Summer vacation is coming to an end for the grandkids and so I followed through on my promise to take them to the movies before school started yesterday. We barely squeaked it in, but we went to see “Finding Dory” yesterday. Even the older grandkids wanted to see that movie and they all seemed to enjoy it. My husband wasn’t real excited about going to see an animated fish, but he did enjoy the octopus. Of course, the best part is just being with the grandkids and doing something they enjoy.
Here they are this a.m. playing some game on the computer. Big brother is helping little sister navigate the how-to of the game. I think that made it even more fun for her. I noticed my incredibly stuffed bookcase after I took the picture, but it is what it is. I just have too many books. I need a whole wall of bookcases, but if I had them, I’d probably stuff those too. I need to give some books away!
Oh yeah! That’s what I’m doing this month. I’m giving away a book every week in August. Melissa from VA won her choice of one of my books last week. She picked Christmas at Harmony Hill. I’ll pick a new winner on Sunday. You won’t win one of the books stuffed in that bookcase. Instead, you’ll have your choice of one of my books, autographed.
All you have to do is leave a comment on the blog. Each comment on a new blog post gets you another entry. You must be 18 to enter and no purchase is required. I won’t add your name to anything either, but I’d love it if you signed up for my newsletter. I’m going to send one of those out soon with more prizes up for grabs. Just as soon as I find “The End” on this stubborn book I’m trying to write.
So tell me. What did you do this summer with your family that made you smile?
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My husband and I had a new gardening experiment going. We had been reading about straw bale gardening and wanted to give it a try. We only used two straw bales and the little garden has done very well. I planted cucumbers and tomatoes in it, and have harvested all that we could eat and have given the neighbors some.
Author
That’s good to know, Connie. I’ve read about that kind of gardening too. I think maybe what I saw the people were raising potatoes. Not sure how that turned out for them, but sounds as though yours did fine. That a fun reason for smiles in the summer. Tomatoes and cucumbers our of your garden.
My summer was made perfect with a trip to Ky for couple weeks. while there we had a family reunion at the Walton Park. family came from Ky-OH-Tn-Tx and Ga. Saw many that we had not seen in longtime. lots of foods to eat and the fellowship was fantastic along with a great day to be together…
Author
I love family reunions and sound like you had a perfect one for you, Pauline, here in KY. We used to have reunions but after Mom got sick we put them on hold and haven’t started up again. But the homecoming at our church is sort of like a fun reunion of our church family. We have that every October with all that great food and fellowship.
I attended IRD (Internationsl Recognition Day) in Orlando FL where I represented MS as the TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) state Queen. I had not been to Disney World but was able to stay in one of their resorts. I stayed quite busy but had a wonderful time.
Karen
Author
Wow, what fun, Karen, and what a nice reward for taking those pounds off sensibly as the the name says. We visited part of Disney World years ago, but I’ve never stayed in one of the Disney resorts. I’ve heard they’re very nice. So congratulations on getting to take such a fun trip.
I took up photography as a hobby this year and my cousins are usually the first ones to like my pictures I post on Facebook. I make myself smile when I find neat things cheap at second-hand stores.
Author
I have fun posting pictures on Facebook too, Brenda, even if my photos are just point and shoot shots. But Facebook is a great way for hobby photographers like you to showcase some of their pictures. And a good bargain can always make us smile.
We have been camping. Also my brother I haven’t seen in 18 years has come to stay with me.
Author
That, your brother coming to stay with you after so long apart, Deana, has to make this summer a special time. The camping sounds fun too. That’s not something I’ve ever done, but I think it would be fun to have a camper and travel around the country.
We had several family cookouts with the family and kids. Just spending time with the kids and listening to the way they think puts a big smile on my face.
Author
Those times with family are the best, Linda. Cookouts or just a weekend visit can translate into good memories. My son has a garden out here on our farm and it’s fun in the summer when they come to pick the veggies. I get to see them more than usual then. You can have some good conversations while you’re picking beans. Sometimes, mostly about how much your back hurts from bending over. LOL.
I kept a continuing list of new books for my mother to read. She is 86 yrs. young & loves to read. It’s a joke between us “No you haven’t read this book, it just came from off the printing press.” We usually have around 15-20 books available to read. I appreciate the giveaways & the ministry you have through your books.
Author
I can understand that joke between you and your mother, Betty. Sometimes it’s hard to remember every book you read when you are an avid reader. It has to be fun for the two of you to share books and talk about the ones you like. 86 years young is good. Maybe you’ll win a book to share with her.
I would love to have a stuffed bookcase too, full of your books!
Summers with my grandkids are vacations, both big and small. It all depends on what they want to do.
Author
I’ve got quite a few books, Sonja, but don’t think I could stuff a bookcase like this one is stuffed yet. But it’s fun that you say that. Made me smile. And summertime fun with the grandkids can make me smile too.
We have enjoyed having 3 of our 4 grandsons visit this summer which has put huge smiles on our faces!! One fun thing that we have doing is playing cards in the evening with them!!! We have opportunities for good conversations & lots of laughs!!!
Meal times has also been a time for good conversation & sharing stories of growing up with their moms!! I think they enjoy hearing these stories about their moms!!!
Author
That’s some of the best times I have with my grandkids too, Betsy. It’s fun talking with them about back when, and we like playing cards too. Sometimes I think we don’t take enough time to share those sort of stories with our kids and grandkids.
We took a road trip out of state for a family wedding. Of course we got lost and it was funny listening to all the kids trying to give directions – left, right, no stay on this road! We made it in the nick of time and it was a beautiful outdoor ceremony It was fun seeing our relatives and watching the kids trying to dance.
Author
Sounds as if they were all doing directions, Maryann. Glad you could laugh about getting lost. Also, glad you made it to the wedding in time. It is great seeing family. That with the directions and the dancing will make for fun stories and memories in the years to come.
Hubby and I took a ride about an hour and a half away to find a small Amish community that was started about 3 years ago. They moved from another community about 2 hours away. Saw buggies at their church service and a few Amish homes. Seeing that made me smile. BUT, I got the biggest smile a few weeks ago, when hubby came home from the store and told me he saw a buggy sign 3 miles from our house. Of course, I told him to take me out and show me. Sure enough, there was a buggy sign. To me it’s very unusual because there are no Amish around my area other than an hour or so away West and North. I have not seen the Amish yet in my area.
Author
Best watch out for those buggies, Karen. Maybe you’re going to have some new neighbors soon. When we go south to see our daughter, we pass through several areas where the Amish and Mennonite are settling. We’ve seen several buggies on the road. Always an interesting sight.
Thanks for the giveaways!
We surprised our 11 year old son with a trip to a local amusement park called DelGrosso’s, to enjoy their waterpark and to ride some rides. That was on our way to a mural painting event in Butler, PA! It was a very busy 4 days, but worth it for the smiles 🙂
Author
That’s a great age to enjoy amusement parks. They can ride all the rides and have a fun time, Susan. The mural painting sounds fun too. I’m sure you made some lasting memories for your son.
My 2 year old great-nephew (and his family) came to visit for 4 days. It was so fun to hear him saying “Auntie Margaret”!
Author
I love that, Margaret. Auntie Margaret. Aren’t kids the most fun when they’re just beginning to talk and discover the world around them? Glad you had a great visit.
My daughter made it home for a few brief, over night visits. It’s always wonderful to have her home but we both miss her being home for the whole summer like she could when she was in school. My son is working in Colorado and hasn’t been able to come home. I did go to a couple of baby showers; these babies will be grandchildren of my cousins. It was fun to get together with extended family.
When my book shelves get stuffed like yours (which does happen fairly frequently), I have to make the hard decisions of which to keep and which to give away. Some my daughter takes to a used book store in her city so we can get store credit (to buy more books!), some are donated to our library and others to our local thrift store, run by all our local churches.
Author
Pam, I’m always happy when my daughter and son-in-law get home for a visit. Well, I enjoy any of my kids being home to visit. Family makes the years better. But it’s sometimes hard to get those visits made when a lot of miles separate us and the kids are busy with their work.
Those are good ideas for the books. The problem is that I still imagine having time to read the ones I’m still hoping to get to. But I am going to pack some up and take the the library or perhaps a church library soon. At least that’s what I tell myself. 🙂
Hubby and I went to the Smokys to celebrate my birthday last May. Dollywood on my birthday was fun!
Author
Hi, Mary. Thanks for stopping by with a comment. I love the Smokies. Such a beautiful park. And Dollywood has something for everyone there. Glad you had a great birthday.
My husband and I went to Red River Gorge and Natural Bridge area. We stayed in a cabin -type lodge. Oh, and we visited “Butcher Holler” Loretta Lynn’s childhood home. We love the awesomeness of God’s handiwork in nature. I also hd a new found respect or Loretta when Isaw her humble beginnings, too!
We are an “almost four generation” household composed of my 96 year old mom, 46 year old daughter and grandchildren on the days our daughter-in-law works and of course, my husband and me. I wouldn’t have it any other way. But it is nice to have some getaway time , too!
Author
That sounds like fun, Pat. I’d love to go hiking in the Red River Gorge area, but my husband has never really liked hiking the way I do. And now he has trouble with his knees. I’ve never been to Butcher Holler, but maybe I should put that on my bucket list.
You do have a busy household, but that can make things interesting. Four generations makes for some good story times. And how blessed for you to have your mother still with you.
My sister in law came and spent 10 days with us. It’s ALWAYS fun to have her around! <3
Author
I’m guessing you all had a great time, Judi. What fun to have sisters-in-law that are the same as sisters.
One of a best summer memory was ~ quick background here ~ our WI granddaughter always wins Clue and fast at that ~ well… This time at her declaration announcement her mother stopped her and asked, “Are you in the right room?” Clear across the board ~ where Grandpa was it turned out, and… he won! Whoa, we didn’t see that coming.
Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
I can just see it now; “Remember that summer that Grandpa won Clue when you both knew what it was?”
Author
I used to play Clue with my oldest granddaughter when she was younger. You really need several players to make Clue more fun. Sounds like you had that, Kathleen. I played Uno with my grandkids this week. They love card games and so do I. Of course, Uno is more fun with a whole group playing but it works with two or three.
Thanks for sharing the memory of your future “remember when.” 🙂
We had visits from the grandkids and did crafts with them. Tried to stay cool. Church garage sale is this Saturday , so we are organizing and pricing today and tomorrow . And I love to read , no matter what else I’m doing!
Author
Sounds as though you’ll have a busy weekend ahead, Paula. It’s 127 Yard Sale week here in KY. For me, that just means trying to stay out of the way of all the yard sale lookers. 🙂 And trying to stay cool is still going on around here. If I could get this book finished, I might take a few days to chill and read.
We are actually going on a vacation next week. My daughter started reading the Little House series with her three children this summer. So her family of five and my hubby and I are heading to Mansfield, Missouri to see the homeplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her husband, Almonzo. I know there will be lots of smiles along the way.
Author
That sounds like great fun, Melanie. And so good to hear how your daughter is reading with her kids. That’s such a great way to connect. I’ve always enjoyed talking books with my children and grandchildren. I hope you have lots of fun and make many good memories.