I'm Back ~ Did you miss me?

I just spent two weeks away from home.  Two computer-free weeks at that! Did you even notice? Well regardless ~ I'm back!


The first week was spent with my son and grandson.  Daddy had to work extra hours and Grandma was thrilled to spend a little one on one time with her little man.  We had so much fun together. What a great time! 

And look at the little shack his 

Dad made for him. 

Sean 

I am so fortunate that all three of my kids live within 10 miles of each other so that when we visit we get to see all of them and their little ones. 

Sloane & Sydney 

My son and both daughters had babies within a year of each other. These are our three youngest grand-loves. Our babies are growing up too fast.  All 3 will start kindergarten this fall.   

The second week was spent at my Moms. Another great week of catching up with my brothers and sisters and their families. And now it's back to yard work, cooking, cleaning etc. But I sure do love my lifestyle ~ thank you Lord for all my blessings! 

So Me!

Oh my gosh

these are 

SO ME!  

all pics found on the net 

Junior Alice in Wonderland

We spent the weekend visiting the kids and Grandloves!  Our oldest granddaughter was in a Junior High performance of 'Alice in Wonderland.'  We were blown away with the talent of those young people.  The entire program was so professionally done.  The production, directing, choreography, acting, singing, lights, stage, sound, makeup ... every detail was outstanding!  My husband and I were both so impressed that we can't stop talking about it! Although our granddaughter didn't have a starring role, we still couldn't be any prouder of her. She was center stage several times as she is one heck of a great little dancer and performer.  

The Queen of Hearts stole the show!

I'm late, I'm late ... 

Our shining 'star.' 

Back Then

 ~ when I was just a kid; we used to walk down through the rocky field stopping to play on the big whale rock that sat just before the creek.  Then wandering down the old 'corduroy road' another name for the old trail through the woods made up of wooden poles laid in place wherever needed to get vehicles, tractors and such across the swampy spots.  The poles are nearly all rotted away now but that is the trail still used to this day to access my sisters place through the land from our old homestead where Mom still lives.  Anyways ~ back to my story - We used to walk down to visit Grandpa and Grandma O. who lived just beyond where my sister now lives.  Back then when my legs were even shorter than they are now (I can only imagine my sister's snickering as they read this) that seemed like a long walk. Now its a breeze, even for me!  Well Grandpa and Grandma had two old Adirondack chairs and when I spotted them as we ended the trail, I knew we were there! We made it to Grandpa and Grandma's! 

As I was surfing the net and saw this picture - it bought back a flood of memories of those wonderful visits.  Oh how I miss those summer days and even more so ~ Oh how I miss them! 

Hands and Knees Playing ~

My son just exchanged this little story with me and I thought it was so darned cute that I just had to share. First I must say that I love the fact that he gets down on his hands and knees and actually spends TIME playing with his son.  Not in front of the television or playing endless hours of electronic games, but good old fashioned hands and knees playing.  He just shared this exchange with me:  

My Son: "The kitchen is officially closed due to the railroad coming through and kitchen wide town construction. Including a barn yard, space station, parking garage, hospital, race track, sea world, two separate rail yards, a port, an airport and zoo. The 5 yr. Old mayor has ordered out for pizza because I don't have a permit to cook in his town !!!!!!"

Me: "that grandson of mine sure does remind me of his daddy! lol"

My Son: "Ha, not only is he mayor he has also taken the roles of sheriff, vet, doctor, pilot, fireman, race car driver, ship captain, conductor and everything else that I wanted to be. Making me a mere tax payer !!!!! Sure do love working for the man."

Our Loves

I had the greatest time visiting the

 Zoromski Homestead Farm

with all my kids and grand-loves!

                                                                                     

 Poor little Sloane was frightened when Grandma joined them on the rocker and it actually 'rocked' just a little.  It took me by surprise as well but she was not one bit  impressed.    

My grandson Sean prefered to have his picture taken with his dad. 

                                                          

 This is my oldest daughter with her four girls and her extended family of day care children.

and the corn maze!!   We only did a small portion of the 12 acre maze because some of the kids were under the age of three. Some still in strollers.

As you can tell by the smile on Sloane's face ~ we all enjoyed the animals. Lamas, chickens, baby pigs, goats, kittens, rabbits etc.

and the kids loved the Hay Maze!

Please click the link to the farm at the beginning of this post. Make sure to click the Corn Maze tab.  It blows my mind how they can do this ~ and a portion of the profits go to a good cause! 

Ah...

Every so often

I need to recharge

my soul

I often do that

through nature

this time it was along the south shores

of Lake Superior

where nature itself puts on a smile

 and the sound of the waves
dissolves all stress

a place where I can

recapture a balance

through the power of prayer

and the beauty of nature

 I feel refreshed.

We started our weekend with a trip back home, visiting with family as we gathered in the comfort of 'Mom's' living room. The following morning we met up with some of Thom's family who made the trip 'up north' where they spent time in a cabin on a small lake. After fishing was checked off their list, we all pitched in and had a 'pot-luck' supper of fresh tomatoes, corn and cucumbers, hamburgers and good old Wisconsin bratwurst on the grill. Dessert of homemade peanut butter and chocolate chip cookies from yours truely.

 Then we shared stories and laughs over a few drinks around the campfire. Have you ever laughed so much that your cheeks hurt?

 The sunset came on so fast that we almost missed it. But thank heavens for the click of a camera to capture it forever.

On our way home we stopped at a wayside

to stretch our legs

and look at the size of this tree!

It towers over the others which are full sized. 

 It was breath-taking against that true blue sky!

 I love the contrast of the greens found in the woods

 and too soon we were on our way home

Triple Layer Chocolate Cake

Do you ever get a craving

 for chocolate cake?  

My craving came just in time

for my daughters

and granddaughters

to join in the pleasure

of eating it

It was a sad day when

the last crumb disappeared

~

Just ask the grand-loves.

Cousins enjoying the Fourth of July