Last days of summer

My only explanation for not having posted regularly is that I'm soaking up all the time I can outdoors, enjoying the late bloomers in the garden and picking the harvest from my (3x6) box veggie plot. We know the (ultimate) ending to this lazy, hazy season, and I'm not wanting to miss one single second of Mother Nature's panoramic vista spread out right here in our neighbourhood!

Plus, we have houseguests for a few weeks. Our daughter, her husband and 2-year-old daughter (our grand-baby) are spending their nights with us while their new home is being built. This morning Eden and I were out exploring, playing hide-and-seek, picking morning glories and cucumbers and looking for squirrels and blue-jays. How can you possible top that for morning entertainment?

There is a sad note though, as life changes and loved ones are taken from us. Arend's childrens' maternal grandmother passed away early Monday morning, after her courageous struggle with a post-op infection. She was 86 and there are those who will say (and have already) that she lived a good, long life. That said, it doesn't make it any easier to bid farewell to someone who's been in your life longer than you can remember.

So, as the season changes, so do our life circumstances. It's expected that "there's a time to live and a time to die", but facing that truth is never simple and painless. We all have to reach out to our "own" and comfort in the best ways we know how.

Today I can spend time with our grand-daughter and give her parents those moments with their relatives in their sadness.

Reach out to your loved ones today. Sometimes even a phone call means the world to someone you haven't talked to in a while. And if you can, share a story or maybe a photo with that special person.

Blessings on this August 28th, 2007.
Till the next time, Barb

PS: I've included a few of those *August bloomers* from the lily gardens, as well as a delightful "pixie" tucked in among the pine-tree branches.

Haven't forgotten

Last Friday afternoon, Arend and I (after picking 17 quarts of blueberries) loaded our grandson's *things* in the back of our van (along with our grandson) and made our way back home to spend time with a precious (almost) 4-month-old sweetie. Waving good-bye to my son and his girlfriend and her 3-year-old son brought smiles, and butterflies too. Would little Riley miss his Mommy & Daddy too much and maybe we'd have to bring him back earlier than planned.

No, I told myself, we're not going to fret about that right now. Let's get him settled in at our place and take care of him as best we can; that is, if I haven't forgotten how!

The (hour and 15 minute) drive home went smooth as silk, with Riley cooing in the back seat, in his car seat of course, watching the miles roll by while Arend and I gabbed about how the next few days would play out.

I knew (without saying) that I would be taking care of the grandbaby--that was a given, but maybe I could (possibly) get Arend to watch over him if I had to leave the room or something--that was okay with Hubby.

What I didn't realize, however, was the special connection this precious bundle would have with my heart, as he and I talked and cooed, as grandparents and their *babes* do. Rocking him to sleep in the minutes just before sunset, feeling his soft breath against my neck, brought sigh upon sigh of contentment from my lips, and his too. I sang a few lullubys to him, all the while smiling, with a tear or two tucked in the corners of my eyes, ready to spill at any moment.

And those 5:30 feedings, after Riley had slept for almost 9 hours straight (much better that Nanna did)--well, the morning "coming alive" had never looked or felt so sweet. Riley is a true *snuggler* and Nanna was happy with that. He even looked right up at me after one burp and grinned, as if to say, "What do you think of that Nanna"?

But all the words in the world could never articulate the depth of feeling in my heart and soul, to hold and spend quality "Nanna" time with that child--child of "my child"!

I guess you get the impression by now that I'm oh so captivated by a certain little babe and I hope and pray he can visit with Nanna as often as his parents allow.

Pictures capture his looks and smiles and "kodak" moments, but having him in my arms is the only *real* way to bond and experience that special relationship between us. Having said that, if you're reading this post, you certainly can see how he stole my heart. Of course, no one with a camera in hand (grin) was around in the wee hours of the morning but you get the picture anyway if you're a Nanna or Grandpa.
Until the next time, Blessings to you and "yours",
Barb

Memories in the making

Being the oldest in a family of 6, I guess I could say that I (may) have the most memories tucked away in my family "bank", to think on at my leisure.

This past long holiday weekend, one of those priceless mementos was played out at my parent's house last Saturday when we stopped by to see my brother and his 2 children. My Mom had a quilt on, as she quite often does, and when I walked into the living room, I couldn't believe what I saw.

My nephew (8 years old) and niece (6) were working intently on Mom's latest project, just as if they'd been quilting for years--seriously. For something fun, my mom had taught them how to stitch and they took to that like a duck to water. Their little hands were working the needle, slowly and carefully, following the pattern, while telling us that "Gram now has 2 new helpers".

I've tried the quilting thing and it was not for me. After a couple of stitches, a prick to my finger and tangled thread, I immediately put down my needle for good--needless to say, I'm severly "handy-work* challenged.

But those 2 little troopers stuck with it and they were getting quite good. Of course Arend got out the Canon and snapped a few shots of our newest recruits for future projects. My niece (with the most serious of looks on her sweet face) looked at Mom and said, "Nanna, if you need help with this next week, you call me and I'll come out"--Too, too cute.

It's an amazing thing to watch grandchildren learning from a grandparent, the old "ways" that today's generation have all but forgotten, or, have never even seen done.

Now, as a new grandma, I'm wondering what things I can teach my "little one" when he visits this weekend. One thing is for certain, little Riley will never learn the art of quilting from me. I guess that only means he will have to visit his Great-Grandma for a few lessons. But not for a few years.

I know I keep writing about my experinces with all the youngsters in my family, but I can't say it enough--"Spend time with these people, who all too soon grow up--they have so much to offer and so much love to give--you'll not be sorry you gave of your time to enrich their lives as well as your own."

Blessings on this 8th day of August, Barb

Long Weekend

What a gorgeous holiday Monday morning it is! In our fair province, we celebrate the first Monday in August as our provincial *pride* day if you will. It's another long weekend in summer for families and friends to visit, travel and just simply enjoy the lazy, hazy days of what I call the "second half" of the warm season.

And keeping with that theme, Arend and I ventured *up the river* on Saturday, taking quart boxes to pick blueberries on my son's (newly acquired) property. He knew he had these high-bush berries when he bought the land last November, but I know he was very pleasanty surprised to realize the bountiful crop of not only fruit but "hospitality" they would render.

Now let me explain the hospitality part. Because of time constrictions with family and my son's job, he decided to open the berry patch for a U-pick, welcoming in family, neighbours and friends to pick and enjoy a *morning out* at the same time.

Ryan strolled up after we'd been there for a while, smiling at the scene playing out before his eyes. People with all sorts of containers, were chatting and sharing stories as the delightful blue fruit literally spilled into pitchers and whatever else one could find to fill. Ryan's reaction was of pure delight, as he remembered picking strawberries with me when he was 8 or 9 years old. Okay, he wasn't delighted with the *work* part, but he was quite happy to have all this activity going on in *his* berry patch.

Afterwards, "Nanna" spent precious time with Riley, whos' now almost 4 months old and getting cuter every day, if that's possible. And, the best part of the visit for me, his parents agreed to let Riley come to Nanna's (very soon) for an extended sleep-over--possibly 3 or 4 days. Now we didn't bring him yet, but we are planning to go up in a day or two, so Riley and his "things" can be packed and ready when we arrive.

I've dreamed about this ever since he was born you know--having time for one-on-one with my grandson--pure heaven for me. I will share with you pictures and special moments after his visit so stay tuned for that.

In the meantime, blessings to you and your family,
Barb

Full Circle

On this beautiful 3rd day of August, I wanted to share with you a charming visit we were blessed to experience this week. Not only did we entertain my Mom's sister, but, I had the opportunity to treat her to our own brand of Maritime (and family) hospitality. You see, I used to, as a young girl, spend time with her and her family on their farm, gathering eggs and whatever else I could help do, all the while savouring my time away from home on summer vacation.

Growing up in a small house with 4 sisters, I always dreamed of having my own room someday. And, for a night or two, my Aunt Marilyn made that dream come true for me.

So, when we invited her over to our "B&B", I wanted to return that kindness she had extended to a very appreciative neice, all those years ago. The master suite was hers for a night, complete with her own *spa* bathroom (she enjoyed her very first whirlpool bath), a balcony outside the garden door in the bedroom with a view of the gardens below, and, early morning coffee to take in that view (she had requested me to set the coffee pot to perk at 6 AM).

Arend and I had planned to camp out in the Miami Room, so we convinced her that she was not "putting us out" of our room. It was hers to enjoy, on this, her very first "over-night" in our home.

And enjoy she did! After an evening swim, followed by a relaxing *tubbie*, we sat by canlelight on the back deck, talking and laughing, pausing once in a while to listen to the *night* sounds in our wild and someitmes busy backyard (an interesing and humourous story I'll have to tell another time--grin).

As the clock neared the midnight mark, my aunt stretched and said, "Good-night, don't let the bedbugs bite" and made her way up to her sanctuary for a few hours, before waking with the dawn and a cup of java.

I'm still smiling when I think of her in that king-size bed, giggling like the young girl who was treated to her own room long, long ago. Just another memory for the scrapbooks; no, not just another memory, but indeed a very special and unforgetable memory, to think about and smile over when the nights once again get long and cold. Please, though, Barbara, don't start even to think about that yet!!! Blessings on this wonderful summer day, enjoy your time with "yours" and until the next time, Barb