Hello MondayTuesday

It's been a whirlwind here for the past many weeks and I'm going to try to do some catching up on the blog. There's always a lot going on here in September, this year more than usual, but I haven't had much time for writing about it all. 

Since we have to start somewhere let's discuss the weekend. That feels do-able. 

Also, it's Tuesday, not Monday and I don't know why a holiday Monday throws the whole week off when we're retired and everyday is Saturday. 

Backing up to Thursday...

Hubs birthday always lands somewhere near the Labor Day weekend and this year we had plans to spend it in Tennessee. My sister-in-law's sister offered us her Vol tickets and they happened to be playing my girl's teeny tiny university so we said yes. 

Teeny tiny compared to the University of Tennessee anyway. A game in Neyland Stadium is always a good time, no matter who is on the field. 

Getting to the Knoxville area from the lake has been a bit of a challenge these past few years, courtesy of the ever on-going road works, insane amounts of traffic, and Hurricane Helene (yes, they're still repairing the damage). 

We decided to take the longer way around to avoid Asheville, and the long way is beautiful and winding and if you're not in a hurry a lovely drive. We end up going through the town of Cherokee, and over the mountains near Gatlinburg, and the road hugs a stream a fair amount of the way. Truly spectacular. 

I'd packed sandwiches and we pulled over and had a truck bed picnic and let the pup get out and sniff and stretch and we all thoroughly enjoyed the stop. We dined right beside this mountain stream which is so much better than fast food off the highway. 

We got to hub's brother's house about 3:30 and sat on their deck for a while before changing for dinner. There's a restaurant we've wanted to try called RT Lodge, that sits on the campus of Maryville College. Tucked in the woods behind it actually and we've never been able to get a reservation when we've been in town, but managed to snag one Thursday evening. 

Two college friends who live in Knoxville joined hubs and I and hubs brother and sister-in-law for a fabulous night out. RT Lodge was once a private home, and later was acquired by Ruby Tuesdays and used as their training center. These days its a boutique hotel, spa, and fine dining restaurant. I'd love to stay there sometime...the vibe is swoon-y. 

We had drinks before dinner in one of their sitting areas, and then moved upstairs to dine. Hubs had the roasted oysters to start and I had a delicious peach and blackberry salad made with arugala, Benton's ham, goat cheese, and pistachio. Yum! 

Our mains were all so good and we shared three desserts-a coconut mousse, blackberry cobbler, and a salted caramel corn profiterole. It's definitely a place to return to! 

Friday morning hubs and I took his mom to brunch. We went to First Watch and we all had breakfast. It was nice to have some in-person time with her, and bonus she brought me her homemade spicy pickles and a jar of okra too. 

After brunch hubs and I stopped at the most charming little shop near my sister-in-law's home, and ended up having a bit of a shopping spree. I bought a cute pillow for the porch, three bracelets to layer, two packages of cocktail napkins for something hubs is hosting next month, a new clear bag to take to sporting events, and a new diffuser and reeds for my powder room. Oh, and a fish to sit in the outdoor dining space. 

We went back to their house and played cards for a while before getting ready to head to dinner with more friends. The same six of us from Thursday night, plus two more couples we know from university. One couple has just recently moved back to Tennessee after many years away, and it will be fun to see more of them when we're in town.  

We went to Chophouse and then afterwards back to one friend's home where it was easier to talk. She'd made a super delicious ice cream cake to celebrate hubs birthday and he was touched by the gesture. 

Also, he loves ice cream. 

Saturday was game day.  Also, a million degrees, but GO VOLS! One of hubs fraternity brothers hosts a big tailgate with a tent (and cooling fans, that's important!) and we were going to hang out there before the game. But first! 

One of my 'blog friends' (Maria from Memorable Moments and Modest Missives) has a daughter working in ministry at UT and she saw I was going to the game so texted asking if it might work out to meet her daughter who was also going to the game. 

I love it. My sister-in-law was all in and as luck would have it we were passing her tailgate location en route to ours. Did I mention the heat? Whew. It was a scorcher. 

Hubs took a photo of the two of us together, but I'm never sure if I should post a photo of someone on my blog who I don't know well? I saw the picture on Maria's blog so am adding it here too. 

Suffice it to say she was super sweet and it was fun meeting her in person. I told her I felt like her mom would want me to give her a hug, so I did. I've met her mom in person too and I love the way the internet, the blog world especially, can make connections like these happen. 

We went on to the tailgate and caught up with our hosts who we went to uni with and more friends who were at the tailgate trying to stay cool too. 

Some young alums from hubs fraternity had pictures on their phones of some long ago parties and social events as they're looking to do some planning, and lo and behold hubs was in them. Not so surprising if you know him, but the pictures are more than 40 years old so were fun to see. 

I wore my straw hat which helped some, but there's only so much you can do when you're squished in with 100,000 fans and temps are in the 90's and the sun is absolutely beating down on you. 

We made our way in to the stadium and our great seats. The shade hit our section late first quarter, which was such a relief. Still not cool, but also not quite melting anymore either. 

A member of the band passed out on the field and I cannot imagine being in one of those uniforms on a day like Saturday. 

The band did a sweet tribute to Dolly as she is loved everywhere, but no where more so than East Tennessee. She grew up in the next county over and has given back in more ways than I can name here. 

We were winning by a comfortable margin so peeled out of there in the third quarter. Literally peeled as we were pretty much glued to our chairs. We got back to the house and showered, ate pizza for dinner, then watch Clemson get crushed by LSU. I kind of hate what college football has become, in terms of kids hopping teams, making millions, etc. but here we are. 

Also, we will never root for a Lane Kiffen win.

Hubs and I got on the road back home Sunday morning, and again we took the long way which felt extra long and extra wind-y. We stopped at a couple of overlooks because how could we not? So much beauty in the Smoky Mountain National Park. 

Hubs grew up here, but the views and the scenery and the mountains never get old. 

I've got several things on the calendar this week, including hosting book club Tuesday afternoon, so was glad to be home with some time to regroup. And hubs would say recover from the drive too, because man that route is not for the weak of stomach. 

It was a gray Labor Day Monday but we got some things done here. I unpacked, did the laundry, prepped for book club, made a meal plan for the week, and then hubs grilled us a burger for dinner. It was a really nice weekend. I think hubs has been well celebrated, the Vols won, and hey, we've still got two more weeks of summer. 

Linking with Holly and Sarah for this week's Hello Monday on a Tuesday. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 670

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Sept 9) to share your answers. See you there! 

1. ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?  On a scale of 1-10 how much of a fan are you? (10 is never miss a game and 1 is I'm just here for the snacks). Who's your team? If you're playing along today, but live outside the US feel free to sub your feelings about futbol for the more American sport of football. 

2. What's something you currently have a game plan for managing? 

3. Do you like chicken wings? Hot, mild, or some other flavor? What's a must have food for you on a tailgate menu? I know tailgating isn't as big of a thing outside the US of A as it is inside the US of A, but you can also answer the question this way-what's a must have food for you at a sporting event viewing party? 

4. Teams typically have strict playbooks they follow. What is one unwritten rule or piece of advice in your 'life playbook' you think everyone should know?

5. This is the week we remember and mourn all that was lost and changed on September 11, 2001. I always include a spot for bloggers to share anything they'd like to share about 9/11. Share as much or as little as you like. 

6.Insert your own random thought here. 

A Gritty Hodgepodge

Welcome to September and this week's edition of the Wednesday Hodgepodge. I appreciate all of the kind comments and messages sent regarding my mama. I'm going to ease back into the blogosphere today with the Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

Quite a lot actually. I took a look at my summer bucket list, which is admittedly filled with mostly simple stuff, and there are many things I never got to do that I wanted to do. I've still got three weeks to squeeze it all in, so maybe?

We didn't go peach picking this summer and I missed that. We did have a neighbor gift us peaches from their tree which were super delicious, but I love the view from the orchard when we go for pick-ur own. 

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

I loved school and was a rule follower, so was happiest in the front row. If I were back in high school taking a class just for fun I'd choose French. 

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

Tops on the list would be they must like children. It seems like that shouldn't need saying, but...

Other qualities I'd deem essential would be the more obvious- patience, stamina, the ability to think on one's feet, flexibility, and the ability to communicate effectively. 

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

Have I ever eaten grits? I live in South Carolina so of course I've eaten grits and yes I like them. My favorite way to have grits would be in the form of shrimp and grits which is a Carolina staple. So delicious! I also like grits for breakfast with a little bit of butter and/or cheese. 

Do I have grit?  I think in areas that matter, yes. 

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

Lots of things...a beautiful sunrise, music, going barefoot, dancing, a good nap...

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of the sunrise...

...some are pure gold. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 669

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog then hop back here on Wednesday (September 2nd) to share your answers. See you there-

1. What's something you wanted to do this summer that you never got around to doing? 

2. Were you the student who sat in the front row or hid in the back of the class? If you could go back and take one high school class again just for fun, which would it be? 

3. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher (this can be applied to anyone who teaches, not just classroom teachers)? 

4.  September 2nd is National Grits Day. Have you ever eaten grits? Are you a fan? If so how do you like yours? Would people describe you as 'having grit'? 

5. What's something you're never too old or too young to enjoy? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Today's Hodgepodge

Hello Hodgepodgers and others who are reading here. I'm posting today's link below, but will not be participating today. My sweet mom passed away earlier this week and there is a lot to do and feel and think through before I write about anything. I will though. 

In the meantime if you've answered today's questions add your link here, then leave a kind comment or two for the bloggers before you on the list. Life is short and precious. Spread some joy today. 

If you missed the questions visit the post linked here (Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 668)

Summer Weekend Highs And Lows

Hello friends and hello Monday. I have blood work this morning so am operating on no coffee. Not my favorite way to begin the week, but here we go. 

The weekend. It was up and down up and down. Let's recap with Holly(PinkLadyBlog) and Sarah(Sunshine and Books) who are hosting their regular Monday morning link party. 

Friday hubs brother and sister-in-law, along with two college friends of ours who also know the brother and sister-in-law, drove from Knoxville to hang out on the lake. They arrived mid-afternoon and we spent a few hours sitting on the patio catching up, chatting, and snacking on a Greek dip I'd prepared, which is always yummy. 

The Aperol Spritz has been our summer beverage. Pretty and delicious. 

Drone shot-

Ha. Not really. Hubs snapped it from the upper deck. 

Our friend works in the food business and he brought ribs that just needed to be heated and sauced on the grill. They're so good, but are not available in supermarkets so always a treat when they share. I'd made a pasta salad, cole slaw, and baked beans to have as sides and dinner was really good. 

After dinner we opted for a boat ride, and while it was initially a bit cloudy it cleared enough for an absolutely stunning sunset. 

Perfect temperature and a watercolored painted sky. 

Now for the down side...my mom ended up in the hospital Friday night and then had surgery on Saturday. Family and friends who've known you for ever and a day are the first to understand, so Saturday morning after breakfast I headed to the hospital and hubs manned the fort boat at home. I arrived just as she was getting back to her room so perfect timing. My sister, niece, and my nephew-in-law were there too, so she had quite the welcome. We stayed for a while, then left so she could rest. 

I got back to the house about two and did some dinner prep while I waited on the boaters to return. They picked me up at the dock and we rode for a bit, then came back to swim for a while before thunder rolled in. We moved up to the patio and the guys cooked dinner-

Hubs brother and sister-in-law brought steaks for dinner so hubs grilled those and we had baked potatoes and a yummy Caprese salad. 

Somebody is hoping for a taste. 

Question-how many non-lettuce salads can one make in a summer where lettuce is questionable?Apparently quite a few. We've slowly started back eating lettuce, but I buy the whole head, remove the outer leaves, and rinse the rest well. 

After dinner we sat outside and played cards and listened to music for hours. Such a fun night. 

Sunday morning everyone left after breakfast and hubs and I went back to the hospital to see my mom. We visited for a bit, then my sister and niece arrived to take the next shift so to speak. 

I find writing therapeutic. I find putting my thoughts into words brings clarity and helps me give voice to what I'm feeling. Life is rarely just one thing. It's highs and lows, joy and hardship, love and sacrifice and people who walk beside you through it all. 

A little Monday gratitude list because every life needs one: 

~the gift of a mother in every season 

~siblings who love each other through life's easy moments and the hardest ones too

~friends and family who raise a glass to all the years that came before and all that lies ahead

~the beauty of creation reminding me He cares about the details of our lives 

To add your link or read more weekend recap posts, hop on over to our hostesses with the mostest-eses and join the fun. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 668

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (August 26th) to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. See you there! 

1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine? 

2. Your favorite cookie? 

3. What's something you've learned from a culture different than your own? 

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic...which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why. 

5. What's a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly? 

6. Insert your own random thought here.