My church just concluded VBS [Vacation Bible School] on June 20th. It was titled Rocky Railway. Over 40 children attended and learned about Jesus. I remember attending VBS when I was a child, and I'm glad the tradition still continues.
Tuesday, June 25, 2024
Another Railway...
Monday, June 24, 2024
Michigan Central Train Station
We only had 105 guests for tea last Saturday, so when I got off work my hubby and I drove over to the newly restored Michigan Central Train Station for a self-guided tour. It's just 2.5 miles from The Whitney.
It recently opened to the public on June 6th after a $950 million, six-year restoration project by Ford Motor Company who purchased it in 2018 for $90 million. Effective June 21 thru August 31st admission is free on Friday's from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
I was so anxious to see it. The last time I was there was June, 1964 to see my girlfriend [on the left] off to California.
It's located in Corktown, Detroit's oldest neighborhood. Irish immigrants, primarily from County Cork, Ireland, settled there in 1834 giving the area its name.
Three new massive chandeliers were recreated in a Beaux Arts architectural style to match ones seen in original constrution drawings and historical photos. They hang in the Grand Hall.
'The Station' was modeled after Rome's public baths with marble floors, bronze chandeliers, and Corinthian Columns. It opened December 26, 1913 as one of the country's most spectacular transportation terminals. At its peak, 'The Station' saw 4,000 passengers daily.
Below is the [north] main entrance into the Grand Hall, but it was locked on Saturday. Origionally benches for travelers to sit on would have been in this area, but now it's a large open space. It showcases the marble floors beautifully.
Ticket counters in the ticket lobby, and one of two large clocks on the ground level. The ticket lobby was between the Grand Hall and the Main Concourse.
Thursday, June 20, 2024
First Day of Summer
Happy summer! As I sit at my computer typing this post we're in the midst of a severe thunderstorm - rain is coming down in torrents. But it's been so hot, our lawns appreciate the rain.
Did you celebrate Juneteenth yesterday? I read red is a key color for Juneteenth because it represents resilience. It's reflected in menus too - watermelon salad, barbequed ribs, red velvet cake and hibiscus tea or strawberry lemonade are common offerings at Juneteenth gatherings. The federal holiday is ony officially recognized in 29 states and Washington D.C. Michigan is one of them.
I didn't fix any of the red food items, but a visit to Costco did provide the wild caught sockeye salmon that we had for dinner. I found a great salmon marinade recipe online and cooked it in the air fryer. It turned out so good.
My Bridgerton Guide to Entertaining Book was delivered today. It's a great book with many recipes and color photographs of the recipes plus the cast and scenes from some of the episodes. It also covers topics such as The Art of the Calling Card, How to Address Royalty and Nobility and other things relevant to the series. It's definitely worth $25.
I started watching Season Three and am amused by all of Queen Charlotte's wigs. She was bi-racial in real life, and the grandmother of Queen Victoria. She and her family enjoyed many happy summers at Kew Palace and she died there in 1818. Her life story is very interesting. When I was in England last summer my hubby and I toured Kew Palace. It's much smaller than other palaces and not nearly as elaborate or elegant but it was away from the hubbub of London where the family could enjoy privacy.
Have you watched Bridgerton or the Netflix prequel, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story?
Monday, June 17, 2024
Williams-Sonoma Store and Bridgerton
Our granddaughter, Marissa, has a birthday on June 24th so I went to the Williams-Sonoma store this morning to get her a gift card. Her mom says she's enjoying cooking and baking now and recently got a nice stand mixer there. I thought I'd help fund her new hobby.
I love Williams-Sonoma and could spend a fortune in that store. While browsing around I saw a few things that I put on my mental wish list.
This particular store didn't carry the full line of products - just the honey and fruit curd and mixes for Vanilla Earl Grey Quick Bread, Orange Cardamon Shortbread Mix and Strawberry Scone Mix. I bought the Strawberry Scone Mix [$18.95] and am anxious to try it.
Moving on to a different subject... Lucky's restaurant [where we ate yesterday] serves huge portions, so Jerry and I both got take-home boxes. He ordered Chicken Parmesan and I got Monterey Chicken which came with two large boneless chicken breasts halves. I heated the leftovers for our dinner today. Hooray, a no cooking day! ;-)
Sunday, June 16, 2024
Father's Day 2024
My father's been gone from this earth for 13 years now, but I honor him on Father's Day and think of him often throughout the year. He was a wonderful father and I was blessed to have him for 93 years. I'm comforted knowing that He lived a life committed to Jesus and our parting is only temporary. I will see him again in Heaven someday.
Saturday, June 15, 2024
Flag Day and More...
Our American flag was proudly flying on the front of our house yesterday for Flag Day. Actually it flies most days when the weather is good, not just patriotic holidays.
I worked yesterday, and when I got home we had a graduation party to attend for the girl across the street. Afterwards I was too tired to write a post, so apologies for this being a day late.
Instead of a calorie-laden dessert, we had a Waldorf Salad made with unpeeled, diced Honey Crisp apples, halved green grapes, finely diced celery and chopped walnuts bound together with a little mayonnaise.