Cousins' Weekend 2013

This weekend I got to participate in part of our annual Cousins' Weekend. After work on Friday I drove to Pat's. Linda had driven up from Chicago to Rochester Thursday to spend the night with my sister and brother. She and Janet up to Pat's earlier on Saturday. It took about 30 seconds for me to get up to speed on the conversation that was in full swing. 

By early evening, we took off for North St. Paul to the "Back to the 50's" car show. Unfortunately, it started to rain, so we ducked into a pizza shop and after a bit of a wait, we got a table, placed our order, and continued to talk, talk, talk. We always have such a great time! After dinner, we walked up one end of main street—admiring the classic cars along the way. When we reached the end of the street, Janet, Linda and I climbed into Denny's 1956 Oldsmobile for a ride back to Pat's. Who's Denny? He lives across the street from Pat and Pudge in the house Pat grew up in and in which I lived in tenth grade. Our family has adopted Denny! Denny's car is fully restored and it's really nice!

We stayed up late Friday night and talked some more. Pat is meticulously going through all of Aunt Liz's things, and again, offered more keepsakes to us. One treasure I took is a piece of a crazy quilt put together by my great-grand mother. It's possible it's between 140 and 150 years old. I intend to have it framed and will hang it next to her blouse.

Pat, preparing breakfast in the downstairs kitchen

Prepped veggies for dinner

After a leisurely morning which included home-made scones, we traveled up to Taylor's Falls to take a paddle boat ride on the St. Croix River. What a beautiful place! We were a bit early for fall color, but it was lovely just the same.

Denny, Linda, Pat, Janet and Pudge waiting to board the paddle boat

Here we go!

After treats at the local ice cream shop in Taylor's Falls, we drove to Franconia to wander around the Franconia Sculpture Park. The entire time I was there, I kept thinking Peder, Sarah and their kids would love this place! I think Sarah's dad and mom would love it, too.

Yours truly and Linda inside the first sculpture at Franconia Sculpture Park

Even before leaving the house for the outings, Pat had put together a roast with carrots, parsnips, and potatoes. Man, you should have been there to smell the delicious aroma when we returned home! We put the finishing touches on the dinner in their newly remodeled kitchen and were the first to eat in their new dining room. Aunt Liz would have loved how things are turning out! Oh, and she was not forgotten – we ate her last plum pudding. It had been in the freezer. It was really good! And a meaningful way to end our Cousins' weekend.

L to R: Pat, Pudge, Janet, and Linda

L to R: Linda, Denny, yours truly

English plum pudding with vanilla sauce