Having Fun | Childhood Myths

Brunch at The Whitney

May 20, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What a beautiful day we had yesterday…in all ways! A gorgeous Michigan spring day, my most favorite people in the world, and a delicious brunch at an elegant, old Detroit mansion!!

love

Every single bite of food was amazing! From scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and wonderful potatoes to jambalaya, shrimp and grits, beef and mashed potatoes, and prime rib. Then to a salad station and a bread station. After eating all this and having unending mimosas…upstairs to a dessert station!! I had bananas foster for the first time…yum!!!

S and L

C and S

Then the architecture…just incredible! Brunch is served in all of the many different rooms….a fireplace in each one, elegant service, happy people. I’d do it again in a minute:))

this is a ceiling!!

stairways and railings...

Maybe you remember how I love piano music….:) The piano player was stationed right next to us, and I was delighted by his masterful playing along with his absolutely engaging personality ( he just loved playing!)….

celebrating L's birthday...piano player played 'Happy Birthday' for her:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: angels, appreciation, beauty, birthdays, fun, having fun, joyful, love, parenting, photos, smile

Quilts from Memories

April 27, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

After completing quilts for both Chad and Scott….do you remember….made from t-shirts I kept after their dad died. Each quilt was made from more than 45 shirts, 12 x 12 squares or pieces formed into that size. My lovely neighbor sewed the pieces together after I pinned them in the order I wanted. Then I used batting and a backing and hand-sewed them together….YOW! I am. not. a seamstress and therefor wrecked my fingers on each quilt. BUT I loved that I could give each boy a lovely memory quilt to remind them of their most awesome father:)))

Here is Scott’s

7' across and 7' down!!!

And here is Chad’s

same size

After giving my fingers a break, I decided I needed a quilt of my own. So combining F2′s shirts with some of my old shirts also…here is the front of my quilt. I haven’t decided yet what to do with the back…less than I did with the boys, I think.

this was how I started...

good, huh?

And then some up close and personal views…do you recognize any of these??

for my Monfort buddies...and Dave and Jodi:)

for F2's Teke buddies

for my Alpha Chi sisters

for remembering the Crary and Fink boat:)

Memories of all kinds….that’s what it’s all about!!! Make sure you keep every memory you might want later…time is fleeting!! Love my quilt:)))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, beauty, brothers, carpe diem, families, follow-through, giving thanks, goals, happiness, having fun, inspiration, intentions, methods, parenting

Joyful Thursdays #59

April 11, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #59

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) celebrating Scott’s birthday at Mongolian BBQ…hilarious!

yum

grillin' up the food..

poor Scott...ha, ha...foil helmet and singing "I'm a Little Teapot"

at least he was rewarded with a free sundae!

oh, no...poor puppy was afraid of the new look!!

2) being able to help teachers with their unending testing….I brought home some theme tests to grade at home

stacks of them

3) had book club this week…book was Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, next month The Kitchen House and then The Forgotten Garden

thought this was hilarious!!

I hope you are having a delightful Thursday:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: beliefs, birthdays, book, book clubs, brothers, education, family photos, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, having fun, joyful, joyful Thursdays, love, methods, parenting, photos, quotes, reading

Sunday Mornin’

March 3, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

Whew! I had an issue with my computer….couldn’t access my own website!!! Arghhh, that was a wee bit frustrating! So Thursdays Joyfulness just went directly to FaceBook instead…and even then, not until Saturday.

Today, talk of Bob Seger:)))) We went to his concert in Toledo! Have you been to that arena??? Wow! We usually go to the Palace and have seats where the performers look like ants. This particular place is small and lovely. We were on the floor 16 rows from the stage, with wide aisles between every 10 seats. …And the seats not on the floor-only about 20 rows total! It is so impressive!

2 Seger beauties at "The Bar" before the concert

getting ready!

this is how far from the stage we were...

just waiting...see how small the venue is!!!

Friday night was the 2nd of at least 20 performances by the amazing Bob Seger and his equally awesome band! His voice was the best I’ve heard, mellow and smooth, singing most of his classics and a few new tunes.

Seger singing:)

Thanks to my 4 sweeties for a most exceptional birthday present…just spending time with you is always my favorite thing to do, but throw in a little Bob Seger…wonderful!!!

my birthday gift

Have a delightful Sunday…enjoy your family:))

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: appreciation, beauty, birthdays, families, family fun, family photos, giving thanks, having fun, joyful, love, photos, smile

Wine Tasting

February 24, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

The boys, girls, and I went to a wine tasting in Romeo last night! It was a Christmas gift from my sweet-peas:) I didn’t realize there was a winery in the small town of Romeo, but sure enough…they have been there for about 5 years. It was great fun!! We learned just enough, drank just enough, and bought just enough to make it a perfect evening. Then we headed down the street for a little dinner.

Another lovely evening spent with my favorite folks…love them so much!!

Aren’t they adorable??

It is such a blessing when your adult kids like to spend time with you!!! I am so lucky!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: brothers, family, family fun, family photos, fun, having fun, love, parenting, photos, smile

Joyful Thursdays #54

February 7, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #54

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) Carl has had his surgery…so far all is looking good…more info as days go on, but we are all ecstatic about where we are right now…

2) having dinner with darling Marie:)) We rarely get together, so when we do…we have a 4 1/2 hour dinner!! Thanks, M…love talking to you!

3) my birthday…out to dinner with my favorite people, my guys and my girls:))) They are all so wonderful…happy, kind, compassionate, ethical – all wrapped up in lovely, sweet, and giving!!! We had dinner at a favorite spot ( and the server was a great Monfort mom…thanks, Linda!). So you get to put up with photos…as usual:)))

just to show you 'Joyful Thursday'...ha, ha:))

Yesterday was a really good day for me! Best wishes for you to have a really good day today!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: birthdays, brothers, families, family fun, family photos, giving thanks, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, having fun, joyful, joyful Thursdays, kindness, laugh, love, photos, smile

A Party!

January 22, 2013 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Great Fun! Great People! Great Food! …..and a happy couple about to have their first baby:))

The Torch Lake Group, or at least 18 of us, came to the party hosted by kc and jc on Saturday afternoon. The house was beautifully decorated…especially when all of us have fun without any decorations at all!!!

Lots of appetizers, then comfort food: ham sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole, and caesar salad….yummy! Dessert: chocolate cream pie, peanut butter pie, and cake pops!

Such a lot of cute presents for baby C….they are waiting to find out if they are having a boy or a girl…so lots of beautiful yellow, green, and orange onesies, and a book or two from everyone to add to baby’s collection:)

I love this group of people so much…and to have one of our ‘kids’ have a child is very special to all of us…a new generation added to the TLG!!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

ps: to those of you who actually responded to my request from last post….thanks so much! So….I will continue… and hope to keep you happier and more positive while sending out a few tips on parenting here and there:))

Filed Under: appreciation, beauty, being involved, children, families, family photos, fun, giving presents, having fun, joyful, kids' book, laugh, love, parenting, photos, special friend

Joyful Thursdays #50

January 3, 2013 By Diane and Chad 1 Comment

What brings you joy, makes you happy, gives you peace? Here are some photos, quotes, and thoughts that make me joyful.

Joyful Thursdays #50

Here are three things that make me happy and bring me joy:

1) A delightful New Year’s Eve:

leaving the winter footwear at the door!

the first to 'crash'

2) being ‘Up North’

a beautiful 'winter' tree

3) watching people enjoy the photos books they received for Christmas….fun to make, fun to give!!

wink, wink..you can also see that pretty ring!

and the TLG each got their own book, so up north everyone shared a peek with the others…

Always lots of fun, sharing memories!

Are you joining in with doing random acts of kindness? It’s a great way to encourage your kids to get outside of themselves and their own issues…and instead to focus on the needs of others. Just a thought…..

Happy Parenting,

D and C

Filed Under: fun, giving presents, happiness, Happiness Tuesdays, having fun, holidays, joyful, joyful holidays, joyful season, joyful Thursdays, kindness, memories, parenting, photos

A TLG Christmas

December 23, 2012 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Another beautiful TLG Christmas…delicious meal, great presents, but most of all…wonderful friends!!!

Every year, as many of us as possible get together and have FUN!!! 9 of the 12 possible adults, 8 of the possible 15 “kids”…..

a signature cocktail...

a yummy pork roast

many tasty side dishes...

great folks...

more lovelies...

I love these people sooo much…those who attended and those who couldn’t… Our Torch Lake Group:))

One of our continuing traditions since the kids were babies! More traditions coming soon!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: angels, appreciation, Christmas, Christmas memories, cooking, families, family fun, family photos, fun, giving presents, giving thanks, having fun, holiday gratitude, holidays, joyful, joyful holidays, joyful season, love, parenting, photos, special friend, traditions

more fun…

November 4, 2012 By Diane and Chad Leave a Comment

Another wonderful wedding this weekend….

Congratulations to Don and Laura!!!

aren't they cute?

Don, and most of his groomsmen, have been friends with Scott (and Chad, too) since elementary or junior high school!! Great friends for a long time!

Scott with 2 great friends...

Chad with the groom

So much fun…all night long…dancing, great music, talking with friends, young and old

woohoo!

groomsmen following the dj's steps....loved it!!

and the lovely ladies:)

the guys celebrating ... Friends in Low Places!!

By the end of the celebration very few of us still had voices left! I enjoyed being with so many wonderful folks who have shared many other memories over the years!

Happy Parenting!

D and C

Filed Under: beauty, being involved, carpe diem, family fun, family photos, fun, giving thanks, having fun, joyful, laugh, love, memories, parenting, photos, special friend, stories, weddings