Last Wednesday, after our regularly scheduled lunch with Pat and Larry at DTP, (Downtown Pizza), Cliff and I headed northwest toward Chattanooga with our final destination being the Kansas City area.  The cooler set in the backseat transported a variety of foods from peppermint patties to garden fresh lettuce.   We packed birthday gifts, a cake mix, our favorite pillows, and even included my yoga mat.  Early that evening we booked into a Candlewood Inn in Paducah, Ky, ate a complimentary spaghetti dinner, and relaxed in our room before closing our eyes.  Thursday morning the drive continued and we arrived at John and Carolyn's place by mid-afternoon.  Mark happily planned Friday off from work to spend with us and that afternoon we met Jen, his girlfriend, and sat out on the back deck under his canopy of huge aged trees enjoying wine and cheese.  John and Carolyn joined us after work and Mark cooked up burgers on his Big Green Egg.  His backyard is totally shaded and enclosed by trees and has such potential.  At one side of his house is a narrow area which reminds me very much of the European gardens.  In Italy and France, people utilize every space available because their lots are so limited.  His narrow area already has a stone walkway and a bird feeder perched in the center.  It doesn't get a lot of sun but would provide enough to supply him with a wonderful variety of fresh herbs and flowers for cooking.  I forgot my camera before we went to his house so no pictures of his place.  We all spent the whole evening outside under the stars.  Both Mark and John's birthdays are in May and at the time I invited ourselves out to KS/MO, I didn't realize it was Mother's Day weekend so it was extra special to be with family on that weekend. 

John grilling in his backyard.  I made the boys reversible grilling aprons.

Mark and Jen.  She made a "to-die-for" cheesecake.

Backside of family.  Actually this is more about the kitchen than their backsides.  Even if you don't cook, this is a great kitchen!

 Chris, John, Carolyn, and Richard

I'm disappointed with some of the family shots because they blurred too much to be used.  

Yoda......doing what she does best.  She reminded us of Max with many of her antics and we enjoyed her.

At the winery for wine tasting.  As you can tell by John's expression, this is one our of favorite activities.  We also walked the Plaza in Kansas City.  I love the Plaza.  Aromas of Mongolian, Italian, fried, sauteed, and other foods curl under your nose setting the taste buds in motion and beckoning you to come through their doors.  We ate artisan pizza and topped off the meal with Italian gelato. 

Monday morning we headed out early for the 14-hour drive home.  Cliff had an appointment later today that he needed to be home for so we did the return in one day.  It was a wonderful time to be with everyone........to meet Jen and Richard's girlfriend, Sarah.  I couldn't post the picture of Sarah....too blurred.