Old Places And Pictures

Today I'm joining the hodgepodge

1. How would you define 'old'? At what age is someone old? 

If a building is placed on the National Trust or English Heritage registry, then I consider it old.

Growing up I thought turning 40, or 50 was old. Now maybe 70, or 80. I remember my Granny Veronika saying: "I didn't feel old turning 50, but I feel old now my son is turning 50."

2. A place you've been that's old? Tell us something about your visit there. 

One of my favorite old places, Stoneleigh Abbey, is nestled in the heart-of-England, in the idyllic village I grew up in. The oldest part of the building (to the left) was built in 1154. The palatial part of the building (to the right) was built between 1714-1726, for Lord Leigh, the Lord Mayor of London. Some it's most famous guests include Queen Victoria in 1858, and my favorite author, Jane Austen. 

The River Sowe 

The orangery (tea room) has a lot of memories. Growing up we used to come have tea here, oftentimes during springtime and summertime when the gardens were in bloom, in our floral dresses and sunhats. 

An English country garden with an abundance of lupins. 

3. Something you miss about the 'good old days'? When were they anyway? 

I was blessed to grow up in the 1980's and 1990's. My family was always travelling and sightseeing, so I grew up with an interest in family history, architecture, design, preservation, etc. Most of my family has since passed away, and I miss them so much. 

My sister and me, circa 1998. 

If I could go back, I would've taken a lot more pictures of myself at 16/17. I was so fresh and pure.

I'm sure I'll look back at this moment, being a mama, as the 'good old days', someday too. 

4. In what way are you a 'chip off the old block'? Or if you'd rather, in what way is your child a 'chip off the old block'? 

I'm thankful to have my Mum's traits of enjoying the simple life; fresh flowers on the table, day-trips, and a good tearoom. She also shared the importance of manners; making the time to send holiday cards, handwritten thank you notes, and birthday cards. 

5. Old fashioned, Old Testament, old timer, same old same old, old glory, good old boy, old wives tale...choose an 'old' phrase that relates to something in your life or the wider world currently and explain. 

Old fashioned. Even though I'm 35, I've always gotten along well with those older than me. My Granny Veronika, Nana Mabel, Mum Julie. I even follow a lot of older bloggers and vloggers; who are settled in life, and appreciate the importance of preserving moments and memories. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

During my sons naptime, I decorated our kitchen and breakfast room for fall. 

I filmed a video showing how I made the floral arrangements, and a tour of our kitchen and breakfast room. Whenever I decorate for fall, I always get in the mood to bring out the recipe books and bake. How about you?

Have a blessed day, 

Kiki Nakita 

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1990's and 2000's Memories Of Trips To France

Today, I'm joining the hodgepodge.  

 1. Tell us about one small blessing you have counted in the past week? 

Counted my blessing in finding out about MOMS Club international, and joined our local chapter. First mommy/son date is for Mexican food later this week. 

2. Bastille Day is celebrated on July 14th...have you ever been to France? Any desire to visit there, and if so what would site or city would you most want to see? (pretend for a minute international travel isn't an issue) 

Bastille Day would've been my maternal Grandad, Michael's eighty-seventh birthday. He grew up in an idyllic village called Ashby-de-la-Zouch, in the Heart-of-England. He was a highly skilled detonator in the diamond mines of South Africa during the 1960's and 1970's, which is where my mum, Julie Ann, was born and spent her early childhood before the family moved to Lusaka, Zambia. He and my Nana Mabel went home to the Heart-of-England to retire and they passed away within five months of each other. 

My Grandad, Michael, and his little sister, Wendy

Growing up between the ages of eight to nineteen in England, there were lot's of family vacations, or holidays as we would say, to France. Here's some memorable ones:

1997 - When I was around eleven years old we went to Brittany, in the NW region of France. And yes, I still wore jelly sandals, hairbands, white under shirts under my summer dresses, and no makeup. 

1999 - When I was around thirteen years old we went to Disneyland, Paris. We stayed at a Western style hotel. We also stayed in Paris for a few days afterwards and saw the tunnel where Diana, Princess of Wales had her fatal car accident. I remember the deafening silence and reverence from everyone on the coach bus. 

2001 - When I was around fifteen years old I went to spend Christmas in with my paternal Granny, Auntie Di and and her family in Worth am Rhein, Germany. They live close to the Black Forest (where my Granny and Dad are now resting), but that Christmas we went to Strasbourg, France and it was the most beautiful European city at Christmastime. I remember going on a river cruise and to a authentic French restaurant, where I had the most delicious chicken in white wine sauce. Many years in college I'd visit my Granny a week before Christmas to help her decorate and we'd always drive over to the local French villages to visit the market. 

Last but not least...

2002 - When I was around sixteen years old, my high school art class did a trip to Paris. We had a full itinerary, which I will have to rummage out of my memorabilia box. I have maybe 3+/- pictures from that whole trip. One of the last trips with my disposable camera before getting a digital camera that summer. 

3. A food associated with France that you love? 

Bread: Pain au chocolate, croissant, baguette. So yummy and in France they (used to) have no preservatives so they'd have to eat the bread within a day or two, so it didn't become stale. 

4. Something you recently purchased where a coupon was involved? Do you regularly shop with coupons? 

Will shop with coupons if I have them, but don't go out of my way couponing. Can't remember the last time I used one. 

5. You have to give something away this week...what will it be? 

Have a few boxes of baby stuff - clothes and bottles, I'm hoping to give away to a mom in FB mom group. 

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Since I last updated my blog, my son, Drew, turned one years old. We love and adore him so much, and hopefully one day when he's a little older we'll travel to France and make more memories.

Au Revoir,

Kiki Nakita 

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Baby's First Easter + Updates

Good afternoon my dears,

Is anyone still there? I feel as if more and more people have stopped blogging and vlogging, and are mostly on social media these days. I enjoy reading posts there, but I also enjoy 'getting to know' people through their blog posts. For as long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated with families, and it seems many of the families I follow on blogs and vlogs all have similarities; a relationship with God, a relationship with their grandparents, parents, children, and even grandchildren. So for those who still share 'behind the closed doors' of your life, thank you, because I enjoy reading and commenting. 

- 10 Months Old -

We took Drew's 10 month old pictures on Easter Sunday, in his new Peter Rabbit woolens. In his Easter basket was a Hippity Hoppity Little Bunny puppet book, and a large lambie to cuddle up with. He's enjoyed playing with them both. 

- Family Photos -

We took a few family photos of our little family after Easter lunch. 

His smile melts my heart. 

- Covid-19 Vaccine - 

Back in February, Cory's Papa passed away due to Covid-19 complications. Sadly, he was in an ambulance back on his way to the ER, and was pronounced dead on arrival. So we registered with our hospital and waited until our group was called upon for vaccination. I had my first dose on April 19th and Cory has his first dose on April 26th. We should be fully vaccinated before Drew's 1st birthday and my 35th birthday next month. Have you been vaccinated? How was your experience? 

That's all for now folks. Take care. 

Kiki Nakita 

You can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, or Bloglovin'

Baby's First Valentine's Day

Good morning my dears, 

How was your Valentine's Day? Was it different than in years past? Ours was. We traditionally celebrate Valentine's at The Ballantyne with an afternoon tea. However, this year with the pandemic, urging us to stay-at-home, and of course with an 8-month old baby, we decided to stay-at-home. That doesn't mean it has to be like every other ordinary day, it can be a special, memory making, time together as a family. 

For me, I like to plan ahead, and so I started my Valentine's Day tablescape shortly into the new year. That way, whenever Drew would take a nap, I could slowly add my chintz tea cups, loose leaf teas, miniature bud vases with stems of freshly cut pink roses, my Susan Branch books, fuzzy felt hearts, floral napkins, etc. until it felt like a sweetheart tea party could be served. 

My Susan Branch books, Sweets to the Sweet and Love. 

This Valentine's Day was special for another reason, as it was Drew's first. He joined us at the table in his high-chair in his darling red corduroy overall. We sipped on loose leaf teas from our travels to England, and ate strawberry jam sandwiches (which I attempted to cut into heart shapes), pink lemonade cupcakes, and sugar cookies which we frosted and decorated. It was a special day, one we'll remember forever ~ or until we loose our memory. 

- Family Home Movie - 

Wishing you and yours a Happy Valentine's Day, 

Kiki Nakita 

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Bye Bye, Papa

- 1924 - 2021 -

Bye Bye, Papa

Sadly, on Tuesday, February 2nd, 2021 my hubby's grandfather, whom he affectionately called, Papa, passed away, aged ninety-six years. He is now reunited with Grandee, his wife of almost sixty-two years. Together, they had four children, nine grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren. His obituary is still being written, so today I'm sharing a few photos and a memorial video my hubby made in his memory. 

- End Of An Era - 

Papa as a young boy in Wendling, Oregon. 

Papa with his siblings, David, Muriel, and Wayne. 

Papa in his Seabees uniform. 

Papa and Grandee on their wedding day. 

Papa and Grandee's children, Lori, Cindy (my mother-in-law), Mike, and Chris. 

Papa and Grandee celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. 

Papa's family history I Grandee's Family history

- Memorial Tribute - 

Sending hugs to heaven, 

Kiki Nakita 

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