Whew. Now that was a week! Thank you all so much for sticking with me! So, since we last sat down and spent any time together, the cast & crew of Chateau Chaos has:
played
No extra words are really necessary, are they?

experienced both thunder and sunshine
We’ve had some extreme weather during this extreme week, with everything from high winds and T&L storms to streaming sunshine. Guess which I prefer… LOL!
spent quality time with the family
Last weekend we visited with Niek’s parents, who’d recently returned from a vacation in Scotland. The kids had an absolute blast with their Opa and Oma.
eaten well
All the kids are very keen on the fresh produce available this time of year, but this picture of Rowen hamstering baby tomatoes in her cheeks was just too cute to keep to myself!
visited the dentist
At our recent checkup, we discovered that Max is overly sensitive to the fluoride treatment (thus the blisters on his gums) and will need braces, just like his Mom did those many years ago.
engaged in the slightly naughty
When Lola saw me taking this picture, she got right off the couch - she knows it’s not allowed. But hey, rules are made to be broken now & again, aren’t they?
learned to sit in chairs
Arden seems to have finally mastered the art of sitting in a chair without tipping the whole thing over.
and stitched
I finished this round of the Quaker RR and sent it on, and promptly started on the next round. Doesn’t everyone have lovely taste in colors?
I also finished a charity quilt square in record time. Not my finest effort, but certainly my fastest, this is going to a lady with advanced breast cancer who enjoys horse riding. The motifs are taken from an old JCS issue.
In parting, I wish you more sunshine than rain, unhurried stitches, lots of playtime, and an absence of cavities. Take a little time to be naughty – and to enjoy it!















Melissa said
Yes m’am to the being a little naughty. I agree.
Lovely family photos and fun was had by all. Weather is freaky all over isn’t it? Have a lovely weekend, Barbara & CC.
Valerie said
Great Photos! The pick of “Oma and Arden” is so cute! And I love the fresh fruit with ice cream. Sounds like things have been fun and busy in your little world.
Margaret said
What a busy week you had! Great pics of the kids. And nice cross stitch pics too — you met your deadlines!
KarenV said
So nice that all the kids can now play interactively together – Arden is growing up fast!
Your week sounds busy, but fun! Enjoy your weekend
cj said
Looks like a great week to me. CJ ok;-)
Kim B. said
You’ve been busy!
Chiloe said
Seems like someone is doing the same thing as me, experiencing the same kind of weather.
Pierre will need braces too
He doesn’t really like the idea … what about Max?
Barbara said
Luckily, Max’s best friend got braces at the start of the school year so Max is perfectly fine with the idea.
Nancy said
Everyone has to be naughty sometimes! Beautiful pictures of the kids and the stitching. We have had our share of rain this year too. Looks like a mean thunderstorm you had, but isn’t the sun wonderful? I agree on the produce. I came home from the market this morning with my arms filled!
Lizzy said
What a beautiful story in photos, Barbara!!! Looks like you all had a special, lovely week! My favourites are Arden in his wee chair… what an Angel! And Rowen and Nick in the kiddy pool whilst Opa showers them with the garden hose! Oh and Lovely roses as well! And the first one of the kiddos playing is adorable… Well, I love them all and thanks so much for sharing with us!
Lovely stitching and yes the colours are gorgeous!
Lots of love, hugs and blessings…
Anna said
I was just at the dentist today. No cavaties! I guess that worked.
Annie said
Looks like a nice way to spend a summer week (except for the dentist part.. but hey.. no week is perfect).
Lola looks so guilty! At least as a dog,she won’t carry any emotional baggage around afterward.
Have a great weekend.
natasha said
Great pictures. I will be sure to eat your piece of home made fudge would’nt want it to go to waste now
Take Care and have a wonderful weekend.
Patti said
Great photos and I love the Quakers. And the children. And everything. Lots of Love Patti xxx
Dianne said
Sweet photos as usual. What’s with those midget wading pools? I have a photo of my brother and I (we were a bit younger than your two) sitting in a pool that size-lol.
Great stitching-the colors are lovely.
Oh-you were mistaken about my yard-very noisy with the through traffic that heads toward the next town and supermarket. We have 100s of new homes in the area, so our little piece of heaven has changed a lot in 22.5 yrs.
Cindy said
Love all the pics, the kids look so cute . . .as always!!! Lovely stitching as well!!
riona said
Great post … love the variety of photos/topics … I have been thinking of you … during the same time your Mother was hospitalized, my brand new baby grand-daughter was also hospitalized [suspected pneumonia which, happily, turned out to be nothing worse than severe brochiolitis] … the distance from NY to Seattle is not quite so great as the distance from The Netherlands to Maine … but the sense of helplessly sitting on the sidelines is the same. I hope your mother’s health issues are resolved completely and very soon.
anneke said
what a bunch of nice pictures! it explains perfectly how difficult it can be to meet deadlines… life is busy and not always predictable.
have a stitchy weekend
Julie said
What a great post. Poor Max. That looks painful.
Vonna said
A jam packed week filled with good times and love of family
Michele said
love all the pictures! the kids look so happy and having lots of fun
Ranae said
Such nice photo’s, it’s always a joy to see your family looking so happy and having fun.
Kellie has braces. Friday she had to have the wires changed, so for a few days she has to eat soft foods or cut up in little bites, lol And to think she couldn’t wait to get them on, lol
I love the western quilt square, that is so nice of you
Sharon said
I am glad to hear your mom is on the mend! Looks like you guys had a fun and relaxing week-what could be better? Beautiful stitching! Arden looks like a mini Nick! Is he walking? I might have missed that!
BeckyK in OK said
Oh I love all the photos of your family, including the fur babies.