Things We Miss About Summers with Grandma

Whether you spent a week with her or a most of the summer, there was something special about going for a visit to your grandma’s house. No school was always a win, but spending the time with grandparents made the summer vacation even more special. The normal rules and tensions of home were replaced with a calm atmosphere and lots of fun activities that were undertaken slowly and with great care. And, there were a few treats thrown in as well! Here are just a few things we miss about summers with grandma.

Her Big Bed

Even if you didn’t know about antiques as a kid, there was something special about her big bed. My grandma always had a white chenille bedspread on her bed, which to me looked like perfectly arranged pompoms that had been magically glued on.

Homemade Biscuits and Other Treats

Balking from scratch, using fresh fruit, and a pinch of love were just a few tricks grandma used when crafting treats for us. Even boxed cereal was a treat if you got to sprinkle a bit of sugar from the sugar bowl on top!

Baking and Cooking with Her

Sometimes you’d get to roll the dough out or stir the pot and the pace was never hurried. Grandmas somehow know how to slow down and enjoy life.

Spending Time with Her in the Garden

An established garden was one of her many projects. After so many years of tending it she had the borders perfectly filled and the flowers just so, and knew when to plant the veggies for the best harvest. Getting to help her in the garden felt like an event. And there was a feeling of pride for having “worked the land” even if it was just tending Grandma’s little tomato vines.

Shopping with Granny

Running errands with your parents could sometimes be stressful, but doing them with grandma was more relaxed. She’d point things out or let us help plan the meals. Sometimes the trip could even end in a treat and/or some pocket money so it was something we looked forward to.

Her Stories

No one could spin a yarn like grandma, telling stories of a time before electricity in the house or even about your parents before they were born, a time unfathomable for a young child and full of mystery.

Her Candy Jar

Many of us have such fond memories of our grandmothers that even to this day “grandma” candies are still appealing. Butterscotch, wrapped taffy, or those strawberry candies were some of her favorites and she usually would allow a piece to be taken from her elegant glass candy dish- as long as you asked nicely.