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Friday Favorites: Barbie Edition

Today is

FRIDAY

March 9th

and it is the anniversary of the day the Barbie doll made its debut in 1959.

 Therefore March 9th is National Barbie Day.

 

 

Created by Ruth Handler, Barbie’s full name is

Barbara Millicent Roberts

I know.

 

I have always been a Barbie FAN, along with my sister.  And if we weren’t outside playing in the dirt, we were in the house playing Barbies.

Today I’m dedicating my Friday Favorites to Barbie!

 

 

Favorite # ONE

Barbie’s Townhouse

(circa 1970)

Three levels of Barbie fun in the pink townhouse.

Complete with Barbie furniture and a personal elevator.  Barbie LOVED living in this townhouse!

 

Favorite # TWO

Shoes

once again, we’re talking about shoesspecifically the Buster Brown variety.

Back in the day, shoes were a means of transportation, not only for your feet, but for your Barbie doll.  Especially if she didn’t own a pink corvette.

Just bend her legs, set her inside, and VAROOOOM…

 

Favorite # THREE

Barbie’s Karosel KitchenThe Karosel came complete with an oven that roasted chicken, a refrigerator that would light up, a sink with a “modern” faucet, a dishwasher, a washing machine, and a dryer with a built-in clothes basket.  The kitchen would rotate with the push of a button and made for hours of fun.

 

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

Sweet Sixteen Barbie

Sweet Sixteen Barbie came with her own compact and real makeup.

Barbie looked pretty in her pink party dress and even prettier once her makeup had been applied!

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

Barbie’s Peeps

And first on the list is Barbie’s littler sister

Skipper

The Skipper doll (Skipper Roberts) was created in 1964.

Although she wasn’t as cute as Barbie,  Mattel kept trying and in 1975 we were introduced to

Growing Up Skipper

Just turn her arm and

voilà

You could “make her grow from a young girl to a teenager in seconds”.

If you have never heard of this little doll, watch this commercial

watch closely

 

There was  also

Barbie’s dear friend

Midge

 Who was created in 1963 and looked rather plain compared to Barbie.  She was created to counteract criticism that Barbie was a sex symbol (source).

Good job Mattel!

Apparently Gina and I didn’t feel that she was plain enough.

When all was said and done, Midge looked like this:

Obviously there was a rogue hairdresser on site.

 

FYI to my little sister:

Tuesday Taylor

was not a true Barbie friend.

We always knew there was some sort of disharmony in the group, and assumed it to be the rogue hairdresser.

Alas, I imagine Tuesday Taylor was to blame!

The 1970’s Ideal Toy Company doll was released in an attempt to dislodge Mattel’s Barbie as the top fashion doll. (source)

Her hair do should have been our first clue.  Poor Midge.

 

 

 

 

We all know a little girl that loves Barbie dolls and has at least one doll, if not a whole collection of them.

Wish her a Happy Barbie Day!!

Use #NationalBarbieDay to post your pics on social media.

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

Friday Favorites: Bee Gees Edition

I haven’t been this excited about Friday since last Friday!

Ready for a party!

There’s Night Fever in the air

Today my Friday Favorites post has a theme…

Friday Favorites:  Bee Gees Edition

Favorite # ONE

Stayin’ Alive: One Night of The Bee Gees at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Described as “the World’s #1 Tribute to the Bee Gees!  Stayin’ Alive is the quintessential tribute band to the Bee Gees, capturing the excitement of live performance and the tender subtleties of the human voice.” (source)

It was a last minute decision, but LB and I decided to check it out, then we convinced Mama to come along.

Favorite # TWO

Spending fun time with Mama

We found our seats and made our way toward them.  There was another couple already settled in the seats adjacent to ours.  I whispered to LB “let Mama go first” my thought was that she could have the seat next to the strangers because she never meets one.  Ironically, she knew the couple and it was a happy reunion for them all.

On the way home we had the pleasure of hearing about Mama’s old boyfriends, what became of them, and how God took care of her by bringing her together with my Daddy.

Amen.

Favorite # THREE

A Text Message

from my nephew Clay

Clay Loves music and will almost always say he is jealous when I tell him about a concert I’m attending.  Clay was very jealous about missing out on this particular concert since the Bee Gees are a favorite and [I’m assuming] because his Mema was going without him.  In an attempt to make him feel like he was a part of the event, Mama sent several video clips of the concert.  They were sent to our family group text.

This was Clay’s response:

And it truly made me LOL

The video texts did not do justice to the tribute band.  The band was actually pretty good.

Favorite # FOUR

An SNL excerpt that was played during a costume change.

Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake are hilarious!

Favorite # FIVE

My Psychedelic Concert Outfit

Because there has to be a bit of style in this mix!

 

 

and a BONUS…

Favorite # SIX

[obviously]

The Bee Gees

It’s Friday…. You should be dancin’

 

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.

 

 

Tom & Betty’s

Tom and Betty’s

was once a favorite place for a weekend dinner and entertainment with LB.

 

The restaurant was in business for nearly fifty years when due to circumstances that were seemingly beyond their control, the owners Duane and Valerie Atkinson announced that Tom and Betty’s would be closing their current location.  The owners described Tom and Betty’s as “a local gathering place, offering great food and drink to generations of ‘Westsiders.’” (source)

I am among those Westsiders who remember the first Tom and Betty’s Restaurant at Park Street and Cassat Avenue.  The restaurant was then owned by Tom and Betty Fritsch who opened in 1971.  The location at Park and Cassat was destroyed in a fire in 1988 and then relocated to 4409 Roosevelt Blvd.  The Roosevelt Blvd. location closed in May 2017.

I thought I mentioned it in this blog last May but apparently I did not.

Last Friday

Tom and Betty’s new location opened in Orange Park.  LB was eager to check out the new place which is exactly what we did on Saturday night.  There was quite mass of former patrons standing outside as there was an hour wait to be seated plus additional waiting time to place an order.  The menu was limited, but those items were excellent choices.

The dining area was a bit small/crowded.

 The dance floor was also a bit small… and well lit.  I like the dance floor to be dark, so I’m not quite as visible to the public (smile).  Many other people have no fear of the spotlight as they graced the dance floor.

The band (the TOP SHELF Band) was energetic and entertaining.

I enjoyed seeing the signature automobile memorabilia including the back of a red corvette with its tail lights lit and the vintage Tom and Betty’s logo on the tag.

I can’t say enough good things about the

Wait Staff

The young ladies that waited on us were exceptionally attentive and courteous.

The chicken wings were superb.

It seems to me that the popularity of the restaurant was underestimated.  After the initial kinks are worked out, I’m sure this place will be a favorite once again.

Getting Out Early

It isn’t typical that I get out of the house before 5PM on Saturdays.

This past

Saturday

I had to keep an appointment with the eye doctor, so I was out and about by 1:30.  My prescription changed only slightly, so I decided to keep using my current glasses instead of putting money into the designer pair that caught my attention. Armani Exchange.  Rose Gold.  Pretty.

Luckily for me, the Holland Eye Care office is located in a Target, giving me an opportunity to SHOP.

Sadly, my eyes were dilated, so I wasn’t able to focus clearly on what I was seeing.  LB was kind enough to take pictures for me.

 

 

As many of you know, if I am shopping, I will scour the

Shoe Department

These black shoes are so cute and 30% off

but not to be found in my size.

The white shoes are not on sale.

and neither are they to be found in my size.

The flats didn’t interest me at all.

This particular pair is very trendy.

This pair is very comfortable…

but I just can’t.

 

 

After stumbling around in Target, LB and I headed to Kohl’s to return a couple of items that didn’t work out.

While there, we took a walk around the store to see what kind of Kohl’s deals are available

Chaps sports coat $48

Another Chaps sports coat

When it comes to shopping, LB and I are two peas in a pod.

Back to shoes

From cowboy boots to stilettos, 2018 shoe trends are wide-ranging.

If you are a shoe lover, this season will leave you with a diversity of styles to choose from.

I found several that I think I need.

Although 2018 shoe style are varied, mules are on trend.

Circus by Sam Edelman

Floral Mules by Apt 9 – not on sale – but my 20% coupon made it a sensible purchase.

Eventually my shoe collection is going to need a room of its own!

 

 

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

Kim

XO

Friday Favorites

What took you so long?

I love My Fridays!  And My Friday Favorites!

 

Favorite # ONE

It’s typical to include food into my weekly list of favorites.  This Friday I’m introducing a snack food with ingredients that are actually good for you…

Veggie and Flaxseed Tortilla Chips

They probably don’t seem to be all that appealing, but are so good!  You can find them at ALDI.

 

Favorite # TWO

My Daddy’s favorite “little cousin” Robbie is my Facebook friend (you may know him as Dewey).  He is more special to me than he knows.

This week his FB post made me LOL…

Seems to me, you’re doing okay Robbie.  Keep on keepin’ on!

 

 

Favorite # THREE

National Love Your Pet Day was this past Tuesday.

I love my pet EVERY Day!

  If you have a Fur Baby, I know you do too!

 

I love My pet Elvis… LB loves Elvis too.

My kids love their pets:

Stephanie loves Aymie.  Amanda loves McCartney.  Richard loves Lenny.

  It runs in the family!

 

 

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

 

The Woodstock Adventure

Recently, Lydia acquired a stuffed Snoopy.  Almost immediately she decided that Snoopy needed a Woodstock.  A few weeks ago my Mama volunteered to bring Woodstock into the family ASAP.  Woodstock was scheduled to arrive by way of Mema’s mailbox very soon.  By the Galentine’s Day event, Woodstock was not here and Lydia was well aware of this.  Glammy stepped into action and ordered that Woodstock on Amazon.  All the way from Japan, Woodstock arrived on February 21st.  Glammy inspected him, wrapped him in a pink bag and deposited him in Mema’s mailbox for discovery by Princess Lydia.

This story has the happiest ending ever!

Woodstock is discovered, loved immediately, and reunited with Snoopy.

All is well with the world!

 

Favorite # FIVE

This baby girl loves her baby sister!

My daughter-in-law Emily posted a video of Lydia kissing Rory with the caption: #lydiaruth has really exceeded my expectations in her role as big sister. I love these girls so much I could explode.

These sweet baby girls are precious.  I hope Emily knows what a precious mother she is!

#BlessedFamily

 

 

 

 

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

Kim

XO

 

 

It’s Chili in Here!

Here is a good question for trivia lovers: In 1977, what state designated chili con carne as their official dish?

Stay tuned.

According to The National Calendar Day website, every day is a special day, and you are invited to

“Join us as we #CelebrateEveryDay!”

As with every fourth Thursday in February

today is

National Chili Day

It’s also National Margarita Day, but we won’t talk about that.

 

Most chili recipes include such ingredients as beans, tomatoes, tomato sauce, jalapenos, chili powder, red pepper flakes, black pepper, salt, garlic powder and sometimes corn

 

 

However, my cave girl recipe is SIMPLE. And plain.  And occasionally lacking in flavor.  To compensate I have often over-seasoned my chili and brought LB to tears (and a runny nose).

Today LB and I are celebrating National Chili Day at home with my recipe for turkey chili from the cave girl diet I often follow: Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat: The Paleo Chic Diet by Esther Blum.

This is dinner on day 2 of that diet:

“Turkey chili: In large skillet, brown 1 pound ground turkey in 1 tablespoon coconut oil. Add 32-ounce jar organic tomato sauce. Simmer 30 minutes and remove from heat. Stir in spinach leaves from 1 bunch, cover, and let steam for 2 minutes and serve hot. Serves 4.”

Excerpt From: Esther Blum. “Cavewomen Don’t Get Fat.”

Of course I’m going to add onion, cumin, cayenne pepper, minced garlic, and a little salt.

This particular photo is an example of how LB enjoys my cave girl chili… complete with shredded cheddar, crushed corn chips, and sour cream.  And no spinach.And who wouldn’t enjoy chili this way?

 

The National Day Calendar suggests the following recipes on to observe NATIONAL CHILI DAY

Enjoy the following recipes:

Three-Bean Vegetarian Chili
Chili-Corn Chip Pie
Spicy Slow-Cooked Chili
Spicy Chicken Chili Stew
Biscuit Bowl Chili

Then take a picture and use #NationalChiliDay to post on social media.

 

 

 

What state designated chili con carne as their official dish?

Texas

 

 

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

 

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