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Friday Favorites

It may have been a short workweek, but since returning to work after vacation I have been longing for Friday…

Not only because I want to

NOT GO TO WORK

but because I enjoy sharing my

Friday Favorites

Animation Dancing GIF by LooseKeys

Favorite # ONE

It may seem that I have an obsession with donuts because I have mentioned them frequently on my blog in such posts as found here, here, here, here, here, and here.

And as a matter of fact, I’ve picked up donuts for work many times.

However I won’t be bringing in donuts on National Donut Day because donuts are a high carb food and Wendy and Kim are currently practicing a low carb lifestyle.  That said, instead of donuts, we will be enjoying these

Cocoa Roasted Almonds

for a special treat today.

9 net carbs per ¼ cup serving and 100% sweet tooth satiating

These are awesome!

~

Favorite # TWO

Little Visitors

The baby girls came by for a visit on Tuesday evening.

Oftentimes Lydia will ask to take a bath while she is at Glammy’s.  I agree that it is a good idea since she and Rory will likely fall asleep on the ride home, then their Mommy can put them right to bed.  Many times they don’t have a change of clothes, or pajamas with them.

On this occasion, Glammy offered the use of her tee shirts.

Rory was particularly amusing when she presented her ensemble.  Then she noticed that LB was holding a bag of Tostitos.Because she wanted to wear the garden gloves she had discovered, it was especially cute when she tried to feed herself a Tostito.

What a doll!

~

Favorite # THREE

Birthday Gifts

LB has such good taste!

My birthday post shared the adventures LB and I experienced on June 1st, however I didn’t reveal the birthday gifts LB gave me.

Here they are:

KATE SPADE White Rock Road Denim Sam in Dark Wave

KATE SPADE Emelyn Quilted Black

(similar)

STERLING SILVER TIKI FLOWER DROP EARRINGS

STERLING SILVER FLOWER TIKI BRACELET

~

My family celebrates other birthdays in June.  This week we were blessed with two others

Favorite # FOUR

Adrienne Dawn

is my sister’s youngest G-baby.

This week marks one year for the “rainbow baby”

Happy Birthday Adrienne!

~

Favorite # FIVE

Emily

is my daughter-in-law.

She is a lovely young lady and Mommy to the sweetest little Glam-babies in the world.

Happy Birthday Emily!

~

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

I Love It When We’re Cruisin’ Together

Included in the Travel list on my Bucket List Blog Post is

Go on a Caribbean cruise

Last week LB and I did just that!

We headed for Tampa on Thursday and sailed out of Port Tampa Bay later that afternoon.

Bon Voyage!

After an assessment of our room, and a moment to enjoy our private balcony, LB and I began to plan which events we most wanted to attend.

Carnival makes it easy to keep up with cruise activities by using the Carnival HUB app.  Some of our favorites were trivia,  live music, and productions such as the “Welcome Aboard Show” performed by the ship’s exceptional dancers who had some degree of vocal talent.

We decided not to dress up but keep it casual and enjoy dinner at the Italian buffet on the Lido deck. Prime Rib, Eggplant Parmesan, and baked fish

Low Carb

👍🏻

~

Friday was a day of indulging as I began my first full cruise day with a cup of very good coffee and an excellent eggs Benedict breakfast.  It was also very relaxing as we basked in the sun on the top deck And later enjoyed music trivia and the sing-a-longs that ensued. 

Having spent my teens in the eighties makes me quite a contender for 80’s music trivia

but it doesn’t make me a good singer.Yes, that pencil is my microphone.

On Friday night LB and I dressed up and took advantage of the photo opportunities in the atrium and on the promenade deck.It is fun to doll up and be fancy.

Dinner was excellent every night

but dessert was the best.  If you’ve never tasted a Chocolate Melting Cake you should take a Carnival Cruise just to try one.

~

Saturday was excursion day.

Our ship docked at the port in Cozumel and we set out to explore.

LB and I spent time at Dolphin Discovery.We enjoyed time on Chankanaab Beach

and visiting with the locals

LB planned a day of fun and adventure with opportunities to cross items off of my bucket list.  Posing with a mariachi band was not one of those items, but it was fun nonetheless.

Saturday was also my birthday.  More about the Birthday Adventure here.

After dinner Saturday evening, LB and I went to a showing of the movie Bohemian Rhapsody which premiered in 2018 and apparently won Academy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.  The story was sad, but the music was good.

It was a relaxing way to end an exciting day!

~

Because I left home without packing sunscreen, by Sunday I was pink.  LB was too.  Henceforth, we remained in the shade to avoid further exposure to the sun

While indoors, LB thought it would be a good idea to experience one of the hamburgers from Guy Fieri’s grill aka Guy’s Burger Joint

Cruises are notorious for causing weight gain.  Believe it or not, LB managed to evade added poundage

but Kim did not.  [She didn’t do well against the Dealer either]

 

 

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

Another Birthday

Yes it is another birthday…

happy birthday 3d GIF by Michael Shillingburg

but not merely another Birthday

This is an

EPIC Birthday

For starters I am

ON A WESTERN CARIBBEAN CRUISE

No cooking, No laundry, No WORK…

behaving like a Birthday Girl should.

The [birth] day begins with breakfast.  And though on this day breakfast is not eggs Benedict or pan-seared steak with béarnaise sauce, it is a treat, it is low carb, and it provides the necessary fuel to launch me into the excursion that LB has planned for the day.

It is scrambled eggs and sausage

[while he enjoys pancakes]

🥞

The adventure began at the Puerta Maya Cruise Ship terminal in Cozumel Mexico this morning

After which we took a taxi to Chankanaab Beach

🚖where a visit to the Dolphin Discovery would introduce us to a new friend

Marina

She allowed us to pet herto give her kisses

and go for a swim with her.

Marina gave each of us a dolphin propelled boogie board ride across the cove.

LB tried to get her to come home with us

But she had other obligations.

After our visit, as we climbed back up to the boardwalk, I was amazed to see that there was a baby dolphin following close by her side.  Marina’s trainer explained, “Oh that’s just Chico” as if it was no big thing.

🐬

And if that wasn’t enough of an adventure, in a separate area at Chankanaab, LB and I were able to go snorkeling [that’s right people… no makeup] We saw different forms of ocean life and a statue of the Virgin Mary.

🐠

There was more swimming involved than I am used to and I was happy to have a break lounging on the beach.LB enjoyed it just as much, if not more.It was very relaxing

Soon Carmen was standing before me asking if I would like to visit her spa.  She insisted that I allow her to give me a two minute sample of the deep tissue massage that I would receive.  How could I say no?

But alas, there was not enough time for more; LB and I would need to be heading back to the Carnival Paradise.

🛳

Just in time to get dressed up for dinner show off my new jewelsand blow out the candle on a tiny cake after enjoying an international serenade

Thanks to Imade and Richmond.

🎂

 

 

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

 

Dear Daddy

Today would have been your 73rd birthday.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.

A lot has happened since you’ve been gone.

Sydney was born shortly after you left.  You didn’t get to meet her, but I know you would love her.  She looks so much like Gina.

Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Kyle, Clay, and Dillon have all graduated from high-school.  Some have gone on to graduate from college…with the highest distinction.

~

All your grandsons are very protective.

Clay has been true to his word.  He takes good care of his Mema.  He has a manner about him that is remarkably familiar.  I always think of you when I see him.

Clay married Chynna; now they have a little boy and two little girls.

Richard had a hard time after you left; we spent many nights consoling him.  He had just turned 11.

You would be so proud of him today.

He is a preacher.  Richard married Emily… and now they have two little girls.

Lydia is Richard’s oldest;  although she doesn’t look like me, if you spent time with her, she would remind you of me when I was a little girl [according to Mama].Can you believe I’m a Glammy???

You might find it hard to believe, but all your grandchildren remember you vividly;  And your great-grandchildren know you from the many photos they’ve seen.

I know you would enjoy seeing photos of them too:

Easter 2018 Thea, Levi, Sydney, Lydia
Lydia, Levi, Thea
Lydia & Rory
Rory & Lydia
Adrienne, Thea, Levi
Rory (and Levi)
Levi

They Are So Sweet

Mama is crazy about them…

you would be too!

~

We’ve met some of your relatives and learned a lot about your heritage in the past 18 years.

  Recently Stuart discovered and shared pictures of your great grandfather William VanSickle Cox.

This is what he looked like His nose is familiar.

It appears that he was in the service; something I understand you considered.

Mama told us about that.

We talk about a lot of things in our group text.

Speaking of group text…

When you left us, we weren’t as technologically equipped as we are now.

Today everyone in the family has a personal cell phone and we keep in touch via this group text.

We talk about you often.

I saved this bit of communication from last Memorial Day:

Remembering will sometimes invoke a tearful moment, but will always bring a smile.

Thank you for the memories and for leaving a bit of yourself in each of us.

 

You would be HAPPY to know that Mama is doing well. 

And we are all fine.

We know that we will see you again Daddy; and thank you for showing us The Way.

~

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

Friday Favorites Valentines Day Edition

Today has been a GREAT day.  Not only because it is Friday, but because it is a day away from the office!

This week my Friday Favorites are all about

Valentine’s Day

 

Favorite # ONE

Conversation Hearts

While conversation hearts candies are cuteAnd Conversation Hearts donuts are a real treat

A Conversation Hearts Cake is a work of art!

Last Saturday, I made one!

Favorite # TWO

A Work of Art

Found on Pinterest and commissioned by my daughter-in-law for her Valentine’s Day baby’s first birthday.

It is a heart shaped chocolate cake [Duncan Hines] covered in the best homemade buttercream frosting ever and “decorated” with red sprinkles!

Favorite # THREE

Flowers and Chocolate

Who wouldn’t want flowers and chocolate on Valentine’s Day?

LB always makes sure to let me know that He is My Valentine and I am His!On Valentine’s Day LB sent me a beautiful arrangement of daisies and roses!

Don’t you think daisies are the friendliest flowers?

In addition to the flowers, LB surprised me with a box of Pecan Delights.

I’ll be hiding these in my closet.

 

Favorite # FOUR

This

Red Blouse

that I FOUND in the back of my closet.

Although I look like a toy soldier in this photo, I was happy to find something red to wear on Valentine’s Day.

Favorite # FIVE

This Valentine’s Day Baby

Rory was born on February 14, 2018.  We celebrated her birthday on Saturday.

Hey Girl!

This is a photo of her enjoying her very own pink cake…

with a special photo bomb [under the highchair] by Levi.  Not sure what that was about, or if anyone else noticed, but I thought it was too cute and worth sharing!

Thank you for the cake Glammy!

Here’s some for your face!

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

Friday Favorites

It has been a less than satisfactory week.

Even Friday was a disappointment.   Nevertheless, I DO have

Friday Favorites

to share.

Favorite # ONE

Groundhog Day

was a good day.

Groundhog Day is a celebrated tradition that is based on superstition.

Observed in the U.S. [and Canada] on February 2nd and originating with the Pennsylvania Dutch, it is said that if a groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day sees a shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its burrow and winter will persist for six more weeks.  However, if it is cloudy, and no shadow appears, the spring season will arrive early (source).

On February 2nd, the groundhog predicted an early spring.  It was the 19th time in the past 133 years that an early spring has been predicated by the little furball (source).

Instead of celebrating as the good folks of Punxsutawney do, LB and I gathered with some of my favorite people to celebrate a special birthday… which brings me to

Favorite # TWO

Mama’s Birthday

Although we celebrated this special day on February 2nd, her birthday is January 31st. She appeared to be having a good time.See that cake???

Favorite # THREE

Lemon Pound Cake

I made two this week.

The first was a special request by my coworker and friend Wendy who celebrated a birthday on January 29th.  The recipe I used came from Add A Pinch which you can find here.

It was so good, I made one for Mama.

Favorite # FOUR

Birthday Selfies

Everyone needs a photo-bombed birthday selfie.  You haven’t been shown adequate love without one.  In my family, we are experts at bombing the birthday selfie…and it is fun…

Favorite # FIVE

A Concert

starring two Princesses (Thea and Lydia) and the Dinosaur Whisperer (Levi).

With a special solo by the littlest Glammy’s Girl (Rory).

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

LB’s Birthday Weekend

LB’s birthday is on January 26th.
January 26th happened on a Saturday this year, so I was able to be home with him and start his special day with  a special BREAKFAST.
Pineapple Upside Down Pancakes were on the menu.  Courtesy of Mrs. Butterworth’s and a can of Dole Sliced Pineapple!He loved his pancakes!
And he loved opening Birthday Gifts!He looks SMASHING in his new jacket…
And is very excited about his new GOOGLE Home Mini!The Birthday Boy spent his day playing with ‘Hey Google’.
I assumed we would go out for dinner and live music later that evening, but he didn’t want to venture out in the cold.  He requested homemade pizza for dinner.
And he chose the German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake from a list of cakes that “you MUST TRY”.
It is delicious!

I’ve included the recipe courtesy of Taste of Home so we can make it again:

German Chocolate Tres Leches Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 package chocolate cake mix
  • 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 can (12 ounces) evaporated milk
  • 1-1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
  • 1/4 cup rum
  • 3 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut, toasted
  • 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Prepare and bake cake mix according to package directions, using a 13×9-in. baking pan. Cool on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk milks, 1/2 cup cream and rum. With a wooden skewer, poke holes in cake about 1/2 in. apart. Slowly pour milk mixture over cake, allowing mixture to absorb into cake. Let stand 30 minutes. Refrigerate, covered, 8 hours or overnight.
  • In a small bowl, beat remaining cream until it begins to thicken. Add confectioners’ sugar; beat until stiff peaks form. Spread over top of cake. Sprinkle with coconut and pecans.

 

The LB Birthday Weekend theme song was When I’m 64.

It was completely appropriate for the occasion.

 

https://youtu.be/PbTXtWxsDjk

 

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

 

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