The Big Reveal

Did I mention I'm going to be a grandmother? Ha! I think so. My first born baby girl is having a baby of her own which hubs and I are still trying to get our heads around. It's a little bit easier now that I've seen her adorable baby bump in person. Oh my word, y'all she is just the cutest!

I warned her before she got here that I would have my hands on her belly an annoying amount of the time she's here, and so far she's tolerating it well. She and her hubs are on the East Coast for a weeklong holiday and since their visits home are few and far between we decided to celebrate Baby M with a shower on Sunday.

I feel like the shower needs it's own post, so I'm going to make this a 2-parter. You're welcome.

Daughter1 and her hubs learned the baby's gender just a couple of days before their trip home, and they were so excited to be able to tell us the news in person. When they told us back in November that we'd be grandparents they had to do it via Facetime, so having real live actual  'face time' for the gender reveal was special.

Also, was gender reveal a thing back in the day? I think not. I didn't even have an ultrasound with my second daughter and I feel like in general most women found out what they were having when the doctor announced, 'It's a ______' in the delivery room.

In 2017 it seems most parents-to-be opt to know boy or girl before the child arrives, and as a grandparent let me just say I'm completely on board. I can't imagine waiting another four months to know!

The two families (plus two of the parents-to-be college friends who were in town for the shower) all went to dinner together on Saturday night. Here are the soon-to-be- parents with their sweet sisters-aka first time aunts. Whoohoo!

Daughter1 is kind of famous in our house for her inability to keep a secret, but she successfully kept this one a full 48 hours and was feeling pretty proud of herself. By the time we got to dinner she was about to bust, so we wasted no time going around the table saying if we thought boy or girl. The 'votes' were 5-3 in favor of a girl.

Daughter1 had decorated these sweet little bags which looked more put together with the tissue and the ribbon when she gave them to us, but I forgot to snap a picture until after. What can I say? I'm going to be a grandmother and who can think about photography when you're about to find out what your little one will be??? Not me!

Once we'd all 'voted' Daughter1 gave each of the two grandmoms-to-be the bags to open-

It's a BOY!

Inside was a sweet BLUE picture frame around a snapshot of the ultrasound. The frame reads 'love at first sight', and that is so true.

Sometimes babies make it difficult for the ultrasound techs to confirm gender, but with our little guy...well there was absolutely no doubt...IT'S A BOY! And he's already a cooperative child-ha! We are out of the box in our house with a baby BOY, but we are over the moon at the thought of a little man to love and spoil.

We all came back to the house afterward to play pool and hang out and talk about the fact that we're having a BOY!! and then my mother-in-law and sister-in-law arrived and we made them vote just in case we blabbed before the shower.

I peeked into one of the guestrooms before heading up to bed and saw this- these girls. Sigh.

For a minute I forgot they weren't eighteen sharing a college dorm. So very glad they broke from their busy and demanding work schedules to drive hours here for an overnight with the mama-to-be, their college friend and roommate. It meant the world to my girl, and to her mama too.

Next up the shower. And coming this summer...a bazillion pictures of the world's brightest and most beautiful baby boy.

I'm allowed to say that you know.
I'm the grandma.

A Perfectly Perfect Hodgepodge

Welcome to the 300th running of the Wednesday Hodgepodge! Can you believe we've reached the 300 mark? Can you believe it's March???

In case you missed it yesterday, I'm declaring next week Spring Break in the Hodgepodge, so no Wednesday Hodgepodge on March 15th. Technically that's not spring, but it's close enough, and since Daughter1 will be visiting from the west coast the time is right.  The Hodgepodge will be back in action the following week, March 22nd.

If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure you leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because we didn't hit Edition 300 without the friendly encouragement of our neighbors here on From This Side of the Pond.

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

I kind of 'obsess' and want all the details to be perfect when I'm hosting an event. I think it's good to aim high, have a plan B and sometimes a C, and in the end to enjoy what I've planned, perfect or not. 

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

Denying we have a new President, the endless outrage and protesting over every single solitary thing, and this season of The Bachelor to name just a few. 

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

Quite a few things I guess, but cooking would be one where this phrase certainly applies. I find if I don't cook regularly my skills in the kitchen get rusty. The more I cook the better I manage timing and technique. 

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

This is a tough one (the food questions always are) because my answer depends on my mood. A Saturday morning omelette cooked (and cleaned up) by the hubs is usually pretty close to perfect. 

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

This question is even harder for me to answer than the food question, because we've experienced a lot of 10s in our travels. One that popped into my head immediately was a ski vacation we took in 2005 to the  fairy tale village of Seefeld Austria. 

Stunning scenery, wonderful food, lots of time spent out of doors, and my favorite-family togetherness. 

 It was as close to perfect as a vacation can be. 


6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

'Collect moments, not things'

7. How would you spend $300 today?

I'd likely spend it on something for the house or quite possibly my grandbaby coming this summer. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

My mom arrived today to spend a few days here at the lake with me, and also to attend a baby shower honoring her very first great grandchild. I've had so much fun planning the shower and look forward to sharing some of the fun details soon. 

Hodgpodge Questions-Volume 300

300? Say what??? It's true! We've reached the 300th edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, so go us! And to celebrate we've got a brand new Hodgepodge button. You can grab the code from my sidebar to include in your post, and a big thanks to my girl for making it so pretty.

One item of business-I'm declaring next week Spring Break in the Hodgepodge, so no Wednesday Hodgepodge on March 15th. I know it's technically not quite spring, but my Daughter1 will be visiting from the west coast and I'll need all my minutes to spend in real life. Thanks for understanding! The Hodgepodge will be back in action the following week, March 22nd.

Now, here are this week's questions. Answer on your own blog then fly back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. What is one area of your life where you're a perfectionist? Is that a good thing?

2. What's something you find perfectly ridiculous?

3. What's a skill you've developed by way of that old fashioned saying, 'practice makes perfect?

4. What's your idea of a perfect breakfast?

5. What's a trip, holiday, vacation, or day outing you've taken that you'd rate a perfect 10? Tell us why.

6. What quote or saying perfectly sums up your life right now? If you can't do perfect, how about one that comes close?

7. How would you spend $300 today?

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Be Our Guest

It's been a long time since I've linked with Five on Friday. So long in fact the hostesses have changed and so has the button. You know I'm all about embracing the new here, so let's go-

1. Who's excited to see the new Beauty and the Beast movie? I'm especially excited the film opens while my Daughter1 is in town so I can see it with both my girls singing along beside me. Belle has always been a favorite of mine because she loves books and knows what's on the inside matters most.

2. We had the last of our guest room window treatments installed this week and I love the way they turned out.  I had Roman shades made for this room, which work well for both sleeping (they're lined) and enjoying the beautiful view outside. The letters on the wall are made of tin with birch bark going all the way around their exterior. I bought them at a super cute shop in Waynesville North Carolina called Robin Blu.

This guest room is nearly finished, which is what I say about pretty much every room in the house, but this one really is nearly finished. I need to get lamps for the bedside tables and then it's done. I think.

3. I have two chairs currently being reupholstered and I'm hoping he finishes them up this weekend. One is a recliner we've had for a number of years and I'm excited to see the new look. I was never that crazy about the original fabric, and this will be a big change from that so I think I'll love it. That chair will be going in another guest bedroom, and once I get it back I'll post a picture. Probably.

The other chair our upholsterer has in his possession is what we refer to as 'the dog chair'. Our sweet pup claimed the most comfortable chair in the house when she was just a few weeks old, and we let her. It's a club chair and had an ottoman with it so I purchased enough fabric to cover both the chair and ottoman. That ottoman mysteriously went missing somewhere between NJ and SC which was so aggravating. My upholsterer said he could make me one, and I'm anxious to see how it all turns out. The club chair and ottoman are going in our bedroom which means that room is nearly complete. Nearly.

4. We have a very small print of the Manneken Pis we purchased in Belgium and we like to hang it in a bathroom because that's where it belongs. If you're not familiar with the famous statue in Brussels you can read about it here.

The walls in our bathroom were too big for the print so hubs had the brilliant idea to put a larger glassless frame around it and problem solved. I love it-

 
5. Finally, Daughter2 and her boyfriend came out to the lake for Sunday lunch last weekend, and we had fun playing pool afterward in the downstairs great room. Here's a peek at the far end of the room which is mostly done. The other end isn't even close. I will eventually post a picture of the whole thing, but in the meantime here's a cute picture of my girl-

 Happy weekend everyone!

Full Circle

Hi everyone! No, you're not lost...it's still me, just with a brand new look on the blog. I want to thank my creative and supremely patient Daughter1 for working her design magic here in giving me a new space to love.

We've been talking for a long while about making some changes, and she knew I needed time to get used to the idea. Your blog becomes your brand in a way, and I was pretty attached to mine. I also knew it was outdated, and no longer a reflection of this new season of life I'm in. Once she showed me her vision I was sold.

When I came up with the name for my blog some eight years ago I had no idea what I was doing. I was living in the UK and really wanted to call it From The Other Side of the Pond. That's an expression commonly used in talking about England, but the name was already taken. I fiddled with the words a bit, came up with From This Side of the Pond, and voila! a blog was born. It's funny how that title has traveled with me, and remains so true to who I am and what I write about,

At first, England was this side of the pond referred to in the title. When we relocated back to the states New Jersey took on the title, and England was once again the other side of the pond. Flash forward seven years and I'm writing waterside from a new pond. Technically a lake, but hey that first pond was an ocean so I think this counts too.

There's a certain symmetry to the title of my blog that I find very satisfying. I love the soft colors, the simpler design, the less busy look. These elements mimic what I'm seeking in real life these days, and I look forward to writing in this new old space.

Slow Down For The Hodgepodge

Welcome to March and another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. Be sure to leave a comment for the blogger linking before you because that's how the Hodgepodge rolls. Here we go-

1. 'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time this was true in your own life.

Well, I'm going with a tried and true answer here- the house build. I'm not quite ready to say I'd do it all again, and it did take forever and a day to get here, but we absolutely positively love the end result. 

2. 'As slow as molasses'...Do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favorite of the slow moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favorite food made with that sweet treat?

Molasses is just okay, definitely not my favorite flavor. I'd say the same for maple syrup too. I like a teensy tiny bit on a waffle and I do love it drizzled over buttternut squash before roasting, but other than that I'm not too keen on maple flavoring. Of the slow moving treats mentioned, pass the caramel please. I make a delicious apple cake with a warm caramel sauce poured over all and it's wonderful.  

3. Your favorite slow song?

Just one? Impossible! How about a few of my favorites?

I Go Crazy by Paul Davis
Just My Imagination by The Temptations
The One You Love by Glenn Frey

I have loads of favorites. 

4. Your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker or crock pot?

Mississippi Pot Roast. I've linked to the recipe in case you're one of the ten people in the world who haven't tried it.

5. 'You may delay, but time will not.'~Benjamin Franklin  Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?

I am a de-lay-er. I've really worked to improve in this area, but some things just beg to be delayed. Like that income tax organizer I've been moving from spot to spot on the desk. ahem. 

6. Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.

People who drive at or below the speed limit in the passing lane.
Airport security queues. 
My brain when it comes to new technology. 

7. March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us about something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'd like to try or wish you had the skill to  make happen.

I like to think I'm crafty, and I do enjoy some kinds of crafting, but usuallyquite often my projects do not turn out as I'd envisioned. I have great vision-ha! I'm hosting a baby shower for my daughter this month and there are a few crafty things going on relating to that event. 

Does ordering other people's cute crafty stuff off of Etsy count as crafting? 

I have actually ordered several things from Etsy that fit with our shower theme, but I'm putting it all together which I think counts as crafting. 

My favorite kind of crafting is word crafting, but I think you already knew that. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Speaking of crafty, Daughter1 is busy zhuzhing up my blog so watch for some design changes here soon. A revamped Hodgepodge button is also in the works because it's time. Past time actually, but I'm always a bit slow to come around to changing what feels familiar. I'm ready now though. My blog is very 2009 and I'm excited for a fresh look. 

Sidenote here-did you know the word zhuzh is in the Cambridge English Dictionary? For some reason I assumed it was a made up thing, but apparently it's for real. You're welcome. 

Hodgpodge Questions-Volume 299

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to add your link to the party. See you there!

1. 'Slow and steady wins the race'...tell us about a time this was true in your own life. 

2. 'As slow as molasses'...Do you like molasses? How about maple syrup? Caramel? Butterscotch? What's your favorite of the slow moving treats mentioned here, and what's your favorite food made with that sweet treat? 

3. Your favorite slow song? 

4. Your favorite thing to make in a slow cooker or crock pot? 

5. 'You may delay, but time will not.' ~Benjamin Franklin Are you more a hurrier or a delayer when it comes to unpleasant tasks that need doing? What are you currently either delaying or hurrying to get through this week or month?

6. Tell us three things you encounter regularly or even just occasionally that you find to be annoyingly slow.

7. March is National Craft Month. Are you crafty? Tell us about something crafty you'll try in the next thirty one days. Or something crafty you'd like to try or wish you had the skill to make happen. 

8. Insert your own random thought here.