A Park With History And Memories

When I was in my hometown recently with my family, Nel wanted to stop at the park so Mia could stretch her legs, run around, and play!  We happened to visit a park that is not far from the home that I grew up at.  It's a large park with a baseball field, and a lot of shaded picnic areas.  This park has been around since 1917, and although they have updated it through the years installing a new playground, it still has the same vibe it did way back then.

There is an old contraption sitting on the grounds at the entrance of the park.

It was a sunny day, and when we first got there, we noticed a butterfly fluttering about, which stayed in our midst for a few moments.  Nel put her hand out, and that butterfly landed right on her hand, long enough for me to get a picture.  What a delightful moment that was for her.

Now, I have to tell you, what was so special about spending time here with my granddaughter was that I used to play at this very same playground when I was her age!  My dad used to have company picnics here, and our family would gather together and have barbecues and play games, and I would run around carefree until it was time to go home.  To see Mia enjoy herself at this playground was very sentimental to me and brought back the best memories.

I glanced over at Nel, and I remember her looking so peaceful watching her five year old enjoy her time there.

There was a very high slide, and Renecke wanted to make sure that no big boys were going to push Mia off in any way, so he had a watchful eye.

We sat at the playground and talked, and Nel wanted to know what happened to the small zoo that was there, so she took a walk to see.  They closed it down years ago, but she still has memories of her and her sister and brother walking through that area and seeing all the interesting zoo animals.  There was even a couple black bears there at one time, until they were moved to a new and larger habitat at a zoo sanctuary a half hour away.

And then there was the high slide, and Nel went inside the little house at the top of the slide with Mia.

When we were leaving, I saw the most charming home.  There are many houses across the street from the park that are old and very kept up.

And one of the prettiest red rose bushes I've seen.

Nel received two blessings on this trip to her hometown; one was the butterfly that landed on her hand, and the other was a double rainbow on the first day she arrived.

~Sheri 

Home And TV Moms

My son has always been interested in Culinary Arts.  He loves preparing meals with different sauces and spices, and this week he made a shrimp and pasta dish that was delicious, and another night some pork tacos.  These tacos were literally the best tacos I've had.  He made a sauce with the pork that was so tasty that it kept me wanting more!

California Quail....this funny bird visits my lawn and fence daily.  His call is not too loud, but distinctive, and he is usually scratching at the ground in large groups searching for food, which is why they are known as 'ground birds.'  The female isn't that striking, but the male is regal looking.

"May is the month of expectation, the month of wishes, the month of hope."

~Emily Bronte

And then there are these, who come around much too often and annoy me. ; )

It's supposed to be sunny and warm all of May, with periods of rain at the end of the month.  When you live in the mountains, you get to know the forecast.  We had a snow rain one day - slushy snow fell from the sky looking like a thick rain.  It was so neat.

I made some cornbread, and I always have it warm, topped with butter.

Charlotte's eight month picture.

My new cup arrived in the mail from my best friend.  She tracked it down, and made sure it was delivered when it was supposed to.  I love it.

In honor of Mother's Day, I wanted to share some of my favorite tv moms.  I've enjoyed watching them through the years, disciplining, guiding, listening, and loving.

*Olivia Walton

*Reba

*Lorelai Gilmore

and my favorite of all....

*Caroline Ingalls

"Motherhood: All love begins and ends there."

~Robert Browning

Thinking of my own mother, and thankful for the unconditional love she gave me throughout the years.

I'd like to hear some of your favorite tv moms if you'd like to share.

Happy Mother's Day!

Fundraiser Dinner, Con't

Hello, and happy May!  It's my favorite month, for so many reasons.

  This will be a long post, so grab a cup of coffee or tea and join me for the fundraiser dinner that we attended last weekend.  With all my family being there along with many of my close friends, it was a fun time!  It was in my hometown, so Nel and Jess had to travel here this time, and my drive was about 3 hours.  

Nel got in town a bit earlier than everyone else, so she took Mia on a walk along the trail that is close to her old high school.

When I first got there, Jess wanted us to meet at grandma J's, cause Francesca didn't know Mia was coming, and she wanted it to be a surprise when she opened the door.  Remember the goody bags that I've been making up?  Well, they were filled to the brim, and I gave them to the kids right when I got there.  They loved all the little things that I have been finding for them along the way.

It was lunch time, so our first stop was at our favorite Mexican restaurant, which I ordered chicken fajitas.  Oh, how I miss this eatery, it's the best.  I held baby Charlotte the whole time, except when Mia asked to hold her cousin for a moment.

After lunch, Nel wanted Mia to be able to run around and play before the dinner, so we went to the park playground.  I'll share more pics on this later.

After resting up a bit, it was time for the fundraiser dinner.  I wore a full-length dress, and I wasn't sure about it when I bought it, but it worked out well.

Nel is good with hair styles, and she did my hair in a French twist.

She also fixed Mia's hair with some braids and bows.

It was a wonderful meal with a variety of dishes.  Francesca and Mia had fun dancing later that evening with cousins Danny, Leo, and Katie.

And to top the night off, there was a delightful photo booth, and me and my girlfriends from high school gathered around to take a picture.

We went to grandma J's after, and she served us some wine with cheese and crackers.  I opened up the gift that my best friend got me, and it was a pretty cup from Anthropologie.  She knows that's one of my favorite shops.  I was surprised and upset when opening the gift bag, only to find that the handle had broke in the travels.  She was so thoughtful to order me a new one.  

The next morning, we went to our favorite cafe for breakfast.  This is the most charming cafe, and it's always decorated so festive for the seasons.  The owner once sold me one of her orange glass pumpkins she puts out during Fall.  There is a train that goes around the whole restaurant, and the kids enjoyed watching it.  I ordered blueberry pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs.  And the kids had hot chocolate with their breakfast.

Afterwards, we all went outside to see the goodies that uncle R. brought us.  They were old things from the past; some were my mom's and some belonged to him.  I call them treasures, as they were passed down to us from another time.  He gave the kids a few of grandma's ornaments, Nel got some Fall decorations, Jess got a wooden bench that her grandpa made, and I received an old hymn book and a vintage poloroid camera, which I loved.  Oh, how I miss those old hymns that were sung at Mass.  

We all had a wonderful time, and Nel and Jess want to attend these dinners every year.  It's a special time to remember their grandfather, and to see all their family and be in their hometown once again.

~Sheri