Saturday Slight

 

I think Bill liked what he saw while doing a walk-through on the new driveway yesterday.

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A week or so ago, Scott Wood and his crew from Wood's Crushing and Hauling kept the yellow ribbon in place after completing a major improvement project on our driveway. 

The project included digging out and hauling in materials to build up the driveway so it would be level with the road. 

A much-needed new culvert was installed and then came the final touch:  paving the driveway and the parking area at the house. 

In the future we are hoping to figure out how to put up a basketball hoop on the north side of the house, so young and old can shoot baskets. I think Willie will like that addition. 

I also think Bill would agree that this is one of most dramatic major improvements we have made at this place since we moved here 20 years ago. 

The paving project seemed like a nice and attractive bit of frosting on the cake during this 20th-year anniversary of our living on the Lovestead. 

Yesterday, when we arrived from Spokane with doggies and with Annie, the yellow ribbon came down and the blue Equinox laid down the first tire tracks for the new pavement. 

It's beautiful.  

We are in awe. 

 I can't think of a more thrilling way to come back home after a two-week absence. 

We have some refinement work to do with the adjoining lawn area because of the project, but that's just fine with us. 

It will be fun to touch up the lawn with soil and seed and then watch the grass grow. 

For now, we simply enjoying and admiring the project from all angles.  

Thanks so much Scott and crew:  job well done.

We appreciate your efforts.  

The other big news with our homecoming involves tonight's Bonner County Community Food Bank annual fundraiser at the fairgrounds. 

We saw Debbie for a few minutes at dinner last night. She's at the point right now that the work never ends, and, during dinner, she had to take a call about the event. 

Annie spent some time yesterday afternoon stuffing balloons for one of the features at tonight's gala.  

I have not seen the final product yet, but the photo above gives you a fairly good idea of the basket my sisters, Barbara and Laurie Tibbs, put together for tonight's silent auction. 

Laurie sent me the photo above while we were in Ireland.  Last night's update indicated that there is much more in the basket, featuring our family's talents, including our mother's artwork and those adorable "little boxes."  

So, if any readers are attending the fundraiser, be sure to look over the offerings and we don't mind one bit if you're generous with your bidding on that particular basket. 

Between the family and the outlaws (Thompson's) we'll be taking up two tables so we're looking forward to having some good family visits along with checking out the food, the silent auction, the special contests and the live auction. 

If it's anything like last year's inaugural event, it will be a great night of fun and a huge boost to the food bank and its service to the community. 

And, of course, we'll be cheering on Debbie and her team for all the hours of work they put in to this event, which, of course, succeeds because of community generosity. 

While Bill and I were waiting for Annie's flight to come into Spokane Airport yesterday morning, we spent time at the cell phone parking lot.  

And, by golly, upon looking closely, one can find some amazing beauty in the grassy areas around the site. 

Our front yard-maple was alive with brilliant colors yesterday. 

There's a healthy abundance of fall work to do around the entire place, and I'm excited about getting started.

It's good to be home.  

Happy Saturday. 

We are also celebrating Annie's birthday in several installments over the weekend and the next few days.  

Since she can't be home on her actual birthday, this weekend includes the cake, which is already missing a few pieces. 

Yoke's Bakery did a lovely job.