We picked up Deena and Dan bright and early with the promise that we would be leaving the farm at 3 pm for a surprise outing. The thought is that we want to start enjoying the surrounding area and all it has to offer more. We had a couple tasks to complete but started with a tour of Donna's Park.
We weeded the lily garden down by the equipment barn and worked on the bridge.
MASSBACH RIDGE WINERY
Our excursion was to a small winery in Elizabeth, circa 2000. The cost was $3 for 5 tastings from a very attentive and lovely college student majoring in communications, not wine making. Thankfully, Jessica and Tyler joined us since we purchased a bottle of the Massbach Reserve and a white Sangria bag which equalled two bottles. We should remember to return on October 1 for the Massbach Stomp. For $5 each, we can stomp grapes, taste, tour and relax. What a deal!
We dined at the Welcome Inn in downtown Elizabeth - a very good salad bar and an even better waitress with a great sense of humor. It turns out, the owners are Macedonians from Albania, like Rita at the Mt. Carroll Cafe. There has to be more to the story. At any rate, we ended with creamy rice pudding, just like my dad used to make.
Couldn't resist taking this picture for Lizzy.
The next day...there's something about the creek that makes everyone want to clean it out. Tyler scoops with the shovel, then suggests that Jessica and Deena use the rake - which works pretty well.
Deena found this friendly fellow as we weeded another lily garden beside the equipment barn.
Pumpkins - one month later. And we discovered that we have grapes on a vine planted years ago. Not ripe yet but they will be soon.
Everyone takes a turn on the people's bridge, adding the first pieces of barn siding
Windows take shape
Another early end to the day with Jeff planning our outing along the Rock River in Oregon, where we explored a park near the fishing area and a riverfront property. Intrigued by the sight of a paddle boat and patio, we stop for a beer at Maxson Riverboat and Riverside Restaurant, next to the Paddle Wheel Inn. It seemed all the patrons milling around were wearing "50" buttons. The owners were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary and were hosting all their friends to a free buffet, drinks, the works. Couldn't think of a way to fit in but we enjoyed chatting with some people and listening to Jim Kanas, the versatile singer musician, who is Greek, not Albanian, not Macedonian but Greek. We had dinner at That One Place Bar & Grill and called it a day.
No comments:
Post a Comment