the days of the Spring Retreat

 

Back to the Spring Retreat at The Center, here is Lois showing us how to draw on our umbrellas using Sharpie Permanent Markers. 

First we made a paper pattern of our drawn design, placed it under each section of the umbrella working our way around, outlining the design in black first and then coloring it in after.

MaryAnn and Lois chose a flower design.

Here Debbie is doing a Farm theme.

Debbie's sweet  flower design for her granddaughter.

A room of umbrellas at the end of the day.  I didn't get pictures of them all!

continued...

and still catching up...

soon!  Another busy week and is that what I've chosen for my life?  You bet!  So many fun things to do!  Today is beauty shoppe appointment for "Henri", a doctor visit, quilting class this afternoon and pick Danielle up from school...so here's my start for the Spring Retreat pictures.  An over-the-top fun project that we did - a painted umbrella!  (Robin, I know you would love to do your mandalas on these!)

Still partying...

I'm still thinking about the weekend and our anniversary celebration, so thought I'd continue with a few more pictures.  Here is the beautiful cake that Angel made, patterned after my original wedding cake.  A beautiful surprise!

The "cutting of the cake" copied after the wedding picture that I showed you in my last post.

And here is me and my son, Dan, dancing to the CD he made for us, that I also told you about in my last post.  He played the music and sang Sam Cook's "You Send Me". (don't forget to go back onto my page on Facebook to hear him sing!  Another beautiful surprise!

And going back earlier in the evening to dinner at Gibson's, me and Rich.  Did someone clink a glass?

Mark, Rob and Julie.  (Danielle and Kassidy are over in there somewhere.)

and Brent.

Dan and Angel.

Mark.

and my "mystery guest" that Julie surprised me with  picking up on the way to the restaurant, my best friend, JoAnn.  We have been friends for 58 years...

By the light of the silvery moon,...

May 25th - a beautiful full moon too; the flower moon.

Our 50th wedding anniversary was today. I just can't believe it.  We had a wonderful dinner that our children and grandchildren had planned.  Came back home to a beautiful cake that Angel had baked and a recording that Dan did of  "You Send Me" by Sam Cook.  I think it's going to be on facebook!

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.