I just love my grandparent’s house.
It’s totally a comfort zone for me. Since when I was growing up we moved around a bunch, coming to Milwaukee has almost been like coming “home”. My mom was born in this house and my grandparents have lived here for almost 55 years. Can you even believe it? I remember being really little and running down the hallways or leading “explorations” up to the attic where I would find treasure.
There’s a big weeping willow tree in the backyard that I used to sit under with Molly and read Little House on the Prairie. Ahhhhh those were the days.
Yesterday my food was so incredibly boring. Ridiculously boring. And gross. All I ate were bars…..Amazing Grass bars, Trader Joe’s bars, clif bars….at the end of the day I couldn’t fathom or stomach another one so I was very thankful for grandpa’s cooking!
He made spaghetti with chicken, mushrooms and olives in a light cream sauce. He wanted you all to know that I get my writing AND cooking abilities from him. I don’t know what that means. He also wanted you to know he wrote a musical in second grade.
So there.
I started reading The Help last night and can’t put it down!!! I get my passion for reading from my grandma. That’s a fact. She knew I would love The Help so after she read it she saved it for me (along with about five other books she thought I would love). It’s a wonderful feeling to be reading a book you can’t put down on your grandparent’s couch with a lion at your feet.
Oatmeal with barney butter, banana and blueberries this morning—
Today my mom and I are making a break for it and going to what could, quite possibly, be my favorite place……………ever?
Stay tuned.
And here’s the pink dress from the other night. That man is not my boyfriend.
Mallory
May 7, 2010 at 7:52 amyou look so cute in that last pic! love the dress.
Beth @ Beth's Journey to Thin
May 7, 2010 at 7:55 amWow you look incredible in that dress!! And American Girl Dolls – – I haven’t thought about those in AGES! I wish my grandparents still lived in the same house… so many memories!
Jessica @ How Sweet
May 7, 2010 at 7:55 amLove the pink dress!
Diana
May 7, 2010 at 7:55 amAw, that house looks lovely! 🙂
Glad you’re having a good time with your family. Cute dress btw!
Carly
May 7, 2010 at 7:55 amI just finished The Help recently and loved it! Enjoy!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg
May 7, 2010 at 7:56 amThat dress is hot!!! You look awesome!
eliza
May 7, 2010 at 7:56 amsuch a cute dress..
Kamaile
May 7, 2010 at 7:57 amI LOVE that book and couldn not put it down! You look fabulous!
Erin (Texan Couture)
May 7, 2010 at 7:57 amI had the Felicity Doll!!
I love your dress so cute!!
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
May 7, 2010 at 7:58 amI loved The Help, too. I think I only put it down between readings to sleep. And I love that dress–gorgeous color.
Ashley
May 7, 2010 at 7:58 amI read The Help in 4 days. I couldn’t put it down either!!!
Anessa
May 7, 2010 at 7:58 amWelcome to Wisconsin! I’m a Wisconsin girl and a fan of ELR. Hope you have a nice time well you are here in Wisconsin. Hopefully the rain goes away!
Rachel @ Suburban Yogini
May 7, 2010 at 8:00 amI get my love of reading from my gran also… I wish she was still with us.
Kirsten
May 7, 2010 at 8:01 amI loved The Help! Such a good, quick read.
Becky
May 7, 2010 at 8:01 amHahahahah “That man is not my boyfriend.”
Hilarious. You tell ’em! 🙂
Jen H
May 7, 2010 at 8:01 amLoved The Help, Love your dress, and your grandpa sounds so cute!
maggie
May 7, 2010 at 8:02 amahhh you look so pretty in that picture/dress!! you look like a model!! Happy friday 🙂
Teresa
May 7, 2010 at 8:02 amI love, love, love this post. Seems like your feeling a sense of comfort and coziness at your grandparents’ home. That’s fabulous ! Your grandfather is adorable for wanting you to write that you get your cooking and writing skills from him. He’s probably very right! Jenna, YOU LOOK STUNNING IN THAT PINK DRESS !!! So pretty……..Have a great day sweetie !!!
theemptynutjar
May 7, 2010 at 8:03 amYou look very pretty in pink.
Staceyhttp://stacey-healthylife.blogspot.com/
May 7, 2010 at 8:04 amCute dress and the perfect bowl of oats.
Nora@LiveLifeEatRight
May 7, 2010 at 8:04 amThat dinner looks fantastic and I absolutely LOVE that dress!
Paige
May 7, 2010 at 8:05 amYou are rockin’ that pink dress, Jenna! And a shout out for awesome calf muscles as well!!!
Sarah
May 7, 2010 at 8:06 amYou look stunning!!! I am enjoying grandparents right now too. There is something so comforting about being in a place where almost nothing changes. Please include more grandparent quotes in your next post–they sound hilarious!
Lauren
May 7, 2010 at 8:10 amAww, your Grandpa sounds so cute!! And you look gorgeous in that dress!! It’s so pretty! 🙂
Steph-exercise physiologist and artist
May 7, 2010 at 8:10 amI am a dork so I just cant help myself….
“Isnt she pretty in pink…. isnt she?”
haha!! RIP John Hughes! he made the best movies!
Natalie
May 7, 2010 at 8:10 amI live in Milwaukee so I am very curious to see what your favorite place will be! Sorry that the weather is so crummy for your visit! So I’ve only been here for about a year, in the Third Ward, and I was so pleasantly surprised by the amazing food scene! I must go to Coquette Cafe every other week 🙂 Gotta love the Public Market as well… And from one vino lover to another, you must stop by Thief Wine at the market if you can… definitely one of my favorites here. Amazing selection and the owners are soo nice & helpful. I hope you have a fabulous time and, of course, fabulous meals while your here!!
Paige
May 7, 2010 at 8:13 amPink is totally your color! That dress looks fab on you. 🙂 Can I borrow your lion…please? hah
Marina
May 7, 2010 at 8:14 amYou look amazing in that dress!
And your grandparent’s place sounds amazing, really comforting 🙂
Jenna
May 7, 2010 at 8:15 amJenna I must say i love your blonde hair better 😉
And OMG you look so pretty in that pink dress!
Jenna
Emily
May 7, 2010 at 8:16 amYou look gorgeous! Go midwest!
Morgan @ Life After Bagels
May 7, 2010 at 8:16 amHave I mentioned that pink is my favourite colour ever. That dress is the cutest! So is your grandpa making sure that we knew where the talent comes from!
Cynthia (It All Changes)
May 7, 2010 at 8:17 amWe moved a lot as a kid too so my grandparents house was always home too.
I love your comment at the end about he is not your boyfriend. You’ll tell us when you are ready 🙂
Sarah for Real
May 7, 2010 at 8:20 amMaybe I am just ridiculously sleep deprived, but reading about your grandparents just brought tears to my eyes.
All of my grandparents except one grandfather have passed away and I do miss them. I love thinking about them like you described how you inherited things. I got my love of tea from one grandma, and my love of cheesy romance books from the other. I also got my hatred for Fred Meyer from one grandpa, haha.
Ali @ Food, Fitness, Fashion
May 7, 2010 at 8:21 amAdorable dress! I can’t wait to hear your review of The Help. I have been a reading machine lately and am looking for some good books to read.
Karen
May 7, 2010 at 8:22 amthere’s something about going home that is so pure and innocent, you relive all your childhood memories, and just sitting there with your grandparents, listening to their stories, well, it doesn’t get any better than that….my parents had what my kids called hide-outs up under the eaves in their upstairs, they would find all finds of treasures, my daughter found all of my Nancy Drew books and read them all summer, now they are tucked away for her daughter. Enjoy Mothers Day weekend with your Mom. btw, you look just like your Mom in that picture..
Carrie (Love Healthy Living)
May 7, 2010 at 8:23 amYour grandpa sounds like a character. Maybe you got that from him, too? 🙂
Jenny
May 7, 2010 at 8:25 amYou look gorg! And soo happy!
Emily
May 7, 2010 at 8:26 amI’m a college student in Milwaukee so I’m curious to see what “your favorite place ever” is! The Third Ward is awesome downtown, you should defintley go if you haven’t already. There’s a new Lululemon store down there, not to mention Anthropologie and The Milwaukee Public Market! Have a great day!! ( hopefully this rain clears up for you)
Madeline
May 7, 2010 at 8:27 amJust got done with The Help! A family vacay is the perrrrfect time to read that book because you will not put it down. The first couple parts by Aibileen and Minnie are fantastic…but then you realize that Skeeter is a WRITER and….ahhh it’s amazing. You’ll love it. You’re probably already done with it actually. 🙂
shannon (the daily balance)
May 7, 2010 at 8:30 amnever been to wisconsin! but i can feel your love for it! so charming 😉
you look stuning in your pink dress, btw!
shannon (the daily balance)
May 7, 2010 at 8:30 am*stunning* –but you knew that 😉
Lizzie
May 7, 2010 at 8:30 amOoh la la! Love the dress!!!
I miss being able to go to either of my grandparents places. They lived in different countries (one was 5 minutes from our house, the other was more like 2 days of travel!), but both their places were always so welcoming and friendly. Lately I’ve been wishing I could remember more about what I did there, games I played etc. We did go back to the 5 mins away one a couple of times (people in my hometown are usually pretty friendly and don’t mind if you poke your nose in to have a look at how the house has changed).
Have fun!!
Claire
May 7, 2010 at 8:30 amThis is a beautiful post Jenna. I love reading about how people are affected by older generations and both your grandparents sound like lovely people. I am sure you are having a great time unwinding and spending some quality time with the fam. I agree with all the other comments. You look so great and happy in that pink dress!
Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat)
May 7, 2010 at 8:33 amLoved The Help–it’s definitely one of those books you just want to take everywhere with you and not put down!
Leslie
May 7, 2010 at 8:34 amLoved “The Help” and couldn’t put it down! It was a recent book club read.
Also, super cute dress!
Sarah-Mae @ Eat, Run, Knit
May 7, 2010 at 8:35 amHahaha, I love that you point out men who aren’t your boyfriend. Where is he?!
Also, I started reading The Help last week and have been making really slow progress on it, but agree, it’s good!
Kara
May 7, 2010 at 8:35 amYou look great in that pink dress! Have fun at your grandparents!!!
anne
May 7, 2010 at 8:36 amLoved The Help! Such a wonderful story!
Diana @ frontyardfoodie
May 7, 2010 at 8:38 amMy grandparents lived in one house my parents and my entire life until a couple years ago. When they moved I felt like a part of me stayed at their old house:)
Your grandparents sound amazing and like so much fun!
Pink dress hottie!
Suzanne de Cornelia
May 7, 2010 at 8:39 amLove the dress, esp with black shoes/bag. My grandparent’s had a great Spanish styled house in Santa Monica…just loved going there for the house ‘signature’ dish…spaghetti with chopped celery in it. Whoever heard of that….but loved it. So cozy and comforting to return to grandparents and the same house from childhood. Unfortunately all my grandparents are deceased…but still wonderful memories. Your grandparents sound cool and sweet!
courtney
May 7, 2010 at 8:41 amVery cute dress! Your grandparents sound awesome. Enjoy your vacay!
Jin
May 7, 2010 at 8:42 amI love this post! Wisconsin looks beautiful. Just as I pictured it reading Little House when I was young!
Funny, I JUST started reading The Help an hour ago. I already can’t put it down but I had to squeeze in my yoga this morning so here I am, with my computer on and checking your blog before my yoga session 😀
Have a great day and you look stunning in the dress Jenna!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen
May 7, 2010 at 8:43 amThe Help is AMAZING! Every woman in my family has read it now 🙂
Allie
May 7, 2010 at 8:43 ambeautiful color on you!
both my grandparents houses are gone, but i have such great memories of vacations and holidays spent adventuring on their properties with my brother. some of my best memories are from times there.
TC
May 7, 2010 at 8:44 amI’m reading The Help right now. It’s so amazing!
Caroline
May 7, 2010 at 8:47 amlllloooovvvveeddd The Help!!!!
Kacy
May 7, 2010 at 8:48 amAfter reading American Wife, I really want to visit Wisconsin. I bet it’s gorgeous right now.
Scargosun
May 7, 2010 at 8:49 amI really liked The Help. We read it for my bookclub a few months ago. Enjoy!
Tay
May 7, 2010 at 8:58 amYou look HOT girl!!! And your hair is looking so long in that pic!
Jil
May 7, 2010 at 9:03 amAww, Jenna you look gorgeous!!! Nothing’s better than a place that brings back memories. 🙂
Therese
May 7, 2010 at 9:04 amWow! You look GREAT in that dress!
Your night sounds like the best night ever! Can’t wait to finish up classes so I can spend an entire evening just reading. I shall live vicariously through you right now!
Ellie
May 7, 2010 at 9:05 amCute Cute Cute pink dress! I need a dress for college graduation and looking at yours makes me want a fun color
christina
May 7, 2010 at 9:08 amlove the dress, and it fits great! so here’s a big thumbs down to that skank who left the nasty comment. ugh.
Corinne
May 7, 2010 at 9:09 am#1. LOVE the pink dress. (Where is it from again?) You look BEAUTIFUL!
#2. I have heard such great thigns about The Help! Let us know how it continues to move you!
#3. Your grandpa is hilarious. Can he write a guest post that will include exerpts from his musical?? Pretty pretty please
adriana`
May 7, 2010 at 9:13 amWhere IS that pink dress from?? I must get it!!!
Mindy
May 7, 2010 at 9:14 amyou look gorgeous and so happy in that pink dress!! 😉 and thanks for clarifying that the man in the pic is not your boyfriend lol
nickee
May 7, 2010 at 9:18 amI LOVED the disclaimer about the man not being your boyfriend!! Too funny and we can’t blame you for it since we keep asking you 😉 You’re so lucky to be with your mom for Mother’s day weekend… Wish I could too 🙁 Enjoyyy
maura
May 7, 2010 at 9:19 amOMG…Can I borrow the lion, your grandfather, & the pink dress. All of the above are ADORABLE. You look stunning!!!
Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down)
May 7, 2010 at 9:23 amAdorable dress! And your hair is gorgeous at that length. So pretty! 😀
Sharon
May 7, 2010 at 9:24 amWhat a nice weekend you are going to have. Your grandparent’s home is beautiful, and I just love the lion! Also you look amazing in that pink dress.
Kim
May 7, 2010 at 9:35 amI am trying to figure out where you are based on the pictures. Based on the house and the lawn I will bet you are not in the city of Milwaukee.
Hopefully your favorite place is indoors. It is cruddy out there today. I swear it was beautiful most of last weekend.
Raya @ Raya Runs
May 7, 2010 at 9:36 amSupercute dress, love that color pink. My grandparents recently sold their house and I was so sad about it! I have sooo many memories of that house, huge family dinners and a porch swing. I even lived there with my mom when I was first born and my parents (my mom and stepdad) got married in their backyard! But now they live near the beach and they are happy. I still miss it though 🙂
VeggieGirl
May 7, 2010 at 9:38 am“That man is not my boyfriend.”
HAHAHAHA. Is “that man” single? Cute? If so, send him my way 😉
Kristin
May 7, 2010 at 9:40 amYou look FABULOUS in that dress! Love it!
Sarah
May 7, 2010 at 9:42 amJenna! Awesome dress.
The help is sitting next to my bed, next in my line of reading material—I can’t wait. Don’t give any spoilers.
Lizz (Leading the Good Life)
May 7, 2010 at 9:44 amWelcome to the Midwest! Sounds like such a comfy, cozy weekend!
Isn’t it so cool to be compared to your grandparents?! I love it.
And I was all about Kirsten, The American Girl!! I wanted to be her and live on the prairie in the 1800s. However, I just looked it up and they stopped making the Kirsten doll! They apparently ‘archived’ her at the beginning of the year. 🙁 I’ll have to see if my mom still has mine at her house…
runnerforever
May 7, 2010 at 9:45 amCute dress!
That home looks so relaxing. I think the glass bowl that your oatmeal is in must be an old fashioned thing because my parents have one that looks just like it. Reminds me of home, almost time to be there 🙂
Heather (Heather's Dish)
May 7, 2010 at 9:51 amthat pink dress is GORGEOUS! you look amazing in it too 🙂 sounds like you’re having a blast so far…and thank God for your grandpa passing the writing and cooking on down to you 😉
Bree
May 7, 2010 at 9:55 amI just finished The Help last night! I read it in less then two weeks – which is fast for me. I loved it – can’t wait to hear what you think!
Yes – the mid-west is wonderful, isn’t it 😉
Jessica @ The Process of Healing
May 7, 2010 at 10:05 amYou look GORGEOUS in that dress!!!! I might hate you if you weren’t so sweet 😉
Sounds like a wonderful place to grow up (or visit)! Grandparents are the BEST! And that meal looks fabulous, your grandfather has some mad skills!
Allison K
May 7, 2010 at 10:16 amthat dress is gorg. and so are you!
Julie @savvyeats
May 7, 2010 at 10:26 amHope today isn’t as dreary and cold in Milwaukee as it is in Madison! Unless you are planning on staying in and reading all day…. then it is perfect 🙂
Megan
May 7, 2010 at 10:33 amYour tease is really making me curious! I want to know your favorite place in Milwaukee so I can check it out!
Daisy
May 7, 2010 at 10:37 amhahahhaah im so laughing out loud right now at “that man is not my boyfriend”. thanks for showing us your dress, you couldn’t be any more adorable as always. I feel the SAME way about my grandparents house. It has long hallways for explorations and a huge attic with treasures AND a large yard with weeping willow esque trees. I think thats how all grandparents houses should be. just perfect.
SallyH @ acountablelife.wordpress.com
May 7, 2010 at 10:45 amI concur with those who have recommended getting down to the Third Ward if you are hanging out in the city. For food, the pizza lover in you would love Transfer Pizza, the DiVinci with pesto and big hunks of feta and huge slices of asiago on puffy crust. Yum.
AshleyH
May 7, 2010 at 10:57 amwow Jenna that dress looks awesome I didn’t recognize you. so tan and gorgeous!! I love banana republic. Having a credit card there is a dangerous thing!!
Dinner looked delish!
Have fun relaxing at your grandparents!
Stephanie Norton
May 7, 2010 at 10:58 amI love the dress and you look AMAZING!!! I’m jealous your in Milwaukee right now!! My sister lives there and I miss her tons! Luckily I get to go and visit her, her hubby and my nephew (who is a dog) at the end of May! Yay! 🙂 Have a fab time there!!!! And say hello to my sis if you see her! hahaha 😉
BethT
May 7, 2010 at 11:01 amAre you sure that’s not him? It looks like he’s wearing an apron, and your man has a thing for aprons.
Tara @ Food for Fuel
May 7, 2010 at 11:14 amVery cute dress! Love pink! I also LOVED The Help. Quite possibly one of my favorite books, I couldn’t put it down. Can’t wait to hear what you think about it 🙂
Kristin (Cook, Bake and Nibble)
May 7, 2010 at 11:23 amThat dress is great, you look stunning!
xo
K
eatmovelove
May 7, 2010 at 11:25 amYou look gorgeous!! Not just the dress – everything – your hair has gotten so longgggg – beautiful girl !!
Bethany @ Not Unless I'm Being Chased
May 7, 2010 at 11:34 amOH! I loved The Help. We read it for my book club and I blew through it. I passed it on to every woman I could find. I was like a “The Help” evangelist! Haha. 🙂
Betsy
May 7, 2010 at 12:28 pmHi
So are you able to share the recipe that your grandpa made? Your spaghetti dinner looked awesome. Hope to hear from you so I can make that. Yumm!
Thanks 🙂
Lauren
May 7, 2010 at 12:31 pmI love that last picture! Not only is your dress so cute, but you also just look so happy!
Rachael
May 7, 2010 at 12:32 pmMy American Girl dolls patiently wait the birth of my yet-to-be-conceived daughter…
Enjoy your grandparents – I lost my grandmother a few years ago, but her house was always a safe haven and the setting for most of my childhood memories…jumping out of a tree for a quarter, harvesting rhubarb, building fairy villages in her garden… When she moved into a smaller place because of her health, I realized that the house had nothing to do with it; simply put, she was home.
Be well,
Rachael
Helen
May 7, 2010 at 12:36 pmYou look FABULOUS in that dress! I hope you had a great night. I used to love going to my grandparents, it was like stepping back to a different era. I was always finding things that had great stories behind them.
Carrie @ I See Monsters
May 7, 2010 at 12:38 pmI LOVED The Help. I literally stayed up almost all night one weekend reading it. I could. not. put. it. down. 🙂
Your grandpa sounds like a cool cat.
Sarah R
May 7, 2010 at 1:04 pmThat dress is rockin’!
allison @ thesundayflog
May 7, 2010 at 1:08 pmi want that dinner! tell your grandfather he looks like a great chef!! and you look fantastic in that dress! skinny mini and pretty! =) enjoy wisconsin!
Tina
May 7, 2010 at 1:35 pmThere is no place like grandma’s!
Run Sarah
May 7, 2010 at 1:50 pmYour grandparents house looks so comforting! Love the dress – pink suits you!
Kelly
May 7, 2010 at 2:21 pmYou look HOT in the dress!! It is a beautiful colour! You sound like you have such a lovely family. I love the comfort of visiting grandparents too. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Jasmine @ Eat Move Write
May 7, 2010 at 3:15 pmThe guy behind the camera is obviously your bf. Look at your face! I love the idea of curling up on my grandparents couch reading. They are far away in Indiana, so I relate.
Enjoy your time with family!
boy
May 7, 2010 at 4:35 pmi can’t believe i was cropped out 🙁 the boy isn’t behind the camera.. the boy is on the other side of the screen, trying to fix it!
Diana (mymarblerye)
May 7, 2010 at 4:38 pmStunning. Just stunning!
Krissy
May 7, 2010 at 5:13 pmI JUST finished The Help this afternoon. Great book. I really loved it.
Krystina
May 7, 2010 at 5:55 pmYou’re beautiful.
ginny
May 7, 2010 at 6:17 pmPut yo’self back in there, Boy!!!
Carolyn @ lovinlosing
May 7, 2010 at 7:58 pm“The Help” was an awesome book!! BTW: Looking hot! 😉
Andrea
May 7, 2010 at 8:06 pmLookin hot in that pink dress Jenna!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run]
May 7, 2010 at 9:00 pmOh-M-Gee…you look STUNNINGGG in your pink dress. absolutely positively 100% adorable : )
Dee
May 8, 2010 at 6:32 amI’ve been eyeing THE HELP for awhile now!
I love your pink dress! You look fab girlfriend!
food
May 9, 2010 at 12:21 pmoooo where IS the dress from?