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my sweet grandma.

January 8, 2013 Filed in special

yesterday i spent the day with my family remembering my grandmother.

she passed away on january 1st.

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her service was lovely…the scripture, the songs, the memories that were shared… i loved it.

my parents and sister made a slide show of photos of her life that was so fun to see.

she had 17 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

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she was always kind & cheerful.   she was quiet and reserved.  

she always looked put together… make-up on, hair done, jewelry and pretty clothes… always.

even her jammies were fancy.

her skin was so soft.
she always sent me birthday cards that had were girly and had glitter on them.
she never forgot.
 
we will forever joke about her saying "it's a new recipe…i don't know if it's any good"
she baked a lot.

her laugh was a snort so we loved to get her laughing as much as possible.

 

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almost all of the family was there to celebrate her life.
i loved seeing my cousins again.
it's kind of a strange thing to be the grown ups now.
we spent all those christmases together as kids and now we are the ages our parents were then!
i love them all so much.
funerals and weddings remind of us those who made us who we are…the beginnings.
family ties run deep.
i didn't want the day to end and have to say goodbye to them again. 
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annie made a little shrine of her own when we came home.
she placed her flowers from the service in a jar & scotch taped grandma's picture to it for her bedside table.
we tried to talk very openly about the service, the casket, the family, the tears.
who knows what they will remember from that day but i think it will be posititve. 
i loved my grandma.
i will miss her always being with our family.
she was there…sitting on the couch while the kids ran all around her.
sitting at the dining room table while meals were prepared around her.
i will miss her there with coffee in the mornings at my moms.
she didn't say much ("well meg…what's new with you?")
we were often afraid that waffle would knock her down.
i knew that she loved me.
and that i was important to her.
that means the world to me.
she made sure we were okay, taken care of, thought of and worried about.  
she was kind and loving and proud of all of my cousins and me.
i am so grateful to have had her in my life this long.

 

add a comment

Sharri - Hi Meg: Just catching up with your blog. It’s been a long time since I’ve been here on your site. I am so sorry to read of your grandmother’s passing. What a lovely post you wrote about her. I love reading about your craft weekends. I am a so-so crafter but a good helper, should you need someone to assist, please let me know.

Christina - She sounds like such a wonderful person…what a treasure to have that family time too. Praying for your family. May you all know peace.

Heidi Jo the Artist - Sorry for your loss Meg. Lots of love to you and your family!

Becca - I’m very sorry for your loss. Becca

Karen Gerstenberger - Meg, I’m so sorry for your loss. What a sweet face your grandma had – so gentle and gracious-looking. Those family ties are a blessing, especially when you can share special memories at such a time. It’s so comforting.
God bless you and each member of your family with peace, comfort and loving memories of your grandma.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - I have always loved your grandma and the way that you love her. This is a beautiful tribute. All of those little memories add up to so much heartfelt lifetime love. Thanks for sharing her with us and I’m so sorry for your loss.

Nanette - Your grandma was beautiful! I’m sorry for your family’s loss. We lost my grandfather this December at the great age of 94. He would often text and email me and he put himself out there on Facebook! He and my 8 year old were “penpals” via email. I miss having our weekly calls – he was sometimes my only adult conversation for the day! But his burial was more of a remembrance of happy things and I think it will be a great lesson for my younger boys as they get older. It sounds like that is the way your grandma was celebrated…glad you have so many happy thoughts to keep close.

Carrie - Your lovely words and emotion made me cry. I am so sorry for your loss. Your granmother sounds just lovely!
My nanaw passed in August and she was my last living grandparent. It’s hard to believe I am no longer a grandkid, my parents are no longer the kids. Her passing bumped us all up in the line. I miss her, she always had practical, logical advice that when she gave it you always thought “Now WHY didn’t I think of that?!” she was google to all of us.
Glad to hear you talk openly with the kids. My fam was never good about openly dealing with emotions, it’s always good to hear when parents are.

Dana - Sorry for your loss Meg. So much of what you are saying sounds just like my Meme. She is still with us, but has end stage Alzheimer’s. She was always put together and always sent cards.

Leah - So very sorry for your loss, Meg.

Tracy Fisher - Im so sorry to hear. what an amazing lady. i miss that generation… when a lady was a lady. pearls and all. i said a little prayer for your grandma… and your family. – tracy

Mindy - So very sorry for your loss. I was blessed to have grown up with both grandma’s and three great grandma’s nearby. They all had such influence on my life. I still am fortunate enough to have one living grandma and treasure her. I feel your loss as I had a very close relationship to one I lost and miss to this day. I can only hope if I have the change to be a grandma one day that I can do half of what she did for me for my own grandchildren..

Amy - That was beautifuly written! I cried. Makes me miss my Grandmother even more. Oh how she loved me, my sister and my cousins. Prayed for us daily. There’s something about a Grandmother’s love.
Amy

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Im sorry that she’s no longer around Meg. It does sound like she lived a wonderful, loving life though. And you are blessed to have known & loved her.
I never knew any of my grandmothers. My mom’s mom found out she had cancer and her only wish was to live long enough to get to see me. She told everyone that my mom was pregnant with a baby girl(which no one believed bc my mom had been the last girl, 38 years prior). Well, her wish was never granted. She was buried the day before I was born.
Some day I will get to meet her. What a sweet reunion that will be.:)
Prayers for all of you today.

Leadia Jarvis - Losing a grandma leaves the biggest hole 🙁 I’m so sorry you lost her, but I’m pretty sure she left a lot of herself behind in you.

jennyonthespot - Oh friend. Sending much love. What sweet words and lovely rememberings of your sweet grandma. You have honored her delightfully. xoxox

Georgia - Sorry to hear this sad news. Just be happy and remember all the good times you had…. they make up for the sadness xx

Katherine @ Grass Stains - Meg, I’m so sorry for your loss … my relationship with my only living grandparent (my paternal grandmother) sounds so similar to yours. My grandmother is 95 and still lives alone, although she does have part-time care because her arthritis is acting up. But I admire her and love her so much! You guys are in my thoughts.

Lisa - I’m so sorry about your precious Grandma! What a blessing to have such a wonderful grandma! I am glad you had such a great day celebrating her life and have all those sweet memories!

Patti - My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Those sweet memories you have of her will be treasured always I’m sure.

Jen - What a true gift she left her family with. A gift of love. I am truly sorry for your loss.

Amy - What a beautiful tribute, Meg. She sounds amazing. I’m so sorry for your loss.

ann - Meg, thank you for sharing with us your Grandma. She seems like a very sweet lady. I love that you wrote, “a celebration of her life” because the older I am the more I believe that, as opposed to a “funeral”. I agree on the “now that we are the age our parents were”. I am forty something and lost my grandma over 2 years ago….hard to believe its been 2 years. We too were very close. I remember the last time I sat with her, with my hubby and kids, it was outside, she was in her wheelchair, it was Labor Day and there was a slight breeze blowing, and a touch of sun upon us(Illinois) and she would talk a moment, close her eyes, take deep breaths, all the while I held her hand and talked about our time together, making bread, family picnics on Sundays, her home, family. I knew in my heart she was close to the end and even though her faith was strong, I squeezed her hand because she was telling me she didnt want to leave us. I would have sat there for hours if you let me, and my hubby let me stay as long as I wanted. It is a day I will never forget. I gave the euology and though it was hard, I was totally honored. I have a bowl of her broaches, her bread pan, bread recipie (made for the holidays) a few pieces of her china (everyday dishes – in fact I found the same bowl at an estate sale in Michigan and bought it – though I keep the price on the bottom so I know which is which) and relive pictures of memories of her with the kids. That was so sweet of Annie to make a little shrine, its here way of remembering her. My Hannah has a frame of her and grandma on her dresser. You probably feel the same, happy to have been a part of her life, and keep her memory alive with your kids, especially the younger ones. It is nice to have such a wonderful memory of her with you and to continue her legacy with your family. She will never be forgotten. One day at Craft Weekend we can share share stories and blessings of our Grandma’s. Until then, thinking of you as you move on keeping her memories alive.

Jessica - sorry for your loss, Meg. ((hugs))

Andrea T - So sorry for you and your family’s loss.

Michelle Bostinelos - I am so sorry for your loss. Thinking of you and your family.

Kirsten J - I’m so sorry for your loss – what a beautiful woman she was! And that is a fantastic legacy. You’re very lucky to have had her so long. I lost one grandma when I was 4, but my other grandma lived into her 90’s – they are such a treasure!

Audrey - She sounds like a wonderful woman. Grandmas are the best kind of people, so sorry for your loss

Holly - Grandmas are so precious. They will be with us always in our hearts.

kay morrison - sweet meg, BIG hugs to you. i am joyful over a life so beautiful and now living it with Jesus and so sorry for your heart missing her here. love you.

Jolie - I am so sorry for your loss Meg. Grandmothers are special people – I’m so heartened you got the opportunity to ceebrate her life with so much of your extended family.

Lori Austin - Losing a grandma is so hard. I miss mine dearly. Sounds like you had a wonderful service to honor her life. Prayers.

Whitney - SO sorry for your family’s loss. Hope you find comfort in all the happy memories, she sounded wonderful! My great grandmother died on 1/1 (in ’97)… despite how sad it was, it always made me happy that she got to ring in one more year. Glad your grandma got to see another one as well.

Tiffany - She sounds like a wonderful woman. I’m so sorry for your loss.

Tina I - So sorry, Meg. What a blessing to have had her in your life….my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Andrea - Meg…I am so sorry. How lovely to know that you have such a special angel looking out for you.

Jenn B - You’re Grandma looks sweet! What a wonderful post about the celebration of life and who she was. I am sorry for your family’s loss. Grandmothers are a precious gift from God. One day you will see her again.

Cindy - I’m sorry for your loss, Megan. I’m positive she is so proud of everything you’ve accomplished and is looking down with lots of smiles and love. My condolences to you and your family.

Carrie - I am so sorry for your loss. The Friday before Christmas we lost my husband’s grandfather. The day after Christmas we had his service. It was simple and very reserved. He was simple and very reserved, it was perfect. He was more then ready to go home and everyone knew it but it has still been hard. My 5 year old loved him so much and it is so hard to explain to a 5 year old that a person has lived a long life and it is time to go. For them, that brings no comfort. So she has her moments, but as most little kids, it is a second here of a spoken sadness and millions of seconds of off the wall happiness.
He was a good man, never spoke a bad word, never drank and raised a daughter ( my husband’s mom) who does the same.

stacie - hugs to you and prayers for your whole family at this time.
may her soul be in that peaceful, awesome, eternal place we strive for.
much love, stacie

cheryl @ a pretty cool life. - So sorry, Meg. xoxo

Valerie @ Chateau a la mode - So sorry for your loss Meg. I can tell she was very special to you and you will always be able to have a special place in your heart for the special grandmother you had. What a blessing!

Lori Bowring Michaud - What a lovely tribute to your grandmother, Meg. Just lovely. I will tell you that the kids will remember enough about the day to get them through what they need to get through. My children were young when their great-grandfather died; he was a very large part of their lives (they were 3.5, 6.5, 7.5 and 9). We wanted them to come to the wake for a bit to understand, then the funeral. No one wanted us to, they were afraid it would “scar” them. It was sad, but lovely, and therapeutic for them. They didn’t “fear” anything. I think it helped to prepare them, in a way, for a huge loss 10 years later, the loss of our oldest child T.J.

Inna - I’m so sorry for your loss.

susan - A beautiful tribute to your grandma. I treasured the many years with mine.
May you and yours always remember those wonderful times.

Heather R. - Bless her. I’m glad you have to love she put in your heart.

Jennifer - So sorry for your loss Megan. I lost my grandmother in 2011-she was beautiful and very much a lady like yours. It sounds like you have wonderful memories of her for you and your children. Treasure them. <3

Amy - So sorry for your loss…but how blessed you were to have her, love and prayers your way:)

Kristin S - What a gift that you had a living grandmother and you have teenagers! My last blood grandparent passed away 19 years ago and I’m 41.
This is a beautiful tribute to her.

Jacci in Ohio - Oh, I’m sorry, Megan. It was beautiful post. Very honoring and loving to her, I think. (hug)

kelly johnson - She sounded wonderful.
I love that her funeral program said “Service of Remembrance and Resurrection”. AMEN! Praise to Jesus for His promise to resurrect the earthly bodies of His people.

karen - my condolences to you and your family

Wendy - I am vey sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was an awesome Grandma … may her memory always bring a smile to your face.

Kris Saia - Lovely. What you said rings so true to me. When I get to Heaven, my Grandma Elsie is going to be in my top ten list of people to look for! 🙂

Heather - I’m sorry for your loss, your words have moved me to tears. What a beautiful rememberance!

Kim Barlow - What a sweet post. I hope my grandkids write that exact same thing about me when I pass. Hold your sweet memories close they will make your heart smile and your soul warm on days when grief comes to call. So sorry sweet lady. May God Bless you and your family! XO

Tracy - I’m so sorry, Meg. Grandmas are very special people! She was a beautiful woman.

Lindsey - Oh Meg, so sorry that she passed. Maybe she will meet my grandma in Heaven. She passed in August. Your description of your grandma is almost identical to how I would describe my sweet grandmother – special ladies indeed! Thanks for sharing such a great tribute.

Cheryl E. - Meg – So sorry for your loss. Grandma’s are one of a kind and you sure had a special one.
Sending prayers and thoughts your way…….

Christy - So sorry for your loss, sounds like she was a great lady

Gale - So very sorry that she’s not physically with you any longer, but I remember both my grandma’s almost every day – all those memories never leave and the older you are, the more you appreciate it. I know she was super proud of you 🙂 Hugs!

Tammy - So sorry for your loss, what a blessing to have her with you for so many years. Such a beautiful tribute, sending prayers of comfort for you and your family.

tiffany gardner - She sounds like an amazing woman!

Molly - SO very sorry for your family’s loss. Your grandmother sounds like the perfect grandmother. Sending you some peace in the days ahead.

jenny - so sorry, but it IS good to remember.
“God gave us memories so that we may have roses in December.”
This has been one of my favorite quotes for years now.
blessings to you. 🙂

Tracey - Oh, I share your pain. My Granny just passed on December 18th. It is a sad time. Prayers for you and yours.

Kate - Oh Meg. I am so sorry for your loss. Hugs.

Julie - I am so sorry for you and your family. You are so lucky to have had her in your life for so many years. There is nothing in the world like family – just as you said – and it is just the way it should be. I LOVED my grandma too and even though she has been gone for 20 years, I still have the BEST feelings about her and miss her! Keeping you and your family in my prayers.

christy - My condolences. What a beautiful tribute and what great memories you will have. I lost my own grandmother just a few months ago.

Mary - sorry for your loss, meg.
reminds me of how short our lives truly are.
xoxo

chrissi - your grandmother was just lovely. how nice that your children grew with her in their lives. what a joy for you to know that as you celebrate her life.

happygirl - I am sorry for your loss. She is so beautiful. I know you will treasure your memories of her.

Gina - I’m sorry Meg. I love your memories of your grandma. It made me wonder what will be said of me one day. 🙂 I’ve already cried this morning over another’s loss of her grandfather. I guess it’s just part of the life cycle…a reminder that we are not promised tomorrow and to live fully now. 🙂

Laura - What a blessing to have her in your life for so many years! My sympathies to your family.

Alice H - this makes me cry. I don’t like thinking about my grandparents being gone one day. My mamaw and papaw mean so much to me. What a beautiful tribute you wrote for her.

Tiffany - Meg, I love seeing family at funerals too and we all say we wish that we got together more often, especially to celebrate the good times! Your tribute was sweet and leaves with hope, hope to make and leave fond memories for my family and friends as well. To make sure they FEEL the love with something as simple as a glittery birthday card 🙂 Thinking of you and your family.

Kelly Henderson - I am so very sorry for your loss, but what a beautiful tribute you just gave your grandmother…so beautiful xo.

jenny - When I saw your pic on instagram, I had a feeling you’d been at a funeral-all the dark colors I guess. Praying for you as you grieve. I lost my sweet grandfather last March and feel so blessed to have had him for 33 years yet that’s what also makes it so hard because you have all those wonderful memories. Big hugs.

Kerry Wiebe - Megs we spent New Year’s Eve together and I never knew that your Grandma was sick. You are amazing! I’m so sorry for your loss and I know how important a Grandma is in one’s life. I’m so thankful that you have those memories.

Carrie - BIG Hugs Meg.

Kelly - I am so sorry for your loss but thankful you have the hope of knowing you’ll see her again. I’m extremely close to my Gram (even named my youngest, Graham, after her) and know the day is coming when this will be my story.

Miranda - Sorry for your loss. My grandma passed away on Jan. 1st also. Not the best start to the year but shes in the best place she could be 🙂

angela - What sweet words.
I pray that my grandchildren will one day say *I KNOW she loved me.*
When I saw you with your cousins I was reminded that *cousins are some of our very first friends.* We share a lifetime of family memories with them. So glad that even though the circumstances weren’t the best, you got to spend time with them.

Tania K - She sounds like one amazing lady! Sending you and your family a whole bunch of hugs.

Whitney - I’m sorry for your loss, Megan. I was so incredibly blessed to have both sets of grandparents fairly near me when I was growing up, and I cherished both of my grandmothers. I’m glad you were able to have such wonderful times with her and enjoy those memories.

elma - So sorry for your loss. What wonderful memories of such a wonderful grandma. I pray the Lord gives you and your family all you need in the days and weeks to come.

Jen - What a sweet tribute to your beautiful grandma. I am sorry for your loss, Meg.

Caroline - SO sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have so many wonderful and sweet memories of her. Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Caroline - SO sorry for your loss. I’m glad you have so many wonderful and sweet memories of her. Sending you lots of love and hugs!

Jodi Sunderland - SO sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to her. I’m sure she loves it.

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tuesday.

December 11, 2012 Filed in family fun,random,special

 

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i took annie in for her re-check this morning on her cast.

she is not an easy patient.

we both thought this was going to be just an xray and i wasn't thinking they would need to take off the cast for that but they did.  
there was LOTS of screaming and crying…. LOTS!!!
not because of too much actual pain but mostly from sheer panic and terror of the unknown.
i almost started crying too. 

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but it is healing really well thankfully.
and she got a new christmas colored cast and can't wait for Santa to sign it!

 

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how are you doing on your christmas shopping?

i have…. hardly anything done.
i think i have 4 gifts done.
ugh.
and none of those four are my own children. 
i can feel the christmas melt down coming on already….

i am struggling with finding my christmas spirit this year.
boo.
i need to find it. 

tell me what to get my kids and that would help.  :)

 

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this past week or i have been using my awesome recipes section of the bloggy big time!

i have made cream puff dessert…
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crescent chicken…. cheesy potato soup…. spicy tortilla soup…. noodles with ham…

spinach artichoke dip… pancakes... glazed apple bars…

and i am making my mom's mint brownies soon!

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last night i played Mexican Train with my kids.
does your family play board games together?  do your kids sit quietly while they play?
because mine do NOT.
they squirm and sing and stand up and sit down and stand up and spin and squeal and every other little annoying thing you can thing of while we sit and try to play a game.
oh yeah…and they fight too.

but it's stil better than being a zombie in front of the tv so i'll take it.

here is a visual list of some of our favorite family games here at the Duerksen House….

 
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Mexican Train   
it's a game of dominos but a bunch of people can play it at once.
my kids LOVE this one.

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Blokuseven i like to play this game… but i NEVER win! 

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Farkle   
 craig loves to play this with the kids… 

 

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Zingo   
oh my goodness my younger kids LOVE this game so much!

 


Guess Who Extra 
fun fact: we have this game and have never put the batteries in and they don't care!  
they still play it all the time even without sounds and lights!

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Uno 
everyone likes UNO… how could you not?


Memory 

even though my kids are older i can still challenge them to Memory.
it was the best game we played when they were preschoolers.
i think this game is amazing for their minds!

 

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Sequence 

my older kids like this one
and craig & i play it with chicago dave & jenny EVERYTIME.

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Scene It (Disney edition)   
we always agree to this game when we don't have the energy
for the bouncing squirming craziness at the table.

 

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Sorry 
it's a classic game!  
i played and my kids love it too!

 

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Apples to Apples Jr. 

this is probably their FAVORITE game of all of them…
and for the grown ups too.

 

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HedBanz 

we don't have this one but they asked for it for this christmas.

 

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Memory Challenge Holiday 
and this one looks like fun…
it's for ages 6+ so it must be harder than the original Memory.  
i think it will go in my amazon cart.

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Holiday Scrabble 

and this one will too!  
it looks fun and different and i want to challenge their minds with spelling and math whle we have "fun"

so… maybe that gives you some ideas for gifts at your house?

do you have a favorite family game that isn't listed here?

please share!

 

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i guess i should go out for my run.
sometimes it's such a chore to get out there!
and cold!
i wish i had downloaded new music yesterday with fast internet… it takes 8 minutes to download one song off iTunes out here with our farmy internet!

ok… i will go.
i will.

ready….. set…. GO. 

 

add a comment

Andrea - LOVE mint brownies! I have been searching for the recipe forever! Thanks for sharing!

Merlin - If there’s any way for you to reply and let me know that the Phelps family are ok in CT….I enjoyed reading her blog and hearing about her delightful family. I am praying that they are ok today, I think of them often and miss her posts. I know you are friends and hope you can get a message of support to her from a former blog reader.
Thank you.

BullyMama - Too bad for Annie – I went through that last year when my son fractured his thumb skiing – cast on and off 3(+) times. Thankfully he wasn’t upset but it just seemed like such a long drawn out process. He fractured it while going off a jump so everytime we went to the Dr. together I told him that I loved all of this one on one time I was having with him…a sure way to get him to be a little more cautious 🙂 He’s having a tooth pulled tomorrow so it’s another “hot date” for us!!
Thanks for the game ideas – looking for a present for twins that are turning 5 and Zoingo looks perfect for them.
Favorites at our house are Scattergories, Phase10 and Monopoly which I have no patience for. Thinking about Sorry and Clue for Christmas.
A little Christmas shopping done which is good for me, I’m a procrastinator but it is tough to be last minute when you have to mail things across country…that stresses me out!!
Enjoy this holiday time, it will never be as magical as it was when we were kids and as much as we know that we can’t help trying to recreate it – we shall do our best to make it magical for our kids (which I’m pretty sure you do!!)

Rachel - Bananagrams! Monopoly deal…both of them! Yahtzee…scrabble slam!

Amy - Loaded Questions is SO much fun! My family is huge into board games, and that is our favorite! Everyone can play, young and old. The adults love Beyond Balderdash, but you have to have your thinking cap on for that. 🙂

Barbara (WA) - You already know this but you are So Blessed to have kids who “squirm and sing and stand up and sit down and stand up and spin and squeal.” Such fun and love and great memories for them all! Awesome! I’ll be no help on the gift ideas since my sons are now in their 30’s – they have Amazon wish lists that I buy from, online, done (hubby, too!).

Jayne Barbour - I just got these for my three daughters and I think they will love them. I want to play with them myself:)
http://www.hearthsong.com/woodland-fairy-home-and-fairy-dolls_p3452.html#ReviewHeader
So sorry to hear Annie (and you!) had a rough appt. So scary:(
Good luck with the Christmas spirit. Maybe some music? the movie Christmas Vacation? How about watching It’s a Wonderful Life. Ahhh.
Good luck:)

Lee Ann - I think I saved myself 20# by not making those brownies until yesterday. How do you resist? I cut them into really tiny, little squares and put them in the freezer. Every time I walk by it’s, “just one bite”. 🙂 So yummy!

Lisa Lichterman - We like Rummikub and Scattergories 🙂

Melanie - You might already have this, but we’re getting our kids a ping pong table! and a chalkboard to keep score.
When my youngest was four, he fell down a spiral staircase outside and landed on his head. Seven staples while he was papoosed in the er. You probably heard him screaming in Kansas!
Merry Christmas!! Breathe Jesus in, garbage out. :0) This time of year can be crazy.

Samantha Adams - Annie and Talby NEED socks from Little Miss Matched if they don’t have them already. I swear, they were MADE for you and your girls! 🙂

Tracy Fisher - you make me feel better. i have one present wrapped. no tree up yet. maybe i’ll hang the stockings tonight. but i do have my one frames piece of art i made in 2004… it says… “The best gift around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other.”… That makes me feel good. -tracy

Michelle Whitlow - Poor Annie 🙁 We’ve gone through that. My son had that same cast! Broke his leg the first night of hockey practice when he was 4 1/2…had a full leg cast for 7 1/2 weeks. Santa did sign it with a ‘SC’ 🙂 Thankfully this ‘phase’ will not last forever.

Maegan - We love Settlers of Catan! It has expansion packs and all. However my oldest is six, so it’s still a little much for my kids. But I found out there’s a Catan Junior, so it’s coming to our house for Christmas! Since we’ve never played the junior one I can’t attest to its awesomeness, but if it’s anything like the big version, I know we will like it.

Melissa - Meg: Go check out the Clover Lane Blog – she has loads of great xmas ideas. Also, I LOVE amazon prime – everything ships for free (that is prime) and in record time. WOOHOO>

Laura - GET THAT CHRISTMAS SPIRIT ON SISTER!!!!!
dont worry about the shopping
I have done NONE
nada
NOTHING
it will happen..
we love the game of Life and someone ALWAYS CRIES
lots of fights
name calling
blaming
good family fun

Molly - My daughters love Headbanz. They also asked for Twister Dance and Fibber. My older daughter asked for the barbie with a camera and for Blingles. For the first time I have almost all of my shopping done! Yay!
I am sorry for Annie’s broken arm. Having broken both my arms and collarbone I know how scary it can be. Hope she heals soon. Cool that her cast is red and green and that Santa will sign it.
OH and I love World Market, too. I love their jewelry too.

jen smith - do you have your kids make lists? i never made a list growing up but my husband’s family changed all that. we all make lists so that whoever buys for us knows just what we want. makes the season so much easier.

April R - Heal fast Annie, so sorry you were frightened…
We agree – Cutting a cast off is scary. My son has broken his arm 3 times (all before the age of 7!) so after all that “Danger boy” is no longer scared of having a cast cut off. I still cringe a bit but hopefully we won’t go there again!
Wits and Wagers (we love this one, it ends up being funny) and Rukus (fast, easy card game) and we have a wooden set of tangrams that is pretty cool. Wish we played more 🙂
Merry Christmas and I pray you found your “cheer!”

Mia - Our new favorite is Herd Your Horses board game. There are a few variations to the game so you can make it a bit easier or harder depending on the kids playing.
Let the boardgame chaos begin!

Stacy M. - Well I am going shopping today hoping to get some gifts bought. I am doing the gift of four this year with our kids. One thing you want, one this you need, one thing to wear, and one thing to read. That sound make it easier! I hope. And I will still do stocking stuff.
We like to play pickle. It is fun and the older kids like it. Also did you watch Parenthood last night?! Oh my gosh my eyes are swollen this morning from crying so much. Best show on tv!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.

Waffle-Wednesday - We are so old-fashioned. We like Chess and Backgammon and Yahtzee!
Those brownies look amazing! Yum!

Kim M - Our family’s favorite game is Ruckus! So fun! crazy, fast ,loud. Our WHOLE family can enjoy it!! And often our 4 year old (our youngest) is the winner! Love your blog!

Angie - Guess Who, Uno and Sorry were regulars here when my now teenager was younger. Of course at 14 she isn’t much into playing games with us anymore. If it doesn’t include texting or an Ipad, she’s not interested. My two youngest are still too little to play so I don’t have any game buddies these days.
Sorry she had such a scary time with the X-ray and cast. Bless her heart. I love the Christmas Colored Cast though. That is pretty cool

Lindsay - Qwirkle – so much fun for the whole family!!!

Mary Vaca - It won’t help you this year, but a few months ago I started taking pictures of things my kids said they wanted with my iPhone, that way when Christmas came around I didn’t have to remember or think. It’s also come in handy as relatives and godparents have asked me what to get… I just text them the picture and tell them the store… voila!

Beth - I don’t have the Christmas spirit yet either. Maybe we can find it together?
Having a cast cut off is SCARY! I don’t blame Annie for being upset (and you, either). Even though you know it’s not going to hurt you, it’s loud and hot and dusty. Just scary.
Have you heard of the game “Things”? It is our family fave right now. It gives you a prompt “things you don’t want to take on vacation” (for example) and everyone gives an answer — could be genuine, funny, totally out of the box. Then the “reader” reads them all and everyone else takes turns trying to guess who said what. VERY fun. We love playing games together!

donna - my kids all 6 of them love catch phrase. we have a lot of fun playing that one.

tinaehb3 - I wish I could have been her x-ray tech. That’s what I’ve done for the last 17 years 🙂 Hope her little arm gets better soon!!

Molly B - Headbandz is awesome. . .you guys will love it! Praying for your Christmas mojo to come back : ) just keep swimming!

Lori Austin - Dang it. That poor sweet girl of yours. This whole cast thing STINKS.
Glad to hear it is healing well though.
I too am really struggling with my spirit this year. We have had TONS of
germs at our house in the past few weeks, hardly any shopping done, finances
are tight, etc, etc. Trying so hard to focus on the REAL reason for the
season and get into the spirit.

tanktop - Buy the family Left Right Center. It comes in a little tube by the board games.
So much fun. My kids like to play with pennies instead of the chips that come in it.

Amschmitz - I have 5 kids also and this year we’re following something I saw on Pinterest. Each kid gets 4 presents…..something you want, something you need, something you wear and something you read. They are actually excited about it and I feel much less stressed! Focusing more this year on doing christmas projects and baking together and focusing less on gifts:)

Lee Ann - Your poor girl! Praying all of the pain (and drama:) are over soon.
So, I’ve read every blog post you’ve written 🙂 And every year I think I should try your mint brownies – except I can’t have gluten. So this afternoon we made them gluten free. Pass the word that subbing gluten free flour worked! And the brownies are to die for! I can’t wait to try them frozen.
oh! And my girls do cart wheels between their turns when we’re playing games. Drives me nuts but I put up with it for a while 🙂

Jamie M. - We LOVE Ticket to Ride, Five Crowns, and Left, Right, Center.

Carrie - zingo, the classic go fish, and I am joping the game HIss will be a hit. I will to also get the game rat a tat cat. I am thinking about apples to apples but I am fearful it is too hard for my 5 year old.

Tanya - The picture of Annie makes me want to cry. Poor sweet girl 🙁
I love the game Sequence! Love it!
I really want my kids to be game players for the exact reason you mentioned ~ attack of the TV zombies. They’re 3 and 5 so we’re getting started now.
This Christmas is Mickey Mouse Yahtzee Jr 😉

dcgraber@cox.net - Adam and Jill do not fight; at least not in front of us. Unless they play Farkle. That game is off limits! Seriously! We love to play Sorry with the grandchildren!! Our favorite game is Telestrations. Sooooo fun!

alicia @ la famille - here’s my opinion on getting your christmas shopping done way early: you’re gonna buy way more than you should. there’s just all the time between the early crazy shoppers and christmas…you wanna BUY! it’s just fun. so, you not being done might actually be saving you loads of cash.
how’d you like that for a reverse psychology, huh??
and apples to apples jr?? i looked at that and didn’t know…but i love to buy a game at christmas. this might be the ONE! thanks 🙂

Terrie - I feel for Annie…I kind of freaked out when they cut my cast off 9 years ago.
Seems like they should give a body some warning about what they are going to do don’t ‘cha know!
Love almost all your games! We love family game time!
Have you ever played Phase 10? It’s a fun one.
And my son and his friends got me hooked on Settlers of Catan.
I hate Monopoly ( I know, it’s un-American ) but I love Settlers!
And I must make your mom’s mint brownies! I looked at the recipe the other night
when I was looking for the margarita recipe again!
Yup, got my friend hooked on them now too! 🙂
Happy Shopping…I’m not done either. Maybe I’ll see ya at the stores!

tiffany gardner - Your sweet girl! I’ve been thinking about her as I gear up to do some crafts with my kids over the break… I’ve been wondering how she is able to do all your fun crafts! I’ll keep her in my prayers!! I’ve felt the same way about this season. I’ve always LOVED this time of year but this year.. I’m just exhausted! I’ve had major dental work for the last few months and it’s really getting me down. Trying to chase a baby and keep up with my two older ones… I need to change my attitude and start getting grateful!!! Going to just decide to do that now ! Get grateful! And I have to say… I really am grateful for your blog. You are my friend… even though you don’t know me. I am grateful for the encouragement you give and the real part of life you share too. Thanks.

Morgan - Headbanz in an awesome game. We play it as a family all the time. Be sure to get the kid version. The adult version is really hard! We will play the kid version with all adults even.

Darcie - Have you heard of the Andrew Peterson Behold the Lamb of God album/tour? Buy the album! Best album ever for getting me into the REAL spirit of Christmas. Hands down! I’ll never view Christmas the same – such a good reminder. And who cares about gifts? (I mean, besides the kids…) Hope it smooths out for you and you’re able to enjoy it all, even the shopping!

Kristen - We love Spot It! It travels well too. So sorry about the unexpectedly hard doctors appointment.

s - Love apples to apples!! We like monopoly although I shorten it a lot…like the game ends when I cant take it anymore!! We also like to play black jack – how bad is that for a family game??

Kelley Jones - Another vote for Spot it. We first played at a family reunion with varied age groups. Everyone seemed to like it. My oldest daughter broke her arm 3 times over the years–all in different ways and places. Cast removal was always scary. Hugs to you and Annie.

the.mrs - Kanoodle! We stopped by the toy store and the girls played with the sample game and I could hardly get them out of the store!!!!
http://www.creativekidstuff.com/kanoodle.html

Gretchen - I love Farkle, but unfortunately, I’m the only one who does in this family. Not really a one person game. 🙂
As far as the gifts go, I NEED to get some little boy toys. He has ONE gift under the tree and his sisters have at least three each; and trust me, he has noticed! 😉

Becky - you really inspire me to run. when i get too busy that’s the first to go…and you do it OUTSIDE in the COLD!! rock star. all done with our Christmas. we open gifts this sat because the next week we’ll be driving back home. hate the stress…cannot wait until it’s over. shame.

angie - Thanks for letting me know I’m not the only one behind on shopping. We find these games cause the least amount of fighting in our house with 4 kids (13,11, 8,8): Ticket to Ride, Quirkle, and Ruckus (card game).

BeckyB - I feel so badly for Annie – it would be scary for me too!
Our fav games are Balderdash, Bezzerwizzer and Five Crowns (card game). A really crazy card game is Fluxx but could be frustrating for little kids because the rules change with every play. Pictionary is always fun for all ages. I’ve ordered ‘Word on the Street’ and ‘Wizard’ card game for this year. Thanks for sharing lots of good ideas…

Heidi of Operation Organization - ‘Clover Lane’ Sarah recently had her daughter guest post ideas for what to give teen girls – maybe that will give you some shopping inspiration? 🙂
http://www.memoriesoncloverlane.com/2012/11/guest-post-from-abbey-affordable-gifts.html
this year my 7 yr old is all about remote controlled gadgets and our 4 yr old is getting all sorts of star wars action figures.
thanks for all the game suggestions – we love to add new ones to our collection each year )the grandparents will be giving our boys the delux ‘guess who’ game you recommended!
Cheers!
~H

Georgia - Me and my husband play board games.. Battleships, monopoly, scrabble (although were both rubbish at spelling so it ends up with made up words and swear words.. ooops)
I miss you christmas DIY gift idea’s, thats how i found your blog a couple years ago! x

Tawny - I bought Quelf for my boss and her family. It looks silly and fun!

shar y - Apparently, Headbanz is great, according to my g-kids, and adults like it too. Especially, along with adult bevarages!
I had to have a cast cut off of my wrist earlier this year. It is very scary worring if they will cut too deep! Go Annie!

Diane Hutchings - All those games look so fun! We’re having our first baby in June, and we can’t wait until he/she is oldenough to play games as a family!

Kate - OK, here goes:
Lauren – iTunes gift card and the book Hinds Feet on High Places
Scott – KU gear
Sean – shirt that says ‘my last name is awesome’
Talby – her own baking supplies – her own bowls and measuring spoons
Annie – her own gardening supplies 🙂
Love you. Hang in there

Leadia Jarvis - Oh, poor Annie – and you!
I am right there with you on the Christmas meltdown. I feel super Grinchy this year – like my heart might be about 600 sizes too small, haha!
We are the same with games as well. Lots of distractions and interruptions and insults and fighting, but like you, at least it’s a break from watching their eyes glaze over on the video screens. We like almost all of the games you have listed. The older kids have really started getting into “Scattergories”, although Eliza (who is 10) sometimes needs a little help. If you hit a Goodwill you can usually find Outburst Jr. for $1.99. I don’t know if they still make it (?) but this game is a HUGE hit with all of us. There’s also one called “Beat the Parents” that’s a lot of fun. One of my girlfriends with a lot of kids also recommended a game called “Scavenger Hunt” – it looks super fun so I think I’m going to order it as a family present!

Julianne Brimner - I have 4 gifts bought total. Our big gift is flying our son who is in the Navy home for Christmas. That is all he wants and me too. Fave new game for our family is Spot It. Fun, fast and even our eight year old loves it. I know Target has it.

Alice H - Our favorite card game is PHASE 10. And Headbandz is so fun! Hope you get that for them for Christmas. We also like Catch Phrase!

Alice H - Do the WANT, NEED, WEAR, READ for your kids and throw in a SURPRISE from Santa. That way they only get 5 gifts each. I am doing that this year and I budgeted myself for $150 per kid, I have 3. And I only went over budget just a little bit.

Lori H - We love Bananagrams! Similar to Scrabble but it moves much faster. Now Scrabble bores me to tears. Apples to Apples and Would You Rather are both good. If you can find it, Rat a Tat Cat is an awesome card game and was awarded some Parents Award. One of our favorites!

Tanya H - Our kids’ very favorite game is Loaded Questions Jr. Their second fav is Apples to Apples, if that gives you an idea. We don’t even have most gifts planned, much less purchased. And it doesn’t help that our kids are asking for things there is NO WAY they’re going to get. My daughter did finally ask for a hula hoop and a new jump rope, assuming walmart still has them in the middle of winter. 🙂 Our kids are getting MP3 players tho, and a $15 gift card to Amazon for more of their own music. Was that at all helpful? 🙂
I agree with the trauma Annie was dealing with- I broke my arm when I was a kid and was WAY more scared for them to cut the cast off than anything else in the world! 😛

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broken bones and KAKE news.

November 21, 2012 Filed in craft weekend,parenting,special

 

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on monday evening craig & i were looking forward to our free night with no plans or practices.
and then i heard a SCREAM outside that was so loud and annie yelling "I BROKE MY ARM!!! ITS BROKEN!!!"

i doubted for about five minutes but then i felt her arm.
yeah….
i called craig & he was on his way home from work "i think annie broke her arm.  i am taking her to the ER".
he said he would meet us there.

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two hours later they determined it was definitely broken.
we expected it to just be a cast and we'd go home.

then a dr came in and said "it's a really bad break.  REALLY BAD.  we need to do surgery"
what?!
so at 9 PM they took her in and put her under.

that was very hard to let her go.

a piece of her bone broke off and was floating in her arm.
they put two pins in her elbow to hold it in place until it heals.

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she's smiling but it was just for the camera.
she and i slept in the hospital (if you can call it sleep) monday night to keep an eye on everything.

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we headed home late morning….dead tired.
we both rested all day yesterday.
the doctor says a cast comes next week.
she is hoping for lime green but thought red and blue for KU would be cool too.

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we've got some serious bedhead going on that we will have to deal with today….

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she slept all night last night.
i just feel so bad for her.
she is miserable.
i think we will paint nails and toenails today.
and finish her chapter book.
and we watched Crocodile hunter this morning…. how much tv can one person watch?!

so send up some prayers for annie when you think of her.

 

and on a completely different subject………..

 


Craft Weekend was on the local news!
they interviewed us before the last CW and then came back AT craft weekend during our apron making.
some of our guests were interviewed about why they came.
i was really nervous about the whole thing but i think it turned out well.

it's pretty cool. 

 

ok….another cup of coffee is needed.
and i am going to do 7 loads of laundry today.
i am.
keep me accountable.
make sure i do it.
cause my laundry situation is downright embarassing right now.
i have let it go for far too long.
sitting at the hospital knowing i needed clothes and dreading the thought of having a friend go into my house to look for my clothes was mortifying.
1. i doubt i had any clean underwear for me.
2. to get to my clean clothes….you had to climb the mountain of dirty clothes first…seriously a safety risk.

so today i am playing nurse, manicurist and laundry aid.

what are you doing today?
getting ready to cook?  are you hosting thanksgiving? what kind of pie are you making? 

add a comment

cathy - Poor baby….. so sorry to hear she was hurt:(

Tracy Fisher - so sorry to hear about annie. but it sounds like she got an awesome nurse (you). i cannot quit laughing about your laundry pile. mine is the same way!! now, don’t you feel better??? i once asked my kids if we should just live from the pile. obviously everything they liked was in it because they keep wearing and washing the same things. closets are wasted space. i should turn mine into an art studio. haha.

Tiffany - Awww, poor thing 🙁 Feel better Annie!

jeannett - ACK!!!
i just saw this!
how awful!
what was she doing? none of my kids have broken bones yet, but i keep waiting for it to happen…but surgery for it? that’s terrible. poor girl! poor you!!!!
hugs friend.

Christina - I read the other post first…goodness! What a night. I hope as the days go by, the pain is not so bad. I’m praying for you guys!

Wendy - Feel better soon Annie!!!

Sandy - Praying for Annie. I love the news clip! You deserve the recognition!! So proud of you!

Sarah E. - So sorry! 2 1/2 years ago my son broke his arm at the McDonald indoor playland on vacation. We assumed the same thing, get a cast on and be gone. Nope surgery the next morning and 2 pins. Such a crazy time but so thankful for the wisdom God gave this doctor. My son has no problems at all now!

Katherine @ Grass Stains - Ohhh, Annie. So sorry for Annie! I hope it heals quickly and I suppose if it had to happen, maybe it’s better to have happened in the winter than in the summer, when they are outside so much more? It’s possibly I’m reaching too far for a glass-half-full outlook here. 😉 Hope you guys had a blessed Thanksgiving.

Ashley - The news clip came out so great! I am so happy for you and Kimberlee 🙂

jennyonthespot - OH ANNIE! Bless her heart, and yours, Meg. That was quite the break 🙁 Glad she’s healing up… hope you got those 7 loads done… what an AWESOME piece on Craft Weekend (I am SO proud of you!) and… hope your thanksgiving was surprisingly lovely 🙂 xoxox

Lisa - I saw the KAKE news story – Congratulations! I bet you get a lot more local ladies signing up this week! Happy Thanksgiving!

Tiffany - i will be praying for Annie. (no pain and quick recovery)
HAPPY THANKSGIVING to YOU and YOURS!
i cooked half of my stuff yesterday and finished the rest this morning.
we are my MIL and i’m enjoying being out of the house.
i opted for cobblers this year.
a blueberry and peach…
yumm-o

Kori - Oh, poor Annie!! I broke my arm twice as a little girl…get something long and thin for her to scratch up under her cast. She’ll need it! Luckily it happened at home and you could take her asap.
As far as I can tell there’s nothing a good mani/pedi can’t take one’s mind off of. 🙂
Hope you all get some good rest…

Kirsten J - Oh sweet Annie – I’m so sorry – my daughter and I saw this had happened on Twitter, and tried to comment. Ouch!! Praying for a quick healing. We are headed to my sister-in-law’s today, and while I am grateful for many things, including the fact that I dont have to clean house or cook a turkey…..she is always so proud of her “healthy” pies….made with Splenda. Seriously. Yuck. She insists “you can’t even taste it!” and I’m sorry, but you can. I only eat pie maybe two or three special days a year, and sadly, today I think I’ll pass….
Hope you get lime green, Annie!!!

Amy@littleforalittlewhile - Happy Thanksgiving! Hope Annie is on the mend, and that you are rocking that laundry situation!

colleen sullivan - feeling for you and Annie and sending good thoughts your way….at least everytone is around to help you out and relieve the boredom at thanksgiving!

karen - poor annie!! kids are resilient..i hope she feels better soon. How did she break it?

Michelle from Australia - Dear Annie, I hope your arm is much better soon.
Meg, prayers of strength for you, Annie and the family whilst her arm heals.
Kimberlee, thank you for remembering there is an Australian (or two or more??) who would LOVE to come to Craft Weekend 🙂
We are currently in San Francisco and we are looking forward to celebrating our first ever Thanksgiving tomorrow.
God Bless you all.

Karen Gerstenberger - God bless you and your sweet Annie! Spending the night in the hospital is hard. I bet that Annie will look back on this time and be very proud of herself, as she deserves to be. She is brave and strong.
We are hosting Thanksgiving. There will be 15 of us (I thought there would be 18!). Today, I prepared yams, green bean casserole, homemade cranberry sauce and set the table. Tomorrow, it will be time for Mr. Turkey, the stuffing and gravy, appetizers and beverages. Our guests are bringing all of the rest of the feast. We’re so happy that our precious friends are visiting from KANSAS & will be celebrating with us.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Meg!

Verna Lantz - Poor, sweet Annie. Prayers for her to be better soon. And for her to get that green cast.
Did you get that laundry done? I certainly hope so, young lady! 🙂
Busy all day with Thanksgiving prep and pie cooking
Pumpkin, pecan, lemon, and one devil’s chocolate cake (for my little one)
Next up: side dishes and the main man, or turkey, as the case may be.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Lori Austin - Oh sweet girl! Broken bones are NO fun (speaking from experience).
Sending your kiddo to surgery also no fun (speaking from MUCH experience).
Prayers for her healing and quickly passing days.
Great news coverage btw!

roganne - poor annie!! i broke a rib once and i felt terrible too 🙁 what an awful experience, but i hope lots of people sign her cool new cast! the news piece was so beautiful…you are truly an inspiration to all 🙂

Rita - I will pray for Annie’s healing and for the rest of the family. It’s very hard to have your child taken away for surgery – I’ve cried many tears along with my son when he was hurting. Let others help you and your family – it also is a hard thing to do, but a blessing to others to help you and in return, you are blessed, too. I’ve made my pumpkin pie bars and chocolate pecan pie for tomorrow – will get up early and get the ham and turkey on to cook. It’s a blessing to cook for my 87-year old mom and my siblings and families. May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Robin C - too bad I don’t live near you because I would do your laundry in a heartbeat. Seriously, it’s my favorite household chore. yes, seriously!
So loved the news report on Craft Weekend. Uh-oh- your waiting list is bound to get even longer now.

Lindsey - Poor Annie! I hope it all goes okay and she heals quickly!!!!!

Amy - Oh sweet Annie! So sorry you broke your arm. I’ll bet you heal really fast. I broke my arm when I was your age by falling out of my tree house. I had a really yucky tummy ache until the Dr. fixed my arm. Hope your cast is super cool!

Kristin - Poor Annie…I hope she’s feeling better! And that you’ve done your laundry.

Karen - Oh poor Annie girl!!! Little bunny I am so sorry you broke your arm!!! Feel better soon! And poor mama – you are only as happy as your least happy child, right!?! Hugs and prayers for you all and Happy Thanksgiving!

Jacci in Ohio - Miss Annie, I’m praying for you, honey!
The Lord cares all about your arm, and He is with you all those long hours of uncomfortableness. He cares about YOU! And loves YOU, even when bad things happen. He is good.
Praying for you all, Megan. 7 loads of laundry? On little sleep? Maybe I should pray even MORE 😉
By the way… 900? Ugh. Maybe I didn’t want to know that number. I chop onions and make cheesecake! 😉 Bonus points?? ha ha. So excited for you that you have so much interest in CW. It’s a blessing to many, I’m certain!

ChristineW - Poor baby girl! I’m wearing lime green socks right now so that’s my vote for cast color! 🙂 I hope she is feeling better soon and rockin’ those nails! And I’m hearing ya’ on the laundry! HS soccer season just ended and thank goodness the older son came home from college with his clothes already washed!! YEA! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Michelle Bostinelos - Poor Annie!! That is really no fun 🙁 But great story on the news! I would love a chance to come to craft weekend…and I am on the waiting list 🙂

Andrea - Sending prayers for Annnie……getting ready to begin cooking….tonight…pecan pie, peanut butter pie( Iknow….not really thanksgiving material but requested, cranberry sauce, ham/cream cheese/ pickle rolls and stuffing…..tomorrow the rest! Happy Thanksgiving…good luck with that laundry. I hate laundry….

Gina - Prayers for fast healing for Annie! With six kids I know all about those piles of laundry…. You should be about half way done by now. Happy Thanksgiving…hope you and your family have fun!!!

Tanya - oh poor punkin’. hope she’s on the mend soon <3
And..yay!!!! for the news story 😀
My aunt was just here to do a craft show with my mom last weekend and they lived in Newton all of my growing up years. We drove from Canada many summers to visit. I told her about your blog and craft weekend 😀

tinaehb3 - looks like the poor thing has a radial head fracture…17 years of being a xray tech I’ve seen a ton of these 🙂 hope she feels better soon, you’ll be surprised when they xray her in a couple of weeks she’ll be good as new, kids bones are amazing!!! fun clip to watch!!

Courtney - Sweet angel! Poor girl and Mama! Glad she is doing OK! I am starting Thankgiving prep. Two pecan pies done (my girlfriend and I each bake two of the same and then swap), Cranverry sauce is done and PW’s skillet cornbread is in the oven for her cornbread sausage apple stuffing. Roasting sweet potatoes next and making the green bean casserole.
Happy Thankgiving to you. Hope you get some help with all that laundry!!!

Sara Torbett - Poor Annie! Praying her arm feels better and she is able to find something fun to keep her mind off being in bed!
My laundry was in piles a few days ago too…and it’s only my husband and I and one baby! It can pile up so fast. Here’s to hoping you had some good coffee, bright sunshine, and good music to jam to while accomplishing the 7 loads. 🙂
Today I am hanging out at home, after a trip to Target and Joann’s….dreaming up more things to do, waiting on arrival of Baby #2 any minute. 🙂 And decorating our outdoor area fancy for a date night with my husband after Little One #1 goes to bed. 🙂

Allison - Aww poor Annie. I hope she feels better. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

amber - Poor Annie:(. I broke my arm once, in a car accident. I had a lime green cast for 6 weeks. So, I say, go for it Annie;)!!! I remember my arm hurting the first few days, then I just had the nuisance of a cast for a while. Hopefully Annie will be the same. Praying for you guys! Happy Thanksgiving!!

Kristi Rediske - that is so sad about Annie-I pray that she gets to feeling better as soon as possible and the healing is perfect. I guess I am snoopy but how did she break it? I don’t think you said, if its none of my business thats ok-:) Just always curious about these things. Well have a Great Thanksgiving.

danielle - Oh no!!! Hope she feels better soon and finds many things to ammuse her!

Kerrin - Way to go! that video was awesome. Congrats!

Lisa M. - Goodness, I hope Annie is feeling better. I’m sure that broke your heart!
And congrats on the news coverage!! It was so nice to see a “live” shot of Craft Weekend! Cool!

Tiffany - So sorry about poor Annie… I hope the recovery is going well. How scary for the both of you! The news story was fun to watch, but it kind of creeps me out that my face is RIGHT THERE, before you click play. Jeepers. Wish I would have had more than 2 hours of sleep the night before and it wouldn’t have been at the end of a long day in the car. It would have been so much better to have your sweet face right there. Oh well. I’m making “Pam’s Cheesecake” for Thanksgiving!! Wish me luck! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

kristiina - Poor Baby!! Hugs and kisses to you and your family from Virginia! Get well soon, Annie 🙂

CathyC - Don’t worry!! Annie will be OK!! My daughter Olivia broke her arm a few years ago, had surgery, 2 pins, the whole nine yards, and she’s perfectly fine. Annie will be too.
BTW, every time I see pics of the Craft House I feel like that is “my house.” Totally cool!
PS–Go do some laundry & make sure you have enough detergent to get you through.
Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!

ali moll - Poor Annie! 🙁 Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovering for her! Loved the news coverage….hearing you and Kimberlee, and how nice and calm you both sound! And then there is that crazy person talking a mile a minute! Oh, wait…that’s me! Yikes! That was pretty scary to watch! But seriously…..Craft Weekend changed my life. I am sooo full of creativity…in all aspects of my life. I feel renewed and I owe it all to you! Thanks Meg! Love, love, loved my weekend at the Craft House with you and the girls! Hoping my name gets picked again someday! Hugs! Happy Thanksgiving! Still working on my recap post!

tiffany gardner - I just have tears for that sweet annie girl and thinking of you letting her go as she went into surgery!! I’m so sorry! Please tell her that my kids and I will pray for her today and keep praying!! xo.

Angie G. - Ohhh, poor Annie!!! Must´ve been scary for her and for you. Thank God everything turned out well. On the other hand, how exciting is it that your not-so-known country gets mentioned on the local news because of you?? Oh my God!!! I´m sooo excited….. all the way from the Dominican Republic to Kansas next January… wooohoooo!!!

April - Oh poor Annie. My daughter broke her arm earlier this year at school and eventually they had to put her under and rebend it. That was super hard for me even though they didn’t have to cut her open to do it. Prayers being sent to her. My baby (8yrs. Old) was miserable too.

Lisa - Poor Annie!! It will be better once she gets the real cast on. Glad she slept well. Hope you got sleep as well. And get that laundry done girl!! You’ll feel so much better when it is. You will have to post a link for the craft weekend interview! So awesome!

Megan - You guys are so stikin cool… the NEWS?! ive been following you for a year or so and love hearing about the craft weekend. What a wonderful thing. Will be praying for Annie..

Juliann - HI Megan – Praying for Annie! I hope she gets lots of waiting-on at Thanksgiving this year 😉
I used to just buy new underwear when I ran out to avoid laundry – and that was when I was single – ha.

stacey - Meg, You don’t know me, and I don’t know you…but I FEEL like I do from reading your blog.
I have 4 kiddos, so I feel your laundry pain.
I would come help if I could. and laundry is my LEAST adored chore. But for you, I’d suck it up and do it to help you out. 🙂
A Costco pumpkin pie for us…I am a baker, but a huge pie for $5.99. It was stupid not to! 🙂
I hope sweet Annie heals quickly!

Jeanie - I will pray that Annie heals fully and quickly. When our niece fractured her arm (age 2) the doctor said “Kids are healing MACHINES.” Apparently at that age their bodies are just so quick to heal. I will pray that Annie’s healing machine will kick right in. Also we know that the Great Physician is healing her as we speak. Thank You, God!
How scary for you and your husband, though. We had our little guy (he’s 4) at the E.R. for croup a few weeks ago. Thank the good Lord for access to emergency rooms and the people that stay there all night and staff them, that’s what I say!
Glad for the great press on CW. I’m not on the list but I have a 4-year-old. Not a lot of time away for myself but they are fun updates to read about here (and on the blogs you link to). Good for you and Kimberlee.
Heal up, Miss Annie!

Lennie Jackson - So sad for you guys about the broken bone 🙁 Poor baby girl! The news story was AMAZING!!! So happy for you and I am so glad that you get to do what you love!!! You’re one lucky lady!!!

Susan - So sorry to hear that Annie got hurt! Bless her heart! She will do much better than Mom. Hope you and yours have a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Kate - First off – I hope Annie feels better!
Secondly – EEEK!!!! Pretty. Cool. 🙂

kerry - oh man!!!!!!! this post is bitter sweet 🙂 poor annie, those pins look scary.. poor darling, lots of love to you. HOW FREAKING COOL IS THAT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!!! ??? So happy for you and Kimberlee. Best I get my name on that 900 long waiting list!

alicia @ la famille - how cooool about the news story!! that’s awesome!!
and how sucky for annie 🙁 poor little thing. hope it heals fast!!

Donna - so sad for Annie girl! Mom’s are the best nurses..she will be better before you know it.
Craft Weekend on the news!!!! Awesome! You all looked great:)

Ellen J - Sweet Annie! Praying her arm heals quickly, and that they have the color cast she’d like. 🙂
Hopefully the hospital bed head wasn’t too terrible to comb out! I was in and out of the hospital as a child, and my mom said she finally learned to put my hair in a french braid really quick before leaving for the ER each time. Saved my poor head of a rat’s nest and my mom the stress of combing it out!

lauren - praying you all can rest up and that annie will be up and at ’em in no time! my heidi had nearly the exact same break with her left elbow when she was four! i’ve got a few tips for you on dealing with the L-shaped cast she’ll be getting….it’s NOT EASY to wrestle with in the cold months! i’ll email you! take care!
p.s. what fun to see us all on the news!
p.p.s. craft weekend has inspired me to start blogging again. i will make my new blog ‘live’ soon…thank you – for everything!

Krista - Awww man, just watched your KAKE video, now I have tears in my eyes for another reason, so happy to see your success! Congratulations!

Colleen - Your poor little girl! I’m sure with a lot of TLC, she’ll be feeling better soon.
Love the news clip, I think it is such a fun thing you and Kimberly do. You’ve definitely made me want to craft more.

Krista - Poor sweet girl, glad she’s home and in your good care. My daughter broke her arm when she was 7 at a roller skating party. At the e/r they had to make some adjustments to the bone in her arm— “manipulation under anesthesia”– which was incredibly scary, and no parents allowed in the room, so I can totally understand how much worse it must have been for you to have her wheeled away for the surgery. Yes, the girlies like neon-colored casts, what is up with that? Have a wonderful T-giving in spite of all of your nursing, laundry, cooking challenges ahead of you!! Have an extra piece of pie just because!

Christine - hope she feels better by now 🙂 get well soon annie!

denise@victory rd. - what a bummer for annie. she deserves an extra serving of thanksgiving pie.
the video looks great. God is cool and what he has done through you and kim is cool. i pray he continues to be glorified through you.

Pink and Green Mama MaryLea - Hugs to sweet Annie and mama too! I am doing 4-5 loads of laundry today, cleaning the house for tomorrow. Making cranberry sauce jello, baking two pies- pumpkin and “yum yum” (it’s like a chocolate pecan pie) So fun that they covered craft weekend- I saw the camera crews in your photos and wondered what that was all about. Hang in there. It’s hard when our babies are hurt- even when they’re in pain I think it breaks our hearts even more! xoxoxo
So much to be thankful for, glad they were able to repair it quickly.

Tiffany - Aww, sending Annie the sweetest thoughts (pie, pie, pie, did i mention pie) and best wishes for a speedy recovery. Congrats on the news coverage, that’s pretty kool.

Amy K. - Having taken a kid to the er recently, I feel for both of you!!! Hopefully you will get your equilibrium back today… and get some laundry done too. Watching that clip makes me want to go to Craft Weekend EVEN MORE, which I did not think was possible!

KirstenP - It’s awesome that your craft weekend was on TV! I wonder how long your waiting list will be since the broadcast?!?
I’m making pumpkin pie(I use the recipe on the Libby pumpkin can and Pillsbury refrigerated crust.) I’m also going to try pecan pie again. My previous attempts taste great but some of the yummy filling always ends up underneath the pie crust – and it’s hard to get the slices out of the pie plate.
It’s always hard to see a child wheeled off to surgery whether they’re 3 months, or a year, or 10 or 19. I hope Annie heals quickly and gets her lime green cast.
It’s time to attack my mountain of laundry and bake some pies. Happy Thanksgiving.

angie - Poor bunny! My Annie broke her foot last year so we certainly feel your pain! A very traumatic experience fir an 8 year old. Hope she heals quickly!!

Sarah - Sending prayers for Annie for less pain and a speedy, successful recovery. She’s lucky to have you watching over her. Your laundry story is darn funny, rest assured you’re not alone. We moved into a new home a few months ago so we’re set to have the crew at our place this year. I’m really looking forward to it! We also invited two other families to join us for dessert, should be a fun time. Enjoy your holiday too!

Elliottsurf - Meg, I am so sorry about poor Annie. I have two boys and between the two of them, they have broken 6 bones, some of them bad breaks that required surgery. It is so hard for a Mama to go through that! On a good note, congratulations to you on the craft weekend news story! You are awesome! Keep up the good work. You really are inspiring. I look at your blog daily for a little pick-me-up! xoxo

Susan - Oh no Annie ( I have a daughter named Annie too). I saw the picture on FB last night and I wondered who was in the hospital and I thought it was her. Praying for pain relief and a perfect healing for her. Sorry about your laundry situation…it mirrors my own and I am doing maybe 4 or 5 loads but I only have a family of 3! I am making pumpkin and sweet potato pie today. I have never made sweet potato pie but my brother in law loves them so I thought I would try…found a Paula Deen recipe so it should rock!

shannon - poor Annie, I hope you she feels better fast! Kids are def. not meant to be in bed all day 🙁 I’m attempting to take some Christmas card pics of my girls today and bake some choc. chip pumpkin bread for tomorrow. First I have to head to the grocery store, wish me luck with the crowds!
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

maggie - Poor annie, and poor you. It is hard letting your child go into surgery. Prayers for you all. Today i get to shoot some pictures with my friend and later i will be making some fabulous mac n cheese, not from the box. oh an probably some laundry too 🙂

Southern Gal - Praying she’s feeling better and that arm heals completely! I’ll trade and do your laundry if you’ll come dust and vacuum my house.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Tonya - Today I am reading your blog and laughing. I am so sorry about Annie but to hear what you said about having to climb over the laundry…so nice to hear that I’m not alone in that department! Hope that the rest of the week goes smoothly.

elma - I hope poor Annie feels better soon!! At least she has a long weekend to rest up!!
Congrats on the tv video it was awesome. I love hearing your voice!! I hope someday I can go!! Have a Blessed Thnaksgiving!!!

Heather - I hope Annie feels better soon!

tara - Hang in there, both of you. Good luck with the laundry. Watch a movie together and fold like crazy.
Your blog always makes me happy – thank you for that.

Renae - That video was fantastic! I keep imagining how excited I would be to be headed south to Newton to do Craft Weekend!! My husband would think I was nuts but as your readers understand, for me this would be heaven!! Have a blessed Thanksgiving Meg. Hope Annie is feeling a little better today and that her hair is back to normal! 🙂

Jules - Oh dear! Poor Annie! Hope she feels better soon. It is horrible being in plaster, although I remember when I had my leg in a cast when I was little it was so fun getting people to sign my cast and draw pictures – nothing as cool as a lime green cast then! x

Kelly - Oh I’ve been praying for Annie! And you! I’ve had a little one with a broken arm (although not nearly as bad as poor Annie’s!) and it’s rough! Hope you get a nap in between the nail painting and laundry.
So cool about the news story! 900+ on the waiting list! WOW! Thanks for sharing that clip with us!

Rebecca - Poor sweet Annie!! Praying for healing and wisdowm for the doctors and rest and comfort for you!! Ha

jerusalem - poor Annie! I feel her pain with my broken foot. So not fun at all : ( And I am with you on the laundry. TOO much. I will be sending prayers your way my friend.

Tracey - Poor Annie! My oldest broke his arm at basketball practice a couple of years ago. He sat thru the whole practice with ice on his arm and when I picked him up an hour later (because no one called me to let me know he was hurt) he burst into tears as soon as he got in the car. He lucked out though and was able to get a brace to wear for 6 weeks instead of a hard cast. So he was still able to shower and everything during the recovery time.
Today, I am baking pies for tomorrow, making jello salad (which I really don’t understand why it is called a salad), and snapping green beans. LOL! Oh, and putting up our Christmas tree! My husband is off this week so he wants to get it all done by Friday so he can go to a football game this weekend. 🙂

ira lee - bless her heart!!! i work at an orthopaedic clinic- we see this all the time!
i loved your video on the local news! how exciting! and i had NO CLUE so many people were on the waiting list- good for you!!!

Amy G - Meg, I can completely understand where your heart is and Annie’s with all of this. My daughter just had surgery on her hand last Wednesday and the hardest part was watching them take her behind the swinging door . . . with out me. So just know that this understanding momma is praying for you guys! We have watched A LOT of Little House On The Prairie this week. 🙂 The first thing to bring a smile to my daughters face wa when we told her she was free from dishes for a few weeks! 🙂

Stephanie - Poor little one! Why do things like that always happen on such a benign night? My son broke his arm when he was 2.5 and had to have surgery. Poor kid had a hard time sleeping because of the pain. 🙁 ill pray for your little Annie and you!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - I just watched the segment….AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alice H - oh poor Annie! How did she break it? I sprained my arm when I was in the 5th grade when my dad swiped me with a pillow during a pillow fight and I thought I would catch myself using my arm. No cast. But I had to wear a sling for 2 weeks. Hope she heals quickly!!
Sending good wishes that you get all of your laundry done!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - Oh gosh, poor Annie:( (Knock on wood) we’ve never been through broken bones. Mystery medical issues? Yes. Broken bones…never.
As for the news thing, I knew I noticed an IG pic with a news crew:) How exciting!(But really, they’re late to the game, right?:))Helloooooooooo people…this has been big news for over a year!:)

Dara - oh no, poor annie! get well soon!

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more.

September 4, 2012 Filed in photography,pretty,special,things i love

i know these look like the same pictures of that sunflower patch i posted about in july….but they are different.
i promise.
i went back a week later with no kids, my cowboy boots and my camera. 

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i was so happy out there clickin' away on an overcast morning with no one asking me "how much longer mom?"
"can we go now?"
"are you almost finished?"
i just clicked and clicked and clicked until i decided i was done.
that is an awesome feeling.

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this time they were ALL open and smiling at the sun.

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spider playing hide-and-seek at the bottom…
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i love the water droplets and pollen all over the leaves.  :)

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this one just needed another hour probably and all its petals would be open.

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that was the whole patch.
not a field but just enough and all about 5 feet tall.  
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and this one is my most favorite.
i love it.

i think i should just become a flower farmer.
i could just grow fields of flowers and take pictures all day long.
zinnias, black eyed susans, coneflowers, daisies and of course sunflowers.
wouldn't that be a completely dreamy job?

what do you dream about becoming?

just share…it's safe here.  :) 

 

add a comment

Jen H. - Hi Meg,
You have probably answered this question a bazillion and one times, but can you please tell me the type of camera you use? What is your favorite, everyday-type lens?
Because I dream of being a photographer! 🙂
Thanks so much!
Love,
Jen Honeycutt
Littleton, CO
jmcutt4@gmail.com

Tiffany - Ice cream taste-tester. 🙂

Heather R. - Bee one=my favorite! 🙂

April R - we lived in Europe for a short time and they had flower fields with a little stand or post with a box and you could pick them and then put some money in the box. honor system. It is a little sad that I’m still like, really? they just trust people? wow…
Kat’s reply made me think of Peter Pan. It’s longish but I love it.
[Mrs. Darling speaking quietly with Wendy, John, and Michael just before putting them to bed and going out with Mr. Darling to an important business party…]
Mrs. Darling: Your Father is a brave man, but he will need a special kiss before he can face his colleagues tonight.
John: Father? Brave?
Mrs. Darling: There are different kinds of bravery, John. There is the bravery of a thinking of others before oneself. Your father has never brandished a sword or fired a pistol – thank heavens – but he has made many sacrifices for his family and put away many dreams.
Michael: Where did he put them?
Mrs. Darling: (with a smile) He put them in a drawer. And sometimes late at night we take them out and admire them.
Michael: Are they pretty?
Mrs. Darling: Oh, yes. A put-away dream grows prettier every day. So pretty, it is harder and harder to close the drawer. But he does. And that is why he is brave.

karen gerstenberger - I would love to help those in the medical field by sharing what I’ve learned as the mother of a patient, so that they can empathize (without getting hurt) as they care for families. I would love to do more writing on all kinds of topics, and help others who have been through catastrophes to have hope; would love to grow in faith and service. I guess my dream job is writer/artist, and I am doing it part-time now…but it would help A LOT to get paid for it!
Also want to let you know that you inspired me to get some spray paint and get started! Thank you, Meg. Check out the table – it’s nearly done: http://www.karengberger.blogspot.com/2012/09/goodbye-august-hello-september.html

lisa - That last picture is amazing! Wow.
I dream of owning a stationery/paper store. Stationery, notecards, notepads…I love it and can’t have enough!

Dani - Beautiful! I saw a sunflower field this weekend and begged my husband to stop so I could take pictures. But, we were right in the last parts of the hurricane.
What do I want to be? I want to be a psychologist for the hearing impaired. Sounds strange? Yes, but I’m sure they need to have their thoughts heard too!
Maybe someday, I will do this!!

Rachel - All lovely photos but that last one is just excellent!

Angela A - You need to print some of those pics to sell when you open your Etsy shop. Please.
I am still working on my dreams–just now getting to where I can mentally do that. My right now dream is to keep working part time to have time to make quilts and other stuff and just to have space in my days so I’m a better mom and wife.

Natasha - I dream about running a bar in Key West that opens onto the sand and faces the sea. Some haunt that the locals hang out in, where I can live in flipflops and serve beer.

jenni@talkinghairdryer - I love the barn in this patch. It really adds to the character. Great pics!

Clare Heuer - Oh.my.goodness…absolutely LOVE the sunflowers!! They are my favorite flower and you just have to be happy around them!!
The real reason for my message is that I saw a quick preview for PARENTHOOD last night and it’s back on Sept. 11. I love, love, love that show and I know you do too. Tuesday nights just haven’t been the same lately without the Braverman family. 🙂
Blessings – Clare

jen - dreams are so amazing aren’t they? i have tucked my dreams away in a drawer and peek at them sometimes but know they are not possible for me right now. they include running a farm, being a photographer, learning graphic design, honing my sewing skills and opening my party/wedding planning business. those are mine. i hold them close.

Jen - Gorgeous, happy pictures! Thank you, Meg.
When I grow up, I’m either going to be one of Janet Jackson’s back-up dancers or Pink.

Su@TheIntentionalHome - love reading your readers’ dreams. . .makes me smile. Mine. . to speak at women’s conferences, retreats, etc on following God with reckless abandon. I feel alive. . I feel God’s pleasure when I speak. I’d also like to run parenting workshops, speak on parenting. . encourage young mothers. Your blog makes me smile. . .

Courtney - This flower farm is about an hour down the road from me, and it’s AMAZING http://www.wildseedfarms.com/
Funny you should ask about a dream job, my husband and I have been talking about it lately too – big crazy audacious goals if you had no restrictions what would you do type things.
I want to start a ministry and write a book for women and families dealing with pregnancy loss
I want to run a children’s ranch for anyone who needs a place to live and be loved
I want to be a farmer and run a CSA
I want to own and run a bed and breakfast
In the mean time I just want to work hard at whatever God tells me to.

Kat - I wish I knew what my dream was.
ten years at home with four gorgeous kids and the baby starts part time school next year, which I am partly dreading. sigh.
Maybe then I will rediscover what my dream is.
It was to be a Mum to four and that happened, so now I need a new dream…

Audrey - the sunflowers are gorgeous 🙂 I dream of owning my own bakery

Kate - I dream of opening a home photography studio…. specializing in kiddos. I dream of recording a CD one day. I dream of teaching other women how to start a photography business. I dream of adoption and wonder if God has that in store for me.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Have you ever heard of those farms of U-Pick flowers??? I have read about them… It’s my dream to show up at a place like that with shears and some Mason jars. Give me zinnias or give me death.
I know I didn’t answer your question, but this seemed more pressing.

Amber - Have you ever read Harvey potter’s balloon farm to your kids? It just all of a sudden made me think of you when you mentioned being a flower farmer (which does sound dreamy:)…).
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0688158455/ref=mp_s_a_1?qid=1346815084&sr=8-1
It’s a fun book & a little odd…but my daughter loves the pictures:). And I think you might too…

Nicole - …a wife, mama, and published writer. 🙂

Katie Beth - These are gorgeous. Hard to pick a favorite, but the last one is fun! I hope you print I sent arrived safely…if not, please let me know!

happygirl - I would love to learn how to take pictures and add them to my blog. Or, I’d like to learn how to be a wonderful cook and make wonderful food. A girl can dream. Oh yeah, and move to Daytona Beach, FL or SD, CA. 🙂

Amanda Kay - Meg! I found your dream school (would have emailed but it wasn’t working with my computer). http://www.veetje.be/kleur-op-school/
You’re so great and I LOVE the sunflower photo with the little honeybee! Makes my heart sing!

Amy Lynne - Ha! Love it!! 🙂

Amy Lynne - I would love to have my own fabric shop and be able to create all day long! I guess that is what I do on my summers off, minus owning the fabric shop 😉

Stephanie - A lottery winner.

Tracy Fisher - ps… i dream of living on the water one day and having a little art studio next to my home. tracy

Tracy Fisher - I think you should make a copy of one of those photos and put a bible verse in the center of the flowers. Just thinking. And would love one. 🙂 tracy

Amanda - I’ve always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Or host my own craft weekends.:-)

Tanya - a writer…and own a bakery.
I believe both will happen 🙂
lovely pics ~ I’d be running from the bees 😉

Valerie @ Chateau a La Mode - I wish I could design wedding dresses. Wouldn’t that be a romantic job? I would love that. Loving your sunny sunflowers!

the domestic fringe - Gorgeous, gorgeous photos! I love sunflowers.
~FringeGirl
thedomesticfringe.com

Tina I - I always dreamt of being a stay-at-home mom….some dreams do come true:-) My next dream is to find an old house, fix it up without killing its charm and sell it, then find another and another and another…..

Liesl - I dream of fields and fields of sunflowers like you have! They are hard to come by in Northern New Jersey! I just satisfy my desire to take pictures of sunflowers by heading to my sister’s patch of 6 🙂

Jessica - I dream of seeing those sunflowers in person!!

Jenny Joy - I love those photos. Sunflowers are my favorite… by a mile.
I want to become a professional cake decorator. The kind that has worker bees to actually BAKE the cake (it takes forever, and isn’t really my forte.) But I would spend most of my waking moments decorating. Fondant and gum paste and buttercream, OH MY! Cakes that fool the eye. Cakes that make people squeal. Cakes that people don’t want to cut into because they are just too darn pretty. It’s a nice thought. 🙂

sandee prince - a hip hop dancer. no joke.
gorgeous pics Meg.

Lisa - I particularly love the fifth picture from the top.
I dream about being a photographer. 🙂

amy cornwell - I love the sunflowers…I’d love to have a whole backyard full of flowers like you said: sunflowers, purple cone flowers, lavender, zinnias…all of the pretty ones to photograph. They’d call me the crazy flower lady, but I wouldn’t care. Love your shots, they brighten the day!

Sarah{Handbags*N*Pigtails} - I love that last one too…b/c hubby is a beekeeper on the side. Most people hate “bees”(they classify all kinds under one title)but our honeybees are pretty darned amazing and the honey is a really good natural combatant for allergies and such.

Alicia @ La Famille - i think a new fall header is in order with one of these babies!

Erica Haude - Where is this?!?! I really want to take Christmas pictures in sunflowers, as we just moved back to Kansas. I live close to you…so, if you could kindly point me in the direction of some sunflowers, I’d be much obliged to ya 🙂
oh, and I dream of being an Equine Therapist for abused children.

Molly - Owning my own jewelry business. You should sell these on Etsy. Love sunflowers. I’d love to grow them but don’t really have a place for them. Trying to see if I could grow them in my backyard somewhere.

Tiffany - Dreams…I’ve always dreamed of owning my own business. And I’m all over dat. Hellooo etsy. P.S. I saw a sunflower calendar at bn a week or so ago and thought of your blog, whatever!

Tracy - Gorgeous photos as always, Meg. The last one is awesome!! Thanks for sharing! 🙂

stephany - I would grow the exact same flowers…

Lisa M. - Beautiful pictures, thank you! Sadly, no dreams. Isn’t that horrible? I’m a wife, mom, and I stay at home running a business. Life is busy and it just seems hard to dream sometimes, ya know? Being a wife and mother are two of the most gratifying things I have ever done in my life, but the business end of life isn’t something I’d choose to do again (the actual business I’m in, not actually being in business for myself. That part of it is great and has allowed me to be home with my son. Something I thank God for.). But it’s where I’m at now and just pray that God will help me through it and that I will eventually discover His will. I know He puts each one of us on this earth with special gifts and a plan for our lives and I’m hoping to discover what that is. I know He has something great planned and I know He will reveal it to me when the time is right. Anyhow, enough of that. I have an awesome life and a wonderful family. God has already blessed me in countless ways!

Maria - Simply beautiful photos! Would love to take a road trip to Kansas for the blooming sunflowers!
when I grow up I would love to be a photographer and fiber artist….

Terrie G - I wasn’t able to get super pics of sunflowers this summer. The field just didn’t cooperate. Not enough rain… 🙁
I’m with you! I would come and take pics of flowers in your fields all day long.
I’ve been blessed to live the best dream of my life…momma and now grandma.
But, a year ago…I knew I needed something else.
My dream is to learn photography…
And I’ve had so much fun learning all facets the past year.
I have a lot to learn…but it’s why I took it up.
There will always be something new to learn and
never a shortage of pictures to take!
Thanks for all your pics…you always inspire me!!

Beth McClintock - Love this post and I actually borrowed a picture and made it my screen saver on my phone 🙂

Southern Gal - Lovely shots. The last is my favorite, too.
My dream is to grow in my photography. I’d like to take some courses to help me get there. I want to take beautiful portraits of my children and granddaughters just for me and my family.

Lori H - Secretly I would love to be a photographer, but as I don’t even own a working camera at the moment (point and shoot died) that isn’t really possible. Also want to be a reading tutor for elementary kids. Reading is soooo important!!

Paula S. - Good for you for going back without the kids! I would love to be a stay at home mom most of all. A bonus would be to have time for a flower garden, money to redo my house and the chance to do small photography jobs from time to time.

Stacy - Current dream is to work, and be paid, to do curriculum development. Specifically, arts for children’s education & camp. Performing arts, visual arts – including wicked projects. I feel like I’ve been working towards this place for a few years. I’m good at it. Now, to find employment in this area that will still allow me to pick my kiddo up when school is over and to stay home with her during school breaks. So, big dream with those requirements….Thanks for the safe place to dream.

elma - Love these pictures!!!

Janelle - I dream of becoming a professional newborn baby rocker 😉

amy jupin - i am so glad i clicked over just as you were posting these.
(in my mind anyways, no scheduling posts!)
i just wrote about owning a shop, a little piece of beauty, with a striped awning and big flower boxes and vintage goodies stacked tall, chippy hutches and pretty candles and, and, and…
it’s all there.
my dream.
and you can come take pictures of it for me!
and kimberlee will bring cinnamon rolls and we’ll have lovely lattes and oh my, it will be wonderful!
🙂
so happy to have this dream.

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blue lily is my fave.

August 28, 2012 Filed in awesome bloggers,crazy stuff,me me me,photography,special

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hello.

our last day of GoPro we had a session of discussing business plans & ideas, a flash seminar, camera cleaning, personalized critiques (that's a good thing) and two more shoots.

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some of our group went up on the gondola and hiked around.
but i could barely walk around the house and up the stairs so i wasn't up for a hike.
i stayed at the house and we practiced on each other and did headshots.  :)
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i am thinking my editing looks funny on all of these….hmmm.
it's hard to learn something new!

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there was a fox that was all around the house during our stay.
he was wild but seemed to really not care that we were there.
we were all very close and he ignored us.
weird.
and cool. 

i promised the girls that if he attacked i would be sure to take lots of pictures of that.
and then of course i would try to help save them. 

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we had our group photo very impromptu… with some taxidermy.

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coolest group photo ever taken….NO OFFENSE.

 

we went out in the evening to practice some harsh lighting shots.
wendy and tyler had us turn our backs and then when we turned around this is what we saw!

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how crazy cute are those masks?!!
so so funny.
these are their kids…not wendy and tyler in the masks.  :)

(ps…their kids are so lovely…i want to squeeze them.)

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they said the masks were ordered from amazon.

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not as cute on a grown up….

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my new friends.  :)
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we went on to our last photo shoot of the weekend.
i was so excited.
i was going to be one of the models!!

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everyone was helping wendy set up.
it's looking cool already….
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well….i don't have many pictures yet since i was IN the shoot….but it ended like this.

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that's my kind of modeling job.
 
we had a big paint war!!!

6 of us threw paint on each other while the other 16 people photographed it.
it was washable craft paint mixed with water to make it fly faster. 

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it was SO MUCH FUN!!!

and you can see our photo shoot last year with colored powder here.

i can't say which one i liked better….they were both AWESOME. 

you can read about it here on the Blue Lily blog and see when the next GoPro workshop is.

if you are considering going to a workshop….DO IT.
you will learn so much.
you will be encouraged.
you will meet people who love what you love and have great ideas.
you will be SO glad you took the leap and tried something BIG.

and check their travel schedule….they take pictures ALL OVER THE WORLD.
get signed up for a photo session with them near you! 

you will be so happy you did it.

thank you AGAIN wendy & tyler.  
i loved my time with you.

 

add a comment

Jodi - I LOVE this recap! Your photos are awesome and thanks for including photos of me! Oh, and the striped shirt is from Anthropologie! It was my pre-reunion splurge.
I loved meeting you in person, Meg. You have been a long time inspiration of mine and it was nice as you said….to come full circle. The real Meg only strengthened my adoration for your blog, your photography, your words, and all of the inspiration that I feel when I am here at your blog!
Hugs!

Tracy - Loved this post! The foxy fox pics are amazing. Also love the paint pics. O a personal note I am so excited as we’re doing a family shoot with the awesome Wendy & Tyler in October…one of my bucket list things will be done! Now if I could just borrow your amazingly gorgeous hair…

Carol Short - oh, wonderful pictures!
i love the fox stretching out
(sudoku puzzles)

Peggy Lee - Fantastic!Really its very owsome!I like very much this post and i would like to forward this to my friends to visit this page.Thank you lot.
gotowe prace dyplomowe

Amy@littleforalittlewhile - So much awesomeness in this post I don’t even know where to begin! You are gorgeous and your hair is rockin in these pics!

Donna R - Fantastic! Great pics of an awesome weekend. You were a great sport to get pummeled with paint!

Kelley Wenzel - Such an awesome weekend all around. Loved the shot you got of the fox yawning and the cougar over Wendy’s head as it was being carried around. Enjoyed Sunday morning getting to know you better, as well as the drive back to Denver. Thanks for sharing so many of your pics!

Ashley F. - Seriously awesome weekend, I don’t think I fully appreciated it until seeing it all laid out like this! I am SO happy to have met you and discovered your awesome blog. I have pictures to send you. 🙂

Lisa - The paint picture of you is seriously amazing. What an awesome thing to be a part of.

Tiffany - The paint war looks like a blast! And you look adorable all paint splattered! I recently got word that I’m going to Craft Weekend, and I can hardly contain my excitement! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog and following you on instagram, and love it even more knowing that I will actually get to meet you soon! Is that so strange, having a total stranger so excited to meet you? I told my husband it’s like I’m getting to meet a celebrity! 🙂

Flower Patch Farmgirl - 1. I am so stinking fascinated by that striped shirt with the orange lace up top. Yum.
2. You have good hair and look beautiful with paint splatters.

Tiffany - That photo of u after the paint war is full of color! Its a great shot. This post was full of encouragement, go big or go home!

jackie grandy - What an amazing weekend and those photos totally rock! I especially love the ones of the fox (so cool) and the one of you covered in paint is a keeper. Maybe you should get it framed and hang it up. It has tons of color and it’s so modern looking! I’m being serious here!
I need to work on taking more photos of people. I’m taking way too many shots of food and not enough of my family and friends. I have been trying to change that and my kids are like “get that camera away.”
I think I may have to look into a weekend photography course!
Jackie 🙂

Karly Shelton - Reading your blog ALWAYS makes me smile and think of all the good things there are in life! Beautiful pictures and I want to do a paint war soooo bad!

Agnieszka - Just a word of caution about wild animals that are not afraid of humans. Sometimes it means they are infected by rabies. Apparently that’s one of the symptoms. And they may look fine otherwise. Keep it in mind for the future.
Looks like you had sooooo much fun! I’m jealous, especially of that last shoot 🙂

Lisa M. - Oh Meg, it looks like you had such an awesome time! I love the paint war!! Wish I could get some of my friends to participate with me in somehting like that!! 🙂 Blue Lily is coming to a town near me, but it is unfortunately about 2 hours away and we are already so full of obligations that day, but I’m trying to work it out!! I love their work and it would be such a privelage to have them photograph me and my family.
Great post! Thanks for sharing!

Kati - Love the masks and the color paint throwing!! So much fun!

Brooke - I have ALWAYS loved Blue Lily…back before you could “pin”, I had one of their photos bookmarked and I have always thought back on it when I am taking photos of people. I’m saving up for one of their workshops…but honestly…saved up for craft weekend first… 🙂 So glad I’m coming that in just a couple weeks!
I am dreaming of a paint session with friends of mine this fall…I”ll have to get all the deets about how that went down. It looks super fun. I was thinking of having a canvas that the whole family could paint on during the session (as they are throwing paint), so that they have something to hang on their wall afterwards.
in other news…those masks are AWESOME.
Your friend in the blue/white stripe shirt with the orange lace…I WANT TO OWN THAT SHIRT….can you hook me up with her? Her info?

Lori Austin - Had to show my hunter husband the animal pics. He said “that mountain lion
probably cost about $4,000 – sure hope they didn’t drop it!” Ha! 🙂
My little guy LOVED the fox pics.
Fun weekend.

happygirl - Love the pics after a paint war and those masks are adorable. What a wonderful experience this looks to be. Good for you for pursuing your passion.

Jennifer - LAUGHING OUT LOUD! WHAT fun?!! Those masks! HILARIOUS!

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pretending we know how to do this…

July 17, 2012 Filed in family fun,special

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we don't fish unless we are at our friends house with the pond.
with grown ups who can take the fish off the hook when we catch them.
i just can't do it.
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they had to wait all afternoon for Mike to get home from work to fish.
and when he was still in his truck they said "can we fish now?!!"
they love that part of the day.
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my friend adam was there for a bit and helped with the slimey stuff.

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any fish is a good fish.

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remeber these two from Country Living oh so long ago???
still fishin' buddies after all these years.
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annie caught a large mouth bass….
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weird.
you could see the gills and the worm on the hook!

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we tried to get jackson to throw it in for us but he was sure he did not want to.
i am with you jackson!

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craig and Joel came after work too.
annie was telling him how big her catfish was.  

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we had a big dinner all together….kids every where…. yummy food….perfect weather….
excellent day in my life.

and waffle's too.
(except when he kept getting in the water where we were fishing and then got wrapped up in our lines and then took off and ran around me and craig and was all twwisted up in the dumb fishing line and broke the line and a hook in his fur…. ugh.  we are so bad at this fishing thing… even our dog doesn't know what to do!)

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i searched back for other fishing with our family….

first time…       waffle's first time….    this one has a video 🙂    

i am in love with these pictures and memories.
what special friends we have that will take the time to make these memories with us!

 

so tell me, do you fish?
do you take the hook out yourself?
am i just a big wimp and need to get over it already?
or do you agree that it's nasty and you don't do it either?

 

add a comment

she - you’re really pretty…and this is coming from a 15 year old girl so you know you have to be really pretty for someone like me to say that

shea B - I caught my first fish, a rainbow trout, when I was almost three. I’ve loved it ever since. I eventually started baiting my own hook and then moved on to taking the fish off the hook. I’m 33 now and I still love to go to the river. My two little girls, who are 1 and 3, had their first fishing experience on Father’s Day. They squealed with delight while reeling it in and then freaked and burst into tears when they saw the fish flopping around on the ground. Memories! I’m glad you let your kiddos experience things even if you’re not a big fan.

s - can’t put hook in worm or take fish off hook. funny story…when i was a kid, wanted to cast overhead like my brothers, caught my head instead, and what freaked me out the most? the HUGE nightcrawler in my hair. had to sit in dr’s waiting room with a hook and worm in my head (one of my brothers must have been smart enough to cut the line – I don’t recall having to hold onto the pole!) problem is, to get a hook out, you have to push it past barbs, so they had to push it in further, cut barbs, and take it out. I don’t recall any pain, just complete mortification and the whole ick factor with the worm! no idea how my mom handled it – I would probably would scream all the way to the dr’s if it happened to one of mine!

elizabeth - those fish are beautiful!

Dani - Nasty! And that comes from a true country girl! I just can’t do it. Baiting the hook doesn’t bother me. I don’t like to touch the slimy fish that is flopping all around! We have a pond… but unfortunately it’s full of humongous snakes! So, no swimming in it for us!

Melissa - We fish. And I remove the hook. It makes me a cool mom….and I have three boys so it kind of a requirement. LOL
Mike looks younger now than he did in ’09.

Melanie - I lived in the country when I was a kid and did all that gross stuff — putting worms and insects on the hook, taking fish off the hook. When I fished again as an adult, I realized I am just too grossed out by the whole thing, and especially don’t like murdering worms to do so. And UGH! taking the fish off the hook? Just can’t do it anymore. So no, I don’t think you need to just “get over it”.

sandy toe - I love those pictures of the fish and kids- so bright and pretty!
sandy toe

joyce - Great photos. Yes I dont do the slimy stuff either!

Anna - Ummmm that’s what dads are for! I have wonderful memories fishing with my dad. Even at 31 he still takes the fish off the hook for me!

Amy @ Little for a Little While - Completely nasty and I have never baited my own hook or unhooked my own fish. Yuck!

mollie's mom - I cannot stand to bait the hook or take the poor fish off the hook so, of course, every.single.time I fish I have amazing luck catching fish. Go figure!!!
I am in love with that pond 🙂
marcie

lisa currie-gurney - Annie still has a polka dot bathing suit!!!
Hugs From My Heart

Michelle From Australia - Living in a City of over one million people, my idea of fishing is going to the Fish Markets and buying something ready to cook. As long as it is product of Australia or New Zealand or South Africa where we know that health and hygiene standards are enforced.

Lynne - Love, love the picture of Annie showing her dad how big her fish was! So sweet!

Elizabeth Grandon - Love it! I fish, but mostly just the casting, reeling, and taking pictures…I let me husband take the hook off. We fish for larger types like Musky, Northern Pike, etc. so it can get complicated with taking the fish off…He LOVES IT, and I love relaxing on the water/taking pictures/and occasionally fishing 🙂 I should blog about it soon!

Lori - My boyfriend has gotten me into fishing and I like it 🙂 I went Deep Sea Fishing out of Port Aransas, TX this summer. However, I’m totally with you on the nasty. I definitely don’t take the hook out myself. That’s what boys are for 🙂

Janet - I have learned to love fishing. My kiddos even convinced me to take them – by myself – without my husband, the hook and worm guy. 🙂 I always make sure I have my trusty yellow kitchen gloves and a big towel. That way I don’t have to “handle” those slimy fish. I even have my own little “tackle box” with a small plyers to reach in for those swallowed hooks. The kids have a ball and I don’t have to get all gross – everyone wins!
Janet – WI

Rach - I loved fishing as a kid. So fun and such good memories. I can relate most in this post to the picture of the little boy next to Annie though. That’s my youngest right now. Always trying to get into things. Can’t imagine what he would do with a pond and some fish.

Routhie - I love fishing and have gone my entire life, mostly with my father and brothers, but really, my entire family loves it. Being from TX we mostly fished in lakes and the Gulf of Mexico. Having said that, it takes me a while to brave baiting my hook (they use live shrimp) and I absolutely do not unhook my fish. Ew. Having said that, a friend has offered to teach me how to fly fish with the stipulation I get over these things. We shall see.

roganne - you are totally right…fish are slimey and gross. there is something really creepy about their eyes too…{shudder} they obviously shouldn’t be trusted 🙂

Jenny B - I haven’t fished in a LONG time, but used to go often with my dad and friends when I was a kid. We camped on the Buffalo River several times, and fishing was a daily event during those trips. My grandparents lived on a farm and had a pond. “Pops” would take me fishing there whenever I wanted to go. In all those times, I have NEVER – NOT EVEN ONCE – baited my own hook. No, thank you. 🙂

Heather - I love fishing! I grew up in central FL where there are lakes everywhere, not to mention the Gulf of Mexico, so there were lots of places to go. It was a special thing I did with my Dad. We never kept anything we caught- it was just the experience of being up early while it was still cool, enjoying the quiet and stillness of the water. The worms and hooks don’t bother me at all, but I still get a little skittish sometimes using crickets as bait. 🙂

sue - I hate fishing. That hook looks nasty for the fish and it must hurt it.

Krista - Their home is absolutely beautiful, the pond, the flowers, everything!! I must be reading your blog FOREVER, because I totally remember you posting about being in Country Living, and then seeing it in the magazine when it came in the mail… doesn’t time fly!?!

Heather S. - Don’t fish. Not my thing. If I’m going to sit around and do nothing, I’d rather be on a raft, reading a book. 🙂
My daughter has the same suit as the cutie in the pic with Annie. Such a cutie!

Judy - I don’t fish. I don’t want to learn. Yuck. And I’m not a patient person:). My 18 year old son has started fishing with his friends. I got a text from him one night at midnight asking if they could clean the fish in our kitchen! I said yes, as long as you clean up.
I slept right through it. And in the morning the kitchen was spotless! Such good guys:).
The garbage…not so much after a couple days of 100+ temps. I feel sorry for the garbage man!
Thanks for sharing your awesome photos!

happygirl - Haha, fishing. I love fishing, but I don’t care if I catch any fish. I just like to be out there with a pole in the water and being quiet. And, the best way to photograph fish is to have the holder, hold the fish out arms length in front of them. Makes the fish look HUGE. It’s all about size, doncha know.

shiela - so cool to enjoy the nature & everything in it…instead of being bombarded/hypnotized by all the high-tech gadgets these days, especially living in southern california! wonderful fishing time…wish i was able to do that when i was little….

Lisa - I grew up fishing with my dad and we had to do everything if we wanted to fish.
That was his rule. 🙂 He would help if we needed it but we had to try.
It is still a little gross to me but I do it. I have some of the
best memories fishing with my dad and now my kids are the ones looking
forward to it every year!!

Mickie Lara - That looks like such an awesome place. Just another time that I find myself wanting to crawl into your summer pictures (even just to sit out under the tree and have coffee in the morning…)and enjoy some of those places. I was a Kansas girl too but never saw a pond like that one! And, yes I like to watch my husband and both grandpas fish with my son but…I can not participate at all. Not with the worms, not taking them off the hook or even throwing them back in. I’m too wimpy but oh well… that’s what dads and grandpas are for!

Jessica - We fish with my father-in-law at his lake house. I’ll hold the pole, but like you I don’t handle any fish. I love that my children will have these memories of fishing with their grandpa!

christiejayne - Wow! I have that Country Living edition, and I totally remember reading your little blurb! Crazy!!

Alice H - and Annie is still in a polka-dot suit!
I remember fishing with my grandpa when I was younger. I loved it.
And now that I am a mom to an 11 year old boy and a 2 year old boy, I like to take them fishing. Luckily, I don’t have to touch the worm or fish because my older son doesn’t mind doing that. Even my 13 year old girl enjoys it!

jen - we fish. originally from vancouver – fishing is big there. i worked, on and off, in a local fish market for 10 years {through high school and between careers.} i actually caught one myself last summer in vermont after having my line in for about 30 seconds – i wasn’t very popular back at camp as the boys had been trolling the lake for about 3 days and nothing – sorry guys!
call me next time to help with the lines and the gutting – i’m pretty good at that! 😉

Sharla - What a beautiful place!

laura b - We don’t fish either. I went once as a child and was really bored. However, I would like my kids to try it out to see what they think. But I’m a bit overwhelmed, like you. The whole worm on a hook. And what to do with the fish when you catch it. Yuck!

Han - I don’t fish. I’m not sure I have the patience for it but I’d love to try it once just to say that I have tried it.

Kim - My kids love fishing. I don’t. I don’t do worms or fish. Thank goodness for my husband. He takes them fishing every year, mostly when we are up at the cottage. I’m much better at cheering from the sideline.

Gretchen - I fish. Started as a child, and my late husband got my son hooked. I bait the line, take the fish off, throw them back. Fishing is a great way to learn patience. Love sitting by the water and soaking up nature!

stephany - Yep. We fish.
I started young with my dad…fishing streams and beaver ponds in the Colorado Rockies.
I have fished all my life.
I put the worm on, take the hook out…it’s not enjoyable, but it’s part of fishing.
We started our kids fishing last year (our boy was 3 and our girl was 1 at the time).
We fish at least once a month from April-October.
The Tualatin River is walking distance from our house, so we just throw some worms in…we catch sunfish, catfish, carp, large and small mouth bass, and crawfish.
I’ve blogged about it a few times…you can search for fishing on my blog.

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a favorite of mine….

June 25, 2012 Filed in friends,special

this past weekend i got do something i love for someone i love.
that is a favorite of mine.
don't you enjoy doing something you love soooo much more when you get to bless someone else?!

my friend's son got married and my friends and i were honored to prepare and serve the rehearsal dinner.
we were the mother of the groom's friends….
you know…like at YOUR wedding when your mom's friends took a picture?  
and you thought they looked old then?
yeah….that is ME now?!!!

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surely we don't look as old our parents did????  ha ha ha

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i love flowers.
i cut from the craft house, bought sunflowers at the grocery store & pulled over and cut wildflowers in the fields.
they came together so beautifully.

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the meal was simple and perfect.
a group effort of friends and family.
and all family recipes of the groom's favorite foods.

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engagement photos were blown up at kinkos in poster size.
we used spray adhesive to mount them onto plywood.
and then they were hung from the rafters in the barn.

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the happy couple….adorable.  :)

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the craft house tables and chairs took a little field trip this weekend for the party.
hay bales served as seating and even made a loveseat for the bride and groom.
 
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this old door made a perfect frame.  

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the parents of the groom…..
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time to eat!  
pulled pork sandwiches, cheesy potatoes, baked beans & pasta salad….SO YUMMY.

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the parents of the bride….
 
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wildflowers + mason jars + candles = happiness. 

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my beautiful friends.
this picture gets me all emotional….love them so much.
we had such a nice day together preparing to help our friend become a mother-in-law. 
🙂
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YAY is the perfect word!

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after dinner we got the dessert ready….homemade ice cream and four kinds of cake!
 
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ice cream served in jars with your choice of strawberry, peanut butter, chocolate or banana sheet cake.
this was absolutely DELICIOUS! 
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the sun went down and the candles and twinkle lights were so pretty.
we enjoyed some time when everyone went home just soaking up the day.
what a blessing it was to be a part of it….to prepare something special for our friend.

AND get to do some of my favorite things at the same time….decorate AND eat good food! 

my heart is full today.
bursting practically.
i am a happy happy girl.

 

add a comment

Laurel - So fun! Where did you get the little paper trays for the cake?

Lisa - That is seriously gorgeous! I love the rustic simplicity and those giant pictures were amazing. Great job!

the whyte house - i JUST saw their wedding photos on facebook via their photographer’s page YESTERDAY!! such gorgeous kids! 🙂 congrats to the families!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/media/set/?set=a.10151233514944148.550899.212372784147&type=1

Heather @ Glitter and Gloss - Wow, what a gorgeous party!! Congrats to the adorable couple!

amy jupin - what a special party for a special little family!
i loved this…each and every detail.
great job ladies!
and congrats jana! xoxo!

Heather Mattos - megan. it is all so so SO amazing.

julia - This party should be featured in a magazine.

Jill - OH MY! Spectacular!!! Love this party!!!
Oh, and Meg…you are rockin those cowboy boots! DIG EM!

Charisse - Meg – Have you seen the farm video that’s going viral on youtube? It’s called ‘I’m Farming and I Grow It’. I’m spreading the word for my neighbor boys that made it. We live north of Newton in Saline County. It’s awesome! Hope you check it out. Stay cool.

Mary - SWOON!!!
i love everything about this so much!
you did a really great job. 🙂

Tiffany - Beautiful! That whole event must have been pure sweetness! You are one creative, thoughtful, and inspiring person! What a blessed couple!

julie - That’s it. I’m moving. Possibly getting remarried. Or having a rehearsal anniversary dinner. Or something.

Jenn N - I just adore all you and your friends did to make this day. Everything; the barn, photos, decor, food, all fantastic!

Alicia @ La Famille - i love the heck out of this!! great job!!

Carrie - I likely will never remarry (or date again) but if I do I want you to come do my wedding! Beautiful! 🙂

Tracy Fisher - Wow. Love that setting. Makes me long for the country. 🙂 -Tracy

Linda - I want to have a party!! Just like the one who threw! Maybe in the fall with a fire…mmm….thanks for the inspiration. Love what you did! Could you share a bit about the chair paint colors sometime?

Valerie @ Chateau A La Mode - It was all so beautiful. My kind of party. So glad you are a blessing to others as well as you are blessed to be a good friend. ..lucky you!

kasey - seriously makes me miss the parties i used to throw by looking at these photos….

Carla - I have been following your blog for a couple of years now and hands down, this is my favourite post. Wow, wow, wow. What an amazing looking party, everything looked just perfect. Love the blown-up photos, the love seat, the light, the barn the adorable couple, the impossibly young-looking mother-in-law and friends. Everything jsut looks perfect. I know its a bit of an ask but could you plan more parties so that your blog readers can devour all the eye-candy on a regular basis lol 🙂 And you guys ARE so young. I’m the same age as you and my eldest is just 4. MOst of my friends’ kids are around the same age so when they start getting married, we are going to be officially OLD. especially if they wait as long as their parents did…I don’t even want to think about it…but hey, i have alot of cute ideas for the party 🙂

Alice H - Everything looks PERFECT!! This is such a great idea.
Just a few questions: how many people were you serving? And how many pork shoulders/butts did you buy? And can you share the recipes for those cakes?
Thanks in advance if you make the time to answer these questions.

jeannett - you should throw a party for me.
because that is ridiculous cute.
dumb california being so far from dumb kansas.
who can we talk to about this???

Dani - Beautiful! I love the pictures from the rafters. Simple, yet beautiful!

Dana @ Bungalow'56 - Megan,
I always look at events like these in magazines. You and your friends are so creative, it truly looked like a perfect night. The thought given to small detail and the meal… oh my goodness, just amazing. Your friend is one lucky lady to have you ladies in her life.
Dana

Lela Pohlmann - I wanna throw a party and have you come and decorate. What an absolutely perfect setting for a party! You girls are awesome!

Stephanie - So, so beautiful! You have a gift! I love everything about this especially the tribute to friendship- how special:)

Jen Brandt - I want to be there, Meg! I can see why your heart is so full. You did such a nice job. Beautiful!

april - What a wonderful weeding! For reals if I could redo my wedding it would be just like this! xoxo
april

amber - Wow! You all pulled together such a beautiful dinner! And so much sweeter doing it with dearly loved friends. So so lovely! I am so inspired! Among everything (which i loved it all!) I absolutely love that old door as a picture frame! What a fabulous idea!

dcure@carolina.rr.com - You need to go into business! Rent out that barn for occasions! GREAT job! It was beautiful, and makes my heart happy for you to know that the sweet couple will look back on those pictures years from now and remember how special the party was! Awesome!!!

Jen - I must say that there is NOTHING I don’t adore here. Great idea for the photos, the flowers, the dessert, the candles……wonderful!

Elizabeth - OMG! That was so Beautiful! What wonderful memories this couple will have.

Katie N. - I loved my parents’ friends – always so special how they helped us out like decorating for weddings and such – a true sisterhood!

Heather - Everything about this is show stopping. It’s all so beautiful. These pics, like mostly all of your others, make me long to live in Kansas. The lifestyle seems so…I don’t know…country I guess? Warm and inviting.

Michelle From Australia - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful, beautiful.

Mindy Harris - swoon over all of this! this is how i would want my rehearsal dinner if i was getting married to shawnie again.
the couple looks so young…sigh…so were we.
good job on all the decor–burlap does wonders.

karen gerstenberger - You are such a good friend, Meg. God bless the happy couple and their family and friends!

Makila - Amazing. I loved everything but I loved the picture of your friends the most. It is a blessing to walk through life with friends. A complete blessing. Thank you for sharing.

Lisa - Perfection! I’m all the time imagining what I would do if I had to plan a wedding/rehearsal/reception NOW instead of when I was 22. THIS is it. So, so perfect! Nice job, ladies 🙂

Chris - Good Lord…when do you sleep?! BEAUTIFUL!!! You are so creative!! I’m so jealous….

Barbara Nelson - So amazing loved it all the cake & ice cream idea was so smart!

Julia S. - I can’t even begin to explain to you how much a LOVE this party! it’s beautiful and makes me so happy. i just keep looking at these pics over and over again. And serving the homemade ice cream in mason jars…brilliant…i keep thinking “why haven’t I thought of that????” I have GOT to do that for fourth of July!!! Thank you for sharing. You and your friends did an outstanding job!!!

Becki - Beautiful! AND you DON’T look old. None of you!

Christy - How Beautiful! Meg you really can do it all girl

Jenna@CallHerHappy - Meg, this could have been the wedding! How gorgeous. How warm. How welcoming. Just beautiful!
Jenna
callherhappy.com

Amy @ Little for a Little While - What an awesome idea for a party! I want to find a reason to have a barn party! And you’ll help decorate and cater it, right? 😉

betsy - Looks like a great party! You & your friends look like you aren’t old enough to be married … which means the bride & groom look like they could be in high school!
I bet many fun memories were made 🙂

Ashley - This all looks amazing.
How did you make the YAY sign? I have a birthday party coming up and want to make a little hanging flag sign myself!
thanks!

Sarah Wolfe - That seems like the perfect celebration. Everything came together beautifully. Great job!

Stephanie@Geezees - wow – as always your pics are amazing here! That was beautiful!

TAB - Absolutely beautiful. Charming displays and somewhat magical. Your friend was blessed to have you girls to set up the rehearsal dinner. Gorgeous!

roganne - have you done this before?!? this party looks like a professional organized it! great job, you should feel very proud 🙂

keri - forever folding laundry - This is just perfect.
Not only the evening – which was obviously amazing! Loved it all.
But I love the sentiment behind it all: the friendship and community and bond you all share.
Just lovely – all of it!
And she is not old enough to be a MIL. Period.

Cheryl E. - WOW, WOW, WOW!!!
Just beautiful…. all of it… the huge photos of the bride and groom, the wildflowers, the hay, the mason jars, home-cooked food…. all of it made with L.O.V.E.

Laura - NO WONDER YOU ARE EXHAUSTED!!!!!!!
good for you for making the time to do what you love
the prettiest light of all at that party were the FRIENDS
beautiful job
the happy couple looks YOUNG YOUNG YOUNG
(or am I just old?)

Christy K - It looks like you all had an amazing time… and who wouldn’t in an amazing setting like that?? Love all the little details, and as always your photos are just fantastic! This post definitely brought a huge smile to my face. Everything looked just perfect. : )

Jenn - Glorious! What a great way to do a rehersal dinner. So laid back, yet it has a sweet country elegance to it. I’m sure everyone was thinking, “this is the best rehersal dinner I’ve been to.” Well done!

Jenn - Glorious! What a wonderful way to do a rehersal dinner. So laid back, yet still with sweet country elegance. I’m sure everyone was thinking, “this is the best rehersal dinner I’ve ever been to.” Well done!

Tanya H - Wow! So much happy in this post! Its all so fabulous! The door “frame” made me gasp! 🙂 So many awesome ideas too!

Kati - Amazing!! I love all the details. Those huge pictures are amazing too! It looks like a fun laid back event. Makes me wish I had a big barn to host parties at!

Suzanne - how sweet! love the ice cream and cake bar!

Kimberly Dial - It’s all so lovely!

happygirl - Ice cream in jars. GENIUS!! This was a stunning, but simple affair. Perfect. 🙂

Kimberlee Jost - Happiness for Jana!
I love her so!!!!

Casey - This is one of the most lovely parties I have ever seen in my life 🙂 It’s always a tough balance with weddings to make things “perfect” and “special” enough and still make people feel comfortable and laid back being there. You hit the nail on the head. Fabulous.

Flower Patch Farmgirl - Nothing beats a barn bash! You did real good. Perfection!
ps – Pass the PB sheet cake.

Tammy - Absolutely beautiful! I’m so inspired!! Love your blog and uplifting posts.

mollie's mom - What a sweet and simply tasteful party – it couldn’t have been more perfect. Marcie

shannon - What a beautiful dinner rehearsal. Love, love, love all the rustic touches and that it was laid back and simple making it much more enjoyable for everyone there.
You guys did a great job!

Pamela Gordon - This is such a fun looking party! I love every photo and detail. Great job!

Katy B - What an absolutely beautiful party!!!

tiffany gardner - stunning. i loved everything about this post! thanks for sharing. 🙂

Lori Danelle - Absolutely PERFECT. And I remember when he was born! Good grief – I keep feeling old!! 😉

Maria Bryan - you are amazing! Everything is beautiful…you inspire me so much!

jennibell - What a beautiful party!!!

sofie - Gorgeous. You are all very talented!

Andrea - Meg….so beautiful…what a true friendship. What a sweet couple (they look so young…maybe I am getting so old…)……best wishes to them!

Kate - Oh, this is so beautiful! I’m so happy for you! What a beautiful group of friends.

Tiffany - Definitely made me want to call all my High School friends over to cook, decorate and take pictures. Love really is what it is all about. You mommas showed up and that makes me smiiiiiiiiile a mile wide. I have a son and I know how much it would mean to have my friends help me get my baby boy ready for a wife and a new life. AAAAAAAAGH!! But alas he is just 16. Thanks for sharing Ms Meg.

Linda - perfection!

laura b - Everything looks so lovely and relaxed. My brother just had his wedding reception (they married in a private ceremony a month earlier) and they did a lot of the decorating and cooking themselves, but they seemed so busy and stresssed. I’m afraid they didn’t get to enjoy their special day as much as they should have! I’m sure it helps that they have so many friends to help out!

Terrie G - Oh.My.Gosh!! I LOVE it all!! You gals did a great job!
You don’t look old at all!! Your friend doesn’t look old
enough to have a son getting married! I just feel old every time I see A!
🙂
You had quite the gamut of emotions this week. Loved seeing all the
treasures from your family this week. And that quilt was to die for!
Thanks for sharing all of it with us. So sorry for your family’s loss.
My thoughts and prayers were with you!

Jana Banana - Really beautiful–so obvious that love is in the details! Well done and all best to the new couple!

christiejayne - Wow!! What a stunning party! And cute couple!!

Rachel J - WOW!
This is AH-mazing! Love the decor and simplicity. No doubt there was lots of hard work, but taking simple things and making it beautiful. You rock Meg. For real.:)

Chrissie grace - Every detail makes me giddy:).

Toni :O) - A-MAZING!!!! And so lovely to boot!!! What a blessing to have such special friends in your life. May God bless the sweet couple to a lifetime of happiness, patience and love everlasting. :O)

Anna - The little jars of ice cream make me swoon! What a beautiful rehearsal dinner (and beautiful couple)!

Stephany - WOW!
That party looks fabulous!
I’m going to be pinning some of your beautiful photos!
Hope you don’t mind…
They are beautiful.

Kari C. - I get SO excited every time I see you have a new blog post! Your posts always make me feel so happy! You and your friends did a BEAUTIFUL job on the rehearsal dinner! Looks absolutely adorable! What a good looking couple! Best of wishes to the happy couple!

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