Our Fifth Anniversary

5 Years Ago!

These guys haven't changed that much, have they?! (Kenny, Emma, Michael)

It is hard to believe, but Mark and I just celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary together on July 4. It seems like only yesterday! This also means that we have been living in our home for 5 years and that we've had our ever-delightful, always-charming, calico cat, Miss Fanny for that long.

Me skipping down a grassy hill

Mark and the dogs picking blackcaps

Although we did not get to spend our actual anniversary together because Mark had to work, we celebrated the next day. We began the day by driving to our friend's gorgeous property in Black Earth with the dogs. This is the same chunk of land where we harvested morels in the spring. Todd gave Mark permission to pick berries on his land too. I have to say, that Mark has become a little obsessed with berry picking--much like his obsession with the morels in the early spring. He has picked so many berries this past week that he and and his mom have made lots of jam. Judy has also been busy making her amazing berry pies.

Mingo before he goes out for his run.

Mingo and Lily after they have chased a turkey

After Mark picked some berries and I walked around with the dogs taking photos of wildflowers, we decided to take a little trip to Dodgeville and Mineral Point. One of our favorite things to do together is to drive and explore the backroads of southern Wisconsin. Like everybody else, however, our driving has been reduced as much as we can due to the cost of gas, so our explorations have been few and far between this year.

I've been to Dodgeville before, but never Mineral Point (at least that I can remember). I definitely will be returning to this community to do more sightseeing; the downtown was very scenic and had lots of interesting little shops and storefronts that were decorated for the 4th of July. There are also many historical old homes in Mineral Point, a railroad museum, and a place called Pendarvis that is, I believe, a restored mining community. Mark and I did walk the downtown, but a lot of the shops were closed due to the holiday weekend. We debated whether or not to go to Pendarvis, but decided against it since we still had our dogs in the car and it was getting pretty hot out.

I loved the dog scultpure on this building


Old dolls next to an antique metal train set

We debated about going to the movies or not, but decided that we should just rent a movie and relax with the hounds in our cool and cozy basement on our couches. Yes, probably not the most exciting option, but it sure felt great to relax for a couple of hours. The movie we watched was also VERY good. It was "Gran Torino" with Clint Eastwood.

Loungin' with the dogs

After our movie, we freshened up and went out for dinner at Samba Brazilian Grill in downtown Madison. We had some good things there and enjoyed the live entertainment, but we also weren't very impressed with a lot of other stuff. It was nice getting out and experiencing a new restaurant (go locals!), and we also were able to use a gift certificate, so the cost was pretty reasonable.

Mom and Dad visited this past weekend and we had a lovely time together. I think we all were enjoying the beauty and serenity Wisconsin summers can have.

Britches LOVES the summer because we can keep our patio door door open and he can be "outside" on the screened-in porch.

Brewin' while Watching the Brewers

Happy 4th of July to everybody! Once again, our weather forecasters were incorrect with their predictions. We do not have a lovely, sunny day but one that is overcast and rather dreary. Ah well, what can you do? The first picture of this blog is not recent, as it was taken on our Christmas trip to South Carolina (at the Fort Sumter Museum), but it is the most patriotic image I have in my photo files right now. Happy Birthday, America!

Mark, Van & Greg in front of Miller Park

Tailgating

Recent events for us have included attending a Brewers' game and going to a Sunday cookout at our friends' house.

Our spot on the pavement

This was Mark's first game at Miller Park!

The Brewers' game we went to was at Miller Park and was a belated Father's Day treat from Judy to Van. Mark and Greg provided and cooked the food for the tailgate portion of the festivities. The Brewers played the Minnesota Twins and this was the game that Milwaukee actually won; apparently the Twins had throttled the Brew Crew in the rest of the series. Don't quote me on that though, 'cuz I'm not really sure.

Renee & Greg are both avid Brewer fans.

Judy & Greg

Although it was really fun to tailgate and be with the family, this was an extremely HOT day in southern Wisconsin. When we arrived at the park at 5:00 PM, it was 100 degrees. Of course when you tailgate, you are picnicking on pavement and EVERYBODY has a little mini grill with brats and hotdogs cooking. We were lucky enough to borrow Bobby's canopy (thank you, Jim, for dropping that off!), which provided some relief, but it was still awfully hot.

I think Mark and Greg did their best to battle the heat by drinking as much cold beer as they could, but this brilliant idea ended up haunting Mark later. Upon entering the stadium and getting to our seats, we immediately knew that we would have to succomb to the vendors hawking their wayyyyy overpriced beverages. Miller Park is very bright and full of colors and movement inside, but if the air is not moving and it hot and crowded...I found it can be pretty miserable. Thankfully, Mark didn't continue with the beer-drinking method for cooling down, but opted for water and lemondade instead.

My pick, the Italian sausage, lost in this race. The German weiner in the green lederhosen won.

I wondered how hot the poor sausage guys were while they were walking around and then running their weiner race. Same for the other mascot with the mustache (Barnie? Bert? Bart?).

Billy Howard holding one of his many catches!

Ducks on Howard Pond

The second event for us was a Sunday get-together with some of our good friends. The Howards (Dan and Jill have a daughter, Syd, who shows horses. I went to one of her competitions several weeks ago and featured that in a previous blog) hosted at their lovely home in Middleton. They have a big backyard and grilling area, as well as a stunning pond complete with ducks and various fish. Dan, Jill and their 3 kids are HUGE animal lovers--of all sorts--they have 3 dogs, a cat, fish, ducks, a chameleon, 2 rabbits and some other critters I can't think of right now. There is always activity going on there!

Mark with Nina, the chihuahua

Titus, the Neopolitan mastiff

Millie, the Weimaraner puppy

This particular day was also pretty warm, but really windy, so the heat was not as stifling as it had been a few days prior. It was great seeing our friends and just taking a few hours to relax and be social. While we ladies were cooing over Marko and Liz's 3-month old daughter, Tanna, the guys were admiring this 1957 Dodge Power Wagon that our friend, Ron, has fully restored. I believe this is the second Power Wagon that Ron has done. This particular one may be sold to a Hollywood actor who has a large ranch somewhere in the southwest. The actor? Val Kilmer.Ron with the Power Wagon

Ryan and Britany's Rhinelander Wedding

Ry-Guy looking quite dapper on his big day.

I had the pleasure attending a dear friend's wedding in Rhinelander last weekend. Ryan Doberstein, who was in the class before me in high school, married a woman named Britany whom he met while working at a restaurant in New York (I think, Brooklyn?). I know all about those restaurant encounters---watch out!

Britany and her father

Phil and me by Lake Thompson

Phil and his partner, Matthew

My own dear restaurateur was unable to get away from work last weekend, so I had to go "stag". It was a very beautiful, very warm summer day and Ryan and Britany exchanged vows in front of Lake Thompson at Holiday Acres Resort. The reception was also at the resort in the banquet hall, and I enjoyed catching up with so many of my "Clambake" friends. Unfortunately, my allergies were quite out-of-control while I was up north, and I ended up leaving the reception earlier than I would have liked. However, I will be seeing my friends again in the upcoming months, as there are TWO more weddings to attend! I hope that I will not be suffering from itchy, burning eyes then.

Tim and Renee will be getting married in October

Korey and Martha will be getting married in September

Of course, Mom and Dad hosted my stay while in Rhinelander...and tolerated my crazy always-on-the-move hounds too. It is sooo nice up north right now, everything is green and it's warm and pleasant. This type of weather does not last long up there, so you always have to take in as much as you can while you can.

Oscar after submerging in the cool swamp water

Bob riding a bike on the trails by the house

My brother, John, rode up with me to help keep me company in the car, but also to help mom and dad with some lawn mowing on their property. John and Bob had been in Rhinelander the previous weekend and worked on installing a window onto the roof of the garage. This will help with access to the roof and give more light to the large attic space. Lisa and Jon and the kids arrived Saturday afternoon and brother Bob showed up late Saturday night. It was a houseful!

Jon H. and Leila

Michael and Leila

My dad had a very productive spring with household projects. He altered the bathroom which is attached to his and mom's room with bathroom AND laundry facilities. This way mom and dad don't have to go up and down the stairs to the main laundry room, although they are going to keep that functioning, due to the size and need of their family who tend to come quite often and will often use the washer and dryer.

Emma and Lisa in the new laundry area

The new window in the garage

Dad has also been very busy trying to organize his tools in the garage. He recently put up some new shelving to help with storage. The mowing of the trails is yet another big project Dad undertakes...but I think this is one that he also really enjoys.

Newly installed shelving units

Dad mowing the trails in the pines

Because I was at the wedding on Saturday night, I missed a family outing to Hodag Park. However, I was able to visit with everybody on Sunday morning. I was pleased that my nephew, Michael, enjoyed his gift of a 2009 Almanac so much. I think others enjoyed it too! Emma and I also did a couple "rounds" of CeeCee My Playmate for all to enjoy, and Lisa played as well.Playing CeeCee

Leila

Zany Zinnias

Summer vacation has begun! I've been done with school for about a week now and have kept myself busy with summer tutoring and some much-needed carpet cleaning this week. I can't write more now, but I will write more next week. Please enjoy the delightful pictures I took a few days ago at my in-laws'.