Awesome April!

Already April has proven Blog worthy! 

Exciting to view our return to flight around the moon!  Not since 1972! 

To the MOON and back!

Meanwhile, here on earth...

When you have leftover mashed potatoes and you  crave sour cream! Mashed potato pancakes!

Easter brings remembrance of Jesus' resurrection with cards of blessings to family!

Playing with fire and our food!  

Our ladies' lunch to Kyoto Japanese steak house!

I went walking on a sunny day and realized how blessed I am to live here.  I literally live in a park!  A quiet, lovely oasis from the traffic and busyness of life. I thank our Lord for all the beauty. 

The largest carpet of violets I've ever seen!

Thanks, Jake, for cleaning up under the Japanese Maple!

You earned a dumpling dinner for one...plus Gram G!

👏👏👏😇

IT is finally here!  What you have been waiting for these past several months!!  Gram G's life story continues!!!  Check out Chapter 16 in the top tabs! 

REFLECTIONS 

I am finally feeling well after 6 weeks of sickness. These early weeks of April have picked up the pace of living once more!  My house is yelling for cleaning but that will wait. Our weather is a constant mixture of sunny and chilly, rainy days. It's been exciting to watch the moon launch and the astronauts' safe return. I simply enjoy feeling "normal" and getting a few goals accomplished. 

This has been a good 2 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G.

"When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor." (Psalm 8: 3-6)

One Birthday to Rule Them All! Part 2

When Frodo turns 180!

You need Bilbo's pound cake!

Home made...start with 8 eggs, 4 cups sugar and 4 cups flour!

Stir well...

Fill with raspberry jam, Decorate with butter cream frosting!

Add top chocolate cake layer 

Freshen with flowers and berries!!

Don't forget Elven Lembas bread...tastes like gingerbread but no ginger 

 Bilbo's caraway seed cakes.  Sweet and yummy.  Might try with poppy seed some day!

Ready for Second Breakfast!

Crispy bacon!!

Getting relaxed in Hobbiton!

Fugglers...? ! LOTR...

Friendly local hobbit stopped in to say she once had a donkey named Frodo so wanted to meet me!

Gollum made an appearance... 

Setting up for the Hobbit Banquet!

Bring on the meats...

And Songs, stories and games!

For the newest LOTR hobbit arriving in July!!

Foolery in the Shire...

Four hobbits and Gandalf on steroids..

Aragorn wishing Frodo Happy Hobbit B-day! 

The Fellowship together once more!

Happy in Hobbiton, PNW!

REFLECTIONS 

It's been six weeks since my Hobbit B-day party. It was SO much fun and such good memories!  A wonderful way to start my 80th year!  I hope to have more social occasions throughout the coming months. I want to remember this is a milestone to celebrate!! There is lots more life to live and family interaction to enjoy! I thank Jesus for the health and strength I have!

This has been a good 4 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G!

  "He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age."  (Ruth 4:15)

One Birthday to Rule Them All! Part 1

February 21, 2026 the Shire in Vancouver, WA hosted the 180th Hobbit Birthday of Fordo!!

(Photo...The Fellowship unites once again!)

10 years ago Frodo visited Portland/Vancouver on his tour of Middle Earth. He was totally impressed with the Vancouver Shire and determined to celebrate there some day. 

Sam, Frodo, Merry and Pippin happy to see each other again!

Frodo, excited to celebrate his 180th Bday with close friends!!

Unfortunately, friend Geo Schmidt/Gram G was unable to attend. 

Frodo promised to tell her all about the fun!!

Ring of Power, Power Baby greetings from Germany!!

Companion guests from Midwest, Indianapolis!

Fellow Hobbits from Midwest, Minneapolis!

Galadriel and Blue Wizard from the East Coast!!

Elves from the Alaska North!

Arwen and Aragorn in from the southern West Coast

Prince Keys and Princess Deborah with hobbit fairy Rosie from Vancouver, WA

Local Shire friends town folks...

 Lord of the Rings Uno..

CRISPY BACON!!

Companion Pool!

A wizard arrives precisely when he means to! 

Princess Stephanie...Cake decorator artist!! Thank you!!

Well, ain't this just ducky!!

Cheers from the Fellowship!!

SONGS!!

Aragorn having an "I'm so pretty" moment!!

Gram G home to celebrate her February 24th Bday!

She was so sad to miss the festivities but excited to see pictures and hear the retelling of stories!!

Lord of the Rings 2,000+ piece Lego set for Bday gift...tried out first figure scene.  First set of Legos!

My projects for 2026!

AND...

1,000 piece puzzle, 

Map of Middle Earth!

REFLECTIONS 

Reports tell of an epic Hobbit party enjoyed in the Shire for Frodo's 180th Bday!  "A night to remember" is the refrain everyone is declaring! Hardy food from 2nd breakfast through the formal Hobbit banquet!  Drink, games, stories, photos, swimming, fellowship, songs and almost dancing!   

Unfortunately not all is perfect in the Shire.  

Gram G came down with a nasty sinus virus on Feb. 26 and is still recovering. Event posting is going slow.   At the same time her phone turned outdated and not uploading pictures.  More pictures, fun and memories to come soon!!

"Not all who wander are lost."  JRR Tolkien

You all wander back now, you hear?

This has been a good 4 GeoGram weeks in the life of Gram G!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine..." (Proverbs 17:22)