The Greatest Guest Bloggers!

This remarkable table design is brought to you by my remarkable grandsons.  Owen, 9, and Teddy, 12, were visiting and they wanted to create their own table.  I thought that was a great idea, so in between golf and swimming one day, they came into the house to make their version of magic.  I did nothing other than find things for them when they asked for them.  They shopped the house, the garage, the basement and just about every cupboard and closet.

 

My only requirement was that they use something under the "centerpiece" and the dishes, whatever they determined that would be.  So, down a burlap runner, they piled up lumber pieces they found in the garage.  They deemed wood as close to flowers, "because it's from nature".  Good so far!  Then, in my craft room, they found sticks, which were added rather gracefully, I must say.  THEN, a helicopter.  OK.

Then the toy closet (which is really the panic room), yielded rescue rangers, and a toy fire fighter's hat.  They wanted to "feature Boys Through Their Ages".  Every table needs a theme. 

To go with the wood centerpiece, there were safety goggles, a tape measure, and a hammer.  Then, as you can see, there is a turkey call, as well!!!!!  I loved this so much! 

I thought this was particularly inspired:  They took a safari toy cage and used it to house the salt and pepper shakers!  Fabulous!

Tortoiseshell glasses were chosen after much discussion. (Fighting.)

These quilted French placemats were a good choice.  The pinecone charger "matched the wood", and the natural colored dishes were the "something not fancy".  The flatware "matched the wood" too.  (Well, it DID!)

Weren't these napkins a good choice?  I'm blown away by their sense of color.  

This was the first selection for a napkin ring.

BUT, this one won out.  Rabbits with stags.  Well, ok.

Here's the placesetting.  Pretty sophisticated, right?

This is the most beautiful table that has every been set in this room.  

And this was one of the most wonderful meals.  These guys were so proud and I can't wait to have them do this again.  I'm flattered that they wanted to be part of my blog and so very proud of the results.  James Farmer and Eddie Ross might have some competition!

Making a Christrmas Eve Memory

Doesn't she look like she has a secret?  This is Tammy (or Tinsel),  She is a registered Percheron belonging to Derek and Rebecca Smith.


Here's what she had planned for us on Christmas eve day!  A surprise horse-drawn toboggan ride!  (That's me....that black lump in the cart beside Driver Derek.)

Here's the cast of characters: Owen, our youngest grandchild; Lizzie, his cousin, who is Rebecca and Derek's daughter; and Teddy, our middle grandson.  Adam, our oldest, was invited, too, but he had a date with Mr. Pressed Pants.  We missed them both.  That little guy over Teddy's shoulder is not related to me! 

Derek takes the gang down to the paddock area.  Rebecca and Derek recently bought this wonderful old farm called Valley High.  You can see a canine and an equestrian tablescape I did at her house just after she moved in here and here.

This photo of the Smith's herd was taken a few days earlier, before the snow.  The little pony, Licorice, seems to be in charge here!  She's leading 6,000 pounds of Percheron, bless her heart!

Well, this majestic girl was picked to be our playmate. Tammy, aka Tinsel, is a registered Percheron, a draft breed that originated in Perch, France. (That is probably why I like her!).  This is the breed that built America. The were important in farming, coaches, taxis and hauling, and most well known as the horses that pulled up the tents for Ringling Bros circus.  They almost went extinct after the war, when the tractor took over.

Into the barn she went to get all geared up for us.  There were even brass sleigh bells for her, but she was a little new to this, so after we all admired her bells, they were hung back up.  Man, this is WORK getting this done!  That's a lot of horse to manage and a lot of hooks and stuff!

Here's Rebecca getting her hooked up to the pretty, red forecart.

And off she goes for a little spin without kids first!

How much fun is this????????  A horsedrawn tobaggan ride!  How cool!

Look at those smiles!

The Smiths have a large front yard, which will have lots of hoof prints in it come spring, since the ground was not yet frozen.

Just look!

It's a good thing Derek knows what he's doing, because that's a big animal to control!

There were a few dumps, but they could run to catch up.  And I'm surprised to say that I didn't see anyone intentionally pushing someone off.  Real surprised!

Here's Rebecca thanking Tammy for all of her work.  And I want to thank them for all of their generosity.  It was a very special moment in the holiday.  Our daughter, Susie, was especially grateful, as Christmas eve day is a time when she needed the boys to have an activity.....out of the house.  Know what I mean?

And afterwards, I suggested the boys hop into the old sleigh for a photo op.  See what's in both guy's hands?  What do you think happened just after the camera snapped?  That's right folks!  I got two snowballs in the head.  I still love them dearly and was so very, very, very glad to be able to spend the most special time of the year with them and the rest of my precious family.

More Precious Than Fine Art

Here's the way our daughter's refrigerator looked over the Christmas holiday.  Don't you just love this?

Apparently, Alf (????????) lost an eye coming home on the bus, but he's still a handsome dude.

And, as with all valuable art, it's signed by the artist.

Wellies in the Weeds

This very handsome guy is our youngest grandson, Owen.  Here he is picking apples at his aunt's farm.  Don't you just love the wellies in the weeds and the missing teeth?  He's just the best! 

Boys Will Be Boys

We were so happy to have our daughter and her family here for a short visit this weekend.  That includes our two youngest grandsons, Teddy and Owen.  I set a child-friendly Easter table in the dining room.

That photo of the table was taken while I stood on this settee that is in the window of the dining room, right beside the table.

And THIS is the way it looked during our Easter dinner.  Was he hunting the rabbits on the table, or guarding the family?  And which one was responsible? (Owen ) You can see another surprise this little guy left for me last summer here.  Oh, my!  These sweet little boys with the most tender of hearts surprise me constantly with their rough, tough "boyness"!  Oh, I'd love pink tutus in my life, but I'd never change a hair on their darling little heads.

Have You Missed Me?

I have not been abducted by aliens! 
I have been in Ohio with my daughters and in Pennsylvania with my Mom.
                                                                 Here's where I've been:

At Owen's (5yr.) soccer game.

At Teddy's (7 yr.) soccer game.  Note the mud!!!!

At Adam's (10 yr.) football game.

At Adam's birthday party.

At Awards Night for Camp Neena-Boppa.

At karate testing.  Teddy is getting his new orange belt signed by the Grand Master.  Owen got his yellow stripe belt and broke his first board! 

At my sweet Mother's house to catch up and give her a hand at some projects.

And in those ten days, I had so many hugs and so many kisses and sweet little boys crawl into bed with me.  And lots of stories and laughter and even a few tears.  I love being in the arms of my family and deeply wish they were closer.  I love the muddy shoes and the school bus stop and the football practice.  (But NOT the homework.)   

      

The Boys of Summer

What a great day!!!  We have our two youngest grandsons here from Ohio while Mom and Dad celebrate their tenth anniversary on a well-deserved trip.  This house and the land is made for little boys!  Tonight was a momentous event.  Our seven year old, Teddy, took his first solo kayak ride.  

With Boppa and little brother as the "pilot boat", I loaded Teddy into a kayak and gave him a push off of the dock.

It took a bit of trial and error.....

but in a suprisingly short time, he was circling the lake like a pro.

Teddy is an excellent swimmer and takes direction well.  He's used to boats and has water sports in his DNA.  He was a total natural.

Here's the flotilla!

Owen is just the right size to stick in the cargo space and he thinks he's the captain of the regatta!

How does a kid feel when he masters a new endeavor?

VICTORIOUS!!!!!!!