Friday Favorites

February 8, 2019

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

January 27, 2019

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
Time: 60 mins
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.

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

Friday Favorites

July 20, 2018

From the time I left work last Friday afternoon until Sunday night, last weekend blew by so fast that I had no time to post! No Friday Favorites! From cupcake creation on Friday night, to Lydia’s mermaid birthday party on Saturday, to celebration of another birthday out with friends Sunday night, I found myself in need of another day off to recuperate! But alas, Monday came and the workweek ensued.

Now it is Finally Friday again and I WILL share my weekly favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Mermaids of course…

I spent most of last week studying mermaid cupcakes and creating a cupcake design of my own for a birthday celebration.

I hope my first attempt was acceptable to my 3 year old customer!

Mermaid Tail Cupcakes by Kim

Favorite # TWO

Mermaid Birthday Girls

This one in particularTired and Soaking Wet from a Water Wonder World Birthday Celebration! She is so pretty.

Happy Birthday Little Mermaid!

Favorite # THREE

Corn Nuggets

This tasty treat was recently introduced by a co-worker whom I’ve begun referring to as Corn Nugget. Maria thinks they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. Today the Triple J’s Seafood Truck came to our parking lot to provide the company with all the fried food our hearts desired. And apparently they supplied the company with all the fried food aboard, as they sold out. Juenic purchased a container of Corn Nuggets and offered one to me.These are delish.

One is all I needed to let me know that I love them and DO NOT NEED any more!

Favorite # FOUR

Super deals from LOFT

LOFT has a special of some sort every day. Whether it be 50% off everything for card members or 30% off all dresses or 50% off Sale on Sale items… something is sure to be happening. This week I used birthday $$$ from Mama to take advantage of a LOFT sale and found these deals:

Shadow Paisley Wrap Mixed Media Shell $11.93

Top // Shorts // Tee // Shell

Favorite # FIVE

Lunchbox Notes

LB leaves notes in my lunchbox every day.

Today he left a note that, when read, brought a song to my lips:When I showed my note to Wendy, she started singing it too…

My Girl

The Temptations

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

When it’s cold outside I’ve got the month of May

Well I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got so much honey the bees envy me

I’ve got a sweeter song than the birds in the trees

Well I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl ooh)

Hey hey hey

Ooh yeah

I don’t need no money, fortune, or fame (ooh hey hey hey)

I’ve got all the riches baby one man can claim (oh yes I do)

I guess you’d say

What can make me feel this way?

My girl (my girl, my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl)

I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day

With my girl (My girl)

(Talkin’ ’bout my girl my girl) I’ve even got the month of May

With my girl (My girl, woah)

She’s all I can think (my girl)

(Talkin’ ’bout my girl my girl)

Talkin’ ’bout, talkin’ ’bout my girl (my girl, woah)

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

Friday Favorites ~ Birthday Edition

June 8, 2018

June brings with it another birthday for myself and several others in my family (subject for another post).

Because this week has pretty much been all about birthdays, I’m sharing a special edition of my Friday Favorites!

Favorite # ONE

Babies and Birthday Cake

Although my birthday falls on June 1^st, the party begins on the evening of May 31^st. This year Mama made good on her promise and prepared biscuits and gravy (as only she can) for a special birthday dinner.

Followed by dessert…Several family members joined us at her home to celebrate.Two sweet babies were among the group.

LB snapped these photos with Rory and Lydia while I opened the gifts that were so graciously given to me.

While Lydia enjoyed seeing Glammy’s Birthday cards and gifts, Rory wasn’t quite as excited.I LOVE that face!

Favorite # TWO

A Birthday Outfit

(not to be confused with a Birthday Suit)

handpicked by a Fashion Diva.

Stephanie and Amanda will sometimes join forces to give gifts on special occasions. Stephanie has a particular flair for putting cute outfits together and for taking selfies.

She mentioned that she had picked several outfits and narrowed the prospects down to three.

This one was the winner

Favorite # THREE

A Fancy Birthday Gift

LB took a trip to the St. Johns Town Center this week where he visited the Coach store.

He has such good taste.And he even knows what colors are trending this season.

Favorite # FOUR

A Birthday Vacation

with LB

Beginning with a Friday night concert in the rain and ending with a sunny day on the beach. Every trip with LB is an adventure!

Favorite # FIVE

A Happy Together Birthday Surprise

Since we enjoyed it so much last year, LB made arrangements for us to attend this year’s Happy Together Tour at the Florida Theater.

The concert began with the Cowsills who are a family of singers that were the inspiration for the Partridge Family. Just as was the case last year, one of my favorites last night was “I Love the Flower Girl“.

(I knew I knew I knew I knew stuck in my head again).

Next up was Mark Lindsay (the voice of Paul Revere and the Raiders). I didn’t recognize any of his songs, but I was very familiar with the group that followed. The Association took the stage and sang quite a few favorites.

Another favorite for the evening was Gary Puckett (the Union Gap) hence the uniform.

Gary Puckett was not part of the tour last year, but such a great addition. Everyone enjoyed singing along with Gary as he shared a few of his 1967 hits.

Another fun singalong was a former member of Three Dog Night, Chuck Negron, who ended his set with “Jeremiah was a Bullfrog”.

And last but not least, one of the original Turtles, Mark Volman took the stage along with friend Ron Dante (from the Archie’s music). Ron was standing in for Turtle member Howard Kaylan who was unable to be a part of the tour this year.

The event wrapped up with all of the artists coming to the stage to share a short clip of one of their previously performed songs and together wishing the audience good night. It was an evening of great music!

Still stuck in my head today:

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

Happy Birthday in Heaven

March 1, 2018

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-Two

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, and Rory.

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:

Num Nell Knox

August 1965

and

Father’s Day

where he claimed a starring role.

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.

A Bonus Mary Post

January 31, 2018

If you search the word “Mary” in the search field to the right, you will find that there are four pages of matches. Some of my “Mary post” favorites are:

“Mary Duckworth Reid“

“August 1965“

and

“Happy Birthday to Me“.

Although “Mary” can be found in many of my posts, TODAY is her birthday and I feel that this necessitates another mention.

As I’ve indicated before, I call her

Mama

and this is for her…

Here’s a birthday wish to tell you
just in case you haven’t guessed… Of all the Mamas in the world
You’re the sweetest and the best.

Your CHICKADEES concur,
not a-one the least contrary…
You ARE the finest grandmother
they love their Mema Mary.

Some know you as their President, and also call you sister

Some others call you cousin

But no one calls you Mister.

Your friends, they all adore you
some for very many years

And when you get together
You are like the musketeers.

Throughout the years your patience
has continued every minute

You sweeten up our family,
I’m so glad to have you in it!

A finer model for “that quote”
in all the world there never was
What you’ve always tried to teach me…

Pretty is as Pretty Does

On this day I wish you gladness,
just like what you pass around.
May your joyfulness continue,
And your happiness abound.

WISHING YOU THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS AND MANY MORE!

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

Amanda

December 9, 2017

History was made on December 9, 1986 when a sweet baby girl came into the world!

She is my second born and I loved her the second I saw her…

Amanda Kristine Starling

arrived on a Tuesday at 6:06 PM weighing in at 8 pounds, 15 ounces and measuring 21 inches long.

It was in this stocking that I brought my Christmas baby home with me on the following day.

Her sister, Stephanie took to her right away…

mostly.

And they have been best friends ever since.

Amanda is my “middle child” whom I recognized in the post National Middle Child Day. And as mentioned in that post, SHE IS an adventurer.

With each passing year, there was something new she wanted to try.

For example…

there was dance

then tee ball

baton

basketball

then piano lessons,

and running

traveling

Although Amanda has an extremely easy going personality, rarely showing excitement, she has always taken advantage of every opportunity to try something new.

She has just about done it all!

Amanda is a smart girl and one of the most self-motivated people I know.

It was Amanda that encouraged our homeschooling experience and accelerated into ninth grade school work with her older sister, so her teacher, aka Mom, would only need to manage one grade level.