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A Bonus Mary Post

If you search the word “Mary” in the search field to the right, you will find that there are four pages of matches.  Some of my “Mary post” favorites are:

“Mary Duckworth Reid“

“August 1965“

and

“Happy Birthday to Me“.

Although “Mary” can be found in many of my posts, TODAY is her birthday and I feel that this necessitates another mention.

As I’ve indicated before, I call her

Mama

and this is for her…

 

Here’s a birthday wish to tell you
just in case you haven’t guessed… Of all the Mamas in the world
You’re the sweetest and the best.

 

Your CHICKADEES concur,
not a-one the least contrary…
You ARE the finest grandmother
they love their Mema Mary.

 

Some know you as their President, and also call you sister

Some others call you cousin

But no one calls you Mister.

Your friends, they all adore you
some for very many years

And when you get together
You are like the musketeers.

Throughout the years your patience
has continued every minute

You sweeten up our family,
I’m so glad to have you in it!

A finer model for “that quote”
in all the world there never was
What you’ve always tried to teach me…

Pretty is as Pretty Does

On this day I wish you gladness,
just like what you pass around.
May your joyfulness continue,
And your happiness abound.

 

WISHING YOU THE HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS AND MANY MORE!

 

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

 

 

The LB Calendar

A calendar is a system of organizing days for social, religious, commercial or administrative purposes.  This is done by giving names to periods of time, typically days, weeks, months and years.

The Gregorian calendar is internationally the most widely used civil calendar.  It is named after Pope Gregory XIII, who introduced it in October 1582 (source).

The LB calendar is a system of classifying LB by each month of the year for appreciation purposes.

Today is LB’s birthday,

and what better day could there be

to share how special he is to me.

In

January

He is The Birthday Boy

Last January we celebrated LB’s birthday in one of our favorite places… St. Simon’s Island.  There was, as always, music, dancing, presents, and cake.  Bennie’s Red Barn featured the Traveling Riverside Band and an evening of celebration.    This year will be someplace different, but just as celebratory!

In

February

He is my ValentineIn February 2017 we enjoyed Valentine’s Day together with dinner at Culhanes Irish Pub.  There must be Irish in his blood… as the following month would later prove.

In

March

He is My Good Luck Charm

“May the luck of the Irish Lead to happiest heights

And the highway you travel Be lined with green lights”

…just like LB’s blinking tie.

In

April

LB became My very own Cameraman

and now

He is My InspirationIt was in March 2017 that I started my blog.

LB began to follow me with his camera snapping pictures of everything I do.

Within a few weeks of blogging, I realized how his photos influence my posts as they remind me of the fun we have had.

In

May

Though spring fever typically takes hold and all I want to do is stay home and chill…

LB is My MotivationHe keeps me going.

His delightfully cheerful ways, light up my dreary days.

In

June

of this past year,

LB added a new skill to his resume…

 

Superhero.

 

LB and I took a 3 day vacation to celebrate my birthday.

On the last day of our trip, I had an experience that I hope not to relive.

As if he were straight out of a DC comic, he whisked me to the ER.

LB is My Hero(his Mustang is his superpower)

 

In

July

no matter what the weather

LB is My SunshineMy only Sunshine.

(he makes me happy when skies are grey)

 

In

August

and throughout the year

LB is the Reason that I SmileHe is always doing something to put a smile on my face.

 

In

September

When vacation time rolls around, there are new places to go.

Whether it be an outdoor adventure or a new outlet or boutique…

LB is My Exploration Escortand

My Bag Boy

In

October

LB is My Sidekick

…or maybe I’m his.

Last October

LB was the Joker to my Harlequin

In

November

He is a reason to be Thankfuland he looks good in my favorite color.

I am thankful for the days, months, and years we have spent together and am looking forward to the ones yet to come.

In

December

  of 2017, he saw me to the close of an ordeal that few would likely overcome.

LB is My White Knightand I am forever grateful!

 

LB is my Calendar Boy

and if I were as talented as Neil Sedaka, I would compose a tune to commemorate him!

 

Now it is January again and on this 26th day we celebrate another LB birthday!

Congratulations on your many years

And here’s to many more!

 

Happy Birthday LB!

~

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

 

Friday Favorites

Favorite # ONE

My Aunt Debbie

Yesterday was her birthday.

She is the youngest of six and my Mama’s “baby sister”.

Mama spent a lot of time looking for a favorite picture that I have of Debbie and myself from back in the day.  Sadly, it has mysteriously disappeared.  Debbie was only 11 years old when I was born.  At the time, she didn’t like me much.  When I was in high school, she was one of my best friends.  I would call her early every morning and she would pray with me before I headed off to school.

Favorite # TWO

Jacksonville Jaguars

Last Sunday the Jaguars delivered a game that even I couldn’t tear myself away from.

Despite playing in a hostile environment amongst fans [and referees] that wanted to see them lose and losing Myles Jack to a leg injury when they needed him most, the home team brought their A game to the AFC Championship.  I was proud of the Jaguars as they played hard against the Patriots last Sunday.  It was such a disappointment to see the outcome was not in their (our) favor.  Hopefully it will happen next season.

Favorite # THREE

Brownies

Since baking is my superpower, I pull out the cape [at least] every other week and bake up a sweet treat using a recipe I’ve found on Pinterest.  Last week I made brownies, but not just any brownies.

I made

Lunch Lady Brownies

You can find them in my Brownies, Blondies and Bars (Oh My) board on Pinterest

 

Favorite # FOUR

My

New Blouse

You can find it at venus.com

The comment was made that a picture of me wearing this blouse brought my Mema to mind.  My Mema Reid was vibrant, animated, and had a great sense of style.  I wish I had pictures of the great outfits she could pull together.

Favorite # FIVE

My Sweet LB

It’s his birthday today.You can read all about him here.

The Sincerest Form of Flattery

The Sincerest Form of Flattery?

If you had a Mama like mine (who likes to quote quotes) you know it is

IMITATION

that I’m talking about.

‘Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’ is a quote by Charles Caleb Colton,  meaning that imitating [or copying] someone or something is an absolute form of paying them a compliment.

Today I am complimenting two bloggers.  I have not asked for their permission to talk about them, but I can’t imagine that they would turn away any prompt to send visitors to their blogs.

First up is J.

She is the author of J’s Everyday Fashion and the first fashion blogger I began following.

Back in 2012 J would find inspiration in a picture of a well dressed model and then she would pull items from her own closet to create the same or a similar outfit, without spending money to buy the advertised article(s) of clothing.  Though her blog has changed just a bit, she is still very creative.  She describes her blog as “not a personal style blog, but the study of one girl’s closet”.

Click here for an example of her “peachy keen” outfit and the picture that provided the inspiration.

Today I am imitating J’s blogging styleby using an inspiration photo that I first saw on Instagram, and recreating it from items in my own closet.

 

 

 This inspiration outfit belongs to a blogger named Shauna, author of ChicOver50.

My cropping of this photo is in no way meant to be offensive, this is how I save outfits to my stylebook app.

You’ll be able to find the full picture on her site.

 

 

Vest: Classy Crossroads Boutique, (similar)
Sweater: Venus, $30
Jeans:  Lauren Conrad @ Kohl’s, $50
Shoes: Kenneth Cole, $39
Scarf: Target, old (similar, similar)
Earrings: gift (similar)
Sunglasses: Coach, prescription Target Optical

 

 

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

Kim

XO

LB’s Spectacular Sunday Breakfast

As far as I am concerned

Breakfast

is the most important meal of the day!

Studies show that people who eat breakfast are more likely to lose weight and keep the weight off.  One reason could be because eating foods with protein and fiber in the morning keeps your appetite in check (source).  I believe it has more to do with when you eat than what you eat.  My belief comes from my own experience as a career Diet Diva. 

This article will explain how meal timing can affect the body’s internal clock, alter nutrient metabolism, and affect heart health (source).  If you’re interested.

Since one of the major factors that influence our health and weight is WHEN we eat, I do most of my noshing early in the day…

beginning with breakfast.

As a special treat, every Sunday I like to start the day by presenting LB with a special breakfast (or sometimes brunch).

While I have made Eggs Benedict, a variety of waffles, and other clever creations, typically I will fry

shredded hash browns laced with red pepper flakes

and serve them with a

fried egg

bacon

and

pumpernickel toastunless we’re out, then the toast will be Sunbeam white.

LB calls this

“LB’s Spectacular Sunday Breakfast”

While this type of high carbohydrate morning meal will not encourage weight loss, it is delicious (or so he tells me).And he loves it!

On this particular A.F.C. Championship Sunday, it would prove to be very important that EVERYONE have a hearty breakfast to help them perform their VERY BEST.

Oh If Only

I could have made breakfast for our beloved Jaguars…

I may not have found myself weeping at sunset.

It’s okay fellas… now that we know you have it in you, we’ll be pulling for you all the more next season!

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

Kim

Yeah, that’s right… I’m a fair weather fan.

Don’t judge.

Saturday [Date] Night Special

It has been several weeks since LB and I had a

Saturday Date Night

This weekend we decided to head out for dinner and entertainment.

There were a few options that we typically consider…  Jerry’s Steak and Grille, The Cellar Upstairs at San Sebastian, or Whiskey Jax Beach (which LB likes, but doesn’t want to mention the name).  WJ (as he prefers to call it) had a band with which we were not familiar, so we decided to check them out.

I donned my new navy floral blouse from venus.com

then and we headed off for WJ.

Dinner was just what the doctor ordered.

Last Friday Wendy made the comment that she was going to turn into a chicken.  I replied, “I’ll be right behind you”.  That said, a chicken wings appetizer was right in line with my mind set.

 

Add a side salad and all the food groups have been covered.

As far as I’m concerned.

LB and I enjoyed our together time.

and after dinner, we enjoyed the band

Austin Park

Austin Park is a Jacksonville band comprised of a talented group of musicians that name themselves a “modern pop rock band who mix sounds of Matchbox 20, Daughtry & Keith Urban to create a radio friendly sound”.  It appears that [for the most part] they perform as a cover band, but have a few originals as well, one of which they performed Saturday night.

The song Invisible was a very good song which has been featured on country music radio stations.

We were able to dance to a song or two that we like, but ultimately decided to take a seat, as there was an exuberant gentleman that had taken it upon himself to entertain the room with his lively moves.

It was a welcomed Saturday date night and I’m looking forward to the next!

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

Kim

Friday Favorites

What???

and as My Mama would reply…

“You Know What”

 

It’s My Friday Favorites!

 

Favorite # ONE

If you are trying to bring more VEG into your life, You HAVE GOT to try these…

 

They are SO Very Delicious!

But don’t put them in your Air Fryer… stick to the oven method

(trust me on this).

 

 

Favorite # TWO

LB found this one when a Family Dollar Ad landed in our mailbox…

This is your deal DUVAAALLL!

Stock up for your Super Bowl Party!

Offer expires on 1/22

ALSO…

Enter for a chance to win:

“You can win your tailgate a PGQ plater that can feed up to 20 people!

Here’s how to enter:

Make a quick video on Instagram telling us why you’re tailgate deserves the PDQ

Tag WAPE and use the Hashtag #BigApeTailgateTakeover and you’re entered, we’ll comment back before the game if you’re the winner!” (source)

This morning I sent Richard a text, telling him to enter with a video of Lydia.

I hope he attempted!

Go JAGS!

 

 

 

Favorite # THREE

I had a $25 gift card from Venus… so I went shopping.

I’m looking forward to the following…

YaY!

 

 

Favorite # FOUR

I bought this…

book for Kindle on Amazon ($8.12)

In four weeks I’ll be posting a picture of myself just like the one above.

 

 

Maybe.

 

 

Favorite # FIVE

A 1959 film starring Charleton Heston has been a lifelong favorite.  Never did I imagine that I could appreciate a remake of the movie

Ben-Hur

 Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince, is accused of treason, betrayed, and sent into slavery by his adopted brother and friend, Messala, an officer in the Roman army.  When he regains his freedom and comes back to his homeland for revenge, he finds redemption instead.

Watch This

 

 

 

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

Kim

 

 

 

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