Scenes of the season

a Kee Christmas party

Thanks to Uncle Conrad and Barb for another fun holiday party in their beautiful home. Love you both!

A little Christmas shopping with Jude

Boys being boys...

Remembering Miss Tinnie

A very special lady will be laid to rest today. Her name is Tinnie Hormann. When I think of the charm of southern grace I think of Miss Tinnie. Being born in Mississippi and keeping her slight southern drawl she always made it enjoyable for others to hear her speak. There was something comforting about her voice, warm eyes, and sweet smile but the thing I'll always remember about Miss Tinnie is how much she loved being a West Granite City school teacher, a fact she never failed to recall, time and time again. That was part of her charm, the way she recalled her life with such a dreamy fondness and gratitude. Throughout her life her school children held a special place in her heart, even as adults. Miss Tinnie had a caring heart and generous love for others. She had a soft spot in her heart for my dad as well and on her last visit to him I'll never forget the kind words she said. She said he was a true gentleman and a gentle soul. Those words meant a lot to me then and I have a feeling they always will.

Tennie Hormann, you too are a gentle soul and will be missed.

Tennie V. Hormann
March 8, 1917
December 4, 2011

Thanksgiving 2011 weekend

It was a special Thanksgiving for me this year, my first one shared with Mark and his family. Even though Mark had to work a day shift that day he did more than his fair share to make it a very nice Thanksgiving. I'm a pretty lucky girl to have such a great guy.



"Thank You Darling" by Paul McCartney (an unreleased leftover from the Red Rose Speedway recording sessions -- March 1972).

One of the things I’m thankful for this year

My boyfriend...God love him. He’s everything I could want and more.

He’s sweet, polite and unassuming.

He’s a stickler for exercise and eating right.

He’s an up and coming trendsetter and
appreciates the finer things in life.

He’s complex, mysterious, and deep
(never try to second guess him).

He’s a bit of a sensitive sort
(not unlike a greyhound).

He’s not only sensitive but highly intellectual.

And last but not least, he's bringing back “blue steel”
and he’s pretty sure there’s more to life than
being really, really, ridiculously good looking.

Yes, my boyfriend. God loves him and so do I.

***

St. Louis at 360 degrees

Last Saturday night Mark and I went to a semi-new place in St. Louis called 360 (opened this past July). 360 soars 400 feet above downtown and offers sweeping views of Busch Stadium, the Gateway Arch, and other St. Louis landmarks. This uber-cool establishment with glass walls, fire pits and open air on top is located on the 26th floor of the Hilton. You may have to stand in line for an elevator to take you there but the wait is definitely worth it.

The wood fired pizza was dee-lish but next time...maybe the crab meatball?
And Mark, how about those BBQ oysters? 

On top of the world (sort of)

360 construction and one brave man

360 construction

like walking on air

one of the green fire pits

view right into the ballpark

About 360:
Monday - Thursday: 4PM - 1AM
Friday - Saturday: 4PM- 2AM
Sunday: 4PM- 11PM
*Open at least 3 hours prior to all Cardinal home day games
*DJ starting at 9pm every Wednesday - Saturday
*$10 cover charge at the door Friday and Saturday nights beginning at 10PM. Hotel guests and Cardinals Fans with that night's ticket stub are complimentary.
*Enter from main hotel lobby entrance off Broadway - Take east tower elevator to 26th floor.
* Valet parking via the hotel’s Broadway entrance is $5.00 on non Cardinal game dates and $20 on Cardinal game dates, always based on space availability.

$$$:
This place may seem expensive but it wasn't bad. Our bill (including pizza and drinks) was around $40. Tip: Get there before 10pm = no cover.  Park on the street = free parking.

http://www.360-stl.com/
http://www.facebook.com/360stl

To be a kid again

Having a grandson is not only sweet...it's a great excuse to be a kid again.

Calhoun County, there and back

To hop in your car and be within an hour from the natural beauty of the Great River Road and Illinois River Valley is wonderful. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am to live near peaceful and relaxing places like Brussels and Golden Eagle in Calhoun County. There's something about the rolling grounds and wide open spaces that make me feel as if I'm a million miles away from a steel mill town.

The best thing about Halloween

The best thing about Halloween . . . is seeing your 14-month-old grandson at the door. :)

This time of year

This time of year...fall, when the leaves have turned golden and red and have become crunchy underfoot, makes me think of dad, probably more than any other time of year. Dad was never crazy about fall. With all its vivid colors he liked the beauty of it; he just didn’t like what it signified. To him it meant the beginning of a long cold winter and dad was definitely not a fan of winter. I’d say it was his least favorite season of all. He and I had that in common. He and I had many things in common and this time of year makes me miss him more than ever.

Dad loved the beautiful bright fall color of this sweet gum
tree but boy did he hate the spiky balls it dropped.

I can still see him standing there and mixed with
sadness is hope that someday I will see him again.

My favorite little pumpkin

Happy Birthday Mandy!

I always wanted my first child to be a girl and with you I got my wish. For 31 years I've loved you and watched you transform into who you are today, a beautiful, caring, and intelligent young woman. For a child that was as shy as I you have come so very far. I am so proud of you for pushing yourself when you were afraid and for taking what you thought were weaknesses and making them your strengths. No more peanuts and raisins for you! ;-)

You my dear Mandy are a wonderful daughter and I love you.

Then: (all 7lbs and 9ozs of you)

and now:

Note to self

On nice October days the wineries of Augusta, MO are very very VERY crowded. Bring lawn chairs so you don't have to sit on a rock.

I love the wineries of Augusta. I love wine. I’m not sure which I like more, the wine or the wineries (the real ones with vineyards). I think it’s the wineries. No, I’m sure it’s the wineries...the land, the hills, the trees, the grapes, and the incredible scenery, that’s what I love most about going to a winery. With lush rolling hills and high winding roads, Augusta, Missouri is a beautiful place to visit with or without a glass of wine in hand. Every time I go there I find myself wondering if the residents of Augusta take its beauty for granted, or do they feel incredibly lucky to live there year round? Like I believe I would.

A few of the many wonderful Augusta wineries:

BLUMENHOFF, a small winery on the outskirts of Augusta in a town called Dutzow.
http://www.blumenhof.com/

LOUIS BALDUCCI, a winery with a spacious open feel, and with a barn, but always one of the most crowded and what one acquaintance called the “party place”.
http://www.balduccivineyards.com/

NOBOLEIS VINEYARDS, open for only a year and our first visit here. Very nice and will definitely go back.
http://www.noboleisvineyards.com/

MONTELLE, always my favorite winery in Augusta, and not because of the wine...it's the view, the incredible view, especially at sunset.
http://www.montelle.com/

Nothing like a relaxing drive in the country

Noboleis Vineyards

all ready for Halloween

Hey that's my dog

Mark and Winnie, best buds fast :-)

How I love this boy

As time goes by and Jude grows more and more into his own unique, funny, and interesting self I realize that there's no one else quite like him. I love everything about my grandson. I love the way his inquisitive mind never stops being inquisitive. I love the way he gazes and studies people, objects, and every thing. I love the way he give his smiles away sparingly and makes you really work to earn one. I love his silly gibberish and his sweet Hi!’s. I love the way he presses the button on his glow baby and then glows himself. I love his determination and perseverance when he sees something he wants. I love the way he loves bananas and ice cream. I love the way he gets excited playing with pillows on the bed and then lays his head down and pretends to sleep. I love his head bobbs, foot stomps, and funny little noises. I love his round face and beautiful blue eyes and chubby arms and legs. And when he reaches up those arms to me? I love that most of all. Oh how I love this boy.