We have two work days at our family cottage: one in the spring and one in the fall.In the spring, there is tons to do. Wash all the bed linens (we have beds to sleep almost 30). Wash all the windows. Put the porch screens in. Wash all the walls, cupboards, floors, everything top to bottom. Put the dock out, the raft. Tidy up the yard. Sweep and hose down the house siding.
But in the fall, hehe, there is not much to do. And yesterday was a perfect autumn day to not do much.
We had time to color.
Enjoy the sun.
Crawl around.
Look at each others' faces.
Drink coffee. Cuddle.
Oh, and then we also did some work. Like take out the porch screens.
Wash porch windows.
Find where the windows go. This is the hardest part.
And put them up.
The babies kept themselves occupied.
While their mommies, daddies, grandmas and grandpas worked.
But often the babies also helped.
And then they had to take a break.
Because the loving is the most important part.
38 comments:
Ruth, you really should consider doing some photo essays for local papers and little magazines. These are so fun to read and watch. Makes me wish I were part of your family.
Oh Ruthie, Ruthie! I feel like I was there! Thank you, Thank you. I can't tell you how much I needed this. Now I have my own tears (we swap them from time to time, I see).
And BTW, I did much more tweaking and finally came up with a new template...something to start with. If you have any helpful suggestions, please jump in. I FINALLY got brave!
Sweet, sweet times. It brought tears to my eyes for a few reason but mostly because my husband and I live far from our families. Cherish the time. I agree with Heather about your talent with photo essays.
ohhh there's nothing cuter than a toddler in Osh Kosh overalls!
I was just reading an essay on mid-Michigan reds and oranges this morning, as Colorado's first blizzard of the year arrived. Five inches in the driveway right now. Aspens in September are beautiful, to be sure, but late October on a Michigan lake looks more tempting than an early snow.
Excellent! Thanks for sharing!
oh i love those shoes Ruth. a Very busy sunny and fun filled day. So nice to see children enjoying themselves and being helpful. very sweet set of pictures. Feel love and togetherness. Brilliant.
That means a lot, coming from you, Heather. And, you'd fit in great with our family. We have a lot in common, as you know. And now you and Lesley are getting to know each other. :)
Boots, we missed you and everyone who wasn't there. You know I post these photos for you so you know we really did work, haha. I'm glad you felt you were there by seeing them, and I know you would be there if you could.
If you're like me, you'll keep tweaking your template. And, if you figure out how to get rid of the little wrenches, let me know!
Thanks, KMF.
Thank you very much, Tori. And I understand. When our kids were little, we lived in California 5 years and in Turkey 3. It was hard to be away when they were little. And my niece lives in Alaska, and you can imagine how it is for them and their 3 kids.
Traveller One, ain't that the truth! Maybe that's why I couldn't stop cuddling the little guy, hehe.
Loring, you've got to be kidding! I didn't see the news all weekend, so I didn't know. Wow. After such a warm autumn, that just sounds bizarre.
Anon., you're welcome, thank you for taking time to comment!
I'm glad you felt it, rauf. It was every bit as pleasant as it appears. And I think a pair of shoes like that would be nice for your treks.
LOVE seeing all these images, Ruth! Thank you for taking the time to share the day with us. I sure miss these times . . .
I agree with all the kudos here, Ruth. Great stuff. Especially for those of us who couldn't make it Saturday. Thanks for posting these!
We actually ended up getting a total of 9 inches of snow in Monument. But it's sunny and 50 today. The old story we tell newcomers to the Front Range high-altitude towns is that when you get your kids their Halloween costumes, make sure they're big enough to fit over a snowsuit!
That is so nice. I have only been to one cleaning day at the cottage, and that was when Esther came, too. I am so glad I went, and it was definitely one of my favorite cottage experiences because of our labor of love, sharing a common vision and working together makes it so special.
Those babies on the fence are now ladies!
Amy, thank you! I wish you could be there too. :(
Pablo, I missed you so much, you and Manda. But I loved being with your kiddies, they were so very sweet. I have so many stories for you! But your mom and dad prolly told you. Especially about the sprinkler! Poor Aden. Poor Eli! Poor squealing Aunt Ruth! Hahaha!
Holy cow, Loring! 9 inches. You know, we might not have had a lot of snow in Grand Ledge at Halloween, but I remember having to fit costumes over coats.
RK, I wish you lived closer so you could share more of these. We had such a blast Saturday. Yes, those young ladies might be babes, but not babies. Eric's girls brought their friend Jelly, and they were a big help. Casey is as tall as me!
Ruth,
these pics are the cutest!!
all the children. thats a big family, and a lovely one. Yesterday was pefectly warm here as well. glorious fall afternoon.
Thanks, Mystic Rose. Yep, we have a big family. You only see a fraction of us here on this post. My daughter in NYC said it's been nice there too, so I know you're having the pleasant weather. Well, until today!
I can't believe Eric's girls have grown that much! They shot up like bean stalks! Zabrina will be doing the same thing here in the next few years.
How old is Zabrina, RK? I remember one summer Peter grew 4 inches.
Ruth - Thanks so much for sharing! This is a side of the cottage that I had not seen before. What is it - many hands make light work - and in this case looks like lots of fun for all. I too love the kids in their OshKosh overalls. Makes me think of my Dad - a BIG kid at heart.
Speaking of weather - ours is in the 90's today. Not very fallish!
Oh my gosh - these pics make me glad you adopted me a few weeks back :)
Love that first pic of the work boots. OOOOoooh so darn cute!
Judy, are you surrounded by fires? How terrible they are. The heat isn't helping.
I wonder if you and your hubby will ever make it to the cottage? I hope so! We definitely have to meet, and since it won't be in Hawaii, we'll just have to figure that out. :)
Thank you so much for your sweet comment.
Drowsey, do you come from a big family? You may think twice about joining mine when you see how many of us there are (and how, um, "interesting"). Everyone gets a little overwhelmed the first time they encounter us en masse, hehe. But I would love it if you come join us at any of our gatherings, since you are my adoptee.
Can I come and crawl around with you :-)
What a lovely post.
Britt-arnhild, I wish you would. :) Thank you.
The pictures are beautiful and those little ones are so adorable. So great when you can share the day with simple fun and a few chores tossed in. Love it.
Snoopmurph, I'm glad you enjoyed my post, even though you don't know us. I guess it's not hard to see that we love each other, and that is universal.
what a fantastic day! i looked at these when you originally posted them, but didn't comment, silly me! the perfect fall day for the perfect family.
i miss you all so much. wish i could have been there. i would have started a fire or something.
Hey there, sweet pea, why'd you have to go and bring up THAT memory, huh? Ayayayayay!
I wish you coulda been dare too, sweetest girl. New Year's at da cottage this year, yes???
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