Pretty is

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Cupcakes & Colored Eggs

Easter weekend

would not be complete without coloring eggs on Saturday.

Last year, on the Saturday before Easter were made cookies & colored eggs

You can read about that event in this post.

This year, we made cupcakes & colored eggs on the Saturday before Easter.

First we colored/dyed 24 hard boiled eggs… and made a wonderful mess!

After the eggs had been colored,

and the egg-shaped cookies beautifully decorated,(The brown one is mine.  Yep.)

We moved on to the sunflower cupcakes….And it was no easy task.

Lydia participated long enough to finish one cupcakeObviously her skills are unmatched and could have completed the whole job herself.

However she was far more interested in something on TV.

Due to her work schedule, Stephanie wasn’t able to join us, so Amanda and Emily turned all 52 mini cupcakes into lovely sunflowers.The cupcakes were presented the following day as dessert after Easter Sunday dinner.

Afterward the Easter egg hunt began!It was High energy(notice the binoculars for easier egg spotting)Serious business!but plenty for everyone!

It was a good day to spend with family, enjoying time together, and making memories!

 

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

It Has Been One Year

March 10, 2018 marks one year since I began this blog.

Today is my

FIRST

BLOGIVERSARY!

With no idea how to begin, I presumed if other bloggers I’ve followed 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.

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.

Prettyis.me

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

Also it sounds cute.

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

It was a Friday, and I took the day off to keep my GlamBaby Lydia.  She was 20 months old at the time.  You can see that post by clicking here.

Ironically, I spent the day with her today, as well…happily pushing a Little Tikes car.

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

Although I enjoy reading fashion blogs,  I spend a good deal of my time working an office job and commuting to and from that office [which happens to be located in another city and makes for a lot of travel time].

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 okay.

That said, today is a special day for another reason.

In Buffalo New York, on March 10, 1925, Bettelou Ellen McCarty was born.

Much later she met George S. Duckworth and she loved him.

And so she would become Bette Duckworth

My Mema

a.k.a. Mema Duck

Today we spent the day at my Mama’s house and I enjoyed taking some time going through her old pictures.

Mema left us on January 14, 2010That 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.

Kim

XO

Happy Birthday in Heaven

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.

 

 

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day

It is celebrated annually on February 14th.  Valentine’s Day has been recognized as a notable traditional, religious and commercial celebration of romance and romantic love in many regions around the world.

The day first became associated with romantic love in the 14th century, when the ritual of genteel courting flourished. In 18th-century England, it developed into an occasion in which lovers expressed their love for each other by giving flowers, sweet treats, and greeting cards. (source)

Whether it is rooted in paganism (i.e. Lupercalia) or Christian martyrdom (i.e. Saint Valentine), today Valentine’s Day is a day to lavish attention on loved ones.  This year people have lavished Valentine’s Day attention on their loved ones contributing $19.6 billion to the economy. (source)

My LB contributes to the economy as well.

He never fails to light up my day with a bouquet of flowers delivered to my office.

He will typically present me with an article of jewelry or two, which, in the past has been a set from Brighton.  This year he changed it up and I now own a floating heart from Underwood’s Jewelers

and a box of chocolates

and a Valentine’s Day card that communicated a strikingly similar message to the card I presented to him.Today.  Tomorrow.  Always.

He always lets me know that I am his forever Valentine.

*****

This year’s Valentine’s Day

was unlike any other.

I left work midday and made my way to the hospital (labor and delivery), to await the arrival of a sweet new GlamBaby.

On February 14, 2018

Rory

came into the world.Being that she was about three weeks earlier than expected, I was surprised to learn that she weighed 6 pounds and 18 3/4 inches long.  She is very alert and is obviously taking in her world.

She is a sweet little Valentine baby and I am in love!We are blessed.

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

A Baby Shower for our Galentines

Galentine’s Day

is a pseudo-holiday that has gained widespread popularity since invented by Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler’s character on Parks and Recreation). 
Galentine’s Day is typically observed on February 13th and also the weekend prior to that day. 
The premise is “Ladies celebrating Ladies”.  More simply put, it is a day to celebrate non-romantic relationships with your best Gals.  According to Knope, Galentine’s Day, celebrates three important things: waffles, women, and Leslie’s wise words.
 (source)
One of the “wise words” of Leslie Knope was displayed in the décor at our Galentines themed event:Very nice.

 

 

There are many special Galentines in my life… and two more on the way.

My daughter-in-law Emily is expecting her second baby in March

and

my sister’s daughter-in-law Chynna is expecting her third baby in June.

What better reason to have a

GALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION

To help them prepare for the arrival of these baby girls and to commemorate Galentine’s Day… we had a baby shower!

Planned and hosted by my sister and my daughters

who demonstrated their dexterity in decor…

and their culinary cleverness.

There was the Mac & Cheese Bar

Shirley Temples

and an assortment of delectable treats.

However there were no waffles.  No frittatas.

 

 

The event took place at Mama’s house

So she asked for God’s blessings over the day, the event and the ladies who were gathered to celebrate.After lunch and a couple of girly games, it was time for presentsThere were onesies, tiny socks, lots of pampers and a couple of unexpected surprises for the “big” sisters.

Case in Point:

the Cinderella Cross-Body Bag

Modeled by my lovely sister Gina.

With all of the Disney enthusiasts in the family, it was agreed that the

Danielle Nicole Disney Cinderella Cross-body Bag

was the perfect accessory for a day at the Magic Kingdom.

Although it was suggested that the chain was much to long for Lydia and Thea to comfortably carry these bags, there will be no chain manipulation to better fit little girls.  After all, the mamas may want to borrow these little beauties.

I found this bag at Nordstrom and Amazon, both currently unavailable.

It was nice to be able to enjoy time with family and friends as we ready ourselves to welcome two new little ones.

Thank you MY Galentines Gina, Stephanie, Amanda and Mama, for hosting a lovely event.

You are clearly a group of poetic and noble land-mermaids.

 

 

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

Kim

XO

A Bonus Mary Post

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.

 

 

The LB Calendar

A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial or administrative purposes.  This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months and years.

The Gregorian calendar is internationally the most widely used civil calendar.  It is named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in October 1582 (source).

The LB calendar is a system of classifying LB by each month of the year for appreciation purposes.

Today is LB’s birthday,

and what better day could there be

to share how special he is to me.

In

January

He is The Birthday Boy

Last January we celebrated LB’s birthday in one of our favorite places… St. Simon’s Island.  There was, as always, music, dancing, presents, and cake.  Bennie’s Red Barn featured the Traveling Riverside Band and an evening of celebration.    This year will be someplace different, but just as celebratory!

In

February

He is my ValentineIn February 2017 we enjoyed Valentine’s Day together with dinner at Culhanes Irish Pub.  There must be Irish in his blood… as the following month would later prove.

In

March

He is My Good Luck Charm

“May the luck of the Irish Lead to happiest heights

And the highway you travel Be lined with green lights”

…just like LB’s blinking tie.

In

April

LB became My very own Cameraman

and now

He is My InspirationIt was in March 2017 that I started my blog.

LB began to follow me with his camera snapping pictures of everything I do.

Within a few weeks of blogging, I realized how his photos influence my posts as they remind me of the fun we have had.

In

May

Though spring fever typically takes hold and all I want to do is stay home and chill…

LB is My MotivationHe keeps me going.

His delightfully cheerful ways, light up my dreary days.

In

June

of this past year,

LB added a new skill to his resume…

 

Superhero.

 

LB and I took a 3 day vacation to celebrate my birthday.

On the last day of our trip, I had an experience that I hope not to relive.

As if he were straight out of a DC comic, he whisked me to the ER.

LB is My Hero(his Mustang is his superpower)

 

In

July

no matter what the weather

LB is My SunshineMy only Sunshine.

(he makes me happy when skies are grey)

 

In

August

and throughout the year

LB is the Reason that I SmileHe is always doing something to put a smile on my face.

 

In

September

When vacation time rolls around, there are new places to go.

Whether it be an outdoor adventure or a new outlet or boutique…

LB is My Exploration Escortand

My Bag Boy

In

October

LB is My Sidekick

…or maybe I’m his.

Last October

LB was the Joker to my Harlequin

In

November

He is a reason to be Thankfuland he looks good in my favorite color.

I am thankful for the days, months, and years we have spent together and am looking forward to the ones yet to come.

In

December

  of 2017, he saw me to the close of an ordeal that few would likely overcome.

LB is My White Knightand I am forever grateful!

 

LB is my Calendar Boy

and if I were as talented as Neil Sedaka, I would compose a tune to commemorate him!

 

Now it is January again and on this 26th day we celebrate another LB birthday!

Congratulations on your many years

And here’s to many more!

 

Happy Birthday LB!

~

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

 

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