Sunday, January 12, 2014

Please Send Sweet Wishes To My Wonderful Cousin Jane

Last Fall I took a few days off
to enjoy a visit from three of my cousins
and one cousin's spouse.
It was a wonderful time to reconnect
and find out some family facts that
some of us younger -ahem- cousins
did not know.

My cousin, Jane, 
or DUMPLING, as I like to call her,
is the oldest cousin in our family.
She is 83 and sharper than people that
are 40 years younger.
No one is going to put anything over on her.
Of course,
being a redhead (a NATURAL redhead)
her whole life gives her an edge.
Some call that feistiness. 

She was my father's favorite niece.
The first born child of his 
redheaded sister.
Wow-hope his other nieces 
(my other cousins) aren't reading this.

Anyway,
Here she is with her beautiful little
GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER,
Portia Ann.
Aren't they both just gorgeous?

Isn't Portia a living doll?
Cousin Jane has had a rough year of it.
She downsized and moved and gave away
a lot of her precious things that had memories attached.

She has had some health scares here and there.
She adored my brother that passed away
last year, too.
So, if you have a moment leave her a
SWEET HELLO DUMPLING
here because she reads my blog...
which means I have to be on my best behavior
because she has some stories she could tell
you about me that would.....
well, we won't go there. 
HA!

Happy Sunday to Sweet Cousin Jane
and to all of my blogging friends
for visiting and commenting.
Love you!!!!
your photo name

59 comments:

Suzanne said...

Happy Birthday! Today is my birthday, too! What a lovely little girl, and with such a beautiful name!

Tete said...

Hello, beautiful, sweet cousin Jane! God bless your heart as you go through these changes. Change can be such a good thing, so I hope you are looking for the silver lining in all of this. You never know where it might lead...you might even be the next multi million dollar lottery winner and be forced to live out the next 20 years on cruises and Paris vacations, have live in servants and a chauffeur...and only eat spam again if you want to! Have a wonderful day.;)

Lori said...

Portia and Jane are both dolls! Thanks for sharing the story.

Anonymous said...

Good Morning! Jane, I love the photo of you and Portia Ann. May God bless you in the new year.

Beth said...

Cousin Jane is lovely! I knows just how she felt when she was downsizing. I had to do the same thing when I sold my house and moved here. It was a heartbreaking time for me as I know it was for Jane. But Jane and I know that we move on and are stronger for it.

Sharon said...

Nice to meet you Jane (Dumpling)...now I do not believe you are old enough to have a great grand daughter as old as beautiful little Portia Ann! You are both 2 very pretty ladies!

God bless you in 2014!

Sharon

Anonymous said...

hello sweet Dumpling, what a beautiful photo! Please fill us in on Diana's younger years, lol, its Ok, she won't mind, lol!!!

Amy at Ms. Toody Goo Shoes said...

Hello, Dumpling! Nice to 'meet' you! Your great-grandaughter, Portia, is a beauty! I think she resembles you! Have a lovely Sunday, and all the best in this new year!

Penny @ Penny's Vintage Home said...

Nice to meet you Dumpling! You and your grand daughter have such beautiful red hair...just gorgeous! Hugs, Penny

Donna said...

Hi Jane,
I can tell that you have such a kind and generous, loving spirit. Diana is lucky to call you a friend and cousin! Your grand daughter is just adorable! As another blogger said, I do believe she takes after you:)

Jackie See said...

HELLO DUMPLING! Cousins are our first friends, and they stay your friends forever! God bless all cousins!

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Good morning Aunt Jane! You sure are a beautiful lady....and if you have some juicy tales to tell on our girlfriend, Diana, it's time to spill the beans! just write me at "blondes really DO have more fun" and I'll share! hahaha! Love the pretty photo with this beautiful young lady with brilliant blue eyes! Enjoy your day! And don't forget to write me! lol Hugs, Diane

Junkchiccottage said...

Hello Jane,
Nice to meet you and see the lovely picture of you and your great granddaughter Portia Ann. So beautiful both of you. Happy New Year and may you have a happy and healthy fun 2014 this year with lots more family and fun adventures ahead.
Kris

Cheryl @ TFD said...

Hello Dumpling/Jane!! Nice to meet you! Now, I just want to say that you can tell us a few juicy tidbits about Diana and you know we won't tell another soul, okay? You and Portia are both beautiful young ladies and I wish you both a very happy Sunday!

ℳartina @ Northern Nesting said...

Nice to meet you Dumpling:) LOVE the picture of you and your great granddaughter...beautiful!! Have a great week:)

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

What lovely relatives you have, Nana-Diana...

Tessa~

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

A SWEET HELLO DUMPLING, to you, Dear Cousin Jane!!!

What a lovely lady you are. And what a lovely "olden" age you have achieved. I usually consider myself to be a-ways-along, at 76. You can be a role model, though. Looking so lovely at 83.

Seems the older we get, the more 'change' becomes a constant. -sigh- Not fair! Nope, not one bit fair! But it's so, and we just have to continue to "roll with the punches," hu?

My very best wishs to you, in 2014. Wishing you a happy and healthy coming year.

Gentle hugs,
Tessa~

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

A SWEET HELLO DUMPLING, to you, Dear Cousin Jane!!!

What a lovely lady you are. And what a lovely "olden" age you have achieved. I usually consider myself to be a-ways-along, at 76. You can be a role model, though. Looking so lovely at 83.

Seems the older we get, the more 'change' becomes a constant. -sigh- Not fair! Nope, not one bit fair! But it's so, and we just have to continue to "roll with the punches," hu?

My very best wishs to you, in 2014. Wishing you a happy and healthy coming year.

Gentle hugs,
Tessa~

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

Oh and.... Our redheaded granddaughter just came over, to say Bye, before going back to college. :-)

A real natural redhead is she, also. Beautiful hair and a beautiful girl.

Tessa~

Vee said...

Oh what a nice tribute to a beautiful cousin. Yes, her granddaughter is darling. I think that she and Sweet Cheeks could have some fun!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Beauty does run in your family...what a gorgeous Young girl and so is her grammy, your cousin Jane; who is my mom's age and mother is like her too! What a lovely post with so much you did to honour her!
Have a super January week and keep warm.
FABBY

Red Rose Alley said...

Hello Cousin Jane! It's so nice that you reconnected with your family recently, Diana. Portia is just adorable, and I love that name. Do you know that I see a resemblance between her and your sweet Granddaughters?

Have a nice Sunday, dear Diana.

Love,
~Sheri

Kim said...

A wonderful Sunday wish to all! I am going to visit my mom today who is turning 83 soon...and just had her first great granddaughter! Lots in common! :)

Anonymous said...

Oh sending Birthday wishes. You are all so beautiful.Young ladies.


Portia love your eyes,

Anonymous said...

Portia a living doll? Alright

Love her beautiful eyes as well.

Continued happiness for both you good looking people.


Attic Clutter said...

oh beautiful Portia (:)
yes the girl I posted is lovely..the purple lipstick looks perfect with her turquoise hat(:)
hugsDiana

Joan said...

Sending you sweet wishes on this beautiful Sunday.

Simply LKJ said...

Hello Sweet Dumpling, Cousin Jane...Happiest of Birthday's to you!! What a beautiful red-head, and Portia is blessed to have it too!!! Wishing you a year ahead filled with many blessings.

Preppy Empty Nester said...

Cousin Jane... may 2014 be the best year of your life. Sounds like you deserve it!!

Merlesworld said...

That's a sweet photo of the two of them together.
Merle.............

Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co. said...

Hello Jane! I bet you have some great stories to tell about our Diana! Hope you are having an absolutely delightful day and that 2014 brings you all good things!

camp and cottage living said...

Hello to your Dear Dumpling!
My Mother was a feisty red-head too, so I'm very partial!
May you be blessed with all kinds of goodness in 2014!

Nancy's Notes said...

What a wonderful post! Cousin Jane and Little Dumpling, you both are gorgeous! Happy New Year to both of you and wishing you many sweet blessings in the year to come! Nana Diana ia a fine lady and really has a captivating blog! Her posts are always outstanding and oh so, charming!

Bye for now Cousin Jane and beautiful blue yes, you little dumpling!

xo

Cindy @ Dwellings-The Heart of Your Home said...

Two beautiful people, there's nothing better than spending time with family!!!
Blessings,
Cindy

Judy said...

Hello Sweet Dumpling! You look like an amazing lady...love your hair!

Unknown said...

Dumpling you look as beautiful as your Portia-life's changes can be tough but we are God's strong women and he'll get us through (along with a lot of wet Kleenex)
I, too, would love to hear some juicy gossip about our blonde friend ;-)

cards4ubylouise and other treasures said...

Two very beautiful people...Jane and Portia!!! Glad you all had a wonderful day, enjoy family while you have it, it's a most precious asset in this ecconomy. Oh wow and Jane you know how to get around on a Computer??? That's great!!!! Well, I am off to look for and make your chicken and wild rice soup Diane, got all the ingredients. Have a great day.

Chatty Crone said...

Well Hello and Happy Sunday Sweet Dumpling! You are a beautiful lady and so is your great granddaughter!

sandie

This N That said...

Hello Dumplin'...Portia is a beauty..The whole D--- family is gorgeous or handsome..

farmhouse-story said...

happy sunday, jane:) portia is so adorable--love her baby blues!

Sarah said...

Happy Sunday, Sweet Dumpling. Your little Portia is a darling. What gorgeous eyes!

SImple and Serene Living said...

Two beauties. Nice to meet you, Dumpling. xo Laura

Kelly said...

It's wonderful that you've stayed so close to your cousins all these years. I haven't seen mine in a very long time! That little girl Portia really is beautiful. Hello to your cousin Jane too!

Debby said...

Happy Birthday Sweet Dumplin Jane. You are beautiful and so is your pretty little great granddaughter. I hope that the changes you are making will get easier and you will feel more comfortable. ((((HUGS))))

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Jane Dumpling, So nice to meet you and your beautiful little great grand daughter. The pic of you two together is precious.

Wishing you many blessings on your changes and God grant you much good health.

Big Hugs from Texas,
Celestina Marie

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Hello Dumpling. It's so nice to meet you and yes, you are a lovely redhead. Love the picture of you and your great granddaughter.
Maybe you might want to give us some scoop on Diana....LOL!

hugs
Sissie

Linda said...

Hello Jane (dumpling)! I know I like you already....we, redheads, have to stick together!!!! We're a special breed. Portia is a beautiful girl. Diana, that seems to run in your family...beautiful girls.

Gypsy Heart said...

Hi Dumpling!
I would so love to meet you! I think we'd have a lot of fun together. I know it's difficult to go through so many changes...my mother did too. However, you have more time now to relax!

Portia is absolutely adorable!

Diana, thanks for sharing these two lovely ladies!

xo
Pat

RURAL said...

She is gorgeous and so is her great granddaughter...how lovely to have such nice family reading your blog...now you behave, hear me.

Jen

Janice Kay Schaub said...

what a beautiful child. Great pictures
Janice

Something Nice and Pretty said...

hello Diana's cousin...Hope your are feeling better, love Diana and I'm sure you smile and laugh whenever she's around:)

My Garden Diaries said...

Wishing you a wonderful year Sweet Dumpling! May it be full of outstanding goodness that makes your heart sing! Nicole

Blondie's Journal said...

Hello, Jane. You have a wonderful name if I do say so myself! You are an absolutely beautiful lady and I hear you have a lot of spunk. I think it would be good if I met you and some of it wore off.

Sending much love, from a blonde to a redhead (though I suspect we both have a gray hair of two under that).

XO,
Jane

Art and Sand said...

Sweet cousin Jane sounds like a fun person and I am partial to redheads because both of my children are redheads.

We had a family reunion with my mom's relatives (my mother is no longer alive) about 2 years ago. We did a bicycle ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. We were supposed to go kayaking, but the bay was too rough. We spent a lot of time sharing fun stories.

Portia Ann is gorgeous.

Art and Sand said...

Sweet cousin Jane sounds like a fun person and I am partial to redheads because both of my children are redheads.

We had a family reunion with my mom's relatives (my mother is no longer alive) about 2 years ago. We did a bicycle ride across the Golden Gate Bridge. We were supposed to go kayaking, but the bay was too rough. We spent a lot of time sharing fun stories.

Portia Ann is gorgeous.

Pondside said...

Happy Sunday to you and to your feisty cousin!

vivian said...

Happy Birthday to your sweet cousin Jane! I Love the name dumpling for a nic name!
have a great week diana
xoxo
vivian

Mary@mydogsmygardenandmary said...

Hello Sweet Dumpling Cousin. I hope you don;t mind me calling you. Sounds like you are a very special lady to Diana. I wish you the very best and have a wonderful year.
Mary

Melanie said...

Lovely picture of Dumpling and the sweet Portia! You are all lucky to have each other!