B-I-N-G-O Party

About this time the last two summers, we hosted a BINGO party. It was great fun to gather with friends and neighbors in the backyard patio area for an evening of fun and games and LOTS of laughter.

Each family brought a few "treasures" of little or no value for the prizes--white elephant/gag gift types were my favorite (wrapped, of course).  A trip to Dollar General supplied everything we needed in the prize department.

We sat up tables, since it is hard to hold BINGO cards on your lap without sliding the button markers off the card.

The winners were very excited!

The party ended with root beer floats, which are always a hit!

We are trying to come up with a date for the 3rd Annual BINGO party. It's so important to take time to play with your friends in the summer--even when you're a grown up!  Before you blink and your summer is over, invite some friends over for a backyard party! 

Blooms

"Where flowers bloom, so does hope."

Lady Bird Johnson

Here's what's blooming in my garden...

Indian Summer Rudbekia:

Ornamental Kale and Impatiens:

Many varieties of day lilies:

Oak Leaf Hydrangea:

Victoria Blue Salvia:

Purple Cone Flower:

Profusion Zinnias (cherry):

and bee balm, feverfew, hollyhocks, petunias, and hostas.

The milkweed has monarchs flittering around it every day. We have been finding lots of eggs and some tiny caterpillars. 

Worship Arts Camp

Last week I spent a lot of time with the people in this video. Our church held a Worship Arts Camp instead of Vacation Bible School this summer. We had a great time using different gifts as an offering of worship to the Lord. We offered sessions in rhythm, dance, singing, watercolor painting, woodworking, and mixed media to the school-aged kids of our church.  I got to teach the singing sessions all week, and I loved hearing the children's voices. It had been a while since I'd been in a "classroom" teaching music to kids, and I've missed it. Joining others in worship each day was such a blessing. Here's a video of the song featured during the weekend church services.

Remodel/Addition Update--weeks 7-11

I am behind on updates for our remodeling project. Life got in the way of blogging as we gave Meggan a bedroom makeover, went on vacation and worked at Worship Arts Camp at our church. My schedule is open today, so I am catching up on some things.

progress summary
weeks 7-8:  electrical in the new kitchen, cabinets installed, appliances delivered, Meg's room makeover
weeks 9-10:  counter top installation, building/framing the new family room on back, wood floor delivered (vacation/work at church)
week 11:  new family room shingled and windows installed, trim delivered, appliances and sink working, old kitchen cabinets removed, wall between piano room and dining room removed

Iowa State Fair-photography

Before we left for vacation, I had to scramble a bit to get pictures ready to enter in the Iowa State Fair photography salon. It's quite a process to get them printed and mounted according to the rules.  Last year was my first year to try-- I entered four and two were accepted to exhibit.  This year is a little hectic with the addition/remodel, so I only entered two.  We'll see what happens...
A GIANT THANKS to my friend Jayme, who has delivered the pictures to the fair for me two years in a row now.
Here are the two I entered: