Family Celebrations

 Many families gather in the summer to have a family reunion.  It can be a time to reconnect with cousins, aunts and uncles, siblings and so on.  Our family hasn't done that in a while.  We've had gatherings for funerals..my mom's and my brother Greg's. Those occasions of sadness can be made more joyful by the sharing of memories and the support and love of those of us left to carry on.  But don't we all prefer the happiness of a great party instead?  Well, last weekend we traveled to Chicago to have a joyous gathering of family and friends at my sister's home.  She went above and beyond, with the help of her kiddos, to make it really wonderful.  Even the weather cooperated! Rain was forecast but the sunshine won out! It was a 2-day event.  Friday, we had Mexican night (although none of us are Mexican! We just love the food!)  and Saturday was Greek day and night! And we are Greek and also enjoy that food!  We had about 100 or more attend. 
The first night the food was catered but Saturday my sister and I made most of the grub with part of it bought from a Greek restaurant.  Many of the family brought desserts, and appetizers, and drinks.  So, we all shared a part as we all also have a part we play in a family. Tribute was paid to past generations in the form of photos, memories shared and even some things that were given to anyone who wanted them.  Those "things" were in the form of written family history books that were done by my sister for a reunion many years ago.  There were blankets that were made by my grandmother when she was a young person in Greece.  Those blankets finally found a home to those who wanted a little bit of family history and I'm sure my mom and her mom were smiling from above to know they were going to good homes! Here's just a few pics of those days.  I have more on my "real" camera but have to find a way to get the SD card printed.  Anway, as always just a glimpse of our fun!

My sister's new pool got a cute new deck built by her son, Bill.  It was well used by the kids on that hot weekend.  Even a few of us adults enjoyed a dip in it after the kids were gone!

Bill also built this little bar area.  It was a great shady place to sit until the splashing began.

Tables with umbrellas were set up in the yard but on the driveway a big tent and enough tables and chairs to sit 100 was the place to be to enjoy all the food.

This was taken before all the decorations were up.  We had decorations for Friday that had a Mexican theme and then redid it all for Saturday for a Greek theme! I'll have to get my other pics done to show that transformation.  My nieces really did a great job of putting all that together.

Here's shot from a different angle with Annabelle checking it all out.

My niece Katie is a police officer and this is Bandit, the police station comfort dog.  He and Annabelle had a cute little greeting.  Reunions aren't just for humans I guess!

Jack holding the trusty level and my nephew Eric. They had to level the port-a-potty.  Hey, with 100 or more folks, it's a must have! Worked well with all the kiddos!

Hi Ella!

Midge's yard looks so cute and festive. She really did a good job of making it a special time for everyone.

Even a cute blue and white stripe cabana for changing!

Our son Craig and his older brother, Jack. Let the gathering begin!

My hubby Jack talking with my brother, Jim. Nice hat James!

My brother, Phil and the back of his wife, Cilla.

Our son Jordan and his girlfriend, Brittany and her little girl, Hailey.

Lots of kids in the front yard playing volleyball. We even had a band playing Friday night but I couldn't get the video to load here.  Oh well, it was loud and fun anyway!

These are just little snipits of our fun weekend with family and friends.  It was so well put together and a truly great time.  My sister even put together baskets of goodies for everyone who was staying in a hotel.  She's amazing.  Thanks sis for the best reunion ever!

Speaking of hotel...Annabelle enjoyed her stay too! I think we wore her out!  I hope everyone had a great July 4th.  Ours was quiet but nice.  Annabelle wasn't fond of the neighbors having their own fireworks but thankfully that's all done now! 

Lighting Bugs Delight

 I posted last time on 6/12 so posting on 6/21 has me in reverse!  Being in reverse has me thinking of the past.  Summer has arrived full force at the Pines.  Our temps have hit the 90's along with humidity that makes the hair frizz.  We are blessed with A/C to keep us comfy.  Our son has a pool that he welcomes us if we want to take a swim. Tomorrow will bring some relief as rain arrives in the evening.  We're heading to Chicago on Wednesday for a family reunion this coming weekend.  What does all this have to do with the past?  Well, last night I let Annabelle out for a final pee run around 10pm.  I stood on the deck and felt the warm breeze and saw a light show from the lighting bugs, (or maybe you call them fireflies?)  As a kiddo I remember summer nights like that with warm, humid air that didn't seem to bother us and oh those lovely lighting bugs!  Out would come the old mayo jars or whatever we had, to catch them and watch them light up. Gross boys would smear them on their shirts to glow in the dark! Yuck! That memory brought back memories of the folks sitting on the front porch chatting with a neighbor or else my Aunt and Uncle who lived across the street while we played in the yard or across the street in an empty lot that became our baseball field of dreams.  Always a game being played or hopscotch on the road.  Not many cars came down our street then and riding bikes or playing in the road was OK. Dark time brought ghosts in the graveyard games or maybe statue maker.  The boys in the hood used to tease me that the bats flying in the sky would fly into my hair and get all tangled up in it! Scared me enough to head for home! (Probably that was their intent!) One of the older boys bet me I couldn't hop up the front cement stairs of his house on one foot. I said I sure could! Not only that, but I could also do it on one foot with my eyes closed.  And I did the hop but missed the stair and hit my head and ended up in the emergency room with stitches. Another story for another day!  I think I was in the ER more than my 4 brothers ever were!  Hot days running through a sprinkler, drinking from the hose, not coming home until the 6 o'clock fire whistle when off and we had to head home for dinner only to head out again until we were called in for the night. We didn't have A/C in our home, but that old GE oscillating fan was a welcome relief.  Mom and Dad eventually got an air conditioner in their bedroom and us kids would camp out on really steamy nights.  I was blessed with good friends, a safe neighborhood, a good family, and lots of good memories that come quietly and sweetly on a hot humid night as I'm back to my future with lighting bugs to greet me at the Pines. 

Sweer dreams all!

Swoon For June

 After a fairly cold and snowy winter and a fairly wet and chilly Spring, we are almost at the Summer Solstice and the brightest day of the year.  If Summer is your heart season, then you are probably loving the hot days and maybe that humidity too.  Me? Well, if you follow me regularly you know I'm a Fall lover but working in the garden, fresh picked tomatoes, farmer's markets and some travel has me enjoying this season just a little.  Work has been sporadic.  We've lost some physicians due to retirement or just moving on to bigger and greener pastures.  Rural hospitals can have a hard time recruiting young docs. Even though we're owned by University Hospitals of Cleveland, we still need docs down here in Amish country! So, with that in mind, I'm finding that I'm only working about 2 days a week or even just one day in a 2 week pay period.  But you know what?  I'm not complaining about that!  Jack and I find adventures to go on and lots of work to do here at the Pines.  I sleep later and enjoy that more! We're getting ready for a family reunion in Chicago at the end of June and then my sister, 2 nieces, and 2 great nieces, are going to Maine in July.  We invited Jack to come too but he decided he'd rather stay here with Annabelle and he and I take a trip East another time. Smart guy to avoid all us gals. Should be a fun trip but lots of driving. My sister has to get her dialysis in between so we're working on that schedule, and we only have a week.  Yep, Jack is probably the winner here instead of a fast road trip.   So, helping with the reunion plans from here and doing what I can has kept us busy.  Here's a few pics of life at the Pines this June so far:

My climbing roses are blooming.  I have a new one on the other side that's doing well but too small to see in this pic.  Hmm....pergola seems to have a little lean going on? 

Even the weeds in the Creepy Woods put on a pretty show.  However, all that walking in the wilds, and planting and mulching leads me to a nasty spider bite.  I get these about every other year.  I really need to wear long pants when gardening.

Ouch!  After an antibiotic and cortisol cream, I'm happy to report all is well. Dang bugs.

One of the nice things about a cool evening is a fire in the pit.  It was a lovely evening the other day and a fire was a nice way to end the day.  

I made a new to me Greek recipe called kalitsounia.  It's made with feta and ricotta cheese and eggs and some fresh mint. I wrapped the mixture in puff pastry in a muffin tin.  I took them to a church social and everyone seemed to like them.  They look cute too!

I decorate for the summer holidays like Memorial Day and also July 4th.  I found that picnic basket at a thrift shop on my trip to Chicago last month.  I think it's found a new home here!

One of my pleasures is walking with Annabelle and she always like to stop and say hello to her buddy next door...little Beano the Alpaca.  He comes to the fence every time he sees her.  Too cute.  Finally, this month has had me getting some pics made from slides to put on posters at the reunion.  This following pic is one that sure brought back some memories and makes me smile.  Me, Midge, and my brother, Jim.  Midge and Jim are only a year apart and could have passed for twins back then.

Midge has always hated her picture to be taken, even as a little kiddo so seeing her full on laugh here makes me love this even more.  Photos are a quick second caught in time that can bring smiles, or tears, but mostly memories.  My son Craig and my daughter-in-law Amy went to Europe for a few weeks to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary.  My parents went to Europe to celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary back in the early 70's.  He wondered if there were any pics of them on that trip that he and Amy could stop and take a shot at the same place.  Well, while looking at slides I found only one.  It's of my Mom standing by the Eiffel Tower. So, Craig did this:

 

I guess he did a google search from her photo to get the same spot.  There was a fence blocking him from getting any closer, but I know my Mom would have really loved this photo.  Moments captured in time.  This did bring a smile seeing Craig, and a wonderful memory of my Mom.  Thanks Craig! Love it!  Yep, just one of the things that makes me swoon for this June! 

America The Beautiful

 I love the song, America the Beautiful.  From sea to shining sea reminds me of the trips we took with my Mom back in the day.  First to Alaska and then to New York City where we were able to go to Ellis Island and see where Mom's parents came into America and started a new life here.  How brave they were to come to a country, not speak the language, raise 5 kids...although my Grandmother passed away when my Mom was 10yrs, old.  Her Dad came with only $26 in his pockets and the rest filled with dreams.  He raised his children alone, worked, owned businesses, and became a citizen.  Yes, we saw the country from one sea to another that year and Mom sat on a bench at Ellis and cried thinking of her own family who may have sat at the same spot.  My uncles served in WWII and so did Dad.

My brothers served in Vietnam.  Thankfully all came home from those wars and lived good lives.  I'm so grateful for all our service men and women who have served, who serve today, and those that gave their lives for our freedoms.  I hope everyone had a good Memorial Day that included time out to reflect on this holiday we have to honor them.  I've been reading a lot of books about the women who played a big part in WWI and WWII in helping win those wars.  This will be the final post of this month as June is just around the corner.  Jack and I have been working outside to get the grounds weeded, planted, painted, cleaned, etc!  Lots of work but nice to have good weather to do it.  It's been a wetter and chillier Spring than last year.  Jack won't complain about the cooler temps as he does not enjoy the heat. I think next week will bring some more seasonal temps and I know those that have pools will be happy!  I did get to Chicago as my past post said.  Midge and I got lots done to get ready for the family reunion at the end of June.  Only a month away actually!  It was fun to be with her and also be a help.  There's lots planned for that weekend and then I might have some better blog posts!  Here's just a few pics from the Pines to end this.  Have a good rest of the week everyone!

See the owl by the heat pump? There were two originally but one broke...so what happened to it? Can you see it?

One day I'll toss it but for now he's found a home! Ha!

I put some bunting on the fence.  I'm glad Midge and I put that fence up last year! Gives me more places to decorate!  I planted some flowers there today but will show those later after it's all mulched up.

This area across the driveway also needs mulch but slow but sure it will get done. I call this area my garden of weedin.

Hostas coming up nicely by the deck.

I love the wild flocks in the Creepy woods.  Always a nice walk up there.

The Peonies knew it was Memorial Day weekend and opened up to celebrate!

Jack enjoying a quiet evening.  I took these pics with my new phone.  I hate getting a new phone.  My Facebook account was messed up on it but hopefully finally have it under control. Just takes time to adjust to a new one.  But the camera seems to be working just fine!  Speaking of photos...

This pic was taken about 22yrs ago here at the Pines.  That's our backyard and that tiny tree between the kid without his shirt on and my daughter-in-law is an oak tree.  Flash forward to today:

Here's that same tree and the same backyard.  Time flies fast and kids and trees grow up fast too.  Have a good week and I'll see you in June, I guess!  (Unless some fabulous news or event happens before then!)

Mothe's Day And Happenings

 I hope everyone had a nice Mother's Day yesterday.  3 of my boys came over and spent the day with Jack and I and we had some good laughs and good food!  I was very thankful for the thoughtful gifts and cards from them, and we had a nice phone call from our son in Oregon.  He sent me a gift card to one of the restaurants in town that Jack and I both enjoy.  The weather was so beautiful and we were able to spend most of the day outside on the deck.  Today I took off early and headed to Chicago to be with my sister to help with planning of our family reunion we're having this summer.  We took some time to go her Granddaughter's horseback riding lesson.  Ella loves horses and this is truly a passion for her and I was happy to see her doing so well and loving those horses! I'm sure I'll have more to blog about after this trip as we're also planning a girls trip to Maine in July.  Here's just a few pics of the last few days:

Jack and I went out to our favorite Amish place for eggs, but they also have a beautiful greenhouse and this fusia was calling my name!

I cleaned the deck and got out all my furniture but I was most proud of this crazy fern that I managed not to kill from last summer!  I nursed it all winter and it magically made it to see the deck for another summer.  Annabelle took the time to snooze in the shade.

Finally, Miss Ella doing her thing!  She's braver than me on top of that big horse!  It was a lovely night to go and watch her but the rest of the week will be work to get all the details and things done for this reunion at the end of June.  It's going to be a 2 day affair and lots of happenings and maybe even a few good blog posts.  Heading to bed all! Have a good week!

The Colors Of May

 May has arrived and I hope Spring has arrived in everyone's neck of the woods.  I know in northern areas snow can appear even now but here at the Pines the colors of May abound.  There's Pinks, whites, reds, orange, and of course green.

I want to sing: Green, green, the grass is green...but I'll spare you that!  I've mowed 5 times already and I'm grateful for the growth and rain that keeps it going, growing and greening.

My photography isn't too great but there's the pinks of the crabapple, the white of the snowball bush, the red of the Japanese maple.

The dogwood trees are blooming white.  Soon those petals will cover my deck, and I'll groan about it! But for now, I'll enjoy the beauty of them.

As I was mowing the other day, I noticed some of the pine trees were sporting a pink of their own.  Pink pinecones! Very festive!

I believe I mentioned orange in the color pallet here at the Pines.  The setting sun was hitting the trees behind the house and made them light up to look like a Fall pic.  You all know I love Fall but I'm not ready for that just yet.  As I end this post on color, I want to ask for a few prayers for some friends of mine.  Every month I gather with 4 of my old coworkers from the hospital and we have lunch, laughter, good stories, catch up about our families and my tellings of the hospital happenings, just to make them glad they are completely retired!  One of the gals, Kris, lost her sweet daughter Beth last week to a very rare virus.  Beth had battled childhood cancer all through her teen years but survived, worked as a pharmacy tech, got married and although she couldn't have children due to chemo and radiation, she was a wonderful aunt to her nieces and nephews. I was in on her surgery when she was 9 that found her cancer.  Beth is the reason Jack, and I got involved with Relay for Life years ago until Beth had a remission and moved on with her life.  After all her battles, to be taken away by a virus is heartbreaking.   A few of you know my BFF, Donna, who also is in our lunch bunch group.  Donna's husband has been battling his health issues for some time and Donna has had her issues too but has been taking care of Larry through it all.  Yesterday, after a week in the hospital, Larry passed away.  I know prayers can't bring back Beth and Larry, but I sure believe in prayer as a help through difficult, sad times.  So in your prayers if you could send up a little one for these folks you really don't even know, I know it will reach the heavens and give some comfort down here.  

We had a lovely sunset the other day that added to the colors of May. We never know what's ahead for us each day we are privileged to enjoy, so hug your loved ones and have forgiveness and kindness as your colors of the season.  

Let's Get Hoppin!

 Good morning! (well, for at least the next few minutes!)  I've been struggling with getting posts out. Not because of anything tech going wrong. I guess I'm not sure why? I'm not sure if it has to do with nothing really to post about or I'm just being blog lazy.  Whatever the reason I'm here today to post about Easter happenings we had over the weekend.  We were suppose to have kind of nasty weather.  We did have some pretty good rainfall on Saturday that had me and Jack running for the car with a cart full of groceries.  When we finally had it all safe and sound in the car we sat and looked at each other and just had to laugh.  We were soaked!  Jack had water running down his face and I looked like a drowned rat.  But I still needed some stuff at the dollar store so wet or not, we headed there.  We were expecting family on Sunday around 1:00 for Easter feasting and we weren't disappointed.  We ended up with 22 plus 5 dogs!  The weather on Sunday turned out fabulous!  Sunny and 70de made it possible to be outdoors for the egg hunt and on the deck for those who wanted to eat out there.  

Gathering around the island to load up those plates!

I believe that is dog Theo blocking Jordan from his trip to the food.  We had Theo, Briny (Driana and Jonathan's dogs), Kip (Jack and Evelyn's), Happy (Summer's dog), and of course, Annabelle to round out the canine group.  Even with 22 humans we were one short. Cameron ended up having to work. I thought it was cute when he texted his Dad to make sure to bring home some food! 

Some of the dining room group...Evelyn, Anthony, Anthony's girlfriend Becca, Summer and Jackie.

Jack, Driana, Jonathan, and little Hazel, (our step-great grandkiddo), decided to sit outdoors. I felt bad we didn't have the deck all put together but the weather kept us from hauling out the furniture.  That's a project for this week once I get the deck scrubbed up.  After dinner we gathered up the only littles that were here and had an egg hunt.  We only had Hazel and her little sister, Tatem but they had a blast hunting!

Tatem was ready to go.

Hazel made sure she had on her egg hunting boots!

Just a few at first.

Whoa! A real haul at last!

She did share with her little sis.  

This made me laugh.  We had one lonely tulip show up in the yard.  When we put the fence in last summer I guess this little bulb got away and decided to bloom for Easter.  Theo just couldn't resist a sniff! After the littles had their egg hunt, my friend, Bryn, had an egg game for the older set.  Everyone loved it because it was easy, surprising, and tons of prizes too!  A few even won some cash with lottery ticket prizes.  

It turned out to be a fun day.   I was so glad we could go to Church in the morning for a lovely Easter service and then join with family and friends for a gathering to celebrate such a wonderful holiday.  Everyone headed out around 6 and after finishing cleaning up I was ready for a good sit down!  I always make extra food and today was a good reason why I do since we had a few extra show up and that was just fine with us.  As the gangs headed out I made sure leftovers were given out and all the prizes and candy was also taken!

The dining room all quiet and empty and just this little guy...half eaten. I forgot to get a pic when he was in better shape!

  I hope everybody had a nice Easter no matter how you celebrate and now we can continue to enjoy this Spring time with better and warmer temps and sunshine.