Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Trying to UnHodgepodge

 
 Sunrise, from the porch

I was remarking to Mr. C. just yesterday during lunch in the screen room, that it really feels like August. I guess that shouldn't be surprising for the last day of July, right. Anyway, trying to give an account for my long absence from Blogland, I'll jump right in with an excuse and say that I was busy becoming a great grandma. And here is the darling Penny and her darling mama, not even 48 hours post delivery. I know it's not fair to take their pic so soon, but...

at 7 lb. 12 oz, and looks SO TINY!
I had forgotten that they came that small.

And a four generation photo
Mr. C. in the background,
our son, looking thrilled to be a grandpa,
Mama (our granddaughter)
and Penny, the great grand
No, they're not exactly worshipping this infant,
even though it might look like it. :-)

So just yesterday her mama posted this photo,
and I hope she doesn't mind that I swiped it to show you.
This is one very loved little girl.

***

Then there was the family reunion at William O'Brien State Park, Minnesota on July 21st - Mr. C.'s siblings and their kids and grandkids. Too many photos to show, but a couple:

Mr. C. and I with some of our family


These (son and three grandsons) didn't get in on the group photo of our immediate family because they had left by then. AND, a few people were missing because they were engaged in waiting and waiting and waiting for that baby to arrive!

 Daughter and one of her uncles

Son and his nephew (our grandson)

Two grandsons (no idea)

These two aren't so sure about a family reunion.
It certainly wasn't their idea of a good time.

***

Then there were the two weeks that I was visiting our daughter and family in Wausau (two weeks? divided by a week, I think. I don't know, it's all starting to run together in the timeline of my brain).

Grandson (in gray) starting to enjoy soccer
Made a goal while I was watching.
I'm sure I'm his good luck charm. LOL

Granddaughter, the littlest cheerleader
Working on that cartwheel

Taken in early July in Wausau
Doesn't that dark cloud on the right remind you of
Rizzo the rat?
Okay, maybe it's just me.

Mustn't forget the afternoon at the black bear sanctuary
in Wausau. It was an incredibly interesting place with an owner who treats bears right (I mean really, it's like those four bears living on his fourteen spectacular acres are his kids or something!) 

From the wisconsinblackbears.com website:

"The WBBEC is a refreshing change from the norm. (It) is one of the largest and most natural bear enclosures in the US. It puts to shame most of the bear exhibits in traditional zoos..." (quoting some guy from Canada)

I think all these kids, including my two grands, enjoyed the tour immensely
I know that I sure did.


The Wisconsin DNR has contacted the owner, requesting that he take more black bears, but he has turned them down, wanting to make sure that the habitat he has for them is adequate for the number of bears. I like this guy.

These two weren't invited to the black bear sanctuary or to the family reunion. At least they can console each other.

Last and probably least, I caught my water hyacinth while it was blooming its little heart out. 

From the garden pond


I'm hoping that I will be able to keep a Wednesday blog post going and possibly an Anglophile Friday and a Sunday post. I'll make a huge effort and we'll see what happens. - quoting Patrick in 'A Murder is Announced.' To be honest, however, I think my huge effort will have to wait until next week. I need a nap.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!


***


Check out my natural, handcrafted vegan soap!
Buy any 5 or more, Get 1 FREE
 


Sandalwood & Vanilla
Natural Vegan Soap


...and more! Check out all my handcrafted soaps at
 
HomemadeSoapNSuch


and at


Our ETSY Shop


Join me on Instagram: @cranberrymorning
Judy

26 comments:

Susie said...

Judy, I loved all the photos. That is one sweet tiny baby girl. Don't you just want to snuggle her forever. I know what it like to try to get family photos....it's almost impossible. I love that sun/sky shot. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

MadSnapper said...

no wonder you need a nap, you had a really fun and busy July.. lets hope August gives you a little time to rest. you have a wonderful, happy and beautiful family. all the photos of proof. love the little grandsons doing whatever they are doing. just to cute... glad to see you back online

Elizabeth "Libby" Day said...

I am so glad to see you blogging on this Wednesday. Adjusting to the loss of the Hodgepodge has been a challenge for me, but I'm trying hard to make the most of it and do something a little different. So enjoyed catching up on your goings on and seeing pictures of the family. Congratulations on that precious new GGbaby. I think "worship" might be appropriate for that picture. I look forward to seeing you again before the week is over.

Mrs.T said...

Wonderful post, Judy. Loved all the photos. Penny is adorable!

Yes, I imagine we're all missing the Hodgepodge, though I completely understand Joyce needing a break from it, especially right now. Interestingly, I have found myself blogging a bit more without it, but I think that's purely coincidental as far as the Hodgepodge goes.

*Something* (or more likely, Someone) has jumpstarted my creativity and I am happy to have it back! I'm sure that blogging every day in my Christmas blog during July didn't hurt, either.

Marcia said...

Wow! Exhausted just reading of your travels and doings. Take care and congrats great grandma!

Arlene G said...

Congrats on that great grand baby. She is precious and what a blessing!

Chatty Crone said...

You always end with those two beautiful cats wrapped in each other. Love it. Congrats great-grandma. I don't think I will every make it. She was adorable and so was mom. The four generation picture is a wonderful thing to have.You are so blessed. Loved the reunion. And you are a pretty gal.
Sandie

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Tommy and Smokey are the cutest kitties, Judy. Congratulations on the new baby's arrival! Nothing like a new little one to bring joy to a family. Your family times looks wonderful and I'm sure you do need a nap. Great seeing you again, my friend. ♥
Oh, that first photo of the view from your porch is a blue ribbon winner!

Lorrie said...

No wonder you need a nap - you've been busy! Congratulations on becoming a great-grandma! Such a sweet little one. Your morning view, in your first photo, is simply gorgeous!

podso said...

You have been busy and I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one who finds such events running together in my mind. Looks like some real special times. And it is hard to believe it's August already. It's like that every year. Congratulations on becoming a great-grandmother--a very special position. I still remember one of my great grandmothers--I guess I had eight of them. You get the best cat pictures.

Lynne said...

Wondered where you were.
Love the pictures . . .
A new baby makes it “a best” every time!
Happy great grand parent days . . .
I find it very rewarding . . .

And talk about cuddles and liking one another!
Smokey and Tommy take the prize!

Terri D said...

Great photos of so many beautiful people!! What fun you have been having! FYI, if you don't have something for a Wednesday, I have started a linky called Black & White Memories to fill in while Joyce is gone for the summer. You can check it out on my blog today.

jennyfreckles said...

Congratulations on great grandmotherhood! Family is so precious.

Vee said...

Congratulations on the birth of your beautiful great! She is darling. You know, as regards worshipping the infant, I am highly suspect of those photos where the holder of the baby is smiling at the camera. Always! This photo is more like it—awe, pure awe at the goodness of God revealed in one so tiny and new.

You have been busy! Don’t give up summer activity to return to a full schedule of blogging too soon. Summers are short and winters are long. Enjoy August!

Jean | DelightfulRepast.com said...

Judy, love the photos. Darling baby! Do tell your granddaughter to keep working on her cartwheels or she may never learn. I didn't attempt them until the stage in life when I decided I was tall and had too far to fall if I didn't do it right, so I never learned how to do cartwheels!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I love seeing your big beautiful family...sure makes me miss mine! Enjoy your day! Did you take a nap? Hugs!

eileeninmd said...

Hello,

Congrats on your great-grandchild. You have a beautiful family. I would like to visit that bear sanctuary. Enjoy your day and weekend!

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Congratulations Great Grandma!! How precious is Penny, what a blessing. How nice to have a family reunion. Love the photos. My goodness....you have been busy.

Elizabeth Edwards said...

glad i did stop by when you had a family pic. so cool. hope u r well. checking up on folks i don't see on my blog any more. we had a bad day, felt the need 2 see friends. had to call the sheriff today and on my hubby's bday, no fun at all ... don't wanna tell 2 much but or 'cause we have some sticky fingers around here. makes you nervous. not feeling safe. take care. thanks for listening. ( ;

Terra Heck said...

That picture of the two cats is just adorable! Congrats on the birth of the wee one. She's a cutie. We recently had our family reunion too...and played Bags. That bear sanctuary looks like an interesting place to visit.

Theresa said...

Congrats on the addition to the family! What a little cutie! We just welcomed our first Great-granddaughter and are "over the moon" happy! Enjoy your day dear friend and the beauty that surrounds you! HUGS!

A Bit of the Blarney said...

My heartiest congratulations!! It's always grand when we can gather as family! An, oh my, what a glorious sunrise! Wishing you well!

Sue said...

Beautiful memory making photos, Judy, your great grand daughter is beautiful, congratulations to all, isn't wonderful when you see the generations grow and carry on.
Have a blessed weekend.
Sue

AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNa said...

Congratulations Great Grandma! Loved all the photos. The picture of the two kitties is so sweet! We have two and it was the best decision and so much fun. Have a wonderful nap!

Barbara said...

Congratulations on your new little grandchild! Such wonderful family pictures!

Breathing In Grace said...

Well, no wonder you haven't posted....I don't post that often, but I don't have sweet memory-making excuses like you do! <3 Happy Thursday, sweet Lady. HOPE your day is chock full of blessings!

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails