From surprise hearts by the front door to husband cardigans that don't itch your elbows, walnuts for throwing, and a double-batch of brownies, where your only job is to lick the spatula. A few things that have been happening in our world ..
lately
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I ask the kids what traditions they're starting with their own families. Along with some memories of holidays past. He remembers peanut butter balls by the dozen; she remembers puzzles. Yesterday, I added Bing Crosby
“Already?” my husband says
Already
— —
We've gone on two Sunday breakfast dates in two weeks
The first, to his regular morning haunt. It's local, leisurely, and known for exceptional coffee. Best of all? It's quiet. Their egg + hashbrown burritos are legendary (as are the chicken sausage + egg + special sauce + hold-the-English-muffin-please sandwiches)
The second, to a bustling corner restaurant with cloves in their margaritas. The child at the table next to us orders well, “Just the cheese dip, please.”
On our first date, we talk about our worries for the people we love. On the second, we talk about ourselves. Much of his sureties, many of my doubts
But you’ve always said…
I know…
On the way home, he surprises me with a stop at the home improvement store. “It's time for a new washer. I'd like to hear what you're saying, instead of shouting over the noise of an airplane taking off.”
“What? What was that you said?”
He never anticipated the cherry red front-loader is the only option that will do. “You're willing to wait until January for delivery? Are you sure? The grey set you can have in just a few days.”
At home, we hug in the kitchen. A jealous dog sits at our feet; an impatient kitty waits for his treat
Photo Credit – newyorktimes.com
I Skype with my grandson, who tells me stories of being a blue Power Ranger and houses with the best candy. I don't tell him how much I miss trick-or-treating. That I taught myself to sew so I could make his uncle costumes. Capes became my specialty: Batman, The Green Hornet, Captain America.
That I was the neighborhood mom, who took all of the kids around until we were freezing and the last porch light had dimmed. Back at home, hot chocolate flowed while the candy swapping commenced. “I'll trade you a Snicker for your Hostess cupcake.”
Such happy memories
— —
The puppies hunt for a ball or two, or many
When Harry's ready for bed, he hovers in the hallway and stares with at my husband with sad puppy eyes. They both sleep with their heads on piles of pillows. Sally asks for bones by cocking her head toward the cabinet, a single eyebrow raised and the hopeful wag of her tail
“Have you taught them puppy sign language?” someone asked me last week
But they already have their own
Harry – October 2017
A gift from a neighbor, a Ziploc bursting with walnuts. “For throwing,” she tells me
I smile and don't ask at what
—
A quote in my gratitude journal
“I love you forever’ really means ‘Just trust me for now,’ which is all it ever means, and we just hope to keep renewing the “now,” year after year.” ~ Adam Gopnik
(Featured Photo Credit: Instagram – @lauraponts )
46 Comments
I do think that love is a constant commitment that you have to renew day after day. And far too often we base it upon whatever we are feeling at the moment. Which means love slips away from us in sad and unexpected ways. I love the story of the two dates. They are just perfect. And what could be better than a brand new washer? And hate it when it has the sound of an airplane
I miss trick-or-treating as well. As an adult who doesn’t have children, I felt like Halloween was a little boring this year. My workplace did do a costume contest but that was about it.
Hubby is getting you a new washer, now that is true love. I am glad Halloween is over and moving on to the next holiday. Funny what everyone comes up with when you ask them what they want or remember.
My kids love the Charlie Brown Great Pumpkin television special. It was on ABC on two different nights this year and we watched it both times together as a family. Really enjoyed your cover photo. It was really vibrant with all the different gourds and vegetables in it!
This post is absolutely awesome. Hubs is getting a new washer- that is amazing! I love that this post makes you think of all the little things to be happy about. Thank you!
Sounds like an interesting and fun week. You guys have so many great traditions. So important to connect with our loved ones even in these little moments. How awesome you are getting a new washer! Mine is awful, a new one is definitely something that could make your day!
Puzzles were a holiday tradition at our house too. My mom would buy a new one each year at Christmas and my siblings would keep busy (and away from the presents). Love that your children are carrying on some of the traditions from their own childhoods with their families.
Puzzles were a holiday tradition at our house too. My mom would buy a new one each year at Christmas and my siblings would keep busy (and away from the presents). Love that your children are carrying on some of the traditions from their own childhoods with their families.
What sweet memories for everyone to remember. So many people don’t realize how important the little things are and how much each little thing shows our love for each other. That’s also exciting to get a nice washer/dryer! 🙂
I personally look forward to every weekend at our home. Time spent with family is priceless and irreplaceable! I hope you have a great weekend every time!
Charles Schultz who created the Peanuts comic strip was a genius and really captured many moments that we can remember with a smile, like Linus sitting in the pumpkin patch on Halloween. I like that you included a still from the animation of that Peanuts TV special. Halloween and fall weekends were always something my family enjoyed and looked forward to.
I like the visuals in the post, and the storytelling gives me a Christmas feel. Its very homely.
Ok, first of all, I can’t believe you’re a grandmother! Or maybe I didn’t understand well?:-) Second, your post reminds me of traditions when I was a child that I love to remember. I try to pass them on to my children as well. Happy memories of spending time with your family are the most valuable ‘things’ you own.
Such lovely things! Great memories, moments to cherish and things to be thankful for! We have more walnuts here if they are needed haha! I love that you asked your kids about their own traditions! I love that our young adult kids can carry on some of ours and start their own as well.
Oh my you had such happy memories!! I look forward in creating memories like those…
Ahh I love your memories, it’s lovely how everyone has such unique and personal memories, I guess that’s what makes them special. Gorgeous photos too!
Aw I want a new washer too! I was face timing with my 3 year-old niece last week (how crazy is it that toddlers know how to face time?) and she was showing me her fairy wings. Precious eh? Have a lovely week!
I’m so glad I found this blog. You have an amazing writing style! Having read a couple of posts now I end up with this warm feeling of something good:) thank you:)
Aw I love that you have been going on Sunday breakfast dates with your partner and have taken the time to truly listen to what the other person has to say. That is something that is truly special and shows us that we should all take time out of our day to connect with loved ones and most importantly disconnect from work, social media and technology!
Holiday traditions make me so happy. This is the first year my wife and I won’t be hosting Thanksgiving. I’m a little bummed about it. My niece will be hosting in her new house. So it’s exciting for her to start their own family traditions.
Cloves in margarita sounds both unique and delicious! Although the weather may dip…there’s something special about this time of year and how it brings family together.
I miss the simplicity of being a kid or being allowed to act like a kid. Trick or treating or staying up to watch a Charlie Brown anything. Good times. I do love that when the seasons’ change and things get cold, I have a license to just bundle up inside and watch things that remind of my childhood.
Did you really get the red one? I am truly jealous right now. And on another note I’d love for my mom to ask me about my family traditions. That would be a good talk!
Getting a new washer is good and I remember my old days when we used to eat what we like and we used to play any game which we like but things have changed now ?.
We have traditions and some are on accident and some are on purpose. Some are just new and enjoyable while others are old and a huge part of who we are. It makes us who we are, what we do, and what we look forward to. I especially like the holidays because it brings out these traditions in us and because my husband has more free time so we get the next four months to stare at each other without interruption, every day. Bliss.
You have a very productive weekend. It is always fun spending time with the love ones near or afar. I love seeing all those colorful things during Autumn season. Last weekend we went on a road trip with family . It was very pretty on the side of the road into the top of the mountain.
You have great traditions, and it looks like you had a happy weekend! It’s so lovely that hubby brought you a new washer, this is absolutely amazing! You are making a very happy memories,, God bless family 🙂
I love the quote in your gratitude journal, it really summarizes marriage to me! Plus Harry is such a cutie!
You mentioned peanut butter balls…our family tradition is chocolate balls…a family recipe that goes way back. My Mom and several aunts make them with rum in the icing. It’s nice to have a good neighbor (or a friendly one). I haven’t really had that luxury.
I definitely miss the freedom and simple happiness of being little especially when things get rough, I’m glad though that I have my Husband by my side through thick and thin. Love isn’t always sunshine and roses like the movies, it’s arguments and compromise but it’s still the best thing. Love is stronger than those little arguments and gripes. I used to have a lot of traditions when I was at home with my Family but I’m working on building some now
I wasn’t allowed to celebrate Halloween as a child, so I always used to say I’d dress up when I got older. I love to see cute family costumes as well. Fall is just a great time of year.
I miss that weekend with my Mom and all we talk are just random things that we remember, and laugh. It was a nice moment. I can’t wait to experience it again with her.
great post so important to cherish the little things and reflect on what we are thankful and the traditions that make a holiday I need to think about what traditions we want to carry on
Oh my goodness, that first photo of yours made me yearn for the seasons. (We don’t have it where I’m now in, so I’m surely missing autumn!) Either way, speaking of being a kid, I do miss those times. But yeah, it’s clear that certain ages brings forth a set of pros and cons each, but it’s always nice to get all nostalgic about things 😀
I miss spending weekends and holidays with my grandparents, it just feels so warm and special, especially when each of the grand children start telling random stories about what happened or things they remember. I really miss those times as a kid
Your stories are so, so, so heart warming… You made me think of all the holidays enjoyed with the children too. Thank you.
Those are cute traditions. I like families who make time for each other at least once or twice a week. I believe making quality time with family is really important. Btw, how old are your kids?
After a lifetime, what we’ll remember of any tradition, party, feast, celebration is not the celebration itself but the people who’ve been sharing it with. When you spend quality time often, you often have a new celebration and party to remember.
I just adore this time of you. All of these things currently going on in your life could happen at any other point during the year, sure, but for some reason, during this time of the year- they’re just like 50 x better and more memorable! <3
Sounds like warm, nostalgic times. My dog definitely has “sign language” too. They all do once you get to know them!
You have shared some really great moments. Thanks for letting us have great insight in to your life.
Thanks for Sharing
John M
Oh wow, this post was just heart warming. I miss dates with my husband, since we had our son, our life is around him, and all our outings are planned to entertain him, or keep him busy 🙂 Maybe a few years more and we can find our own place with great coffee and hash brown burritos (yummy).
Loved this post. Making new traditions is what its all about but I understand missing trick or treating!
First off, that colorful first photo featuring an array of fall root veggies caught my eye and attention. I lingered long on it even as I read your snippets about family life, love, memories, and surprise gifts … isn’t that what makes cherished moments and memories special? Ah, such blessings! 🙂
Weekend dates are my favorite and I see you have been enjpying them as well! It is so lovely you used to sew your son’s capes for halloween! Such great memories you shared with us!! I love the way you write!
Sounds liks perfect nostalgic moments. I didn’t do trick or treating as a child but I do remember dressing as witch in a costume my mum made out of bin bags and visiting my grandparents to show off our “scary” outfits.