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May was a Great Month

If you’ve read any of my posts, you know that I did not like my job.  I’ve been free of that obligation since March 22nd when the company officially closed my office (2 months and 6 days). And I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!

LB and I began working in our yard right away.  We have added a well, a sprinkler system, a custom fire pit, and gas lines to support the pool heater.  Working in the hard has just about worn us out, but in May there were more opportunities to get out of the yard and have fun elsewhere.

We started with a Cinco de Mayo party with the “party people”.  Here you’ll see our attempt at a Cinco de Mayo selfie…

I think LB and I were the only ones having a good time LOL!

Dinner included a taco casserole that was SO good.  That recipe can be found here.  Even though it was delish, there was so much food and leftovers were plenteous.  The kids came over the following night for Taco Tuesday.

After dinner they had a great time playing in the sand

 

Especially Lydia!

The following day we had to take Elvis to the vet.  This was not a happy occasion and Elvis made sure we knew it.

It turned out that the nausea medication and fluids were all he needed to set him straight.  Currently there is nothing seriously wrong with him 🥰 🐈‍⬛

Next came Mother’s Day.  There were fun presents and pedicures and a lovely luncheon at Mama’s house.

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Baseball season gave LB and I an opportunity to spend more time with the kids and be thoroughly entertained watching children play their little hearts out.  Lydia played for the Slammers [I think].

She enjoyed herself and did a great job!

IMG_5875 2

 

This little one and his “bock bock” spent some time sitting with Glammy in the shade because the bleachers were just too hot.

 

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Memorial Day

came and we had to have a pool party.  All the kids had fun swimming and making sure the pool stayed filled with water.

When LB left his post by the faucet, Zeke followed him to the yard for a refill.

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A very special event took place in May: Rory made a decision to follow Jesus and was baptized.

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We ended the month with a mini birthday vacation to Captiva Island.

Like I said, May was a great month!

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

Taco Casserole

It is

Cinco de Mayo

so LB and I have invited the party people over to celebrate!

I’m making dinner and one of the menu items is a

Taco Casserole

This Taco Casserole is a beefy, cheesy, flavor-packed dish that’s perfect for taco Tuesday or any Mexican themed gathering! Made with layers of deliciousness and favorite taco toppings, this easy one-pan dinner packs a wallop and will have everyone coming back for seconds!  The recipe is worth saving!

Taco Casserole

  • Servings: 8-10
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Print

Ingredients
For the Casserole:

1 pound ground beef
1 small onion, diced
1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade)
1 can (10 oz) diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel)
1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 cup corn (fresh, frozen, or canned)
1 cup salsa
2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, Mexican blend, or your favorite)
3 cups corn tortillas or 3 cups crushed tortilla chips
½ cup sour cream

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and diced onion over medium heat until browned. Drain excess grease.
Stir in the taco seasoning, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, salsa and sour cream. Simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Spread half of the corn tortillas or crushed tortilla chips on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
Layer half of the beef mixture over the chips.
Sprinkle 1 cup of shredded cheese over the beef layer.
Repeat with another layer of tortilla chips, beef mixture, and cheese.

Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Let the casserole cool for 5 minutes, then dollop with sour cream and sprinkle with your favorite toppings (diced tomatoes, sliced jalapeños, chopped cilantro, avocado or guacamole, extra sour cream)

prettyis.me

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

It Has Been EIGHT Years

March 10, 2025, marks eight years since I began this blog.

Which means today is my
BLOGIVERSARY!

When I started, I had no idea what I was doing—I just knew that if the bloggers I admired could do it, so could I. My original intention was to ease into fashion blogging because that’s what I loved. So, I registered with WordPress and started brainstorming a name.

The title “Pretty Is” came from a quote my Mama often repeated:

“Pretty is as pretty does.”

She had heard it from her own mother, and it stuck with me. I registered Prettyis.me because “pretty is dot com” and “pretty is dot net” were already taken—plus, I thought it had a nice ring to it!

My first post was short and sweet, and ironically, had nothing to do with fashion. It was a Friday, and I had taken the day off to spend time with my GlamBaby, Lydia, who was 20 months old at the time. You can see that post [here].

As time passed, I realized that fashion blogging wasn’t as easy as it seemed. While I love reading fashion blogs, my reality includes working a full-time office job and commuting to another city each day. Life moves fast, and rather than focusing solely on fashion, I found myself writing more about my daily life and the people who make it special—and that’s okay.

Today is also special for another reason.

On March 10, 1925, in Buffalo, New York, Bettelou Ellen McCarty was born.

She later met and fell in love with George S. Duckworth, they married and she became Bette Duckworth—my Mema, aka Mema Duck.

I spent a lot of time at Mema Duck’s house through the years.  I was close to all of my grandparents, but especially the Memas.

She left us on January 14, 2010, but her sweet face is one I look forward to seeing again someday.

Here’s to eight years of blogging and to the people who inspire the stories I share.

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

Dear Daddy

 

Today would have been your 79th birthday.  Not a day goes by that I don’t think about you.

A lot has happened in the 24 years you’ve been gone.

Sydney was born shortly after you left.  You didn’t get to meet her, but I know you would love her.  She looks so much like Gina.

Now you have seven grandchildren.

They have all graduated from high-school.  Some have gone on to graduate from college…with the highest distinction.

You would be very proud.

~

Recently Kyle added some wedding excitement to the family when he married Christella.

This photo shows how loving and protective Kyle has been.

All your grandsons have been very protective of Mama.

Clay has been true to his word.  He takes good care of his Mema.  He has a manner about him that is remarkably familiar.  I always think of you when I see him.

Clay married Chynna; now they have a little boy and three little girls.

Richard had a hard time after you left; we spent many nights consoling him.  He had just turned 11.

You would be so proud of him today.

He is a preacher.  Richard married Emily… and now they have two little girls and a little boy.

Lydia is Richard’s oldest; she looks a lot like her mama.

And this one looks like her Glammy.

Can you believe I’m a Glammy???

Richard Ezekiel is namesake #2.  We call him Zeke.

Zeke and Glammy

 

You might find it hard to believe, but all your grandchildren remember you vividly;  And your great-grandchildren know you from the many photos they’ve seen.  They know you as “Granddaddy Richard”

You have 7 Great Grand-babies!

I know you would enjoy seeing photos of them too:

Lydia, Levi & Thea

Lydia & Rory

Adrian, Thea & Levi

Rory
Levi

They Are So Sweet

Mama is crazy about them…

you would be too!

Rory, Eden, Lydia, Thea, Adrian Levi
Levi & Zeke
Eden, Rory, Adrian, Zeke, Thea, Lydia & Levi
Eden, Thea, Lydia, Levi, Adrian & Rory

~

 

Although our family has continued to grow, many loved ones have left us since you’ve been gone.

Just this week we were heartbroken to learn that your cousin, Robbie has passed away.  The news made me think of the stories you told about when you were kids; you and Robbie were both so adventurous.

I came across this 1970’s photo of the two of you. Robbie told me many times how much he loved and missed you.

My simple mind likes to imagine that you were standing nearby to welcome him when he came your way.  Maybe that isn’t exactly how things work, but since no one really knows specific details, I’ll think what I want.

I hope you’ll be waiting to welcome me someday.

~

You would be HAPPY to know that Mama is doing well. 

And we are all fine.

You are missed more than you know.

We know that we will see you again Daddy, and thank you for showing us The Way.

~

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

 

February Festivities

The festivities began on the 1st day of the month.

Mama’s birthday was January 31st, and she had birthday adventures to attend, so

We decided to celebrate on Saturday, February 1st

We corroborated on our “don’t tell Mema“ group text and came up with a 70’s theme.  Being that this is her 79th year, it seemed fitting.  There was plenty of food that reflected the 1970’s like Hamburger Helper and that glorious ginger ale/pineapple juice punch with lime sherbet.  There was a decade of 70’s music playlist to dance to.

Almost everyone dressed up

including Mama, thanks to an outfit that Gina put together for her.

If you follow her on Facebook, you probably saw the video of her grand entrance.

We had a great time!

One week and a day later, it was

Super Bowl Sunday

Several years ago, LB and I started a Super Bowl Sunday tradition.  We have a small gathering with the friends I refer to as

“Party People”.  Everyone brings game day appetizers, and we hang out together, eating and talking very loudly until the game ends.  We will typically watch some of the game, but it’s easy to get distracted with the noise.

Then, of course, there is

Valentine’s Day

  Our little Rory was born on Valentine’s Day and is celebrating her 7th birthday this year.

Glammy gets to make the cake.  The requested cake was “A chocolate Stitch cake”. 

After we deliver the cake and birthday gifts to the little one, and we take a few photos in front of the shower of hearts, LB and I will be going out for yet another celebration.

LB made reservations last year for February 14th at the Alhambra.

 

We almost always have a great time when we go to the Alhambra.  Sometimes the show isn’t all that great, but this time it was…

and the free champagne was a nice touch… and made for a great picture!

There you have my February Festivities… and we still have another week left to add to the fun!

~

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

Friday Favorites

Friday Favorites have been Few and Far between (don’t you just love alliteration?).  With that, I’m here to share a few recent faves…

Favorite # ONE

CAKES

I’ve been busy making cakes in 2025.

Mama’s Birthday Cake,

Mississippi Mud Cake requested by my girls,

German Chocolate cake for LB’s birthday,

Rory’s Chocolate Stitch cake.

Speaking of Rory…

Favorite # TWO

Rory!

Happy Birthday to my favorite little 7 year old!

You’ve come a long way baby!

~

Favorite # THREE

SHOES

Monday was a delightful day off work, so LB and I went shopping for a pair of shoes I had been eyeing.  Sadly, they were not available at my local Target, but happily, I found these and liked them even more

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Favorite # FOUR

EGGS

When you can’t find organic eggs, they quickly become a favorite!  This carton from Vital Farms was purchased from a store that we never visit… Publix in Avondale.  $11.  SMH.

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Favorite # FIVE

Only 20 more workdays until shutdown!

Along with a photo of my team celebrating Christmas, I mentioned in this post that “it may be the last one”.  I didn’t elaborate, but I wasn’t talking about Christmas and I wasn’t talking about “this post” being the last one.  I’ll now share that we were called into a MS TEAMS meeting on December 13th to hear the announcement that our company has chosen to close our office.  We have all been impacted by a surplus.  Once the date of separation takes place, I’m sure I’ll have plenty to share about what we as a group have endured 😇

~

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

Friday Favorites

It has been so long that I don’t know if I remember how to do this.

Hopefully its easier than riding a bike.

~

We celebrated my middle child’s birthday on Monday evening.

Favorite # ONE

AMANDA

I’ve published several posts featuring Amanda.  Some of my favorites are here and here.

All three of my children were born in the fall, so while the rest of the world is anticipating Thanksgiving, for my family, starting November 1st the celebrating begins.  November 1st is Stephanie’s birthday.  While she didn’t specifically request it, her birthday dinner was a fish fry.

It was EPIC.

Richard’s birthday is November 9th.  Amanda thought it would be a good idea to have a low country boil for Richard’s birthday dinner.  Since he didn’t object, that is what we did.

It was also EPIC.

Amanda asked for an appetizer/Hors d’oeuvres “dinner”, which isn’t really a dinner, but very fun and filling.

She also asked for a slab pie in lieu of a birthday cake, and so…

Favorite # TWO

SLAB PIE

A slab pie is baked in a sheet pan and is designed to feed a crowd.  For Amanda’s pie I used my pâte brisée recipe and canned pie filling: apple, blueberry, cherry, and mixed berry.  The pie turned out pretty good.  Either that or no one was brave enough to tell me the truth.

With Amanda’s birthday past, on Wednesday LB began setting up the Christmas trees.  We have two and they are both special.

Favorite # THREE

THE PURPLE TREE

This was our first Christmas tree with baby Elvis, which makes it 15 years old.

These days he doesn’t have the impulse to climb the purple tree, but he still likes it.

Putting it up was a bit difficult this year because LB had to strip the lights and add new ones.

Now I get to decorate.

~

This year my team at work decided to have seafood for Christmas dinner

Favorite # FOUR

BONEFISH GRILL

and my Team

Most of us went out on Thursday night for our Christmas dinner together.  It may be the last one.

More on that later.

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Favorite # FIVE

this little tree

that lives in my front yard.

This fall his leaves turned yellow.

Now I call him Arnold

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

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