What a Day!

 Yesterday was interesting....

Shirley and I headed out to explore a new eating-place. I follow this place on Facebook and they show such enticing pictures of food so I thought we were in for a treat. Got there... the porch was worn, opened the old wood door to a den of clutter and a cash register. Seating's in back, the clerk said. So,we wormed our way toward a few old tables and chairs and was then pointed in the direction of a serving counter. 

We both ordered hamburger steak,mashed potatoes and black-eyed peas. Let's just say that the hamburger steak was definately a frozen patty covered in brown gravy made from a mix. The peas were straight from a can. And, we are two women all dressed up for a nice lunch out and our eating companions were a bunch of men that look they just popped in for a lunch break at their jobs. 

Shirley and I are sitting there, eyeing each other, sort of eye-rolling and giggling at ourselves for our 'great adventure'. You had to laugh... We do get ourselves into some weird adventures. No pictures. It just wasn't photo worthy. But, we'll be chuckling about that one for years to come.

Coming home Shirley swings into the bank so I can get some 'dough' (for our next adventure. hehe) and the ATM line is blocked with orange cones and a Brinks truck. There's long lines at the drive-through window so we just left. 

We did treat ourselves to a strawberry shake from Sonic. So,  yummy! 

On to a farm market. Been seeing all these wonderful veggies and fruit pictures from there on facebook. I swear, you can't believe a thing you see or read anymore!! Right, girls? I did buy 2 tomatoes, a pint of blueberries and a cantaloupe. Not much else to pick from so that was a bust, too. 

I will switch gears... and leave you with this gorgeous orchid. 

Yes, that is my orchid, blooming like crazy. I think I have figured out that the more I ignore my plants the better they like it. 

Going to get a much needed haircut

Check back in with you all later. 

 

A Little Bit of This & That

I just loved the comments I received in my last post. Reading about all your 'memories' of how things used to be just made me feel like I could see you each and every one, in that situation. I enjoyed it so much and I want to thank you for being so gracious in answering. You are the best. 

I went for my 3 month check-up with my surgeon last Monday. It's been a year since my lumpectomy and so they now are 'graduating' me to every 6 months to be checked. She said I was doing fine. Anytime I can get the 'fine' response to any test, I feel like celebrating. 

I just couldn't help using that graphic above. I swear, if it doesn't stop raining we all are going to be looking for us an ark. Noah, you out there somewhere, come by and pick me up!

Our lunch bunch went to Amici's for lunch yesterday.

When I told my son about our plans, he said I should try the caprese bites. Well, you never go wrong if you follow your son's advice (at least not mine).

I tell you, they were so good. Not that you could say they were 'bites'. At least 5 or 6 bites in each one and I savored every single morsel. 

A bit messy ... I did drop some of that balsamic dressing on my white pants. But, I'll get it out. 

The Olympics start today.

Do you plan on watching? 

I definately want to see the opening ceremony. I've been to Paris twice in my lifetime, been on the Seine River... can't wait to see how they do the opening on the river instead of in a building. 

Here's a picture I took of one of the bateaus on the Seine River. 

1986

A word of wisdom for today:

"If you can't take it with you, then enjoy the heck outta it while you can."

I'm Southern Through and Through

 Good Morning, all my fresh and frisky friends....

Hope life is treating you well. I am better... thank the good Lord for that...

I know we know each other, sort of... We know what the other posts about themselves. And, I guess most of you know that I am Southern. Born and bred. Proud of it, too. 

I've lived in a lot of places, north, south, east, west and I just never found that slower, gentler kind of life anywhere that you find in the South. I like slow... and gentle... 

I have trouble sometimes trying to decipher the reason we are the way we are and what makes us different. We all are humans. 

Now, I grew up eating dinner at noon and supper at nightime. Then I go to other places and lo and behold, supper disappeared and dinner has replaced it. Lunch was noon. I wonder why? I just never know which meal I am having anymore. But, I guess that's alright. Long as they call me for meals, who cares what they call it. 

Then, there is the tradition of  us Southerners have for funeral possessions. We pull over to the side of the road and give our respect to the one who has passed. It's only decent. I know, having heavy traffic, mutiple lanes etc might make that difficult but I feel bad to just keep driving as I pass a hearse. I wasn't raised that way. I hope somebody stops for me when I am on my way to my final resting place.

We southerns have our sayings, too. My grandchildren just bend over laughing at me sometimes when I let one of those southern things roll outta my mouth.. Like

when they misbehave. Or 'you're so noisy I can't hear it thunder'. Oh, I have a bunch more but I won't bore you. 

I love the smell of wild honeysuckle growing by the side of the road, or the sight of a blackberry patch, the vines hanging heavy with dark black juicy fruit. I love to wade in a cool creek or throw flintstones on the water to watch them skip over the surface. 

And, don't get me started about the cooking. Yes, we Southerners don't know what healthy eating is... everything is fried and there's lots of it. I could eat my weight in hot biscuits and country sausage gravy. Or Mama's fried apple pies (folks other places call them hand pies). There's tons of bacon in or on most of the dishes. Oh, and the pecan pie... I am gonna shut up before I have a diabetic attack! 

I'd love to hear about the traditions where you live, now and when you were growing up. We all are so different so it's fun to learn and grow and enjoy. 

I hope you enjoyed this post. I hope you'll go have yourself a piece of pecan pie and a glass of sweet tea while you read this. Love you all. 

Moving Forward

 

If you read my last post you know I was 'in a mood'. Your concern and remarks were so helpful and appreciated

And, then I ran across this! 

So, I got myself up, dressed up and met my daughter and son-in-law for lunch. 

I'm moving forward! 

Trips At This Age?

 I've been struggling since my return from New York.  I know at some point in my aging journey that I would have to curtail some traveling. It may be closer than I think. 

This trip really took the 'starch' outta me! 

I've been home almost a week and I am just not bouncing back, have little energy, feel weak. I did drive 4 blocks to Bojangles to get me some drive-through breakfast and I just didn't feel comfortable behind the wheel. Dang, this sucks! 

I have such a great time with my kids and grands. I would hate giving up some of my time with them. They all are so busy with their own lives, kids, jobs, etc. that it is easier for me to get away since I don't have those responsibilites.

I guess what I am asking this morning is... have any of you reached this point in your life yet? If so, how did you handle it. 

Now, for more on my trip.  There were lots of scrabble going on! 

Ranger and I spent time on the patio

Loved going to lunch with my daughter 

I rested

and much more! It was a wonderful visit! 

My 4th of July

                                         I'm Home!!

Doing a blog post on my Kindle was too difficult so I just waited til I got back to my computer. Now, it's playing catch-up time! 

I've shared our lunch at Ruby's in downtown Rye, also our trip to Westport, Conn. to a place called Terrain. 

So, I'll do the 4th of July... which happened a week and a half ago... but you do what you can do, right?

4th of July is a big deal at Appawamis Country Club... they go all out. Inflated slides, bouncy thingys for the kids, pony rides. snow cone trucks. There is tons of food all under tents which are placed on the golf course. Red and white and blue and white checkered large squares are spread on the ground for familes to sit on. A lot of people bring folding chairs. There's babies in strollers, kids running amok, grown ups laughing and catching up with friends. There's a band playing folk music (Bob Dylan, John Denver etc) It's quite an atmosphere. 

With daughter Susan

Me and grandson, Griffin

A proud grandma with Owen, who has autism

Grandson Griffin's better half, Kelsey

Grandson Tighe with his Mom, Susan

One of the food tents 

And, then it's dark and the fireworks begin....

Having lunch with Susan

Susan and I  had a fun trip to Westport, Conn. You see, there was this really neat place called Terrain that she knew I'd love. She was sooo right! 

I could have spent a ton of money!

It was my kind of place!

We had lunch there so this post will focus on that but rest assured, there is more to come.

Our bread was served in a pot with wine-shallot whipped butter. I had the strawberry lemonade. 

My grilled cheese sandwich was unreal...guereye cheese with thin slices of apple and fig preserves. 

Susan's salad looked good. 

Why I did this, I have no idea...stuck one part of the bill in my mouth to get it out of the way of my signing our bill. Susan of course, just had to snap my pic.

Family and Food

 Had a lovely flight up last Thursday. My limo driver (wheelchair pusher) at Norfolk airport was a sweetie, so attentive and concerning,  he got a handsome tip from me. Not so with the wheelchair pusher I had at LaGuardia in New York. You can bet he didn't get the tip the first one received!

My time so far has been full of family and food! I mean, what more could you asked for!

Friday Grandson Tighe was not working so Susan, Tighe and I went into Rye for a sidewalk lunch at Rubys. It was mid afternoon so I decided I'd just eat lunch and supper and ordered bacon a wrapped scallops on a bed of risotto. It was sooo good!

Then Tighe escorted his grand mom down the street to an ice cream parlor. That lemon sorbet was perfect!

More about fun and food and family later on..