Home of Fish Lines, by Lila Fish

AUGUST 18,2005
 My, have we been busy!  Linc and I put up 19 pints of piccalilli!  It took us most of yesterday to gather the green tomatoes, red and green bell peppers, onions and spices.  Then the veggies all had to be scrubbed, cut up and run through the grinder and all the jars and lids had to be sterilized!  What a job that was, and it took us much longer than we thought it would.  Of course, we thought we had bought enough to make a double batch (Linc went out into the fields and picked the green tomatoes and peppers!) but it turned out we had enough tomatoes for 3 batches!  Any way, after scrubbing and grinding last night, we just refrigerated the mess and went at it this morning! But we finally finished and what a good feeling that is!
 Tuesday night was Family Night here, and Chris and Carrie were the only ones in town, so we had a lovely dinner, just the 4 of us.  Chris fixed my E-mail program which has been giving me fits for several weeks. ( It took him all of about 10 seconds to fix it!)
 Hope everyone is enjoying their vacations!  And I still have to write Margaret a 'Thank You' for the Bear and purse!  So guess I had better go.

AUGUST 14,2005
 Today was Workshop Day with the Red Hat Ladies!  I think there were 14 here plus myself. A few bought kits to take home as well so I'm sure they all had fun doing their wreaths.  But I couldn't have done it without Nancy!  She took care of the coffee and made sure all the refreshments the ladies had brought were out, then she and Virginia handed out all the ribbon for me.  All (?) I had to do was work with all the ladies.  I suspected that making the bows would be their 'bug-a-boo' and of course, I was right!  But all in all, I think they did a good job and had a great time.
 Rob and Margaret came over to take Linc bowling while I did the workshop.  Rob and Linc carried all the chairs downstairs for me.  But the real treasure came from Margaret.  She brought me a good sized (18 inch?) white bear with a red hat and purple boa around its neck. When you press its hand it sings "Girls Just Want to Have Fun."  It was the hit of the day!  She also brought me a cute little Red Hat purse.  But the singing bear is definitely on  everyone's wish list!  Thank you, Margaret!  
 When the workshop was over and every one had gone home, the four of us went out to dinner.  Of course, we told our waitress that it was Rob's birthday (again!!) and he was brought some ice cream with a candle in it and the staff sang "Happy Birthday" to him.  Rob and Margaret leave tomorrow for their Florida vacation and Cruise.  We will take them to the airport.  But right now, I am bushed and will say 'good night!'

AUGUST 13,2005
 Tuesday night we had Sloppy Joes at Chris & Carrie's--Sarah hosted- -and celebrated Rob's Birthday.  A nice time was had by all.  We all listened as our two mothers-to-be 'entertained' us with the latest stories of their pregnancies!  Fortunately, they both have sympathetic husbands (and a sympathetic cousin, a sympathetic grandpa and a pair of sympathetic great grands-to-be!)  Then we agreed to meet at Don Pablo's for lunch on Friday, following which Rob was to drive to Chicago and Sarah & TJ were to leave for their family vacation at Myrtle Beach. Apparently Margaret flew in on Friday Night to surprise Rob, and they aren't leaving for their vacation until Monday!  Margaret brought a cake which traveled well, and a good time was had by all.
 Linc and I then went to Sam's to buy a Tablecloth-on-a-roll with which to cover the tables downstairs. Tomorrow is my Red Hat workshop, and so far, 15 ladies are coming.  But we are all set up for them downstairs and there is a place set for everyone, plus one extra in case I counted wrong!  Linc and I put the plastic tablecloths on all the tables and I also put some foil on each table to catch the drips from the glue guns.  We  covered the food and drinks tables with the white plastic covering and I think I am finally ready for the workshop!  Linc has fixed me up a beautiful area where I have easily put 4 tables, including the large glass topped one and two long skinny ones, with plenty of lighting, so I am all set.
 Rob called and we met him and Margaret for lunch.  He presented me with a beautiful bouquet of flowers in honor of his Birthday!  (Margaret arranged them!)  They are now in water and look beautiful on our coffee table!  Tomorrow Linc will go bowling with them while I am having the workshop here.

AUGUST 8, 2005
 Not much to really write about, but since I just read David's Log, I will commiserate with him regarding the Buckeye Nuts he made to take to Baltimore.  It's possible that his friends had all consumed too much 'beverage' to appreciate them.  Personally, I ate one of our 'mistakes' and thought it tasted great.  But what do I know, since I'm only a grandma?  
 It's really too hot to think about anything, but I am having a Mini-wreath (6") Workshop here on Sunday afternoon. I took Sarah to the Flower Factory last week and signed her up as my assistant so that she can now shop there without me.  While there we bought the necessary ribbon--but although all the ribbon is measured and cut, (which took forever,) sometime between now and Sunday I have to make up a sample.  Each time I teach this workshop it is different as the materials are always different.  You can never buy this year what you used last year!  Even the Cardinals and wreaths themselves are different this year!   But I think they are cute, so I'm sure the finished product will be pleasing to all.
 Rob's Birthday Cake is in the freezer, waiting for me to frost it.  I'm glad that I made it early as it is really warm out, and in spite of the Air Conditioning, my get-up-and-go is gone!

AUGUST 5, 2005
 David is here and we're making Buckeye Nuts for him to take on a picnic in Baltimore tomorrow with some of his friends.  It was David's idea to bring something that really says "Ohio", and I guess Buckeye Nuts is as Ohio as anyone can get! Right now we are waiting for the peanut butter balls to "set" before dipping them into the chocolate.  Actually, David is making them.  I am just supervising.  He's pretty good in the kitchen.
  It is still too hot here.  We went to the Ohio State Fair last night with Rob, and even then it was a little too warm.  But we had a great time wandering around, and ate dinner at a Greek place in one of the air conditioned buildings.
 Isabelle called yesterday from her Mother's in Nancy.  She finally made it home to Paris after a delay that caused her to miss one of her flights.  But she is safe in France now and will send me some E-mail as soon as Bruno gets home with the computer!

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