Wuddafaddazday!

Keeping busy in many ways this last week, the Sun and rain made yard work and recreation all better. After our surprise finding of passion flower vines and planting ours, we figured for Father's Day, we would get one for an Ultimate Gardener, Peggy's Dad.

The vine we picked for him had buds and a blossom on it, he'd not seen anything like it before. After loosely explaining the significance of the blossom parts going with the story of the Passion of Christ, we found a great corner in his main garden to plant it.

We decided we should find the accurate story, print up some copies to share when people see and admire this vine.



We got a nice piece of fencing to arch over the plant so it can climb. Ours is in a corner of fence and will use that to send out the little twisty tendrils... pretty cool!

Like Wilson on "Home Improvement", Peggy's Dad always seems to have his face hidden a bit in photos.....











He also always seems to have "one more branch" that needs cutting down or trimming to improve his views of the weather and sky...

here we're cleaning up the leaves and twigs after cutting down a big one. Good family fun!











Our Father's Day celebration on Sunday started early with a wake up cup of coffee as I opened my eyes. I had tried to spoil Peggy on her Mother's Day, I guess it was pay-back time and I was not going to complain!

We were of course in the mood for church and had talked about trying the little neighborhood church that hosted the motorcycle Run for the Cross we enjoyed so much.

It was a great experience, very welcoming and cool. A long message and sermon about Love and Fatherhood, laced with humor and touching
insight we could relate to, we'll definitely go back to this little Chapel.

After coffee and rolls, we went home and got the kayaking gear ready for a paddling adventure.
Nearby Lake Gilbert had our interest, we had not explored it yet. Just north of town and off the river by a short distance, we thought it might be a different type of scenic lake, thinking perhaps at some time it may have been connected to the Mississippi.

It was full of surprises. For one, it was much bigger than we expected, even after looking at it
on the Brainerd Lakes Area Map.

The water was crystal clear, alternating between shallow and dark deep water, lots of curvy shoreline, visible fish activity, muskrats, loons and many other birds. Small family cabins, some large McMansions, and great paddling fun!

We actually got into the paddle so much, we got a little disoriented in a bay and asked for directions... the lake did not seem big enough to get lost on, but we were having such a good time, we did! Peggy loved the white water lilies.

What says Father's Day more than a great meal?
Going back and forth between meal destinations, we decided on one of our favorites, of course Famous Dave's. Very hungry and filled with sunshine, we decided on Nacho's for 2 and a sampler platter.... oh yeah!

Iced tea with cola and lemonade was refreshing as we waited patiently (?) for our munchies.

Lots of families in the restaurant, generations obvious... laughing and eating.




We finished off with a bread pudding, a great dessert. All fathers got a big bottle of Famous Dave's BBQ sauce for a present... Very nice indeed!

Full, rosy from the Sun, content, we wanted to head home and relax with a movie... we got Leap Year, a romantic comedy. A great way to end a Father's Day of celebration with my Love.

More tomato plants in, more flowers planted, our yard is taking great shape. We got a small swimming pool for the dogs and company.... what a hoot. Wrens twittering and teasing Scooter and Charlie, it finally feels like the beginning of Summer.

We hope everyone enjoyed their Father's Day celebrations with family and friends.....

Peace!