Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Hodgepodging the Family Reunion

 'Here, little cousin, let me help you.'

This past weekend, we had a family birthday party for our oldest son. Everyone was here, except for the daughter who is in Italy and her husband, stuck at home (his own choice, silly boy) in Texas. It was wonderful to have the group here for the two days and an overnight. The weather was perfect.  Camping and swimming* and shooting and a trip to Valkyrie, the local craft brewery were on the agenda. And the best part is, we're going to be doing it again the first part of August, but that time we expect the Texans to join us! All the photos are from the past weekend

 Our large, above-ground pool
Remember? I did say *swimming.


Join Joyce and the Gang
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She writes the questions;
we write the answers.
Answer them on your own blog post
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1. Is your home air conditioned? If it's not air conditioned, is that by choice? Did you grow up with air conditioning? If not how did you cope with the heat? Share about a time or place you remember as being too hot-the temperature kind of hot, lest anyone be confused.

Yes, our home has central air, although we didn't need to use it until July, and then only occasionally, and only during the warmest part of the day. It's been a beautiful summer. When I was a kid, no one had air conditioning. No one had lots of things that people think are 'needs' these days. Everyone got along fine and didn't whine about it. Being too hot in the summer was part of life in the summertime. I remember my dad and brothers getting hot and sweaty putting up hay in the summer. The chaff from the hay would stick to my brothers' sweaty, shirtless bodies. It wasn't a pretty sight. Then again, we didn't have to look at their sweaty, white skin. :-)

The only place I remember being too hot was when we landed at the airport in Panama. It was  smotheringly hot and muggy. There didn't seem to be much oxygen in that thick air. I was glad there wasn't a long layover before we took off for LaPaz, Bolivia.

Oh wait! I remember it being too hot at some of the 'tent meetings' when I was a kid. They were outdoor evangelistic meetings held for the community. Sawdust floors, a huge tent, uncomfortable wood benches, and sometimes very hot inside. That is a memory that hadn't surfaced for a long time.

 The Birthday Boy (l.) and part of the crew at breakfast

Mr. C. making one of his morning specialties - 
French Toast and Bacon
Full English Breakfast is his other specialty.


2. What's something in your life right now that falls under the heading 'up in the air'?

Possible revision surgery. More on that later, if there is more later.

3. Your favorite light and airy dessert?

I'm not really a fan of light and airy; rather, more a fan of dense and delicious. But if there were something very lemony and not too sweet that was light and airy, I'd give it a try. Also, I guess my Strawberry Freezer Dessert is somewhat light and airy - and far too delicious, so that I have to keep any leftovers in the freezer in the basement or it would be a constant temptation. After a good freezer burn, I don't mind throwing it out.

 Front Yard Weekend Encampment

4. When did you last feel like you were 'floating on air'?

A couple things might make me feel like I'm 'floating on air.' One would be the daily encounter with God's beautiful creation: flowers, blue skies, puffy white clouds, green fields, gentle breeze, the songs of birds in the early morning, beautiful rivers, etc. etc. The other would be having the family home for the weekend. It's wonderful. Exhilarating, exhausting, and wonderful!

The cousin pals, together again



5. Airport, airmail, airtight, airhead...which have you most recently encountered? Explain.

Remember when airmail meant thin writing paper and thin envelopes with a stripe around the edge? Anyway, I avoid airheads, almost nothing is actually airtight, so I guess an airport would be my most recent encounter of air things. And that reminds me, airports aren't nearly as much fun as they had been before the big beef-up of security. Remember the days when we could go to the airport and watch the planes take off? Now we aren't even allowed to go to the gate to see friends or family off on a vacation.

 Downton Shooting Party
(without the costuming, the killing, or the posh accent) 
target shooting, of course


 Birthday son and lovely wife

6.  Have you ever been to the Alps? If so where did you go? If not, is this a destination on your must-see list? If you were headed that direction this summer, which of the following would be your preferred activity...a gentle walk, a serious walk, a bike ride, a boat ride around one of the lakes, or summer snow skiing?

I've never been to the Alps and don't have a desire to go, but could have a desire to be in Verona, where you can see the foothills (or maybe the foothills of the foothills) where our daughter is studying Italian this summer. Just Skyped with her and was given a tour of her apartment with its views over the city. (The up-side of technology). Sigh. BUT, of the activities mentioned, I would take a serious walk if I could. Until I get that issue resolved, a boat ride around one of the lakes sounds great. A row boat, or a boat with a punter (punter?) or a gondolier. No noisy speed boats for me, thank you.

Aspiring forest outlaw archer

7. What is one saying or phrase that was considered 'cool' when you were growing up?

'Neat' and 'cool' were considered neat and cool when I was a kid. But actually, I was never into being cool or knowing phrases that were. I grew up in the Mostly Pre-Cool Era (for which I thank God.)

 Prayer before lunch
The weather was beautiful, so we were able to eat outdoors.

 Our daughter (r.), striking an Egyptian pose

Cousins
8. Insert your own random thought here.

Nary a random thought is floating past at the moment, so I'll just post a few extra photos.








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Have a great Wednesday, everyone!
 
 
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47 comments:

Joyce said...

I've been to Verona...lovely, as are most places in Italy : ) Looks like a wonderful couple of days with family! Now pass me a plate of French toast please. It looks delicious!

eileeninmd said...

Wow, you have a big family there. It sounds like a wonderful reunion and good times. Happy belated Birthday to your son! I love to travel but I dislike going to the airports now, they are such a pain! I enjoyed your family photos, great post. Enjoy your day!

eileeninmd said...

PS, the french toast looks delicious! Now, I have a craving for some french toast!

Cathy said...

Such neat family photos. It looks like everyone is having a good time and by the way, I'll take some of that french toast. It looks absolutely delicious!

Mary said...

Love all of the pictures! Thank you for sharing!

Tammy Enjoy Life said...

Great pictures. I love family gatherings.

Arlene G said...

So glad you are back Judy and what a fun time!! Loved the reference to Downton Abbey Shooting Club! Family time is precious time.

Linda said...

What a lovely post, Judy! Thank you for sharing your memories...I sure have found memories of spending summers with my grandparents at the farm, camping out and such. Have a Blessed Wednesday. (belated Birthday wishes to your son)

Kiki Nakita said...

Thanks for visiting. Looks like y'all are having a wonderful family reunion. Great pictures. All the best.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

The photo, Prayer before lunch made me pause and give thanks too. What a beautiful family you have and how nice to have them all at your house. Enjoy your week my friend. Hugs, Diane

Monica said...

What a fun time! I love family reunions but we haven't had one is so very long. Most of our family has scattered in the wind. :)
THanks for sharing this day with us.

Deanna Rabe - Creekside Cottage Blog said...

What a wonderful, wonderful, family gathering. Glad you get to do it again when your daughter is home from Italy.

Such a blessing!

Deanna

Empty Nester said...

I was so enthralled in your photos, I almost forgot to read your answers today! LOL I love the way you incorporated the pix into the Hodgepodge. Every single one of them made me smile. I just love pix of your happy family gatherings! You're right about not complaining about the heat way back when. We never did. We just played and played and played!

Nonnie said...

Gee whiz.. Can I be part of your lovely family? Great pics and good answers - very clever. Even without AC, we still loved summers back then and you're right, we didn't complain. It's just the way things were.

MadSnapper said...

I enjoyed every single one of the family pics... so much fun and family and joy pouring out of them. chuckled on the big guy sitting behind that tiny child fence.. the tents made me smile, i know the kids are loving that. are Krispy Kreme donuts light and airy? that is my answer.
you must have been in the North if you did not complain about summer heat. i have been complaining for 70 years about summer heat... and will until i die. i did not get AC until i was 40 and do NOT try to take it away now... i remember being so hot at night my gown was stuck to me and i would take wet wash cloth and wipe myself down and stand in front of the oscillating fan. and the month of Sept in school was a horror each year, we went back the day after labor day and no ac in schools and the windows only opened at the top... wow, i did not know i owned an AC soap box

Tired Teacher said...

It's so important for families to gather for happy occasions, and I'd say your family gathering was a very happy occasion! The photos are fabulous and they made me smile.

I haven't thought about airmail envelopes and paper in ages. They, like long distance calls, are a thing of the past.

Sunny Simple Life said...

We just had a reunion up in Oregon of my side of the family. 19 of us made it. It was so fun. You have so many little ones and that is so special. Making memories is what I call it.

Vee said...

How wonderful to have them all (mostly all) home. Of course, then you realize that you need to have a commune if they were there all the time. I enjoyed seeing the cousins interacting and having fun. What a fun time for them! Your husband is amazing in the kitchen...such a blessing. As always, I enjoy your wit and appreciate your responses to the Hodge Podge questions. So glad that your summer has been beautiful...that is also a blessing.

Paige McDaniel said...

Wow -- the photos are great! I'm from a small family, so we rarely have any kind of reunion. Looks like I'm missing out on a lot of fun! Have a great week!

Theresa said...

What a wonderful weekend you had with a houseful of family! The French Toast looks delicious and it looks like everyone has lots of fun. I remember when you could watch the airplanes take off too. It's a shame that things have had to change so.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

What a grand time at your place, Judy! There's nothing better than getting the family together. Great photos of great times. Now, go put your feet up! ♥

TexWisGirl said...

what great family fun!

Rose said...

/What a wonderful weekend this must have been! Enjoyed your hodgepodge, too.

Cheryl said...

What fun, what fun!! Thanks for sharing some photos of your family gathering! I think that a gathering of family is one of the best earthly blessings! (The birthday boy looks a lot like Mr. Cranberry!)

Chatty Crone said...

OKAY WHAT A COOL REUNION! I am jealous in a good way.
I think back to when I was a child - no air conditioning - just an attic whole house fan - now I think I would die without it! lol

Linda Kay said...

Judy, wonderful family pictures, and good job of weaving them into the hodge podge.

Rachel said...

I love the pictures of your family! You look like you are all doing well!

:)

Denise said...

great pictures, loved this post.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

We did get along fine without AC growing up. That dessert looks yummy. Glad you had a lovely family reunion. Enjoyed the photos.

Susie said...

Judy, I loved seeing your family having such fun. Love the camping. Sweet young boys helping the little ones. Blessings, xoxo,Susie

A Joyful Chaos said...

How fun being able to spend time with family like that.

Blessings~

Terri D said...

Another fun Hodgepodge! I SO enjoyed all your photos! What a beautiful family you have, and what a great space for everyone to gather! I love the prayer photo especially.

Deb said...

This was fun, Judy. Your reunion reminds me a lot of those that we had at my husband's parents place when the kids were young. There were eight grandkids all close in age and our three would have such a blast visiting their grandparents when all the cousins were there. I do miss those times but that's life. French toast is a favorite of mine and hubby's looks delicious. I laughed at your gallery on the fridge as I do the same. Every time I add one the retired-guy says, "haven't you got enough on there yet?" :)Family time is so special and I'm glad you had fun. Are you tired yet? haha! Deb

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

This looks like a fun family event! You all really know how to do up a reunion!

Michelle said...

What a beautiful family you have! And, I do love the look of that pool :)

Barbara said...

I enjoyed all your photos today. I am very interested to know about the huge world map in your kitchen. I know mission-minded families like to have a world map on display to keep track of the missionaries for whom they pray. What is the story with your map?

Deborah Montgomery said...

Looks like a wonderful family time, and the pictures of the cousins together are adorable. I had to laugh at the "dense and delicious" comment about desserts -- me too! And we didn't have AC either when I was growing up. Or a garage door opener. Or a remoe control. Or . . . and we did just fine!

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Wonderful photos! So fun to read your answers and get glimpses into your beautiful family. ;)
xo

Unknown said...

Mike and I loved looking at the photos. He would like some of that French toast please! It looked like a wonderful time was had by all. You and Mr. C are so blessed.

collettakay said...

It look like you had a lovely time. I enjoyed reading your hodgepodge answers :)

Colletta

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, what a wonderful occasion. Thanks for sharing. I almost feel as if I were there, and I'm so much more relaxed for it!

This N That said...

Looks like a fun time for all..Glad the weather was good...Lovely family..

Red Rose Alley said...

Judy, it was nice to learn more about you. Happy Birthday to your son. Sons are always there for us, giving us a laugh or two, and making our days special. You have a wonderful family, and it looks like you are close to them all.

I wanted to tell you that I added you to the list of friends on my last post, as you are dear to me as well.

~Sheri

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, Such fun photos of your time together. You are blessed with a beautiful family. That French Toast is making me hungry this a.m. I remember going to "camp meeting" and how hot it was under the arbor.

Hope your Friday is filled with many blessings.

Carla from The River said...

Hi Judy,
Wow, what a lovely time with family.
:-))) I love all the photos.

I love French Toast it is my very favorite.

♥ Carla

Suzan said...

Judy!! How blessed you are to have such a huge family!!
this is what life is all about - FAMILY!! Such a great idea!! having the kids camp out in the back!!

Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse said...

So many children around you, it must have been a fantastic weekend!

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