I Love Everything About My Birthday

June 1, 2020

This morning I opened a birthday card

and read this:

I Love Everything About Being Us

A kiss that leaves me smiling.

A joke that makes me laugh

A text, a call, a message.

A random photograph.

A heart-to-heart discussion.

A getaway for fun.

Our running list of projects

or one that’s finally done!

Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss…

celebrating every day

of us just being us.

Happy Birthday!

I read this little card aloud with a lump in my throat, as I periodically paused to laugh out loud.

I Loved it!

~

“A getaway for fun”

is mentioned in this card and we did just that on my birthday this year.

Originally we had planned to visit Yosemite National Park, but with all of the COVID19 hullabaloo, the reservations were cancelled a few weeks prior, and new, airplane-free plans were made.

We were able to make those plans happen and enjoy a couple of nights in a resort on the Gulf of Mexico.

~

The suite was amazing.

WOW was the word of the day.

This is the entryway…

And this is our arrival selfie from the living room…

“A random photograph”

I wasted no time checking everything out.

There were 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and 3 balconies. Also a small kitchen/dining area with an adjoining living room.

~

On birthday Monday, we hit the beach.

We spent most of the day under the umbrella, but would occasionally have to walk to the ocean to cool off. On one occasion, while walking back to my chair, I noticed a patch of shells.

I stopped to run my fingers through, and while there, was met by a new little friend.She was interested in my “combing” through the sand, and decided she would help me.So much for social distancing!

We had a little chat about pretty shells and then she went on her way to enjoy her June 1st day at the beach.

Later in the evening, LB and I took a walk that would eventually lead us to a MEXICAN restaurant!Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant

The sunset over the ocean later that evening was the perfect end to a perfect day!

“Some quiet time together – no problems, plans or fuss”

…celebrating MY Birthday

by us just being us.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Quarantine Week SEVEN

May 17, 2020

Has everyone in your house gone stir crazy yet?

via GIPHY

When a home body like myself is ready to get out of the house, I know everyone else must be!

With the exception of taking a couple of drives, LB and I have stayed in the house for six weeks, working from home, having groceries delivered, and enjoying evenings by the pool.

There has been a lot of shopping online, Pinterest pinning and baking. Most recently I made banana bread. Next on the calendar is cream of coconut cake.

We have watched a few movies and sort of started following the series Bosch on Amazon Prime. I’m not a fan of homicide programs, but this one was recommended by Rush, so LB thought it was worth checking out. We may have watched all of season one.

This past week we started venturing out, following social distancing guidelines and trying to be as safe as possible. Mostly.

On Sunday I visited Mama’s house for a Mother’s Day Tea Party that I shared in this post. It was a sweet time with the girls.

Stephanie and Amanda always make me feel special. Later that day, Richard made me feel special too. He is a faithful face-timer and my most serious child.

And so my Mother’s Day was complete.

~

On Friday evening LB and I both went out to celebrate a milestone.

We met at Olive Garden with our friends Wayne, Laurie, Debbie and Ray in honor of

Laurie’s 60th birthday!

I’ve never seen anyone enjoy spaghetti as much as LB did that night!

Every last bite!

He saved the chicken parm for later.

We had such a good time, we’re planning another get-together real soon. I’m looking forward to it!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

April 10, 2020

Even though I’m working from home, Friday is still my favorite day! It is the day I look forward to more than any other. Today is my first Friday Favorites post in two weeks. My post from last week is still in my drafts folder. Maybe I’ll get back to it later. THIS FRIDAY I was determined to submit my five favorites for the week.

Favorite # ONE

This

DVD

I love the story of Joseph and this 1995 mini series with Ben Kingsley and Paul Mercurio is my favorite! LB doesn’t know it yet, but he is going to watch it with me this weekend.

~

Favorite # TWO

April’s Supermoon

According to the Farmer’s Almanac, there are 13 full moons in 2020. April’s is supposedly the pink moon, named for moss pink, or wild ground phlox, some of the first flowers that appear in spring.

The moon was full on April 7th and LB decided we would go for a drive, just to look at it. More than seeing the moon, I appreciated just going for a drive.

Also on April 7th

Favorite # THREE

Family Face Time

While relaxing in the back on the patio after work Tuesday, I received a face time invitation with my family.

Favorite # FOUR

This Video

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kimberly Reid Starling (@krstar0601)

When everyone had joined, we sang happy birthday to Levi.

Favorite # FIVE

Levi

This Little Guy is my sister’s grand-baby, the first of four who belong to my nephew Clay.

He celebrated his 6th birthday on Tuesday!

Happy Birthday Levi!

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog!

Have a Blessed Friday

Happiness

March 10, 2020

“…lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin Roosevelt

Today, March 10, 2020 is a day to celebrate as it marks three years since I began this creative effort.

Happy

BLOGIVERSARY!

It seemed like a good idea at the time, although I no idea what I was doing. I supposed if other bloggers can do this, so can I. My intention was to ease my way into fashion blogging because that’s what I like, so I registered with WordPress and came up with a name for my blog.

Prettyis.me was registered because pretty is dot net and pretty is dot com were already taken.

Also it sounds cute.

The title “Pretty is” came to me from a quote my Mama enjoyed repeating:

“Pretty is as Pretty does”

And apparently she heard it often from her mother, who would have celebrated a birthday today.

My first post was short and sweet and included nothing about women’s fashion.

After beginning my blog, and as the weeks passed, I realized that fashion blogging isn’t as easy as it looks.

Rather than posts about fashion, I found that I was posting more and more about what I do and the people in my life, which is perfectly fine.

That said, on this day in 1925, Bettelou Ellen McCarty was born.

Although my brother-in-law can tell the story much better, I believe little Bettelou started her journey in Buffalo, New York, eventually moving to Muncy, Pennsylvania, and much later to Florida where she met George S. Duckworth.

And she loved him.

And so she would become Bette Duckworth

My Memaa.k.a.

Mema Duck

~

Mema went to be with Jesus on January 14, 2010.This is another sweet face that I look forward to seeing again.

~

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Happy Birthday in Heaven

March 1, 2020

Although I obviously have no proof, my personal belief is that our earthly birthdays are not celebrated in Heaven. I’m sure that there are Bible verses to support my theory.

That said, our loved ones who have gone to Heaven are still celebrated here on earth, by the ones they’ve left behind.

My Daddy

would have been

Seventy-Four

years old today.

He may have been walking crooked (bent to the right) as he occasionally did when his back gave him trouble.

Daddy may have still been telling elephant jokes (why do elephants paint their toenails red?) and playing practical jokes – now on his grandchildren – since his children have long since figured out his antics.

He would have LOVED his growing family

and

meeting the ones who came along after he left:

Sydney, Chynna, Emily, Levi, Lydia, Thea, Rory, Adrian, and Eden.

He would have loved them all… and they would have loved him!

I’m sure he would have enjoyed events like dancing with my Mama at the Rockabilly Prom.

I imagine he may have walked next door to enjoy old movies with his oldest daughter in her TV room.

His hair would likely have been completely grey and I’m sure his green eyes would still have an “I love You” sparkle. I’ve mentioned him again and again in my posts:

and

Richard A. Reid was born in Palatka, Florida on March 1, 1946.

He lived to the age of 55 and enjoyed A Wonderful Life.

He has been gone since November 23, 2001.

I am not exaggerating when I say that not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

I’m looking forward to seeing you again!

We are ALL looking forward to seeing you again!

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

February 7, 2020

The first Friday in February is

National Wear Red Day

to raise awareness about heart disease in women and show support for saving women’s lives…

Red is one of my favorites! And today is time for my

Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

is that red sweater!

It came from Old Navy and I have it in 3 colors!

~

This week has been a long one, not only because I commute to work in another city. every. day.

But because of an experiment I am doing for my Behavior Modification class. This experiment (and class) deserves a blog post of its own, but for now, let me say that I would not have been able to track the number of grams of sugar I have consumed each day without this smartphone app

Favorite # TWO

MyFitnessPal

It is amazing how many grams of sugar can be consumed in one day even when you aren’t indulging in sweets.

Even cauliflower has sugar!

This week my intake has been light.

Last week was an entirely different story because there is a huge amount of sugar in

Favorite # THREE

Birthday Cake

I LOVE CAKE!

LB’s January 26th birthday cakeBanana Split Cake

Wendy’s January 29th birthday cakeWhite sheet cake with BUTTERCREAM ICING (my favorite believe it or not)

And Mama’s January 31st birthday cake WHICH IS MY

Favorite # FOUR

from Spicy Southern Kitchen

Amaretto Pound Cake

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a 10-inch Bundt or tube pan with baking spray.
Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

Use an electric stand mixer to cream butter, shortening, and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs one at a time. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and beat well after each addition.
Mix in amaretto and almond extract.
Add flour mixture, alternating with milk. beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 80 to 90 minutes.
Cool for 30 minutes before inverting onto a serving platter.

I’m saving this recipe so I can make it again.

This time I’ll leave it in the oven for the required baking time 🤣

~

Favorite # FIVE

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Friday Favorites

January 31, 2020

This birthday edition of my Friday Favorites celebrates a special event.

Happy Birthday LB!

LB wanted to enjoy a weekend out of town for his birthday. He also wanted seafood for dinner. On our way to St. Simon’s Island, LB and I stopped at

Favorite # ONE

Zachry’s Seafood & Steak

It is a popular restaurant, so we had a short wait where we took a moment to snap a selfie.

LB’s dinner included shrimp and oysters, “lightly breaded and fried to a golden brown”, served with salad, hushpuppies, a loaded potato,and LOTS of condiments!