Gypsy Jazz Festival on Whidbey Island in Puget Sound

Such wonderful music , scenic vistas and quaint stores Don and I celebrated our 34th anniversary with our friends (MJ, Michael and Kyle) and my wonderful cousin Aleana We have seen some amazing musicians and several are staying in the same Inn. Don got to meet one of his most admired artist at breakfast - Stochelo Rosenberg from Holland. He is a legend in Gypsy Jazz circles 

 Spontaneous Jam Sessions up and down the street at coffee shops

 Bus Stop art on Whidbey Island

 The view from our Balcony at The Inn at Langley (Whidbey Island Wa)... the place was amazing

 Mussel Farms...  everyone was in heaven over the seafood !

 Stochelo -  one of Don's heros.... it was wonderful to see him plan and even better to see Don watch someone he admires so much.

 My husband discovers the "Pickle Back"... whiskey followed by a a pickle juice back

Our good friend Michael PRAYING there would be some food on the plate with the next course... we went to a "HAUTE CUISINE FOODY DINNER" the chef hosted it and and explained each course  with the wine, etc...   lots of foam and gelatin in everything...  was an experience is all I will say on this one !!!

Up in the Air Again

On my way to Salt Lake City for a few days of consulting. Some great folks there and get to catch up with Jose Gaona too (who is one of the coolest guys I have had the pleasure to work with).  On the way the beautiful blue skies gave way to stormy weather.  This caused unbelievavble delays so I got to bed about 3 AM (mountain time... UGH).  But the skies were beautiful and there are worst things than flight delays !  I leave Salt Lake to got to a Gypsy Jazz Festival in Puget Sound on Whidby Island with my hubby. We will celebrate our 33rd anniversary there.  He heads back to Tampa and I will go back to St Louis to pick up niRVana and head out onto the road again....

Brunch at the Temple

Tori introduced Don and I to a very cool Buddhist temple along the river.  The most wonderful Sunday Brunch is served with donations going to the congregation.  A must try in Tampa !! 

Pub Crawl in Collinsville

My step-sister Bobbie-Nicole and Andy..... a pub crawl in Colinsville... and how could it not be FUN when you are in the place that has the biggest catsup bottle in the world....

Beautiful Deer Killing Grandmother and BAB-D (her grandson)

My first cousin Leann and her 2nd grandchild Davey......  Great to catch up and see them together.  These are the two deer that Leann killed herself when their antlers got caught. She took them both out with a bow.

BAB-D .... Bad As#$%^& Baby "D" (David) and ROCK STAR Haley

What an adorable Grand Cousin (or third cousin if you want to get picky about it).  Great time with Krissy and John and BAB-D.  Also got to see Matt and Kristin and the newest rock start in the making Haley.  Haley sung, accompanied by her Uncle John, her original song which is great.  Watch out Ms. Nicks you have a new little witchy woman on your heels.  Great family time.   Saw Dave K at his practice - was cool to see him in that environment.  Saw Leann taking care of Davey - what a wonderful Grandmother she is

LINCOLN and SPRINGFIELD and my New Office

Springfield was quaint and interesting... it was the smallest "capital" one can imagine.  The Museum of the State of Illinois was new information.....who knew that Chicago was "suppose" to be part of Wisconsin!  They needed another "northern state" so they pushed the boundary up....  With the Lincoln history LOTS of civil war perspective... MUCH different than what we saw in Charleston that's for sure !!!

The Lincoln Library and Museum was what you would expect too.  

Protestors against gay marriage were protesting at the capital all day.  Very vocal group.and very good bagpipe playing !!  It increased the drama of the message.

I spent time doing some of my consulting work in my office

Now am headed to Glen Carbon to see my cousins and the new baby (Davey) ..  my Stepsister from Alaska  will also be there (Bobbie Nicole).   Then home to Tampa for a nuclear family visit !  Next stops To Be Announced but headed WEST.....