CWAC 2009 Recap:Tuesday

Walking the 10-mile Discovery Bike Trail is one of my vacation goals while at Callaway. It takes me almost 3 1/2 hours, which calculates out to a rate of 3 mph - just the right pace to enjoy my surroundings and get my heartrate up into a fat-burning range.










It's a good thing I left early Tuesday morning or I would have missed this fine luncheon with my 83 yo aunt who came down from Atlanta for the day. Her son and husband are sitting around the table, too.

Starting with the blue shirt (grinning fella) and proceeding clockwise:

1st cousin=Dan
My father=Dan
Me=Dana - trend here?
Uncle=Ed
Aunt=Jane
Sister=Noel
Cousin=Ron
Aunt=Mary (back of her head)






But this picture takes family photo albums to a new level.

My father, mother and aunt are identifying people on the computer screen.










My cousin, Dan, had scanned a bunch of old photos (late '50s, early 60s) and burned a disk for everyone. This is the new *scrapbooking* skill.

We had a fine time.

CWAC 2009 Recap:Monday

Here's our home away from home while we're at Callaway Gardens. The cottages are very nice: especially spacious, and comfortably furnished.

When we're not eating at this large dining table, we're playing cards, reading, or planning our next outing.



Climbing back into bed and reading in the early morning is something I reserve for vacation. There's also a nice screened-in porch on the back of the cottage - perfect for these pasttimes of reading and playing cards.

In an time where most families dont own any land or have a large enough home to accomodate everyone for a week-long vacation, we're happy to claim Callaway Gardens as our *family farm*, if you will.

I think this is what the Callaway Family had in mind when they opened their land to others. Here's what Cason said:

Take nothing from the Gardens except
nourishment for the soul
consolation for the heart,
and inspiration for the mind.

CWAC 2009 Recap:Sunday

After attending the interdenominational worship service at the Callaway Chapel, we headed back to Sparkleberry Lane for the all-important photo shoot. The pictures taken this morning are the basis for our family calendar which my parents produce and give to us for Christmas each year.

Family members need to be available for the better part of the morning because there are several obligatory sessions:

Individual head shots













Family portraits



















Birthday months











With over 29 grandchildren, and now 2 great-grands, it's a challenge to make sure everyone's photos are taken.

My father helps keep track.

















Usually we're finished with this process around noon, just in time to enjoy our first picnic of the week.

I'm all about fried chicken at Southern picnics. So, it should come as no surprise that Krispy's in Pine Mountain has become a tradition.


















We serve our plates and head back outside to eat together, finishing the meal with a giant chocolate chip cookie cake.

Are you having a family reunion this summer?

Special Cakes

This past Sunday we celebrated DH's birthday with this fancy dessert.










I myself love to cook and bake. But this year I'd just returned from a week-long family reunion at Callaway Gardens and didn't have enough time to *do it all*. Thank goodness I believe that outsourcing is an integral part of being an efficient homemaker :)

That's how Jill's Cakes and Bakes comes into play.

While I was busy in the kitchen preparing this menu:

Roasted Turkey
Mashed Potatoes
Gravy
Steamed Broccoli
Beet Salad (actually Sis-in-law prepared this family favorite)
Pickle Tray complete with peaches, okra, and olives
Garlic Bread

Plantation Tea
Coffee

Jill had already done her part.

It just seemed *smart* take care of this detail before I left for vacation. The holiday weekend dictated the timetable and the shop was closed on Saturday. So, the cake had to be picked up on Thursday; sat boxed in the 'fridge for three days; and still was maximally moist for Sunday evening's party.

Jill also prepared the cake for DD#2's wedding last August.

I really hope her shop continues to grow.

If you live nearby, I highly recommend her cakes.












What about you?

Who helps you out in a pinch?

Is there a special bakery you recommend?

Fashion on Fridays

Lime Green has surfaced as my fashion accent this summer.


I bought these inexpensive sandals on a whim at Target in late May, not really sure how they were going to fit into my wardrobe.




But low and behold, they were a perfect match for these green print capris that I wore for the family reunion photo.



That's me with my siblings (and spouses).







Then I remembered this green striped blouse from a few years ago and paired it with some stone colored capris.

Voila!





This snapshot with my niece is more flattering, although I need lipstick.











Plus there's this mosaic scarf which I'm wearing today with a jean dress.

Last week I wore it as a belt with a white skirt and lime green T-shirt.








Wait! There's more!

See this light-weight summer dress?

It was already in the back of the closet.

And it blossomed with this sweater.





All on account of those lime green sandals.



What's keeping your wardrobe fresh this summer?

Thankful Thursday


Here are some categories that come to my mind when I begin counting my blessings. Today I just want to contemplate these areas in their broadest sense and perhaps later (each week or month) be more specific.










Faith - that God quickened my heart at a young age and He keeps me on His path
Health - that mine is indeed good and I enjoy it
Temperament-that I awaken rested with a positive outlook each day

Husband - that he works sacrificially and lovingly for me
Family - for four beautiful daughters (and 2 SILs) who love and serve the Lord
Church - for over thirty years of sound sound preaching

Home - safe haven in a lovely community
Employment -for the ability to serve DH in his profession
Country - for these United States, O Lord, have mercy on us and save us from civil tyranny


I want to try next time and count (recognize) blessings like Kelly's or simple pleasures like Carol's.

Bingo!

As I was looking for a picture to illustrate my writing, I remember this beautiful bouquet brought to the office by one of our nurses. I am thankful for her and her gardening skills.

What a blessing!

This is a simple pleasure at its finest!

Summer Five

What is your favorite thing to eat in the summer?

BLTs aka Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato sandwiches. In fact, they're on the menu tonight along with steamed corn on the cob. Grandma Jago is coming over :)

Actually, the highlight in addition to home-grown, juicy, ripe, red tomatoes is garlic cream cheese.

Have you ever tried it?

What is your favorite thing to drink in the summer?

Lately I've been making my own wine spritzers, using lots of LeCroix (carbonated water with no sodium) and a little bit of whichever wine is open. This beverage doesnt top the all-time favorite gin and tonic with lime, but it does help reduce caloric intake.



I think it's the bubbles.... I like the bubbles.





What is your favorite thing to wear in the summer?

I think my *new* (last five years) favorite thing to wear for summer is painted toenails ;) This month I'm wearing an OPI color - Tazmanian Devil.






Also, I get a charge out of coordinating clothing for my daughters. But now that they're grown, it's somewhat more difficult. DD#2 proposed a color board of yellow, white, and blue/greens for our family photo. It's based on this fun scarf from Old Navy.

What is your favorite thing to read in the summer?

A newly-published fiction from the light (brain-candy) reading category.

This year's is yet to be chosen, unless you count The Help, already completed and reviewed on my Xanga site.

What is your favorite thing to do in the summer?






Family reunions are my favorite thing about summertime. We've been gathering since 1983 around the pool and at Callaway Gardens. We've named it CWAC or Cousins' Week at Callaway.

This highlight of the year combines the fun of Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Years, and Independence Day into one, fast-paced week of bonding.

I highly recommend establishing this tradition.





HT: Donna at Quiet Life