Last Playdate 2024

 The last Playdate always comes and goes with all the feels.  Some of these kiddos I won't see again until the Gingerbread Party, and when next  summer roles around, changes will come and a large percentage of Playdaters will outgrow the kind of playdates that I provide.  Next year will be Year 20 and will probably be the summer I hang up my Playdate hat-bittersweet. 

Yesterday was the Fairy Ball/Renaissance  date.  You can see from the pictures that it didn't stir a lot of dress-up interest anymore.  Gideon helped out by bringing bows and arrows and a target for axe throwing.  All the boys worked on a hot fire to do some forging. 

 

Annabelle brought her best bud Audrey for some face painting. 

We had a big feast of turkey, rack of lamb, potatoes, green beans, salad, fruit, cookies and of course, bread and cinnamon rolls. 

Rae and Aunt Tish helped me provide a Flower Bar, where they created beautiful arrangements. 

 One way that doesn't seem to change with the ages is when the story blanket rolls out. Everyone washes up from the hose with orange Dial soap and heads for the snacks.   Today included some snacks with a renaissance flair. 

Unusual, was a personal story from me and a prayer, sharing with them how we came to live in this Ol' TumbleDown  Farmhouse. A conversation about gratefulness.   A couple of these faithful playdaters call me Gramerly, but they have a Mimi and Pa who moved just down the road a half a block, years and years ago.  Their Mimi called to tell me this house was for sale.  Time was coming for my oldest to go to school. We lived in town and I was fretting mightily and praying pitifully because my boy was quite small and for the life of me I could not picture putting him on a giant bus with giant high school people.  I knew we couldn't afford this house, but came to look anyway and lo and behold it was in the front yard of the elementary school, same one I attended. Handy Man's mom came to rescue to help us make it happen and from kindergarten till 6th grade, my littles didn't have to ride a bus. My kids, and Mimi and Pap's had playdates and gingerbread parties  together for years until they moved to Corydon.  Their eldest then returned to Playdates with the next generation. I told them how grateful I was for such an answer to prayer, how grateful to God I am for 19 years of just play, and never an emergency room visit. Grateful that they've learned to play during the hottest summers, wettest summers and coolest playdates.  We never called it off. They've pictured grief up close when I lost my sister the morning of one Playdate and my nephew on another. They know about creek life and aren't so squeamish as many children I teach. They found keeping paint on paper less appealing than painting your whole self.  Complete immersion in mud was a thrill. They marveled at tiniest bluebirds and big snakes, and always chickens. It would take me all day to share all the experiences we've had.  I told them how much I loved them, and always would.

In keeping with the theme, I read the much favored When the Root Children Wake Up and added a new one The Ink Garden, about a brother in a monastery who grew a garden to create beautiful illuminated letters.  We then went to pick aronia berries. They make beautiful purple ink (and I needed them picked, ahem). 

Pen and paper were supplied for those who wished to script. 

Gee, the talent. 

After story and snack and all the festivities, it was time to head to the creek.

My hat is off to these ladies ( Ol' Mother Hubbard hadn't yet arrived) who've weathered the weather with me, and joined in all kinds of craziness, but mostly allowing  their kids to play in a hundred ways.  

And I must include in my gratefulness for a Handy Man who's been asked to do a million behind the scenes activities, for what reason was beyond his reckoning. He's tolerated dozens of lost and broken tools, found too many things while mowing that shouldn't be there, and a yard that often looks like a severe storm broke out while he was at work, though at work the sun never stopped shining. He accepted that he needs to show me a stick before he tosses it, cause we  might need it for Playdate. 

Me and Playdate equal a big ton of messes. Looking back- not sorry, just grateful. 

Blog Like Me

 Tired, me and this ol' blog. 

We've actually had several Playdates, but not a single picture have I taken. 

Today, a friend came who still has littles and it was so very fun to again see the wide eyed wonder of creek, sunshine and imaginary play. 

It was the whole joyous ball of wax from the oldest sharing her new romance, to the baby crawling in the grass. Miss Emmeline and Gracelyn took the littles on a wild goose chase around and around the yard. 

Hands were washed after creek  play and like all the other 19 years of Playdate, stories and fruit snacks.

After supper our teens went for another creek stroll and didn't return and had to be chased down by all the big kids and adults, ahem. So many important things to talk about. Bilbo would way,  "You never know where your feet may take you when you walk in the creek." 

Our feet took Pap and I to Mackinac Island last week. It was a fun trip. We met some nice people and enjoyed the beauty of the lakes and the Island. 

I continue to spend lots of time in my yard. It has been very warm and watering and weeding keep me busy. 

Today I'm off to meet a new hospice client. 

The Garden on Mother's Day Weekend

 This time of year always feels sort of overwhelming and crazy.  I so love my flowers and yard and love to work there, but when the need seems so big in May, my energy seems so small, as I'm trying to keep 25 kids entertained and learning, while also getting ready to close up a classroom and my yard being completely grown over with weeds. Add lots of rain and warm weather, yep, overwhelming. 

I spent about four hours this morning doing some damage to the creeper crappy charlie weed. It is so easy to just see the places I've yet to free from its grip.  I have always really been awestruck at God's creativity right in my own yard.  I kept trying to focus on the all the beauty around every corner, and remind myself in just nine days I'll have some more time. 

How pleased am I to see the fairies are already dancing in the garden.  Monday we'll meet with our preschool and pre-k reading buddies the last time. I'll read fairy books to them and share a baggie of sand from a magical fairy island.  When I put the magic potion in, it will be a sweet treat to eat by dipping a fairy sucker in it. 

After a break, I picked the above flowers along with some lettuce for supper. Wilted lettuce salad and cornbread always bring my own mama to mind. Oh my, she would've loved that meal and to sit on the porch and see the flowers and watch the chickens.  Glenda loved all living things and Kaye loved roses. 

I was so blessed to have one Big Mama and four sister Mamas.  Sisters have been my life long gift and I treasure my Susie and Tish that are still here and the ones who have gone on. 

Happy Mother's Day to all!

Christmas 2023

 A lot of Christmasing going on around here.  I have become really terrible about getting pictures. Just can't keep as many plates spinning as I used to do. 

Let's see, first was the Blackbean Omelet Night with Ol' Mother Hubbard and the Cupboard. I still try to find a funny little toy. I found this very miniature claw toys with the teeniest, tiniest dinosaurs in them. They raced to see who could grab all their mini dinos first. Such a bit of silliness with these teens makes my heart glad.  In addition, I got each of the fairly new coffee connoisseurs a couple of packs of coffee from many different countries with a beautiful postcard about the country and another about the making of the coffee.  Then we gathered on the couch, as our thirteen year tradition dictates, and watched my favorite Christmas flick- Twas the Light Before Christmas. 

Next was the Old Auntie and Nieces and their longest reigning Uncle.

Christmas Eve morning was a full house.  With a new beautiful Gramerling. Welcome Maddie.

Sadly, I didn't get a pic of Tim and family, but they couldn't be any cuter than they are here. 

On Christmas Day, Uncle Tim and Beth came, along with Susie (Stephen was sick) and Jake and Alex. Adam stopped by to see Susie.  I did not take one single picture, but I sure did enjoy the visit. 

Raechel and I had a date to make freezer meals and make them we did ( 24). The boys entertained themselves in a plethora of ways.  We were late getting started as Gideon required a hand gluing at the clinic after a hatchet accident. 

I got to spend some time with friends as well, which I loved. 

Teresa hosted us for a most delicious lunch today before Sue and Stephen head south. 

It has been a long, much needed break. I've done little but feed people, read and sleep. 

I've enjoyed an Advent reading each evening, always wanting to spend sometime with the Reason for the Season. 

Happy New Year everyone. 

Traditions Go On

 For years the Gingerbread Party has been the first Saturday in December.  I am so a traditionalist, so breaking that tradition to go on a bus trip was a challenge for me.  But I did, we all survived. 

Of course, that was also a December weekend gone. I didn't think the Gingerbread Party, the fudge making and a Dumpling Sunday was too much manage, but I didn't count on a visit with the flu. These kids in my room have been so sick. Ugh. 

For years I either went and  helped Mom with Christmas, or sent one of the kids to help as they got older.  I am for sure seeing the handwriting on the wall. I am whooped. 

Miss Lilli got a few picks. 

 Always grateful for another opportunity to make this happen. 

The Old Folks Maiden Voyage Bus Tour

 The Handy Man and I discussed bus tours pre-covid.  We wanted to try just an overnight to see how it all worked and what we thought.  There are no more Toby Tours, but Miller is adding more and more trips. Neither of us have ever been to the Opryland Hotel and since it isn't far and only one night, we decided to give it a whirl. 

I think there were about 46 people on the  bus. First, we were thrilled that no one bathed in perfume or cologne. That sets off vertigo in both of us. Second, not one person was even one minute late.  I felt like activities were spread out enough to go through the three sections of the hotel- Magnolia, Cascades and Delta and see the beautiful gardens and shops and Christmas lights and decorations. I think I could have sat in the Magnolia Garden for a week. 

I could easily see Gollum sitting down there with his fish.  We walked through it a couple of times. 

Delta, and Cascades were pretty, but not like Magnolia.

The ice show was impressive. One of the artisan's was there, carving in the -9 degrees.   These carvings were huge. I so loved that though the theme was Polar Express, it ended with the Angel Gabriel and the Nativity.

There was live music. It was way cool that as part of show they recognized veterans and first responders, and made mention of Christ in Christmas.  We were serenaded by Daryl Worley and Deena Carter at a dinner show and Ten Year Town at breakfast.  

There were tons of people there, everything was ridiculously expensive, the food was mediocre at best. 

The Christmas lights were dazzling. 

The rooms also mediocre. 

On Sunday we went to the gigantic mall right next door.  Huge. I haven't been to a mall in I don't know when. Phil and I are big shoppers. We bought a little bag of chocolate covered raisins.

There is something to be said about being dropped at the door, luggage that magically appears in your room and not having to worry one little bit about any detail. 

Long trip, short trip, I'm always thankful to the Lord to return home safe and sound. 

I had six kids out today and now have a fever myself-good times.