nine of thirty

(9) someone you love :: this one it hard for me because the people I love the most do not live near me.  So... meet Mary Ellen.  She's the bestest grandmother a girl could have!  We used to play tiddly winks at the kitchen table after feasting on the yummiest home cookin' after church on Sundays. We would run around the farm and feed the left overs to the barn kitties.  I would ride in the back of the wagon full of soy beans while she and my grandfather were pulling in the harvest.  She would measure me against the growth of the corn each year and I would help her hang laundry out on the line to dry.  She makes the most delicious parker house type rolls and would ship them to me after I moved to Chicago along with homemade grape elderberry jelly that she would pack in chex mix to keep it safe and provide an extra treat.  She's simply the bees knees!!  

She's a whopping 92 years old and currently living with my parents after suffering stroke almost one year ago.  Her spirit is strong.  She laughs a lot and is cared for by another spectacular person, my mom. xoxo

Church celebrates 150th anniversary

Leavenworth, Kan. —

Even though the official anniversary was last month, a rural Leavenworth church will be celebrating its 150th anniversary this weekend.

The Rev. Vernon Welkner, pastor of High Prairie Church, said there will be a special service Sunday. There also will be celebratory church picnic.

Church officials considered Aug. 22 to have been the 150th anniversary. Records show land was deeded to the trustees of what was then called the High Prairie Presbyterian Cumberland Church Aug. 22, 1861.

The church moved more than once. Welkner believes an 1895 structure at the church’s current location at Eisenhower Road and 187th Street is the fourth building to be used by the congregation. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A new sanctuary was built in the 1990s, but the 1895 building is still used a lot, Welkner said.

The church also has gone through name changes. For years, it was called the Gospel Tabernacle of High Prairie.

Today, the church is non-denominational and has a congregation of about 150 people.

“Most of them have rural ties in the Leavenworth County area,” Welkner said.

Welkner called High Prairie Church a “country church with a big country heart.”

“These folks have a very good nature to them,” he said.

He said they love being together, and visitors feel welcome at the church.

via leavenworthtimes.com

My childhood church turned 150 this year! Wow, that's a serious milestone. I spent many a wonderful day in this church with my family. I have yet to find a church that can even come close to the sense of community and fellowship of High Prairie.

http://www.flickr.com/apps/slideshow/show.swf?v=71649

eight of thirty

(8) a bad habit :: Yeah, so ... I'm really bad about wearing my glasses. I squint at the computer screen more and more everyday, but somehow that does not make me reach into my bag to grab for my glasses. It's ridiculous. I even purchased brand new glasses that are titanium and so light that I barely feel them on my face ... and still no. Bad. Bad. Bad!

To Market To Market Video - 1940s Billboard Advertising in Chicago

http://www.archive.org/flow/flowplayer.commercial-3.2.1.swf

via andymarfia.blogspot.com

I love this video! The message still applies today, but in such a different medium it's kind of crazy. I wonder if people will look back at videos of this era and think we look as cool and chic as the folks did in the 40's? I seriously doubt it ..

rained out

Every now and then I spy a Groupon that I feel is worth purchasing, I am not one of those people that goes totally overboard to get a deal. I tend to purchase experience type of things - chocolate and pasta making classes, photobooks and etc. Today I was supposed to be at a photography class that I purchased and it's been raining since the moment I got up. There was not a whole lot of information about the class on the website - just what you should know (iso, wb, metering...), what to bring and where to meet. The confirmation did note that the class 'could' be cancelled due to weather, but I had no correspondence today at all. I called and texted the instructor and emailed the Chimpsy site where the class is scheduled, but got no answer or call back. I'm a little disappointed about that. About an hour before the class, I went back to the website where I booked and "cancelled" the class, but they only have two more available - neither of which I can make. What to do now? I may just be out some $$. booooooooooo

seven of thirty

(7) fruit :: "how about them apples?" I gotta be honest, this is the only fruit in my house. I'm a SUPER picky eater and do not like many fruits and just don't keep them in the house. They go bad before I eat them, so I buy and eat same day only.  However, I've got all sorts of these silver apples around the house... *wink*

Hope you had a great weekend!

six of thirty

(6) from a low angle :: Say hello to Phoebe. She loves sitting up high, kind of like she's keeping watch over her kingdom.

chocolate chip goodness

Found a recipe via Pinterest titled "The only chocolate chip cookie I will ever need to know how to make for the rest of my life" and thought, well I will have to make those!  Apparently an adaptation of a recipe posted in the NY Times a while back ... I have to say they are pretty good.  The recipe says to let the dough sit for 36 hours - man that's tough - to get the full flavor.  I have no idea why it would deepen in flavor, but trust me it really does!!  I made one quick batch after 24hrs and then another at 36 and they did have a completely different flavor.  

What I like most about these cookies is that they are a great combination of chewy and crunchy - an using the 60% or better cocoa chips is key!  My boss' daughter (11) had them and loved them... so basically, if you don't tell the kiddos they are dark chocolate, they will never know the difference!  Give them a go and let me know if you think they live up to the hype!! 

five of thirty

(5) from a high angle :: How about from the skybox at Willis Tower? Yep, I finally faced my fear and walked out into the glass box 103 floors above Chicago! Well, I didn't get completely out inside the box... but even that's a huge step for me, I am not a fan of heights.

Sometimes it's fun to be a tourist in your own city, don't ya think?

P.S.  Funny story about the shoes ... I was on a jobsite, my installer says to me "hmm, makes sense." What?  "You're from Kansas, right?" Um... yeah, why? "Gonna click those heels?" Yes, yes, always a Dorothy reference...

*note* click image to see larger.
*note deux* please leave your url in your comment. thanks! 

Ink: Today

Rain, held in the galvanised grey pail of the sky
While the wind wheezes
Through the branches of barren trees

Yet, yesterday was sweltering
A pure sunrise
Like orange juice being poured
Into the cupped hands of the valley

via heatherabeille.blogspot.com

lovely - perfectly describes my day