He counts the number of the stars; He calls them all by name. ~Psalm 147:4
When we host our granddaughter, Virginia, for two weeks in June, we are surprised to learn that she has never been to a Cracker Barrel. Wow! Well, when I stop and think about it, it makes sense as her mom and dad are sticking to a budget, especially in these times of economic challenges for middle-class families. So, it's up to Gammie and Papa to spoil Virginia just a little when we can. Yes, that's hot chocolate!
We are not used to having to wait to be seated at a Cracker Barrel, no matter how busy they appear to be, but this time, the delay in seating is not due to volume, but to a lack of servers to attend efficiently to customers. A sad sign of the times, indeed! But we did take this opportunity to explore their iconic, one-of-a-kind country store. Virginia is immediately taken by the variety of offerings. And since she is such a fan of all things space, I'm not surprised when she falls in love with this star/moon headband. She has me take a photo of it on her head as there were no mirrors there to check out how she looks in it.
I think she looks great, don't you?
Virginia loves the headband, but knowing how many gifts we've already gotten for her, she doesn't ask. So, of course, this Gammie is determined to buy one to send as a birthday gift in July.
When we return home from our travels, I visit our local Cracker Barrel to purchase the headband and a NASA hat for Virginia and a Bible story book for Alexandra, whose birthday falls two days after Virginia's.
We also ordered the UNO sister game, DOS, for Alexandra, which she is truly excited about. It is inadvertently helping her with math skills!
Oh, how I wish we could have been there to celebrate these girls' birthdays, but we are so happy to have the photos to enjoy and cherish.
And I hope that every time Virginia wears her starry crown . . .
she will recall the night sky she observed at the cabin.
Amen!
Dearest Martha Jane,
ReplyDeleteVirginia will no doubt remember the love and warmth that surrounded her stay with you both! That is the most important thing; not the material things but for feeling loved and special.
Time is passing way too fast... but how wonderful photos are to 'live' in the moment!
Hugs,
Mariette
Yes, I have to agree, Mariette, that photos are the best for reliving memories and moments that are special to us. I think Virginia will remember all the love we shared while she was with us.
DeleteLove and blessings!
💞
DeleteWhat a beautiful story of love between a grandma and her sweet granddaughter(s)! You are truly blessed, and even more so, your granddaughters are truly blessed to have YOU! And I am certain that Virginia will always treasure every memory of the good times you have had together. That headband is so lovely! What young girl wouldn't treasure that? And yes, the memories of those starry nights spent with you at the cabin will come back to her whenever she wears that glittery headband! Oh, that Bible story book is such a wonderful gift for Alexandria. I do hope her parents will take the time to read the stories to her. Our little boys had a very similar book that we used every night at bedtime to have a bedtime story from the Bible. It was such a precious time together. Such sweet memories. Thank you for sharing these lovely things with us. Wonderful thoughtful gifts! (((hugs)))
ReplyDeleteThis book of Bible stories was something I'd been looking for, Pamela, and was so surprised to find it, of all places, at Cracker Barrel! I do think Sarah will take the time to read the stories both to Alexandra and Savannah, although Savannah can read them easily on her own - very precocious.
DeleteYes, Virginia really loves her headband, and it's a great reminder to her of how much her Papa and I love her. And yes, we are truly blessed, indeed!
Love and blessings!
She'll have that memory in her heart forever.
ReplyDeleteI think she will, Glynn. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
Not only will she remember that crown and the starry night she will always know she is loved.
ReplyDeleteKnowing you are loved is the best feeling in the world, Bill.
DeleteLove and blessings!
Oh, it is just wonderful to read how you are creating memories together. I ate once or twice at a Cracker Barrel when we lived in the USA. We loved it!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it the best, Marja? I love the fact that they serve breakfast all day. Virginia appreciated that, too, as she ordered French toast for dinner - lol!
DeleteAnd yes, all these memories are priceless!
Love and blessings!
Cracker Barrel has such unique gifts, don't they? Both girls look very happy with their gifts. I'm glad your daughter sends you pics and you had some special quality time with Virginia this summer. Love and blessings to you, Martha!
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is so good about sending me photos, Trudy, and I'm so appreciative of that. They certainly have unique and intriguing gifts at Cracker Barrel; I plan to frequent the shop more often as we get closer to Christmas.
DeleteLove and blessings!
What a delightful experience! And such endearing photos!
ReplyDeleteI love the Cracker Barrel 'shop' -- especially the candies I remember from so long ago. These shops remind me of the Stucky's array of trinkets -- only better!
Stucky's!!! I haven't heard that name in ages, Myra. We would only stop at one when on our once a year pilgrimage to Massachusetts where family lived. And yes, seeing those old-timey candies certainly make me nostalgic for the times gone by. Thankfully, Virginia didn't ask for any of those. :)
DeleteLove and blessings!
I love your photos and love seeing your grands. Our Cracker Barrel is near our home and always so busy but you are right, more and more places are losing their help. We go to a Delectable Egg occasionally and last time we waited 45 minutes for our food. They said they were short staffed in the kitchen. They still have a large wait staff but I guess a cook was out. I love the Cracker Barrel and try to buy a new ornament every year there. I am glad you enjoyed your time with Virginia. Love the hairband and she is a really cutie. Take care.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea, Anne, to visit Cracker Barrel around Christmas time to purchase new ornaments. Danny and I are trying to downsize in the ornament department, but what a great gift for family and loved ones!
DeleteI think the shortage of workers is an unfortunate consequence of the pandemic and our government pumping billions of dollars into the economy unnecessarily. We need to move on!
Love and blessings!
It is so fun to spoil the grandchildren!! I love the photos you shared, Martha! Your girls are so sweet and Cracker Barrel has the best gift shop around! Cute headband and it looks great on Virginia! I loved the two weeks we got Lauren every summer. Special memories for us all! xo
ReplyDeleteI bet you loved those two weeks every year with Lauren, Terri! We had so much fun spoiling Virginia, especially since when we were able to see her frequently, we couldn't afford to do so. I've decided to make it a routine to visit Cracker Barrel's gift shop on a regular basis as I search for that "perfect" Christmas or birthday for that special someone. So unique!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Wonderful memories. Grandparents are allowed to spoil grandchildren.
ReplyDeleteAnd I am so glad we are allowed that privilege!
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings!
Don't you just love how easy it is to take pictures these days, Martha? I know you remember what it was like counting the number left on the roll of film and wondering what scenes were worthy of sacrificing another one for. Thanks again for sharing a piece of your heart with us, and your grandchildren, with us and for wrapping them in the Word of God. And for what it's worth, Cracker Barrel is our favorite restaurant. I love sharing personal "guy time" time there with our children and grandchildren. There's something about sharing a meal together that tends to etch enduring love notes in our hearts. God bless you for your continued faithfulness and for the seeds you're planting.
ReplyDelete"There's something about sharing a meal together that tends to etch enduring love notes in our hearts."
DeleteSo beautifully expressed here, Ron, and so true! Yes, I do recall the old days of picture taking, and am all the more grateful for the ease with which we can do so today. Sometimes, I have a love/hate relationship with technology, but not when it comes to photos! Sounds like you all like Cracker Barrel as much as we do. :)
Love and blessings!
Beautiful post. Love the headband on your lovely granddaughter.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Barbara! It's so cute that Virginia, because she is unfamiliar with Cracker Barrel, had no idea that every gift shop is the same. She couldn't figure out how I bought this headband without her knowing about it. Hard not to love that!
DeleteLove and blessings!
Miss Virginia may stop smiling from this trip one day; maybe next March. :-) Blessings friends. Have you and Mr. Danny recovered from it yet?
ReplyDeleteWe have physically recovered, J. D., but not mentally as we miss Virginia and her entire family so much. We try to FaceTime at least once a week, and will be doing that tomorrow. I'm so looking forward to that!
DeleteNot sure what you mean here about next March. However, if you are prescient about future good news, I'll take it!
Love and blessings!
Such beautiful granddaughters you have! And such thoughtful gifts you gave them. I'm sure you are deeply loved by the girls.
ReplyDeleteGlad Virginia enjoyed her trip to Cracker Barrel. Love the headband you purchased for her birthday. I believe in spoiling kids and grandkids. I always remind myself of the kids who are neglected, would love to have their own family and some even abused. God bless, Martha!
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