Susan's Visit

 Susan left this morning.....

So sad to see her go but we had a fabulous visit, so relaxed, filled with laughter, talk, painting, good food and such a loving, sweet time. 

On Tuesday Shirley came down. Susan said she'd like to go to Cracker Barrel. It had been years since she was in one so that's what we did. That was a fun outing. 

Shirley joined us once again for lunch on Wednesday. (We ate out a lot!!)  We hit First Watch and enjoyed that a bunch. We always have a great time when the three of us get together. 

Susan and I spent some quality time just talking.... about everything. She has recently taken up watercolor painting. She had brought her supplies down (just like Mama didn't have any!) and she sat in the middle of my living room floor and painted and painted. 

We went through the scrapbook that I'd made of her, her dad and my trip to Europe back in 1991. What memories that dredged up. I gave her the scrapbook to take home but not before I made a snapshot of each and every page of that thing. I may want to look at them again sometime. Here's one of the pages I took a picture of. 

I just hated to see the visit end... 

P.S. come back again soon. There's an interesting story I have to tell you of something had happened during her visit. You'll love it. 

Time For Tea

 Shirley and I had quite an outing yesterday. It was a lovely day, a bit warm but not uncomfortable. I had made reservations at the Stillwater Tea House for an early afternoon tea. It was so nice... 

We were greeted at the door by the owner, who led us to our table. We were served Blackberry tea right away. 

Then came our salad, one of my favorites: Strawberry Feta

I don't remember what the main course was, just know that it was tomato sprinkled with bits of bacon and chives on a type of bread that was spread with 'what I do not know but it was good'... I'd say it was a bruchetta but that's not what the owner called it. This came with Ginger Peach tea. 

We ended our tea with a delicious mango custard. Now, if it had been me I would have slipped that tart out of that aluminum pan before serving but perhaps the crust was too flaky and she was afraid of a mess. But, I didn't think that aluminum fit our atmosphere. However the custard made up for it.

This was served with what she called strawberry milk shake tea but mine had only a slight taste of strawberry and there was no milk in sight!! 

We met two very enjoyable ladies at the next table, not from Suffolk but not too far away. We all decided we should get together again sometime. And, they are now my facebook friends. The whole experience was just so delightful. 

Then on to the library. I'd been wanting to go but the one time I had attempted it by myself I found that they were paving the street there, things were blocked off and I just turned back and came home. But, Shirley drove us down and we went inside. It's brand new, been open less than a month... huge, two story with lots of light and space and meeting places and little nooks to sit and read. So, yes ,I will be going back. 

I was pooped when we headed back to my apartment for her to drop me off. Guess what I did when I got home????

I plopped down in my recliner and stayed there, watching tv, 'til the 'cows came home'. That's an old Southern saying that means it was late in the day for those of you who aren't familiar with the south. 

I Always Did Appreciate A Cow

Today was COW APPRECIATION DAY at Chic-fil-a!! 

My daughter, Shirley, loves Chic-fil-a so she made arrangements for a group of residents from here at The Commons at Centerbrooke to go for lunch. We'd get a free entree if we wore something that reminded them of a cow. So... we cut out black felt and glued big spots onto white tee shirts and today we were ready when Shirley with her friend, Pamela, drove up in a big van to get us. Away we went! 

I had to be different!! I saw an ad on facebook for a tee shirt with a big cow head on it so I ordered me one. It was a hit! 

There were 17 of us that filed into that place, laughing, cutting up, having us a grand ole time. We got our food, ate, and then here comes the COW ... of course, we all had to have our pictures made with it/him/her. 

Here we are mooing at the photographer!

Then we all went outside to get a group picture before leaving the site and stood there waving and 'mooing' at all the people going through the drive-thru. We got lots of waves and a few honks of horns.

Shirley even arranged for me to take an order from one car driver. The real worker was there tapping the order in on her IPAD while I found out what the order consisted of.

Me:  And, what will you have today.

Driver: A Chic-fil-a sandwich

Me: Your drink?

Driver: French Fries

Me. Okay, some french fries and your drink is.....?

Driver: Coke

Job done, I took off  back to have my picture made with the group. 

Everyone said we had a blast and we did. Best outing we've had in ever so long and it's all because Shirley made sure everything was arranged to a tee and lordy that girl can keep the laughter going. She's a master at that. 

So, I'd say we did Chic-fil-a proud today. No telling what a bunch of 70-90 years old will do!! 

Sea Island, Georgia

 What a dad-gum tooting fun-loving week!! Oh my.. such fun, such love, such tiredness! This old body protested greatly but I just kept going 'til it was all done and I was home again. Here I am... dragging luggage and myself into my front door yesterday late in the day, ready for some quiet time!

I arrived at the house where the wedding would take place last Monday a week and a half ago and enjoyed days with the bride and groom as well as my daughter (the groom's mom). This post is about the house (a summer home of a friend of the groom's parents) in Sea Island, Georgia. Just had to share some of the beauty of the place with you all before I get more into the wedding. 

The front entrance staircase

Looking down on the fountain at the front entrance

The terrace outside the kitchen

Me enjoying my lunch on that terrace

The pool. I did not go in the pool but I did relax poolside reading a good book. 

My reflection in the mirror of one of the downstairs bathrooms.

I love a terracotta roof. This on is tiled with Palm Beach Mission tile. 

the view from my bed where I lay for hours watching that big ole moon shine on the ocean. 

Yes, it was quite an exciting week... and I have lots more to share with you in a day or two. 

A Run For The Roses

 About 40 of us gathered in the common room for a party of epic style yesterday afternoon. Churchill Downs did not have a thing on us!

                            We had colorful fascinators, 

                                horses, 

      southern food,   

      

                         yummy mint juleps, 

  and betting on what we hoped to be the winning horse. 

I thought I had it won but Golden Tempo passed me by and my horse came in second. But, that was ok. I only lost a dollar!! And, wasn't it cool that two brothers finished in first and second place! We were cheering our jockeys on and just having a blast. 

My daughter has headed up the Kentucky Derby party here at Centerbrooke for the past 3 years and we always have such a good time. She made cheese straws which surpassed store bought one and her bourbon meatballs were out of this world. Lois made the mint juleps and they were divine. The staff furnished the potato salad, deviled eggs, ham sliders and pasta salad. 

There were some new residents attending and it was great seeing them having such a good time. 

     I just wish you all could come join us next year. 

To the Moon and Back

 Remember when Artemis 11 went around the moon and back to earth? I bet you didn't know that I was aboard that flight? 

Well, not my physical body but my name was onboard and it made the journey of a lifetime. 

My son-in-law is all into this space stuff and my dau finally told me the other day that I went around the moon. I wish I'd known it at the time of the flight!

Of course, I bet there are times she'd like to send me to the moon (as would, I to her) hehe. 

I have the boarding pass to prove it, too. This has been a ton of fun.... I went to the moon!! 

On a more earthly thought....

some of us residents met the other day in the common room to make hats for our Kentucky Derby party which will be Saturday. 

I still have my hat from last year so I just watched the others at work. 

I don't think the party will be as much fun this year. Only about 1/2 the number signed up to attend but there is something about the weather that keeps people in their apartments. And, it's gonna be rainy and in the 60s. But, those of us who will be there will enjoy ourselves and eat all that good food. I hope I pick the winning horse!

Doing Crossword Puzzles

 I used to often wonder when my time to sit in a rocking chair doing nothing would happen! Well, when it finally did I wasn't so sure it was what I wanted. I don't make much mess around here to clean up. I'm not fixing huge meals or doing laundry for upteen people. It's just me. 

And, so I sit in my chair (it does rock but it is a recliner as well) and that's nice. I don't mind it so much but I do get bored as all get out! 

I'm not into puzzles or Suduko or word search. But, I do enjoy crossword puzzles so I got online and ordered me a whole set of them. That ought to keep me occupied for a bit. 

What do like to do in your space time?

                                                                                                                        Latane

Soup and a Bird Fight

 Goodness gracious. where have I been? I am not sure but time really got away from me and also I've missed checking in with all you sweet blog buddies. Gotta do better with my time management! Or maybe time management can do better with me. 

We had a soup lunch yesterday. A bunch of us gals made pots of soup and took them downstairs to share. Oh my goodness. How good was that! All kinds: Taco, Pea, chicken rice, Italian cream/sausage, and other's I don't recall what all. I made Cream of Tomato. I hadn't made it in a 'hundred' years so I wasn't sure if it would turn out but it did. I got lots of compliments on it. Of course, I didn't make a picture!! 

We followed our lunch up with a January birthdays celebration and that was fun. It was my birthday month and there were three others, as well. 

Oh, let me tell you about taking a picture. Another one that didn't get taken. I saw two birds in flight and in fight a couple days ago. One was a Blue Heron, the other a White egret. They were fighting over the prime spot of that pond for fishing. 

The Heron was there first but that egret was determined to have it. They'd peck at each other then they'd take to the air and have an air battle. I ran to get my camera but by the time I got back they had settled down. The heron stood his ground in his favorite spot and the egret was standing a ways off giving him the evil eye. The heron had his back turned to the egret so those daggers she was shooting wouldn't hurt him. It was so funny to watch. 

We are expecting a snow storm this coming weekend. That will be pretty. So glad I don't have to be out in it. I'd rather enjoy from my window! 

My Elf In The Snow

                                                                We Got Snow!!

The first of the year here at the Commons at Centerbrooke. It was beginning to stick late in the afternoon and by the time I went to bed we had a couple inches. 

While I lay slumbering in my bed, all cozy and warm.... my Elf On A Shelf got off his shelf and sneaked outside. He had a fabulous time in the snow! 

I'm gonna have to keep my eye on that fellow!! No telling what he'll get into next! 

Our Halloween Shenanigans!!

              Our Halloween party was a blast! 

Several people did not 'dress' for the occasion but that's alright. Several did and we had music, games, food and some surprises. 

Alisha and Lois spent a lot of time making this Bus from Haunted Brooke and made a grand entrance with it. The get-up was used as a photo opt. They have the most fun doing things for our events. (see below)

         Daughter Shirley dressed as The Iron Chef 

I thought Beverly's face mask was quite impressive.

I went as............

Had lots of fun, lots of attention, everyone loved my outfit!

I'm glad it wasn't a cold day.... my feet would have frozen if it had been!

Our maintence man took a liking to my little boy (my doll) and he and the staff had their picture made with "Aaron" (doll)

Some more photos from the day!

Now, I have to get busy and come up with another costume for next year's Halloween!