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Friday Favorites

It is the first Friday in July and I AM OFF TODAY!

To start the long weekend right, LB and I went to Panera.  We met with LB’s long time friend Wayne and his sweet wife Laurie.  We always have a great time together when we go out for dinner.  Going out for breakfast was something different, which is good.  Also different was the cold brew and Asiago cheese bagel that I ate for breakfast.  This was not my first experience with a bagel, but it was my first cold brew.  I liked it so much, I’ll call it my

Favorite # ONEVanilla Almond Cold Brew

~

On Saturday Stephanie and Amanda came by to have lunch and enjoy some time by the pool.  While they were here, Stephanie helped me with my Poshmark account.

Favorite # TWO

POSHMARK

“A fun and simple way to buy and sell fashion”

Click here to see my POSHMARK Closet

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In addition to working on Poshmark, I managed to talk my girls into cleaning out their old toy chests.  I snapped a photo showing my

Favorite # THREE

Two girls cleaning.

I love it when my kids are here.

~

We spent some time walking down memory lane which is my

Favorite # FOUR

There were so many papers from pre-K and Kindergarten.  This one reveals how Amanda imagined Santa to have a black mustache.  There were at least two examples of black mustache Santa in Amanda’s collection.

Amanda S. didn’t know much about Santa but she was pretty good at math!

Stephanie’s collection included a 1989 Christmas gift to MOM that had been forgotten.

Afterward the room was a huge mess… and I had a new project ahead of me.

~

Favorite # FIVE

Rebuilding

Those old toy chests have had the hinges reattached several times through the years.

The broken hinges have been replaced and now these little trunks are going to get a new look!

Let the redesigning begin!

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

Friday Favorites

This week at work I have been presented with one problem after another!  On and on and on!  But there isn’t a workweek problem that can’t be resolved by

FRIDAY!

I know my teammates agree with me!

~

Each week, amid the daily grind, there is always something fun that brings a smile.

I’ve picked five of these fun things to be my Friday Favorites:

Favorite # ONE

 Shopping on Amazon

This was a case of Amazon taunting me with their “frequently bought together” suggestions.  I’m a sucker.

These are Barbie Fashionistas dolls– each has her own look, personality and style — each one unique .

And because we will be having a Barbie pool party this summer, I picked up a package of swimsuits made just for 11.5 inch dolls.

Lydia is going to love this!

Glammy will too!

~

Favorite # TWO

Baking Cakes

Last night it was a Mississippi Mud Cake

And last week it was a Butter Pound Cake

Last month it was a Cream of Coconut Cake

 

I don’t remember what I baked prior to that, but I’m sure it was good!

~

Favorite # THREE

The Great Outdoors

Now that I am working from home, I have more free time to be in the yard when my daily shift ends.  Recently LB and I discovered a culprit who made a meal of my amaryllis that little fella took a flight [courtesy of LB].

 

This made me realize I needed to spend more time tending to things outdoors.

In the past two months I have re-potted every plant on my patio.  In addition, I have:

replaced a drowned tree in the front yard. Twice.

I’ve planted an herb garden (Basil~Parsley~Cilantro).We’ve installed landscape lighting.I have planted a mandevilla near my front doorand another on the east side of my house (for Mama’s viewing pleasure… someday).And luckily LB has these boots that he will sometimes let me borrow

because when it rains, the yard looks like this:Water will sit for days.

Luckily LB has ideas for managing this.

Currently he is working on a project to hurry the standing water along.

LB’s project is my

Favorite # FOUR

The project is ongoing, but so far has been a success!

LB and I have both thoroughly enjoyed working outdoors!

I’ve always felt that there was something therapeutic about gardening and working on projects outside.  This week I came across an article that proved me right:

“Did you know that there’s a natural antidepressant in soil? It’s true” (source).

Favorite # FIVE

Happy Gardening!

https://youtu.be/G6WxEQrWUik

~

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

Mississippi Mud Cake

It is one of my favorites!

Mississippi Mud Cake showed up in my Pinterest feed this week, and it has been bothering me ever since.  Although I don’t need an excuse to bake, it makes me feel better to have one.

When I learned that Stephanie and Amanda would be in the neighborhood this weekend, I thought I just might have justification.  Then when Amanda announced that she and Stephanie should come over to swim, I knew I must create a special treat for them!

It’s what moms do!

~

Mississippi Mud Cake has three layers:  the cake layer, which is topped with marshmallows or marshmallow cream, and finished with a VERY sweet chocolate icing that is poured over the marshmallows.  I have tasted recipes where a boxed cake mix is used, but, to me, a made-from-scratch chocolate cake is so much better.

 

This recipe I used is an interesting process.  There’s a lot of butter

There’s a lot of cocoa.

Just after the cake comes out of the oven a whole bag of marshmallows is sprinkled on top.

Perfect!

Then back into the oven, under the broiler.

I didn’t put the marshmallows under the broiler, because I have trouble with the broiler.  I tend to set off the smoke alarm when I use it.

Instead, I pulled out the blow torch.  LB joined in the fun and set the marshmallows on fire.

He likes things well done.

After the marshmallows are nicely toasted, it is time for the icing.More butter, cocoa, and FOUR cups of powdered sugar!

Here is the recipe that I used posted on the food network courtesy of one of my favorites, the Pioneer Woman:

Mississippi Mud Cake

  • Servings: 16
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients

Cake:

Nonstick cooking spray, for the baking dish

2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter

1/4 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 cup boiling water

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 large eggs

One 10-ounce bag mini marshmallows (about 6 cups)

Icing:

1 3/4 sticks (14 tablespoons) salted butter

6 tablespoons whole milk

1/4 heaping cup unsweetened cocoa powder

4 cups sifted confectioners’ sugar

1 cup chopped toasted pecans

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

  1. For the cake: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish with cooking spray.
  2. In a saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the cocoa powder, then the boiling water. Let it bubble up for a few seconds, then turn it off and set it aside.
  3. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, granulated sugar and salt. Pour the chocolate mixture over the flour mixture and stir a few times to start to cool the chocolate.
  4. In a separate small bowl, mix the buttermilk, baking soda, vanilla and eggs. Pour over the flour-chocolate mixture and mix until everything is combined. Pour into the prepared baking dish and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and turn on the broiler.
  5. Sprinkle the marshmallows over the cake, then return the dish to the oven to broil until the marshmallows start to turn golden, about 1 minute. Set aside to cool.
  6. For the icing: Melt the butter in a saucepan, then whisk in the milk and cocoa powder. Whisk in the confectioners’ sugar in 4 to 5 additions. Stir in the nuts and vanilla.
  7. Pour the icing all over the marshmallows, allowing some marshmallows to remain visible. Let the icing set, then deliver or serve.

 

 

It is ready when you get here girls!

~

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

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

Today is the third Friday of June, which means it is

National Flip Flop Day!

While this should be my Favorite #ONE, I haven’t had the pleasure of a pedicure in some time, so my flip flopped feet are not suitable for photographing.

Nevertheless, as a Floridian, I celebrate #NationalFlipFlopDay everyday!

~

This morning we had our weekly team conference call.

The good new is: [currently] there is no talk of returning to the office.

 

via GIPHY

That is FINE with me… I am just as happy as I can be working from home!

So happy in fact, working from home is my

Favorite #ONE

I LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT.

Now that I’ve put that out there, something will probably change.  We shall wait and see.

~

These days there doesn’t seem to be a whole lot to talk about.  Even LB and I seem to spend a great deal of time talking about the weather.  Earlier this week I spent some time chatting with someone I’ve been friends since my 1970’s Sunday School days.  This is one of the things I shared:

My

Favorite #TWO

My new juicer!

I suppose I’m about as interesting as anyone else who has been in quarantine since March.

~

Before my Favorites went any further downhill, my daughter-in-law rescued me.  She sent videos of my favorite little girls playing in the park.  I snapped a few photos to share my

Favorite #THREE

This little climber and her protective Daddy.

Richard is helping his little one learn where to place her feet, so she will be able to safely climb to the top.

Lydia is so brave, and she wants to climb to the top all by herself.

Richard stays right behind her, ready to catch her if she falls.He is such a good Daddy!She made it!  Good Job!

~

Favorite #FOUR

This little climber who stopped to pose for the camera after she reached the top of these stairs!  She looks like a little Southern belle.

Speaking of Southern belles, there is one in particular that comes to mind.  She is the most famous fictional Southern belle and was the heroine in a story that is my

Favorite # FIVE

Gone with the Wind

is a classic and a great story.

I know a lot of people have watched the movie, but I only know of one who has read the book:

“Scarlett O’Hara was not beautiful, but men seldom realized it when caught by her charm…”

(she is beautiful in the movie)

It is a LONG story, but well worth the time.

LB ordered the DVD last week, because you just never know if it may disappear.

~

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

This Little Book

Right now there seems to be no way to watch television without being faced with some sort of doom and gloom.  To get a really good dose, listen to talk radio.

I am so ready for peace and for things to be happy in the world again.

During our extended stay at home, I’ve have been cleaning [a lot] and going through cabinets, closets, and drawers.  During one of these cleaning sessions I came across a little book…

The Mother’s Topical Bible.

Yesterday, in an effort to manage my thoughts, I picked up that little book.

Inside are specific bible verses, for specific needs.

When you need to forgive…

When you need personal comfort…

When you need inner peace.

I was looking for something that would speak to my current state of mind, and any of these would have been good.

But one topic caught my eye:

When You Think People Are Weird

Being that I do, I turned to page 317 and began to read 1 Corinthians 4:5…

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (KJV).

As I continued reading, the topic title caught my eye once again.  I had misread.  The topic was actually

When PEOPLE Think YOU Are Weird.

Well… that works too.

This is The Mother’s Topical Bible

This is a special little book that was given to me by Mama and Daddy…. “signed” by both.

I’m glad that it is back in my hands.

~

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

 

 

Friday Favorites Birthday Fun

Last Thursday, Richard, Emily, and the baby girls came to town for birthday celebrations.  Other than face-time calls, this was the first time I’ve seen them since February.  Before heading to Mema Mary’s house, for birthday celebrations, they stopped to see Glammy.  We played with the Barbie estate for for a few minutes.

The next day, when I walked into the ‘playroom’ I saw this

Favorite # ONE

Thinking back, I remember that while we were playing, Rory was trying to load the Barbie car with a Barbie doll, Barbie’s baby, and a toilet.

Seeing this just made my day.

Apparently traveling with a potty is paramount.

~

Later we went to Mema’s house

where the whole family gathered to celebrate.

On this occasion we would be celebrating my birthday and Emily’s birthday.  There are several June birthdays in my family.

One that would happen on the next day was…

Favorite #TWO

This little one is two years old!

Happy Birthday Adrian!

~

Favorite #THREE

Birthday CakeThe pink candles were mine and the yellow ones for Emily, whose birthday is June 6th.

I’m thinking about it right now and wish I had more!

Amanda told me that it came from Biscottis.  I looked it up on their website.  Biscottis cakes start at $65.  Now I know I need to get into the baking profession.

~

For my birthday, LB surprised me with

Presents!

This is my

Favorite #FOUR

A new wallet by Hobo

(Lauren clutch wallet/Velvet hide/Color: Dew)

Then when we returned home LB surprised me again with a belated birthday present.

My

Favorite # FIVE

The One Heart Charm bracelet from Brighton

I like the combination of silver and gold.  It is very pretty and was very thoughtful of LB!

~

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

Thank You Ma’am

Didn’t your Mama teach you to say “yes, ma’am” and “no, ma’am”?

We were at the Treasure Island Resort on the morning of my birthday.  Hoping for eggs Benedict (my favorite), LB and I made our way to the BRGR restaurant.

(this is the view from our suite)

Walking in, we saw a sign that read:

“Please seat yourself”

LB and I thought that, under the [COVID19] circumstances, we should sit outside.

There was only one other couple in the entire restaurant, and they were also outside.  We looked for a small table, but there was only one, and it was right next to the other couple, and did not seem to be an adequate 6 feet away.

So we chose a larger table… a table for six.

A female server emerged and asked if we were expecting others to join us.  I answered, “no, it is just the two of us”.  With no words, she waved her arm and motioned for us to move, as she pointed to the smaller table and declared that the tables we had chosen were meant for a larger group.

Bewildered, LB and I followed as she put us right next to the other couple.  This interaction was the first clue that we were to be waited on by someone who is completely lacking in ‘social skills’.  Neither one of us liked the way this was handled, but being that I do not deal well with conflict, and it was my birthday… no argument was given.

She brought our coffee and she took our order.

LB ordered the frittata sandwich.  He mispronounced the word frittata, she abruptly corrected him, but brought him his order. Eggs Benedict was not on the menu, but my breakfast was excellent!  Kudos to the chef!

I had a bacon, cheddar, onion, and spinach omelette…

that came with a loaf of bread.

As our server patrolled through the outdoor dining area [checking on ALL TWO of her tables], she would occasionally stop to ask if anything was needed.  If she provided LB with a coffee refill, or anything, he would respond as any southern gentleman does, with a friendly “Thank you ma’am”.  Each time she replied. When she replied, she would do so quietly, and beneath a mask.  I wasn’t sure, but it sounded like she said the word ‘BRANDY’.

It wasn’t until LB got the check that we saw that the server’s name was BRANDI and he realized she had indeed been correcting him when he would say, “thank you, ma’am”.

I had picked up on this a little earlier, but said nothing because

I wasn’t sure that I was really hearing what I was hearing.

Brandi brought our requested take out boxes and we filled them with half of our breakfast and left the BRGR restaurant that morning.  Brandi was rewarded with a good tip, but in my opinion should have been rewarded with a “can I speak with your manager?”

When LB and I discussed this as we left the restaurant, he was [for lack of a better expression] BLOWN AWAY that he had apparently offended this young woman.

LB and I later discussed my thoughts on being called “ma’am”.  I told him that although I’ve never confronted anyone, it does make me feel old.  Albeit, I understand the use of yes ma’am, no ma’am, thank you ma’am.

If you want to thank me, and you say,

“thank you ma’am”

I’m okay with that.

  LB had no idea that this was ‘a thing’ until he googled “Thank you ma’am offends”.

In the article he shared, the writer, Kelly Kazik concludes, maybe we should not be offended by this (manners are a good thing after-all).

Although the Treasure Island Resort was beyond impressive, unfortunately, the resort’s only restaurant left us feeling a little disconcerted.

We wouldn’t go back to the BRGR restaurant during our 2020 stay at the Treasure Island Resort, but we did enjoy the other half of our breakfast, in our suite, the following day.

~

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

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