Football time

This year the University of Michigan football team is ranked number two in the nation, and their arch rival Ohio State is number one. We had season tickets for the Michigan games for twenty years, and still follow their progress. Lots of our neighbors have lived in Michgan, too. Yesterday afternoon we had about ten neighbors over to our place to watch the "game of the century" and it was rather rowdy and lots of fun. We had two TVs going -- one upstairs, so Gramma and one or two others at a time could watch and talk at the same time, and the other one downstairs, where most of the noise was generated.

Unfortunately, U of M lost ... but by only three points 41-38, or some such big numbers. Great game. Lots of fun. We really enjoy these spur-of-the-moment, informal get togethers at our house. No cooking involved. Well, I did reheat pre-cooked barbecued chicken wing and served some bottled dressings to dip them into, but that's about it.

Bread Basket

The black sheep bread basket was a fun touch -- the breads were all homemade, fresh, and very yummy. There were fireplaces in the dining room (gas logs), living room (real - I thoroughly enjoyed poking and feeding and warming myself beside that fire every evening), and our bedroom (electric, but boy did the flames ever look real! I got down on my hands and knees to check it out - the only fuel source was an electric cord.)

Breakfast

The B and B in Ontario had a full house the last morning we were there. Twelve people for breakfast was no problem for the wonderful hosts, who were inspired cooks as well as being gracious and charming.

Bed and Breakfast

John enjoyed a warm, sunny spot in cold, brisk Ontario. The B and B had high-speed wireless internet, so we were able to enjoy our laptop.

Good trip to Niagara on the Lake

We had a lovely three days in Niagara-On-The-Lake, Ontario. It was soooo cold, but we bundled up and walked around the interesting downtown area. We enjoyed gourmet breakfasts at the B and B, then found a comfortable, warm, really good restaurant for our late lunches each day ... no need for supper at all. I have photos, of course, but the laptop isn't set up very comfortably for downloading/uploading back here at Gramma's. Will post when we return home. Seems all the family is travling around at the moment ... or, will be soon.

Lisa Neilans Blair and Jon Strods

This is Lisa and her friend Jon posing near Skaneatles Lake, NY, in the late evening. I used the night shot setting on my Canon S2IS.

Gramma and her oldest buddies

Alberta and the Fillmore ladies (they both taught school with Gramma - back in the day) enjoy perusing the big photo album of Neilans' family photos put together for her by Lisa Blair. The page they are looking at, of course, is the Sharma page.

The Party

This is the fellowship room associated with Gramma's church. For the service that morning we all sat at the tables, the pianist and choir and minister were on the right, and the screen at the back was used for a presentation asking for the church members to increase their "tithing".

Dammit!!

Why can't I get any of my pictures to post!!!!!!!!!! Arrgh!

The Neilans Clan ...

Or, at least the ones who were able to come to Gramma's party in NY.