Celebration 2021

This past Friday we gathered at our house to celebrate Christmas with Jennifer and the 5 grand children. Since the Pandemic our celebrations have been few and far between. Last year we did a porch drop on Christmas Eve and then did a zoom session on Christmas. It's just not the same as physically being together. This year we were able to get together, and it was such a wonderful day. We played games, opened gifts and had a great feast with finger food, ham, scalloped potatoes, baked beans, rolls and cookies and cupcakes for dessert.

My Son

 I know a boy he calls me Mom, well he's not a boy anymore he's a man, but he'll always be my little boy. I think whats hard for me  is as my son grew up and moved on the time he spendt with me got less and less. My mom once told me a daughters a daughter all of her life and a son is a son til he takes him a wife. How true this is. I don't think I ask for much.I know he's busy but whats a 5 minute phone call while on his way to work. Or the hour and a half drive on a day off to see me. There will come a time when those opportunities won't matter because I won't be here anymore. I am so grateful of the time I had with my Mom.Oh sure there were days when I would have rather been doing something else besides going to visit her but I am so glad that I did. It made her day and in the end I know it meant so much to both of us. I never want my son to have regrets after I'm gone thats why I call and leave messages or text him a good morning now and then. I just pray that one day before its too late he will realize what he's missing. I know a boy he calls me mom and I am blessed to call him my son.

Love still strong

 The most wonderful thing I decided to do 49 years ago was to share my life and heart with this man. he is my best friend and the love of my life.

Pumpkins

 Pumpkins are usually orange, but lately I've been seeing them in different colors. White ,shades of light green and my favorite blue. Yes I said blue. They now have seeds that grow beautiful blue pumpkins, They are blue on the outside but that gorgeous orange on the inside. I am on a wait list for seeds and plan on growing some next year.

Lake Life

 When you live on the lake you accumulate a lot of stuff. Sand toys for the grand kids, Kayak's, Tubes, life jackets, outdoor games, paddle boards and much much more. At first you store some in the garage and some in the basement and some in the shed. The problem is when the grand kids come for their vacation you have to try and remember where you put the things they want. Solution order an 8X8 shed built by the Amish strictly for the lake toys. Everything in one place so when they come up you unlock the door and everything is right there.

Fall Spruce Up

 The weather is changing, there's a chill in the air and Fall is just around the corner. Its time to clean out the gardens, replace the hanging baskets with Mums and spruce up a couple of outdoor pieces of furniture. My picnic table and porch swing were showing some wear and so I decided it was time to re-paint them. The picnic table was a turquoise blue and the swing was a lime green. I decided I want to go more into the blue tones, so off to the hardware for some paint. I decided on a very subtle blue and I am very happy the way they both turned out. 

Tomatoes

 Little did I know that planting 6 tomato plants would give me an abundance of tomatoes. Well those 6 plants have produced more tomatoes than I ever expected. I have frozen some, canned some, given some away, made chili sauce, and even pickled some cherry tomatoes. I still have a huge bowl of cherry tomatoes, which I need to do something with before they spoil. I found a recipe for canning cherry tomatoes by picketing them, and since I have everything I need I'll give it a try. I think I have learned an important lesson. Theres an old saying less is more. Next year I'll be buying fewer plants.

Teaching Art

 I started teaching art when my granddaughter Julia was little. As each grandchild came along and as soon as they could hold a crayon they joined our Friday art class. Each week I would plan a project, collect all the supplies and head out to my daughters for art. I think I looked forward to it as much as they did. With moves and busy lives and longer school days somehow we got away from it. Last year  2020, Bosco the youngest who was in Kindergarten and love art needed some supplements to help fill in his school week. He was doing a unit on Fairy Tales and just wasn't enjoying only reading the stories. I decided to help by planning an art project to go with each fairy tale. It was a big hit and he loved looking forward to seeing what project went with the story. Fast forward to this year 2021. Bosco a 1st grader has been asking "when are we doing art?" Well we hadn't planned anything but Nana to the rescue. Two days of planning, Supplies ordered, exsamples made, instructions written out and voila a box of projects ready to be delivered to a little boy who is waiting very patiently for Art to begin.

Hot Diggity Dog Sale

 Twice a year our Church has a Hot Dog Sale where the proceeds go to benefit the Church. The local grocery store donates all the products. We serve Polish Sausage, Hot Dogs and Root Beer Floats. We do not charge it's donations only. John and I have volunteered to work the sale for the past 3 years.The last two years our two grandsons have helped. They really enjoy helping, and are very good at it. This year we decided that each person would have a specific job. This was we felt it would be less chaotic.  My job was grilling,John's was root beer floats, Blaise and Benedict were prepers and servers, and Marion took orders. It was a very efficient and ran so much smoother than years past. The boys had fun and already are asking if they get to come back next year.

The Loon

 One of the highlights living on the lake is our pair of Loons. For four years we have watched them with hopes of seeing some babies. Each year passed with no babies, that was until this year. A pair of Loons surprised us with a little one. Everyone on the lake was so excited, lots of instant messaging, photos and very slow boat rides to see the new resident. Mama Loon was very protective keeping the baby behind her and safe. Papa Loon was fishing but keeping a close eye. I love lake living and all the exciting new experiences I am able to be a part of.

Family

 On Sunday July 11 Jennifer and 4 of her 5 kids came for a vacation. Julia my oldest grand-daughter had to work so she stayed home. One can never predict what the weather will be and as it turned out it was cool, cloudy and rainy. Did the kids let that stop them no way. They swam, went tubing, fished, kayaked  and when they sprayed for weeds plan B was put int play, putt putt golf and go carts. At night we played games or went for a boat ride. Everyone had a great time and can't wait to come back.

Summer Time

It's July first and I keep wondering where is Summer. You know the kind of summers we knew as children Hot, humid and lots of sunshine. We didn't have air conditioning we had fans. If it got too hot we went to our basement to play or mom filled up the little pool in the backyard and we cooled off. The summer of 2021 is so odd. We had hot weather in April, frost warnings in June and rainy cool temps in July.  I wonder what August will bring. Even though its been weird it amazes me how vacationers don't seem to mind, Today its poring rain and there are water skiers and kayakers on the lake.  I guess when you take time off work to go on vacation you don't let a little rain ruin a good time.

Fun Time at the Lake

 This week we have been blessed with our two grand children coming for a visit. John picked up Blaise and Benedict on Monday and brought them up to the lake. We have been busy swimming, boating, fishing, tubing and of course a trip to their favorite place the dollar store. Grandchildren  are truly a blessing. 

A New Position

 Today at Church was our congregational meeting, to approve minutes, go over some new business and elect officers. Two of the officers who held positions decided after many years to step down and give someone else an opportunity to serve. I was nominated for Secretary, accepted the position and was elected. My responsibilities are to take the minutes at the council meetings, type them up and submit them to our Church secretary to go in the monthly newsletter.  First I need to buy some supplies.

June 26 1948

 Seventy there years ago on this date I was adopted. My parents always made this day very special. I got to pick what we had for dinner and they always took me shopping so i could pick out a special gift. It was like I had two birthdays. One in march and one in June. They always made me feel very special. 

Rain Rain Go Away

 Crazy weather we are having. You'd think that the end of June it would be sunny and warm. No its been cool and rain is predicted for the next week. We have had frost warnings, cool temps and have had our heat on. The lake is quiet not a lot of activity and I feel sorry for the few brave souls who have come up for their vacation. This weather doesn't seem to bother the neighbor kids though. They've been floating around in their canoe fishing, while their parents gather around a fire to keep warm. I'm sure they wish things were different but kids are resilient and adapt to anything. Rain rain go away come again some other day.

Canning 101

 Its been many years since I've done any  canning.  I used to can when the kids were little. I would take them and we'd pick blueberries and strawberries and then I'd make jam. Once tomatoes were ripe I'd make salsa, chili sauce and plain tomato's. One year a friends pear tree was struck by lightning and she brought in baskets of pears which I gladly took some and canned. As time went on and the kids grew up and work seemed to get in the way I just didn't seem to have the time anymore. So I gave away all my canning supplies, I later realized wasn't too smart. Last year I planted a small raised garden bed with more tomato plants than I needed. I shared with family and neighbors and still had so many. So I decided what I needed to do was can the rest. I had to purchase jars and canning equipment and get out my canning cook books which ironically I had saved. It funny how it all came back. I made chili sauce and canned tomatoes. This year I will do the same.  Strawberries are in season so thats what I did today. I was able to get 9 jars of jam from 4 quarts of berries. Pretty good I think. I had 2 quarts left which I cleaned and froze for further use.

Homemade Ice Cream

 Today I decided to do something I haven't done in a long time, make ice cream. I had all the ingredients, so I put my bowl in the freezer, got my mixer ready and began the process. I wisked the milk, half and half and heavy whipping cream  with the vanilla ice cream mix and put it in the freezer for 15 minutes. once the time was up I turned the mixer on and added the mixture. It took 25 minutes on low speed but it was well worth it.  I think Ill try chocolate next.

Church Garage Sale

 On Friday and Saturday we are having our annual garage sale at Church.Preparation started a week ago and we finally finished up today. My assignment is cashier on Friday from 9am to noon and the same on Saturday. Set up was exhausting but its for charity.After the sale we will box everything that is left and take to another Church for their sale. 

Summer has begun

 According to my daughter,Summer began today with a visit from her and 4 of the grandchildren. It was a great day and a lot of fun. The kids swam, used the Paddle Boat went for a boat ride had lunch and we even celebrated Bosco's birthday. The rain held off and the weed spraying didn't occur until it was time to leave. They will be back in July for the fishing contest and a week vacation.

The Garden

Into the garden I go to lose my mind and find my soul. Love this quote. Gardening is an escape, its me time. I water, weed and just enjoy the quietness of me and the plants. I find joy each morning getting out and seeing what new flowers have sprung overnight. Since I live in Northern Michigan my growing season isn't as long as it was when I lived down states each day in the garden is a joy.                                            

Life Lessons

 My Mom once said when life gives you lemons make lemonade. She had a plaque hanging in her kitchen with those exact words. Mom was very wise and she always had the right answer whenever I had a problem.  I miss her so much, especially this past year.  Not that I would have wanted her to be here during the pandemic but I know she would have made living through it much easier. She always looked for the good in everything. If you planned a picnic and it rained you just moved the picnic inside. Spread a cloth on the floor, had a picnic and watched the rain from inside. Today was especially hard not because of one particular thing, just hard. I think because being stuck staying home is getting to me. I get up, have breakfast, clean house, get dressed, do laundry if there is any, plan dinner, watch tv, go to bed only to get up and repeat it al over again. I sit here tonight watching tv and realize tomorrow night I'll be in the same place at the same time doing the same thing. I think I need to make some lemonade.

Homemade

Crafty I'd like to think I am. I enjoy making and receiving homemade things. Since the pandemic hit a year ago I've thought a lot about getting back to making gifts. It will give me something to do to pass the long days stuck at home. I remember when my mom was alive every year before Christmas we would get together and have a craft day. My mom was very crafty. I remember growing up she and several of her friends would get together weekly in our basement and make crafts. Mom would see something in a magazine and next thing you knew she 'd invite a few of her friends over and they would set up shop and  create the things she saw.They made a Christmas tree out of a readers digest and sprayed it gold something I tried and could not re create. They made place mats from felt, ornaments from styrofoam and just had fun. 

This past year I have been collecting ideas of things I'd like to make such as snow men out of clay pots. quilted fabric ornaments, and angels.,using wooden balls string and fury material. I need to gather all my supplies before I can start these but I am looking forward to having a craft day.

Yummy and Homemade

 Bread, who doesn't love good bread. I love bread good bread that is not the soft kind you buy in the grocery store but good flavorful bread. The draw back is good bakery bread can be expensive.  My solution was make my own. I have baked bread in a dutch oven, and in a loaf pan. I've made cardamon bread, plain white bread, fragrant orange bread, french,rosemary and wheat bread.  I love the feel of kneading the bread, watching it rise and the wonderful aroma while its baking. Its a long process so it isn't something I do often, until now. For Christmas I got a Bread Machine from my husband. Since then I have been putting that machine to good use. I make about 2 loaves a day. One loaf to eat and one goes in the freezer. No more store bought bread for us.