A Relaxing Place at Home?

Really? Who has that? What does a place like that even look like?

I have to admit, I really did not know. Though our porches are lovely and relaxing, we do not linger on them very long. Certainly we do not sit there two hours at a stretch.

I do recall the pool at my mother’s farm was a delightful, relaxing place. Of course there were times it was chaotic with all the grandkids. Yet even in that chaos, we found relaxation. Having lunch by the pool was enjoyable. Who cares about crumbs? The dogs and birds will clean up after us. Soaking up the sun, sitting with dangling feet in the cool water visiting with family or quiet, early morning coffee poolside all made for relaxing time.

It was the one place where everyone, regardless of age, could play together. Who doesn’t laugh while playing Marco Polo? Or enjoy any of the water games? Who wins the swim race? Who can find the penny? All our kids learned to swim in that pool. Dear memories were formed around it. Unfortunately, we do not have one here at our farm.

While visiting with my daughter recently, we made a trip into town for an errand. It was not the normal route for me. That’s when I saw it! A beautiful fire-pit. Situated in a lovely part of the yard, near trees and yet open. How inviting it looked, with 6 matching Adirondack chairs surrounding it. I asked her to slow down so I could get a photo.

“Don’t you think this would be great here on our farm?” I asked my husband as he looked at the photo.

He did! He picked a terrific spot too. An old, neglected garden bed. He transformed into a delightful fire-pit! He even kept the one old blueberry bush.

Not knowing it at the time, I do believe we now have a relaxing place. Long evening hours are spent around the fire. The dancing flames, sparks flying to heaven, the crackles of the wood burning create a comfort and dreamy atmosphere as the evening grows into night that everyone enjoys.

Fire-pit all built and ready to enjoy. We left the blueberry bush.
Who doesn’t enjoy an outdoor fire?
Relaxing hours are spent around it.
Enjoyed by everyone as the day grows into night.
The pit ring is locally made and adds to the dreaminess.
This interesting piece of art our son made. He calls it The Tower of Fail. He welded broken car parts and broken tools together into this fun art piece.
This ‘face’ looks like a sunflower. It is the clutch from his Festiva. Turned into art!

The magic, fun and mystery of a fire-pit. Can it really be all that?

You betcha!

Black belt Fisherman

Is there such thing? In our circle of life, yes, yes indeed.

Fishing has been a lifetime passion for our sons. It fit the bill years ago when they were young, when little money was floating around for exciting excursions for a family of seven on one income.

However, we had friends whose ponds were brimming with fish, and bubbly, cool mountain streams that called their names and won their hearts forever to fishing. Only equipment needed: one fishing pole per son. That was attainable.

It has been said what goes around comes around. Fishing has come full circle. Our grandsons fish like pros. I love going to “wet a line” with them. I am the main cheerleader and photographer. The fish call them from our pond and a generous neighbor who allows them access on his ponds as well.

As soon as their feet touch the ground here, they are off to the ponds. Only a whistle brings them in.

Their fathers have taught them well.

A great catch while fishing with his Uncle!
Passing the passion on.
They learned from a young age the magic and joy fishing offers.
They know every fish they catch.
A good Uncle teaching.
Not big, but fun catch from neighbors pond.
Any weather is good weather for the black belt fisherman.
Fishing goes everywhere.
Nice catch from neighbors pond!
Every fisherman has a great fish story! That’s one huge cat! Our neighbor grows them big!
They catch and clean. Pop-pop fries them. Eat local.
Black belt fisherman are always prepared.

Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish, he eats for a lifetime.

Thanksgiving Fun

Keeping active children engaged during family gatherings can be challenging at times. I am grateful for the fun, uncomplicated activities found on various child-related internet sites.

Thanks to my daughter for this fun, easy activity for Thanksgiving. I apologize for not knowing to whom the credit goes. But thank you!

We cut out ‘feathers’ from colored paper, put them all about the house. The children ‘found’ them and taped them to the drawn Turkey we taped on the wall. It was fun, but did not last very long.

My daughter drew the Turkey on paper and taped to the wall.
‘Feathers’ were strewn all about the house.
Helping the children tape on feathers.
Lots of fun finding the feathers.
Our turkey was feathered quickly!
It did not take long, but was fun!

Do you have special holiday activities? Please share!

Bring Signed Pledge

Please sign the following pledge:

I hereby accept the job to HAVE fun and BE fun at G n’ G’s Cousin Camp. By_______________, Camper.

This pledge needed to be signed by each camper in order to gain entry into the Cousin Camp Bill and I had prepared for them this past week.

I posted the signed pledges on the bulletin board for all to see—–just in case one forgot. One can never tell with kids in ages ranging from 15-8.

Signed pledges posted on bulletin board.

This pledge is mostly is for fun, but in a way also a reminder of their part to play in the success of our camp. If there is anything these young people can learn at family gatherings is that it takes work on everyone’s part for us to enjoy each other and have joy and success.

The ‘good’ life and a fun camp do not just happen. Only chaos happens. Everything else in life is effort, grace, humor and forgiveness.

Enough lecture, onto the fun!

Our neighbor graciously granted permission to the boys to fish a dinner from his pond. They were so excited at that idea their parents said they could hardly sleep the night before camp.

It was a terrific fish fry. The boys cleaned and prepared the fish. Bill cooked it.

Play time with Buster and HoneyPie were exciting for them. HoneyPie kept a close watch on our eldest g’son for frisbee time.

HoneyPie ready in a second for frisbee.
I’m ready when you are’—HoneyPie.

Our DIY project fit my requirements exactly; easy to make, can be enjoyed by all, and gets used up. What is it? Beeswax candle making.

Was a perfect day to do our project outside.
Everyone enjoyed it, even Buster.

They did have to ‘do some time’ though. For one-half hour we worked weeding one of my messiest gardens. Hurray!

Many hands make light work.

The BIG surprise was an Escape Room—Escape from Mordor. Though a bit of artistic license was taken with the storyline, it was a huge hit! Thanks mostly to our son who played Gandalf and made it all the more terrific!

Gandalf ready to start escape room.
They had one-half hour to escape.
They found the ring and a prize for each. Congratulations! They escaped from Mordor.

The final day of camp held a couple more activities for them before meeting their parents and camp was over.

Did they fulfill their pledge ‘have fun’ and ‘be fun?’ Yes, indeed so. We just may have to do this again sometime—once Bill & I recuperate!

Remnants of Family Summer Fun

I grew up in the tourist industry. Memorial Day through Labor Day started and finished the busiest time of year for us. It was tourist season, summer time, school break, taking folks through the caverns, working in the campground, and best of all taking tourists on horseback trail rides through the mountains where we lived at Endless Caverns in New Market, VA. Could not get better than that for me.

I have used this reasoning to help understand my sadness at the end of summer and beginning of fall. The season is over, everyone has gone home, it will now be quiet I would think to myself. For years we rented the horses for our livery and they too had to leave. This only added to that empty feeling inside.

We sold the caverns way back in 1976. One would think I’d be over that feeling of summer being over. Guess that’s not going to happen. What I have learned is to enjoy the remnants of summer fun and family visits as I work to get things back in order after all the family visit fun.

As I was cleaning up after three weeks of great family times, I found myself taking photographs of all the evidence of the fun we enjoyed together. It made me smile and filled my heart with thankfulness.

Can you can see what I mean with these fun, silly photographs? All the evidence of family summer fun?

Loads of dirty laundry.
Beds that need remaking.
A little garden posy for guests.
Flyers from places we visited.
Little memories purchased.
Left over wine.
Photos of the visits.

I hope as this summer winds down you too have some remnants of family fun around your house as well. Good by summer, fare thee well and…

Happy Labor Day weekend to you, dear reader.