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¡Feliz 23 de Mayo!

because saying feliz veintitres de Mayo takes too much energy.

Happy 23rd of May!

With the Covid19 crisis, it has been a couple of months since we visited with other human beings.
LB and I missed out on Easter Sunday church and festivities, the annual Kentucky Derby party and even Cinco de Mayo.
Last week when LB and I met at Olive Garden with friends to celebrate Laurie’s birthday we all decided that we would have to get together for that missed annual Cinco de Mayo party.
The party happened on Saturday

~

~

Ray brought his homemade rubber-band gun

and no, Boo did NOT get shot.
We tried to follow CDC guidelines while catching up.
LB lit the torches and we sat out by the pool and talked into the night.
And we ATE a lot!
Steak fajitas and toppings, re-fried beans, queso dip, chips with salsa, and…

Cream of Coconut Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • ingredients needed to make cake: egg whites, oil and water)
  • 1 (15 oz) can cream of coconut
  • 1 (8 oz) container COOL WHIP thawed
  • 1 (8 oz) package sweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

  • Prepare and bake white cake mix according to package directions for a 9 x 13 pan.
  • Remove cake from oven and, using a fork, poke holes all over the top of cake.
  • Open can of Cream of Coconut (making sure to stir it first) and pour over warm cake.
  • Let cake cool completely then ‘frost’ with COOL WHIP topping.
  • Top with flaked coconut (I did not use the whole package).

 

It was delicious, if I do say so myself!

Thank you Laurie for documenting this event with photos!

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

Mother’s Day

I had no idea that I would enjoy a tea party as much as I did!

My sister planned a Mother’s Day gathering for the ladies in our family.

 

On Sunday afternoon, we met at Mama’s house, for the first time in MANY weeks.

The table was beautifully decorated with a place for everyone.

Set at each place was a pair of Mickey Mouse ears to wear.

Each place was chosen (or chosen for us) based on matching headdress color (your mouse ears much match, or at least coordinate with your outfit).We donned our ears and posed for the group picture.

No doubt, we were meant to be together!

~

The MENU

was exceptional.

There was avocado toast…

charcuterie at its finest

on a dachshund cheese board, of course

a cheese laden salad

and

British scones with clotted cream and assorted preserves.  Prior to today I had never tasted British scones or clotted cream, but I am now a convert.

~

Dessert included an assortment of cookies

including a family favorite…

Raspberry Almond Shortbread.

Then the

pièce de ré·sis·tance

 

a strawberry lime cheesecake trifle…

which looked better than it tasted (I’m allowed to say that because I made it).

As I mentioned previously, I had no idea I would enjoy a tea party as much as I did.  I think it is because I love these people so much.

Picture time was a bit of a circus, but quite entertaining.

Chynna is a trooper, managing babies of every shape and size.

I’m impressed!

Happy Mother’s Day!

~

 

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

Quarantine Week Two

Quarantine Week TWO

Still working every day.

It seems that I’m causing myself a new injury on a regular basis.

While cleaning, I dropped a shower caddy causing a razor to fall into my leg and leave me with a gash.  And while giving myself a mini-pedicure, I nearly lost the nail on my little toe.  I tried to take off my finger while slicing limes.

Yesterday was the end of week two.  Aside from excessive injury, I am completely fine with the situation.  Walmart delivers my groceries and there is no reason to go to the gas station, or anywhere else.

There is occasional entertainment from my own yard.

Whether we’re watching acrobatic squirrels

Or sitting by the pool at sunset.

During quarantine week TWO comes Passover, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday.

The word unprecedented has been used over and over again to describe this time of isolation, but it is the only word that comes to mind when attempting to describe Easter Sunday 2020.  It was nothing in comparison to Easter 2019.

Although generally healthy, some of our family have been deemed high risk and therefore it is important to comply with the recommendations from those in authority.  Nevertheless, each member of my family regards this day as significant and each have set it aside as the Lord’s day.

Although we are not together at this time, we are always together in spirit.

~

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

My Redeemer Lives

One of my favorite songs, written by Nicole C. Mullen, has special significance on Easter Sunday.

My Redeemer Lives

Who taught the sun where to stand in the morning?
And who told the ocean you can only come this far?
And who showed the moon where to hide ’til evening?
Whose words alone can catch a falling star?
Well I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
All of creation testify
This life within me cries
I know my redeemer lives
The very same God that spins things in orbit
Runs to the weary, the worn and the weak
And the same gentle hands that hold me when I’m broken
They conquered death to bring me victory
Now I know my redeemer lives
I know my redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, he lives
To take away my shame
And he lives forever, I’ll proclaim
That the payment for my sin
Was the precious life he gave
But now he’s alive and
There’s an empty grave
And I know my Redeemer (lives) he lives
I know my Redeemer lives
Let all creation testify
Let this life within me cry
I know my Redeemer, I know
(My redeemer lives) I know my redeemer lives
I know, know, know, know (my redeemer lives)
I know that I know, that I know, that I know, that I know
(I know my redeemer lives) my redeemer lives
Because he lives I can face tomorrow (he lives)
I know, I know (he lives) he lives, he lives, yeah, yeah
I spoke with him this morning (he lives) he lives, he lives
The tomb is empty, he lives, he lives
I’m gonna tell everybody, yeah

Friday Favorites

This week has been My first full week back to work since the holidays.  And [not surprisingly] it seems that this week has been longer than usual.  Although I have to work hard to do so, I’ve begun my transition back to normal life.  And now that I’ve had time to experience all of the Christmas gifts I received, it seemed to me today would be a good day to highlight some of my favorites.

Here they are:

Favorite # ONE

Old Navy

Pop Icon Jeans

I love Old Navy but this has been the FIRST TIME I’ve liked a pair of jeans from Old Navy.

Who knew?

Thank you Stephanie and Amanda!

I liked them so much I bought another pair (minus distress).

~

Favorite # TWO

Le Creuset®

Braiser

This came home with LB and me during our trip to Asheville in November.  I’ve already used it many times!

It is perfect for cooking anything!

~

Favorite # THREE

DATE NIGHT

is a tiny collection of perfume and lip-gloss

packed in a cute tin box which I happened upon while LB and I were shopping in Highlands, NC [during our fall vacation].  LB pays close attention to what I like and on Christmas day he surprised me with

ThisAND

This

Thank you LB for paying attention and liking what I like!

~

My sister gave me an assortment of items including a glass [Mad Hatter] top hat, “K” earrings, a shirt, which doubles as an addition to my giraffe collection, Pioneer Woman casserole dishes, which Do look fabulous in my kitchen!

and

Favorite # FOUR

This Thing

It’s a nice night light and it makes the whole room smell good!

Because I mentioned that my favorite scent is Christmas, she included evergreen mist fragranced wax melts.I’m not kidding when I say that I really love it!

And then there was this little heartfelt blessing she bestowed…

My

Favorite # FIVE

Yearbook Photos

from the 11th Grade.

Mama and Daddy fell in love during their Junior High School year.

This is what they looked like

Gina gave a copy to Mama and Me along with a note that read:

“These pictures make me so happy I just can’t stop looking at them.  There are only two other people that would completely share my feelings:  my sister and my mother.  I want you both to see what I’ve been looking at for the last few days.  I love you both to the moon and back again.”

(Gina 2019)

 

 

I am blessed.

~

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

Friday Favorites: Christmas Edition

Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of year.
Speaking of Favorite…

Favorite # ONE

Making Memories

On Monday Lydia and Rory came to Glammy’s house with Aunt Amanda for baking and candy making.

Lydia had the opportunity to practice her egg cracking and decorating skills.Also

in contrast to our divinity ventures of the past, Amanda and I managed to pull this one off on our first attempt.  Batch # 1 was a success and no redo was necessary.

~

Favorite # TWO

Ugly Sweaters and Suits

Christmas Eve Merriment is typically held at Mama’s house.

This year there was an ugly Christmas sweater contest honoring the ugly, uglier, and ugliest outfits.Although he protested that his jacket didn’t qualify as an ugly Christmas sweater, it was unanimous that LB should win.

~

Favorite # THREE

A roomful of wrapping paper and some of my favorite people.

I

LOVE

Having My kids all to MYSELF

and watching them open presents.

Afterward we took a walk to Mema’s house for MY

Favorite # FOUR

The Christmas Morning

Gift Exchange

Instead of our usual massive gift exchange, my extended family decided to draw names.  Each person was randomly delegated as Secret Santa to one other, using this app drawnames.com – a Secret Santa generator!

On Christmas morning, the secret Santa revealed himself/herself to the person whose name had been drawn.  Beginning with the eldest recipient, we took turns opening our gifts and taking time to share what we received.It was a great idea and all the credit goes to Amanda for directing the event!

~

Favorite # FIVE

The

Holiday Treasure Hunt

it was an unexpected Christmas surprise and you can read about it here! 

I hope you will!

And if you were there, please feel free to comment and add any details that I may have neglected to include.

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

Holiday Treasure Hunt

Just last week I came across this photo that was taken last year on Christmas morning.

LB and I were posing for a selfie.

Stuart and Grandpa are in the background [in the kitchen].  Stuart is likely doing the dishes, and Grandpa is probably bringing his breakfast dish to place in the sink.

Who knew that it would be our last Christmas here with Grandpa?

This year on Christmas morning I thought about him not being with us for the first time.  I miss him and his quiet and gentle spirit.  It is comforting to know that he is with Jesus now.

Recently Mama received  a gift from Grandpa.  On Christmas morning she chose to share this with us.  I would describe this as a selfless, magnanimous, and gracious gift on her part, but the manner in which she presented it could only be described as an adventure.

She stood from her chair and handed over a piece of paper containing a clue

and the Christmas Morning Treasure Hunt was on!

Clue #1

led us to Mama’s blue and white porcelain collection in her entertainment center.

Hidden inside of a little blue and white pitcher was

Clue #2

which led us to a kitchen drawer.

Under the silverware tray was

Clue #3

which directed us to a clock in which was found our next clue…

Clue #4

leading us to a decorative birdhouse.  Inside was found

Clue #5

which was challenging

however we found this one was marking the page for the song Silent Night in the hymnal resting on the piano.

Our next clue turned out to be a private joke between Mama, Kyle, and Clay.  Apparently Kyle has often been guilty of repositioning one of Mama’s knickknacks

Clue #6

Clue #6 led us to an acrylic letter “M” on a table in the living room.

The “M” was commonly turned upside down becoming a “W”

Clue #7

led us right back to the room where we began, bringing an end to our treasure hunt.  on an end table, under Mama’s cell phone was her treasure: a stack of Benjamins…

enough for each of us to have two which she proceeded to pass out

She explained that Grandpa had left it for her and she thought it only fitting to share with us on Christmas Day.

Although there are MANY happy thoughts and memories that I have of this Christmas season, this was a particular event from Christmas morning that I hope to always remember!

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

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