~a picture really is worth a thousand words~
Could it be the juvenile bag? Couldn't be that he does not think a bottle of body wash is such a great gift. He sure is a young looking 87. Note the living room where he used to hang out all day. As of Saturday, he and all the household are using the new living room.
Saturday found the grandsons out behind the house sliding...sledding...what do you call it?
This photo is two weeks old taken after the major snowstorms. Saturday's photo would not have been so pristine and there's been a whole lot of snow melt. Just ask my basement. The grandsons had a lot of fun and got nice and wet.
Their after sledding snack was chocolate cream pie made by John's sisters. They insisted that the boys have a piece so they'd know the kind of special dessert John would have had as a boy. This chocolate pudding is made from scratch and has such wonderful flavor and texture. As you can see, Sam gave it a thumb's up. Jakob gave it two thumbs up, but I missed the photo.
Here he is in the new living room with his helper Gabby. She's so cute and he really likes her. ***I'll be popping in a fresh photo or two this evening now that this room has been set up with living room furniture. And that will be the end of the blue room story until the new furniture arrives.
Thank you for your visit today... Have a good week!
*** Gosh I hope that no one was waiting for this pic. I was mistaken about the room being all set up. In fact, it was a lot like being in a movie theater today with the the comfy seats all in a row before the screen. My sister sighed heavily when I mentioned this. She's a busy gal and she's taking good care of her father and she doesn't have no stinkin' time to play house settin' up no room. That said, she does have a new piece of furniture coming tomorrow.
Your grandsons are adorable! Who wouldn't love that chocolate cream pie!?
ReplyDeleteYour dad.....what WAS in that gift bag? Sometimes one gets a parent that is hard to please. My children had one of those. Slowly, they each quit trying. Mother has become hard to please these days as well. While it was just the nature of my children's dad, could it be the advanced age of your dad and my mother? Or are some people just that way? Prickly relations, sometimes, I think.
What bloggers are you missing? I think I've been too busy to visit as much as I would like. I do miss Chocolate, One of my Addictions......her name was Linda and she had a dreaded disease. I wish she had had someone to keep us informed as to her condition. What happens to people's blogs when they are gone?
Well, it is in the middle of the night in Texas as I write. Sleep eludes me and I am listening to my little Trystan snoring ever so gently beside me. The young and the old. One sleeps and one doesn't.
Wishing you a blessed new week! Love you, Vee!
I am still here! Even though I haven't been here or anywhere else. Life is just rubbish - you know! - and we are getting to terms with it so I will be back, I have a feeling that there are less bloggers too sometimes and then when I am catching up on a weeks worth as I am today I realise there are hundreds of posts so perhaps it is just how it seems. I worry that I will disappear one day and no one will notice.
ReplyDeleteMorning, Vee. Happy 87th to your Dad. I just love those pretty windows in the blue room and happy to hear that Gabby is a good helper for him.
ReplyDeleteCute pic of your grandsons. That chocolate pie sounds heavenly.
I wish you a very nice day. xoxo Mildred
I'm still here too although not as much as I have been in the past. Since Joe's accident life has just gotten so busy and difficult. Blogging is relegated to early morning and late night. The rest of the day is taken up with doctor appointments and cleaning house.
ReplyDeleteI just love that new blue room and wish I had the opportunity to have space like that. Alas, living in a little row house in the city does have its limitations.
The picture of your grandsons is cute. You can tell they really like their dessert even without a thumbs up.
Take care, Vee, and have a great day. It's off to two doctor visits for me today.
Well....I for one, have been pretty sick the last week or so...and back to the land of the living today, sigh.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your dad and I just love the blue room. I bet that pie tasted so good and giggling over the boys photo. Have a beautiful Monday, friend.
That pie sounds good! I call it sledding. Although haven't done that in years. Your dad's picture made me think of my dad, not sure what that look means. He looks good for 87 though! That room is really pretty, love the windows! Bet you dad enjoys the view. Have a delightful day!
ReplyDeleteYour dad and grandsons are adorable. That chocolate pie looks amazing and was my dad's all time favourite pie. How sweet of John's sisters to make this in remembrance! Can't wait to see the finished room pictures - it is lovely so far!
ReplyDeleteGood question about blogging - guess it ebbs and flows like nature.....hilarious pic of dad - haha - I sooooo know that face from my own father once gave me more than a few times, haha. And yes, he looks great for 87 - wow. You have some good genes, lady.
ReplyDeleteI think you missed the 2 thumbs up because Jakob needed to get back to that awesome dessert. YUM. Homemade pudding? I think I have made it less than a few times in my life - and it's sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo good.
Can't wait to see the furnished blue room, how exciting.
Have a blessed day. Hugs. ♥
That's such a good photo of your Dad and I love that big room. It's nice that you are close to family...well, nice most of the time, I'm sure! Enjoy your day sweet friend. Hugs, Diane
ReplyDeleteYour Grandsons are adorable, I sure wish I lived close enough to try that great pie.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your dad!! Your grandsons look adorable and I bet they had so much fun! I am enjoying the mild temperatures here in the South and we only had one snow storm :-) After living in Ohio for a year and a half in the snow belt, I don't think I'll ever miss snow again, lol. Have a wonderful week!
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Jill
I am not blogging as much because I am stuck in this rental house, waiting, waiting for my new house to start being built. I have nothing new to blog about...lol. I call it sledding and loved to sled as a child. Your Dad is a handsome man!
ReplyDeleteYour dad is absolutely a very young looking 87. Ah, you took that picture just as he was distracted. He must have been thrilled about the bottle of body wash. ;) You just caught him at the wrong time. ~ I call it sledding and if you didn't live so far away, I'd love to sled at your house and find chocolate cream pie afterwards. Lucky boys!
ReplyDeleteThat over-the-glasses-look is one I've seen before, too. Great that you captured it on camera. Your dad does not look 87! When people say that about my parents, I hope their "youthful-looking" genes are passed down to me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a bright place your father will have beside those lovely windows. I'm sure the space will be enjoyed by all.
As I write a few comments before heading out to school, I see snow falling. ACK! I know it won't stick, but it's a sign of our colder than normal winter. Longer, too.
The grands are adorable with their pie approval ratings. Have a great day, Vee.
After sledding PIE. What a wonderful idea!!!
ReplyDeleteAwww...that is a cute expression on your dad's face. I think it's a "what are you takin' my picture for?" kinda look. Right? That room is so pretty and I am sure that the new furniture will be just perfect. I call it "sledding" and I know those boys had a blast. I love the pink cheeks on them both. And you already know this but, I'm still around :D
ReplyDeleteI've been away from my blog a bit due to travel and kids visiting! But there are many days when I check my list of blogs and there are no new posts!
ReplyDeleteI love chocolate pudding pie! Those grands! Can we keep these boys from growing so fast?! I guess we can't but, man!
I certainly blog in a very different way from my News In Italy days and my life does not give me so much time for blogging these days. Photography is my main hobby and I find Instagram an easy way to share my photos.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure your dad is thinking he doesn't like that he's another year older :) You're right, he does look good for 87! LOVE the new LR. We've barely had enough snow for sledding this winter!
ReplyDeleteWe call it sledding. Fun shot of your young 87 year old father. Looks like some of the selfies I take of myself. Chocolate pudding pie would get a thumbs up if someone put it in front of me! That living room really is a nice space. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThat photo of your dad is priceless. Love the look. The grands look like they had a great time sledding.
ReplyDeleteAs for blogging, I wonder if it is kind of dying. Maybe not. I couldn't wait to retire to join the community, but now get a little slow at it. I actually took a two week break, and plan to post tomorrow. I just read a post a couple of days about them and the commercialization of them and how maybe Instagram is replacing it all. I don't know...I still enjoy reading them. I don't begrudge and moneymakers, but I don't read them as much for two reasons...one -many times the material is not so sincere anymore, and two -I hate how ads slow it all down. Now I love when they have something like an Etsy shop. I bought one of the very best ever ironing board covers from a blogger who had an Esty shop.
I am long winded so I will stop for now:)
I don't really think blogging is dying ... but Instagram and Facebook definitely have been places where people will post instead of blogging. Still ... of the bloggers I've enjoyed reading, most are still around. Of those I used to read who've sort of disappeared, I know that at least two have chronic illness and at least one had some life-changing circumstances. Others I used to read have gone private with their blogs.
ReplyDeleteI actually owe you (and Joyce, via the Hodgepodge) thanks for introducing me to some delightful new-to-me blogs.
Sliding/sledding -- growing up, we always called it sliding. Nowadays we are more apt to say sledding. Back in the day in our part of New England, everyone knew what you meant when you said sliding. Now, sledding just seems more specific. (Although ... I hope my daughter will eventually post on her blog a little video of her 8-year-old sliding (on the seat of his snow pants) down the steep, snowy roof of their firewood shed. He's inching along oh so slowly, not gaining much speed at all, when WHOOSH! All of the snow slid off the metal roof at once, and Josiah flew off with it. Hilariously funny. I think I could watch that a dozen times and still burst out laughing every time. His comment was similar to your grandson's on the sleigh ride: "That was a lot more fun than I thought it would be.")
Great pics of your dad. He sure looks curmudgeonly in that top pic. The one of him with his helper is wonderful. What a blessing that there are those who love the elderly and assist them so kindly.
And the boys enjoying their post-sledding snack. Wow, chocolate cream pie! The most I usually got as a child (and that was splendid!) was hot cocoa with marshmallow fluff in it. We have a lady at church who brings homemade chocolate cream pie for the potluck every now and then. Does that ever disappear quickly!
Sliding followed by chocolate cream pie! It doesn't get any better. Perhaps your Dad needs a piece of that pie too... his expression is priceless. I think a piece of pie would "fix him up." Haha That new room is so lovely, I bet he will get a lot of enjoyment from that large window. Can't wait to see it totally finished with furniture in place.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to your daddy. Oh he looks thrilled with his gift. LOL! I know you enjoyed the grands! Handsome young men too. Well, this old blogger is still here Vee. Though I only get to blog once a week I surely do try to be faithful. It usually takes me about a week though to get around to visiting all the blogging friends but I surely try too. Have a great day. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteYes your dad does look great! Glad he likes his helper. The pie sounds yummy. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteI mentioned in my post today too that it DOES seem as if there are just not as many people blogging these days....I think it's because instagram is such a quick and easy post these days...I have found a few of my old blogging friends on there, who just don't blog at all anymore. Plus, I have nothing to say anymore, lol. I do LOVE reading my favorite spots though so hopefully not to many more will throw in the towel. Not that I ever had as many readers as you do. Your dad's face as he opens his present is priceless, lol. My hubby's dad is 87 too, but is actually still living alone. My favorite used to be chocolate pie. Particularly the homemade one my aunt used to make...there was really no beating it. I say used to because I have had to give up most sweets...sad, but true. Enjoy your week Vee!
ReplyDeleteYour dad looks like quite the character. : ) What a beautiful living room. Glad your dad likes his helper, that makes things easier!
ReplyDeleteWe've always called it sleigh riding and chocolate pie afterward sounds great.
I agree, those of us who have been blogging a long time seem to be disappearing. I have to plead guilty to posting less and less. I can't quite seem to call it quits, but I feel less inspired after all that time. I'll still pop in to visit. Maybe some day I'll get my mojo back.
ReplyDeleteThe look on your dad's face is actually pretty hilarious. At 87 I will probably just want cake, ice cream and hugs and kisses from kids and (hopefully) grandkids.
I remember enjoying sledding. It looks like the boys were having a wonderful time. Ah childhood, it is far too fleeting. Looking forward to seeing the room with furniture, I already love what they have done :)
Your dad is the same age as my mom, Vee. How wonderful that your dad likes his helper. I'm looking forward to seeing the blue room all furnished. I'd be happy, too, having a piece of John's favorite childhood chocolate cream pie.
ReplyDeleteWe call it sledding -- when there is enough snow to do that. You really get a lot of it in your part of the country!!
ReplyDeletehaha, yes your father looks "thrilled". The room is beauteeeeful. Nothing like homemade chocolate pie, when the chocolate pudding part is really homemade and not from a box. That's kind of how I "won" my husband ya know. Have I told you that? I don't know where the bloggers have gone, maybe to instagram? ~ Abby
ReplyDeleteYour dad is a handsome man and what a wonderful room for him to enjoy. Your grandsons are so cute and they must make you smile a lot. We called it sledding. Sliding was what we did before we slipped and fell on the ice. Blogging definitely has slowed down, as least in my "community" or gone away completely. I have slowed down, and do find IG quick and easy and still a way to keep in touch, but it does not replace the beauty in a good blog post, which you are really good at!
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of the "old" bloggers are on Instagram these days. I ended up there somehow and was surprised to stumble across so many of them. I can definitely see how it would be quicker than blogging and still provide the interaction with others.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be a fly on the wall when you are visiting your dad. I can imagine your conversations are quite hilarious.
That picture of the grandsons is adorable. They are such good looking guys. The pie looks very worthy of the thumbs up.
So nice that your dad and Gabby hit it off so well.
It seems that lots of bloggers are noticing the decreased frequency in blog posts . . . or the disappearance of some altogether! I am a little sad about that, because blogging seems deeper and more thoughtful than other types of social media. That said, my own blogging has slowed considerably over the past year-and-a-half for a number of reasons. 1)We've had a lot going on in our family. 2)I am a bit of a perfectionist. 3) I am a s-l-o-w writer. (I am actually slow at most things.) All of those factors contribute to fewer posts, but I have no plans to stop blogging.
ReplyDeleteOkay, that was too much. Let's move on to more important things like how handsome your grandsons are and how much they've grown and how lovely it must have been to come inside and have chocolate pudding pie!
I love the picture of your dad, with personality oozing from his expression! Happy 87th birthday to him!!
Is your sister feeling the pressure of all of your blog friends waiting on her remodel? :)
Not sure she considers it "pressure." She wants me to ask about window treatments. Acckkkk! It is not something I would do with those wonderful windows. Thanks for popping in!
DeleteHi Vee!
ReplyDeleteI have asked myself the same thing many times. The bloggers have either all stopped, or are no longer following my nonsense... :0) I think it's sad, I love blogging, even though I am often - off line.
I love the photo of your father - I'll bet it was the camera that made him give you the . . . look.
Your grands are so cute, and growing up so quickly! Your snow looks like ours, here one day, gone the next week, and then back again! The chocolate dessert looks scrumptious, I would give it three thumbs up, I love chocolate!
Your dad's room does look wonderful, it will be nice and cozy when it's all fixed up. He is a very handsome man - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to him, a little late!
Hugs,
Barb
I hear you on the bloggers, Vee. They do come and go and I'm sure they have their reasons. A lot of the newer friends I've met are from reading comments on blog and feeling a bit of curiosity or kinship. I visit their blog and sometimes I never hear from them Other times I make a great blog pal.
ReplyDeleteYour father is precious. He reminds me of mine (who I lost 4 years ago), just rolling with it. He's so lucky to have the whole family surrounding him and showing love...even if he doesn't always look like it!!! ;-D
Jane x
Your father is precious. He reminds me of mine who I lost 4 years ago.
Oh I love chocolate pudding cake. Is that what they call lava cake now? Yum! It's good to see the boys enjoying the snow, hopefully it will all be gone soon. We had a bit of a melt for 3 days last week and now it's snowed a little nearly every day since-ugh. Happy B'Day to your Dad. I pray his days will be filled with peace and joy. I bet having Gabby will make it all the easier! I'll check back to see your sis's room when complete. Take care Vee.
ReplyDeleteYou must have seen what you have a hankering for. 😉 This is a good old-fashioned chocolate cream pie.
DeleteIt is that time of year where blogging take a back seat for most as they go off on vacation for the mid winter breaks that all seem to have at different times or the weather where they are just keeps them in and not much going on I find . Our weather has been spring like and we have been able to get out and enjoy it we have been snowless for weeks never really had our usual winter this year seems each year gets less and less now but been getting more rain and sunny days now . Oh chocolate pudding cake sounds good right about now YUMMY ! Your dad looks great for his age . Lovely photos . Happy March , Thanks for sharing , have a good week !
ReplyDeleteYou are hankering for the same thing as Camp and Cottage Living!
DeleteWhere have all the bloggers gone? Good question. Remember DeeDee...from way back when? I wonder what ever became of her. Or Miss Debbie ~ Life in the Sandwich Years. She left on a cruise in August 2014, never to be heard from again. I have tried to contact her...but no response. Sure hope all is well over there.
ReplyDeleteI have not had chocolate pie since I was a kid. I'm thinking I will have to do something about that! How sweet of John's sisters to make the pie in his memory. The photo of your grandsons with their memorable pie is priceless! As is the one of your dad looking so thrilled with his gift. :) Happy birthday to him. May he love his new living room!
Take care, Vee. Happy Spring. We hear (HOPE) it is on the way. :)
Debbie went on one of those three-hour tours, three-hour tour. 🎶 Alas, I did not know Debbie, but I remember Dee-Dee well and miss her. What a gentle spirit she was.
DeleteI'm happy I can comment today, I tried yesterday on the laptop and the little wheel just kept spinning and wouldn't load the comment box.
ReplyDeleteI call it sledding and wish sometimes I were young (or agile) enough to go again. It was fun! Your g'boys look so cute enjoying their pie. Pie looks good, too.
Your dad looks a lot like mine did, complete with blue eyes. He had less hair and a huge scar running down his forehead but their is a resemblance there. He looks so much younger than 87! And mine never did take to opening gifts very well, either. :)
About blogging, I have often wondered the same thing. But then, I look at my hit and miss posting and commenting and can't say anything. I don't visit as much as I used to and I find, at least for me, that if you aren't visiting them, they stop visiting back. Can't blame them for that. I love blogging, but so many other things have taken up my time the past year or so. (News...haha) I lost several off my Friends connect due to blogger and then a few dropped off. I don't even remember who they were. And then my sidebar list disappeared last year and I'm slowly finding everyone. I do wonder about those that just disappear without a word. I worry about them. I promise to let everyone know if and when I decide to quit.
Okay, I'll go be quiet now. Have a good day and don't forget the "show" tonight! ;)
geez...there, not their...I do know better than that but too often my fingers get ahead of my brain!
DeleteI think some people stop blogging because they receive little or no feedback these days.
ReplyDeleteHi, I miss a lot of my old and friendly bloggers. I stopped blogging almost four years ago after too many sad life events. I'm ready to start again but Blogger has changed so much and I can't seem to get into my old blog. I'll keep trying. I appreciate you and other bloggers who have continued. It's comforting in a way.
ReplyDeleteHello Phyllis, I hope that you will begin blogging again even if you can't access your former blog. Blogging is kind of like getting on a bicycle...muscle memory and all that.
DeleteYour father is a very young-looking 87! I love the look and I've seen something quite similar a time or two.
ReplyDeleteYour boys are so lucky to have a taste of a good old-fashioned pudding. Everything is from a package now and full of chemicals. No wonder this one got the thumbs up!
My goodness Vee, you have quite a large following. I'm still here too, but it has been a very busy week...well what do you know, it's only Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Julie, I think. 🤔 From time to time, someone will comment on the number of comments I receive. I surely do enjoy my readers and their comments. I do feel the need to explain lest you think I am undeserving. That's how a comment about comments makes me feel. First of all, I have been blogging for a long time...a decade in July. Secondly, for every comment I receive, I also make double, triple or more. So blogging is a time-consuming pastime. Working folks seldom have the luxury, unless their blogs are their employment. So when bloggers want to know how to have lots of comments, I suggest that they give many comments...many, many more than received. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to explain this again and thank you for popping by!
DeleteHe does look young!
ReplyDeleteSo many reasons that I don't blog as much. I get bogged down. I basically fixed up my fixer. I enjoy gardening. xoxo Su
Hello Vee. I've just had internet connection problems and was so pleased to have it fixed by an engineer. I realise how much I use the internet and especially to keep in touch with the outside world other than my neighbourhood, town. It's easy to get out of the discipline of writing and sharing through blogging and then sometimes life gets complicated, as you know, and one has to focus on that situation. Dear Vee, belated happy birthday wishes to your father. I like the way you capture facial expressions and the vignette photo of him with his helper, Gabby, looking out of the window is a treasure. Wishing you a good new month full of lovely moments.
ReplyDeleteVee, I feel the same way about bloggers; mine have certainly diminished and sometimes I think it's time to hang it up since no one really cares anymore. Then, I hear the voice of my precious Kelly saying, "Mom you do this so your grandchildren will have a record of your life!" So there you have it--three grandchildren knowing who I was and stories about the family they come from! By the way, your grandsons are so handsome and I bet they bring great joy to your life, XOXO
ReplyDeleteWe call it sledding and fortunate to ahve a wonderful park nearby that is called "Sledding Hill" and all the neighborhood children love it. We just have not had much snow this winter. I hope the spring snows help us catch up.
ReplyDeleteYour dad looks greta for his age. It is a blessing to still have him in your life. I lost my dad in a tragic way when I was only 18. I miss him every day.
I think many bloggers went to facebook and now have moved on to Instagram. I've seen facebook losing a lot of people lately--too much partisan politics going on I believe. I'll never give up my blog--love it too much! I'm just blogging once a week due to time constraints, but I put a lot into each post so it is a good pace for now.
LOve your sister's new room! Beautiful!
Hi Vee, Somehow time has escaped me that you live in Maine. I'm wondering where about as we will be coming to New England in the fall to see colors. We fell in love with Maine about 14 years ago!
ReplyDeleteLove seeing your home!
Hugs,
Noreen
My home is in the western foothills. Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont sure have a great reputation for autumn foliage. 🍁
DeleteHello Vee, Blogging does take a lot of time and I can not always leave comments, but I do enjoy the ladies I have met!! The picture of your dad did make me giggle. Your grandsons are so handsome...
ReplyDeleteBlessings Always. Roxy
Oh yes, I have also noticed that blogging has slowed down. I was looking back at past posts on my blog and my comments have been cut down quite a bit to what I was getting over a year or two ago. I must confess that I have not been the best blogger in recent months as I simply don't have the time like I did. I have done a terrible job on visiting and I only post twice a week with maybe a book review on the weekend. Oh well....maybe life will slow down soon-HA!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a blessed Thursday, sweet Vee. Hugs!
The comments were soooo long I almost didn't comment.
ReplyDeleteBut here I will, the room is lovely, so is dad. I sure miss mine.
Tried to reply to e-mail but it didn't work.
ReplyDeleteI was just being silly about (where did all the bloggers go)
We love your blog,could it be envy you have so many comments.????
What a gorgeous living room! I hope he loves it. Cute pics of the boys. Won't we all be so glad when the snow is GONE. Here, we have just a trace left and it should be gone by Saturday. Hallelujah! Spring can't come soon enough for me. Cute pic of your dad and his 'smirk'? Would you call that a smirk? And I do think that sledding sounds every so much more posh than sliding. Sliding sounds accidental. Have a great rest of the week, Vee.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteHi Vee, I had to take almost a year off,I needed to spend more time with my husband last summer, and that was in Maine most of the time, but fall came and we got bad news, he had lung cancer, after thanksgiving he started radiation with a lot of promises but alas, it didn't happen,he passed away the day before Christmas. A huge lost to the entire family, next week we would of been married 53 years.I sure miss him ! but life must go on and i am painting again! and keeping busy with a great group of friends for support ! and must of all great kids and grand kids. Nita
Nita, the reason for your absence is the one I most fear when bloggers go missing. Thank you for stopping by today and telling me. I am very sorry for your great loss.
DeleteNot sure what blogging was like in the "old days." I've only been here for 3 1/2 years, though my blogging has slowed down even in that time. I hear many bloggers are doing Instagram, but I do love the blogging world. Love your dad!
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of your dad AND the photo of the boys in the snow. Both photos of family with light and shadow... in the one of your dad through windows obviously, and in the one with the snow as it reflects the light. Love the post and always your beautiful photos. Not to mention your dad looks very contented.
ReplyDeleteWhile this is an older post, I read it and the comments with interest, Vee. As long-time bloggers ourselves, we have also noticed blogging changes. It may be due to folks connecting on FB and similar online social outlets, but I am not one of them. And, others may just tire of blog posting or sadly have passed on. While I don't blog on a daily basis as we first did, it remains enjoyable still. Reading other blogs is hard to do on a daily basis, but I try to at least comment weekly.
ReplyDelete