Ever since our grandchildren were old enough to listen, I have shared stories about my life growing up on our Iowa farm. It was an idyllic childhood filled with treasured pets, tons of cousins, and wonderful neighbors. It was the stuff of dreams.
So as our First Annual GrandCamp was coming to an end, it seemed like the perfect time to introduce our grandgirls to that magical place.
My childhood farm and the family I loved…and still do. With all my heart.
Our big white farmhouse was the center of our family gatherings…
And it was often filled with our extended family…including my cousins.
LOTS of cousins!
And a trip to our farm always meant wonderful meals prepared by my mom…the best cook I’ve ever known. Ever.
To say that Mom’s meals were prepared with love would be the understatement of the century.
I’ve spent hours sharing stories about walking the half mile to the country school I attended with my older brother Tom. We grew up as the only Catholic kids in a school filled with Amish and Mennonite children.
So before we took the girls to see Meemaw’s childhood home, we made a stop at my country school. And, believe it or not, that school still looks almost exactly as it did when I attended sixty years ago!
The school was purchased by a conservative Mennonite religious sect who still use it as a school to this day! The playground is different, but the fun remains the same…even for little “city girls”.
I can’t explain how it warmed my heart to see our grandchildren standing on the same steps where I stood as a child more than a half century ago!
After our visit to Meemaw’s school we headed HOME…to the farm now owned by my brother Tom and his wonderful wife Barb. It’s been extensively remodeled (almost all single handedly by Tom) but it still feels like my home whenever we pull into the driveway.
It only took a minute to head out to the pasture to meet Savannah…
And each of the girls got a lesson on how to feed her a treat. (Open palm. Extend your hand. Don’t be afraid.)
It brought back sweet memories of MY two horses. Patsy and Ginger, who grazed in those same pastures…so many, many years ago.
After meeting Savannah it was time to head to the pond! Since Uncle Tom didn’t have enough regular fishing poles for everyone, he had made some “Huck Finn” poles from tree branches…and those poles seemed very appropriate for this memory filled visit.
Uncle Tom assured the girls there were lots of fish waiting to be caught, and he was happy to bait those hooks…over and over!
The pond was also the perfect spot for a canoe ride…
With good old Barney, the resident pooch, leading the way!
That old dog loves the water! And since it was a VERY hot day we were all a bit jealous of his dip in the pond, and even though the girls are all excellent swimmers I asked them to remain ON the water instead of IN it…much to their dismay.
A total highlight that afternoon was the opportunity for the grandgirls to learn to kayak…and all three girls learned very quickly.
But it wouldn’t be a real day of fishing if the hooks and lines didn’t get tangled up at some point. So old Meemaw stepped in to untangle the mess just like my dad used to do for me…sixty years ago!
And let me assure you…I had a pretty good teacher when it came to fishing!
Since those pesky pond dwelling fish weren’t biting, we took a break to head up to see Aunt Barb at the house.
She was preparing a treat…a “Weenie Roast” and S’Mores for all!
And as the heat of the day began to dissipate and the sun began to set, we headed back to the pond for one more try…to catch those elusive fish!
It was a perfect summer evening…in more ways than one.
And FINALLY…when darkness was just minutes away…Middle Sis Lolo won the contest!
Unfortunately, that little fish swallowed the hook. So instead of returning it to the pond, Uncle Tom took it to the kitchen where it would eventually become his dinner on another day.
Yes…that farm will always be my home. And now three little “city girls” have had a taste of what it was like to grow up there more than half a century ago. And THAT is what living history means to me. It’s a blessing to share it with the next generation. And the next.
And as I prepared this story for publication I realized it would arrive in your email boxes the day before my favorite holiday of the year…Thanksgiving. What a fitting time for me to say how thankful I am to be able to share my stories, my recipes, my photos and our family history with our grandchildren…and with each of you. It truly is a labor of love.
What a PERFECT end to our first-ever GrandCamp…for those three little girls…on a warm summer day at Meemaw’s farm.
Patty, Thanks so much for sharing your Grand Camp stories. It has been fun following you all. Such a great way to create memories. I remember once, when I was in Michigan with my kids that aunt Mary had a couple days of having 4 granddaughters and our Saskia, at her house . The girls were all the same age and to this day, This was and still is an important event.
I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Day. Here in Holland we don’t have Thanksgiving but in our family we celebrate it but not always on the day itself.
Gr. marye
Thank you Mary! I appreciate hearing from you…across the BIG pond…in Holland!Yes, family stories must be shared in order to keep those memories alive for future generations. Thanks again for taking time to comment, and we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving from America!
This is SOOO special – Brings back lots of memories for me too!
Thank you Cousin Mary Jane…I’m sure it does!That farm has some magical properties for many of us! Happy Thanksgiving to ALL of my cousins, wherever they may be!
What an awesome day (and week) with the grands
They are blessed to have such a fun-loving Meemaw and Peepaw that can share so much with them!
Have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving!
Thanks so much Meg! And a Happy and Blessed Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Thanks for sharing your visit to your family farm. I have felt for a long time that if we were lucky enough to grow up on a farm we had a pretty special childhood. The memories you shared with your grandgirls will be cherished for a very long time.
Thanks so much for sharing your comments Sandy. Yes…You and I are both lucky to have those memories of a simpler, peaceful childhood…and we can hope our grandchildren can learn something of our past by our stories and photos. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
Loved this and Yes I am busy with Turkey and stuffing along with lots of other things
8 coming for dinner
and snow has sort of tapered off…now just cold–
Love Ya
Thanks Linda! I appreciate your comments, and I wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Thank you for sharing the day and the great memories with you!! Very touching. Dorothy
Thank you so much Dorothy! And I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Make more memories with YOUR grandkids on my favorite holiday! 🙂
Love this post. Did you show them the “Amish solar” phone booth for the neighbors across the road?
LOL Patricia! Unfortunately the “phone booth” was occupied when we arrived, and our day was filled to overflowing with other events. SO I will save THAT adventure (and the resulting story!) for another trip! Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
That was a lovely story and reminded me so much of my grandparent’s farm. Some things you never forget!
You’re absolutely right Bonnie. And I’m so glad you had a chance to create special memories too. Thanks so much for your kind comments! xoxo
Oh, my I have fond memories of visiting that farm and more than one occasion! So glad Tom is there to preserve all those memories and share with your Grandkids!
Thanks Ferne! Back in those days on the farm we all knew how to create our own fun…no electronic devices required!
I was not part of your life then, but I do remember you and Tom and a little of the farm and was very touched by your article. I do remember you and Tom teaching me a little bit of gymnastics in the front yard on one of our trips to Colorado We stopped by on our way for a visit.
Thanks Roland! I remember fun times with both side of our family. I think you’ll agree our farm was a very special place. I appreciate you sharing your memory with me!
Love this! Makes me wish I had grown up on a farm! Special memories those girls will remember forever@
Thanks so much Sally! It truly was a day filled with wonderful moments. And thanks for your kind comment!Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!
What wonderful Iowa memories. We have so much to be thankful for growing up in Iowa. Warm friends and families, neighbors, and grandparents and other relatives that showed true love and support. I loved living on the farm even though it was a short time. Playing with the animals, baling hay and slopping the hogs and feeding the chicks. never a dull moment back then. Small town living was awesome too. We could ride our bikes all over town and had so much fun with friends. Kids today are missing out on so much living. It is always fun to reminisce with others. Thanks for your blog.
Sheila…Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your childhood memories with me! It sounds as if we could have been sisters! I agree that children today are missing out on some of the wonderful aspects of farm and small town living. Those days hold such wonderful memories for me. Thanks again Sheila…and have a wonderful Thanksgiving…wherever you are! 🙂