In previous summers we've tried to get out for some hikes (well, not serious hikes, but long walks, anyway) in some of the area parks. This type of activity has not really been an option this summer with my foot problem. But we did get out for a couple of outings---mostly in the car, with just minimal walking involved. And also lunch, of course.
One outing included morning coffee at Collectivo at the lakefront, a stop at the Schlitz Audobon Nature Center, and then a drive to Port Washington.
Lunch at Dockside Deli in Port Washington
We've often been to the lakefront downtown Milwaukee, and also to the north of the city. But we had never explored the area south of the downtown area. So one beautiful sunny day we did that, and found some really nice parks and beaches and also saw a bike path we'd like to try sometime. We also watched the Lake Express arrive from Muskegon. And we had a great lunch outdoors at Ferch's Malt Shoppe in Greendale. Then we browsed some of the cute shops in downtown Greendale.
We've also enjoyed the relatively new Starbucks just up the street from our house. In fact one day we were there twice, when we were offered a "deal" if we came back in the afternoon. We are Dutch, you know!
A few weeks ago I had to make the final pie for the person who bought my pies at the BCS auction. The reason I took this picture is to remind myself to be more careful the next time I shop for the auction pie plate. The white pie plate on the left is pretty much a normal size pie plate. The pie next to it is made in the biggest pie plate I have ever seen--I should have actually read the measurements before I ordered it from Crate and Barrel. So the auction winner got three very large pies this year! I hope they tasted good---one bad thing about making a pie for someone else is that you can't just take a little taste of it to see if it's o.k.
We did get to enjoy these.
I've been enjoying my birthday gift from my kids--a different plant delivered by Pro Flowers every month for 6 months. My first one in June was a potted rose plant. It was blooming when I got it, and it bloomed again a couple weeks ago. I'm hoping it will bloom again, but I don't see any buds on it right now.
The July plant was a little orchid. It had flowers on it when I got it, and they just recently fell off. Now I am trying to follow the instructions for getting it to bloom again. This one makes me a little nervous--I've never dealt with this type of plant before.
And my August plant is an azalea. It is really lush and green, and it has a few buds on it. But I'm waiting for it to bloom.
We've been hitting Panera even more often than usual this month, because we both got free coffee once a day for the whole month. No, we haven't gone every day, but we have gone more often than usual. When we were there Saturday morning, this old Model T was parked right outside, and it was attracting a lot of attention!
We wondered about the red paint job. I think that these cars were all black originally. But it looked pretty sharp and had been beautifully restored.
Next big thing in our lives is my foot surgery tomorrow. Not looking forward to going through it, but really looking forward to having it behind me and to be working on getting better. I'm hoping and praying for successful surgery---pain-free walking, and being able to wear regular shoes again. Bye-bye, heel bump, I hope!
for the next few weeks!
