Girl trip.

Four girls. One car. Lots of luggage. Whole lotta laughs. 

It was a most fun weekend. Three friends and I ventured to Tennessee after "winning" a three night stay in a mountain lake house at a charity silent auction several months ago. 

We tried, and succeeded, to not eat at any chain restaurants. We also tried and succeeded in not cooking all weekend. 

Girls don't mind bathroom stops. We found interesting items at the Country Store, where there was a two toilet bathroom but no stalls with door. Hmm. But we did spy this pickled bologna. And. We each purchased a small can of potted possum. It was too funny to pass up. (We were assured that it really wasn't road kill in the can, even though that is what the label says.) I also spotted moonshine jelly in this store. 

We made it east of Nashville before stopping for lunch. We found a gyro place in a strip mall and ventured in. This gyro salad was delicious. And. I was hungry. The tabouli on the side was scrumptious, too. 

Upon arrival we discovered that our hosts had gifted us a basket chock full of goodies. A bottle of champaign, two bottles of wine, assorted crackers and cookies, cheese, and salmon filled the basket. 

Thursday night we had a smorgasbord of goodies from the basket and from my friend, Patricia, who prepared some lovely bruschetta. We stayed up late talking and laughing. 

Our view Friday morning out the window. 

We had to walk across this bridge to enter the house which was built on the side of the mountain. There were three more floors below this level. 

We found a very nice mall Friday afternoon and we each made happy little purchases. Friday night our hosts had made us reservations at a locally renowned steakhouse, Flemings. It was an upscale dining experience. Enjoyed by all. 

Saturday we visited The Hermitage, the home of Andrew Jackson. We spent hours touring the site. The wagon tour of the working part of the estate was, by far, our favorite. The driver was most entertaining. 

Pastoral scene on the grounds of The Hermitage. 

We woke to thick fog Sunday morning. We packed up and took the long way home through beautiful country. Gorgeous horse farms. Winding roads. Huntsville provided a diner with a menu chock full of too many choices. I settled on the ruben with a side of slaw and fries. There was no way I could finish it all. 

All in all it was an excellent adventure. Just like Bill and Ted. We are already talking about next year and bidding on the house again, if it is offered. 

On my way home I bought Mr. Macho a lottery ticket for his birthday. It is tomorrow. I hope he wins. 

It is a little tough getting back into the real world. But. My house smells better already. 

Happy fog will follow me this week as I bask in the glow of good friends. 

Namaste y'all. 

Blog neglect.

Eek! Sorry. I have been so busy these past two weeks I just haven't taken the time to add any new things. I am trying to think what I have been doing besides playing bunko (and winning!)...had a good hair appointment, helped host this month's garden club meeting, presided over the monthly senior mass/brunch Friday morning, visited with Beach Boy's girls this past weekend, made a huge pot of chili for and helped at the soup kitchen. Watched some mostly sorry football games over the weekend. Best football game this week was of the peewee variety. Got to watch the grandson play. His team, the Broncos, is an expansion team - mostly first year players. I loved watching Tucker's hustle. He was intensely "in" the game.

This week my girlies and I are gearing up for our trip to the mountains of Tennessee. Got all our info squared away this morning and we are more excited than ever. I'll take pictures and will share them on my return.

We have a new Ulta store in town and I have jumped the Mary Kay ship and am on board with new make up!!

I hope you are finding some fun, too.

Namaste, y'all.

A four year old birthday party

This is what it looks like to herd cats...

It was a totally great birthday party. Rain suspended itself for the party. It was a little breezy and just the right temperature. The children played hard on the playground, ate, opened presents, and played some more. They chased each other. Scared parents (this grand-parent) when they made brave moves on the play equipment. They were loud. We were outside. Loud doesn't matter so much. When you're outside. Parents kept peace. Baby siblings were passed around and loved. An older sibling, Tucker, and Mr. Macho played the football. (I am so glad he had someone to play with!) I love to call it "disorganized play". It is the best party plan for preschoolers. Just let it rip. 

Milestones. Life. 

It was a good day.

One step forward, two looks back.

 I welcomed fall this week. With crocheting. And a little painting. Lunch with my girls. A very lucky bunko day on Wednesday where I won not one - but TWO - cash prizes! It doesn't even begin to make up for all the times I lost. But. It was so fun for that one day. Everybody wanted to be me. Then they said 'let's go to the casino, quick!' The mounds brownies I had baked for the bunko party were well received. An understatement! The ladies gobbled them up, and took some home for later. Let me warn you - only make them if you have a crowd to feed. Otherwise you will eat them all yourownself. 

I want to regain my little art edge. So I started. Small. 

After the best bunko day ever - I packed and drove to Daughter's house. She and SIL had a date to see the Indigo Girls in concert. I spent the night. It was great. All threes kiddos were sweet and listened. They were angels. Tucker had J-Team and got a ride with a neighbor. 

Merritt insisted we play this card-guessing game. And. I want you to know that it is loads of fun. For real. Pure D fun. Lauren helped me learn how to play. She is a great sister. And she is getting very grown up. I am really proud of her and proud of how well she is doing in school and her reading some grown up sorts of books. Shout out to you Sweet Lauren!!

4 year old in the house! I love the way she selects her attire for school. 

***

I have to give another shout out to Pope Francis this week. I am praying for him and hope that his visit affects good vibrations and changes of heart where needed. 

Let us all endeavor to get along and help one another.

Amen.

*****

Beach Boy is on his way up to attend a visitation at the funeral home. Coach Ford died this week. Coach Ford was a middle school teacher and coach. He taught and/or coached all three of our children. They each have heart warming fun Coach Ford stories. He was beloved by many students and parents in our community. 12 years ago when Beach Boy returned to our community to teach/coach - it was alongside his former coach - Coach Ford. 

God rest your soul, Coach Ford. 

Peace. 

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with Mimi!!

Happy International Day of Peace!

And. 

Happy birthday to our very own Super Carrot, aka Mimi!

An historical, pictorial visit of the day...

Zero...

One...

Two...

 

Three...

 

Almost four...

 

Sending love to the girl that was born knowing how to accessorize!!

Peace. 

When you blow out the candles...

It was a celebration! Every birthday is a party. But. Come on. 95 years!! We celebrated Mom. And. She felt the love.

For us it started with a spend the night with Cecilia and her parents. 

She had been fussy before we arrived. So she did lots of sleeping while we were there. She is such a sweetie. And full of smiles when she was awake. 

It was a rainy drive down on Friday. We visited with Mom first thing then ran to the store and picked up rain gear so we could attend the local football game that night. (You know Beach Boy is a coach, right?) Of course there wasn't a drop of rain during the game, but we were good scouts and were prepared! Our team won the game and the weekend just got better and better. 

Late delivery of some birthday presents for Millie. Out of Town Son and wife sent the assortment of musical instruments. Beach Boy duly noted the noisy gift and promises to return the favor in aces. 

Millie and Peyton both loved them all and we had well directed parades around the house over the course of the weekend. 

Football fun. This girl danced and cheered her team to victory!

And then it was Saturday. 

Cheers to Mom! Hip. Hip. Hooray! 95!!

Millie enjoyed Aunt Kaye's chocolate chip cake.

Peyton wanted her cake and ice cream separate. 

Some of us kept up with football scores on Saturday. We won some. We lost some. 

On Sunday, after mass, we all had a lovely long lunch at the Chimneys. A dear friend of big brother had baked Mom's cake. And. It was fabulous. 

After dinner Sister from Texas and I wanted one last walk around our little piece of heaven. A beach property that has been in our family for over 100 years. That storm 10 years ago wiped out the house that stood on the lot. The deal to sell it should be complete in a few weeks. 

Sistah, Mom, and me. 

This is where the house stood. 

Sistah gathered treasures from the land to take back to Texas. 

 How many times did we cross this highway in this very spot to play on the beach? How many times did my Granny see this very scene from her porch? How many times did we watch fireworks on the 4th of July from this very spot? 

How many times?

Onward. Ever onward. Push that little heartache down and move forward.

***

Back to the grind this week. Dance class was full, full, full. Had a leisurely lunch with my girls yesterday. We sat outside 'cause the weather was perfect. I'm still reading "Exodus". My new crochet project is filling out. 

Next week I get to go spend the night at Daughter's house in the middle of the week. There's a Jimmy Buffet song just dying to get out..."Fruitcakes"...go google that! 

Life is good.

Life IS good. 

Namaste. 

Festival season.

Mr. Macho and I had a fun date Thursday evening. Our downtown had an Art Walk. Local artists and musicians paired with the shops of our downtown and sold their wares. It was lovely to hear the different music - walking in and out the ear shots of the different genres...blues, to strings, to comedic improv music. We visited with old friends and acquaintances. Afterward we ate poboys in a fairly new restaurant. Old building. New business. I love eating downtown. The brick walls. Watching people walk by on the street. It's may fave. I even found some thing to buy while at the Art Walk. Pottery bowl by local potter.

Right now I am waiting for Daughter and her entourage to arrive. We are headed to a neighboring town's annual street festival. Daughter entered a few of her paintings to her local gallery this week. I am so proud of her. One has already sold. There was an invitation for artists to submit up to 6 post card size pieces as a lead up to the Kentuck Festival that is slated for later this fall. The post card paintings will be on display for the entire month. Go by and check her out. It's in Northport.

Anyhoo...we are going to the Prairie Arts Festival today. It's gonna be hot. We hope to see lots of art and inspiration.

Got to run. Be sweet.