Sisters, Babies, Friends and A Busy Weekend

I haven't written in a few days, so this is a catch-up post about what's been going on at my house:

Junking Friday! Julie and I hit Spencer, WV to explore the resale and antique shops. We only got through half of them. Which means we need to do another trip when she comes again, right?

We especially enjoyed the antique mall in Spencer. While many items in the mall are technically not antiques, we found great vintage items and even a set of new dish towels for me.

A view of one aisle of the mall. You can see why I got a parking ticket; who knew we were in there more than an hour? The time flew by.

Back home, the guys worked on an electric fence to protect one of my gardens. Last year the deer and rabbits got more green beans than I did. This year I intend to win. (Intend being the operative word, probably.) You can see who's doing the work! And you'll have to ask Larry about the pie tim with peanut butter on it. Will something like that really trick deer?

Saturday was a busy day as we prepared for my granddaughter's baby shower. Her sisters Cassie and Kate and stepmom Jennifer arrived from Virginia late the night before, but everyone was settled on air mattresses by midnight to be ready for the big day. In the morning, Larry and Julie's husband found the amount of female energy a bit overwhelming and vamoosed early for the Downtowner and tractor places while the wimmens went in many directions to pick up supplies and food for the shower.

It all came together after 3 or 4 trips back to my house for needed or forgotten items. By 1:45 pm the table looked like this:

and the cake looked like this.

We used a lot of my vintage crystal and a few tablecloths and it did look pretty. Jennifer, Kate and Cassie did the decorating--I mostly drove up and down the road to get things, it seemed! But I was there in time to help put the veggie tray together and organize the punch bowl.

As you can see, Jordan is really showing now, with only 6 weeks left to her due date.

The gifts piled up and up and up. About 50 people attended, including two very special guests--my father's brother Uncle Barney and his wife, Aunt Georgette. Uncle Barney was just about the only male in attendance and he was the King of the party in my eyes.

We pulled most of the crew together for a photo (Jaime is missing because she took the picture--thank you, Jaime!):

Five generations together, counting baby girl Cadyn, the expected next generation.

Saturday night Jackie organized a fish fry with catfish, wings, french fries, red beans and rice, cole slaw and more. I was so busy visiting (and snoozing a while on the couch, I admit) that I forgot to take photos of the good food or the bonfire Derek put together. Even though the weather was drizzly, we stayed out by the fire for many hours. Larry and I headed home to bed several hours before most of the crowd gave it up.

Sunday morning was pancake breakfast at my house. Jennifer cooked while I put away air mattresses, blankets and pillows. We then said good bye to Jennifer and the girls, while Jackie and Larry headed to Derek's to clean up the cookout mess.

While they were gone we got a call from the Cow Run Contingent--daughter-in-law Jaime and her daughter Michaela, and friends Andrea, Amy and Odie. They stopped over for a visit and shared some good stories and laughter with us. Andrea and Amy gifted us with their singing of The Two Sisters. Absolutely beautiful to hear them and see them singing in front of the fireplace. A perfect setting.

We wrapped up the weekend with a trip to Pomeroy, Ohio for dinner at one of our favorite restaurants, the Wild Horse (situated right on the banks of the Ohio River) to celebrate Julie's birthday a day early.

After a leisurely meal and good conversation, Julie and I tried to take photos of the new bridge across the river and the barge that was passing by, but my shots are not very good. Still you can see a bit of the bridge...

and maybe a little more in this zoom shot. The old bridge, due to be removed, looks ghostlike behind the modern, blue-lighted new bridge.

The weekend had to end, sadly. Julie and I still have things we want to do--we read and sorted my parents' old letters and memorabilia, which brought back memories and raised more than one question. We need to finish that project. There are more places I want to visit with her, and so many more things to talk about. It's my turn to travel her direction next so that we can continue the complete pleasure that is being sisters.

Until then, there is the family reunion to look forward to in May, when all eight sisters will be together again.

The Coming Great-Grandchild

My granddaughter Jordan is expecting her first child in May. Last night she and her husband Ethan came by for a visit. After helping my husband Larry cut a tree out of the road so I could get home (we had very bad windstorms last night) we sat up til 11pm, talking and laughing. I wanted to be sure to take some "baby" pictures of Jordan:

And a picture of the two of them...

...because I have only one of me expecting a baby, and to me these are the most cherished photos.

We've mailed invitations to the baby shower, planned for March 14.

Now we have to wait. The first few months have passed rapidly; I hope the last 2 do the same. A little great-granddaughter? Sounds like I need an itty-bitty apron!

Jordan's Wedding: a few photos

Finally! Here are a few photos from my granddaughter's wedding last Saturday. I have more to share when I get a few minutes. Jordan was a lovely bride, and the wedding was fun--simple and comfortable, but beautiful too--the best kind.

Groom, bride and proud Daddy (my son Jon). Jordan wore my mother's treasured blue necklace, which was the first piece of "good" jewelry my father bought her when she came from England to America. I remember when he bought it--I believe it was for their 15th anniversary. It wasn't real jewels, but it was quality, as Mom would say, and I have always loved it. Jordan was thrilled to be able to wear it and have a memory of my mother at her wedding.

Jordan and her youngest sister Allison, who was the flower girl.


Katie, the next sister to Jordan and the maid of honor.

Cassie, sister #3, who was a bridesmaid.

Some of my sons and their families at the reception.

The bouquet toss!

My sister Theresa cuts the cake. Being a cake maker herself, she was very comfortable with the role and did a great job.

More to come, maybe next week!

Wedding Bells Are Coming

Our granddaughter Jordan is getting married on Saturday. Where did the years go? From the little baby to the fourteen-year-old with a voice like Loretta Lynn to the college student--and now to marriage.



Family will be gathering this weekend to welcome Ethan into the family, and to celebrate another milestone for our oldest grandaughter/niece/great-niece. I hope to have many good pictures to share with you after the wedding. It has been quite some time since we've had a wedding on this side of the family.



Another page of life turns.