Reds Game

Jake and I headed to Great American Ballpark on Tuesday to catch a Reds game with Jake's dad, Gerry, and Teresa. This game was extra special because it was Gerry's first MLB game! We caught up with Jake's parents, ate lots of peanuts, and cheered the Reds on to a win. We even got to see Chapman's much-discussed somersault off the mound. It was quite the game!

Indy Museum of Art

This summer, Jake's youth group is going on "mystery trips" every few weeks instead of having their weekly meetings. They have no idea where they're going until they get there. This past Sunday, I tagged along as they went to the Indianapolis Museum of Art. It was awesome! I never really heard friends in the Indy area talk about it, but it is definitely worth a visit (plus, it's free!). They have four floors of art, plus acres and acres of gardens and outdoor art. I want to go back sometime soon with a picnic and a blanket to nap on. That sounds like a great afternoon to me.

Grandpa's Museum

The main reason for our little road trip to Michigan was to take Grandpa to the Bay County Historical Society's exhibit on the Patrol Craft Sailor Association. The PCSA is a group of Navy veterans that were on Sub Chasers and Patrol Craft boats in WW II and Korea. Grandpa was one of the PCSA's founding members and has been really looking forward to seeing the completed exhibit in Bay City, Michigan. He met with the museum's historian who talked to him about his ship and copied some of his old photos and memoirs to keep in their archives. Grandpa was even in a film they were showing about sub chasers as you entered the museum.  It was a really great experience to have with him and the family!

Frankenmuth and Bronner's

The little town of Frankenmuth, Michigan is quickly stealing my heart a little more each time I visit. That fact was further proven during our day spent there with the grandparents over the weekend. Mostly because of a) Its old world, small town German charm and b) Bronner's: the world's largest Christmas store. Can't wait to head back soon!

                 

Back 40 Junction

I'm currently on a little road trip with the family, Grandma, and Grandpa. We're headed to Bay City to a WW II museum Grandpa contributed to. On our way, we stopped by the coolest restaurant just outside of Fort Wayne called Back 40 Junction. Grandpa remembered going to Back 40 years ago and my belly is so glad he did. Holy moly, they had a whole buffet of made-from-scratch salads, main dishes, and desserts. Plus, the decor was the coolest!

The Infamous Trailer

For years my grandparents have been telling me about an old trailer on their property. They said it was full of furniture and mementos from my great grandparents. To a lover of old things like me, this sounded like the holy grail. The only hitch with the infamous trailer was that it hadn't been opened in years, and most likely will be filled with all kinds of critters.

Well, we finally got up the gumption to crack open the trailer last week. Of course, I made sure to wear my dad's knee high boots, just in case a raccoon decided to get a little too fresh with me. I was most definitely not disappointed with the contents of the infamous trailer. It was filled with my great grandparents kitchen chairs, bedroom furniture, and dishware. We found letters my grandpa wrote home during World War II. We even found the sides to my grandpa's baby crib. 

I think the best part of the experience was seeing Grandpa and Grandma react to the things we found. They could tell you where furniture sat in the old house and what year different letters were sent home. I'm currently cleaning up some of our treasures so that yet another generation can use them and remember the stories of where they came from. I just love that.

New Wreaths!

I just posted a few more wreaths up on KikiWreath!

I've been waiting to use some of the vintage fabric I picked up for a while now. I'm really happy with the result!

I'm a fan of all things nautical, so when I found some decorative rope during one of my shopping trips I knew I had to make a wreath with it. I kind of want to keep this one for myself...

Happy Father's Day!

I might be just a little biased, but I really do think I have the best Dad around. He is the most caring, sacrificing, loving, involved, and funniest guy I know. I am fully aware of how lucky and blessed I am to have him. Plus, he looks pretty dapper in a bow tie.

Happy Father's Day to all of the wonderful dads (and grandpas) in my life!

Bits and Pieces

 

Flight booked for our Boston trip/ Peaches from the flea market

Bow tie for my Mister/ Chocolate covered funnel cake

Colorful grocery shopping/ Making a curtain

Grandma's caramel popcorn/ Hobby Lobby shopping

Antique mall find/ Elementary school blast from the past