Ahhh, the Joys of Being a Kid in SUMMER!

Having two young grand babies living in our home often causes me to reflect upon fond childhood memories. There are many activities that I recall as almost being sacred to summer; like traditions that no summer season was complete without. I love that I have the opportunity to share with Jamison and Abigail Rose those joys and in turn, relive them myself. I'm sure that many of you remember these from your own childhoods.

*Catching fire flies in a jar and then letting them go to create your own twinkle light show
*Letting a Popsicle drip down your arm in colorful streaks
*Jumping into the swimming pool for the very first time
*Making s'mores outside after dark
*Having the pointy bottom of your ice cream cone fall off so you have to suck the ice cream out
*Running around for so long that you get one of those cramps in your side
*Pedaling a bike so hard that it makes your thigh muscles burn
*Sitting still at night listening to chirping crickets and guessing what they're talking about
*Laying on a blanket on July 4th, staring straight up at the fireworks painting the sky with color
*Looking for constellations in the night sky or just counting the stars
*Planting flowers and tending to their needs, then being so excited at their growth
*Making chains from clover flowers to wear around your head or neck
*Yelling into a fan to hear your voice distorted
*Laughing so hard over something that your stomach and cheeks hurt
*Feeding and watching the birds
*Looking for lady bugs and telling them to fly away home
*Spotting a rainbow
*Watching the clouds turn pink while the sun sets
*Going to the beach for the first time and squealing as the waves chase your feet
*Buying ice cream from a truck and eating it outside, even if dinner is in half an hour
*Running through a sprinkler or having a water balloon battle

This list could go on and on but I think that I'm going to pick out a few that my little ones are old enough for and do them today. Even if you don't have children near you, go ahead - be a kid again! I bet you'll enjoy it and it will definitely put a nostalgic smile on your face! Enjoy and Hugs, Leena

In The Garden

I just wanted to share a few pictures of what's growing in my front flower bed. I am currently working on expanding it and putting a little stone pathway along the edge and around the corner of the house to an adjoining bed, but that will be a work in progress for a while before pics can be shared. In the meantime, please enjoy these photos. Each time I see these flowers out front, they make me smile. Hope they bring a smile to your face too! Hugs, Leena

 

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It's Good To Be Meemaw!

My little grandbaby, Abigail Rose, is 15 months old. She is such a joy and so silly (just like her brother). I have no idea what got into her last night but she wanted me to cuddle her. I know that she was getting a bit tired but usually she'll run around and play until she just can't any more and sleep takes over. While I was fixing dinner, however, she decided she wanted Meemaw Time. She toddled over and put her hands on my knees, gave me this little "eh eh" grunt she does, and I picked her up. She immediately put her sweet head on my shoulder and snuggled in, so we sat and swayed and hummed for a little while, until my cooking duties needed me. I gave her a kiss and set her back standing on the floor. This was met with a bit of a fuss, followed by her latching onto my leg. No matter where I went in the kitchen, she followed me, making her little grunting noise and as soon as I stood still, she'd wrap her arms around my leg tight until I picked her up for another snuggle cuddle. This went on for a good half an hour, back and forth, up and down as, all the while, I attempted to get dinner on the table. Each time I put her down, she'd "eh eh" at me and latch onto my leg again. It was pretty comical, actually. Mommy and Geegaw tried to distract her but it was no use. She was determined to get her Meemaw Time no matter what! You would think that it would have gotten on my nerves. Oh no, quite the opposite. I love that she and I have bonded so well, especially since I haven't spent as much time with her as I did with Jamison, providing his daycare for 18 months. Abigail goes to day care outside our home, so we don't spend those fun days together. I was afraid that we wouldn't be as close as Jamison and I are, but not to worry. She lights up when she sees me, squeals, tries to say my name and rushes over for a hug and a kiss. Sometimes she gets so excited that she waves her arms in the air, kicks her feet back and forth and just about goes bonkers, she's so excited. I never really worried about how popular I was but in this case, it's good to be Ms. Popularity! I love being their Meemaw!



Abigail Rose sharing my smoothie



A Hunk-a Hunk-a Lovin Junk!

I've been an avid yard sale attendee, flea marketer and curb-shopping junk lover for many years now and during all that time, I've learned a few things. I've learned that there are days when you find anything and everything your junk-lovin' heart desires, all at great prices and you come home with a full car and a happy soul. I also know that there are days when everything you find is too expensive and more along the lines of garbage than junk. Trust me, there IS a difference between the two. I have often pondered the sanity of people who set up a table bright and early on a Saturday morning with a dozen pieces of clutter and sweat it out on a hot summer day for hours, instead of simply taking the items to one of our local charities or just throwing the garbage away. I always feel a bit guilty driving by their sale and not stopping, or stopping and after a quick look, walking away. I'm always polite and offer up a "have a good day" but I still can't help but feel like I have been cast into the role of Yard Sale Gawker. Definition: noun, a person who drives or walks by a yard sale, flea market table or other such sales venue, quickly scans the goods and walks away without purchasing, thus unintentionally snubbing the wares and seller. I really don't like to be a gawker, especially when the sellers are waving and calling out what they have for sale as I drive away, looking straight ahead, as if I don't see them. Oh, such shame I've felt!

There was a particular sale, however, where gawking was the least of my worries. My dear friend Judy and I used to spend the entire day driving all over, looking for treasures. If there was a yard sale, church bazarre, flea market or any other bargain lover's haunt, we'd point the car in that direction. We'd drive and laugh and sing and carry on and have a glorious time! We pulled into a sale one year and after looking around for a bit, Judy let out a squeal, then muffled a giggle. She'd found "the item"; the one that yard sale folk lore is made of. The one about which great tales would be told for generations to come. She'd found.... a used toilet scrubbing brush for only 25 cents! Now, I know that this is a real time-saving device and a true bargain, but, well, ick! I could barely contain my own giggling as I encouraged her to get back into the car before we totally embarrassed ourselves and hurt the seller's feelings. Yes, that was such a good time!

This spring, we had a lot of rain, which really cut down on the amount of sales in the area. After a few disappointing weeks, I had some great outings and was asked by a few folks to post pictures of my "mother load". While I haven't photographed everything yet, here are some samples:



What a haul! Great old bottles, French wine box, tin water pitcher, white jewelry box and wall pocket and a HUGE selection of antique silver flatware from the 1930's! Be still my heart!




Another great sale - silver trays, old duck decoys, silver champagne bucket, old print and frames, sweet cherub (staying with me-can't part with this one)




BIG FIND! Antique chair with green velvet upholstery and carved details including roses - LOVE IT!

Many of these items are in the process of being cleaned up, upcycled, revamped and refurbished prior to my Grand Opening of Pink Cherub Moon online shop later this month. A few, however, like the chair, will be staying with me. Every once in a while, I just fall in love with something and, at least for the time being, treat myself. Not to worry - there are plenty of other great finds just waiting for a new home!
Stay tuned for news about my opening and thank you so much for reading and following. Blogger friends are the best!! Have a good one! ~Leena~

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