Adam's Rib Cook-Off - GREAT FUN!

Last night was the competition and dinner at our Church... Adam's Rib - BBQ Rib Cook-off and Dinner.

I made a lot of ribs the night before, testing different recipes to see which one was the best... John, Kasey and I did the taste-testing of each kind, the rest were saved to be reheated for the dinner on Saturday night. We picked the best recipe and I marinated them on Friday night and cooked/grilled them on Sat. morning/afternoon for the competition part of the event.

I think they turned out pretty good! Best ribs I've ever made at least. *S*




The dinner was a LOT of fun too! We kept busy selling tickets, keeping food out, greeting people, and running out of ribs! Eeek... with over an hour and a half left to go, we were almost out of ribs ... I ran to the store and got a few broasted chickens to carve up and serve...we still had plenty of side dishes and desserts, and ended up having chicken left over too... making a note of this for next year, so we have more ribs.



We are thankful to our rib judge, Chip Mornard, for his judging talents and for the ribs he brought to add to the dinner (not for the competition), his were DEEEELICIOUS!! Chip has judged rib contests all over the USA, so it was an experienced judge we were blessed with here! Thank you CHIP!



Also much thanks to all the competitors who entered and brought ribs and side dishes and desserts! To those who worked at the event, serving and setting up, cleaning, and more! (Isn't John "cute" in his apron we made the rib servers wear? *L*) A very great dinner was had by MANY, and a lot of fun too!




Pictured here are the rib contestants.. left to right: Patricia, Mike, Ron, Gary, Me, Chuck, Fr. Bill. Chellie and Joe. The winners were: Women's Category: 1st - Chellie, 2nd - Me, 3rd - Patricia. Men's Categlory: 1st - Ron, 2nd - Gary, 3rd - Chuck. And the winners of the Side Dishes were: 1st - Chellie (taco salad), 2nd - Barb B. (baked beans), 3rd - Barb B. (corn pudding). Desserts winners: 1st - Susanne (pumpkin pie), 2nd - Jo (fruit cake), 3rd - Me (apple crisp).



And the grand prize champ - overall rib winner of the $200 cash prize was Ron!! (and believe it or not, he did a lot of research and got his winning recipe off the internet, and hadn't ever made ribs before! So there IS hope for newcomers next year!)





And at the end of the night... this is what was left over... *L*



Look for this event again next September... talks of a Rib AND Chicken BBQ Cook-off then!!

Air Swimmers... Can't Wait to Get Them!

Okay...a friend on Facebook posted a short video about these awesome remote control air balloon fish things... they are SOOO cool... I looked them up and ordered two of them... it will be so much fun at Christmas with the grandkids!! (Shhhh, don't tell them!)

The shark one will be especially fun here for the "shark game" I play with the grandsons... *EG*



... I am thinking I will FOR SURE need to try them out waaay before Christmas...heh heh.

Contrary to what this may look like....

Contrary to what you may think, I am NOT dissecting this torso for the ribs for the Adam's Rib Dinner at Christ Church tomorrow. (Check it out and come on down!!)



But I AM dissecting it for an event in October.. Celebrating Brad – A Tribute to Art in Flux! 5-10pm, Saturday, October 15, at Flux Design, 811 East Vienna-Milwaukee.




Come, bid on art as it evolves (I have to evolve some of mine a little early, finishing it there), and support cancer research and scholarships to MIAD too!

More to come as it evolves....

Happy Birthday to our Youngest Son!!

Hard to believe that our "baby", Kaine, is 24 years old today! How time flies!

Here are some old photos from when he was younger ... and as he grew up... now the tallest member of our family!



We are proud of the young man our youngest son has become!! And the good Daddy he is too! xoxox








Love you ((((Kaine))), it was good to talk to you today...looking forward to the next time you get back home too!









Have a happy birthday celebration!! xoxoxxo

Missoni Schissoni!

I am not in the loop evidently as far as fashion trends go ... the recent uproar and surge on Target Stores yesterday, offering Missoni fashions, had me in the dark.... I've never heard of them before.... but then, I am not a fashionista either..*L*

BUT, I did recall having a blouse back in the 1970's that was similar to their zig-zag design. (shown here)




Everyone had these ... So, just maybe, I was in "fashion" back then and didn't even know it? *L*

I do recall wearing this a lot... and along with the paisley trend, grew to hate them for many years afterward..*L*

What Wonderful Friends and Family!!

I am thankful for such a nice day today ... for the beautiful flowers (in the photo are some from Kasey, but also some from other friends too!), the nice cards, gift cards to my FAVORITE store! (Yes, Good Will! *lol*), and other awesome gifts! So many nice wishes on FB too! A great time and fun gathering at Randy's, and then dinner at Tubby's! Yummmm! What a special day everyone made for me! I am in awe and so thankful for friends and family!... (and what a nice surprise when everyone sang Happy Birthday too - great voices, btw!) *S*

Thank you Lord for them all!!

Another day older... and deeper in debt....

"I was born one mornin' when the sun didn't shine
I picked up my shovel and I walked to the mine
I loaded sixteen tons of number nine coal
And the straw boss said "Well, a-bless my soul"

*L* My Dad used to sing this song, that was popular way back when I was a small child .... thanks to Tennesse Williams Ford ... I hope the sun was shining the day I was born, and I think my parents thought they were blessed that day... I know I was! *S*

So, today, I celebrate the 30th anniversary of my 28th birthday! ... OMG, I am OLD!!! *L*


Hoping to still have a fun day and later, support group and dinner with friends!

9/11 Installation Memorial & Peace Walk - In Action

Today was the tribute to 9/11 and the victims, survivors, and prayers for peace, and more. I was a little nervous about the tribute I set up at Christ Church over the weekend for today ... because we had just renovated our building (it is nice, and new and clean), and then I came and brought in a load of "junk" to create this installation assemblage memorial... so, I wondered what some people might think, even though it was done in a spirit of remembrance, prayer, and hopes for the future.

Our priest, Fr. Bill Myrick, had a great sermon too, which made me stop and think ... when do we stop with retaliations? Fr. Bill had a rolled up scroll of paper when he started his sermon today ... He talked about the first reading from the Old Testament ... the death of the Egyptians at the Red Sea ...(from Exodus 14:30)... "Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the Egyptians.."
But were the Israelites really saved, he asked? ("What/WHO does save us all?", that thought floated in my mind as I listened.) Are we really saved? Were the people in NYC, the Pentagon, and in the field where flight 93 crashed, saved by the retaliation and the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people following the terrorist's acts on 9/11/2001?

He unrolled the scroll of names he had found on the internet, of the military from the USA killed in Afghanistan alone ... it was a loooong scroll... then he told of how many more were killed in Iraq ... and how many innocent civilians, men, women and children were killed as well in the middle east....HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE!

Not to discount the horribleness of the events of 9/11, or dishonor the dead and their memories... but, the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people following 9/11, the deaths that are STILL continuing in our wars, is that what we are about?

"...there has to be a better way...", Fr. Bill said.
I agree, but what, how, when do we change things for that better way?

His sermon sure made me think even deeper about our world, my self, what my reactions should and would be. Remembering too the Gospel lesson from today (Matthew 18:21-35)...
... 70 x 7 (I have this on a plaque hanging over the door in my dining room) ... how many times should I forgive? Continually!! Lord, help me to do so, help us, as a country, as a world of humanity, to do so!




I was not prepared at how much this Memorial (and I'm sure Fr. Bill's sermon prior to them viewing it) touched people's hearts, minds and memories... but, I am thankful that those who experienced it maybe found some peace, some closures, and offered prayers for the victims, and the future.

It was a comfort, and interesting as well, to hear the shared stories and experiences of where others were on Sept. 11, 2001, ... a time, when, wherever we were, we were all connected, even though we might not have realized it.





It was a blessing to have children experience the "Peace Walk" on the Labyrinth, which for them, was a more joyful occasion (these children were not even alive when 9/11/2001 occurred), but their joy in life, is what we bring forth in hope despite the losses and changes from 9/11.




And I am especially thankful for the help in taking down the memorial ...thanks Carol and Susannne!! xoxoxxo


So, it's back to the present, since I think the electricians will be needing their scaffolding early in the morning tomorrow!

9/11 Installation Tribute

Christ Church is still going through some renovations. More lighting is going to be installed in one room, and so the electricians set up some scaffolding a week ago to complete that work (since the ceilings are so high), but, the light fixtures were delayed, and so the scaffolding sits in the room that leads to our Chapel where our Labyrinth Peace Walk in remembering the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 will be happening on Sunday.



Rather than just have some ugly scaffolding there, Fr. Bill gave me the go ahead to make an installation of sorts, a Memorial to 9/11 ... he suggested we use the old cross that had been on the roof of the church as one focal point, and then I added twisted metal siding, old bent screens, papers, wood, material, old chairs, and other assorted junk...

Also added a TV screen with a video slideshow of photos from the tragic events of 9/11/2001, as well as some of the rebuilding and memorial efforts.



I found pictures of art that children had drawn following 9/11 and added some flags, and prayer cards. More pictures from our Sunday School class will be added on Sunday, along with more written prayer cards from parishioners and those who stop by for the Peace Walk on our Labyrinth.



I was also thinking of asking our local fire chief if I could borrow some old firemen boots and helmut...but, since I also have to clean up all this stuff after the Peace Walk on Sunday (so the electricians can actually use their scaffolding on Monday morning), I may pass on that idea.


Here's a short video of the installation ... (click off my playlist song on the right before starting the video.)

ECVA's Current Online Exhibition - "Under Abraham's Tent"

The Episcopal Church and Visual Arts just posted the current online exhibition of art and artists. Check out the wonderful art at the link here.

Thank you, also, ECVA for including a photograph I submitted to this Call for Entries too!



An Altar to the Lord; Media: Photography

"Build there an altar to the LORD your God, an altar of stones. Do not use any iron tool upon them." Deuteronomy 27:5

Even on vacation, it's in an artist's spirit to create and honor God. What better place to build an altar to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob than at a place named "Devil's Lake" (a state park near Baraboo, WI).


If you haven't seen the latest Call for Entries (Imagining the Sacred Art of Chant) for the next competition, check it out at the ECVA website!

Tribute to 9/11 & Labyrinth Peace Walk

This assemblage is titled "As We Forgive", a tribute to 9/11 that I did a few years ago. Underneath it is The Lord's Prayer in Arabic that our priest, Fr. Bill, brought back from Saudi Arabia, where he had gone for 6 weeks about 6 - 8 years ago.

The Episcopal Church and other religious leaders are planning interfaith events to mark the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks when almost 3,000 people perished after hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and a field in Shanksville, PA.

The Executive Council, at its June meeting, invited all Episcopal communities "to open their doors" during the Sept. 10-11 weekend to commemorate the anniversary "with acts of prayer & remembrance, service, creativity, interfaith cooperation, education, community building, & fellowship, offering our institutions as active, accessible sites of healing for our local communities."

In remembering the upcoming 10th anniversary of the tragedy of the events from September 11, 2001, and with prayers for peace, Christ Episcopal Church, Delavan, WI will be hosting a PEACE WALK ON THE LABYRINTH, in the Chapel on Sunday, 9/11.

Come anytime between 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and walk our labyrinth, meditate, and offer prayers for the state of the whole world. ALL ARE WELCOME!

Celebrating Brad - A Tribute to Art in Flux!

I am honored and most happy to be a part of this worthy cause and tribute to my daughter, Kasey's dear friend, Brad Germata.

Celebrating Brad - A Tribute to Art in Flux (click on the link to their website here for more info)

Saturday, October 15, from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., held at Flux Design, 811 East Vienna-Milwaukee.

The Celebrating Brad Foundation will be hosting a variation of the original ‘Art in Flux’ – join us while guest artists/designers create their pieces…Bid on the art as it evolves! We’ll have steamroller printing again, plus awesome food from our ‘foodie’ friends and a special brew thanks to Brenner Brewing. There’ll be live music throughout the evening and our Goods & Services auction will feature dining, drinking, and entertainment packages.

Jesse Meyer, Dave Hinterberg, Phil Belair, Roberta Kartstetter, and John Kowalczyk are confirmed ‘live’ artists. Jeremy Shamrowicz, Heather Eiden, Jenie Gao, and MIAD printmaking students Janson Rapisarda and Lucas Ruminsk are confirmed steamroller printers…Check back at the link above to see the updated list of artists, designers, steamroller printers, and sponsors!

All proceeds benefit the Medical College of Wisconsin Cancer Center and fund the 2011 Bradley Germata Scholarship (supports a communication design student at MIAD).

Tickets are: advance $15 / at-the-door: $20 / with current student ID: $15


Hope you can come to this event.... a great evening of art, fun, and tribute to Brad, as well as a great benefit for worthy causes!

Kaine and Jorden are here!!

Had a nice week and part of the weekend with our son and granddaughter. It's always nice having them here from upnorth!

Jorden was especially lovey to everyone, giving hugs and kisses!

She's such an angel ... and LOVES her strawberries!




She also loves the swaddling game with her Daddy ... silly girl! *lol*






And Auntie Kasey always has fun with Jorden and Kaine too!




They had to leave earlier today... miss them already and can't wait till the next time! xoxox

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater Comes to Mind... *L*

Our son grows large pumpkins...GIANT pumpkins!

The one this year, which he had to pick early, because it split from growing too fast, weighed in at 700 pounds! Click HERE to see the post about that!

Unfortunately he had to carve it to harvest the seeds because it would be turning to mush soon because of the split. But FIRST, he decided to see how'd he fit inside it! *L*

He has another one, that he is still growing, and hopes it will be over 800 pounds! In a few weeks he'll be picking that one too!