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!

***

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Hodgepodging the Family Reunion

 Our Entire Family
(Minus the Thirteen Who Didn't Make it)

Since we don't all get together at any of the major holidays, I created my own in August, an excuse we would have for getting together during summer vacation.  Hopefully, next August everyone will be here. I did suggest that they write it in Sharpie on their calendars. Here we are, having come from lunch at Brit's Pub in Minneapolis, getting our pic taken in front the huge windows of Orchestra Hall. My other crutch must be perfectly aligned with my daughter's left leg!

Join Joyce and the Gang
for

She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Plug them into your own blog post

and join in!

1. Are you watching the Olympics? Your favorite summer Olympic event? I read recently a list of the most iconic Olympic moments in history...what stands out in your mind as a great moment from some past summer Olympic games?

I don't watch the summer Olympics at all, and minimally watch the winter Olympics. I like the downhill skiing, the ski jumping, and the luge. I have no interest at all in the summer Olympics.

 My favorite summer sport: The Family Hayride

2. Have you ever been to Rio? How about the place that started it all-Greece? Have you ever been to any of the Olympic Games in person? Is that something you'd like to do? Have you ever met an Olympian in person?

'No' to all of the above except for...

 My Favorite Olympian - Mr. C.

Who has been SO good to me, taking care of me, taking care of company, taking care of EVERYthing since I'm still unable (and not supposed) to walk without crutches. Hopefully, this too shall pass, for I should be putting full body weight on that right leg by the end of August. But I hope that Mr. C. won't stop being such a kind and nurturing person. Stay tuned for an update on that. ;-)

3. The ball's in their court (tennis), cross the finish line (track and field), on target (archery), make a splash (diving), on a roll (gymnastics), out of one's depth (swimming)...which Olympic-related idiom best applies to your life right now? Explain.

 Out of my depth

The ball IS in my court. I'm doing everything the doctor said to do, being the great rule-follower than I am; I will cross the finish line. I'm definitely on target at this point, I won't be making a splash anytime soon, I'm on a roll for watching SkyNews, Vera, and George Gently far too much, and I'm totally out of my depth when it comes to anything Olympic Games related.

4. What have you earned a 'gold medal' in recently?

This one is easy: enjoying the grandkids being here. We had the entire weekend together, which was wonderful fun for me. They're the sweetest. xoxo

Elton John and his admirers

at Brit's Pub

5. What is it (or who is it) that motivates you to eat right, exercise, and do what you can to be healthy?

I would say that the greatest factor is wanting to avoid having to be on medications of any kind. And maybe because my parents were a pretty good example. I also feel so much better when I eat right, that it's not worth it to indulge in junk food. I wouldn't say that Brit's fish and chips is exactly health food, but it's only an occasional blip on the food radar. I am looking forward to being able to exercise, but really just gardening, walking and hiking, and work. Did I say work? Yes, actually. I hate artificial exercise. I do think that as a child of God I have a responsibility for keeping my body as healthy as possible. I'm glad that includes dark chocolate, almonds, and an occasional fish and chips. It does, right?

 image from somewhere on the net

It's this kind of lettuce I use for the following sandwich

Bibb lettuce maybe?

A really good sandwich I've been enjoying for recent lunches is: 
1 slice Coborn's Gluten Free Bakery: Ancient Grains Bread
   (unlike other GF breads, this is soft and thick and doesn't fall apart)
Thick layer of GF hummus
Pepper cheese slices
Huge leaf of lettuce on top, instead of that second slice of bread.

...and sweet granddaughter

6. Are you young at heart or an old soul? Explain.

In some ways, I do fit the description of an old soul. Then again, I hope that I'm young at heart, for that's the only part of me that IS young (except for the brand new hip joint.) I gave up on coloring my hair, except for the occasional low-lighting (which is very overdue, as you can tell ), because otherwise I'd have young-looking hair on a headful of wrinkles. Who wants that??! And looking at the photo above, I see that I have my mom's eyes and my dad's nose. They say your nose never stops growing. I just had another birthday this past weekend (the excuse for the reunion), so this kinda scares me. I mean, look where we already are!

7. It's National S'mores Day (August 10th)...are you a fan? Will you celebrate with a s'more today?

The only thing I like about S'mores is the campfire. S'mores are way too sweet for me. I'll be happy with a piece of dark chocolate and a handful of almonds.

This photo sent to me by John, their dad.

It's at our house, from the past weekend, 

where the grandkids found Tuppence sleeping on our bed.

They love that cat!!

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

In spending time with the family, I am reminded of what a blessing from the Lord each one is. I hope you all have a wonderful Wednesday, and I hope that very soon I will be able to start blogging more often. Thanks for all your kind comments, my dear blogging friends. I totally do not deserve them, but appreciate every single one!

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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

for

She writes the questions;

we write the answers.

Answer them on your own blog post

and link up!

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.

***

This post is linked to
 
Mosaic Monday

*** 

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

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and at

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Have a great Wednesday, everyone!

 
 

Pyromaniac Convention August 2014

Granddaughter warming her backside

No kidding, it had to be really hot where she was standing!

It's a highlight of our annual Family Reunion/My Birthday Get-together - the bonfire. All year the burn pile grows until we light it for the Family Reunion. Yes, it was my birthday last week, and although I'm not divulging the number, suffice it to say that for someone in their late 90's, I don't think I'm doing too poorly. ;-)

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal*

This thing was HUGE, even bigger than last year's

Top Row, center: Granddaughter, The Nurturer, keeping her baby cousin happy. That girl has amazing charm. Then there's her little brother who says the funniest things. I should be writing these down.

Middle Row, center:  Sweet grandbaby girl, the cutest and most cheerful baby I think I've ever seen. She was full of smiles and so content - as long as her mama or auntie were nearby.

It was a delightful weekend for me, a wonderful time with the family together. Only a few couldn't make it. The weather was perfect. Warm, sunny, a nice breeze. We ate breakfast and talked out on the front porch and the back deck. The little boys enjoyed rides on the  lawn mower (Grandpa's wonderful new tool), playing in the sand box, kicking the soccer ball around, and driving trucks on the front porch.

Cousins

Another highlight for me was seeing the two little boy cousins playing so well together after having not seen each other since last August. They were constantly together, having a wonderful time, laughing hilariously at each other's lame made-up knock-knock jokes and playing in the yard.

How could I not love this!

Middle Row, center: Enjoying Grandpa's Full English Breakfast out on the front porch.

Middle Row, right: One family member is due to arrive on the outside any day now. We will be glad to meet Baby Oliver.

Bottom Left: A couple latecomers who didn't get into the family photo, but joined us for Sunday dinner.

Joseph of many limbs

Rob on a mission

Fire settling down a bit

The brothers set off fireworks and generally blew up stuff, made a lot of noise, and had a great time. There is a reason we live out in the country.

Older brother, roasting the green coffee beans

It takes serious attention and stirring

You'll notice I delegated that to more responsible handlers.

Daughter and Family

THE FAM

August 2014

In the alfalfa field

BFF

I love my birthdays. They're a wonderful excuse for the family to get together. There is nothing I like better, and I thank our gracious God for blessing us with this dear family.

Lord willing, we will repeat the family reunion next August. We're expecting two more little ones to be with us.

* I Kings 18

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:  Inspired Monday and Mosaic Monday and Amaze Me Monday and  Inspiration Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday and Treasure Box Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Tuesday with a Twist and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and Adorned From Above  and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and  Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Junkin' Joe and Vintage Inspiration Friday and A Favorite Thing Saturday