The camp house in Jasper

A long time ago, two brothers had a dream to build a cabin for themselves and their families to enjoy. My grandfather and great uncle built that cabin deep in the heart of East Texas near Jasper. As a little girl, I remember going many times to meet up with aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. We stayed up as late as we wished. We played cards almost all day long (sprinkling baby powder liberally thru the deck, so they wouldn't stick) and ended the day with a big catfish fry that the men would fix for us. To this day, when I smell either fried fish or baby powder, I think of those times. ;)

Daddy-pa (my grandfather) passed away many years ago and Uncle Dick passed away within this last year. This camp was their refuge and delight. I know they would have been so pleased to see so much family meet up this past weekend to enjoy their camp. Uncles and brothers worked hard over the last year to spruce it up and make it once again... a refuge and a delight.

We enjoyed bar-b-q, desserts, scrabble and washer tournaments, 4-wheeling, campfires and marshmallows and mainly just each other. We spread ourselves out for sleeping between the local Holiday Inn and the camp and the treehouse out back. GREAT weather for such a weekend. We hope to make this an annual event!

thinking of you...

Some moments will immediately bring a special person to my mind. Just a thought away is how close they are. The last couple of days I've had my paternal grandmother (I called her Mama Nita, her name was Juanita) on my mind. I actually told the saleslady at TJ MAXX, "I miss my grandmother" when I saw these sandals.

She probably thought I had a screw loose. I bought the sandals and a cute 'gold' bag to go with them. Mama Nita just had a 'splash' of the Dallas woman in her.... a splash of perfume, a splash of color (usually red), a splash of jewelry and rhinestones...just enough to make her unique, not 'over the top'. She certainly was over the top about her family, though. I spent many summers with her. I stayed up as late as I wanted and read romance novels all night long, right next to her in her bed. She took me shopping and to the library and to the neighborhood pool and literally talked to me for hours....sigh, who loves you like a grandmother?

This week my better half is on a business trip. Whenever this happens, I tend to do a little shopping. :) So, I bought the sandals, ummm and oh, yes, the bag. I also finally bought a new coverlet set for our master bedroom. The old one was over 10 years old, best I can remember. Just. Dingy.

Anywhooo...I decided to take this needlepoint piece that Mama Nita made for a piano bench and remake it into a throw pillow for our bed. I almost cried when I saw this.

She made so many things for me...tons of Christmas ornaments, cute little crocheted skirts and vests, (think Granny square) and countless blankets or afghans.

Now I think of her each time I see this.

Thanks, Mama Nita. I treasure you.