarn swift.

Want one? The cross piece has holes drilled to support oak dowels so you can use this with skeins of most sizes. I love mine! The wooden part is available for order for $45 - (But I will need to add Josh's email address. ) I bought the ball winder at Joannes with a coupon and it clamps nicely on the end of the support board - which has legs to raise it up a bit.

As a bonus, we got to see the world's cutest, smartest, and adorable Grandkids. We got to see all 4 of them since our DIL Allison decided to drive over (12 hours with the boys-she has stamina, that young woman!) What a great surprise!

All of this generation have such great plans for their future - They are a source of great joy. They have done a great job with the grandkids, although they have different approaches.

Tessa is wearing the hat I made - It fit perfectly! While I was there I made and blocked an Easter Tie for Trstn. I have a picture of it blocked - It looks very odd because I used my knitted and felted laptop bag (From Alterknits) as a blocking "board".

The pattern for the Tie is at http://thepassionatemind.blogspot.com/2007/03/easter-tie-process.html -- I didn't use the origami method and trust my sons - tying a knit tie is tough - They said it needed a half Windsor knot and doesn't slide. Oh well. I used double pointed needles - size 7.

She has neat work on her Blog!

At this point my camera was dying - Gene gave me a new one since I was sniveling about missing the great grandkid shots. You can see the difference - the objects are taken with the old one and the GKs are with the new.

We had a wonderful trip - Stopped at Gene's brothers on the way home to see him - Time is speeding by for all of us and we don't get to see people we love often enough! It was a happy time.

Just spent time listening to complaints from DS Ryan while he assembled his graduation invitations. His photographs came out so well! He is our youngest and on his way to University of Missouri. Life is good. God is good!

Graduation and other pleasures

We went to DD's graduation from Colorado Tech in Kansas City this weekend. The picture on the left is my husband, Leah, Ryan, and her twin of another mother, Holly. This was so fun! I am not a crier - but tears just ran down my face! I am so proud of her!! It was great! She has already started her follow-on Sonograpy course, so we get to see her do it again next year!

Tonight Ryan has volunteered to make Croque Monsieur for Multicultural Night. For 50 people! That should be a challenge. I will try to remember my camera.

We are going to Illinois to visit our family for Easter. Spring has started here now but yesterday we had a cold front move right in.

We had homegrown asparagus for dinner, Roast Pork tenderloin and stuffing - and strawberries for desert. Wow!

But seeing her graduate was the very best! I love it! Her friend Holly graduated, too. Congratulations!!!

Brain Storm Library and Easter projects and Tarot Cards

WOW! I woke up this morning with an amazing idea!!

I live in a county in NW Rural Missouri without a Library. It is the only thing that I do not like about where I live. I love the people, the country life, the quiet, the lack of crime, the cost of living, the Rural Reporter, but I have to drive 20-30 minutes to another county for a library.
I LOVE LIBRARIES! Free knowledge!!!!!!! - In the past year, I learned knitting and we gathered all kinds of knowledge about incorporating - Star Noir Investments Inc - That is us. We do real estate investments.

But....We own 4 acres on the Southwest side of Kansas City Near Powell Gardens. A wonderful place! http://www.powellgardens.org/

Powell Gardens 1609 N.W. U.S. Highway 50 Kingsville, MO 64061 Telephone: 816-697-2600 Fax: 816-697-2619

Garden hours: April-October: 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. November-March: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

Chapel hours: Monday-Friday: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: 11 a.m.- 4 p.m.

Café Thyme hours: Daily 11 a.m.-2 p.m. January-February: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays Perennial Gifts: Daily: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

April-October

$8/adults $7/senior citizens $3/children ages 5-12 Free/children under 5 and Friends of Powell Gardens

November-March $6/adults $5/senior citizens $2/children ages 5-12 Free/children under 5 and Friends of Powell Gardens

Festivals $9/adults $8/senior citizens $3/children 5-12

Trolley: Resumes weekend service in April.

I want to trade this land (details to be worked out) with someone with 2 acres here. Then I want to donate the land for a library. With a Plaque Saying something like, "Land donated by Lori and Gene Barringer (Star Noir...), Cindy Elliot Weers (a local realtor and community leader who I rely on to give me advice on how to make this happen) , Current Owner's choice --to the community of ...."
Would that not be the coolest thing ever?
Or Sell the land and use the money to get two acres but that would be more time intensive.

I found a neat Easter Knitting project on the knit-list at Yahoo Groups. Here is the link to the blogger who developed Vicki’s Bunny Egg Cover at Simple Knits http://simpleknits.blogspot.com/2007/03/vickis-bunny-egg-cover-size-7-double.html
I have permission to post an image from her blog - These are too cute! I will post what I make, as usual.

Here are two tarot card versions of my test results - Fantastical and Cat people style - Is it me? Not sure...

You are The High Priestess

Science, Wisdom, Knowledge, Education.

The High Priestess is the card of knowledge, instinctual, supernatural, secret knowledge. She holds scrolls of arcane information that she might, or might not reveal to you. The moon crown on her head as well as the crescent by her foot indicates her willingness to illuminate what you otherwise might not see, reveal the secrets you need to know. The High Priestess is also associated with the moon however and can also indicate change or fluxuation, particularily when it comes to your moods.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

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This is the result of My Wonder Genius DH's test - Is it him?

You are The Magician

Skill, wisdom, adaptation. Craft, cunning, depending on dignity.

Eloquent and charismatic both verbally and in writing,
you are clever, witty, inventive and persuasive.

The Magician is the male power of creation, creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. Reflecting this is the fact that the Magician is represented by Mercury. He represents the gift of tongues, a smooth talker, a salesman. Also clever with the slight of hand and a medicine man - either a real doctor or someone trying to sell you snake oil.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

OK - genius not cunning, Not snake oil - He is the poster person for integrity. Yes ->Creation by willpower and desire. In that ancient sense, it is the ability to make things so just by speaking them aloud. - Yes this is him.

You ARE clever, witty, inventive and persuasive, IMHO.