37th anniversary and our July restaurant pick

Yesterday was our 37th wedding anniversary. 

Do you like the '70's styles?  Our moms sewed the matching dresses.

We saw these bridesmaids dresses in a store for $60.  That was really expensive back in 1975.  Too much for a pastor's salary!  We found the pattern and fabric in a store in Hutch and ended up sewing them for $12 a piece!

  

The common communion cup came with our immigrant ancestors from Russia.

Do you think we will laugh at the fashion of 2012 weddings one day?  Probably.  Leisure suits and polyester were awesome!  No ironing needed!

We decided to combine our anniversary with our restaurant pick of the month  (we try a restaurant we have never eaten at before each month).  Someone gave us a gift certificate to this place (thanks Mindy!) so this the place we went to.

It may not seem like much of a place for an anniversary, but our plan was to pick up sandwiches for a romantic picnic!

There was quite a long wait for the food -15 minutes or so, which is ok for sit down, but was surprised at for sandwiches.  Not complaining, just saying.  Have to admit it was quite busy.  A very popular place and lots of people came.  You can order ahead of time (on-line or call in) and that might be the thing to do if you are in a hurry.

 I forgot to get pictures of our food, but found these on-line.

Al ordered the McAlister's Club - smoked turkey, ham, bacon, sharp cheddar, Swiss, lettuce, tomato, honey mustard and mayo on wheat.  It was really good!  (We ended up sharing eachother's sandwiches)  

I ordered the Cobb Club - turkey, bacon, gorgonzola cheese, avocado, lettuce, tomato, mayo and Parmesan Peppercorn sauce on ciabatta.

We put it all in a picnic basket and went to Prairie Pines.

We enjoy this place and go every year at least once, but sometimes more.  Depends on the programs and how busy we are.  This evening we came to listen to the New Zealand String Quartet.  You can eat here if you want as a dinner is offered, and we have done that before, but we think it is fun to bring our own.

 It is just a lovely setting.  And yes, Kansas temps are in the 100's, but it really did not feel that way here.  There was a slight breeze and with all the shade, it was quite pleasant.

We listened to the locusts, frogs and the waterfall along with the stringed instruments.  Very peaceful and wonderful!

The string quartet included Douglas Bielman, a local Wichita native who has immigrated to New Zealand and began this group.  They played  selections by Psathas ("Unbridled, Manos Breathes the Voice of Life into Kartsigar), Lilburn (String Trio), Barber (String Quartet, Op. 11) and Beethovan (String Quartet in A Minor, Op. 132).  Some of the pieces were very different, but my favorites were the souful songs of  the later two.  The quartet gave instructions and backgrounds of the songs they played which was quite interesting.

During intermission, we had someone take our photo and we meandered around the gardens.

If you ever go, you can sit in the barn if you prefer.  We have been in the barn many times and the acoustics is great!  The sound outside is really good too, if you don't mind the sounds of nature with it - which I don't at all.  I think it is very nice!  (I even have records and CD's that have music combined with nature sounds)

They serve coffee and tea at intermission and we got that and shared a piece of one of the best carrot cakes I've had.  

 A sweet way to complete an evening with my sweet one!