I am having a first.  I host 3 of my 4 grandchildren next week for what I am calling “Camp GiGi”. Hubs is wondering where he is in this so called camp and I replied “If you are going to stay home from work and help out, then we will add your name but…um, not unless you make plans to do so.”  This is my time and I am really looking forward to it, and I am owning it. 

I may be exhausted at the end of the week.  I picture myself dusted with concrete and glue, feathers and stone.  I have craft projects and food in mind for the wee folk.  I am so excited. 

I started stock piling snacks this week.  Goldfish crackers, peanut butter, fruit snacks and other kid goodies.   Not all the kids like string cheese, but I do and it’s good for a quick fix.  I may need that…for myself. 

I hope the yard isn’t a muddy mess but if it is, it is.  I looked for some of my transplanted rhododendron over the weekend and can only find two out of seven.  While this kind of bums me out it gave me an idea for an activity.  The deer have eaten my transplanted Japanese maple as well and all that remains is a twig ~ not sure how I can work that in yet.    The grandkids should enjoy trying to locate my missing rhododendron as it will mean time in the woods and a scavenger hunt.  Depending on the weather, it may take them down to the lakeshore.  Hey, that gives me an idea!

Summer Camp GiGi!

  

 

Spring. 

It’s not quite here but so close we can almost taste it.  Fresh asparagus spring.  Delighting in robins, watching for crocus and hearing Sandhill cranes fly overhead.  Spring.

I am in a daydream period as these last brown and grey filled days become less and bright green, yellow and white start to take over.  I am planning what is next for my walking path and bridge, what secrets to plant to bring new color and form to the winter weary woods.  Waiting to see what new patterns of sunlight the fallen trees will leave behind. 

All three of our children and their families were here this past weekend.  We had a great deal of fun, this being the weekend of women.  Saturday was all about the bridal shower and our big extended family.  Love.   

On Sunday, we threw practicality out the window and sent the grandkids outside after breakfast to stomp in mud, swing and run for a couple hours.  Wishing for more chances like this to get together, to let them be. 

I had a “heart sing” moment when my oldest grandchild came up to me sweetly requesting “GiGi, can we take a walk on your bridge?”

Well, of course! This was one of those moments I have waited for! The opportunity to be one-on-one with this sweet girl for just a few minutes while the little boys giggled and screamed and played swords with sticks.  My path isn’t long, my bridge isn’t high, but it holds a mystery and seems secret to a 6-year old.  This is the reason for my bridge. 

We walked to the other side of the house and down the muddy path.  I pointed out the first set of deer tracks and that became our mission for the next fifteen precious minutes.  Where did they go? Where had they crossed the driveway?  What might they have heard?  What might they have seen?  Let’s stand on the bridge to see it differently.  We crossed through the woods and down the driveway, searching out more answers as we approached the yard.  She skipped on ahead, more familiar with this side of the house, more confident and she was anxious to tell of her adventure.  Fifteen minutes seems like so much more to her, and to me. 

Spring. 

In unexpected places, unexpected times

Sometimes I love to cook, and sometimes not so much.  I do enjoy my things, though.  I have Fiesta dishes in a variety of colors and love those.  Love to see them in my cabinets, love to see them on the table.  Love to see how they are going to come out of the dishwasher and get all shuffled around in a wild, joyous stack of color.  It’s silly that plates can bring such joy.

When my mom was downsizing, whether by choice or by necessity, I became the owner of a small platter with a leaf pattern ~ my favorite theme, oak leaves and acorns.  This was my mom’s go to platter.  I am sure if you ever ate at her house, she served you something on this platter as it was at almost every meal, or held pieces of cake, cookies, lunch meat... It’s one of those items that just screams MOM to me, like the black cast iron skillet I wrote of a few months ago screaming my grandmother’s name.  My sister-in-law has been busy these past months organizing and reminiscing over some of her mom’s prized possessions and has mentioned forks, or bowls, or pots that make her think of her mom even that much more.  It’s a heavy task, but such joy to come across some small item that just brings a memory back so fresh, and so fondly. 

A few months ago I was kicking around some antique shops and almost squealed when I came across a small bowl that matches my mom’s platter.  Of course I bought it and must say the last thing I need in this house is a bowl.  I would like to say I’ve never seen the platter out in our antique stops, but honestly, have to say I haven’t looked for one…or any platters, for that matter.  But to see the bowl, in Kentucky, with my family…well, it had to be mine.  

Keep your eyes open as you will never know what, or when, you will stumble across something that makes you almost squeal.

For the glory of girls!

I am a lucky mom to two beautiful daughters and one beautiful daughter-in-law.   I love these ladies.  I love talking with them, I love being with them, I love listening to them.   They are spectacular people, really.

I am very blessed with many girls in my family. Sisters-in-law, nieces, nieces-in-law, granddaughters and great nieces...  I am a lucky gal and I consider these ladies, each of them, my “go to” team whenever I need something.  There’s a lot of them, we outnumber the men, and each is fabulous in her own way. 

So, next weekend we will be coming together as a group of women to celebrate a niece as she approaches marriage to a great young man.  It will be just us, her family, with her beautiful sister at her side.  You see, their mom passed away almost a year ago ~ we will all feel that pang of deep sorrow, of the absence, next weekend.   But, I will say this, while she isn't with us in body to cheer and applaud this fantastic young woman, her baby girl, we know she is with us in heart and there is no one holding her glass higher,  laughing heartier and showering more love.

Congratulations sweet Staci, from YOUR "go to" team!