Dichotomy.....Winter.....Summer

We had a couple of inches of snow today......

the landscape is so beautiful covered in snow......

The landscape if so beautiful covered in flowers.

Portraits of Eli

Memories of Christmas past

1973

1978

1978

1979

1979

Family Portraits

We had portraits taken yesterday - Eli; the boys; me and the boys; and Todd and the boys. Here is a preview.

Photos will be in the mail soon.

Get-away to Florida

Kevin and I just got back from 5 days in Florida at Vasili's place. It is as gorgeous as ever. We had cloudy days, with some sunshine - but it was still wonderful. The best and worst thing was the dozen oysters I had from Crabby Bill's Wed night. I have always read the disclaimer on the menu: Warning - consuming raw or undercooked seafood may cause illness. I vomited for two days and had a pretty rough flight home today.

We did manage to have a couple of outings.....brunch on The Pier at St. Petersburg Marina.

Family News November, 2009

My university studies are OVER! I now have a MNUR with a minor in Management. Kevin and I are flying to Florida on Wed for a 5 day mini-vacation/celebration!


Eli is in the midst of diagnostics for the seizure he had Oct 26th. We had an EEG last Wed and have an MRI with general Anesthesia on Monday. Will let you know if Dr Walsh wants to put him on seizure meds.

Joel is playing R.F. Simpson - Studio Owner and Producer in HCS's performance of Singin in the Rain. Kevin and I are going to the closing night tonight - I went to opening nigth and the show is FABULOUS! They even have real rain for the Singin in the Rain number - then a 20 minute intermission to dry up the stage before the second half. Joel has done an outstanding job in his role - wish you could see him. He is quite a natural...but then look at the genes (on my side!!!)

Big Black is a sad critter this week. He developed a nasty ear infection and scatched the hair and skin off his ear - so is now wearing the cone of shame.

13 days and counting......

Until I am finished with USQ and will have completed my Master's in Nursing.

Wahoo!!!!

I am working on my final assignment - a 4000 word paper on the Potential Impact to physicians in in U.S if the proposed health care reform bills are adopted.

Joel 007

Look closely at the reflection in the glasses - it is Joel leaning on his car.

A tradition in the U.S. now is for kids graduating from High School to get a series of "senior pictures". Joel had his portrait "shoot" on Saturday morning. I found a lady who does this out of her home - she is very good and has competetive prices. We met her and her husband at a park with a covered bridge to take outdoor shots - including some with his car. The we went to her studio/Home and did some "controlled lighting" shots. She posted this one to her Facebook - always does that after taking a shoot..great marketing as all the kids are interestd in seeing each others shots. There is some very creative photography.

Joel turns 17

Joel turns 17 today. We went to O'Charley's for dinner last night and Joel's wallet is feeling a little more padded after he opened his Birthday cards. I am buying him new motorcycle tires.

Hard to believe it has been 17 years....I vividly remember the day he was born!!

Draycott Drive Music Hall

Kevin has had one of his bands rehersing here this week in preparation for a gig Saturday night. This is the Cuban Band - Mumbai Taxi.

They started rehersing at 6pm - so Eli got to enjoy an hour of live music right in his own living room! The bongo player is Tony - a native African. He loved entertaining Eli.

Joel's news and Mum's lament

While I was away Joel ( with Todd's permission) purcahsed a second hand motor-cycle with some of the money he earned from his summer job. Joel reminded me that I said "if Dad is OK with it then I guess I am OK with it"....never thinking Todd would allow Joel to have a motorcycle.
It is a Kawasaki Ninja 250.

GUESS WHO??????

New York State Vacation

We drove to Coumbus OH. to drop the dog off with Hannah. Saturday morning we headed north east to the Fingerlakes District of Western New York. Take a look at a map of Western New York State and you will see the "Finger Lakes" - 11 long skinny lakes that were created at the end of the last ice age when glaciers decended from Lake Ontario. These lakes have a created a micro-climate in a short growing season climate that makes them perfect for growing grapes. Close to 100 wineries in the area. There are also waterfalls everywhere! The flowers were incredible - must be the great soil and the climate.

The first 2 nights we stayed in the cute little village of Hammondsport on the south end of Keuka Lake in the Tavern Inn.




We drove up the side of the lakes and the views were incredible! Vineyards and hay fileds, flowers and 2 century old farmhouses. The architecture was incredible because this area was settled in the late 1700, early 1800's and it was spared the destruction of the civil war.

We ate well!!! Stopping at wineries and restaurants for fabulous gourmet meals paired with local wines. Here we ate lunch at the Bully Hill Winery. Incredible views of the lake and rolling vineyards.

We drove between lakes and enjoyed beautiful, peaceful, scenery and visited Watkin's Glen Waterfall.

We took a long climb...see the staircase to the left of the falls.

Another falls....Taughannock Falls

Graet accomodations......Geneva Rowhouses.

The Belhurst Castle in Geneva. This was the best place we stayed. Built in 1885-89 now converted to a restaurant and lodging. Our room was the round turret in the front and above the portico.

Belhurst has it's own winery and we enjoyed a lovely complimentary wine tasting and access to the wine spigot on the second floor.....free flowing wine...right outside our door!

We drove back through Rochester, New York...looked at Lake Ontario, then drove to Buffalo, New York and took a quick look at Niagra. Kevin has not been there since he was a little boy and I had great memories of when Joel and I were there in 1999 with Granny and Pa.

Next stop was Cleveland, OH and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A museum of the history of American and British Rock. Kevin enjoyed seeing the museum - I did as well.

From Cleveland we dropped down to Columbus and picked up the dog, then headed home to Indy. Total mileage 1550. 6 days

A great vacation!

Summer Garden

Happy Yellow Daylillies

Big Black watching over his domain.

Bright red bergonia

Rose of Sharon

The garden is bursting with colour and life! There are 12 -14 fish and 2 frogs living in the pond. Several hummingbirds have been sighted. We've had nice rain and mild temperatures.

Kevin's Band - Mumbai Taxi

Kevin' latest musical undertaking..... a Latin Band.......Mumbai Taxi. From left - Larry - keyboards.....used to play with The Temptations in the 1970s; Kevin , drummer and percussion; Phil - Lead singer and guitar - school teacher(Spanish) and karate instructor;Tony, bongos; Bill, Bass guitar. Bill and Kevin play in the Country Band Stockwell Road and the Blues band Partyline together and Bill is a 6th and 7th grade orchestra teacher and baseball coach. Lots of talent amongst all these people.

This photo was in the Indy Star today with a brief write-up. The band is playing at the Midsummer Music Festival next weekend.

Visiting Our Heritage - Winter Family 1907

I was delighted recently to read an email Mum passed on from Eean with some further clarification regarding the Winter family details. I hope Valda, Lesle, Eean, Bev and Fay will contribute further with any informaiton they know of.

You guys are the last of the informaiton sources related to this generation!

I believe this portrait was around 1907 - judging by Dorothy's age. The four children - Norman, Dorothy, Ivy and Fred. Fred was born in 1906 and Stan was born in 1908 - so Spohie may have been expecting Stan in this portrait.

Hail Storms in Indiana

We have had a couple of doozy hail storms in the last 2 weeks. This one shredded a lot of my garden. Another one put dints in Joel's car and Todd's brand new car. Insurance will repair. Maureen had a guy come and check the roof to be sure we didn't have roof damage - but she did not, so I assume I am good too. It was much worse north of here.

Generally a mild late spring temperature-wise and we have had a lot of nice rain. I have only needed to water my potted plants so far. No tornado activity around central Indiana.




Hail dmage to my Lamb't Ear and Hosta's. The hydranga was destroyed - only very early tender blooms. More are already popping up. I have not been able to get my hydrangea to bloom for years - and this year I was putting it on a special diet and giving it TLC to get a bloom....but I fear it was scared bloom-less!