We had great food at the picnic yesterday! Jen, Andy, Paige and Cole attended! A few of my cousins were there. Good visits with my niece and nephews that live far away in New Jersey, Washington and Oregon. My baby brother and his bride graciously host the event!
The girl cousins on my Dad’s side of the family have been hosting a family picnic during the summer. Attendance has been dwindling the past couple of years. We decided to try a get together in April this year…yesterday was the day. We planned a brunch for after church. Gluten Free egg bakes (we have a number of Celiac sufferers) sausages, ham, cinnamon rolls, caramel rolls, gluten free muffins and juice and coffee were on the menu.
The turn out was not great …there were 32 of us. We still had a good time. We gave away a quilt and table decorations. My parents won the quilt.
Dad and Mom April 6, 2014
This was my contribution to the quilt. I cross stitched this a number of years ago. We have no more quilts in the works…although I think we have two quilts ready to go should a family member have a house fire. I have one upstairs and someone else has another one. I hope those quilts are never used.
This was a beautiful Non Stop Appleblossom Begonia that Aunt Lila won. I can appreciate these blooms, I used to grow them in the greenhouse and always marveled at their beautiful blooms. The Non Stop Series of Begonias is hard to beat.
Aunt Lila, Aunt Grace, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Anna and my parents are the remnant of the oldest generation and all were in attendance. Eighteen have gone on to heaven and six remain… we are thankful that the six were all well enough to join us.
It was another beautiful day! The snow is melting fast!
We might have a winner this week!
I ran onto an old photo yesterday. Taken 1976… There was a family gathering in the summer. My Aunt who used to live in Washington was home for a visit and almost the entire family gathered for a picnic at my parents resort.
The In Laws in my Dad’s family. My Grandfather with his son and daughter in laws.
Most are gone..but there are a few left.
Back Row: Aunt Violet, Aunt Lila, Uncle Stanley, Uncle Otto, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Grace
Front Row: Aunt Jenny, Aunt Senia, My Grandfather, My Mother Madeline, Aunt Mia
There were two Aunts missing from the photo: Aunt Joan and Aunt Eleanor.
Those still with us are Aunt Lila, Aunt Sharon, Aunt Grace and My Mother.
One by one this generation is leaving us behind.
When I look at this group..I remember mostly..bingo, hunting, apple strudel, black coffee, flat bread, chicken and dumplings, cookies of all shapes and sizes..and from my Grandfather the smell of moth balls on his wool clothing and the taste of the pink peppermint candies that he used to carry in his pocket…good memories all:)
The old photo today is three sisters that are my cousins.
Bernice, Beatrice ( Petie) and Diana. This must have been taken about 1948 or maybe 1949. My Aunt Senia must have sewn the dresses and fixed their hair. In 1949 Bernice would have been 8, Petie 5 and Diana 4.
Last Sunday we had our annual family picnic. There were two weddings in the family last weekend so many family members were out of the area. Those of us that showed up had a great potluck meal and enjoyed all the good company of many cousins gathered.
Four of the Aunts were there, Aunt Lila, Aunt Violet, Aunt Grace and Aunt Anna. Aunt Senia did not come from the nursing home.
We drew names for a few gifts. Our quilt theme this year was patriotic. I did the square that is embroidered with the angel that says God Bless America.
Click on photo to bigify!
We did not consult with each other about what we were doing in our square..as always it turned out real pretty. Cousin Diana won this year. She is the littlest girl in that old photo. She was pleased. That would be cousin Marsha and cousin Kim’s feet:)
Sunday my Dad’s side of the family had their annual potluck picnic. It was a great turnout! Lots of good food, I took hot dogs..some really good ones, Ambassador Hot Dogs..the kind my other baby brother likes. Far Guy did them on the grill for me, then he puts them in a warm Crockpot and delivers them just before we eat. It was a very warm day, one of the warmest days of the summer so far.
We drew names for the quilt that the cousins work on during the winter at the picnic…this years quilt was more of a throw or wall hanging, it was all redwork.
The winner was Aunt Grace, she was pleased as punch!
Aubrey found an activity that she enjoyed. Young and old alike had a good time.
The gathering was good. If it were not for this gathering we would only gather for funerals and weddings. We were all a little sad to hear that Aunt Marie was admitted to ICU and then transferred to a larger hospital with more specialists to evaluate her condition. She doesn’t want any extraordinary measures to prolong her life. I support her decision, she may live a while longer..maybe not, I think she has been ready to make the last part of this journey for a really long time:)
I only had a very short time to suggest to the Mom of the special needs child, that perhaps a companion animal would make a difference in their home life. She replied "We cannot afford a companion animal." I suggested that she contact local service organizations in her area like The Lion's and The Shriner's, if they can't help her, they may know of some organization that can. I wanted to suggest that perhaps the "Grandpa" to this child, take it upon himself to visit a local animal shelter and rescue a suitable pet that he in turn could share with his Granddaughter. I had a really hard time keeping my big mouth shut. So why did I? I can be silent sometimes..Far Guy would not agree, as I am hardly ever silent with him. Chance and I are only the planters of seeds, we can plant an idea, but after that someone else has to tend it and water it. Sometimes the seeds fall on fertile ground, sometimes it seems that they are scattered on a wasteland, but we keep scattering them:) 
