Step on Up, the Mic is Open!

Wednesday, August 6.

My beautiful sister-in-law's birthday was today, and after the sun went down, we headed over to the marina and the Phoenix for Open Mic Night.  The vast majority of the people there that night were family, and we all--family and friends--had a great time!

Yes, this is a bar.
Yes, there was beer. 
And pictures of beer.
Just so you know.

Back to life,
Christine

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A Beautiful Day at the Lake

Wednesday, August 6.

After returning to the Lake from the Watertown farmers market, I had fun watching my brothers and Tom D. playing horseshoes.  I can't usually take good picture of my brothers, but they were focused on playing and couldn't object to their sister with her camera.  ;)

Finally--my first Dock Date.  I usually take a dock date with Fernando, but I was up here by myself this week.  Jeff kept me company with his camera, and we shot the sunset together for awhile.  Here it is at all its stages until long after it went down for the evening.

What a beautiful, peaceful evening!  But, just because the sun went down didn't mean the fun would end.  Not this night!


Back to life,
Christine

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Watertown Farmers Market

August 6.

Wednesday dawned bright and beautiful, and Mom and I headed out to Watertown and its weekly farmers market.  It's amazing that this market is so large, given the fact that Watertown is a smaller town with not much else surrounding it.  This market is twice the size of my own home town's market right here in the Chicago suburbs!

One of the many vegetable vendors.

The fountain in front of the library.

Mom likes to browse the used books for sale.

These two stick-wielding boys were chasing each other around the fountain.

The lion statue in front of the library.

My one splurge for the trip was going to be purchasing a spoon rest by this potter.  I said going to be because my mom snatched it out of my hand and bought it for me.  :)   I fell in love with these blue dishes, many of which had maple and other leaf imprints in them.  Gorgeous!

Pottery by Dragonfly Pottery.

I finally splurged on a gift for Fernando--a sign for above our front door.  It reads, Always Kiss Me Goodbye.  Which he always does.  :)

Back to life,
Christine

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Guess Where I Went?

August 4-5.

I had a voucher for a plane ticket in my hands, and I planned to use it.  I could fly anywhere United Airlines flew!  An exotic destination, a quick trip to visit a cherished friend...these crossed my mind.  But I knew where I was going, and why.

Here is the first picture I took after a long day's travel and a good night's sleep.

The next clue is the tree bears!

And a parking sign out front near the driveway.  I've never seen a Lamborghini parked there.  :)

If you haven't guessed by now, the below picture tells you all you need to know.  I flew from Chicago to Syracuse, caught a bus to Watertown, and had my brother Jeff pick me up and bring me to...my beloved Lake Bonaparte!  Although I had a fantastic time up there, this trip wasn't about me.  It was for my mom's 75th birthday.  And I totally surprised her, and my dad, and pretty much everyone else up there since only Jeff, Matt and Char knew I was coming.  :)

Jeff pulled his car into the driveway at my parents' house, and I snuck into the hallway behind him.  Matt and Char were in the kitchen cleaning up from dinner, and I turned and looked into the living room.  There they were--both Mom and Dad, standing there sort of staring at me.  I yelled, "Surprise!  Happy birthday, happy happy birthday...!" at my mom, while trying not to laugh.  They both just looked at me funny, and my mom asked, "What are you doing here?"  And my dad asked, "How did you get here??"  I answered, "Jeff brought me!"  And my dad asked another one, "From Chicago???"  We all laughed, then the hugs ensued, and my week-long stay became a week-long party for my mom.

My dad's split tree, and my dad.

Beautiful temperatures!

I slept really well the first night (the 4th), since I had traveled literally the entire day to be there.  The next day was my mom's birthday, and she and my dad took me to Uncle Dave's and Aunt Bonnie's to visit and to go out to eat with them.

Aunt Bonnie's gardens.

Every Tuesday during summer, The Blue Heron in Chaumont has a special taco night.  A few years ago, I took a chance and ordered a fish sandwich, and I'm never going back to tacos.  It was phenomenal!  I love this little restaurant.

On the way back from the restaurant, I started receiving texts from Char, Matt and Jeff--we all decided to meet at the best ice cream shop east of the Mississippi!

Treats 'n 'Tiques!

Treats 'n 'Tiques, where the sizes start with a baby, then a kiddie, then an extra small and go on up from there.  And the prices are the best in the world!

It's worth a trip at least once a week!

What a fantastic birthday for Mom!  We all had such fun.  :)


Back to life,
Christine

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