Summer Vacation Days 13-18

Vince and I have just returned from New Jersey and a TON of memories!

We drove to NJ, taking Sal's four wheeler back to him.  We have had that in our shed for several years now, and we are glad for the space that is now available.

The trip was fairly uneventful, we take two days, as the drive is long (over 16 hours of actual drive time).

New Jersey was just as I remember it, congested roads, huge houses (called McMansions for some reason), many people from New York that now call NJ home.  It also held many memories of school days, friends, old homesteads, favorite hangouts.

We spent Saturday at the Englishtown Auction.   It is not really an auction, but a flea market, but it has always been called the Englishtown Auction.  It was basically as we remembered it, loads of people selling all types of items.  A lot of brand new items, but the more interesting tables were those who were selling items from their homes.  Love to look through those stands!

We had lunch with my dear friend Kathy and her mother at a local Chinese food restaurant, food was great, company was better! 

We tried to get onto the beach at Seaside Park, but did not want to pay for a day pass at 3:30 in the afternoon, especially since we just wanted a walk, and the cost was $10 per person!  YIKES.  If we were spending the day, it would have been a different matter.  We did get to see the ocean and loads of dunes.  Our time was short due to preparations for the Anniversary Party.

Saturday, Rob and Isabel also arrived in NJ, we met up with them for dinner at Cranbury Pizza in Cranbury NJ.  Great pizza, just what you would want in NJ.  We ate outside and enjoyed the scenery of historic Cranbury.

Sunday, we arose early to attend services at the Cranbury Methodist Church. The service was fantastic, and Brother Ron showed great passion not only for God, but also for his congregation and life.  Communion was served on Sunday, and Bro. Ron encouraged everyone to take as much bread as they wanted to.  (I know you are with me here!)  So, when I stepped up, I said to Vince "Watch this".  I reached out and took the entire half loaf that Bro. Ron was holding and began to walk away!~  The look on his face was priceless and well worth the effort!  We all laughed and I returned the bread, took my portion and proceeded with the service.  When the service was over, Bro. Ron asked our names and invited us to their church picnic, as long as we did not eat all the food!  I believe they will remember us for a while.

The Anniversary Party was held in the Knights of Columbus hall.  I remember going there as a child for summer events with the Knights.  We had anniversary and birthday parties there as well.  The original building was torn down when the new road was built, and the new K of C hall is where we had Rob and Isabel's anniversary party.

 Everyone had a great time!  We laughed most of the time away.  I had collected some photos of us as younger people, and everyone had a chance to share those and laugh at ourselves.  It was crazy fun!


 Robert and Isabel finally received their wedding quilt.  It took me 2 years to get it finished!  I used the double wedding ring pattern, the rings are dark blue and white with an off white background.  I like how the white rings appear translucent. 

 My friend Eva's daughter, Torri is graduating from High School this year, and I made her a graduation quilt.  Her favorite color is turquoise, thus the color scheme.  When I give quilts, I fold them with the backing showing and tie them with a ribbon.  She loved the backing fabric, and did not realize there was another side!  She was even more excited once she opened it. 

 A number of my cousins were able to attend the party.  These are the cousins on the Christ side of the family.  It has been many years since I have seen them, and many years since some of them have seen each other!  After I gave Rob and Isabel their quilt, little Madison (front center) told me that she had wanted a present from the table, too.  I had to explain that those were presents for Rob and Isabel.  She was insistent that she get a present, so I resorted to telling her that she had to get married first. She was good with that!

Here are the girls!  My dearest friends and family.  This photo shows friends from high school and college, my sister and myself, my cousins.  We all had such a wonderful time that we decided that we should celebrate Rob and Isabel's anniversary every year in a different location. 

Right now, I am thinking Tennessee for next summer!  Perhaps a trip to Memphis along with the party?