We spent a few days in the mountains by the lake this past weekend.

It was a big group of us...extended family sharing time, laughter, outdoor and indoor activities, and lots of conversation together, in a once a year happening.

Basketball for young and old...those who are quite accomplished at the sport, and those who want to be:)

Times spent playing in the lake, even though the water was very cool, as was the air.  That sure did not stop these little guys.  They were so happy!

Now here is a good way to keep your very little one on the beach.  His first beach experience certainly was a good one!

Love this picture!

We had fun picnics...

...with fresh corn-on-the-cob and watermelon.

For an extra special treat, ice cream sandwiches.

Great aunts and uncles learned to know the little ones better, and they in turn, loved the attention.

The beautiful weather we were given made everything more fun, at least for most of us:)

Maw maws like me, are thrilled to have uninterrupted moments with the grandchildren...

...and children.

A temporary petting zoo, offered some new adventures for this brother and sister team.

Celebrating Father's Day and family time, made for a memorable and treasured weekend.

Thanks for stopping by giving me the privilege of sharing my memories with you.

Wishing you a good Monday!

My sister and her family hosted a baby shower for their daughter-in-law and their eagerly awaited first grandchild.

My sister and her daughter are so gifted in the party planning and hosting events.  They are a team and they work so well together.  They scour flea markets, clearance shelves, and consignment shops.  They spend time creating and produce so much attention to detail.  It is always a treat to attend one of their parties.  Tuesday evening was no exception. 

This first picture shows the vibrantly colored flowers on the old vintage tablecloth.

She picked up flowers from Costco and filled old glass bottles and jars.  It added a pretty touch of color to everything.

The last peonies of the season graced the table too.  A family friend, who is a gifted gardener and florist, shared them with the hostess.

Pink, blue, and white napkins, with plastic ware.  I thought it was so clever how they put tiny rhinestones down the handle of each fork and spoon.

The painted  old white wooden high chair, with flowered homemade pads, added another special touch, and looked so nice with the balloons tied to it.

One of the many, many fresh fruit bowls that my dear mother has put together for various events over the years.  Everyone is happy when she brings her fruit bowls.  And always with touches of green mint on it.

The main entrée of the evening, were strawberry chicken salads, with fresh romaine lettuce, sweet, ripe strawberries, chunks of chicken, and yogurt dressing.  It was delicious!

For the little girls attending the shower, were peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, in the shape of baby items.  So sweet!

The youngest one attending, was the precious, newborn great-grandchild.  What a blessing for all of us to meet him.

Dessert...tiny cake hearts, strawberries, and whipped cream on a skewer. 

Or, the same dessert nestled in pink and white cupcake papers, with the same contents, as the skewers.

Everywhere I looked, creativity was evident.

The hostess who is my sister, and her daughter-in-law,  who is expecting her first baby this summer.

For gifts, everyone was asked to bring their favorite children books.  I found it so interesting to see which books were given.

My niece and the one who helped her mother every step of the way, with this beautiful party, plus, she did all the photography of the evening.  I appreciate that she shared these pictures with me, so that I in turn, could share them with you.

It was a longer than normal post, but I thought you might like seeing the uniqueness and the well thought out ideas of this fun party.

Thanks so much for stopping by.

Here at "justalittlesomethingforyou"........ we have an announcement!

We are all most happy about it, young and old alike.

Could it be that the pink hydrangea bush is now filled with big, beautiful blooms?

Or could it be the news that our youngest daughter and her husband shared with us?

January it will be three years since they were married in a winter wonderland wedding, and next January they look forward to their first baby.  We are so happy for them and look forward to meeting this new little one.

Thank you for stopping by this evening.  I do hope you were blessed with some good news today.

 

Patiently she worked with them.  To the little ones, it seemed like a big task.

Great-Grandmas are special!

 

"Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand
 it's own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged."
~1 Cor. 13: 4, 5

A major accomplishment in this little one's mind:)


 I feel so blessed when I see bits and pieces of this love, in the everyday circumstances of daily
 life.  It encourages my heart and lifts my spirits. 
 Does it do the same for you too?

"If all of life was sunshine
 and we never had any rain.
 If all of life was pleasure
 and we never felt any pain.

 

If our paths were always clear

 and no obstacles in the way.

If we never had to press

to make it through the day.

 

 

If we never had to shed tears
or sorrow pierce our hearts.
If we never experienced grief
or had a loved one to depart.

If sickness never came
and friends were never few.
If we had all the answers
and knew just what to do.

Then we wouldn't call on God
or go to Him in prayer.
And we wouldn't know His power
or ever feel His loving care."

~Lenora McWhorter

I am thankful for today's sunshine, after all the rain we had lately.  I am thankful you too, and the visits you make here.

It was a few years ago.  I clearly remember the question, and the answer.  The question was asked by our youngest daughter, to her grandmother, at a time when we were driving together, to a family dinner.

She asked her grandmother, "what was one of the most special birthday gifts you ever received?"  Her grandmother thought for a while, and then answered with this statement."  One of the best birthday gifts I ever received, was from one of my granddaughters, on my 80th birthday."

She went on to describe the gift.  She said, " it was a pretty decorated box.  In it were 80 slips of paper, and each paper contained one special memory that her granddaughter had over the years, of her grandma."    Grandma was to read one a day.  She said, "she found herself eagerly looking forward to each day, to open and read another memory."

I was sitting in the front seat, listening to this conversation, and I thought to myself, "what a thoughtful, time-consuming, meaningful gift that was, for her granddaughter to give her."

One decorated box.  Eighty memories written down on eighty slips of paper = one delighted and blessed grandma.

I have often thought back over that conversation.  It encourages my heart to know that grandchildren do remember, however foggy those memories may be.  It also reminds me, that sometimes the gifts that stand the test of time, and stay in our minds, are the ones that are homemade, and that come from the heart.

Moments spent with those we love, just may stay in the heart for a lifetime.

 

 

 

 

 

Two of our grandchildren completed their first year of kindergarten yesterday.

 

Time is going so quickly, and I do want to not loose sight of that important fact.

 

 

By the way, you may want to remember this simple idea, if you have someone extra special in your life, who just may be having a milestone birthday.

A little something just for you today!

 

 

 

 

 

Driving through the country, in our part of the world, homemade signs are everywhere, advertising the abundant crop of freshly picked strawberries.

 

Some signs direct one to the farm and some to the produce stand by the side of the road.
This particular one directed us back a long, winding lane to a farm, with many children.

And many cats and kittens.  This cute little one was perched on the old, wooden wagon, watching all the happenings of daily farm life, going on around her.

The strawberries had been picked only hours ago, and were picture perfect.
As I was buying the four boxes, the lady of the house came out carrying the most delicious looking, freshly made strawberry pie.  In the late afternoon, you cannot imagine how badly I wanted to take the pie home and devour it:).  But, I commented about it, and then drove down the driveway with my newly purchased berries.  Two for our daughter and two for me, compliments of my son-in-law.

One of the recipes I wanted to try, was a "strawberry bread" recipe that I found lately on http://www.thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/  I baked the bread using the simple recipe.  Instead of bread loaves, I used my small bundt pans and muffin pans.  My husband and I both voted it a keeper.  In fact, I had to put them in the freezer, so that I would not eat them tonight.

I needed another small gift.  I found this small cloche and plate on the clearance shelf, at our local Marshall's store.  The cake fit in it, like it was made for it.  I tied a strawberry tag on it, and think it will make a nice gift.

I love the strawberry season!  I eat as many as I can, while they are in season.

I have a few more recipes I want to try.  If I like them, I may share them with you, just in case you have strawberries in abundance, where you live too.

I sure do appreciate your visit here.

I hope your weather is as lovely as ours is.