Two-rrific

 I like to write letters to my grands on their birthdays and today is one of those days

Dear Sweet Baby J,

I suppose one day you'll need a more grown up blog name, but honestly this one suits you so perfectly I might be writing you a letter on your wedding day with this in the address. You are the sweetest. 

And now you're two, and you have a lot to say. We love it. For the past month, maybe even a teensy bit longer, when we Facetime you like to tell me your birthday is coming up soon. You are especially looking forward to getting a balloon. 

You love your swimming lessons and are a fish in the pool. You'll swim to the bottom to pick up the plastic ring that's been dropped, and I'm going to say I was not doing that when I was turning two. We all love the water here and there's a lot of it, so we're glad you're learning to swim and loving it too.  

You like the tunnel slide on the playground and you have the best laugh. 

You love your cousins. They spent a long weekend at your house in the spring, and you had a grand time playing and doing your best to keep up with the big boys especially. Nana can't wait to have you all together at the lake next month. We will have so much noisy, water-soaked fun in the sun which is the best kind of fun there is. 

                       

You call me Nene. I know you're saying Nana but it comes out Nene and it's precious. One day Nene will suddenly become Nana and I will miss it just a little. Although, not as much as I'll miss the way you say 'orange' when you finally say the word orange. You pronounce orange 'oi-oil-lioi' and we have no idea why, but it is the absolute best. Sometimes we'll show you something that color or offer you one as a snack just to hear you say the word. 

You like to fish and especially like handling the worm. Your daddy, your uncles, and your grandfathers all like to fish so you're in good company there. 

You also like to vacuum. And Swiffer and sweep and run the Roomba and your future wife thanks you. 

You love cars, trucks, diggers, cement mixers, excavators and  really anything that goes. There's been a lot of new home construction in your neighborhood and you love seeing the equipment in action. Your birthday this year has a construction theme and we're so happy to be there to celebrate with you. 

You like hummus, cucumbers, peppers, and biting in to a whole tomato. And berries. All the berries. Really all the fruits and vegetables and now that I think about it, what don't you like? 

You love your Daddy and want to do what Daddy does. You're like your Daddy in that you have superior fine motor skills and enjoy building and carefully putting things together. 

You are Momma's boy too, and will still snuggle up on her lap for books and kisses. 

You became a big brother this year and again, your blog name one hundred percent suits. You're so incredibly sweet with baby sister and you really never missed a beat with her addition to your family. I think it's because you have a tender heart and know love grows and there is always room for more. 

You still have the best cheeks of any little guy I know. 

You have a twinkle in your eye, a million dollar smile, and you're happy almost every minute of every day.

Happy birthday sweet baby J! You are sunshine in the form of a two year old boy and your Nana loves you deep and wide. ~xo~

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

A Simple Hodgepodge

Welcome to another week of Wednesday Hodgepodge-ing. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you on the list. Or all the bloggers on the list, if you've got time to fill. Here we go-

1. June 12 is National Simplicity Day. In what way is your life simple? What's one way that it's not? 

We're retired, so for the most part can organize our day in whatever way suits us. That being said, it seems we always have a full calendar and we're on the go a lot, which means when we are at home we're adding in appointments, home maintenance and repairs etc. 

But! since we're retired if someone suggests spur of the moment fun, we're in. 

And then of course there are family logistics. Always a thing for us. Our moms in two different states. Our siblings in several different states. Our daughters in two different states. We spend a lot of time figuring out how to be with our people. 

2. Something you remember from a 'simpler time'? 

One thing that stands out to me is how we live in a culture today of immediacy. Everything at our fingertips with the click of a mouse or the push of a button. We've lost the wonderful sense of anticipation that was so much a part of my own childhood. 

We had to wait for so many things...our favorite television show (if ya missed it ya missed it), Christmas wasn't a 2-month celebration in terms of decor and activity, a new dress at Easter, your turn to use the phone, vacations once a year and certainly nothing 'exotic'

Waiting for something wonderful was part of what made it wonderful. We can ask if the world was indeed simpler when we were growing up, or do we just remember it that way, but I'm going to say it was. Technology. There basically was none. We didn't know what we didn't know and that made life simpler in so many ways. 

3. Do you like squash? If so what's your favorite variety? What's a favorite way to prepare squash? 

I do like squash, all kinds, so not sure I have a favorite. I probably love butternut, yellow, and zucchini best.  I like butternut squash soup in the fall and there's a squash casserole I love to make this time of year called Mrs. Hopkins Boarding House Squash . Simple and delicious.

4. Do you shop the warehouse stores (such as Costco, Sam's B.J's, etc)? If so how often do you go, and what's something you always buy in this type of store? 

We shop occasionally at Costco. It's a fair drive so we might go once every six weeks or so. If we're going in to the nearby small big city we put it on our agenda. I always buy paper towels and tp there. We like some of their meats, their frozen pizza, and hubs favorite snack is the peanut butter filled pretzel bites, so if they're in stock I'll buy those too. 

5. Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Any plans to make the day special? Tell us something about your own father, or something about your hubs as a father, or about someone who stepped into your life and acted as a father if yours was not a part of your life. 

While my mother worked part time later in their marriage my parents mostly had the more traditional roles of husband and wife/father and mother. My dad went to work, mowed the lawn, and paid the bills. My mom managed the house, meals, and most things kid related. My dad was a man of deep faith, a hard worker, steady. While he didn't always have a lot to say, he was always there for us and we knew we could count on him. The blessing of that sense of security a solid father brings to a family cannot be overstated. 

We have a lot happening on Father's Day this year. Our third grandson has a birthday on Father's Day which also happens to be our 40th wedding anniversary. 

As an aside, every time I write that number I kind of scratch my head and think, 'that can't be right? we're not old enough to have been married 40 years are we?'

Yet, here we are. 40 years of married life. It goes fast y'all. 

Anyway, since all the grandparents will be in town my daughter and son-in-law will also have baby girl's dedication at church that day. I'm sure my son-in-law will grill something wonderful and it will be a nice weekend filled with family fun. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

My dad died at the too young age of 66. He never got to see his grandgirls grow up, never even got to meet his grandson who arrived more than a decade after this shot was taken. It's one of my favorite pictures though...

He adored these girls and they loved him right back. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 555

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with the rest of the world wide webbers. See you there! 

1. June 12 is National Simplicity Day. In what way is your life simple? What's one way that it's not? 

2. Something you remember from a 'simpler time'? 

3. Do you like squash? If so what's your favorite variety? What's a favorite way to prepare squash? 

4. Do you shop the warehouse stores (such as Costco, Sam's B.J's, etc)? If so how often do you go, and what's something you always buy in this type of store? 

5. Father's Day is this coming Sunday. Any plans to make the day special? Tell us something about your own father, or something about your hubs as a father, or about someone who stepped into your life and acted as a father if yours was not a part of your life. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.  

Weekend Roundup

We had the absolute best weather this weekend and enjoyed spending lots of time outdoors. A friend I've known since childhood (and her hubs) arrived from the Garden State around noon Thursday, and after lunch on the screened porch, we moved over to the covered deck, and eventually down to the dock as we caught up on our lives and all the goings on since last we spoke. 

There was very little humidity and a lovely breeze, so pretty much perfect. The little brown dog thought so too, and he went for a swim which is always entertaining. As a bonus, it wears him out a little. 

B and I met here-

A summer camp on Maryland's Eastern Shore many decades ago. We discovered we lived in the same town (opposite high schools) and the friendship grew. We spent a few summers together working at camp, time marched forward and we both married, then time kept marching and we had our first baby girls about a month apart, then our second baby girls a couple of years later. Then hubs and I moved and moved and moved some more and time rolled on and on, but whenever I'd visit my mom B and I would also get together for a visit. 

It's always like no time has passed, and aren't those the best kind of friends? 

Thursday night we had an event with our wine club and B and her hubs were able to attend as our guests. It was a fun, low-key event which included wonderful French wines served alongside a delicious beef bourguignon. 

We relaxed with our coffee on the deck Friday morning, then spent the rest of the day on the water. We could not have asked for more beautiful weather which I know I've already told you, but it's worth mentioning again. 

Even though we've had our boat summer ready for several weeks now, this was our first all day outing of the season and it was a winner. Adding more of the same to our summer calendar please. 

We saw a lot of wildlife while we were motoring around the lake, including a juvenile eagle perched beside a nest at the top of a tall tree. Hubs has eyes like a hawk (no pun intended) and he is always the one to spot birds and other animals in the wild wherever we happen to be. 

B's hubs has a fancy camera with a long lens so we look forward to seeing some of his pictures once they're back home. We encountered the same blue heron several times throughout the day and he snapped lots of really great shots of him. 

That night hubs grilled our favorite coffee rubbed pork tenderloin recipe then we went back out on the boat to check out the sunset. 

There was not a cloud in the sky which, believe it or not, doesn't make for the most spectacular of sunsets, although there's no such thing as a bad one. 

A few clouds bring out the best colors but ours was still beautiful.

On Saturday morning B and I went for a semi-power walk in the neighborhood before heading in to the nearby small big city for a late brunch. Balance, right? 

The city was bustling as we'd forgotten there was a Jazz festival happening, but fortunately we'd booked a table and were seated quickly. 

Brown butter pecan pie and a bite of banana pudding which were both super delish! 

Our friends were heading on to another city that afternoon so hubs and I had a fun Costco date. Not! I do not recommend Costco on a Saturday afternoon, but we were already in town and needed a few staples. We didn't do the usual up and down all the aisles, but we did get what we came for and got out in a reasonable amount of time so there's that. 

We actually got more than what we came for because can you not when you shop in these kinds of stores? 

Hubs and I went out for breakfast Sunday morning, then I spent a few hours trying to upload two different templates to a print site which was only a teensy bit frustrating because my files were too large or some such nonsense and then I had to rename everything and blah blah blah technology. 

We also read, watched some college baseball, and I did some laundry, spent another hour or so booking flights for a trip later this year (blah blah blah technology) and then caught up here. I had a home chef in the frig I needed to cook and that made for an easy dinner prep wise. 

And that's the weekend that was. 

What fun or not-so-fun things did you do this weekend? 

Linking today with Holly and Sarah for their regularly scheduled Hello Monday morning party. 

Show Us Your Shelf-May

It's the first Thursday of a new month which means it's time to Show Us Your Shelf. I read quite a bit last month, and listened to two books on audible as we spent what felt like a lot of time in the car. A good book definitely makes the road trip miles pass more quickly. 

Here's what I read in May-

Foster by Claire Keegan, who manages to say so very much in so very few words. 

At only 128 pages this tale still manages to pack a punch. The story of a young child taken to live with foster parents on a farm in rural Ireland. Simple on the surface, but the depth of emotion portrayed (and felt) is immense. Five stars for me. I previously read her novel Small Things Like These, and again would say wow. Keegan has such a gift for the written word. 

Harry's Trees by Jon Cohen

Harry Crane, who is a lifelong lover of trees and is employed in a desk job with the U.S. Forest service makes his way to the woods following the death of his wife. Part fairy tale, part sad realities of life, we follow Harry on his journey through grief into healing with the help of a young girl and her mother who are walking a similar path. It was a little on the long side, but still a very enjoyable read. 

Homecoming by Kate Morton-

One of my favorite authors...if you've never read The House at Riverton or The Forgotten Garden I recommend. I absolutely love her voice and the way she brings a story and it's setting to life. Homecoming is a multi-generation tale set in Australia with a timeline both past and present. 

The story revolves around a tragedy in a small village where a mother and her four children are found dead after a Christmas Eve picnic, with no obvious cause of death. Lies are told and secrets kept and the resulting consequences of those actions and their impact on a family and community make this one worth reading.

Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus by Nabeel Qureshi-

One man's journey from Islam to Christianity. The transformation in his belief system doesn't happen overnight, but takes place slowly, methodically, and carefully, and comes at great cost. Qureshi does a wonderful job of explaining Muslim beliefs and practices as well as showing the evidence for Christianity. He was a man who valued and pursued truth, and grew to love Jesus wholeheartedly. 

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang-

A little known author, June Hayward, a white woman, steals an incomplete manuscript from a fellow author and sometime friend who happens to be Aisan and also dead. The stolen manuscript's plot is the story of Chinese migrant workers in labor camps during WW1, so themes of cultural appropriation and race feature heavily in Yellowface. Cyber bullying also comes in to play as there is much online drama when the stolen manuscript turned book hits the market. 

I liked the book, but maybe not as much as all the hype led me to believe I would. I found the main character (June) very unlikable and when I dislike the main character it taints my review. A couple of years ago I read a book called The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz and liked it better than Yellowface. They're very different but share the common plot line of a stolen story. 

What have you read that you loved lately? 

Hop over to any of the host blogs -Slices of Life, Overflowing With Thankfulness, Memphis Bridges, and The Other Side Of The Road- to add your link and see what others are reading. 

Say Cheese! It's The Hodgepodge

Welcome to June and this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then hop over and leave a comment for your neighbor there.  

1. It's National Cheese Day (June 4)...does anyone not like cheese? What's your favorite? Last thing you ate or made with cheese? 

I know people who can't eat cheese, but I don't know anyone who doesn't like cheese. How to pick a favorite? It depends on what we're doing (is it dinner? an appetizer? a sandwich?) and the time of day. Actually time of day doesn't factor in as I can pretty much eat cheese anytime. 

I love a good hard cheddar, mozzarella melted on pizza or atop a red ripe tomato with a sprig of fresh basil, a warm Brie in France, parmesan shaved over a salad or chunked on a cheese board, and even a good ole slice of American on a ham sandwich. 

Last thing I ate with cheese was a turkey wrap I made for lunch that had just a sprinkle of cheddar on it. 

2. Last time you were instructed to 'say cheese!'? How do you feel about having your picture taken? 

A few pics were snapped when we were with friends this past weekend, so that was probably the most recent. I don't mind having my picture taken if the person taking the picture aims for a nice angle. I don't need it perfect, I like real, but hubs has been known to snap my picture while I'm still mid-sentence, talking with my hands, or pushing my hair away from my face, and I'm not so much a fan of that. 

3. What's your travel packing strategy? Are you typically a light packer or do you throw in everything but the ktichen sink? When flying do you check a bag or aim for carry on only? 

With all the travel we've done and still do you'd think I'd be an expert, but nope. I've improved, but have not mastered the art of traveling light. And if it's a road trip I adopt the motto of 'just throw it in the car. in case we need/want it' whatever 'it' may be. No need to pack light if we've got a whole car we can fill, right? Hubs may or may not agree. Also I like a suitcase, but then I also love to have a couple of totes for different things. I like to use packing cubes and have clothes separated by outfit or day/night etc. 

I'm better with air travel because space is limited. For years I never worried about checking a bag for a week long stay someplace, but now we try our best to get everything in carry ons to be sure we have it on the other end. When we took a nine day road trip up the coast of California about a year and a half ago (which included a wedding along the way) I got everything into my two carryons.  

4. What is it about people's cell phone habits that you find most annoying? 

The list is long, but lately it's people on their phones in the car. Speaking as someone who has been on the road a lot recently, it seems like everyone is on their phone. I'm not talking about people using hands free, or their speaker, I'm talking about people literally holding their phone up in front of their face. I can't tell you how many people we saw facetiming!! while also driving on our most recent road trip. 

Oh, and one more annoying phone thing (I told you the list is long). People talking on their phone in a bathroom stall. Ewwwwwww!!!

5. What will be your summer mantra/slogan? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

My daughter1, who has the loveliest way with words, and who is just the sweetest, and who manages this adorable crew all day every day...

...and who blogs at Sincerely Shannon is celebrating a birthday later this week. If you have a minute, hop over to her blog and wish her a happy day. 

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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 554

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. It's National Cheese Day (June 4)...does anyone not like cheese? What's your favorite? Last thing you ate or made with cheese? 

2. Last time you were instructed to 'say cheese!'? How do you feel about having your picture taken? 

3. What's your travel packing strategy? Are you typically a light packer or do you throw in everything but the ktichen sink? When flying do you check a bag or aim for carry on only? 

4. What is it about people's cell phone habits that you find most annoying? 

5. What will be your summer mantra/slogan? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.