Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Mother's Day BBQ

 Mother's Day we went to our daughter and son in law's new home.  They have just moved into a new house with lots of space and a swimming pool.  We had a great time!!
Gennifer and Jake have been working really hard at putting their new home together!  The first week that they took possession, they had all of the carpet removed, and put in wood floors.  It is beautiful!  They have been hanging pictures, and removing shrubs.  Deciding on paint colors, and light fixtures.  Curtains and patio furniture.  So much going on there!  But on Mother's Day, we just relaxed out back, and played  in the pool. Well, those who could brave the cold water, that is.  I dangled my feet in.
Geeps was channeling his inner Crocodile Dundee.
The girls have been swimming in their new pool all week, and hardly seem to notice the water temp at all.
But everyone enjoyed the spa!
We feasted on BBQ Burgers, Hot Dogs and Sausages.  Erika made a delicious fruit salad.  Drew brought chips, Gennifer made a yummy Spinach Salad, and my Mom made three fruit cobblers.  One Blueberry, one Peach, and one Peach and Blueberry.  YUM!
My oldest brother Dave, Greg, and youngest brother Tim.  My middle brother Mark was out of town.
We had such a nice relaxing afternoon.  My brother Dave, demonstrating his mad jump rope skills.
My Mom, with niece Deanna, and nephew Cody.
When my mother sold the house that she and Dad lived in, she had to get rid of some special things.  Gennifer took her piano.  My Dad had gotten that as a surprise for my Mom.  The note he wrote has been safely tucked inside the piano bench for what we figured must be about 34 years.  This is how he coerced my Mom into being team mom for little brother Tim's baseball team that Dad coached.
Sitting on the piano is a photo of my Mom sitting at the piano for the first time upon finding it in their house!  I love to see my Dad's familiar hand written notes.  I still carry a note he wrote to me, many years ago, in my wallet.  We had such a great time!  Thank you Gennifer and Jake!!!  That is my fun loving nephew Chad in photo below.  He is such a fun guy!  Oh what a catch he will make to some lucky girl!!!
This photo was taken on my birthday in March.  But I am posting it because all three of my kiddos are in it.  Along with one photo bombing sweet grand girl, Claire.
A terrible picture of me, but I love it anyways, because they are all in it!  I have been letting my hair grow out a bit, and also have not been getting any color.  I am about 80% gray.  No, not gray, white!  Just like my Dad and all of my brothers.  When I see pictures of myself, I think, ewww, I need to cut it!!!  I have taken to wearing it up and off my face, most all of the time.  It is easy, and cooler.  Once in a while, I take the time to blow it out and fix it.  And then, I see a photo, and I think, well, maybe I should keep letting it grow.  I don't know what to do????
This was our selfie, taken on Saturday afternoon on our way to a party for a special friend's Dad's 80th birthday celebration.  Everyone was to wear white.  I wore off white.  (Thank you Armenia!)
What to do, what to do?????  I am going to try to get through the summer, with no coloring, and no cutting.  We shall see.  This is the gift basket that I made for Anita's Dad.  Gifts from the farm.
Well, life here has been pretty darn hectic.  I am busy ALL the time.  I have been going in so many different directions, that half the time, I don't even know what day it is.  Along with the warmer weather, we have been collecting lots and lots of big beautiful eggs!

I have purchased the waterlogue app, and am having so much fun with that!  Such pretty water colors it makes from my photos.  
One afternoon as I was getting in my car, I noticed how pretty the sunlight was in the backyard, shining on my nasturtiums and chickens.
And waterlogued.
A friend of mine suggested that I have some notecards made in this chicken waterlogue.  I think I will.
Some pretty oranges, cut for juicing.
In water color.
And one last one, my son at the piano.



My new chicken, Stevie, is now out of isolation.  She is doing well.   I have moved her Petite Chateau de Poulet, out to the main coop.  Keeping her separate still, but I moved her coop up flush with the the other one.  Integrating them very slowly.  And soon, they will probably all bunk down together at night.
This is a photo Greg took of me when I was fitting chicken wire to all of the doors and windows.
I was using the wagon and chair to hold my supplies as I worked, to save me from having to crawl in and out numerous times.  I put a cinder block in there and sat on that while I worked.  Pretty funny, eh?
I am keeping busy with my gardening now.  I had my first harvest on Sunday and brought that to Gennifer's.
Lots of spinach, parsley, cilantro, dill, basil, and one cucumber.
Yesterday I planted a second round of a few things.  Won't be long now for all sorts of fresh goodies from the gardens.
I am trying to get around to everyone and catch up.  I hope you don't think I have disappeared!!!
Mom continues to do pretty good on the chemo.  She is feeling completely wrung out.  But not sick!  Thank goodness!!!!
Have a most excellent week!!
XO Kris

28 comments:

Becky said...

Kris all your fruit and herbs look so beautiful.
You are so blessed to have fruit and avocado trees.
I love your hair. If you can hang in there for it to grow out where you want it it will look even more beautiful then it does now. Thank you for a lovely post as usual. Your precious mom looks really good. She is such a pretty lady. Blessings, Becky

Teresa Kasner said...

What a wonderful jam-packed post, full of fun and family and love and art and cute things! I love the new header with the eggs.. in your apron? And you in the playhouse chicken house.. very cute. I also enjoyed all your Waterlogue paintings! I super enjoy the ones I've done, too. I'm so glad to hear that your mom is doing well through the chemo. And wow, your daughter's new house is very impressive!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Kelli said...

Glenn's new home is beautiful! It looks like you had a wonderful Mother's Day.
I always enjoy seeing pictures of your yard.

From the Kitchen said...

What a nice celebration! I had to settle for phone "visits" with the kids since they are so far away!!

Best,
Bonnie

Dawn said...

What a wonderful day with you all being together. I love the new deck furniture they chose, and wow a pool too. How nice. Your waterlogued pics are great.

Mereknits said...

I love this post, so filled with family and fun. By the way I love your hair, keep growing it out and your will be thrilled. I have not colored my hair in over two years and I love my gray streak.
Hugs to you Kris,
Meredith

Amy at love made my home said...

Most of all I am so pleased to see pictures of your Mom looking so happy and to hear that she is doing well with her chemo. That is really good news. I hope that she keeps doing really well and that you are doing OK in support mode. So lovely to see all that you have been up to, it looks as though you had a really great family gathering. Oh, and the watercolour pic of the oranges is amazing! xx

Betsy said...

Kris I love your new header and this happy, happy post. So full of love and life from beginning to end. I'm having a very hard time finding the opportunity to read and comment on blogs, but I know you will all forgive me and welcome me back when this aren't so busy.
Thank you for this glimpse into your life.
(Oh and I LOVE your hair. White and all. It's beautiful.)
Blessings,
Betsy

mynestofyarnandbuttons said...

Hi Sweet Kris, You certainly are one busy lady! You are almost self sustaining in your gardens! IT is so amazing to me and wonderful but so much work, I applaud YOU! Love seeing all you family fun on Sunday, so beautiful to see. Love your photos and watercolors, such a great app. Your hair is looking lovely, wait it out this summer and see, you look fabulous.
xoRobin

Bethany said...

What a beautiful home--I love that staircase! And your mom is looking good!

Holly said...

This post is chock full of goodness. Glad you had a great mother's day. Genn's house is so pretty, I know they are really enjoying that spa.

Dogwood Lane Rambles said...

It makes me happy to see your gorgeous family enjoying each other. I know how much you love each other and that is such a special thing. That app for your pictures is super neat is it for your phone or for camera cuz I want one! Your pictures are always so beautiful I'm inspired.
My garden is planed but the only thing popping up are the potatoes, never tried those before so that's kind of exciting. Thanks for always leaving such nice comments on Dogwood Lane.
Patrica

Debbie said...

Good morning! Goodness so much I want to comment on I am sure I will forget something, haha. First, how wonderful on the new home for Genn's family! They must be over the moon. And it looks like there will years of memories made there. And then, your mom LOOKS great! I am sure she is probably tired, and has her good and bad days, but she really looks soo good. And then, I am liking the new photo app. Good pictures. And as for your hair...well I am tempted at times to do the same thing. My hair is 90 to 95 percent white too. (like mom's was) So the fact that I have gone so blonde really helps with the old root problems. And I was forced to grow it out some with Jessie on maternity leave. And now that it has, I don't know...I may like it better longer, lol. Soo I am thinking I am going to just trim and shape it up some, but grow it out a bit. Though it seems like a dumb thing to do in summertime. And as for my color....well, I can "see" my roots especially after 12 weeks, and while they blend well, they sre "grey" looking instead of blonde. I am afraid if I just left them it would be too aging for me. So think I will just keep doing the roots for now. Maybe some day. I am going tomorrow, and I will get Jess's opinion too. Your hair looks REALLY good pretty much however I have seen it in pictures. And with your daughter being your hairdresser you can always change it up or change your mind. Not much help am I? lol Enjoy the rest of your week Kris!

Oh, and all your garden produce looks great!

Jeanna said...

Your hair is stunning Kris. There are so many ways to style it when it is longer.

So happy that you all had a great Mother's Day. Congratulations to Gennifer and Jake on their new home. Your Mom looks wonderful too!

I love avocados and yours look perfect. All of the herbs and fruit look picture perfect. Speaking of...I've never seen that new photo app but it looks like fun.

Hope you get to relax a bit soon :)

Unknown said...

Love your hair...just let it grow and no color. I am trying to grow mine right now and it is such a pain...chin length..ugh. I still color...too scared to do otherwise. Beautician thinks I should go real light blonde...hummm.

Thanks for sharing your daughter's new home...how lovely that you can all play there together!

The chicken pictures are adorable as are all the Waterlogged...I love those too.

Home Meadows said...

What a great post Kris. Your daughter and son-in-law have a beautiful new home and it looks like they hosted a great Mother's Day celebration. I think your hair looks great; don't change a thing! Heather

Deb~in~Denver said...

Hi Kris, I love your new header, it's so "Farm Fresh"! Mother's Day sounds like it was a lot of fun. Genn's new home is fabulous! Lots of great memories to be made, there! The picture of you and Greg is so cute! I think your hair is darling. I'm trying to grow mine out, too. It's driving me crazy! Your mom looks wonderful, I wish she felt as good as she looks. She'll get there! Love the story about the piano and the note, you are as sentimental as I am! I love the water-color pictures, I have a "Grandma phone", it doesn't do anything except make calls. :) I did try making a watercolor on Picmonkey and it turned out nice. As always, I loved seeing your post pop up! Enjoy your warm weather!

xo

Patty Antle said...

I just wrote a long note and then google said I wasn't signed in. Hope this isn't a duplicate. But I wanted to tell you that I really enjoyed visiting with you here. Your kids have a lovely new home and Cali sure knows how to make swimming pools. Love the waterlogged app and your hair looks nice. You are very pretty and I love the pics of you both with your kids and with your husband. Xoxo

podso said...

I think your hair looks great! And I love your water colors! Isn't that app great fun. They will make nice cards. And your header is an amazing photo! Very cool.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love this post, Kris...you have the nicest family! You are so pretty!

priscilla said...

Looks like you had a fabulous Mother's Day, Kris! Love your chicken photo , so pretty ! Your hair looks great ..so nice you don't have to color it ! Your garden must be growing fantastically ! Glad your Mom is doing well !

Poppy said...

Congrats on your daughter's new home; it looks lovely! What fun everyone is having by the pool. Kris, love the story about the piano and your dad's notes. And finally, your hair looks beautiful - leave it!

xx
Poppy

Gracie Saylor said...

Hi Kris! I have missed keeping track of you and your family during the time I had guests with my family, but just got to catch up on your news and as always enjoyed your posts!!!

Your mom looks wonderful and I am praying she continues to perfectly heal with minimal negative effects from the the chemo.

Gennifer and Jake's new home looks fantastic and I am so glad you all had a good Mother's Day celebration there.

I love seeing your garden grow and chickens thrive :) The eggs and that one huge one are amazing!

Ever since Teresa showed us Waterlogue I have wanted to get it and hope to try it soon. I love your creations with it!

Sending lots of hugs your way xx

Linda said...

Phew! That was a BIG catch up!
Mother's Day looked perfect...how lucky your daughter and SIL to have a new house....
Man your son looks like his dad,eh?
And....as for you....you look prettier every time I see you♥️
Hair is certainly a dilemma....yours looks great!
I think your face suits short or long...lucky you!
Your Mom looks awesome.....continued success for her...
Enjoy your weekend...
Hope you are not near all those fires...
Cheers!
Linda :o)

Pam said...

I love and admire how close you are to your family!! I think your hair looks pretty. That watercolor app is so cool - I need to get that asap!

NanaNor's said...

Dear Kris,I feel so behind visiting too-just so much to do every day and today/tomorrow the girls & I are having a garage sale.It is so crazy here, but with the fires in So.Co. I've been concerned for all my friends who live there. So glad your mom isn't sick; praying that she continues to do as well as can be expected on Chemo.
Hugs, Noreen p.s. love your watercolor app.

corners of my life said...

Sounds like a perfect mother's day and . . . the watercolors are amazing.

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson said...

Kris, your daughters new home is gorgeous! So happy for them. My middle daughter and sil just moved into a new home as well. Looks like Mothers Day was a fabulous party! Love the pics of your kids and you and Geeps! I love your hair and if mine would grow out to be that color I would let it. I'm sure mine would be grey, not white. I think you look just darlin, darlin! lol! Love the watercolors. May need to get that app. Life has been crazy here lately too? Don't even know why. The entire family is heading to Lake Powell on Thurs. Should be fun! Thanks, you reminded me that I need to plant Cilantro.
hugs,
Jann