All summer . . .

I've been longing to go here . . .

For one of these . . .

With this on top!

And tonight was my lucky night! Kirk took me to get a DQ Krunch Kote Cone. Per Cara's instruction, I ordered a "side" of Krunch Kote to dip my cone in as I ate it. WOW . . . talk about sugar overload. Oh my, I should have ordered a small cone instead of a medium.

Let's just say, I'm satisfied. I don't have a deep desire for another Krunch Kote cone in the near future. Culver's custard is still my favorite ice cream. Did you know I have a "thing" for ice cream CONES? I do. I love ice cream cones. A plain cone, please. Flavor of choice is Butter Pecan. At McDonald's it is a twist cone (their cones are lower in calories). Vanilla custard at Culver's rocks too!

How about you? What is your favorite ice cream? How do you like it served? In a dish? A cone? Plain cone or sugar cone? Do you even like ice cream? Some people don't I guess, but I'll never understand that!

Remember my last blog --- when I wrote this: "Tomorrow I'll post more photos and tell you about the romantic thing Kirk did. ;)" ?

By the way, "tomorrow" was obviously a "loose" term for "some time soon."
We ate dinner with Danae - and after she left us to "go more blonde". We checked out the band and the vendors. One of my favorite vendors sells perennials...including some newer varieties like the one below...a "caramel, curly leaft coral bell". We bought one of these. And a red Yarrow plant. And an orange Yarrow. I still have my eyes on a few others there too.
The new fountain at Peace Plaza is really nice. . .
The little ones especially love it. (this little girl's parents weren't sure what to do about me taking photos, I tried to be very discreet about it though)
As we walked further we came across a booth full of homemade pottery. I've always been drawn to pottery, and since taking the pottery "throwing" class last winter I have a renewed appreciation for the art. There were several pieces that caught my eye immediately but this one seemed to stand-out more than the others. Maybe because of the simplicity? As we were looking at the pottery, I flippantly said, "I'd pick this one", (with no intention to buy anything) then turned to move on to the next booth. .

that's when Kirk stopped in his tracks and said, "I'll buy it for you". "What?!! You're crazy", I said. To which my charming husband replied, "that's what I have "mad money" for. . . then proceeded to purchase this bowl for me --- with his "mad money". Which means he sacrificed buying something he has wanted to buy me something I admired, but would have never spent the money on. That is romantic to me. Funny how these little things in life are ones you never forget. I know that memories of that night will always flash back to me when I gaze on this bowl.

Rochester.
A beautiful evening downtown -- the two of us. This is the old City Hall now converted into classy apartments (which I'd love to see!).

I love these light fixtures! There are two, one on each side of the steps. They really create atmosphere on the street.

Kirk and I had an awesome date night tonight. We went to "Thursday's on First" -- a market of sorts all day on Thursday's downtown with bands in the evening and food vendors all day. Tomorrow I'll post more photos and tell you about the romantic thing Kirk did. ;)

On the way home from the HyVee grocery store on 37th Street (at about 7:30 pm)
things seemed a little . . . different. odd. sparse. Then it hit me, I was about the only car on the road. It was eerie in a way. Usually this road is hopping with cars, and the intersection I was approaching is usually much busier.

As I crossed Highway 52 --- empty. Was it the second coming and I'd been left behind? This just isn't normal.

Maybe the empty roads have something to do with this . . .

I also noted that I saw several people walking with grocery bags on the road near the grocery store. Cara said gas in Cincy is $3.95. Time to tell......what's your town's gas price?

Here's a flashback to 1981 (the year I was married)

Cost of a new home: $83,000.00
Median Household Income: $19,074.00
Interest Rate: 18% on a conventional loan
Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.15 ($0.18 as of 3/22/81; $0.20 as of 11/1/81)
Cost of a gallon of regular gas: $1.38
Cost of a dozen eggs: $0.90
Cost of a gallon of Milk: $2.22

Change is hard . . .

and this change will be no exception. Wednesday morning is knitting & coffee time for Melissa and I. Today was "coffee as usual" until Melissa announced that her and hubby Matt will be moving to Minneapolis ~~ soon. Matt has been named the new CEO at Teacher's Federal Credit Union and takes the helm on Monday. Melissa has one more week at her job then she will join Matt in the Cities.
Melissa is special and dear to me. We've had many a heart to heart conversation over the years which have drawn us close. Sometimes Melissa feels like another daughter to me -- and I will miss her greatly. BUT she won't be THAT far away. And we both do have cell phones and computers!
Melissa, I'll miss ya girl! I've already been missing Matt since February!

On another note.....

Which gas station would you buy gas today? These two gas stations are only a block apart from each other. The picture was taken at 4pm today....and only a minute apart. (keep scrolling down ....)

How much is a gallon of gas where you live?

A day in my life ~
Coffee & breakfast at Dunn Brothers with Brenda;
Church construction site to look at stained concrete samples and talk to painter;
Hom Furniture Store for ideas (and fun with Brenda)
De-Clutter more stuff - pack it up, give it away, throw it away
Wait for Fed Ex to deliver printer - I have to sign for it
Prepare, Eat, Clean up dinner
Girls night, Knit, Blog

Brenda chose this bedroom set at Hom Furniture for her condo in Colorado...
(Cara - this is what we were doing when you called)

Just 8 cents more and Nate will be taking the city bus to school - his decision....$3.50 is his limit.

Looking forward to the weekend! New friends coming for dinner here on Friday. Saturday we are going to a nice dinner with friends (at 300 First) and then to see Blue Man Group....first row!

(I was kidding about the condo in Colorado)

Bless the Broken Road . . .

Today our friend Brent was married to Beth. It is a day he has looked forward to for so many years as he waited on God's grander plan for finding his true love.


The bride's brother-in-law sang "Bless the Broken Road" by Rascal Flatts during the wedding. It was a perfect song for them. Brent has a beautiful voice -- and though he wasn't singing for the guests, he was singing the song to Beth. I could see him singing from my vantage point and was touched by the song ... and his singing it to her (quietly).

God Bless the Broken Road
I set out on a narrow way many years ago
Hoping I would find true love along the broken road
But I got lost a time or two
Wiped my brow and kept pushing through
I couldn't see how every sign pointed straight to you
Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

I think about the years I spent just passing through
I'd like to have the time I lost and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand
You've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan that is coming true

Every long lost dream lead me to where you are
Others who broke my heart they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

Congratulations Brent & Beth!

love,

fire or sunset?Kirk and I went out this evening to run a couple errands and this is what we saw! It's a sunset with rain clouds moving in...but I think it looks like a fire too! I've done some cropping and the location isn't obvious, but some of you local folk might recognize it. Some might be very familiar with the location!

Little shout out here to Karyn - a newbie to the blog who has come out of the shadows and admitted confessed to reading my blog! I love it! You are now an "official blog friend" (and of course good friend) Karyn! (hehe)