Weather....

It is a beautiful warm day here in Central Illinois. My son in law has started in the fields...hard to believe that Harvest is upon us.
My gentleman farmer, Papa Joe happily spent the afternoon at the farm, on his tractor. the farm is his other Happy Place.


My son and step son are braving Irene's wrath in Washington DC. When I spoke to Cole last night, he had just finished stocking up on groceries at Whole Foods. If you know me, you know I love Whole Foods. Anytime we can, Papa Joe and I spend vast amounts of time and money there. So imagine the pride in this Mama's heart when her son tells her he stocked up for a hurricane there! (mind you, Cole is very close with his money...and Whole Foods is not cheap!) This was major!!!!
He proceeded to tell me that he and his friends were having a hurricane party. Now, imagine my pride once again...I love entertaining...did my son inherit that gene???? I excitedly ask what he purchased...the reply was:"staples for the house and meat. Actually 10 pounds of meat." hmmmn, that seems like a lot of meat. But ok. So again I ask..."what are you serving at your party?" I am imagining girls arriving in their Lilly sun dresses..wearing their rain boots...guys in khakis and button downs.... (yes, channeling his father and I in college). The response was short..."meat and beer." Yep, that is what I get for thinking.
The first party pic came in...


My son and my godson. Taking care of one another in a storm. My godson Scott has recently moved out there and is in college in the DC area...and isn't it nice to know that Cole has provided him with a port in the storm.
At least Jon and Cole have moved inside....


I wonder now, if they will even remember the storm....


Does not look like they will!


Parting thoughts,
1. Cole appears to be a good host
2. The boys Having only 1 bathroom could be a problem
3.I am so glad that I do to have to clean their home after the party
4. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of my friends on the East Coast
5. I do love my son!!!

Location:United States

Something I forgot...

I forgot to add Matt's picture!!


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Farewell to the fair

This weekend, I learned some new things...


Illinois State Police officers have to spend the week at the Fair. They have come from all across the state and basically take up residence in Springfield for the week. But they do seem to have fun.


An unusual sight...a llama in front of Baskin Robbins??


So what did I learn....??? I learned how to make lattes, cafreezes, fruit blasts, espressos, etc....


And you know what? I do not think that anyone suffered from food poisoning! I actually loved my latte!


Lauren was with me for part of the day...

And the Matt helped....
What else did I learn?


They ran out of fabric when making this shirt....


Illinois does make some good wine


And it tasted good...and I probably should not be drinking while working...but the owner is my husband.... And I only had one small glass..... And I deserved it! I was tired. I discovered pumpkin wine. I know...it sounds awful. But trust me, it is a dry wine and it really was good and made me anxious for the start of fall!


I learned that my family loves the fair, rides, games, food, and fun!


I learned that a cute girl dressed up as a slice of pizza can really attract a crowd...





I learned that there is such a thing as a Pork Patrol.... ??????


As evening came, the lights of the rides


The vendors...


Gave the illusion of a great Circus. Our thoughts, prayers and love go out to Jake, Marilyn and their entire family....every circus will forever remind us of Mike, and make us smile.

Location:Springfield, Illinois

Hometown proud???

In our local newspaper yesterday was a Baby of the Year Calendar contest insert...


Families send in photos and the readers vote for their choice. Well, just take a look at one of the contestants....


Yes, cute baby. But PLEASE look at the name. Are they serious??????? That poor child...only in America.

Location:Jacksonville, Illinois

Fair Fun with Finley

You know, taking my 2 year old granddaughter to the fair reminded me that there is so much awe and wonder in the world. Seeing the fair through her eyes was wonderful....


Just look at the excitement in her eyes...she kept calling the sheep puppies.





She kept moo-ing at the cows...


Big Cow according to her. Try buffalo. That's right, no buffalos at York Farms.


Milking the wooden cow...she did not want to leave...





Off to the Sheep Barn


She loves her cows. In fact, she wants a real one...of her own...


At the farm...picking vegetables


We rode a lot of rides.... She loves choo choos.


Yep, that is us on the slide...I am getting too old for this! Well, almost. It was a lot of fun....


Dancing with Papa Joe...


Stealing Jake's drink...and rather proud of herself for doing so....


Yep, we tried it... Chocolate covered bacon...hate to admit it...pretty good!!


We DID NOT try this...I mean we have some sense!!!!


Heading home. A great day...everyone should visit a fair with a child...she made it all new, exciting and fun!

Location:Illinois State Fair

Hometown Proud

My brother in law Harmy has a new van parked just outside his office....
(no, his office in not Paradiso...next door...)


So if he is late coming home tonight....

yep, hometown proud.

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Location:Jacksonville, Illinois

The Illinois State Fair

The Three Legged Dog Concession Trailer made it's debut at the Illinois State Fair today


Papa Joe...waiting for the rush..


Nate and Jake are waiting for you!
I walked around the fair...and may I just show you...what I think, is why we are a nation of large people???






























































Yes, a FRIED taco...


A FRIED pie!!!



Have you EVER seen so much food???????














Need I say more??????





We rode the gondola as the parade started...



Yep, he loved it!


Another slice of Americana....


Some faces at the parade...





Yum!!!


I ran into some Y kids at the Fair!!


Classy, smoking a ciggy, and your child ON A LEASH???





Something about this big guy and his little pony...tickled me


She was swinging the horses tail to dry it...
Madeline and I are taking Finley to the fair tomorrow...she wants her Daddy to get her a cow.... So I guess we will spend some time in the barns. hoping she can milk a cow. HER...NOT ME!!!


And speaking of milking...you have to "milk" the BBQ sauce to dispense it...I have never seen that before.
So if you are at the fair, stop by the Three Legged Dog Concession Trailer!


You won't regret it!!


The best food at the fair...just ask me!!!!

Location:Springfield, Illinois