more good news

Thought you might like another picture of Sadie. :) We think she is beautiful and our prayer is that she be as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

The day after Sadie was born, we received news from our youngest (and recent college graduate) that HE GOT A JOB!!!! In this economic climate, that is such exciting news - and he is so grateful that he won't have to move in with his parents. ~smile~

And not just any job....he will be a youth pastor at a church that our Northwoods church planted (in fact at the church that Linda, aka Ike - a frequent commenter here, attends). He will likely find housing in our former home town - because that is where most of the kids live. He will be starting some time during the first week of August - after his current internship is over.

In a really classy move, Daniel did not share this news with us on the day of Sadie's birth - though he knew at this time. He waited until the day after.

Two beautiful grandchildren, three gainfully employed sons - we are so thankful!

our grands - I love the tenderness of two year old Josh!

I left my heart....in central Iowa

my first meeting with Sadie Elizabeth (Sadie Beth)

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.
It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.
~Elizabeth Stone

The same holds true, I find, of grandmotherhood. I miss those two precious little ones, Sadie Beth and Joshy Bob (Joshua Robert) tremendously and wonder each minute what they might be doing.

But what a fantastic trip. So grateful to be able to be there to welcome Sadie into the world and to play with Josh. To see all three of our children, both daughters-in-love, all of my siblings, three nephews, a niece, an aunt and uncle, two cousins and a second cousin (or is she a first cousin once removed? I always get mixed up on those). And both granddogs!

Many thanks to Mom and Dad for letting me borrow their car (which has over 100,000 less miles on it than ours), to Pat for being so supportive of my going, and to all who hosted me along the way. The drive was uneventful (so thankful) and relaxing. I love road trips. Especially road trips that bring grandchildren closer with each mile.

Suzi and I had a lot of fun on the return trip; she will be here for the rest of the week. Good times ahead!

Tomorrow's blog will have more pictures of the grands and some really good news!

the beautiful and sweet Sadie

parting shots

It is going to be hard to leave! It has been wonderful to be here all week, taking in the monumental, life changing experiences .

The above photo is of our sweet little Sadie in her crib - beautifully decorated by her mommy with sheets and bumper pads from Target and quilt and pillow cover by yours truly. (she does such a great job of combining traditional and contemporary) I'm happy with the whole 'ensemble', but of course the most beautiful adornment of the crib is our little Sadie Beth.


Big brother is very attentive. Unless Veggie Tales are on.

proud papa

Love the way Chloe is posing for this one. She is the best dog - running to the baby when she cries and watching to make sure one of us is paying attention.
~~~~~~~
Suzi and Daniel will be arriving after lunch. We will all hang out for a while, then Suzi and I head for Illinois to stay with Nathan and Michelle and have Sunday morning breakfast with Lori and Richard.

Then on to southern Illinois to visit more kin (our aunt and uncle and cousin). Monday -destination home!

nappers

Sadie is asleep in my arms, breathing softly - occasionally doing that rapid breathing that newborns do. Sometimes she smiles in her sleep, showing off a dimple (I always wanted dimples - my second cousin had one, but I don't recall anyone else in the family having one).

She is so cute and sweet - a very contented baby who slept for a five hour stretch from 3:30 -8:30 a.m. For some reason her big brother woke up at 4:45, wanting grandma to play. So we did. Quietly. Then we snuck (sneaked - I never know) out of the house and went for a long walk. We saw bunnies and trucks!

The dog has her chin on my leg - sleeping too. Kristi and Josh are both napping. Jon is at an appointment.

It has been such a wonderful week. Alas, tomorrow, I leave. It will be hard- but then, there is no place like home.

(I have lots of pictures to share, but I am no good at navigating Jon's laptop - hopefully he can help me post some soon.)

They are home!

blessed beyond measure

Sadie Elizabeth

and big brother

Sadie Elizabeth . 8 lbs 12 oz Healthy and beautiful ! Pictures tomorrow!

this weekend, I...

• 

• traveled to Iowa to see my grandson, son, daughter-in-law and meet my new granddaughter (who is scheduled to be born noonish on Monday the 21st)
  
• stayed at my aunt and uncle's house the first night of the trip and had a delicious meal with my cousins
  
• had lunch with my sis-in-love and niece on my way out of TN
• barely contained my excitement the whole way

Find out what others were up to over their weekend at Becky's .

beyond excited

Not only do I get to see and spend a whole week with Joshua (and his parents), on Monday I get to meet our new grand daughter.

C-section is scheduled for mid-morning on Monday. I'll post when I have all the specifics!

THREE MORE DAYS!!!!

pesto change-o

butterfly garden

The garden has begun to give us sweet tiny cherry tomatoes. As good as candy!

On the savory side, I harvested a bunch of basil and made a batch of pesto. You've never had pesto? You must!

Here is the recipe I used (adapted from Simply in Season - a cookbook I highly recommend):

1 C. packed fresh basil leaves and stems
1-3 cloves garlic
1/3 C. toasted walnuts
6 T. Parmesan cheese (grated)
1/2 tsp. salt

Blend in blender or food processor while you gradually add 1/3-1/2 C. Olive oil.

Serve on crackers or on French bread (toasted with a slice of tomato and mozzarella cheese broiled on top).

Yummy stuff! If you aren't growing your own (it's easy!) - buy some from the farmer's market.
~~~~
In other news: FOUR MORE DAYS!!!

rampage

Normally, I am a rather mild-mannered person. Ya know...Sunday school teacher, singing in the choir, sewing for my grandchildren.

But every once in a while my vicious side comes out and I go on a killing spree.

Yes, I said killing spree.

The objects of my violence are these:

Japanese beetles!

They appeared about a week ago and their arrival is so alarming that our neighbor came scurrying over to tell us 'the Japanese beetles are back!'.

He deals with Japanese beetles by spraying copious amounts of poison all over his yard. The other morning I could smell the poison half a block away. Cough, gak.

We have a different method. First we walk around the yard mourning and marveling. Mourning the loss of healthy leaves. Marveling at how much the nasty critters can eat in one day. The leaves on our rose bushes, zinnias and rhubarb resemble lace. Dozens of the greenish/coppery beetles languish - eating away.

Then we step into action. Armed with a mayo jar filled with soapy water, we pluck and plunk. The unsuspecting beetles are drowned - never to eat our roses again. Bwah-hah-hah!


We remove and kill dozens every day. They will be here for about another month and we will diligently pluck and plunk them every. single. day.

Until they leave.

Then Granny and Grampy Rambo will resume their mild-mannered ways.

stitching and sweating

It has been in the lower nineties for the past several days and promises to remain so for the near future.

So I'm heading north.

Not on account of the heat, but then you may know that. I've got a granddaughter a comin'.

Hot weather,company gone, what could I do but turn to the sewing machine and stitch up this little number:



Size 3-6 months 'comfy jumper' (love that name). From Amy Butler's Little Stitches for Little Ones.
Easy and fun to sew.

I have a long to do list (which includes canning peaches), but I may scrap the whole thing and do some more sewing. Lots more fun than slaving over a hot stove!

this weekend, I...

• enjoyed time with family
• Mom, Lori and I went to the Amish market and loaded up on fresh goodies
• we then stopped at a really cool fair trade store
• ate lots of the fresh goodies
• made a huge pasta salad
  
• ate the first local corn on the cob of the season - delish
• went to our 'hairapist' Harriet for our hair cuts (Mom, Lori, Richard and I)
• altered a skirt for my petite sis
  
• had a blast when Emilee, Ethan, Derek and Roger arrived for lunch (steaks on the grill...yummy- entertainment by Emilee)
• enjoyed watching my niece and nephews interact
  
• watched the USA tie Great Britain (someone who shall remain nameless was hollerin' at the tv ~smile~)
• did some heavy duty 'porch-sittin' and reminiscing
  
• endured 90 * heat
• Pat and I did something we never do - skipped church and took a breakfast picnic to the state park and sat by the lake in the shade and enjoyed a coolish breeze - I do not recommend skipping church, but I do recommend a breakfast picnic by the lake - especially in the midst of a string of ninety degree days
  

It was a very busy, but fun weekend. What did you do? Join the crowd at Becky's and tell us what you were up to this weekend!

company time

we are thoroughly enjoying our Asiatic lilies -
you can be sure I'll show you more pictures of these!

My sister and nephew were scheduled to arrive later today. But instead, they came in late last night!

So, I'll be running and playing the next few days. I'm sure we will be having a great time with Lori and Richard!
~~~~~
And...for those of you curious about softies - here is a link that will keep you busy for a while!

early harvest

I collected a platter full of goodness from the garden the other day. Pulled out all the radishes, a few carrots and some garlic. We have been harvesting lettuce for some time now. The cherry tomatoes are starting to ripen. As a transplanted northerner, I still cannot quite believe that I can be eating from the garden in late May and early June. Up north, we don't plant until Memorial Day!

This year I have been using the radish greens - extra flavor and vitamins. I've used them in quiche and in pasta salad and I have a bunch steamed and blanched in the freezer ready for more of the same. My grandma would be proud.

The fresh market has had baskets of peaches in for the past week or so. Since it will be in the 90's the next few days and since my sister and nephew will be here, I'm going to wait and can peaches next week.

Today's agenda includes planting beans and carrots where the radishes and lettuce used to be. We don't want to have any bare dirt in the garden!

There will also be sewing today. I made this little turtle for Josh and now want to make something for his baby sister (who, though due in a week and a half, remains nameless - any suggestions?).

First though, a quick dash to the farmer's market. Have a great day everyone!

This weekend, I

Joining in with This weekend, I
(brand new participatory postings with a button Becky designed all by her lonesome)
over at keys to the cottage.

So....this weekend, I:

• harvested and froze more cherries
• watched a few episodes from the first season of The Odd Couple (that Felix and Oscar)
• did some reading
• made six dozen cookies for VBS
  
• tore out the last of the first planting of lettuce
• weeded
• took some pictures of our pretty flowers
• was sad that Pat spotted the first Japanese beetle of the season
• was even sadder that the first black widow spider of the season appeared
  
• made a softie for Josh
• enjoyed looking at patterns of little girl dresses
• engaged in good discussion in Sunday School
• helped in crafts at Vacation Bible School (21 three and four year olds + markers = CHAOS)

What did you do this weekend? Join the fun over at Becky's!

look a likes

If Kimmee Sue ever needs a stunt double or is looking for a long lost twin - she can find

contestant #1 here

and

contestant #2 here.

Which one do you think looks more like Kimmee?

two weeks

Two weeks from today I will leave on my trip to go meet my new granddaughter. Am I excited? YES!

Kristi is scheduled for a C-section on June 21, so the date of the baby's birth is not in question (unless she goes into labor early - WHAT IF SHE GOES INTO LABOR EARLY????).

Mothers in waiting are told to have a bag packed so that they are ready to go to the hospital when labor begins. Good advice for grandmas to be too.

And of course at the last minute here, I've decided that I need to make a softie for Josh and something for our new baby girl. Any ideas?

I'll get started on that after we work at the food pantry this morning. It is supposed to be in the mid 80's again today, so an afternoon of sewing in air-conditioned comfort sounds good.

BTW, we had a good time spending Pat's gift card yesterday at Bass Pro. He is all set. Look out Tennessee trout!

field trip

Last week we took a little field trip to a neighboring town. Had a delicious lunch. Delicious.
Then we drove along the river for a while - stopping to take some pictures and enjoy the scenery - and scout for good fishing spots.

Today's field trip is a shopping trip.

Not that either one of us is much for shopping. But Pat received two generous gift cards - one from Best Buy (we used that for my, I mean our, new camera) and one for Bass Pro.

So today we will buy a fly fishing rod. It has been years since Pat went fly fishing. Early in our marriage he taught me to fly fish. This is the type of fishing I enjoy most.

A quiet stream or the shoreline of a peaceful lake. The graceful, elegant swaying of the fly line back and forth until the fly is placed at just the right spot. If a bass or trout takes the bait, all the better.

I have a feeling next week's field trip will be to an area stream - waders and fly fishing equipment for Patrick. A book, a notebook and a camera for me.

And a picnic lunch. Sounds wonderful doesn't it?

life is a bowl of cherries

Our neighbors have two (sour) cherry trees in their backyard. They picked all the cherries they wanted and invited us to go after the rest of them.

So we did.

We picked a gallon of cherries on Friday and another half gallon yesterday.

In a few days we will be able to get at least a half gallon more.

The first gallon and a half are all washed, pitted and tucked away in the freezer. 'Cept for the ones I made into a (now gone) cherry cobbler. My was that good.

I''ll wait for a cooler day to can the cherries. Then this winter we will enjoy cherry pie and cherry cobbler. A taste of summer when the calendar says otherwise.

We are grateful for generous neighbors and a God who provides more wonderfully than we could ask or imagine.
~~~~
Less than three weeks until our granddaughter is scheduled to arrive! WooHoo!

I saw this absolutely adorable first book the other day.

Must make. Don't you agree?