Ladies who lunch

Lunch on Larkspur's patio with Bonnie and her delightfully crazy friend Sally.

How divine

Bonnie doing what Bonnie does at today's Sisterhood of the Divine Makeover event. Bonnie organizes this benefit every year, giving head-to-toe makeovers to men and women in a fund-raising luncheon and fashion show, of sorts.

Women and men apply to get the makeovers, and this woman was one of the recipients. I wish I had more photos because this was a really fun event, but my camera just wouldn't cooperate.

Denise took this photo of Jaime and me at the luncheon.

Michael Buble

I love Michael Buble, and was lucky enough to see him tonight with my friend Denise Neil, who was reviewing the concert for the Eagle.

We had pretty good seats. Good enough to see him this close.

"Home," "Haven't Met You Yet," "Everything," we heard all of the hits, and it was awesome.  He's a great entertainer, and I'm so glad I was able to see him.

Lunch date

I used a gift certificate for Marchello's to treat Bonnie and Denise to lunch today. I had linguine carbonara at this southside eatery. Bonnie had chicken parmesan. Yum. Photo credit: Denise Neil

Father's Day

Bret with his three adorable kiddos who adore him on Father's Day in the pool.

Went to a garden party

Not really a party, but a tour of gardens in the North Riverside area, including Bonnie Bing's house.

Bonnie lives along the Little Arkansas River. It is behind me as I take this photo of Bonnie's back yard.

A colorful touch.

Potted plants on the balcony.

Car talk

Dale drove his car to Carrie and Joe's house tonight for dinner and poker. The reaction was a mixture of jealousy, amusement and ridicule. Joe was a fan.

And so was Bonnie, who took it for a spin around the block.

The river wild

Shot of the Keeper of the Plains at the confluence of the Arkansas River and Little Arkansas River. We've had some gorgeous but rainy days lately.

The rains have swollen the rivers beyond their banks. We had planned to participate in a canoe trip on Saturday, but it was cancelled because of the high waters.

Food glorious food

Dick and Bonnie invited Dale and I to sit at their table with a bunch of friends for the annual Celebrity Chef Auction tonight.

This is an event where local restaurants set up food stations all around a giant hotel ballroom. They also have drinks, an auction and a chef/celebrity cookoff, which was won this year by the Marriott chef and Brett Harris, a local TV personality.

They had both dark and white chocolate fountains.

Food from Uptown Bistro.

Denise and Jaime in full party mode.

Even Admiral Windwagon Smith attended. I think the other guy is one of the Steven family that owns Spangles restaurants.

This bitch (the puppy, not the woman!) was sold at auction to raise money for the restoration of the Orpheum theater. The person who bought the pup bid slightly more than $1,000 for it.

And this guy was there just to make sure we didn't all get too uppity at our fancy schmancy event.

Dale really did have a good time, even though he may not be showing it here.

Remembering his dad

Dale mowing our lawn with the riding mower his dad had before him. Dale's father died in 1996, and had this mower for about 15 years before that. Dale has to do some minor repairs occasionally, but it still works great.

Movie night

The kids squeezed into our bed watching "Tooth Fairy" tonight before bed.

Breakfast at Jimmy's Eggs was French toast and sausage for everyone.

Kids' Zoobilee

Took the terrific trio to Kids' Zoobilee tonight. It was 97 degrees when we passed through the gates. We lasted 45 minutes. The kids were soooo ready to swim and it seemed like we couldn't get out of that place fast enough. But when I asked them later if they'd ever want to go back, they were unanimously enthusiastic. Go figure.

Baby Westley

 

 

Lori and Brian Buselt brought their two-week-old son Westley to the newsroom today to show him off to all of their friends, including me, who got to hold him as he was sleeping. He's a beautiful boy, just like his parents.

 

Lori and Brian with baby boy.

 

Co-worker Rick Plumlee holding Westley.