Wednesday, January 7, 2015

I AM A SHIELD


 How could I resist posting this pic??
Sweet Boy, Sweet Dog

When this little guy was here, living the very active and dangerous role of youngest brother, he got the short end of the stick a couple times, but each time he bounced back without tears, standing up straight, blinking a couple of times, and declaring, 'I am a shield!'  I don't know if that's from a movie or what, but it was the funniest thing - as though being a shield protects him from all harm.


 From upper left, clockwise
Grandpa getting a sweet, unsolicited hug from Shield Boy
Grandpa making a breakfast of bacon and pancakes for the early risers
The boys, playing the most unusual game of Chinese Checkers
(where everyone cheats!)
Grandpa and grandkids with Christmas cracker hats


On New Year's, we had the pleasure of some of our family joining us for a few days - our oldest son and his wife and kids. Believe me, the house has seemed very empty and quiet since they've gone home, but it was great fun to have them here.

We had some Christmas crackers leftover from Christmas, so we put them to good use at New Year's. 


I didn't know Mr. Cranberry was taking this [cheap] shot!

Had I known, I probably wouldn't have let him, or would have cleaned up the wood chips from in front of the stove, or taken off the headlamp, but...

It was a bitterly cold night following a bitterly cold day, so I was sitting as close to the fire as I could safely get, looking at a map of London with light from the overhead light only (which I don't like, and which never gives enough light for reading anyway), so I put on the headlamp that Mr. C. uses when clipping the dogs' toenails. It worked perfectly. London was illuminated!

Fine! You can call me Redneck. I can take it. I am a shield!  ;-)

Hope you're having a great day, friends.


 Bringing Cheer to a Cold Day, 
Mr. Cardinal in the Cranberry Bush



***

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties:  Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and    Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and A Creative Princess and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above  and Artsy Corner Thursday and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters

45 comments:

Sue McPeak said...

I would venture to guesss the shield is also a rock! Where they come up with these phrases...we'll probably never know, but they are truly ones for the books and to be repeated often. Wonderful photos...stay warm and illuminated.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal

eileeninmd said...

What a fun time at your house.. The grandchildren are all cuties.. I love the first shot! Sitting in front of the fire looks warm and cozy.. Great photos, enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

What a fun time at your house.. The grandchildren are all cuties.. I love the first shot! Sitting in front of the fire looks warm and cozy.. Great photos, enjoy your day!

Buttons Thoughts said...

I am a shield I love that and have to say I love the cheap shot from your Mister:) Keep warm it is cold out there. Family time is the best time. Hug B

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

HI Judy I did laugh when you said 'I am a shield' Must remember that! Loved seeing the shots of the family especially Shield Boy.

Terri D said...

This post was a great way to start my day - chuckles and smiles all the way through! Love the photos and all of your blessings (including wood chips on the hearth)!! Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Deb said...

He's a cutie, for sure. I've never used a head-lamp but it looks like it could be useful. We are sitting by the fire this morning while the winds howl outside. -35 with wind-chill. Too cold for man or beast. Love the cardinal shot. What a gorgeous bird. I rarely see them here but they do drop by once in awhile. Deb

Arlene G said...

Judy, I need one of those head lamps...would be great for cross stitching!! Stay warm.

Bethany Carson said...

You have a beautiful family. Good idea with the head lamp. A couple summers/falls ago we had to pick our green beans after dark because we were expecting a frost. It was hard picking with a flashlight in one hand. If I ever have to do night-gardening again, I think a headlamp would be a good investment!

Judith @ Lavender Cottage said...

Might have been a cheap shot Judy but there's a story in that photo. Have you been to London before?
I should think the grandson has picked up his idea of being a shield from one of the super heroes? Sweet photo of him with the dog.

MadSnapper said...

great big awwwwwwwwww at sweet dog/boy pic and i want the head lamp, bob needs one for the shop and i need it to read the tiny print on bottles. i am going to remember the I am a shield for myself. there are times i might need it. we had chinese checkers growing up.

MadSnapper said...

great big awwwwwwwwww at sweet dog/boy pic and i want the head lamp, bob needs one for the shop and i need it to read the tiny print on bottles. i am going to remember the I am a shield for myself. there are times i might need it. we had chinese checkers growing up.

Theresa said...

Oh what a sweetie, "I am a shield"! Sitting by the fire sounds SO good to me! We are having some really cold weather tonight and will probably have a fire in our fireplace! Enjoy your day and memories of when the house was full during New Years! HUGS!

Linda said...

Awesome, thanks for the smiles & giggles. Have a beautiful day. Blessings

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I lose those candid shots and post them more than I should! lol The lavender bud soap looks so good and your Downton collection, too! Enjoy your day sweet friend!

J said...

Your grandson is such a cutie-pie! I imagine he picked up that term from one of the super heroes. My grandsons are big on Star Wars and toss in those terms whenever they can. I think those sources are wholesome and appeal to the imagination and need for adventure that little boys love to express.
I'm so glad you enjoyed Christmas the way you did!

TexWisGirl said...

sure hope someone can i.d. that movie for you. so darn cute! loves his granddad, too. :)

Susie said...

Judy, Never you mind those wood chips...honestly, I clean up when I put wood in the fireplace ...but Ted never does. I can have it all clean , go into another part of the house, come back thru and Ted has a mess in front on the hearth. I asked him all time..would you truly live like a cave man, if I were not here??LOL. Some times we just have to let it go. :) I loved your pictures. That is a perfect way to see your map. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

Linda Kay said...

Judy, your little guy is so cute with his "shield". The headlamp is a great idea for extra light. My hubby always complains about not having enough light, so I need to get him one!

Pamela Gordon said...

I love the childish imagination of your grandson. Adorable! Sweet photos of the kids with their grandpa too. I think your headlamp is a great idea by the way!! And I wish I had a nice wood fire to curl up beside on these very cold days! Have a cozy one.

Liz@ HomeandGardeningWithLiz said...

He's adorable and I like his attitude! I think we all need to think about having a "shield" in today's world! I'm practical like you- enhancing what you are reading is a good thing! We've been using the fireplace a lot lately. It takes the chill out nicely.

Primitive Stars said...

Wonderful post, loved the pictures too.Blessings Francine.

Nancy said...

Little ones are sponges and pick up ideas and sayings from the most unexpected things and places. Being a shield is a good thing.

Love the photos, even the cheap shot. ;o)

Ruth Kelly said...

What a wonderful post Judy. You little ones are precious and I love seeing maps. I am a map person myself.

Debby Ray said...

It's amazing what kids can come up with! Sounds like you had a wonderful holiday...precious times, huh? Your wood stove looks so warm and cozy. We had one set up like that in our first home many years ago. Keep that wood burning...IT'S GETTING COLDER BY THE MINUTE! :)

L. D. said...

Such great family photos. The little boy with the dog is a great shot.

Ginny Hartzler said...

He is beautiful! and what an unusual but very effective way to stand up to the little mishaps the world has to offer. It is very cool, wouldn't you love to know where he found it? Now I have to ask why you have no reading lights, floor lamps or table lights...You look like you are heading out on a mining expedition...just sayin'...although it has provided a hearty laugh!

Cheryl said...

"Shield Boy" is absolutely darling!! Love his response...and the hug he gave his grandfather. Precious!

I love the candid photo of you! As we also heat with wood, I am totally unaffected by a few wood chips in your floor. You learn to live with it. I am a bit amused when people remark about how tidy my floor is when they know that we burn wood. Truthfully, it looks tidy because I knew they were coming! Drop-in visitors will see wood chips!

Maureen @ Josephina Ballerina said...

Headlamp. Headlamp. ME WANT!

Cranberry Morning said...

Haha. Yes, I do have other lighting, but nothing else throws such a bright light. My Kindle has spoiled me. :-)

The Charm of Home said...

A boy and his dog is so sweet! Sherry

Judy S. said...

Great photos, Judy. Love you cute GS and the cardinal is beautiful. We mostly have LBBs here.

Anonymous said...

How delightful! Who knows what does on inside little boys' heads? Love the headlamp. My daughter has one that she uses while running or hiking at night!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

That little Shield is adorable! Sounds like you had a lot of fun with family there. Best of times.
Stay warm

Carla from The River said...

LOL, you are so cute!!
I have to laugh, because I have done the same thing with a headlamp.

Love the photos of your family.

Stay Warm,
Carla

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Your grandson is so cute. I love that he is "a shield".

It looks so cozy there in front of your fire.

Cheryl @ TFD said...

These are wonderful photos of your family, Judy. Your grandson is so cute and I love the photo of him hugging his grandpa. So precious!
The photo of the stove brings back memories. In our previous house, we had a wood stove with the brick in the corner much like yours. I miss it, especially when it is as cold as it is tonight!
I'm really enjoying the soap. Just finished the Christmas bar and am starting on the Jasmine. Love them!

Anonymous said...

Priceless photos. What a nice family.

Michelle said...

Hi Judy,

Wow!! Is that your kitchen with the wall map?
I love everything about that room.

Thank you for the shot of the cardinal.
Some birds are so beautiful!

The headlamp is a great idea!
I have never heard of them.

Cynthia said...

I enjoy seeing and hearing about your family. He sure is adorable and that first picture, priceless. The cardinal so pretty. It truly warms my heart seeing families close

Cindy

Ida said...

Your little shield is so adorable looking. Sounds like a good family time. - Pretty Cardinal shot.

Lynne said...

Sure does help to have really good light doesn't it!
(cheap shot though!).
Smile!

Anonymous said...

Love everything about this post!

Empty Nester said...

We had the same crowns in our crackers at Christmas! We had such fun with those things. And then we fought (playfully) over which colors we wanted. We're nuts. I think I shall adopt that philosophy...I am a shield! LOVE it!

J_on_tour said...

Haha, respect for entering into the spirit of it by posting the headlight photo, I have seen people wearing those out on the hills before.

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