Wordy Wednesday–Dogs Love to Swim!

Once again this post and picture is in honor of our upper 90’s weather.  Tomorrow they say we’ll be flirting with 100 degrees again.  *insert long-suffering sigh here*

 

This photo was taken earlier this summer while playing at the beach at the lake.  My grand dog is pictured – Xena – wearing her life jacket and I want you to notice the yellow ball at the top.  Xena, like most labs, just loves the water, running, swimming and BALLS! She had a BLAST running after that ball and was just exhausted after a while. 

Unfortunately dogs just don’t have the sense to stop running and chasing when they get worn out, so we had to intervene a bit.  No matter what we did with that silly ball she would find it, so finally Loni stuck it in the handle of the life jacket and it WORKED!  Xena went back to more leisurely swimming and her breathing returned to normal.

And of course you’ll see Miss B sitting on the back of the boat.  Rarely do I remember her sitting much while on the boat, so this must have been one of those moments of getting her second wind as well.

Oh how that water looks inviting right now! 

Wordy Wednesday–Cousins on a Boat

I’ve seen so many people do a Wordless Wednesday post where all they do is share a picture.  I’m not able to do that because, as my beloved says, I can make even a long story longer. 

However….  in honor of our temperature back up in the 90’s again I wanted to share a picture from this summer.  Because with this heat it would’ve been a GREAT day to be on the water.  Well except for the pesky problem of the blue green algae that has our lake closed right now. 

 

These two Cutie Patooties (or as Uncle Gary calls Brooklyn, Cutie on Duty!) were sitting up at the front of the boat as we headed out of the cove one day this summer.  They were all grins and giggles and highly anticipating the swimming and beach fun we were about to have.  That anticipation is even more fun when you have your cousin next to you!  On the left is my precious granddaughter Brooklyn and next to her is her cousin Kaitlyn, who is 3 months to the day older than Brooklyn.

(And lest anybody worry, we are in the No Wake Zone here and going very slow, which is why they are sitting up there like that. And you can see the pink and green sandals of their mamas right there!)

Watermelon Pops

I’ve shared before how much our family loves the Rocket Pops from Kraft every 4th of July.  And here’s a picture of Brooklyn eating one for the first time because Grandma likes to show off her precious granddaughter:

But sometimes you want popsicles on a holiday that doesn’t require red, white and blue and Kraft came to the rescue again.  We found a recipe for Watermelon Pops and they were so cute that we had to try them.  Unfortunately I only had my camera phone with me that weekend, so fill in the blanks with your imagination. 

 

What doesn’t show up very well is that the red layer has mini chocolate chips sprinkled throughout – aka watermelon seeds!  Is that not the cutest thing ever!?!?

WATERMELON POPS
adapted from Kraft Foods

1 cup sugar, divided
1 pkg. (3 oz.) lime jello
2 cups boiling water, divided
Ice cubes
1 cup cold water, divided
1 pkg. (3 oz.) strawberry jello
3 T miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
1-1/2 cups thawed Cool Whip

Mix1/3 cup sugar and strawberry jello in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4 cup. Add to strawberry jello and stir until ice is completely melted.  Pour into 16 (3-oz.) paper/plastic cups. Freeze 20 min. Stir 1/2 tsp. chocolate chips into gelatin in each cup.

Spread a layer of Cool Whip over each popsicle and return to freezer until green jello is ready.

Mix 1/3 cup sugar and lime jello in medium bowl. Add 1 cup boiling water and stir 2 minutes until completely dissolved. Add enough ice to 1/2 cup cold water to measure 3/4 cup. Add to lime jello and  stir until ice is completely melted. Refrigerate 25 minutes.

Pour lime jello over the cool whip layer and insert wooden craft stick  in the center of each cup. Freeze 3 hours or until firm. Remove pops from cups just before serving.

NOTE: We used the smallest size plastic dixie cups for these.  The craft sticks can be found in the craft department of the Big Box Superstore.  To remove the pops from the cup, be careful not to just pull.  Run the cup under warm water for a few seconds and it should just come right out.

 

KK, Brooklyn’s cousin, is on the left and Brooklyn on the right.  I think they like them!  

 

* Linking to:  I’m Lovin’ It, It’s a Hodgepodge Friday

Brooklyn Loves 4th of July at the Lake!

We had such a tremendously grand time at the lake for 4th of July this year!  Family and friends filled the cabin with I think more than have ever spent the night before – so awesomely blessed. And any time you come out of a big weekend like that and wish you’d had more time it’s a great indication of how well it all went.

Hold on for a picture heavy grandma bragging post!

 

Brooklyn had so much fun in the water this year! Last year she was still kind of iffy about the whole thing, but the last few weeks she’s been in swimming lessons and they are obviously worth every single penny.  She loved jumping off the back of the boat, mostly to mommy, but you know that Papa is always there for her as well.

 

She also enjoyed just kind of hanging out and floating in the water. It’s one of our favorite things to do as well, so we were happy to see that it was fun for her too.

 

I never realized just how important “noodle” selection is!  However, my goofy family loves to get the noodles with the hole down the center, push it under water to fill it, then aim and blow the water at unsuspecting friends!  Brooklyn got the hang of this very fast and her laugh is sweetness to this grandma’s ears.

 

Papa and Brooklyn swam over to the shore and she got a lesson on skipping rocks. She came back so excited and telling us about it and Papa confirmed that she actually skipped a rock for one bounce!  Hey – that’s better than grandma does!!!  

 

I gotta confess though that before we headed out on the boat she was a trooper and helped do the breakfast dishes. Actually, it was all her idea and she had FUN messing around in the water!  Papa was right there to be sure they were actually clean, but do you know she stood there and did them all – and even laughed while she did it?

 

Washing dishes is really quite a serious thing that requires great concentration!

 

“GRANDPA - so simple even a child can operate!” – unknown

Sunsets From God

We were able to spend some time this weekend at the lake – just the two of us and the dog and our daughter.  Because the weather was mostly overcast and rainy it turned into a very relaxing respite from a busy week.  Even though we didn’t do much in the way of ordinary lake activities, we did have a great time together.

Saturday night we did take the boat out and while we were at the gas dock I looked across and saw the restaurant.  It’s on the 2nd level and the 1st level is just support for it to float.  Now interesting, to us anyway, the lake flooded in 2007 and this restaurant was under water.  When you go in now there is a line high up by the ceiling – on the 2nd level mind you – that shows how high the water got.  They rebuilt and it’s become quite a hub on the lake.

 

With the fall weather here we opted to sit outside on the patio while we had dinner.  It was so enjoyable to watch the boats below us and the waitress was telling us stories of some of the things she’d seen on the water.  :)

 

After dinner we headed home, seeing some of the boats coming in for the night.

 

And as we were riding in the boat, Lynne’ and I up at the very front to fully appreciate the incredible sunset, well to be honest we were a bit overcome.

The colors of the sunset were beyond stunning.  Lynne’ turned to me and said “Sometimes when you see something like this, you know that God has done this purely for us to enjoy.  And this is a perfect example of what the word awesome truly means.”

I couldn’t agree with her more.  Thank you Father for all the awesome things you give us to see and enjoy.  And may we never lose the wonderment and enjoyment of your creations.

 

* Linking to Spiritual Sundays

Labor Day With Family!

We had a two day lake weekend with the kids and enjoyed every minute.  Unfortunately Lynne’ had other plans with friends and wasn’t there and you know how mama’s always like to have their ducks in a row!  :)  It’s all good and honestly I’m happy that she’s off having a wonderful time.

In the meantime, we had a house full of people and lots of smiles.  This grandma had some quality time with her favorite 3 year old.

We did a little movie watching and Cars always makes me laugh.  Look at her right hand – she’s holding on to a blue truck that she got in her Sonic meal.  That truck was having a lot of fun doing some of the things she saw on the screen.

And a friend of mine rightfully pointed out that really I wasn’t watching a movie with Brooklyn.  From the looks of this photo I was mostly watching Brooklyn watch a movie.  And really – that suits me just fine.  :)

 

Then we started getting ready to go out on the boat and do some swimming.  She has her swimsuit on under her cover-up and was dancing and bouncing so much I finally told her to “FREEZE!”  And she did.  :)

 

She knows the rule about 3 year olds and grandmas must have their life jacket on in the boat at all times, so she decided to try and hurry us along a bit.  We did go back afterwards and remove the cover-up from underneath, but it does show how very excited she was about this venture.

So hard to believe that summer is essentially over.  It was a great year and now I’m looking forward to all that fall has to offer!

Joe Loves the Lake!

Today Keith and I took a quick trip out to the lake with our faithful sidekick Joe.  Joe is a 10 year old Golden that seemingly turns into a puppy every time he’s around water – it’s truly a site to behold!

As hot as it was today the first thing we did after getting out of the No Wake Zone was head to the nearest beach so that he could get wet.  The minute we slow down to maneuver the boat on the beach he rushes to the back  of the boat and waits for the signal.  He really loves it. 

I wish I would’ve gotten a picture of him with his life jacket on – we always get so many comments while on the water.  Most of the time people are curious and ask if he’s not able to swim or why he has to wear a life jacket.  The thing is, this dog will swim until he is totally exhausted and his back end starts sinking because he’s too tired to hold himself up.  We started using the life jacket years ago just for our peace of mind.

As lunchtime rolled around we really weren’t ready to go back yet, but with the dog we weren’t able to stop at one of the many restaurants on the lake.  Then Keith remembered that one of the restaurants has a “pull up and order” dock!  While not quite as grand as a Sonic, you do pull into a parking place, get out of the boat to the central area, look at the menu and push the button.  Coolest thing ever! 

I went inside to order though as I really did want to wash my hands before eating, you know, since we’d been in the lake all day!  When I came back outside I saw this:

Keith had set Joe up on the back of the boat and he was getting comments and “good boy!” from everybody that walked by.  Mr. Social Butterfly dog was truly in his element.

And being a tad geriatric, he slept the entire way home and is in a very deep sleep at my feet right now.  He loves every minute of the lake, but it sometimes takes him a bit to recoup afterwards.  Not that I’m passing judgment since it honestly takes me a little longer than it used to as well!

Friday’s Fave Five #96

So did y’all miss me?  :)  We are now back from a week at the lake, starting with a fabulous 4th of July weekend with family.  And that vacation will be the subject of my Friday Fave Five this week.  See more at Susanne’s Living to Tell the Story blog.

1. Little Miss Brooklyn -

I love this picture that Keith took.  He told me that she did not want her picture to be taken right then and was running and you can really tell in the picture!  We all had so much fun with her this holiday.  She’ll be turning 3 in a week and when I tell you that even though I’m her grandmother I really am not biased – she’s just so much fun to be with!  (ok…maybe a little biased).

At one point Keith was going to take a group of people out in the boat and when she heard the boat was going out she came running in to get me and told me she needed her “jacket” on (lifejacket).  I started getting her ready and she was jumping on the bed and oh so excited that she had a hard time even telling us about it. 

Toddler joy is a site to behold.

2. Sparklers

It was a very different 4th of July this year because of all the rain we had due to the hurricane remnants.  In spite of that, we still all had a great time.  One thing we all agree on is that the time spent together is more important than what we are doing. And we had a very full house this year – big blessings!

The big fireworks displays were rained out, but the kids walked down to a fireworks stand and got some packages of sparklers for Brooklyn to try for the first time.  Now when my kids were little we happened to read the sparkler package one time and found out they are really “magnesium sticks” and since that time we have always referred to sparklers as Flaming Sticks of Magnesium.  It was with a full heart that I got to see my granddaughter playing with her first Flaming Sticks of Magnesium this year. 

3. Golf Cart Parade

Truly one of my favorite parts of the 4th of July holiday is the golf cart parade.  It has such a Norman Rockwell small town flavor to it and I was so pleased that the rain stayed away for that little bit of time.  Brooklyn had a lot of fun with the different golf carts that threw necklaces and candy out to the crowd.

4. Keith’s Folks

This year Keith’s parents even made it down to the lake for the 4th of July festivities.  What fun that they went out in the boat – and of course Brooklyn is right up front with her daddy!  It was great to see them laughing and riding the boat – Keith grew up with always having a boat in the family, but they sold theirs many years ago.  They had a great time riding in one again and I’m hoping to see them at the lake more often now. And special thanks to my sister-in-law Michele for taking pictures on this boat ride for me!  :)

5. FOOD!!!

Oh what a wonderful meal we had!  We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and corn on the cob, had potato salad, baked beans, fruit salad, watermelon and cake.  Mom and I fixed a hamburger and hot dog, then cut each in half and traded, which was the best way to be able to try everything.

 

Loni found corn on the cob for only ten cents each, so bought a bunch and showed us how to get them ready for grilling.  Loni and Michele set up under the tarp outside and even had Miss B helping at one point. 

And that’s what it’s all about – the helping and laughing and talking and eating.  What a joyous blessing this weekend was!

PS – Just because I happen to love this 4th of July photo of my granddaughter from last year, here’s the link:  Brooklyn Waiting for Fireworks

Brooklyn Tries S’Mores

One of the best parts about grilling burgers and hot dogs is making s’mores.  Last year we made s’mores in the oven and while those were really good, it wasn’t quite the same experience without the worry of catching the marshmallow on fire.

Come to find out, this was the first time Brooklyn had ever tried a s’more!  She wasn’t so sure about the idea, but we finally talked her into taking a bite.

 

She liked it!  In fact, she’s telling us here that she wants 2 more!

 

And with that she settled in and got comfortable, very happy to be eating a s’more.  Really does it get any better than this?

 

I’m not sure if you can tell on this picture, but there’s a little bit of chocolate on her eyelid.  This girl really  liked them…

 

…even if they do get a little messy!

 

I absolutely love this picture of my daughter-in-law and Brooklyn being silly.

Life is good…..

Slow Down – and Be Still

We went to the lake today, a fast trip to check on things.

And as often happens when I am there, time slows down, and stress slides off my shoulders.  It’s at those moments that you really notice things around you – and are thankful for the experience.

The berries on this bush were noticed as we drove by, so I set out on a short walk with camera in hand.  The red was so vibrant and it made me smile.

We drove down to the shoreline to see how things looked after the winter months.  Rounding a corner on the curvy road I saw a site that took my breath away – 9 deer were coming across the road into the field across the way.  We startled them…and their eyes became alert, tails quivered and they took hurried steps away.  But not before we had stopped and watched them for those brief seconds.

My heart sang as I watched them – and I rejoiced in the experience.

“"Be still, and know that I am God;
       I will be exalted among the nations,
       I will be exalted in the earth."   Psalm 46:10

AMEN!

Brooklyn Loves the Lake

I love how even at just over two years old Brooklyn already loves the lake. She is learning how to use her sea legs to walk in the boat and the sand beneath her toes is no longer as 'yucky' to her as it used to be.


We're also starting to see a few diva-like qualities coming out in her. Do you see the pose and the princess wave in the photo below? And I love her backwards cap and wearing her shades.

I do want to point out that she isn't actually tubing behind the boat or in deep water. She's on the tube, but the water probably only came up to our knees and she had quite a bit of family around her - naturally.

A Saturday With Brooklyn

Weekends are so worth the sometimes long week it takes to get there. We needed to run up to the lake for a "mow and go" on Saturday, so went over and got Brooklyn to spend the day. She is SUCH a grandpa's girl and would run from door to window to door to keep an eye on him while he mowed the lawn. At one point I thought she was going to have the big one because I wouldn't let her outside with him while he was mowing, but she got past it and seemed to enjoy the running back and forth inside.

After the yard work was finished we took her on her first ride on the Ranger. At first she was a bit unsure and would put her hands out to touch us when we would go around a corner. But after only a few minutes she just put her hands on her knees and her nose in the air and enjoyed it.

Quite a routine before we could actually ride. It was HOT on Saturday, so she had to help me get her sunscreen on, then her hat (one of my mom's old ones that has been left at the lake) and sunglasses and finally she had to be involved in the spreading of the towel on her seat so it wouldn't be so hot for her.

We rode around a bit, then stopped at the little neighborhood store and got a pint of vanilla ice cream. Back at the house she was quite the busy body helper as she set the bowls out for us all and then went to get spoons. I really think everything she does is quite adorable. :)

On the way back home we stopped at a Subway in a small town and I got her a kids meal. Obviously grandmas do not know everything because I thought she'd enjoy the apples. But Subway does not peel the apples before slicing them like McD does and B thought that was highly offensive. ;) She did figure out how to eat the slices kind of like an ear of corn though and was able to not eat any of the peel.

Very good times.....

Joe's Friends at the Lake...and Facebook!

We're home from a wonderful weekend at the lake. Of course, as I sit here typing this my shoulders, back and legs are so sore from yard work, but even so it's wonderful.


The picture above was so pretty through my viewfinder, but now that it's out of the camera...eh, not so much. But I'm leaving it anyway. :) We put a bunch of grass seed out and of course had to to water it it. Really hoping that it takes hold, especially the front yard. We put tree limbs through the shredder, raked up leaves and filled so many bags to bring home. And I lost count of how many times we'd have people stop by and say "you two are working far too hard this weekend!" Maybe so, but it sure is looking good. There are so many trees up there and while I wouldn't trade them for the world they do make a mess to clean up.



While we were busy cleaning Joe was busy socializing. This little Boston Terrier is named Hardy and he is such a mess. The two of them ran the fence together and while I was pulling weeds Hardy was right there watching me. His "mom" came over to the fence and we chatted for quite a bit and then both laughed when we realized our dogs had deserted us. Joe was sleeping in the grass near me and Hardy had gone over to his patio and fallen asleep. I guess they just couldn't keep up with us. ;)

This is Ruff and I have no idea what kind of dog she is, but she runs over as soon as she sees us up there. In fact, this picture was taken in the backyard because she saw the gate open and came on back. These two wore themselves out as well.

And as a side note, I've finally given in and gotten a Facebook account and am surprised by how much I'm enjoying it. For one I get to keep up with some friends that I don't see every day, but more than that I've found a couple of my friends from years ago that I had lost touch with. It's fun to see what they are doing on a daily basis and it just gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside remembering our fun together. Who knew I'd enjoy it so much???

"The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart." - Elizabeth Foley

Miss B At The Lake

Just in case anybody should wonder, little baby girls get very thirsty after they have played at the beach while at the lake.  She made short work of her little apple juice box.

And then, bless her heart, she was out like a light for the rest of the boat ride.  All the walking on the beach, playing in the sand and splashing in the lake will wear a grandbaby out!

Joe At The Lake

Each time we are on the lake Joe demonstrates again that he is a retriever through and through.  9 times out of 10 he's able to find a toy or stick or something on the beach to carry around.  This time somebody had left a plastic shovel behind so he claimed it as his own.  He swam with it, played fetch with it and generally just had a good time.

We always know when he's had enough swimming and gets tired because he'll swim to the boat and kind of hold on to the ladder til we get over to him and help him back in.  We take off his lifejacket, he shakes the water all over the place, then he finds a place to work on his suntan.

Doggie good times......   :)