Recently, I heard someone on a podcast talk about how hard it can be to hear compliments and how she never knows what to say or how to react. I think that’s true for many of us, especially if the compliment is about our appearance or a skill set. Besides a simple ‘thank you,’ what else can one say? The podcaster suggested replying with, “I receive that.” The more I think about it, the more I like it. I’m going to start using it. Now I just need to wait for the compliments to start pouring in! While I wait, I’m going to share some Spring happiness that I’ve been receiving:
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| It's finally been nice enough to walk! I've been loving the blooming trees, especially these crabapple trees in our neighborhood. |
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| A flower I can count on to not be eaten by deer is the daffodil. Aren't these little green vases perfect for them? They were my mother's. I remember them being on a curio shelf when I was growing up. |
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| I have had this rosemary plant for about 10 years in my window box. See that little purple flower? It is the first time I've ever had a bloom on it. What a pleasant surprise! |
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| Another pleasant surprise - one of my oldest and dearest friends sent me this picture via a text. She was going through an old box of photos and came across this picture I sent her in 1984. It is me and my then boyfriend (now husband) in front of the World Trade Center complex. I hadn't seen the photo in a long time, but I have a copy somewhere. I'm including this for you, Nicole!!! |
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| My seven-year-old grandson made this without help the day before Easter. I thought it was brilliant, but he is my grandson! |
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I have grown to really love Easter, thanks to my grandchildren. Here, my oldest two granddaughters are helping my youngest granddaughter (their cousin) find Easter eggs for the first time. I love that they all came over in dresses, harking back to my childhood. I remember going to my grandmother's on Easter Sunday, wearing little white gloves, a dress, and an Easter bonnet and carrying a vinyl purse. I sure miss my grandparents at the holidays. My husband and I LOVE creating memories for the grandkids that I hope will last a lifetime.Over this past weekend, we attended a baby shower for our niece who lives in Toledo, Ohio. All extended family was invited and after my kids said they'd go, I suggested we spend the night at Maumee Bay State Park. Back in the late 90's/early 2000's, we stayed there for three vacations with my husband's parents, siblings, and their children. It was a group of 25 and we had fun, until we didn't (those of you with sibling issues will understand). |
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| Late Saturday afternoon, we walked the boardwalk in the marsh of Maumee Bay, with Lake Erie in the distance. The kids enjoyed the nature center and being outdoors, despite the chilly temperature. Afterwards, we had dinner at Maumee Bay Brewing Company. |
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| In the evening, we walked along Lake Erie and enjoyed the setting sun. |
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| Here is the small beach area. We reminisced about the sand building contests we had on those summer vacations in the past. |
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| Is there anything better than a sunset over water? |
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The next morning, my oldest daughter and her husband took their kids outside to see the sunrise over Lake Erie. After a nice buffet breakfast at the lodge, we headed home. There is something wonderful about a trip with adult children and grandkids. We will be taking a much longer vacation with everyone again this summer and I can't wait!I hope you are on the receiving end of happiness this Spring! |
Hey, hey, hey! Look at that bodacious couple of 1984. You guys were bitchin. Lol. Seriously, a great photo!
ReplyDeleteThe best times on earth are with grandbabies and grown babies. That drawing by your grandson is pretty amazing for a 7-year-old. I mean, he didn't miss a step, and that is heartwarming in today's world. And your granddaughters are adorable in their Easter dresses. We always had Easter dresses and bonnets, suits n' ties for the boys, new shoes... I'm not sure how my parents did it with 7 kids but we were stylin. I'm happy you had a wonderful Easter. It really does make me smile. :)
The baby shower trip sounds absolutely wonderful and what a beautiful place for everyone to gather! The beach and the sunsets are beautiful. It's so funny to see a glimpse of Lake Erie. For me Lake Michigan was my go to and I was very fortunate to be able to go there every day, even on the cold days with the icy waves.
Oh, and I do love your beautiful tree lined streets and those little vases!
And, I am receiving it all baby! :) Growing up whenever someone would compliment us or someone around us my family always said, I'll take that! Lol. Not a clue where it came from but apparently they were all happy to receive. - Great post as always, B.
Bodacious? I receive that! LOL! I’m cracking up that your family said, “I’ll take that!” Same thing, just a different way to accept a compliment. I love it! Wow, I did not know you came from such a huge family. I suppose there are sibling issues there, too. My husband came from a family of five kids and only the three middle ones speak to each other now.
DeleteWeren’t Easter’s special back then? I suppose every generation thinks that way. I did not know you grew up right by Lake Michigan. It is a gorgeous lake, for sure! We went to Sleeping Bear Dunes when my oldest was a freshman in HS and had such a blast. We stayed at Crystal Mountain, I think? It was a ski place, but we were there in the summer.
Glad you loved my post! XO
I actually grew up downstate but moved north as an adult. I lived 2 blocks from Lake Michigan Beach and rarely missed a sunset. It seemed like the whole town came out for them! The Great Lakes are my favorite. There's nothing in them that's going to eat you! Lol. And yes, Sleeping Bear Dunes is a great place! So much fun there.
DeleteOmgosh. Sibling issues? We've got em. I think it's so amazing that we're all raised in the same house with the same rules, same parents and then we leave home and then some siblings turn into weirdos and throw a wrench into the whole family dynamic. For some of us our only family get togethers are funerals and that's the sad truth but toxic people are toxic people, blood or not, they're not hanging out with me. I know that sounds harsh but as a stage 4 cancer survivor life is too short to deal with all that crap.
I had to look up that beach on a map. So cool that you lived so close to the water. I will have to email you in July to remind you to read my vacation posts because you will love where we are going. Yes, the last two times we’ve seen two of my sister-in-laws was at my MIL and FIL funerals. Likely never see them again! Life is definitely too short to deal with toxicity!
DeleteYou and I are in the same mindset because my next post is all about SPRING. I've been taking a lot of photographs of this season, and wanted to share them. Stay tuned! And by the way, when I was putting my post together, I so thought of YOU because I know how much you're going to enjoy the rest of spring, into summer!
ReplyDeleteYour photos are FAB-U-LOUS! Do you know what I'm loving about this spring? All the PINK on our trees and flowers. So beautiful!
Okay, and I'm loving those green vases containing those stunning daffodil!
And did you say....rosemary....? That is my all-time favorite herb. I put it on everything. Love the smell too!
What a great photo of you and your (now husband) down in the Financial District. Lower Manhattan is my favorite area of NYC.
Your grandson's artwork is BEYOND brilliant! I clicked to enlarge and saw all the detail he included!
I'm with you, I've come to really love Easter. And much of that is in looking back; recalling my childhood memories of how my parents made it so special.
As I was scrolling through the photos of you took in Toledo, I was reminded once again from previous photos you've shared of OH, just how beautiful it is. And WOW...gorgeous sunset!
Thanks so much for sharing your Spring, my friend! ENJOYED! X
I’ve been loving Spring so much in recent years. Such a relief after a brutal winter. Aren’t the trees gorgeous? I love redbuds the most, but there aren’t many in our neighborhood. Yes, that’s a little rosemary bush. It’s old, so I don’t use it to season our food, but I’ve used it as garnish on charcuterie boards and it’s also useful on window panes to deter stink bugs.
DeleteI was so proud of my grandson’s work. He’s such a sweet boy, I hate for him to grow up! He reminds me of my son at that age.
We have so many beautiful spots in Ohio. We are taking a road trip for my birthday, so I’ll be doing another post about that. Looking forward to your Spring post! XO
Wow, there is so much wonderfulness in this post! How great you can create those memories for your grandkids. That is my dream one day! We will see, it's up to them, but I am hopeful. It looks like just a gorgeous place too - those sunsets! How lovely.
ReplyDeleteI had to chuckle a bit at the "those with sibling issues" - mmmhmmmm...I receive that.
But speaking of that, I love hearing "I receive that." It's so hard sometimes to accept compliments and often the default reaction is to deflect - which isn't good for the compliment-giver either! So I like the thought of just receiving the compliment with grace and in the spirit in which it was intended.
That photo of you is great! Do you have naturally curly hair? Your sweet grandkids seem to so I'm thinking it runs in the family!
My husband always says he had no idea how great it would be to have grandkids. It really is amazing! Most of our friends are still waiting . . .
DeleteYes, telling the compliment giver that you accept the compliment seems like such a nice way of doing it. I’m really going to start using that phrase.
No, my hair is super straight! I always had a spiral perm back in the 80’s. My granddaughters get their curly hair from my son-in-law. And their red hair is from my daughter. One of my grandmothers had two sisters with red hair and my husband is 50% Irish, so it came from somewhere!
The podcaster’s suggestion of saying “I receive that” is definitely not something I will use as a simple “Thank you” still speaks volumes for me. But, I can agree that many people either do not know how to give or receive a genuine compliment, especially from a friend. The family get together sounds like wonderful times were shared and the photo with the young ones experiencing the sunrise was great, simple pleasures are the best😏
ReplyDeleteI think when you're brought up to be humble, it can be hard to accept/receive compliments. I love any picture where my grandkids are loving on each other!
DeleteA photo from 1984! That's a treat, we took pics on purpose back then, not by habit as is so often the case now. I learned how to take a compliment in Sunday School, of all places. One of our teachers, a librarian, felt it was an important life skill so she taught us via role playing. Hadn't thought about that in years. Your photos of your walk along Lake Erie are pretty. I haven't been up that way in years.
ReplyDeleteYes! Pictures were so few back then and you never knew if they would turn out until you had them processed. I have very few photos from the 80's, sadly. That's interesting that you learned how to accept a compliment in Sunday School. I love role playing as a way of teaching a skill to children. They see the humor in it, too! I live very close to Lake Erie, but usually only see it a few times a year.
DeleteWhen someone complements me I usually respond with, "Thank you..I appreciate your saying that." I completely hear you when you said traveling with extended family is fun until it isn't! So true! I have several old movies of Easter when I was young and it really was such a big deal to dress up back then, I still remember new patent leather shoes and white anklet socks with lace on them! Plus a new Easter bonnet every year! That is a great old photo of you and your husband. I love the last picture of your grandchildren! What could be more beautiful! Grandchildren and a beautiful sunrise!
ReplyDeleteYes, Easter was such a big deal back then. It was so fun to get an Easter basket filled with candy. I really only got candy at Halloween and Easter. I would sometimes get a Lifesavers Storybook at Christmas. Aren't grandkids the best? I love that you take vacations with your whole family, too.
DeleteGreat picture of you both. It's fun to see what pictures others have of you that you've never seen or haven't seen in a long time. I love the sunset over the water.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mary! I love sunsets over the water, too.
DeleteI receive that!! A lovely post and lovely sentiments, Bijoux. Glad to hear about the wonderful family time. You are awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI receive that! Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteWe used to have great Easters when I was a child, but nowadays at our ages we don't pay much attention to it, especially as have no children. But it's good that you and your husband like to make Easter special and create vivid memories for your grandkids.
ReplyDeleteEaster is such a special time with children. I sure hope my grands fondly remember me as I do my grandparents.
DeleteI loved this post.
ReplyDeleteThe trees in your neighborhood are so beautiful! I love this time of year—everything is coming to life. Your daffodils are gorgeous, too. Anna was born in March, and daffodil is her birth flower, so every time I see them, I think of her.
Those green vases are beautiful!
And how amazing that your rosemary finally bloomed after all that time?! I love that so much.
That picture of you and your husband from 1984 is amazing for so many reasons. What a gift that must’ve felt like—for both of you.
I also love your grandson’s artwork on the tablecloth! What a fun idea for holidays. I think it would be so cool to turn it into an embroidered keepsake someday.
Maumee… that name brought back memories. When we first moved to Illinois in 1989, we drove back to Ohio a lot to visit family. I had a boyfriend I’d been dating for two years at that point, and we did long distance for two more years after that—so we made a lot of trips back and forth between Chicago and Mansfield. Seeing the Maumee sign meant we were getting off the Toll Road and weren’t too far away. 💜
I loved your Lake Erie pictures, especially the sunrises and sunsets.
Middle a child is also a March birthday, but I didn’t know that daffodils are the birth flower. I only know that May is Lily of the Valley. I was so surprised to receive the text with the 1984 picture. What a step back in time! I have a copy somewhere but don’t know where.
DeleteI love that you and I have these Ohio connections. I know that feeling when you see a sign and know you’re not that far away from your destination. Was Grandpa’s Cheese Barn in Ashland when you drove back and forth? It’s a pit stop for a lot of us who drove back and forth to Ohio State.
I love that you all gathered and extended the weekend baby shower into some family time. Yes, I have enjoyed those sorts of trips with sibs - until I didn't. Wink wink sob. I am intrigued by the 'I'm receiving that.' Great idea. I'm not sure I can pull that off without sounding sarcastic - but maybe that's just because my reputation proceeds me. Great Easter photos. I love the sweet cousins playing together. I look forward to hearing about your next all-in family trip. Woot woot!
ReplyDeleteMany of us seem to understand bad family dynamics! Yes, I can see where ‘I receive that’ could sound sarcastic. I’ll have to watch my tone. We can’t wait for the next family vacay!
Delete"I receive that". I love it.
ReplyDeleteAll of your Spring pictures are awesome. Rosemary is one of my favorite herbs, it isn't easy to get them to bloom, it must be happy.
And that table cloth...wow, that is amazing.
I hope you are going to print and frame that last photo of your grands...it is absolutely adorable.
Enjoy the rest of your week.
I was so surprised by that rosemary bloom after so many years. I print out photos every January and then use them in rotating frames for the different holidays/seasons. That picture will definitely make the cut.
DeleteI love this post--so much beauty and happiness. I too remember dressing up with the white gloves, the fancy dress, dress socks, shoes and that much needed accessory: The vinyl purse. What did we put in our purse? Avon perfume? Rocks? I probably had a lizard in mine.
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly making lovely memories with your grands. I'm not his Grandma, but your grandson is an artistic genius with his Easter Creation. Love!
How fun to get your whole family together, even for a short time. We both know how precious that time is and we must get it whenever we can.
The green vases are lovely and that photo of you and your love is divine! I've received this entire post while smiling. :)
I have no idea what could have been in my vinyl purse. A little comb? Kleenex? Who knows! My grandson is the apple of my eye. I was his caregiver from ages 5 months to 20 months, so we really bonded. I always enjoy hearing about your family get togethers, too. So special!
Delete'Thank you' has always sufficed for me. . . ;)
ReplyDeleteI receive that!
DeleteIf someone tells me I look good, my response? "You're damn right I do!" Guess I have no problem with receiving compliments.
ReplyDelete(I totally made that up, lol. I'm as humble as they come.)
Your spring scenery looks pretty much exactly like my spring scenery, though the blooms won't be hanging around much longer. Summer will be here before we know it!
LOL, I'd appreciate that response! I'm always bummed that the blooms on all the trees only seem to last a week or two.
DeleteFall foliage is similarly fleeting. Life is cruel, huh?
DeleteI am also uncomfortable with compliments. On top of that, I hate getting gifts. I always feel awkward opening them in front of others, my children included. Like, it puts so much pressure on me to have a specific reaction and I hate that. Then again, I hate having my photo taken as well. I think this plays into just not wanting to be seen. Let me live my life quietly on my own terms, you know?
ReplyDeleteI love this time of year when all of the tress are flowering and it's so colorful and pretty.
That's such a fun surprise finding a flower on your herb plant! Does that mean it's really happy or because it's neglected? I got excited that my basil was flowering once until I read that it meant I wasn't pruning it often enough LOL.
Easter is just blah here because there really aren't any little kids left in our family. We had only 3 kids participate in the egg hunt this year and it just felt sad, like an era just gone. I don't foresee being a grandmother any time soon, or ever because my daughter is adamant about never wanting kids, but then again she is only 21, so that could change down the line. I think it's lovely though that you're finding joy in the holiday with your grands and the memories you're all making together!
I’m okay with opening gifts, but I feel embarrassed by compliments and I really hate getting my picture taken now. It’s like, BACK UP people, nobody needs to see all these lines on my skin!
DeleteYeah, that flower was a shock on the rosemary. Yes, I did learn that when basil flowers, it’s turned to seed (whatever that means). They say to snip off the top leaves of basil, but mine never grows any bigger, so I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.🤷♀️
Easter is definitely more for kids! My oldest wasn’t sure about having kids, but then she met her husband and changed her mind. We are lucky because most of my friends don’t think they’ll get any grandkids.
The Great Lakes have many nice and a variety of places to walk and explore.
ReplyDeleteSo many great places to explore along the Great Lakes!
DeleteBeautiful post
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteI do love a good "blast from the past" photo. The days are long, but the years really are short!
ReplyDeleteThat is SO true, especially when raising children. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteOh, golly, how I love that photo from 1984! And then right beneath you posted your grandson's lovely artwork. Brilliant placement!
ReplyDeleteI certainly understand feeling a little awkward about compliments and if saying "I receive that" works for you by all means, use it. (It kinda sounds like a radio operator...roger wilco)
The lake photos are so beautiful and the granddaughters photo filled my heart with joy. This was such a wonderful post, Bijoux, thank you so much for sharing!
I hadn’t thought about the radio thing, but you’re right 🤣 Thank you for your kind words, as always.
Delete"I receive that" What a great response. Loving all these photos. Spring is such an enjoyable time of year. And I LOVE that photo of you from 1984. I am looking at the cars in the background it looks like the 70s I don't remember 1984 looking like this.
ReplyDeleteAllie of
www.allienyc.com
Lol, those cars definitely look like the 70s. My husband (boyfriend at the time) had a two semester internship at the WTC in college. I visited him twice. That photo was the same weekend as the NY Marathon, which we watched in Brooklyn.
DeleteNothing better than the sun over the water--I agree. Love your brilliant-takes-after-you grandson's Easter pic. He's got a good grasp of the situation. Sorry for your sibling issues. You met my sister, so... ;) Glad you had a mostly nice time and are looking forward to the big summer family time. ~Betsy
ReplyDeleteI’m always so proud of that kid! He’s my first grandchild and will always be special because of that. The siblings are my spouse’s. I only have one and he’s on the spectrum, which has created a different set of issues.
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