August in Retrospect

Much like we are generally on holiday somewhere in July, I'm generally still telling you about those travel experiences in August.  Sadly predictable, I'm afraid.  Never mind, the most important thing about August (to me) is that it's the month in which my Mom was born.

 

In 2008 we were still seeing Bill's 60th Birthday Tour which included

• Oklahoma:  some sights of Oklahoma City, Guthrie, the not-to-be-missed 4th of July in Small Town America, and the World Famous Twister Museum
• Kansas:  Mullinville and Dodge City
• Colorado:  Old Fort Bent, Crested Butte, Black Canyon and Mesa Verde
• Utah:  Bryce Canyon

In 2009 we visited Minnesota and Wisconsin where my Dad grew up, the first time I've ever been except for a short business trip to Minneapolis back in 1983.  Little did I know I'd be back two years later!

• Norma showed us her son's house, took us on a tour of all the addresses I'd found in the census records, had a family reunion where I found myself one of three women whose grandparents were all siblings.  She also showed me one of her cooking tricks and some crafting ideas that were fun.  Spike kindly drove us around the Twin Cities and it was hard to leave these lovely people.  I love Norma dearly.
• We continued on however, to visit Stillwater, MN where my Grandma was born and Madison, WI where my Dad went to high school.
• Then we discovered and fell in love with Chicago (so much so that we returned a day late).
• Returning home we visited Chester and Manchester, where Bill's older daughter and son live.

 

In 2010, we had a shorter holiday in Italy.

 

• I was still showing photos of the Italian women who fascinated me.
• Our friends went to the Queen's Garden Party and I showed you the beginning of our little garden area.
• I reminisced about the travel experiences of my younger days and the cartoon characters I miss.
• We visited Grainger Market in Newcastle and Bill did a race in Yorkshire.
• I did a new craft project and Vivien and I really enjoyed our day out in Corbridge.
• It's blackberry season again and what better time to talk about Frugal Food?