the Robins

High up above the entry to the Log Cabin at The Center, there's been a nest of baby robins that we've been watching.  Last weekend, the nest had fallen it seemed and we were worried about what had happened to the babies.  Thinking positive, I hoped that that had happened as they were excitedly leaving their nest to meet their new world.  Well...yesterday when I was in Calligraphy Class, I heard a quite loud peeping, looked out the window, and there was one of the babies squawking loudly for Mommy to find some more food!

Look how chubby!

Yum!

More please...

and miles to go...

...before I catch up.  This past Tuesday was the annual Poetry Luncheon.  Rain had been in the forecast for many days but it's always a beautiful day at The Center.  The flowers were smiling in the chapel garden awaiting the poets.

Lunch first!

 

And a chance to show off our quilts from Denise's Quilting Class.

Then out to the garden for the poetry reading and tea afterwards.

A wonderful group; over 50 smiling faces came to hear us read. 

A time for friends and fellowship.

Bobbie, Lois, Evie and Maryann looking very "spring-y".

And some of our very loyal fans are Joan, Barb and Marie.

Another week...

...and lots of catching up to do!  This past weekend was the Spring Retreat at The Center and I have lots of photos to show you...later.  Today I am preparing for the Poetry Luncheon tomorrow...yikes!

Must note though that yesterday we went to see "Oliver" at Drury Lane in Oak Brook and it was wonderful!  Wonderful music and a wonderful cast!

"Luna"

Yesterday, at The Center, we were honored with a visit from the Luna Moth (Actias luna).  Her colors beautiful with featherlike antennae; she looked like a garden fairy. 

An artsy week

My granddaughter, Danielle, had a head cold the beginning of this week and had to be off school, so she was with me on Monday and Tuesday.  We collaged!  She has done collage with me before, but this was the first time she asked to use a canvas and I also let her use the matte medium.  I wanted her to have her own idea and so she decided she wanted to do a garden. 

Picking papers from my stash, she began her sky and grass.

I showed her how to use sandpaper and stencils to distress magazine pages and she created this tree.
After putting down some darker blue tissue in the sky, that she really liked, she decided she didn't like it after all and so...

softened it with a lighter blue and added a bird bath.  It's wonderful, Danielle!

I worked along with her on mine.

Not quite done yet.  Then on to Wednesday, in my class...

Bernie's landscape is finishing beautifully.

Sandy's wonderful pasta dish!

Lora Lee's lily pond is ready for the lily.

Marge's piece, using some of the botanical prints that we made at Luce's workshop.  Pretty!

Peggy (above) and Carolyn (below) began working on their artist trading cards for our exchange next week at the last class of the session.

Brunch

Yesterday, we celebrated with a Mother's Day Brunch at Julie's house.  The sun was out and everyone planned to get their gardens going!  Angel made these beautiful strawberries for a yummy treat!

A breakfast feast it was!  We had bisquits & gravy, breakfast casserole, mushroom & spinach quiche, pancakes and bacon, French sugar muffins, pineapple, cantaloupe and watermelon.

Afterwards, the girls exercised their calories away outside with the hula hoops...

and I ate a chocolate-covered strawberry!  I think mine was the biggest of the bunch!

and Missy wished to lick all the plates...

Mother's Day

Of all the gifts I can recall,

my mother's love is the best of all

I can't repay the lessons 

That you taught when I was small,

Or give you gift for gift,

Each special moment I recall...

I can't return encouragement

And loving words of praise

In quite the way you did for me

Through all my childhood days...

But there's one gift that I can give,

It's all the love you've earned,

For love is what you always taught...

And love is what I learned.