Is it Wednesday?

Yesterday was quite the full day in Sandwich. I carved all day from 9 to 4 and then had a drawing class about using the right side of your brain from 6 to 9. That was an interesting class. I enjoyed the carving. I chose a caricature baseball player which you will see when complete.
Today I have a picture session scheduled for the Church pictorial which I completely forgot about until this morning. I just got back from Church after doing the payroll and paying bills, now to pay my bills and get ready to smile:)

Monday

I was out of commission on Saturday with a head cold, Sunday was a little better but didn't accomplish what I wanted to do. On Friday I finished this gourd which I called crown jewels. It started to out to be something else, but a little error caused some intervention. Live and learn.

These are the pumpkin pins waiting for a couple of coats of polyurethane and to have the pins attached to the back. They will be available for purchase at The Center's gift shop in Palos Park. By the way, the chicken that was roaming River Forest near Concordia University has found a new home at the Children's Farm at The Center.

Today is LWML meeting so I have to get the Treasurer's report finished and printed. I also have to work on "costumes" for the skit that we will put on next Sunday.

Tomorrow I'm going to Sandwich, IL for the Gathering of Woodcarvers. During the day I will be taking a class on carving caricatures and in the evening it will be a drawing class. Hope I don't freeze as I think these classes are held in tents on the fairgrounds.

New Leaf Gourd

This is the latest gourd. It is about 6-1/2" high and 8-1/2 " in diameter. I did this one because I gave away the first leaf gourd that I made.



I thought I would share a picture of the St. Matthew Leadership Council. Seated left to right is Pastor, Chairperson Kathy, Secretary Nancy. Standing l. to r. Council members Ken, me, Karen W., Deb,and Rich. Vice chairperson Roger is absent. Notice the number of women, where are the male Church leaders? It was a long meeting, didn't get home till almost 10. I recorded a few TV shows and now I have to find time to watch them; with all of the season's premieres I might have to start watching during the day.

Time to go in the basement and start sawing some blanks and start on another gourd.

Tuesday

I'm wilted, it's so humid. Tried a new recipe for pork with apples, carrots and tomatoes. It sounded good but the recipe will go in the circular file and probably the leftovers. Tonight it is another Leadership Council Meeting. Worked on another gourd today, should have a picture tomorrow. I also need to cut out some blanks for pumpkin pins and an ornament sample that I've been thinking of.

Saturday

I did go to Berland's and watched a demonstration on knife sharpening and bought some respirators. While there my sister called to see if I wanted to go to the Naperville River walk fine arts show and I was hesitant at first, but she convinced me to go. So I headed north from Berlands and stopped off at the youth car wash and then to Lee's.

We went to the show and they do get some excellent artists. And I didn't buy. I need more walls or maybe I'll start hanging art in the bedroom hallway. Lots of room there. There was only one gourder in the show and many potters and we had to stop at each potter to find put more about their glazes and their techniques. Came home and took a quick nap and then Karrie and Katie showed up and we went to Aurelios for Pizza and then we went to the Stonehouse Pub to see Sundance and listen to Nikki sing. This is a picture of Sundance's oldest Fan and of Karrie and Nikki.

I'm glad Sunday is a day of rest because that is what I plan on doing today.

Saturday

Yesterday I cut the tops off and cleaned three gourds. Now they are ready for painting, carving or whatever.
This morning I'm going out to Berland's in Joliet to see a carving demonstration by Joe Dillet. I also hope to buy a respirator for working on the gourds; that gourd dust is nasty.
Tonight its off to see the band Sundance at the Stonehouse Pub. Should be fun.

Woodcarving Class

Wow, what a crowd. There are 5 new carvers so they kept Keith hopping. Luckily 3 of them will switch to the Wednesday night class so it shouldn't be so bad next week.

Votive Gourd

This is called a votive . This one was especially dark in color, I stained it burgundy and sawed the slots in it and finished with a couple of coats of satin polyurethane.

Tuesday

The Church bills and the payroll are done. Afterwards I went to the farmer's market and checked with the orchard for honey crisp apples which they had, but were all sold out. I'll have to get there earlier next week.

Wow What A Week

Last week was sure hectic. Seemed I had something to do every day and now the new week starts. Today is Bible study and tomorrow is Leadership Council meeting so it continues.

Friday went to some friends house for dinner, drinks and conversation. Its always a good time when we get together. April served the best eggplant parmesan I ever tasted and Rich made a unique hors d'voure, a date stuffed with an almond and cheese wrapped with bacon. I must add these to my list. I did take a picture of their dog, Henri. He is a golden doodle.





Saturday a group of us went to a Church in Darien to roll bandages. I didn't think people still did that. We ripped bed sheets into strips and then rolled them up. In the afternoon Lee, Samantha and I went to Geneva for their wine tasting, craft show and gourd show. We managed to taste one wine from a restaurant and couldn't get near the wine tasting tent. I didn't get any inspiration from the gourd show, but I did buy a couple of Christmas presents.


Yesterday was Rally Day at church; the start of Sunday school for the year. The choir and praise team sang. And then the Church picnic was in the afternoon. I made copper pennies(carrot salad).
Filling their plates.



The line waiting for food.



Eating at last.

Luncheon Is Over

The luncheon went will. There were 15 ladies and pastor. They just loved the tomato salad, it has been a big hit since I brought it to last year's luncheon. Some of the ladies helped Marianne and I clean up, for which we were very thankful. That's over until next year.
Tomorrow is the start of wood carving class. It'll take a bit to get back in the groove. And should be fun to see all of the guys in woodcarving and girls in pen and ink.

LWML Lunch

Yesterday was the Ladies Aid meeting to discuss the turkey dinner on October 14. Today its the luncheon for LWML. Marianne and I are serving. This year we are having lunchmeat sandwiches, deviled eggs, tomato salad and chips and pickles. For dessert we are having cheese cake made with crescent rolls and a pumpkin cake with cream cheese icing.
This morning is a real bummer, no Tribune. Oh what will I do without the morning paper?

Keepataw Days Parade

Didn't get any pictures of the parade because I was busy collecting money at the Brat Shop that our Church puts on every year. We did fairly well this year with the proceeds going to the youth for their trip to New Orleans. We sold out of hots dogs and brats, but did have a few pork chops left.

This is the funnel cake crew Bonnie, Joyce and Jessica.

The brat/hot dog /pork chop crew. Pam, Kevin, Dan J. and Dan S. Customer unknown.

The money and pop/water crew. Ruth, Jeannette, Me (also known as the old, oldest and older team) and Karen( who hasn't made it into the "old" group).

Nicki's Wedding

Here is the bride, a beautiful girl and a beautiful dress. Loved the rose bouquet. The wedding was at St. Stephen Church in Tinley and the reception was at the Odyssey in Tinley.

These are the college friends. Left to right, Mandy, Billie, Nickie, Karrie and Bridey.

Ryan and Karrie.

A Wedding

Today Karrie and Ryan and I are going to Nicky's wedding. Nicky has been a lifelong friend of Karrie. Her Grandmother was Karrie's baby sitter when I returned to work. It should be a fun day and evening.

Tires

Today I noticed that my back tire was going flat. The guy told me I needed a new one because the side wall was worn from driving on under inflated tires. I thought I was going to get away with another free fix, but no such luck.
Tonight we start up Praise Team practice after having a nice hiatus during the summer. We are not singing until the 13th so we have a couple of practices before then.