ARTkissed: Say Goodbye to Summer

( Quote by Humbert Wolfe. All credit to the wonderful artist, whoever they may be)

The last day of Summer.

Parting is, such sweet sorrow. It was a busy Summer. Filled with wedding plans and preparations. Now my daughter is an "old married Woman"... it's been over a month! How fast time flew, since she announced her engagement in February 2010.

And now this memorable Summer is about to end.

I love what follows.... AUTUMN!

We've already had some pretty cool temperatures, which were so welcome, after a very hot Summer. It just seems it's coming too soon. I'm not ready for the warm weather to leave just yet.

I just couldn't resist..... Making Chili last week. The very minute the temps. dip into the 60's... I crave Chili!... oh.. and Navy Bean and Bacon... which I just finished making tonight! Ya...after a trip to the grocery store yesterday, getting all the ingredients.. and forgetting one....... THE BEANS!... duhh.

Which, made me want it even more!!!...so, reluctantly.. I went BACK to the store. Got home and started cookin! I always like it the next day, when all the flavors have blended.. ohh mmm!... hungry?

Yesterday, was my Dad's birthday.... he would have been 93. He passed away in 1993. I can't imagine him at 93.. but wish I could.

So next on my agenda...... YA! YA!

Coming up in October! it will be our 9th!

what is YA YA?...

well it's actually called

"Mothers and Daughter Spirit Celebration Day"...

A day when most of the females in our family, gather to have fun, celebrate all the great women in our family, who came before us, and each other... oh and lots of food and fun! We all wear silly, wonderful handmade hats.. no hat no admittance! : )

We started calling it YA YA... at our first celebration, when we met everyone at the door and shouted YA YA!... it stuck... and easier to say then "happy mothers and daughters spirit celebration day"... !

Again, we'll celebrate at "our" (rented) cottage on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. I just got the "official" invite in the mail today. Hosting this year, is our cousin Kathy.. or "Kacky".. as we've always called her.. ( I don't know why?)... with her daughter Kerry. Up till now, my 3 sisters and I, have taken turns hosting. I'm really looking forward to to Kathy and Kerry hosting this time.

The little Yaya's.....or "Petites" as we like to call them, (grand children of my sisters and cousin)...are growing up so fast..... and really love and look forward this happy day. Last year, my great niece Maddy, woke up singing "It's Ya Ya day.. It's Ya Ya day!!"...it killed her father to have to tell her, she was singing a day too early! LOL. To the Petites, it's a fun filled day of seeing their little cousins, doing crafts, learning a little bit about their great grandmothers and aunt who have "gone on to that big YA YA celebration in the sky) and playing on the beach (if the weather is good) ...Oh.. and of course presents! We have a gift exchange every year.. you know they love that!

The "Elders".. Me, my sisters and cousin.... really look forward to it. And our daughters.. (we still haven't found a name for them yet).... enjoy it too.. well most of them. Some think it's kinda . ... silly? But still enjoy seeing each other.. and the food of course.

I hope our moms, aunts, cousins and ancestors are smiling down and happy that we celebrate them in this special way!

I've already got an ART project planned for us, that I think everyone will enjoy..... SHHHH don't tell!

Also, I'll be hosting next year! the 10th!..... wow..... !! I "invented" and hosted the very first "Mothers & Daughters Celebration" (aka: ya ya)... in 2003. Hosted again for the 5th....and I get the 10th too yippee! I'll have to make it big and fun!

So, over the next couple weeks, I'll be printing pics from last year's YA YA, to add to the scrapbook I started. ( I only had a year to print them right?)....I'm so glad I did. It's soo fun to look back at the passed 8 years! I also include a "highlights" page, and the invitation.

Here, are just a few pictures from last years YA YA...enjoy!