After much back and forthing, using up Plans A through about F, we made the final decision to hold the party at Erin's family's cabin where they had been staying for the week. We were scheduled to all trek out to Chicken Mama's but unfortunately we had freezing rain all day yesterday coating every surface including, of course, the roads. Chicken Mama volunteered to be the only one to have to drive. So she came in to town and then went back home after the celebration ended. (As she said, she's used to it!)
As kids tend to do, the games came out as soon as they spied an adult willing to play with them. Above is a tense game of Pick Up Sticks and Chinese Checkers.
We had late Christmas presents to exchange. Chicken Mama got each boy a book and three goose/duck/blackbird calls which were a real hit. (Something tells me Erin packed the calls deep in the bottom of a suitcase for the 1200 mile car ride home.)
Erin (aka The Knitting Machine) knit beautiful socks for all of us. Just beautiful!
Erin had mentioned in a blog post some time back that she had a funky chair that she wanted to someday try upholstering in deer hide. The northern Minnesota contingency gave her two cured hides to work with.
Erin's family had never played Charades so we taught them all and the boys did remarkably well. Here #1 son is trying to get us to say some word by pointing to Papa Pea.
Despite the fact that it looks as if Chicken Mama had just emptied the wine bottle she's holding, 'twas not the case. She was in the midst of showing us a trick where she could retrieve the bottle's cork (which had been pushed all the way into the bottle) without breaking the bottle. Let's just say the trick was . . . mildly successful.As stated above, we did make it to midnight but not too long afterward. Before leaving, we said our good-byes to Erin's family as they had to be on their way home early today. I think they had a good time and enjoyed what they saw and did up here in the Northwoods. I know it was a very good experience for us having them here.
I ran across this quote a while ago and have decided to use it as my New Year's "resolution."
Begin now doing what you want to do now.
We are not living in eternity. We have only this
Moment, sparkling like a star in our hand ---
And melting like a snowflake.
- Marie Beynon Ray
17 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful evening was had by all... and I absolutely love the quote. Thanks for sharing!
For just a second I thought the kids had cigars. I was going to say you guys really know how to party. Then I read on and saw they were bird calls.That makes more sense. And don't worry I held up your tradition and was asleep by 10:30.
What a fun night you all had. I can hardly wait until Erin and family become your neighbors. I'm sure their winter vacation to visit you will bring them moving as soon as possible.
Many hugs and good 2011 wishes.
Yvette
Hope, etc. - You're welcome! I need to read it every morning when I get up so I remember to spend my time in that way.
Jane - Ha! Just looked back at the picture and the call #1 son had in his mouth looks EXACTLY like a cigar!
Good girl for being asleep by 10:30 . . . somebody had to be big and strong today.
Yvette - Something as major as a big move never comes as quickly as one would want it . . . especially when a career in the military is involved! I think it's going to be a process of checking out different areas in the northern part of our state. But we'd sure love to have them right in our neck-of-the-woods.
Hugs to you, too, m'dear!
I didn't even know pick up stix still existed! Yeah! It looks like you guys had lots of fun.
And I thought the calls were Kazoo's. Can't say I'd blame Erin for packing them down deep!
Your quote was wonderful!
APG - I've been reading blogs more than commenting lately with the extra stuff going on. Don't think I've forgotten you! I'd never do that. Methinks I'm gonna need a couple of days this coming week to get back in my routine. Plus trying hard to implement a couple of new things . . . is there EVER a lack of things to do???
Oh heavens, no worries Mama. Implement new stuff??? Ok, now I am excited. You know what happens when I get all goosebumpy right?
I promise I will behave. But I am very much looking forward to it. You should take a nice rest though. You have had a very big week!
Now I am going to cozy up with Judy Hopkins and see if I can't blow another block ;o)
Papa Pea is quite handsome.
Your quote came as wonderful inspiration to follow through on recent decisions made regarding the way I want to live my life from now on. Thank you for sharing it today.
APG - Oh, don't go gettin' too excited, Girlie. The "implement new things" just refers to work on myself! You'd think at my age I'd be perfect by now (HARDEE-HAR-HAR!), but there are so many things I want to change about myself. I have realized that change of that type is soooo hard because of ingrained thought patterns and habits, but I also know NOBODY can do the work to get to where I want to be but myself.
JJ - I just interrupted Papa Pea watching a movie to relay your comment. He laughed and laughed and said, "She should see me on a good night!" [I think you just made his day. Maybe week. Thanks. :o)]
You're so welcome, Karen. I've got the quote taped right here next to my monitor and am going to try very hard to follow it. Hugs.
Sounds like a great way to welcome in the new year. We just went to bed early. Until the fireworks woke everybody up. :)
It all looked like such fun. I can only imagine all the excited chattering Erin is going to have to listen to ALL THE WAY HOME!!
What great memories. Cripes, it sounded like so much fun , I almost hopped in the truck for a ride to Minny-sota!!
:)
Your quote is great. I am good at doing exactly what I want to do---I'm just TENSE doing it! We'll work on this together!
Have a wonderful day
Sue
Leigh - You actually have fireworks going off at midnight? Lucky us, no such thing here. I remember growing up when some people would step out on the porch at midnight and fire off a shotgun. I suppose that would be really frowned upon these days!
Sue - So why do you think you're tense when you're doing exactly what you want to do? I know the reason I'm that way . . . and it's nobody's fault but my own!! Bad self, bad!
The calls remind me of a 500 mile trip with our then 8-10 year old practicing his elk bugling. It was classic! Glad you had a great time. Love the quote!
~~Lori
Lori - Oh. My. Goodness. I'll bet he was really good at it after 500 miles! ;o)
LOL, they kept asking for those fowl calls during the drive, you are right - they were packed deep... very deep! What a fun time, now the kids want to play charades all the time! I'm pretty proud of all of us for staying up til midnight, last year I'm pretty sure we were asleep in front of a movie like every other year :)
Erin - Because you're a very intelligent woman, I KNEW those calls would not be available for the car trip home!
Yupper, we made it to midnight but you'll notice, we all crumpled pretty soon after the bewitching hour!
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