Matilda

Oh, The Moments

- robin

Last evening, the Dallas Arboretum held a special event for members. It was a social distanced, trick or treat, dinner.

It was drizzly and 40 degrees outside and although the event was sold out, not many people were there. It was damp, cold and windy.

The gardens were EMPTY! It was wonderful. The Dallas Arboretum has one of the best Autumn displays in the country….and always so crowded that you cannot move. To be there alone, was a gift and so much fun. It was a perfect night to experience the pumpkins.

My glasses had fogged up and all above photos, taken on my big camera, were taken without my glasses on. (I don’t know why but I am proud of that)

Did you see a little zombie in a few of my photos? That is our favorite girl, Matilda. She had fun in the pumpkin village and she also trick or treated…..

…..and of course, I just enjoyed each and every moment.

Love you beyond the moon and stars.

Me

Matilda’s 9th Birthday

- robin

Yesterday was Matilda’s 9th birthday. Matilda, Lars and Josh were on vacation so we drove up to the cabin to celebrate.

  • Photo: At the cabin

It takes about 3 hours to drive to the cabin from Plano. The day was beautiful and the country drive was calming.

We arrived to the birthday girl and lots of hugs. For lunch we had pizza, Champagne (Sprite for Matilda) and birthday cake. After cake, GIFTS!

  • Photo: Birthday Cake
  • Photo: Birthday Cake

She blew out 9 candles and one to grow on. Then, she informed us that she would NOT share her wish because it would not come true if she did.

The day went by at record speed. Matilda is growing into such a charming spirit. I LOVE being around her. Her energy is a gift to me every time that I am near her..

Larry and Matilda played air hockey and pool. Then,we said our goodbyes and Larry & I walked quietly to the car, holding hands.

The day went by so fast, except for the 3 hours ride home to Plano.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me

Mozart and Me

- robin

This morning, before 7:00 am, Larry’s phone rang. It was Matilda! Yesterday at her piano lesson, she was given new music. MOZART. She wanted to play it for her Grandfather. {I could hear it too} A few weeks ago, we went with Matilda to her dental appointment. I took this photo of Larry and Matilda reading the comics. Do you remember reading the comics with your parents or grandparents? Do you remember a special relationship with a grandparent?

Photo: Matilda and Larry reading the comics

Above, find 3 hours of Mozart. {I love this version} Enjoy your moments…and don’t forget to read the comics once and awhile. There is something so wonderful about the “BASICS” of life.

Love you beyond Blondie and Dagwood.

Me

Dun, Dun, Dunnnnnn

- robin

Last year, Larry and I “happened” to be at our Granddaughters school during ART Show. I took the photo below while Matilda was having fun with friends. I have been going through old photos and old memories…

Photo: My favorite girl

The image makes me happy. You can see Matilda’s fingers at the side of the painting…and it reminds me of the silly, spooky kids TV shows from years ago, where someone would hide behind a masterpiece painting and their eyes would follow you around the room. The music would be dun, dun, dunnnnn.

Have a wonderful day.

Love you beyond the moon.

Me.

On Low For Six Hours

- robin

It is Sunday and I am dressed for church. While I took my bath and dressed, Larry was busy in the kitchen.

Today, Larry made baked beans. {my mothers recipe} He measured ingredients, chopped veggies and fried bacon, then put everything in the Crock Pot. On low for 6 hours he told me. How wonderful is that?

I have been thinking about my Mother all week. I guess Larry was too.

Photo: Using my Mothers recipe, Larry made baked beans today.

I wish that you could smell the beans….it smells like goodness and love in The Cottage today.

Update: I am good. Fatigued, sick to my tummy at times and to be honest I look a little green. BUT all is well, and prognoses is good.

Larry and I took Matilda shopping yesterday. She is the best medicine ever.

When I was resting they played a game of chess at the Mall Play Room. Guess who won?

Photo: Matilda beat Larry at the giant chess

Have the best day that you can imagine…..life is wonderful.

Love you.

Me

Birthdays, Champagne and Unicorns. Oh My.

- robin
Photo: Robin’s Birthday flowers {thank you Karen Cox} and Champagne

Yesterday, while preparing to write the blog post, I found a couple of adorable photos. I put them aside till today, hoping to share a special time that I get to observe each June/July.

When our girl~granddaughter~Matilda was born, Larry bought wine to celebrate. When Lauren and Josh brought her home from the hospital, Larry asked if they would mind him taking a few shots of baby Matilda with the wine. They were very accommodating and said yes. Matilda was 3 days old.

Photo: Baby Matilda and celebration Champagne

Starting then and to this day, each year, Larry buys a bottle of Champagne to toast Matilda. He always says that he cannot wait till she is 21 and she can toast with us.

He also has a photo of her with a new Champagne bottle for each year of her life. I will not show them here. They are for Larry to share and they are wonderful!

After the photo shoot of this year, {2019} Matilda came back to The Cottage to start Camp Robi, I caught her smiling at the Champagne and she asked me to take her picture.

Photo: Matilda with Champagne and Robin’s Birthday flowers

What more can I say? Birthdays are the best and next week, while the adults are toasting our angel, Matilda will be hosting a swimming/unicorn party.

I always heard that Grand Children were the best thing to come into the life of the grand~parent. Never knowing exactly what that meant, I just smiled and listened to my friends share about how a grandchild changed their life.

How absolutely true every word they said was.

Having a grandchild is like unicorns becoming real. Special beyond belief and indescribable.

Love you.

Me

Abundantly Grateful

- robin

Meditation Experience~ Day 11. The more grateful I am, the more my life is supported. Sometimes I feel like I am not grateful at all. I have been so very distracted. Perhaps the knowledge that I am not grateful enough is what I need to work harder?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Photo: Playing cards with Matilda

I found the picture above, on my phone a few days ago. It makes me smile. How long does a granddaughter love to hang out with her grandparents? Why can’t it last forever? What good thing did I ever do to have this person in my life? Matilda is one of the things in my life that I am abundantly grateful for.

Don’t you adore how this one shot says so much?

Happy Thursday.

Love you.

Me

The Late Gift

- robin
Photo: Christmas gift from Matilda

Sweet Matilda called me one evening. She said that she had forgotten to give me a Christmas gift that she bought for me. It was fine, but she insisted that she get it to me, soon.

The next time I saw her, she had a beautiful gift bag for me. Inside were two ornaments, both birds and a stunning bar of soap. The soap came in an envelope of its own. She was smiling and watching me open the gifts. When Matilda is so thoughtful, I become sentimental. {I adore her}

I am a woman who uses a simple bar of DOVE soap. This new bar of soap thrills me, frightens me and inspires me ARTistically.

I knew that I wanted to share this on Blog and in my research I found this quote. After reading it I understood the “soap” attraction.

“Soap, water and common sense are the best disinfectants.”

~William Osler~

Photo: The bar of soap

Maybe next year, I will give bars of soap for Christmas. This is a wonderful gift. Thank you Matilda.

Love you.

Me