Father's Day, VBS and More...

I hope the fathers in your family enjoyed a happy Father's Day.  It's hard to believe my father has been gone 14 years, but our parting is only temporary and I'll see him again someday.

At church yesterday the sanctuary was all decorated for Vacation Bible School which began today with the theme Scuba Diving into friendship with God.  Day 1 was reported as a huge success.  I was curious when VBS began because I remember attending when I was a kid. Google says the first recorded VBS was held in 1894 at Hopedale United Methodist Church in Illinois.  How awesome that it's still going strong 131 years later.  It's a wonderful way to teach children about Jesus.

Two pictures that were posted of day #1 [Actually 13 pics were posted but I'm only sharing two].  Did you go to VBS when you were a kid?

After church yesterday our family went to dinner at Lucky's Steak House - a family favorite. After our meal my family indulged me with some picture taking.  Below are the three dads represented in our family yesterday: Jerry, son Steve, and son-in-law Dave.  The Indian statue is a reminder that Native Americans once inhabited Imlay City where Lucky's is located.

Jerry with two of his kids, Lori and Steve.  Jeremy didn't make it from Zeeland.  Steve wore his VBS Scuba Crew T-shirt since he had to preach from a platform decorated with an underwater theme.  All VBS helpers are wearing the same T-shirt this week.

When we got home from the restaurant I got right on the task of completing the Whitney Tea Service Training Manual.  I finished it just before midnight and sent it via the Internet to the restaurant CEO so he'd have it first thing this morning.  So glad to cross that off my 'to do' list.

Tomorrow my hubby begins his 12th year with the summer GM Student Corps program.  His shirt is ready and waiting to put on first thing in the morning.   He was delighted to learn his GM Student Intern used to be granddaughter Brooke's best friend in grade school until she and her family moved to another community.  Small world!

I went back to the Hallmark store today and bought the garden stone I blogged about last week.  My hubby thought it would be safer hanging than in the ground where it might get damaged by the weed whacker or lawn mower.  It did have a place on the back for hanging so we put it right by our front door.  I smile every time I see it.

I'm looking at the picture below and notice I need to pull that droopy white flower in the wreath back up in place so there won't be a bare spot.  ;-)

Have a good week as we begin the third week of June!!!

June Celebrations

June is a month filled with celebrations for our family.  Our daughter-in-law, Sharon, begins the celebrating with her birthday on June 7th.

June 11th was Jerry's and my 59th Wedding Anniversary.  We went to our favorite restaurant, River Crab in St. Clair, MI to celebrate.  It was a beautiful day, just like our wedding day.

We ordered our favorite entree - Ultimate Seafood Mixed Trio - Grilled Salmon, Crab Cake, Coconut Shrimp, Coconut Ginger Rice, and Broccoli Rabe.  It didn't disappoint, and we went home very full!

For dessert we shared a Creme Brulee.

We were hoping to see some freighters on the river, but none passed by while we were there - only a few speed boats.

The next day [Thursday/yesterday] I drove to my childhood stomping grounds to have lunch with some high school girlfriends.  This year marks our 60th high school graduation anniversary.  We decided we wouldn't refer to ourselves as old.  We're seasoned and experienced instead! ;-)

The gal sitting next to me in the above picture [in the red top] texted me recently saying she had some dishes to give to me if I wanted them.  She brought them yesterday and I didn't know what a treasure I had until I got home and began to unwrap them.  Royal Albert Old English Rose service for 12. They're beautiful!  The set has a sugar bowl and creamer, but no teapot, so I will have to remedy that.

Sunday will be another day of celebration as we honor the fathers in our family, and two of our granddaughters have birthdays on June 24th and 29th.

 

Keeping In Touch

I hope you've been enjoying the month of June so far.  It's hard to believe it's been over a week since I last posted. The days go by so quickly and there really hasn't been anything newsworthy to blog about, but since I want to stay in touch I've come up with a little 'this and that'.

While I went off to work last Saturday to serve tea to 130 guests, our daughter came over to work on a project with her dad.  She will be moving into her new house in mid-July and wanted to give her oak dining room set a face lift.  They sanded the chairs and pedestal and will paint them black this coming Saturday, while the table top will remain it's original oak color.  I took the picture below when I came home from work when they were just wrapping things up for the day.

It's always a blessing to go to church on Sundays, but yesterday was a double blessing when Dr. Todd and Jeanne Mellish attended while visiting from New Hampshire.  [They are the young couple pictured on the left.]  Todd's dad was the senior pastor of the church we attended for 26 years and where I was church secretary.  Todd is a few years younger than my kids, but they all grew up together and Todd has kept in touch with Steve since moving to New Hampshire. What a joy to see them again!  His wife Jeanne has the gift of hospitality and would love to own a B & B someday.  She said she'd enjoy a job like mine at The Whitney.  I suggested restaurants in historic homes, B & B's or upscale hotels as good places to start looking.   It all starts with a dream so dream big!

In the center of the picture is my girlfriend, Lori, and her husband.  They attended the same church, so also know Todd.

 

Earlier today while out running errands I passed a school sign that said dream big.  I couldn't help thinking about my conversation with Jeanne, so I took a picture and sent it to her.   It took a long time [and a lot of prayers] to get my dream job, but with persistence it finally happened.  What dream would you like to see come true?

When we went outside after church, Liz, a master gardener who plants all the flowers at church and cares for them, was watering them before going home.  Aren't they beautiful!

Speaking of The Whitney... I have a question I'd really like your input.  I'm working with management on an updated Tea Service Manual for training purposes. I think many people are visual and retain info better with pictures.  I'd like to include photos to accompany instructions.  What do you think?

A new tea room book arrived from Amazon last week.  I first learned about Leila & Erika Shanoff through World Tea Expo a few years ago during the COVID quarantine, and they also advertise in Tea Time magazine.  They are a mother/daughter duo who own a tea room in Clermont, Florida called Erika's Tea Room.  They've been in business for about 12 years.  In addition to their book, they also do YouTube videos which are interesting to watch.  I love their slogan, "Memories Made with Every Cup!"  Very true!

Below are some scones I ordered from them in 2021 for a World Tea Expo virtual tea tasting.

I saw this teacup swimming pool on Facebook recently and thought what tea-themed item will they think of next?  Even though I'm a tea lover, I'm not a sun goddess [I burn too easily], and I'm not a water lover either so I'll leave the teacup swimming pool for others to enjoy.

In closing, I went into the Hallmark store today and saw the cutest garden stone.  I took a picture of it so I could mull it over in my mind, but I think I'm going to go back to get it.

Have a good week!