Once Upon A Time There Was A Hodgepodge

Welcome to the last Hodgepodge in February. Has the month moved fast or at more of a snail's pace for you? I thought the first half of the month flew, but these last couple of weeks have slowed way down. March is always a tough month in terms of the weather because we're ready for spring, but winter likes to make an appearance now and then too. It's a good month for a get away which is not in the plans here, but probably should be. 

It's time to share answers in our weekly link up. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then go say hey to your neighbor there. Here we go-

1.February 26th is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day...have you read a fairy tale lately? What's your favorite fairy tale? Do you believe in 'happily ever after'? 

I have read a couple of fairy tales recently since we have littles in the house with us currently. Most recently I read Three Billy Goats Gruff. The boys love when I make different voices for the three goats. My personal favorite is Cinderella. 

Do I believe in happily ever after? 

Perhaps not in the traditional sense of a fairy tale, but I believe I'll meet Jesus in heaven one day, so yes. 

2. Complete one of the following sentences with a thought relating to your life currently-

• Once upon a time___________
• A long time ago________________
• In a place far far away__________

Once upon a time the world didn't come to us with the click of a button and we were all less exhausted by society in general. The end. 

3. Which of the following 'fairy tale foods' is your favorite? Which have you made/eaten most recently? 

porridge/oatmeal (Goldilocks and The Three Bears), an apple (Snow White), a gingerbread cookie (The Gingerbread Man), pumpkin soup/pie/bread (Cinderella), peas (The Princess and the Pea), beans (Jack and The Beanstalk) or a cup of tea (Alice in Wonderland) 

I have a busy week so I'm actually writing some of my answers on Saturday, the same day I wrote the questions. I made oatmeal for breakfast Saturday so that's the most recent. I drink a cup of tea every day and had a gingerbread cookie on Thursday. My favorite of the items listed would be tea. Life wouldn't be nearly as nice without it. 

4. What's your idea of fun? 

A day on the lake, and make it a weekday when boat traffic is at a minimum

A float party with friends
A road trip somewhere new, maybe a drive into the mountains, or to visit family or friends. 
Dining al fresco

An evening of cards with friends
Porch time with my people
A hike in the woods, especially if it's a trail we've not been on before. 
A trip someplace I've never been

5. Next week's Hodgepodge lands in March. Is that right? I guess so.  Give us one noun, one verb, and one adjective that tell us something about your February. To make you think a little harder, you cannot use the words cold or snowy. 

noun-conversation hearts...I've eaten a ridiculous amount of these little goodies this month

verb-doing...there hasn't been a lot of sitting this month, no naps on the couch, no leisurely cups of afternoon tea or morning coffee, just lots of doing (laundry, grocery shopping, cooking, picking up, planning, driving, etc)

adjective-shivery...without using the word I said we couldn't use I want to say it has been the very opposite of warm here 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I have been scarce on the blog recently but we are living life here and I'll eventually get back into my regular posting routine. Whatever my regular posting routine was? 

In the meantime here's a couple of pictures from the air b & b we've been sharing with friends for a couple of days-

"Adopt the pace of nature. Her secret is patience." Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 591

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Feb 26th) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. February 26th is National Tell A Fairy Tale Day...have you read a fairy tale lately? What's your favorite fairy tale? Do you believe in 'happily ever after'? 

2. Complete one of the following sentences with a thought relating to your life currently-

• Once upon a time___________
• A long time ago________________
• In a place far far away__________

3. Which of the following 'fairy tale foods' is your favorite? Which have you made/eaten most recently? 

porridge/oatmeal (Goldilocks and The Three Bears), an apple (Snow White), a gingerbread cookie (The Gingerbread Man), pumpkin soup/pie/bread (Cinderella), peas (The Princess and the Pea), beans (Jack and The Beanstalk) or a cup of tea (Alice in Wonderland) 

4. What's your idea of fun? 

5. Next week's Hodgepodge lands in March. Is that right? I guess so.  Give us one noun, one verb, and one adjective that tell us something about your February. To make you think a little harder, you cannot use the words cold or snowy. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Puzzler Of A Hodgepodge

Welcome to another edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions add your link at the end of my post, then leave a comment for the blogger before you. Or all the bloggers before you if you've got the time. Here we go-

1. Many of our earliest presidents created words or expressions widely used today. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with mollycoddle, pack rat, frazzle, and loose cannon...which of those words/phrases currently relates to your life in some way? 

Hmmm...none truly apply at the moment. We try not to mollycoddle the grands and I'm married to the opposite of a pack rat so neither of those work. Am I frazzled? A teensy bit, mostly about three or four semi-large bits of paperwork/organization I need to take care of, but just can't seem to get to. 

I guess I'm going with frazzle. 

2. Have you visited many (or any) of the US Presidents homes, monuments, libraries or related sites? If so what's been your favorite? Are there any you particularly want to see? Here's a link to presidential sites listed by state which is kind of fun to read-Presidential Places by State. And since several bloggers who participate in the HP each week live outside the US, here's a link to Presidential Places Outside the US. Have you seen any of those? 

I've lived a fair chunk of my life on the East Coast, with easy access to many historic and presidential sites. I'm not sure I can even list them all but...Mount Vernon, George Washington's Birthplace, the capitol building in Annapolis, the capitol building in Austin Texas, the capitol building in Richmond Virginia (all of these buildings have a lot of statues relating to Presidents), Monticello, Independence Hall in Philadelphia, allllll the Washington D.C. Presidential memorials/monuments, the White House, the U.S. Capitol building, Arlington National Cemetery (JFK and William Taft are both buried here) and then further west the LBJohnson Library in Austin TX, and the Reagan Library in California. 

3. February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day...will you celebrate? Given your choice of cherry pie, cherry cobbler, cheesecake with a cherry topping, or black forest cake which would you choose? 

I'm not opposed to celebrating but someone would have to bring me the cherry pie because I also have no plans to bake one. I like all of the desserts mentioned so it would kind of just depend on what I was in the mood for at the time. Right now I'd go for the pie or cobbler. 

4. Last time you worked a puzzle of some kind? Something that had you puzzled recently? 

I worked a puzzle with my two oldest grandsons over the weekend. It was a map of the United States. 

Something that's had me puzzled recently? 

AI, 4D printing, the size of our galaxy, and hypocrisy in politics among other things

5. Of the early blooming flowers (January-early March depending on your zone) which one's your favorite? 

snowdrops, lenten roses, pansies, violets, snapdragons, reticulated iris, crocus, winter jasmine

Do you have any of these in your own yard/garden? 

I love them all...how do you choose a favorite flower? We had snowdrops in our English garden and they're definitely a favorite, but I don't have any here. We have lenten roses and iris in our garden and I sometimes have pansies, violets, and snapdragons in pots but currently do not. I love iris and they always make me think of my mom who used to have an enormous bed of iris in one corner of our yard. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

This year I'm trying to bake all the cakes on the Southern Living calendar. They suggest one for each month and I mentioned January's cake in a post here-Buttermilk Cake. 

I made the February cake on Sunday-Raspberry Molten Chocolate Cake-

before baking

This was scrumptious! Normally lava cakes are made in ramekins and baked individually, but this version was baked in an 8 x 8 pan, and it was really easy. 

I wondered if you'd get the 'lava' texture and you definitely do. This cake needs to be eaten pretty soon after  removing it from the oven, and needs a  scoop of vanilla ice cream on top as it's quite rich. It's surprisingly light too, and sooo good! I'll absolutely be making this one again. 

The Weekend Roundup

Good Monday morning friends. I hope you had a nice weekend. Ours was bursting at the seams, in a good way of course. Linking this post with Holly and Sarah for their Hello Monday recap party. 

Thursday. Yes it's the weekend. Especially when your daughter and her hubs pull out of the driveway at 7 AM and you're left in charge of their three littles for four nights and five days. One of my friends says anyone can do an overnight or two with their grands, but more than two nights feels like a month lol. She's not wrong.

My daughter was a bridesmaid in a college friends' Annapolis wedding this past weekend so she and her hubs got on the road Thursday morning in order to be in town for the festivities. Our day here Thursday started with breakfast out at one of our favorite spots. The boys ate every bite, and I'm nervous about their grocery bill in a few years. 

Next stop was Pet Smart because what better place is there to while away an hour than a store with fish, birds, reptiles and kittens? The kids asked if they could adopt one, but I thought I should check with mom first. I mean we grandparents love to indulge but a live animal felt like maybe a bridge too far. 

We moved on to our next venue which was Lowes, an exciting stop for everyone as we all joined in the hunt for a particular lightbulb. 

Side bar here...lightbulbs in 2025 are one of my pet peeves. Carry on. 

We found one that is not quite right but will work, and then it was back in the car for yet another stop-Publix. In case you've lost count  that's four times getting three kids into and out of car seats in a three hour span of time, and it was only day one. 

Grandparenting is not for sissies. 

Hubs took the kids to the bakery for a cookie while I grabbed a few things, and then it was home for playtime, lunchtime, and a nap for Little Miss. The boys watched a movie and Nana made tacos for dinner because that sounded easy and easy is good. 

My daughter left a little gift for the kids for each day she was away and they looked forward every morning to seeing what was in their bags. I bought a few things for Valentine's Day as well, and having new things to play with when your parents are away helps. 

I bought Little miss a pair of sunglasses that came with a unicorn case with sparkly handles, and she carried her 'purse' everywhere we went all weekend long, including the middle of the forest. 

The weather was lovely on Friday, a little cool but we bundled up for a hike to a nearby waterfall. 

It warmed up as we walked and I had packed a picnic lunch, which we ate beside the rushing water. Such a fun day. 

I carried a backpack loaded with water bottles, snacks, diaper, wipes, dry clothes to counter the inevitable mud, and a jacket or two. Hubs wore daughter1's carrier with Little Miss in it most of the day. Let me just say there is no need for a weighted vest when you hike with toddlers. 

The trail was muddy thanks to all the rain the day before, but we embraced it and everyone loved the sunshine...

the fresh air...

the natural beauty...

And digging in the sand...

The little brown dog came too, because what's one more? While navigating small children and a dog on a narrow trail won't be everyone's cup of tea, it is ours. 

We came home in time for Little Miss to have a nap then went back out that evening for a Valentines' Day dinner. Pizza followed by a stop at the ice cream shop right next door for dessert. 

So glad we got out on Friday because Saturday it rained literal buckets. Hubs was manning an open house for work most of the day so it was me and the three kiddos at home, in the house, all the ding dong day. I made sausage biscuits for breakfast, we worked a 300 piece puzzle in record time, watched a movie, played games, played with toys, colored, Little miss napped, we read books, read more books, and we watched the rain pour down around us. 

When hubs got home we took everyone to grandson #2's favorite restaurant -Firehouse Subs. I hadn't been in one of these in a while, but their sandwiches were so good and the guy making them took extra care with our order. Everyone in the place was so nice and it wasn't busy so we took our time. The boys ate their sandwiches, then I ordered them each a second and they ate those too. Let's hope the price of groceries goes down before they enter their teen years. 

Sunday Nana made french toast and bacon because apparently Nana cooks breakfast every morning now-ha. Afterwards we went to the nearby Botanical Gardens to visit the geology museum there.

It's free and full of bones and fossils and rocks. There's even a little room you go in where you turn off the lights and all the phosphorescent rocks glow, which thrills everyone. 

We bought souvenirs because we're the grandparents. 

After leaving the museum we took our little crew to Longhorn Steakhouse for lunch.  I didn't have it in me to make lunch and dinner both, so lunch out was a win. 

Little Miss went right down for a nap once we were home, but the boys played outside, rode their bikes, ran around and got muddy as little boys are wont to do and then I was back in the kitchen making dinner. You forget how much you cook with little ones in the house. 

The parents will be back home today and we're all excited lol. I'm so glad my girl was able to have a fun weekend away with her Valentine. It's important to recharge, to reconnect as husband and wife instead of mom and dad, and it feels good to wear fancy clothes and sleep in a hotel bed. 

I remember lots of trips I was able to take with hubs when our kids were young and needing so much of me. My parents and in-laws both, were always willing to come and stay and cook and entertain and do the endless tasks that need doing, and I am probably even more grateful for that gift now than I was then. 

Oh I definitely appreciated it at the time but now that I'm getting a refresher course in the particular kind of exhaustion that comes with the daily parenting of small humans I'm feeling very tender towards my own mom and dad and hubs parents too. 

Forty four February 14ths with this guy by my side. We still make a good team. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 590

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Feb. 19th) to add your link to the party. See you there! 

1. Many of our earliest presidents created words or expressions widely used today. Teddy Roosevelt is credited with mollycoddle, pack rat, frazzle, and loose cannon...which of those words/phrases currently relates to your life in some way? 

2. Have you visited many (or any) of the US Presidents homes, monuments, libraries or related sites? If so what's been your favorite? Are there any you particularly want to see? Here's a link to presidential sites listed by state which is kind of fun to read-Presidential Places by State. And since several bloggers who participate in the HP each week live outside the US, here's a link to Presidential Places Outside the US. Have you seen any of those? 

3. February 20th is National Cherry Pie Day...will you celebrate? Given your choice of cherry pie, cherry cobbler, cheesecake with a cherry topping, or black forest cake which would you choose? 

4. Last time you worked a puzzle of some kind? Something that had you puzzled recently? 

5. Of the early blooming flowers (January-early March depending on your zone) which one's your favorite? 

snowdrops, lenten roses, pansies, violets, snapdragons, reticulated iris, crocus, winter jasmine

Do you have any of these in your own yard/garden? 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

A Love-ly Hodgepodge

Love is in the air in this week's edition of The Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered today's questions, add your link at the end of my post, then leave a love-ly comment for the blogger before you. Here we go- 

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did your team win? What's your favorite game day snack for  whatever sport is happening? 

I did watch the Super Bowl. Truthfully I slept through a fair chunk of the third quarter, but was really happy with the win. I grew up just across the bridge from Philly and the Eagles are my team. Hubs grilled wings and brats for dinner before the game and they were so good. My favorite game day snack would probably be nachos, which were not on the menu but are still my fave. 

2. What's your 'superpower'? 

Napping? Loading the dishwasher? 

3. Will you do anything special on Valentine's Day? If so do share. Any thoughts on/about this particular holiday? Share a favorite verse or quote relating to love. 

Daughter1 is in a wedding Valentine's Day weekend, one that requires travel, so we'll be home manning the fort. And by fort I mean the grands. We were invited to the wedding as the bride is a college friend of my daughter's, a sorority sister, and she was also her roommate in DC after college so we know and love her.

We decided to let the 'kids' have a weekend away and just enjoy their time together without us tagging along too. Also, we're tired and not up for another road trip at the moment. I'm sure staying home with the grands won't be tiring at all.  

A favorite verse-'For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.' Romans 8:38-39

4. Are you a fan of the rom-com genre? If so what's one of your favorites? If you're not a movie go-er then what about a book you love that features a great love story? How about a favorite love song? 

I like a rom-com now and then, but prefer legal thrillers, mysteries, or drama more. My favorite rom-coms are Sweet Home Alabama and When Harry Met Sally. There are probably others, but those two popped in to my head first. 

Books-The Thorn Birds would be one of my favorite love stories. 

Love Song-well there's no way I could pick just one. A few favorites are-More Today Than Yesterday by Spiral Staircase, Love Will Keep Us Alive by The Eagles, Everything by Michael Buble, How Deep Is Your Love by The Bee Gees, and for me and the hubs especially I Love You by Climax Blues Band. 

5. Let's get creative...write an acrostic using the word L-O-V-E. 

L-love is lots of things, including patient and kind

O-it offends not

V-values the other more than oneself

E-and endures all things

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

We had our wine club dinner Tuesday evening and it was as usual delish. One of the courses was filet tartare with tomato short rib stock, soy cured egg yolk and pickled vegetables. Have you ever tried tartare, and if so what did you think? 

When we lived in North Jersey hubs and I used to go in to the city and we would sometimes go to Sardis and order their tartar. It was served on a fancy platter with all kinds of garnishes and was so good. 

While I neglected to snap a photo of the tartare I did manage a picture of dessert. Priorities, right? Dessert was a hazelnut crunch bar with nutella drizzle and whipped cream. Yum! 

Thanks for joining in today...happy Wednesday and happy heart day! 

My Tuesday version of Hello Monday

I wanted to recap the weekend, but the weekend kind of wore me out. I posted my 10 on the 10th yesterday because I had written my answers to that prior to the weekend.  

Today it's Hello Monday on a Tuesday. It's fine. 

Also Monday was a blur too, so no rest for the weary I guess. 

Back to the weekend...hubs and I road tripped to daughter2's house on Friday because our littlest grand was celebrating her birthday. We ended up not getting on the road until almost noon because hubs needed to run an errand with my son-in-law and my daughter1 was out getting her haircut, which meant I was in charge of the grands for a couple of hours. 

We had an uneventful drive to Tennessee and listened to a book most of the way, the third in a series of legal thrillers we enjoy. (Book 3 is The Southern Killer by Peter O'Mahoney).  

The other set of grandparents beat us there and neither of us brought our dogs which was kind of nice. Having daughter1 in my house means we can leave the little brown dog with his 'birth mother' ha! She texted us a picture of my son-in-law taking him for a walk and hubs said he shouldn't get any big ideas. She texted back he will honor the adoption agreement. 

Friday night daughter2 made a really delicious baked spaghetti for dinner and we chatted and did a little bit of party prep before calling it a night. 

Saturday morning was the big day. Happy 1st birthday to this little sweetheart who is positively precious. 

The party had a heart theme because when your birthday is less than a week before Valentine's Day you might as well embrace all the hearts and shades of pink and red.

A year goes by in the blink of an eye. 

My son-in-law put a brisket on the smoker before we went to bed Friday night so we woke up to the aroma of that. The men spend a lot of time discussing time tables, temperatures, and taste whenever grilling is happening, but they love it and it's kind of cute to listen to them. Grilling is an art. 

Also, the brisket was sooo delicious. I think the best one yet, perfectly seasoned and perfectly cooked, and the texture was like butter. 

My daughter's mother-in-law and I got to work creating the balloon arch which would be attached to the bounce house. Go big or go home on a first birthday, right? These arches are far more time consuming than one would think, but I knew this from past experience. 

I loved the happy colors and the confetti balloons are so much fun. 

Sweet baby J would be happy with a balloon and nothing else. This whole pile was hard to resist. 

He did have himself a big time in that bounce house too though, which was a hit with all the littles. Friends started arriving around 3:30 and it was a party! My daughter and son-in-law have the nicest friends and we enjoy them a lot. 

Sugar was her usual sweet self and the star of the show even though she didn't know it. I always say first birthdays are for the parents...you have navigated a tiny human's first year of life and that should absolutely be celebrated.  

Daughter2 made a sheet cake from scratch with homemade strawberry icing and the prettiest sprinkles, then made a smaller heart shaped smash cake too.

It took baby girl a minute to figure out what to do with the smash cake, but big brother walked over and took a big bite out of one side and that was all it took. 

Sugar liked playing with the icing but wasn't interested in eating the cake. She's dainty like that. 

Also, it's hard to be the first born on the second born's birthday lol. At one point the other grandmother said to sweet baby J that he should let sissy have a turn at something because she's the birthday girl, to which he replied, 'Well I'm the birthday brother.' True little man. 

He's sweet with his sister and the first two gifts she opened (well, her momma opened) were darling little outfits so he wasn't too overwhelmed by that. 

We bought Sugar a baby doll stroller and then I got her momma's Bitty Baby out of the attic and put her in it. I wasn't sure I'd give her the doll this time or not, but when I pulled Bitty Baby (Julia as she's known here) out of the box she was stored in she was wearing her Valentine's Day dress, so how could I not? 

When everyone left we all crashed. We got up Sunday morning and got ready to hit the road. My son-in-law picked up donuts and hubs asked J to pick the Superbowl winner-

And he did! We got home about one and hubs got to work setting up the grill for his famous wings and brats. I slept through most of the third quarter, but was so happy with the win. The Eagles are my hometown team and they showed up for this one. 

And now somehow it's Tuesday and I have book club, and a tax organizer to finish, then a dinner to attend this evening. I thought February was quiet and dull?

Linking today with Hello Monday hosted by Holly and Sarah and Talking About It Tuesday hosted by Joanne

10 on the 10th ala Valentine's Day

We've had a busy busy weekend which included a road trip, so I think I'll save my recap for tomorrow (Tuesday) and join Marsha In The Middle for her monthly 10 on the 10th today. 

Feel free to play along and add your link on her blog. Every month is different and this month we have ten 'would you rather' style questions related to Valentine's Day. Here we go-

 

1. A cozy restaurant or cozied up at home in your jammies?

We typically try to cook something special or a little bit fancy together at home on Valentine's Day because restaurants are busy and often have set menus for the holiday. That being said, I feel like we've spent a lot of time cooking at home lately so a nice dinner out is really appealing. 

This year we'll be in charge of the grands over the Valentine's Day weekend while my daughter1 and her husband travel to a wedding. It's possible we'll be dining on pizza and that's okay too. 

2. Eat red velvet cake or wear red velvet? 

I'll have the slice of cake please. I love velvet fabric especially around the Christmas holidays, but I prefer the darker tones-black, emerald, navy. 

When my girls were little I did dress them in red velvet on occasion, but it's not a color/fabric combo I'd wear myself. 

3.  A heart shaped box of candy or a heart shaped piece of jewelry? 

It would depend on the jewelry. Some delicate heart shaped earrings? Yes please. I love these from Kendra Scott-

The little Kate Spade hearts are also really cute-

4. Reese's Pieces or a Reese's Heart?  

I'd be happy with either, but would probably opt for the Reese's Pieces. 

5. Watch a Valentine themed movie or an action movie? 

Is the Valentine movie any good or is it super cheesy? If it's the latter, then I'd rather watch an action movie. 

6. A box of chocolates or a less than perfect homemade card for my person? 

Can I just share the above mentioned Reese's Pieces with my person? They're one of his favorites. 

7. Iceland or Tahiti? 

Definitely Tahiti. I'd like a trip to Tahiti more than a cozy dinner in a restaurant or a cozy dinner at home in my jammies or a bag of Reese's Pieces or some heart shaped jewelry. 

8. Would my Valentine want me to sing At Last or I Don't Want To Miss A Thing? 

My Valentine wouldn't want me to sing lol. Are these my only choices because neither would be songs I'd sing? 

If I could sing I mean. 

Which I can't so there won't be singing. 

9. Celebrate for a week or not at all? 

I like the holiday, but a week might be a lot. Not at all sounds like the February equivalent of Scrooge. A single day feels just right. 

10. A really sour piece of candy or a Brussel sprout dipped in chocolate? 

Finally an easy one...sour candies are my favorite so will happily opt for that one. 

Hope your week is filled with the things and people you love. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 589

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here on Wednesday (Feb 12th) to add your link and share the love. See you there!  

1. Did you watch the Super Bowl? Did your team win? What's your favorite game day snack for  whatever sport is happening? 

2. What's your 'superpower'? 

3. Will you do anything special on Valentine's Day? If so do share. Any thoughts on/about this particular holiday? Share a favorite verse or quote relating to love. 

4. Are you a fan of the rom-com genre? If so what's one of your favorites? If you're not a movie go-er then what about a book you love that features a great love story? How about a favorite love song? 

5. Let's get creative...write an acrostic using the word L-O-V-E. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Sugar Sugar...

Someone especially sweet is celebrating a birthday today...

Dear Sugar, 

Today you are ONE. Time seems to move faster with every passing year and while I know that's something 'old' people say, it feels so true. 

Also, Pawpaw and I are not really old, it's just that sometimes five grandchildren can fool us into thinking we are. 

You, my precious girl, have been pure sweetness from day one. You have what I call a whole body smile. When you smile, which is almost all the time, your whole face lights up (mine too!) and your whole body seems to feel the joy. You can make any day better and brighter, which is a gift I hope you never lose. 

You've been walking for a few weeks now, which has opened up a whole new world to explore. You dearly love your big brother and want whatever he has. He makes you laugh and loves you to bits too, and is so patient with you (most of the time).

You have your momma's big blue eyes and love seeing Daddy walk through the door. You like being outside, getting in to brother's toys, bath time, books, noodles, and music. You're also a climber which keeps everyone on their toes. 

You are the beautiful caboose on our cousin train and we all adore you. We can't remember what it was like not to know you and we're so glad you're ours. 

Happy birthday sweet Sugar. You are so very easy to love, and I pray you always smile as big and as freely as you have in this first year of your life. Know your Nana loves you deep and wide xo

"But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him." 

Jeremiah 17:7