Camping Round Up

Are you a happy camper?

 

This post explains how I avoid tent camping with my babies.

This one indicates I do enjoy the great outdoors.

Posts like this one about the Inklings and this one about the Red Tent Sisterhood show I'm not totally opposed to camping within walls. And with air conditioning.

Have you seen my post on Oklahoma Women Bloggers today? I shared my guide on how to glamp.

What do you think about camping? What about glamping? Where is your favorite spot to camp/glamp?

Gnomes at Our Chateau

I spent the weekend with gnomes. Alexandra twists the tips of their hats each time she arrives at our chateau. (Okay, it's an old camper ya'll, but it's on a hill, so I call it The Chateau.)

Being so close to nature makes me realize how small I am.

The chiggers remind me that no matter how big I am little things can get to me.

But the gnomes never falter. These little guys work hard.

They also know when to take it easy and add whimsy to the world.

I wish I could harness their magic.

After all, it's their world, too.

Magic Monday: SUP Yoga

Downward Dog on H2O

Nothing takes my breath away quite like that first day of the season on the water.  Green hills surround Lake Tenkiller. The fish jump and splash.  An occasional bald eagle soars overhead. All combine to promote a calm in me like nothing else can.

At least I thought so until yesterday.

I PRACTICED YOGA

ON THE WATER

IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE.

Doesn't that just make you squeal with giddiness? I certainly did.

No one did this move in my class. Maybe next time!

The class did not disappoint. The 68 degree morning temp made me nervous, but the water was warm. We stood on surf board-ish boats and paddled around. Then we practiced yoga.  Sure, absolutely everyone in the class fell off the board--even the instructor--but that just means we were having the full experience.

Huffington Post says it's the latest trend.

What do you think?  Wanna try? 


**I lifted these pics from instructor Heather Ezell's Facebook page.  Contact her to schedule a class.

Friday Favorite: Memorial Day Welcome Home

Memorial Day weekend is here. People across America celebrate their three day weekend in many different ways. Hot dogs on the grill. Boating at the lake. Decorating graves of loved ones. Memorial Day's original purpose was to remember those who died in the service of our country.

This Friday Favorite is my thanksgiving that Major Paul Krattiger gets to spend Memorial Day with his wife and daughters. Like every other military family, each member of their family has sacrificed. Although they're human, I've never heard them complain.  They have something many people lack these days: honor.  Paul and Alison are some of the best human beings I know. (You know those friends who make you want to be a better person?) They love their life together--even when it's apart.

I swiped this pic from Alison's Facebook page. It was called "Let's finish this!"

I met Alison while we attended OU and have been blessed with our friendship ever since. Although we don't see each other often, she's one of those people to whom I've always felt connected. And Paul? They make the perfect pair. It wouldn't surprise me if everyone feels as Garrett and I do about them.

When we lived in NJ, Paul and Alison were at West Point and delivered their first born within a week of our arrival. They were the first non-hospital people to meet Max.We were so lucky to have such great friends nearby. We shared Easter dinner with them. We traveled to Philadelphia when I was pregnant with Max (and not much of a good traveler, but they didn't complain). They attended my surprise baby shower at Lady Mendl's tea room.  

We're pretty sure this moment is the reason Max prefers older women.

Max receives his "first" kiss

They've moved a couple of other places since West Point. They were blessed with another beautiful daughter.  Paul was deployed.  And now he is home.

This weekend, please remember all the men and women who died in service to our country.

For now, please join me in celebrating a homecoming.

The Krattiger family reunited

Doesn't this pic say it all?

May they live happily ever after!

The moments above were captured by Photography by Kim Paine. Click here to see even more. Caution: I fight tears each time I do. If you're in the Colorado Springs area, you should hire her!

Friday Favorite: Lake Art

Lake season is here! Get out the wasp spray, flip-flops, and life jackets in preparation for days of blissful relaxation. I'm looking forward to lingering on the deck with friends and family while holding an icy beverage. Let this be a warning to those of you who get frustrated and misbehave when trying to launch and load your boat. We're watching--and laughing.

 

Having a place at the lake allows one to experiment with yard art that might have some neighborhood associations showing up at your home with torches and pitchforks.  On the contrary, lake neighbors brag on the objets d'art as if a pink flamingo wearing a lei is the funniest, most original concept since the The Big Bang Theory. 

Last weekend we took a walk and checked out the neighbor's places. My uncle took some pics. One of the neighbors, a former college professor, is especially skilled at creating lake masterpieces from driftwood. They make me smile every time I see them.

"They should start biting any time now."

The artist is a fisherman. My guess? These are fish he wish he'd caught when he gathered driftwood instead.

What's not to love, right?