A great night of sleep followed by a great bowl of cereal…
{Wheat waffles, banana, chia seeds, milk}
And we were headed up to Maryland to meet Great Grandmother Kiehne!
The weekend is extra special because my grandmother’s church is honoring 50 years of artistic contribution in a two-day art show.
My cousin Anna flew in from the West Coast, and Mazen’s Great Great Uncle Mel says hi!
M got some cute clothes from Anna
And lots of Baltimore sports apparel from his great aunt and uncle! He is all set for home and away games : )
M slept nearly the entire 3.5 hour drive here – we were quite shocked! I fed him a bottle in the car so we didn’t have to stop for a 30 minute session. (Also had my first experience pumping in the car – it wasn’t as bad as I thought!)
We had a delicious lunch when we arrived hungry – everything from smoked salmon to fruit to a strawberry layer cake!
I had a smoked salmon + swiss sandwich, tortellini salad, fruit and chips.
And we icing fans gave this cake two thumbs up!
After lunch, we went to the church for today’s show opening.
You might recognize Gram’s art style since I have several of her paintings in my house. It was fun to say in a gallery voice “ahhh yes, I have several originals at home.” : )
She has painted everything from saints in the windows
To greeting cards
To stools and chairs
To oxygen tanks turned into bells!
We found this photo of my mom in 1965 on display
And my grandparents at an age that I have never seen them before in the 1960s!
Wheee!
Matt and I went back to the hotel for naps and nursing before we met everyone again for cocktail hour
M had fun getting to know everyone
And he especially enjoyed his first cousin once removed, Spud (at least we think that’s their relationship!? The family tree has gotten confusing!)
We had dinner in the dining room – salad bar
Main course buffet – fish n chips, cauliflower curry, limas, green beans, scone, bread, noodles.
And finally a piece of coconut pie that was great!!
I was happy to play pass the baby all day, but also very glad when he came back into my arms : )
Erica { EricaDHouse.com } says
I was just spending some time last night looking at baby pictures of myself with my great-grandmother! So wonderful to have those as a legacy.
Allie@LiveLaughEat says
What a beautiful photo of the g-rents! Isn’t it weird to think they were once young people, too? 🙂
Kel says
The artwork is just amazing!
Congratulations to your Gram for celebrating 50 years!
Andrea says
I absolutely love your grandmother’s artwork, so unique and artistic. Congratulations to her 🙂 Hope you are feeling better today!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
What a fun weekend!
Question: How are you liking your Chicco carseat and stroller? I’m researching carseats/strollers and it’s so overwhelming! Do you plan to get a jogger stroller at some point?
KathEats says
I like it OK. It’s very hot in the summer and the sun shield is not very big. I’d give it a B+
Jennifer G says
Agreed!! My baby arrived in early June, and this summer was SO hot, she was sweating in the car seat! I was so happy to transition to just the stroller by 3.5 months,even though it cooled down. It’ll be good in the winter I guess. But if you are having a summer baby, I would check out others.
PS – we took out those head and bottom “extra’s” and that seemed to make it cooler.
the 3volution of j3nn says
The food always looks so delicious when you visit your grandmother! Her artwork is wonderful. Congrats to her on her continued success!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
That is so amazing that they honored your grandmother like that! And what a great excuse to see family, I’m sure everyone loved meeting Maze!
lisa fine says
I love that your Mazen gets to spend time with his great-grandmother. It makes me realize how lucky I was to spend time with my great-grandmother when I was a kid.
I love his cute little teal blue hat too!
Fancy says
Hey Kath! Did u cover yourself while pumping in your car? How???? I tried pumping in my car a few weeks so and thought it was so hard to pump and wear my nursing cover at the same time. I would love to hear any tips you might have to make this easier. Thanks 🙂
KathEats says
I did one side at a time and just hunched over a bit when a big truck went by. Two at a time would have been much more exposed
K says
I laughed out loud at your mention of pumping in the car! I had completely forgotten about that! My daughter, now five years (How time flies!), was four months old when we moved nearly five hundred miles upstate. I just had a hand pump and covered up with a blanket while riding in the backseat. However my husband was pulled over once cresting downhill ( darn cruise control!) while I was pumping! Oh my, was I scared! At least I was able to situate myself very quickly, thank goodness for button downs!
KathEats says
Haha
Jenica says
If she’s your cousin or Matt’s cousin then she is indeed Mazen’s first cousin once removed! Sounds like a nice weekend.
KathEats says
She’s my cousin : )
Coco says
I like Mazen’s pacifier. What brand is that?
KathEats says
Avent. He loves them.
Birdie says
Hi Kath,
I want to comment on your Great Gramma’s artwork. I was an art critic for the local paper for years, and really enjoy folk styles such as this. There are echoes in the work that remind one of the early Spanish conquistadores and their painted santos. Here in New Mexico, folk art and “high art” are one and the same. Those that tell the story of the church through color-splashed board are revered, called santeros (or santeras if female). Thanks for sharing your Great Gramma’s work. Her use of edge and color invites the audience to consider the secret message hidden inside each panel. Really lovely.
Cheers,
Birdie
Mom says
Thanks. I’ll read your lovely and insightful comment to my mom.
Kristen @ Change of Pace says
What a great day! You always have so much fun 🙂
Christine (The Raw Project) says
Gorgeous pics, what a fabulous day. The art is beautiful!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
The picture of your grandparents from the 1960’s is so special! I love seeing pictures of grandparents young.
Tiffany says
Hey Kath,
As always beautiful pictures 🙂
Do you have any advice for being in school and dealing with emotional eating? Is this something you dealt with with getting your RD? Sometimes I am just so stressed and nervous that it feels as if I don’t even realize what I am eating. Other times I am not even sure if I am seriously hungry or is it just an excuse to get away from all the work. Obviously I am concerned because I want to stay in shape and be healthy. Thank you for your feedback!
Thanks!
KathEats says
Hey Tiffany, This is probably a question for a counselor or RD in person, as it’s a personal subject that I probably am not qualified to address over the internet. Best of luck to you though
Tiffany says
Thank you, I completely understand 🙂
Susan H. @ The Food Allergy Chronicles says
Your Grandmother’s art work is lovely. I love her use of colour! The strawberry cake looks delish…especially the icing which looks like it was made with real strawberries!
D says
loving the Bmore sports apparel!
Liz @ Tip Top Shape says
That art looks so cool! Your grandma’s a talented lady 😀
Anna says
Wow-such neat pieces of art! The picture of your grandparents is great. The neat thing is your grandmother’s hairstyle and outfit would be in style again today!
Averie @ Averie Cooks says
Wow, 50 years – that’s incredible! Congrats to your grandma! What a fun and very well-deserved celebration!
And that cake with the pink icing, perfectly fitting cake for the event and it looks incredible!
Jennifer says
Love the Baltimore gear!! Hope you guys are watching the Ravens game now! 🙂
Hannah @ Eat, Drink and Save Money says
Her art is so much fun! I love that style. Congrats to your Grandmother 🙂
Carolyn says
Babies are so adorable at a few months old! I wish you would’ve been in that photo with your mom, grandma and Maze for a 4-generations pic!
KathEats says
We took one today!
Becca says
I noticed that you said you are staying at a hotel… is it just too much to stay with the parents with baby?
Congratulations to your grandmother and her exhibit. I bet the best part of the weekend, however, was getting to meet her grandchild!
KathEats says
Do you mean grandparents? Gram has a one bedroom apartment, so there is not space. Otherwise that would have been fun like when she lived in her house for years
Becca says
Opps! I thought you were at your parents’ place this weekend… for some reason I thought they all lived in the same town.
…and another mistake of mine: not her grandchild, but her greatgrandchild 😀
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Awww I love your KERF mug! That is so cute!
Michelle (Peachy Palate) says
Wow your grandma’s painting are great, so bright and colourful and hopefully not causing offense…youthful! 🙂 Glad to hear you’ve had a good nights sleep; your looking fantastic! Glowing!
Lyn says
Looks like a lovely time! Baby M is super cute. 🙂
Carrie @ The Cook's Palette says
Such a neat way to honor your grandmother. Her work is amazing…love the bright colors! I bet they love having Mazen around too!
Jeanie says
Your grandmother is very talented, and you’re lucky to have some original artwork.
Hillary says
I need that William Shakespeare stool for my classroom; my kids would FREAK OUT!
Jenny @ For Your Consideration says
^^I know!^^ I love the Shakespeare stool. It would have been the perfect addition to my classroom.
Amelia says
Beautiful work by your grandma, what a lady!
Jenn@slim-shoppin says
Yeah for sleeping in the car!! It’s always horrible driving with a crying baby…
Love your grandmas artwork!
robin says
I love your grandmas art work. I have followed your blog all the way thru your pregnancy and enjoyed it all. Now I was told at dinner tonight Im going to be a grandma…..woooo hooooo!
KathEats says
Congrats!!
Anna says
This post IS great =) the artwork, cake, 4 generations (love the picture of your grandparents!) and ORIOLES onesie 🙂 is someone from Baltimore??
KathEats says
My mom and her whole side of the family : )
Annette @FitnessPerks says
How cool!
And that cake looks YUMMMM!
Ruth@FacetiousFarang says
Wow! Your grandmother’s art is fantastic! How cool that you have originals 🙂
Lindsay says
Awesome outfit and I loved the decorated oxygen tank! How clever! Looked like a fabulous day with family and friends, her colors in her art make me smile;) So beautiful and bright on this foggy, fall day in Seoul! We cooked up your Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal this morning and are in L.O.V.E. thanks for continuing to make my Marine and me very happy/homey around the world;)!!
Jill says
No nut butter in the breakfast bowl! Don’t see that very often 🙂
Katie @ Talk Less, Say More says
So fun! 🙂
kiki says
Your grandmother is so talented! Smoked salmon – all. day. long.
Christina @ The Beautiful Balance says
That little onesie is adorable!!
Nicole says
Your gma’s work is beautiful! What a great way to honor her by putting on a show of all her fun paintings. Isn’t it fun to share baby with family and friends? I love it so much, but am also so happy once I get him in my arms again. Oh & I never thought to pump in the car, you’re so smart! I just accepted the fact that we might have to stop and feed for 30 minutes! Oh snap, mine is electric, though, and I don’t believe it has the option of being used as manual. Dang. Maybe I’ll purchase a mini-manual pump 🙂
KathEats says
Which one do you have? I put batteries in mine!
Fran@BCDC says
Looks like great fun! Your Grandmother’s art is wonderful! Love the picture of her younger self!