tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77345492024-03-07T23:07:21.715-05:00Anybody HomeThoughts of an empty nester. Mostly stuff that only interests me, but you are welcome to read along and comment!Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.comBlogger4146125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-18078296216002877142023-11-23T20:40:00.002-05:002023-12-01T21:00:11.990-05:00Thanksgiving Day 2023 Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-69552192221355598662023-09-01T20:36:00.003-04:002023-09-04T20:59:54.664-04:00Senior PicturesA few of Jonge's senior pictures! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-43510221606321106532023-08-23T21:58:00.002-04:002023-08-23T21:58:44.545-04:00Summer Is OverBroeder - 4th gradeHeirtje - 6th gradeFeintje - 7th gradeKado - FreshmanFamke - JuniorJonge - SeniorJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-55549157185129111202023-06-07T14:36:00.002-04:002023-06-07T14:36:27.561-04:00Three Grandchildren Are Now Highschoolers! Kado graduated from the 8th grade last night and is now officially in high school! (Yes, a lot has happened since last I posted. Someday, I do plan to catch up.) Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-13859069866971714272022-11-24T23:04:00.023-05:002023-04-02T20:50:26.027-04:00A Beautiful Thanksgiving DayJust a few pictures from our lovely Thanksgiving Day! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-33525838339206915062022-10-23T18:44:00.001-04:002022-10-24T14:47:02.842-04:00Fall Family Photo Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-75252589130496678902022-08-24T13:39:00.002-04:002022-08-24T13:39:48.533-04:00They Have GrownPictures from five of the years we've gone to the cottage.They have grown! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-65721322562426704442022-08-24T11:25:00.002-04:002022-08-24T11:25:58.620-04:00Quilting Several years ago, when we all gathered at the cottage, Daughter-in-law brought along a lap quilt she was working on.It was her first attempt at quilting, and since none of us had ever attempted a quilt, we were all duly impressed with her new skill.This year she brought along the most recent quilt she's been working on.It contains scraps from all the quilts she has made so far!Isn't it Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-76348136942889574792022-08-19T22:59:00.070-04:002022-08-23T14:24:07.563-04:00Summer Celebration!Friday evening we met at Daughter and Son-in-Law's house to celebrate Famke's FIFTEENTH birthday the week before. Of course, there were many fun activities happening. Jonge took these guys on a golf-cart ride to the lake.Hertje was thrilled with the shells she collected. There was also stone skipping, but I guess they skipped all of those.All of the adults enjoyed watching Famke open Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-11922193274591670062022-08-06T08:08:00.066-04:002022-08-15T19:32:50.774-04:00Early Saturday At the CottageI got up early.THGGM was already up and enjoying his last morning on the deck. There is just a little bit of sunshine on the trees. The lake is calm, but it is already HOT and MUGGY. Can't complain though, this is the first day of that for the entire week! Yay! Although I have to say, it made it MUCH easier to pack up, knowing that we were all heading to AIR-CONDITIONED homes! So Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-24463995963149859512022-08-05T23:57:00.092-04:002022-08-15T18:36:14.807-04:00Friday At the Cottage (Part Three)After dinner we checked out the cloud situation.It looked like another amazing sunset could be on the horizon soon. Feeling hopeful!Most of the clouds seemed to be north of us.Sadly, we noticed that murkiness seemed to be to the south.But look! Even through the murkiness you can see a ship leaving the channel. It is a little bit clearer here. Oldest Son with his new camera and Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-90191127493024771872022-08-05T23:50:00.041-04:002022-08-15T18:05:20.326-04:00Friday At the Cottage (Part Two)Oldest Son brought his pizza oven.Yum. Wood smoked pizza!Not only is it delicious, it is also a great way to use up leftovers. My dinner time view is different on days when there has been swimming!The birds are still singing for us.Some of the birds I can recognize from their calls, even though I don't see them.The Happy Chef! He is getting the coals read for S'mores.Do you like your Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-15256392270019688412022-08-05T23:02:00.054-04:002022-08-14T20:19:27.864-04:00Friday At the Cottage A collection of pictures showing how we spent our Friday.Porch sitting in the morning.Swimming in the afternoon.Well, some were swimming. THGGM floats. His floaty is attached to an anchor to prevent him from waking up in Wisconsin.I'm on the deck, still reading Mansfield Park. I love the view from here. The ever-changing color of the water, and the ever-shifting sand bars, not toJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-90280288396492934062022-08-04T23:59:00.055-04:002022-08-14T17:06:07.163-04:00Thursday At the Cottage (Part Two)During dinner, it was still unknown if we would get to see another spectacular sunset.It wasn't raining, just murky looking.Fajitas and corn on the cob were on the menu. YUM!My view during dinner.There were many different kinds of birds flitting around the bird feeder.But would they pose for me?No.Well would you look at that!?A lovely sunset.I love it when the sun reflects off the waves.&Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-7837326358738056282022-08-04T22:55:00.043-04:002022-08-14T14:14:08.719-04:00Thusday At the CottageThursday morning was a bit gloomy.Not to worry.There is still much to do!Coffee on the front porch is an excellent choice. I brought four books with me. On Saturday I settled on this one. I've read it once or twice, the last time was about 10 years ago. Before I began it again, I read up about it. That was so helpful. It's amazing to me how different things jump out differently as one ages. Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-68057723499424728552022-08-03T23:27:00.037-04:002022-08-10T16:34:06.279-04:00Wednesday At the Cottage (Part Two)It really didn't look like we would see much of a sunset.But did that ever change.For a minute it looked like it would set into the low-lying clouds.But it didn't.Good night all! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-10746292442041183092022-08-03T22:55:00.073-04:002022-08-10T16:20:06.891-04:00Wednesday At the CottageAt about 2:30 in the morning the winds started and kept up all day.It didn't stop the painters at the house next-door.But no worries, I kept a close eye on him.Youngest Son, Broeder and Hertsje did risk it by going down to the beach. It was crazy-wild, but I didn't get any pictures.THGGM did. The undertow was incredible, so they got wet and got out. Next up was games with Uncle Oldest Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-73089692087651186492022-08-02T23:50:00.025-04:002022-08-10T13:41:51.748-04:00Tuesday At the Cottage (Part Three)After the sun had set, it was time to play Telestrations. If you have never played this, you are missing out. It is so fun and works with all of our various ages.It does seem to help if you are great at drawing, yet not a perfectionist about it. And now I am very tired. Good night! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-12832117204064466312022-08-02T23:38:00.042-04:002022-08-09T17:49:35.145-04:00Tuesday At the CottageThese pictures all explain themselves!Games!Boat-y things.Beach time!Swimming!THGGM remains in view while I read my book and take pictures! My idea of a perfect day! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-87959083019231691552022-08-02T23:37:00.046-04:002022-08-10T12:51:36.039-04:00Tuesday At the Cottage (Part Two)Daughter and Famke, resting between games and swimming.Yum! Grilled hotdogs and brats.Just waiting for everyone to get ready to go for ice cream.Made it back intime for the amazing sunset!Oldest Son got some amazing shots of the crescent moon.I did not.I got an amazing shot of Daughter-in-law!Time to gather everything up. Possible storms tomorrow. Only time will tell.This was an amazing sunset. IJudyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-59584936872807062232022-08-01T23:11:00.075-04:002022-08-08T14:32:41.695-04:00Monday At the CottageMonday morning came in with a howling wind that began about 2:30 AM.Little bit of either rain, or water from the lake blowing around.I enjoyed the view from the porch, with my computer, camera, and coffee.Once the sun came out, I checked out the damages.One geranium stem, the only casualty. And for those of us who didn't pin our beachwear to the line, there was this.The sun was lovely, the Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-72312283711355576682022-07-31T23:13:00.001-04:002022-08-07T18:37:08.089-04:00Sunday At the Cottage, Part TwoAfter dinner it was time to decide which games to play next.The card game "You've Got Crabs" was decided upon. They look serious here, but trust me, there was not much seriousness going on.There were three teams of two partners. That's about the only part of this game I was able to understand. But they all seemed to be having a wonderful time of it.I thought that was the end of Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-52321221029895220682022-07-31T22:53:00.043-04:002022-08-07T18:08:12.234-04:00Sunday At The CottageToday was an absolutely GORGEOUS day!The lake water was crystal clear, and quite still.Perfect conditions for playing frisbee in the water.Or, even just bobbing around on inner tubes.Koob is a fun game.Have you ever tried it? What I enjoy most about Koob (also called Viking Chess) is photographing objects suspended in the air.Dinner was burgers on the grill, and salads and fruit.Yum! Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-39083377650137043712022-07-30T22:32:00.018-04:002022-08-06T16:13:59.461-04:00Our Cottage Week Begins!We're here! This is our 7th summer visit to this lovely cottage on Lake Michigan in Holland.Plenty of beach this year, and the water is so clear and blue!Of course, THGGM must check it out.I'm thrilled to be sitting on the deck, reading, and keeping watch that he doesn't drift away to Wisconsin.Seventy degrees. Can't argue with that!Oldest Son grilled hamburgers for all of us.About 3 Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7734549.post-40510608204245280762022-07-23T22:10:00.021-04:002022-07-24T18:15:59.224-04:00Christmas in July Judyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065893613028995685noreply@blogger.com1