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Wonderful Wednesday

This Wonderful Wednesday morning when I asked Alexa “how’s the traffic?” she informed me that the fastest route to work would take me fifteen minutes longer than usual.  With that, I grabbed my things and headed out the door.  There was an accident on the bridge that had one lane closed and the traffic backed up.  That said, I started my day in a feverous frenzy that only accelerated as the day wore on.  It is amazing how the start of your day seems to set the tone for it’s entirety.

I won’t go on and on about how stressful my Wednesday has been, but the fact that I have managed to keep it together and make it home by 7:15 PM is just short of miraculous.

Now I am expecting my children and grandchild to visit shortly.

Although Lydia’s 2nd birthday party has been scheduled for Saturday morning, it would not be appropriate to let the actual birth-DAY pass without proper acknowledgment…

The doorbell rings… I go to the door, open the door.  There they are.  FIVE of the most important people in my life.

My firstborn

Stephanie

and dearly special daughter bringing style and enthusiasm wherever she goes (Aunt Feffy)My second-born, second daughter, and Brilliant Middle Child

Amanda

(don’t sell your position short Dear)My only son (and father of my only grandchild)

Richard and Emily

my daughter-in-law (who is just like a daughter to me)and the crème de la crème of two year old Glam-babies,

LYDIA

… the Birthday Girl!With a bag full of ponies in hand, she is ready to come in and show me all of the My Little Ponies and Peppa Pig Paraphernalia she has acquired during the day Her Big T-W-O party is Saturday and I will be well rested and ready.  And to her parent’s dismay, I have a large present and another Rainbow Dash to add to the collection  (if they read my blog they would know, but as it stands, it will be a surprise).

It has been a long day.

Good Night to all!

Hope Your Thursday is as WONDERFUL as mine is going to be!

Daytona Beach Tanger Outlets

Daytona Beach Weekend Day 3 was ALL ABOUT our visit to the new

Daytona Beach Tanger Outlets

We arrived around noon and wasted no time visiting the shops

First stop was Kirkland’s

Obviously we had a good time at Kirkland’s.

Next stop was a shop that I haven’t experienced called Dress Barn.  The name isn’t all that pretty, but the prices are.  And the staff was very helpful and courteous.  I was especially impressed with the young lady that assisted me.

Now there is something about the word CLEARANCE that screams to me and I am immediately drawn to the back of the store.

And there I go…Cute dress and handbag.  I walked right past them both as the CLEARANCE sign screamed on and those yellow Capris I’ve been looking for… FOUND THEM!Next stop… UM…

Lee Wrangler Vanity Fair Outlet.      I’m still having trouble grouping this trio, but we found some useful items in this shopa handy dandy Nautica Cap.

And… Rainbow Dash and Princess Peppa.  I am a SUCKER for My Little Pony and anything else that Lydia likes!I have Always been an Express Fan.  Every time I walk through the doors of this shop I begin to covet (tears)

After a quick stop to pose with this

Pink Sugar BearWe checked into Old NavyIt used to be that I could walk into an Old Navy store and find something that I thought I had to have right away.  This time LB found something he had to have… Summer Shirts on Sale!  Blue/White striped, Pink, White, and Multi-colored checked Oxford Men’s shirts.  Although I did not go into the crowded dressing room with him, I did eventually see the shirts on him and love how they look.  The deals at Old Navy were great.

And I eventually came across these pretty little shoes marked WAY down.  The shoes at Old Navy are very cute, and even more cute when you find them on sale. (LB practicing with the camera features again)

We spent A LOT of time in Old Navy, then headed to another shop The items in this shop are just as pretty as can be.

Nearly all of the tops in this store are priced at $38 except this oneBy the look on my face you can see that I wasn’t sure about it because it is very poofy, but I bought it anyway because LB said I shouldI would have spent more time in Francesca’s because there were so many pretty things to see, but it was getting late and there was one more stop to makeThere’s that word again

We wound up our shopping adventure at the Daytona Beach Tanger Outlet around 3:30 PMIt was a shop till you drop kind of day!  And I’d spend any day doing the same!

Daytona Beach Weekend

The weekend came early for LB and myself when I was happily able to take half a day off work Friday.  We had originally planned to head to our Daytona Beach destination on Saturday morning, but a last minute decision to add an extra night to this mini-vacation resulted in a drive down on Friday afternoon.  We packed, kissed Elvis goodbye, and headed south.  After only one stop for a Chik-Fil-A diet lemonade, we arrived at the Hampton Inn and began making plans for the evening.

Eventually deciding to stop at Racing’s North Turn, we enjoyed hot wings, salad, and musical entertainment by a group calling themselves “Parallel”

Day 2

Saturday morning began with breakfast at the hotel then picking out a lounge chair by the pool.  The weekly Saturday pool part at Hampton starts at 12:00 with D.J. Drew and his pool party playlist.  The Hampton Inn Daytona Shores Oceanfront is a unique hotel.  The general manager Sandy (shown above in the coral colored dress) has put together a weekly summer pool party including a cookout (all you can eat burgers, hotdogs, chips, and drinks).  At a designated time during the pool party, she has the kitchen and cleaning staff out for introductions and an amusing dance to the song “Hot Hot Hot” by Buster Poindexter.LB and I enjoyed some pool time during our visit.

And he enjoyed trying out the picture taking features on his new phone.

Typically the summer will bring with it afternoon showers.  This Saturday was no exception.  When the wind blew my hat off of my head I decided it was time to pack up and go to the room.But the day was not over.  The summer shower ended and it was time to get ready to go out for the evening.   The Daytona Beach FL Bandshell Live Summer Concert Series hosts tribute bands every Saturday night.  This weekend featured a band called Wholigans.  I probably don’t need to elaborate at this point… just click the link and check out their website.  We enjoyed the show and shared a Mahi-Mahi taco from Sloppy Joe’s, then left the venue to do the unthinkable… walk back to the hotel.

Let me say that again…

WALK back to the hotel

That’s me with my chair in tow, about to complete a 5.5 mile trek back to Hampton Inn.  My take on this:  I have logged MANY miles on the treadmill or through a mall, etc., but walking on the beach is a totally different experience.  My calves are cursing me as I type this post.

The walk back was long, but I’m happy to say we made it.

Along the way we encountered a cookout on the beach (grill and all), a pair of glasses, a cover band, and this sea serpent: someone spent a lot of time on this fella… and I appreciate the effort.  He was pretty cute.

The walk back was moonlit and I am happy to have enjoyed the beautiful night at the ocean shore and conversation with my LB.

He likes to arrange for adventure and fun… and that is typically exactly what we have.

Daytona Beach Weekend Day Three involves shopping and deserves a post all its own.

To Be Continued

Shopping at Target

Thanks to LB, I’ve picked up the habit of reading reviews.

Recently I came across one about Target.  It read, “How can you not love target? It’s totally like the best store to ever exist ever in all of ever.”  (source)

This is sad.  Not the review itself, but the fact that I totally love it.

It never fails that the moment I walk through the doors of a

Target

(store), I see something that I think I can’t live without.  This time it was the little printed blouse pictured below:

However exciting the front of the store may be, I always make my way to the SHOES!

This is my favorite department

Here are some of my favorite Target shoes:

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

9 / 10 / 11  / 12

 

“Whoever said money can’t buy happiness, simply didn’t know where to go shopping.” ~Bo Derek

You’re welcome!

July Fourth Fried Chicken

Although it isn’t frequently on the menu at my house,

I Love Fried Chicken!

I know that at least one of my Memas made fried chicken during my lifetime, but I cannot remember witnessing this process first hand.  The Food Network is my go-to place for cooking instruction these days.  Recently I have watched several episodes of chicken frying and have been bitten with the chicken frying bug.  Since allowing myself the experience, I can safely say I have it out of my system.  Here is my attempt at frying chicken:

Because I made the mistake of not purchasing a chicken that was already cut, I began by cutting up this whole chicken. Then seasoned the chicken pieces with salt and pepper and I’ll spare you that horrific photo.  Let me just say that I do not ever want to cut up a whole chicken ever again.

My Recipe

Taking tips from several different Food Network cooks, I began by combining 2 cups of buttermilk with 1/2 cup of Tabasco, a beaten egg, and my chicken pieces.  Apparently the buttermilk mixture is what will tenderize the chicken.  Good to know.  All of this goes into a zip top bag then into the fridge for 2 hours up to overnight.

In my Le Creuset French oven, I added about  2 inches of canola oil (because it has a high smoke point) and heated until it reached 350°F.  I’m learning a lot from the Food Network!Next I mixed together flour, cayenne, salt, and pepper in a large zip top bag to easily coat each chicken piece in the seasoned flour.  It reminded me of Shake and Bake.  Sort of.  Then I placed 3 or 4 pieces of the chicken in the oil (you can’t do more than 3 or 4 at a time without causing the oil temperature to drop) put the lid on, and fried for 5 minutes.Next I removed the lid, turned the chicken, and fried for another 5 minutes.  Then removed the chicken from the oil and placed on a wire rack.Once every piece was fried, I put it into the oven at 375° for 15-20 minutes.  It turned out pretty good, if I do say so myself. LB thought so too!

 

 


Enjoying a Little Light Music

Sunday was a lazy day… to start.  A typical Sunday of Breakfast for a King, then treadmill, followed by an hour by the pool… Then LB said, “Do you want to go somewhere?”

Well of course I want to go somewhere.  Who doesn’t want to go somewhere?

LB had a plan.  The Little Light Music Concert Series at the St. Simon’s Island Lighthouse.Every summer from May to September this concert series provides the residents and vacationers of the Golden Isles with a place to picnic from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM while enjoying musical entertainment. (source)

Tickets are $12 for adults and children under 12 are admitted free of charge.  Again… if you plan to attend, bring a picnic as there are no vendors.  People have come to this event prepared… some even bringing furniture resembling small coffee tables to set with picnic treats.  Everyone will be noshing and you WILL be jealous.

Sunday July 2nd featured Still Cruzin’… a band with members who have played with muscians such as James Brown, Percy Sledge, and the Temptations.  They present Motown and R&B hits including “My Girl” and “Crazy Love”.  The Attendees enjoy dancing on the lawn to these hits and others.  It is an entertaining event if you enjoy relaxing outdoors, people watching and even more fun if you like to exhibit your moves on the “dance floor”.

 

 

Reminiscing

Tonight we attended a family gathering in honor of my brother-in-law Stuart.

On June 29th of June he hit the big 5-0 milestone.

Happy Birthday Stuart!

We gathered at my Mama’s house and enjoyed pizza, spaghetti, and, of course, salad.We sang the Happy Birthday song, enjoyed cake and ice cream, and the company of family.  This will be a moment worth reminiscing.

Speaking of reminiscing

…recently my Mama has decorated a bedroom in her house.  She loves chalk paint and has taken a collection of bedroom furniture that was handed down to her from my great-grandmother and transformed it.  During the birthday festivities she looked at me and exclaimed “you haven’t seen my new bedroom!”   Until tonight I had only seen pictures, but now I’ve experienced the new room first hand.

As she showed me around the newly decorated room there were

stories to be told…

When they visited their grandmother, Mama and her siblings used the finials on this bed post to serve as pretend telephones.  Reminiscing about life as a little girl, she described having to reach up to take the finial from the post.

  The portrait on the wall is of my great-grandmother when she was sixteen years old.The bed is decorated with throw pillows, one of which is a portion of the feather pillow that belonged to my great-grandmother.  My extremely talented brother-in-law took the pillow and divided it into smaller pillows for my Mama and each of her siblings to treasure.  Mama has kept hers in the case that is in front on the right.

She spent time telling me about

The Mementos

on the dresser

A little glass shoe that was a gift given to my great-grandmother by my maternal grandfather on the day he joined the military.  It was well taken care of and eventually passed down to Mama.  A box of Coty Airspun loose powder and a bottle of Evening in Paris cologne have a place on my great-grandmother’s dresser as they did when my Mama was a little girl.

And it has an interesting scent.

She has placed a temporary mirror on the beautifully refinished dresser until she completes painting the original dresser mirror.  Her plan is to place it above the singer sewing machine table, that is reminiscent of her grandmother’s.

The tour of the newly decorated bedroom was delightful…

…and the tour guide, even more so

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