10 May 2026 Mantua; Mothers Day and More Flowers

 

When we visited the nursery earlier in the week, we did not get all the flowers we needed to get. To put Kristine's yard into shape, we needed to headed back to the nursery.  Our thought process was, folks would all be attending Mother's day events and so the nursery would be quiet.   We failed to factor in the possibility that going to the nursery itself might be a Mother's Day event.  To our surprise, it was as busy or busier that it was when we went earlier in the week.  No matter, we got the flowers, planted them in the pots and enjoyed the rest of the day with Kristine.  

Driving through some bigger houses

Stone on stone

A fine structure

Back at the nursery

Concrete dogs

Woof!

 It has been 3 years and 336 days since we began our Migration

9 May 2026 Mantua: Party Time!

 

It was a combo TeamLeip and Leslie Birthday party and there was a fine turnout.  For TeamLeip Kris bought a flags of the world streamer which we strun up from the living room through the kitchen then back to the living room.  Everyone enjoyed  getting the chance to name the flags they recognize and looking up the ones  they did not. The attendees included us, Dave, Kristine, Ember, Cari, Katelyn, Roxanne, Jaxso, Bridgit, Alice, Mike who came from the airport, Mike's mom, Vickey, Dan and Mindy from next door.  I stopped taking pictures mid way so I could enjoy the event.

Kiribati an island nation in the middle of the Pacific ocean

The Ousleys!

First to arrive are Alice and Bridgit

Bridgit is in her dancing outfit and she had to leave for a while 

She came back soon enough after learning a new dance

Connect four!

Don't eat the pieces!

Wales

Dan and Mindy from next door

Time to put the camera down and enjoy the party 

Oh my, is it time to hit the desserts?

Vicky is camera shy as usual

But her antique cake tin is a hit

The birds are visiting the back yard feeder

Go Cards!

 It has been 3 years and 335 days since we began our Migration

8 May 2026 Mantua: A Flower Shopping We Go

 

In preparation for a Saturday party, we braved the crowds and visited the nursery.  There was a huge selection of plants and a corresponding number of customers.  We got a wagon to put the carry our potted plants and while Leslie and Kris  were shopping, I was in charge of little Alice.  She climbed on the wagon and we walked around in circles, me pulling her along to keep her occupied.  Soon the wagon was full and she helped by pushing the wagon.  We crossed the main street to get back to the car and then headed home to do some planting.

So amny spectacular blooms

Vineing plants

This double bloom was a winner and made it to the wagon

The greatest of all time GOAT

Cockadoodle doo

Rows of yellow

Acres of red

Like ass kid in a candy store

Four green thumbs at work

Score on the petunias 

More vining plants

I pitched this to the green thumbs but the thumbs pointed down

https://youtube.com/shorts/l1-lfg0SCt8

Here comes another batch of flowers to replenish the stock

https://youtube.com/shorts/l1-lfg0SCt8

Back att he house it is time to get to work.

Success!

 It has been 3 years and 334 days since we began our Migration

7 May 2026 Mantua: Gathering the Whole Family: Part Two

 

We headed off to Roxanne and Mikes where Jaxon, Bridgit and Alice were home from school.  We also played with moose the dog who loved chasing the ball all around the  back yard.  Mike was still out of town getting training.  We ordered several pizzas and once they arrived it got very quiet, apparently chewing and talking is a very difficult skill.

This is a flowerpot man that gets different costumes regularly 

We made it to Roxannes

A bear at the door

Moose!

Gifts!

Fancy gin drinks

Who has cake?

https://youtube.com/shorts/7XTVLCBsxXA

Alice's emotional support goose!

 It has been 3 years and 333 days since we began our Migration

7 May 2026 Mantua: Gathering the Whole Family: Part One

 

We started our day of family gathering at William Heritage Winery.  It was just after noon so drinking wine might have been in the cards but noon is still quite early for the old folks.  The food was spectacular and after lunch we headed over to the Amish market for old fashioned  treats.  We loaded up on pickled items, dried fruits, meats and some bread products.  We had a few hours open before heading over to Roxanne and Mikes

Wine is fine

Two of us

Four of us

The winery

It is set up nicely

Very artistic

OK maybe one flight of wine to taste

Off to see the historic Amish

Pickled stuff

Smoked meats

Chicken wings

Ribs

Lots of fresh meat

Four or five types of bacon

Loaded down

Back with time enough to set up the bird feeder

 It has been 3 years and 333 days since we began our Migration