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Happy Birthday to Me

My birthday celebration actually began on May 31st at the St. John’s county pier.

Every Wednesday night beginning in May and continuing through September at Music by the Sea, there is a catered dinner and musical entertainment event at the pier.  LB and I attend every chance we get.  This particular event was catered by Amici’s Italian Restaurant and entertainment provided by one of our favorite local groups The Committee Band.  We split an entree that included eggplant parmesan and penne pasta while relaxing in the pavillion prior to the concert.  While waiting for the concert, the resident DJ “DJ Dan”, honored us with tee shirts including us in The Danighan Gang. 

As is customary, my birthday began with a phone call at 7:52 AM from my sweet Mama.  Because I was in a hotel that rendered my cell phone useless [No Service] I missed her call.  She went right to my voicemail.  When we left the hotel this is the message I retrieved:

“(singing) Happy birthday to you, Happy birthday to you (laughs) Happy birthday Dear Kim… it’s too early in the morning, but I wanted you to know I love you.  God bless you. You’re such a joy to have Kim.  I love you with all my heart.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday, spendin’ it with the one you love.  When you get back we need to have cake.  And biscuits.  I’ll talk to you later.  God bless you Darlin’.  I’m so thankful there’s you.  Bye.”

I am blessed beyond measure to have such a precious Mama who loves me so much.

I listened to that message several times.

LB had other surprises planned.  He brought me to Cathedral Drive and let me pick a restaurant for brunch.  I thought the Greek restaurant would be a nice treat.  We walked into Athena Restaurant and I immediately noticed the specials posted.  One special was Salmon Eggs Benedict.  Yes please!

Those are grits on the side.

LB had hashbrowns

After brunch we strolled [it is a vacation day, after all] down to St. George Street and visited one of my favorite St. Augustine shops, H.W. Davis Clothing and Shoes.  LB was recalling a post from April when I mentioned a blouse that I loved.  He brought me to H.W. Davis and found that blouse

along with another that was just as cute

He bought both of them for me! Oh Happy Day!  Not one, but TWO Clara Sunwoo blouses!  LOVE these!  This has definitely been a day to remember thus far.

The birthday gifts continued

These bracelets were purchase by LB more than a month ago from a Traci Lynn Fashion Jewelry party hosted by my coworker Geraldine.  LB logged onto the website that was assigned to her party and selected the Silver Star Fish Bracelet and the Two Tone Silver Razzmatazz Bracelet.  I was not at all surprised at his GOOD TASTE!  But very surprised by the presentation as I had completely forgotten he participated in this event.

There was also an adorable little bracelet that I picked out myself on April 2nd that LB decided I could wait till my birthday to have.  This pearl bracelet with starfish and sanddollar charms is from Fresh Produce and I shared it on this post. 

So cute!

Believe it or not there was ONE MORE!  I absolutely loved it and feel it deserves a post of it’s own.  I’ll be presenting this particular birthday gift from LB soon.  Stay tuned.

Obviously a birthday is Not all about gifts.  LB knows I love pretty things, but he also knows how to make me happy in ways that do not get filed under Material Girl.  So he took me to the beach and let me put my toes in the sand

Afterward

We split smokin’ Carnitas Fajitas at a delightful Mexican Restaurant

To all of my FaceBook friends who wished me a happy birthday… I Had a GREAT day.  Thank You!

 

Memorial Day

As I was searching for a words to capture the spirit of Memorial Day, I came across this article and could not decide which quote to use.  It is worth reading.

While Memorial Day is a day on which those who died in active military service are remembered, and I have no intention of undervaluing this, it is also a day that typically marks the beginning of Summer.  Although summer officially begins on Friday, June 21 of this year, we typically celebrate its start on Memorial Day.  This year I celebrated with my family.  Though I do this on many holidays with my Mama and kids, this year my sister Gina and her family joined in the fun

We had FOOD!

corn dog bites, sliders, kettle chips, Asian slaw, crudités, guacamole, corn chips, cupcakes, and there was more!

There was even an attempt to create a red, white, and blue punch that did not remain red, white, and blue for long.I tried!

however… Kyle liked my PURPLE PATRIOTIC PUNCH!

then there was the initial investigation of the hot ducks (thank you Lydia)… and Yes, they were hot.

I didn’t get many action shots of the family gathering, but I so enjoyed seeing everyone get together.  They played in the pool, enjoyed dessertthose are the sprinkle accessorized ice cream sandwiches you’ve all seen on Pinterest.  They are very tasty and cute.

then some came inside to watch Moana (which I didn’t get to finish watching), played various board games, ate again, and enjoyed being in the company of family.  Regardless of the takeaway from this event, I am happy that it occurred, and hopeful that it happens again.  LB and I thank you for coming Mama, Stephanie, Amanda, Richard, Emily, Lydia, Gina, Stuart, Kyle, Clay, Dillon, Sydney, Chynna, Levi, Thea… I love each and every one of you.

Pretty is: Celebrating Mothers

Yesterday was Mother’s Day and it was fabulous. For me, the day started with a “made from scratch” sour cream pound cake.

Pound Cake, Cake, Baking

Since my mother loves a warm pound cake, I made sure she got some. I followed a recipe that I found on Pinterest posted by Call Me PMc which I have used before and will used again.

LB and I hand delivered it early Sunday afternoon. That’s Mama

We visited for a while, had a nice talk, then I had to head home to get ready for the evening festivities.

Amanda is my younger daughter and the celebrated middle child of my three.  She likes to treat me to a pedicure on Mother’s Day, and that has been our practice for several years now. While waiting for her to pick me up, and getting everything ready for company, LB discovered a plumbing problem. Sparing the details, let me just say, it was bad enough to cause a change in our evening plans. Instead of having the kids come to our house to visit, enjoy sliders, and maybe take a swim, LB suggesting we reschedule.  I broke the news to the kids but my brilliant first born decided we should all go out instead.
So we did.
To my favorite restaurant (it is Mother’s Day after all)… La Nopalera.
So we met at the Roosevelt location and enjoyed Fajitas for Mother’s Day.  As expected, I carried on to excess and am back on the diet today. But it was thoroughly wonderful and I am richer for the experience to spend time with my delightful children, glam baby and for all the lovely Mother’s day gifts they presented.

Glammy’s Girl is an artist
Amanda~Stephanie~Me~Richard~Lydia~Emily

Photography by LB

Pretty is: Mary Duckworth Reid

I met her in 1966.  She was only 20 years old and a newlywed… just 9 months prior she had married her High School Sweetheart.  With wavy brunette hair and big green eyes, she had her whole life ahead of her and so much to live for.

We liked each other right away…

…and we became a family.

Over the years, she taught me so much… beginning with the basics like how to walk, how to pray, and things every little girl should know like “Pretty is as Pretty does”.

She showed me how to make biscuits and milk gravy… and being the slow learner that I am, I now know how to LOVE biscuits and milk gravy…

Can I get some of these this year PLEASE?

She taught me how to take care of a home (vacuuming, dusting, polishing, and the importance of Windex, etc.)

She took me to church and taught me about God

She gave me a sister (and a lifelong best friend)

She loves my children as much as I do…

Amanda~Stephanie~Richard

and Who could ask for ANYTHING more?

Even though years have passed, she can still hold me in her lap

She’s my Mama

Happy Mother’s Day to My sweet Mama…. I wouldn’t trade you for any Mother in the world!

She is the reason I am sitting here composing…

“But behind all your stories is always your mother’s story, because hers is where yours begins.”  ~ Mitch Albom

Cookies & Colored Eggs

The Saturday before Easter Sunday would not be complete without coloring eggs.  This year I decided the day wouldn’t be complete without cookies as well.  I started early in the day with spritz cookies.  The recipe I used is from Remarkable Home and I found it on Pinterest.  When I first came across this post, it was cuteness overload.  The Artist has sandwiched the cookies onto pop sticks and formed them into a bouquet.  Intent on using my new bunny platter, I had no intention of going to bouquet route, but it was certainly adorable.

With my handy spritz cookie press and the basic recipe from Remarkable Home I was able to create these festive flowers:

And they are tasty.  The cookies are all brushed with a light glaze.  The pink and orange have colored sprinkles; the green and blue do not.  The general consensus is that the sprinkle cookies taste better, however those without sprinkles look better.  Maybe I went a little overboard on the sprinkling.

After I decorated all the flower cookies I placed them on the Garden Bunny Cake Stand from Pier One that I purchased on a recent shopping trip.

Isn’t it cute

 

This evening I drafted my daughters to do the egg coloring for me.  Stephanie and Amanda took care of the metallic and tie dye Easter eggs and did a great job.  We decorated 18 but my math/division skills were lacking at the time so we ended up with 10 metallic and 8 tie dye.  My bad.  Nevertheless, I enjoyed the time with my girls.

 

This is Eloise

 

The Journey Begins

Ahoy Friends!  I’m setting sail on the maiden voyage of my first blog!  Although no shakedown has taken place, the journey has begun.

Ordinarily I would be sitting in an office chair solving problems for frustrated customers.  Today I have taken a personal day to look after my sweet little granddaughter and start my weekend early.

Since I rarely get to spend quality time with this little angel, I decided to plan something special for our day together.  After enjoying a tasty scrambled egg breakfast, Lydia and I set out for the front yard to plant yellow marigolds.  What a wonderful way to welcome Spring and delight in a mental wellness day away from the office.

IMG_7221

Since this is a blog I’m hoping to gear toward fashion and style, I would be remiss if I didn’t comment on Lydia’s outfit.

Glammy’s girl

…is wearing a sweet little sundress that was purchased last year from a vendor at the Jekyll Island Shrimp and Grits Festival.


To help combat the chill in the morning air, she has added a denim jacket.  Her accessories include metallic colored Velcro sandals, red hair bows, and new yellow garden gloves (courtesy of LB).

This is going to be fun!

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