Snips and Snails and Nana Tales

Meet the little boy who has stolen my heart.

He made his way into the world last Thursday, a few days early but since he weighed in at 8 lbs, 1 oz hooray for early! Also Nana was getting anxious. And I'm just gonna go ahead and say now this living 3000 miles away is for the birds!!! Pretty sure I'll have more to say about that in a later post. ahem. 

Today I'm completely overwhelmed by all my thoughts (aka the words in my head) and a heart full to overflowing so let's just meet and greet for now, k? 

We are completely smitten. 

Did I need to tell you that?

After a long day of travel hubs and I finally met our grandson in person yesterday and fair warning, I
intend to overload photos here for ever and ever amen awhile. Sorry, but it cannot be helped. 

Also, not sorry because I'm his Nana and he is the most perfectly precious little boy in the whole wide world. 

He has the most gorgeous full head of dark hair you've ever seen and he looks you right in the eye when he's not eating or sleeping.

Which is often, but still...he's got his mama's spectacular blue eyed baby stare and his Daddy's long fingers, and I'm sure his brains too because I can already tell he's brilliant. Ha! 

He might be only six days new, but Nanas know these things.

My daughter and son-in-law both have such sweet dispositions, so obviously he will too because that's how it works, right?

Baby boy already has his aunt wrapped around his little finger as all good nephews should. Shout out to this girl who has been an absolute rock star in the sister department this past month.

Daughter2 has been in the Evergreen State since early July and what a special time these girls have had together waiting on baby boy to join the party.

This guy is not enjoying grandparenthood at all.

Their pup is a little confused as to why he's not the number one man in the house these days, but he's taking it in stride (mostly) and I know they'll be best buds one day very soon. 

I have so much more to say and share, but words keep and babies don't so for today this will have to do. If you need me I'll be right here...

Is there anything more enchanting than watching a newborn baby discover the world and all the people who love him best? 

Throwing The Hodgepodge At You Today

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post. And before you run off hop around and say hi to your neighbors, leaving lots of happy comments in your wake.

Also, a reminder there will not be a Hodgepodge next Wednesday (August 2nd). The HP will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

At 3:15 yesterday afternoon I was in the kitchen putting together a blueberry/peach cobbler to take to a friend's house for dinner. Is that typical? Not really. Sometimes I get dinner prep started at that hour to make actually cooking dinner a little bit less crazy. 

My energy level hits a low about 3 PM every day, so most often you'll find me brewing a cup of tea at that hour. It gives me just that little oomph I need to finish out the day. It's been so hot here this week that I've opted for iced coffee instead, but normally 3 PM is tea time. 

On a scale of 1-10 I give myself a 3 at 3. 

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

Well I haven't thrown a frisbee in a long time, so that's an easy one to eliminate. Same goes for a punch which, for the record, I've only ever thrown in the context of a workout. I don't think I'm one for throwing a tantrum, or at least I hope not! Since I am in and out of the water and on and off the boat pretty much every day I'm going with a towel. 

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

• Baby boy's safe arrival
• A cup of tea (I'm telling you it makes everything better) and
• An uninterrupted night's sleep, something like ten or twelve hours ought to do it 

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

Yes I think I'm pretty strong, more so mentally than physically. Placing my hope and trust in the Lord gives me the courage and fortitude to have peace amidst the chaos of life, to handle the curveballs and hard things we all face at one time or another. Not saying I get this right all the time, but He is the cornerstone I build my life upon.

"The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart trusts in Him and He helps me." 

Ps. 28:7

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

Yes I do. It's always hard to pick just one favorite anything, but it's especially tough to choose a favorite book. One of my very favorites set in the past is Pillars Of The Earth by Ken Follett. Not a quick read, but so so good. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Hubs and I saw the movie Dunkirk yesterday. When I see a picture like this one I'm always struck by the bravery of the men and women who are sent to war. We both really liked the film...have you seen it? 

Hodgpodge Questions-Volume 315

Before I post this week's questions, let's pause for a public service announcement-there will not be a Hodgepodge next week (August 2nd). The Hodgepodge will be back in action the week after (August 9th). Thanks!

Okay, back to this week. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all the other world wide webbers.  Here we go-

1. We've reached edition number 315 here in the Wednesday Hodgepodge. So tell us, what were you doing at 3:15 yesterday? Is that typical? On a scale of 1-10 (with 1 being low and 10 being high) what's your energy level usually like at 3:15 PM?

2. A frisbee, a tantrum, a towel, a party, a punch, or a curveball...which have you most recently thrown or had thrown at/for you? Elaborate.

3. What are three things that would help you right now. Tell us how or why.

4. Do you think you're strong? Why or why not? What makes you strong?

5. Do you enjoy reading historical fiction? What's your favorite book set sometime in the past?

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Monday Reverie

Here on the blog I tend to find a subject and talk it to infinity and beyond (see house build, wedding, life abroad), but we're kind of all about the grandbaby round here these days so that's where my mind and heart and words are gonna go. I feel as anxious for him to get here as I felt for his mama to arrive back in the day.

We've had a hard busy month here, with a few bright spots sprinkled throughout...friends visiting, beautiful sunrises, glorious sunsets, and a baby boy closer and closer to making his grand entrance. Mostly though, July has been emotionally exhausting so we're trying to take advantage of a couple of low-key, unscripted weekends now and just rest.

Hubs and I have been packing sandwiches in the cooler and taking our boat out for mid-week jaunts around the lake. We keep camp chairs on board so we can pull up to one of the sandy beaches on one of the many islands in the lake and make ourselves at home. It's kind of an unwritten rule on the lake that you don't pull your boat up to an island already taken by another boater, and we love the solitude of an ordinary Tuesday afternoon spent here. We swim and chat and study the clouds, and we practice the art of a long exhale. Everyone needs to master that one, don't you think?

Saturday evening daughter1's in-laws joined us for dinner. I mean we're pacing and they're pacing, so might as well pace together, right? Hubs smoked a pork butt on the grill and mil brought homemade banana pudding which is hubs favorite. Since it was too hot to dine al fresco, we sat around the dining room table inside and talked about I'll give you three guesses our grandson.

Sunday hubs and I went to church and afterwards we heated up all the leftovers for lunch. Yay for Saturday night leftovers on a Sunday! I was thinking about how I couldn't wait for lunch to end so I could take a nap, and how when I was growing up my mom often invited friends over for Sunday lunch. I generally run out of steam by Sunday noontime and have been known to count the minutes until I can get comfy under a blanket on the couch. It's best I stick with having my company on Saturday nights.

As a bonus it rained here on Sunday which made an afternoon nap and old movies on the TV feel less indulgent. Question-why do I sometimes feel like napping is just one step above laziness? I know it's not the same thing at all, but still...

Here's a tip-put napping on your to-do list and you can totally cross it off as something that's been done which then gives you a real sense of accomplishment-ha!  Also-when did movies made in 1990something start to be classified as 'old'?

Lastly, my girls are together on the west coast and yesterday a friend of Daughter1's hosted a baby shower brunch for her. I think Daughter1 was worried she might not make it to the shower, but she did so baby boy can come anytime now. Nana says so.

They sent me this picture and it might be my most favorite snapshot ever of the two of them-

I mean three of them.

Happy Monday all!

Midterm Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge! So glad you've stopped by today! If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger linking before you. Let's get started-

1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

For most of my growing up years we lived on the East Coast and both sets of grandparents lived out west, so we didn't see them often. They typically came for a visit once a year and we went out west even less than that. Back then families didn't hop on airplanes and fly here there and everywhere like we do now. Different times. 

When I was a year old my dad was sent to Okinawa and my mom and all my siblings moved in with her parents in Albuquerque New Mexico. My baby sister had a lot of illness that first year of her life, so my grandma spent a lot of time with me. My mom was just telling me the other day how my grandma would take me back on her bed at naptime and talk to me and then have me show off all the new words she taught me. Perhaps this is why I'm chatty to this day? Hmmm....

I know I loved her dearly and as I grew into adulthood she spent more and more time at my mom's house so I did know her well later in life.  I have lots of memories of her, but one favorite is the way she prepared iced tea by the glass with just the right amount of lemon and sugar in each serving. It was fascinating to watch and thinking about her homemaking skills makes me feel a bit lazy. 

My paternal grandparents had a farm and we absolutely loved visiting there, exploring the barn, and especially the ultimate treat-a 'swim' in what I think was an animal trough of some kind, which only goes to prove kids don't need much in the way of entertainment. 

This is the only picture my mom has of all four of us kids with both sets of grandparents. I'm the one in the orange dress and that's my maternal grandparents behind me and my big sister. My paternal grandparents are standing behind my younger sister and brother.  I must say my mom is looking very glam here! 

About five years ago I wrote two posts sharing some of my memories, here (Colorado) and here (New Mexico) if you're curious. 

2. What's an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

My thumb. I've still got it-ha! Also my very special baby doll, the one I named Catherine and who I mothered to death. I think she's in a box of keepsakes I've saved for my girls. They played with her sometimes too. 

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

Literally I see more trees than forest, but figuratively I try to keep my eye on the bigger picture and what's important in the grand scheme of things. 

4. Do you like sour candies? Which of the 'sour' foods listed below would you say is your favorite?

grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats 

Have you ever eaten a kumquat? What's your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?

I love sour candies and many sour foods too. I like everything on the list except maybe buttermilk, although I like that too if it's used in cake baking or a biscuit. I've had kumquats in Indian food and liked them, but have never eaten one plain. Do you eat them plain? My favorite on the list is probably tart cherries, but I eat more lemons and limes on a regular basis. Lemonade, limeade, and cherry cobbler rank up near the top of my list of favorites. 

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it's going so far.

Bit of a roller coaster, but always the happy knowledge a baby boy is on his way. 

Two words over, but it's the best I could do. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I made this simple dessert the other night and it's definitely a keeper. 

Super easy and so delicious, especially if you have access to Carolina peaches. You'll find the recipe here.  Note-I baked mine a bit longer than suggested but probably depends on the firmness of your peach. 




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Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 314

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

1. Growing up, were you close to your grandparents? Tell us one or two specific things you remember about them.

2. What's an item you were attached to as a child? What happened to it?

3. When you look out your window, do you see the forest or the trees (literally and figuratively)? Explain.

4. Do you like sour candies? Which of the 'sour' foods listed below would you say is your favorite?

grapefruit, Greek yogurt, tart cherries, lemons, limes, sauerkraut, buttermilk, or kumquats 

Have you ever eaten a kumquat? What's your favorite dish containing one of the sour foods on the list?

5. July 1st marked the mid point of 2017. In fifteen words or less, tell us how it's going so far.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Summer Sunsets and Other Stuff

Life's been a whirlwind this summer and our grandbaby isn't even here yet. Grandbabies add to life's whirlwind, right? I hope so. We need a baby boy to keep us young.

A beautiful sunset makes the whirlwind feel less whirly.

We had house guests for the weekend and while they were here some other friends boated over to say hello. These peeps all worked together for the same company for many years.

Our friends had their grandchildren with them on the boat when they stopped by, and I enjoyed watching hubs splash the little boys and make them laugh hysterically with his great big running leaps off the dock. He is going to rock the grandpa thing.

Maybe I should learn some tricks too? Or I guess I can just feed him. Nana's homemade peanut butter cookies will surely rank right up there with a grandpa who should have his own variety show, wouldn't you say?

I don't have any solid statistics with which to back up this next statement, but we've had buckets of rain this summer. Barrels of rain. Vats of rain. At least on the weekends anyway. These haven't been gentle summer showers either, more like crazy storms with gusting winds, overflowing gutters, and scary lightning and thunder. On the bright side, our new grass is very very green.

And Saturday night sunsets are completely awesome.

I don't think that has anything to do with all the rain we've been having, but true nonetheless.

My mom was in the Palmetto State last week staying mostly with my sister since we were in Tennessee for a fair chunk of time. Still we managed to squeeze in an overnight at the lake and an afternoon of shopping in my favorite little children's boutique. My mom and I agree newborn babes cannot have too many adorable things to wear. I really just need to stay out of the baby shops because all the tiny little outfits positively slay me.

As do sunsets on the lake.

I finally booked flights to Washington and now just have to wait and see if baby boy cooperates with my agenda-ha! It's kind of been stressing me out, the whole trying to anticipate when he'll arrive and when I should fly out thing, but I finally booked a trip and if he comes on the very early side of things I'll pay the change fee, but if he's on-time or close to it I'll likely leave my ticket as is. Daughter1 wants me there once she's at home with him and I'm doing my best to get there as close to that date as I can. Her sister is there now, and she's my mini-me in every sense of the word, so a good stand in for mama in the meantime.

Also, 'very early' isn't really a thing anymore because we're only a couple of weeks out from his due date. Insert clapping hands, heart eyes, and excited emoji here.

Or a picture of a sunset.

We get killer sunsets on the lake and I'm seriously obsessed.
Obviously.