In last week’s post, I said that it was an unusual Monday, and this week, I get to say the same thing again.
Once again, I am not at work. I am not sick. I have not resigned. I am not having a colonoscopy. I am in Wisconsin! (Cue the brass band.)
Steve and I usually come here together in the fall for a larger family reunion, but it occurred to me that a year was too long to go without seeing my sisters. So, while I’m on a 10-day break from work, I hopped on a plane and came up by myself.
The Mantik Manor was all prepared for me with loveliness and thoughtful touches everywhere.
Randy and Debbie have hospitality down to a science. One of the many great things about staying with them is that I can go to bed early, or disappear to my room for two hours, or go on a car ride alone, and they just cheerfully accommodate all the vagaries of my schedule.
After dinner my first night there, we sat on their back patio enjoying perfect Wisconsin weather. Unfortunately, the weather has been yucky since then, but we at least had one good night.
After sitting and amiring it all, I took off on a meandering car ride, knowing it was going to be the last of the good weather. As I pulled out of their driveway, I had to grab a photo of the neat yards and green grass. Small town Wisconsin at its best.
Here are a few photos. (I took this one on the way home from the airport, so it was a little sunnier.)
Randy had given me directions to a round barn, so I added that to my itinerary. It was interesting to see the architecture and fascinating to read about it online.
I happened to arrive just as the sun was setting, which gave me some lovely shots.
I even happened to catch the backside of it from another road I was on.
some of the family gathered at Ruth and Arnold’s house. Randy made sure Croix had her lunch before we left.
Ruth had prepared a tea party setting, which was lovely. It was reserved for the women, while the men were relegated to the non-tea area. (Which they didn’t seem to mind terribly much.) Ruth is so gifted at taking thrifted items and making lovely things from them.
Note the details– right down to the grapes on the fork, the purple wrapped candies on the spoons, and the place cards.
There were even (edible) frozen flowers in the ice cubes . . .
and a matching drink. (Homemade elderberry/grape juice.)
My great-niece, Keziah, helped finish up the table setting. Such cute braids–plus she matched the color scheme.
She spent some time with her great-aunt Berit and great-Uncle Tim.
I wasn’t very good at getting photos of the whole crew, but in addition to Ruth and Arnold and their son Levi, we had Debbie and Randy, Tim and Berit (brother and sister-in-law), Caleb and Amanda (Debbie and Randy’s son and daughter-in-law), and Hannah and her four kids. (Ruth and Arnold’s daughter and grandkids.) I was honored that they would all take the time to drive in and spend a few hours together.
I love that family gatherings help the younger ones to put names and faces with us oldsters. I think it was Randy who said we were watering the roots of our family tree. What a wonderful way to put it.
Tonight, Ruth is coming over to Debbie’s to spend the night, and the three sisters will see what kind of shenanigans we can get into. (Hopefully nothing like our trip last year.)
Tomorrow I’ll arrive back in Charlotte about 11:30 p.m. So thankful for this chance to be back with my family and back in the land of my childhood.
What about you?
What does your week hold?
Beautiful round barn! There was a round barn near the town where my husband grew up. It was so fascinating to look at when we’d drive by!
Two of our grandchildren have 5th grade ‘graduations’ today. Two different schools, so we will have to ‘divide and conquer’. That’s ok. I’m just glad that we are here to attend! Then it is on to middle school for them!
We also have been staining a bunch of pine planks that we bought. When we are finished, they will go on 3 of the walls in our basement, shiplap style. It will really warm it up down there and make it more cozy. It’s turning out to be a bigger project than we thought but we’ll just keep at it. 🙂
Have fun in Wisconsin!!
LeeAnne,
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a round barn before. It was so fun to get the chance.
Wow. Staining enough planks for three walls sounds like a huge job. But what fun to sit down there when it’s done and appreciate the fruit of your labor. I know you will love the transformation that wood will make!
What a fun trip-family, barns, photos, and what a beautiful tea party.
My week is pretty open this week, but that is sometimes good.
Patti,
Yes, an open week can be a great gift! I hope you enjoy all the open spaces.
I have to make a comment about the picture of your room – as far as I can see, something is missing. Well, at my house it would be missing. When I have guests, I have chocolates on their pillow. Didn’t see anything on the pillows, so am assuming that is not a tradition there!
Oh, that beautiful table setting (could almost smell the lilacs), What a fantastic way to have a tea gathering. Yeah, men just don’t appreciate a table like that, although we try and find tea shops when we travel and have sandwiches and small cakes. Yep, hubby goes with. Am so thankful you are able to still visit relatives and enjoy each others company. At my age, no longer have aunts and uncles. I really miss visiting with them – there was always music – playing the piano (2 of them did), uncle would play banjo and/or saxophone, my dad would play the guitar and everyone would sing. Sure miss those times. Beautiful country pictures, especially when there is a sunset! Welcome back!
Sharyn,
You have a keen eye! In the past, Debbie has put a chocolate on my pillow but this time around she just led me straight to a kitchen drawer and said, “Here are all your chocolate choices.” Yum!
I can only imagine the sweet memories of family and music blended together. I don’t think there is any better combination.
I am spending the week at my mother-in-law’s/sister-in-law’s home in Arkansas. I have comp time I need to use up, so I drove up yesterday and my other sister-in-law is driving up from Houston Wednesday. Can’t wait to see what shennanigans we manage to get into! I’m glad you’ve had a wonderful time with your family in Wisconsin. Prayers for safe travels on your journey back to Charlotte!
Sue Ellen,
Sounds like you had a good week, spending it with sisters doing shennanigans.
I love that you are so close to your sisters-in-law. What a blessing.
How lovely for you to be able to visit family! The house absolutely looks so welcoming and homey!
Round barns: my ex-in-laws had a round barn on their property in Indiana, but it eventually fell into ruin and is now lost to time. I checked Google Earth, and it’s gone by the time that area was documented in 1998. There is currently a round, flat concrete pad in the middle of the area that was the site of the barn.
Stefanie,
Oh, so sad when a round barn disappears. I think they are so cool–out of the ordinary and fascinating.
Becky, Your pictures and commentary are lovely as anticipated. And Randy’s comment on “watering the family tree” is profound.
However, as a musician, I really take issue with brass band fanfare you mentioned. I mean you’re in Wisconsin! You should have been greeted by a boisterous Polka Band! You should complain to management!
Enjoy!
A very valid point, Steve! 😁
Deb, I hear that “Kenosha Kickers” (Home Alone) are pretty reasonable these days!
Steve,
I had to look up the Kenosha Kickers. Learn something every day!
Steve,
True. Nothin’ like a good polka band!