Sunday, June 22, 2014

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ June 22, 2014

Lots to show this week.  A particular little granddaughter had a birthday recently, so we made a trip to help her and her parents celebrate. We had lots of fun, and it was nice to take a break from unpacking!

{Pretty}

Here's the birthday girl.  Isn't she darling?


Arane turned two years old, and she is a sweet little imp. So funny and inventive! My mother, Arane's great-grandmother, made the trip with us.  Arane didn't remember her from the last visit, but it didn't take her long to warm up to Great-grandma.    It was a blessing to have four generations all together!

I hope I look this good when I'm eighty-four!

{Happy}

Birthday hats, a sprinkler and friends to play with, cupcakes and ice cream . . . what more do you need to have a successful birthday party?




Aunty Hannah was {happy} to see everyone!



We also celebrated Father's Day together.  Dave was thrilled to get a replacement for his beloved, defunct popcorn popper.


And Justin had a little help opening his present.  After all, she had spent a good part of the days previous practicing her present-opening technique.




{Funny}


When it's bath time for the stuffed animals, the most propitious way to dry them is to hang them by their ears on clothesline.

{Real}


Sometimes when you try to take pictures of a perpetually moving toddler, all you get is the backside of her dress . . .

Visit Like Mother, Like Daughter for more {phfr}!

Sunday, June 8, 2014

{Pretty, Happy, Funny, Real}~ June 8, 2014

I didn't post the last two weeks because we were deep in moving mode.  We have been here one week, so I'll share some pictures of the beauty and the chaos.

We are living in my in-laws' house.  My father-in-law died in April, and my mother-in-law has gone, at her request, to an assisted living facility.  We moved to be near her and watch over her and are living in her house, again at her request.  It is a beautiful, peaceful place in Dave's hometown and our beloved Midwest. Missouri, to be precise.

{Pretty}

As I write, I'm sitting on the screened-in sleeping porch off of our new bedroom.  This is what I see:




The house sits on a pond and, except for a moderately sized lawn, is otherwise surrounded by trees.  I just heard a fish splash in the water, the birds are singing, and the peepers are peeping.  I feel so blessed to be here!

*~*~*~*~*~*~*

You know how after you move there is just so much to be done?  All at once?  And it all is screaming for attention?  So practically the first thing I did was plant flowers.  I must have flowers.  No matter how disorganized the rest of the house is, if I have flowers, I feel in control.  It's my way of planting our family's flag in the new land, of staking our claim.  "This is home,"  the flowers proclaim.




{Happy}

Both of Dave's maternal grandparents were artists, and this house is chock full of amazing original paintings, sculptures, and pottery pieces.  Here are a few paintings done by his grandmother, Dorothea Kelsey.  I think these are my favorite, though it's hard to choose!  (This link tells a little about Dorothea, though there is more about her husband and Dave's grandfather, Luman Kelsey.  I'll show some of his work next week.)




{Real}

Boxes and boxes and more boxes . . .



It's a good thing that smashed one in the middle is labeled "pots and pans" and not "good china"!


Join Like Mother, Like Daughter for more {phfr} fun!

Catching Up

Lake Michigan--gorgeous! It really has been two months since I last made a blog post!  This summer has been full of traveling, gardening...

Popular Posts