Hey Monday

A quick reminder I'm hosting a Day In The Life linkup for anyone interested on Thursday, June 18

Good Monday morning friends. How was your weekend? Ours was a scorcher filled with fun, family, and livin' the lake life. I'm linking as usual with Holly and Sarah for their weekend recap hop, and here's how ours looked-

My younger sister was in town with her hubs and son for the weekend. Well, nearby anyway. They're here mainly to visit my mama, so staying with my older sister who lives about an hour from me. They had plans to come to the lake for dinner so I spent Friday morning baking dessert, making an appetizer for Saturday's activities which are unrelated to Friday night's activities, and getting the house ready. 

Speaking of dessert...

pre-glaze

This recipe is a keeper. Everyone loved them. They're a strawberry lemon blondie made with fresh strawberries and freshly squeezed lemon juice. 

The strawberry glaze is made with pureed strawberries and it absolutely takes an already yummy bar to the next level. The glaze is sweet but the bars are not overly so and they're scrumptious. 

Family arrived here about 4 and my sister and her hubs and son immediately jumped in the lake. It was hot and humid with temps in the 90's so the water was welcome. I sat up on the porch with my other sister and we caught up. It was a fun and relaxed afternoon and evening. 

Hubs grilled wings, hot wings and teriyaki both, and they were delicious. I'd made a big pan of baked ziti on Thursday, and I love this recipe. I tweak it a little, but mostly prepare as written. I wanted something I could make ahead so I could hang with my family. The ziti just needed to be baked and then I added a salad and garlic bread to the meal. 

After dinner we went for a boat ride. 

It was still steamy but there was a nice breeze as we were cruising. 

The sky was so pretty, and as they pulled out of the driveway to head home the sunset did its thing. 

Saturday morning hubs and I sipped coffee on the deck and watched a lot of videos of Europeans visiting America for the first time and absolutely loving it. The messaging they get from their home country's news isn't matching up with the beauty, the wonder, and the kindness found in America, particularly the south and the heartland which is where many of these travelers are visiting. What they're seeing with their own eyes and experiencing in their interactions with people is giving them a new narrative and I am here for it.

There's a portion of Americans who could learn something from them, but I guess I won't get on my soapbox today. 

We were invited on Saturday to celebrate a friend's retirement with a ginormous lake float party. They were serving BBQ, but everyone was asked to bring something based on the first initial of their last name which meant an appetizer for us. I made pickled shrimp which is always a hit.  

Friends picked us up on our dock and we motored over to join 100 of our closest friends for an  afternoon of floating, great music and delicious food.

Fanciest port-a-potty ever-

The band was fantastic. Seriously so good playing a mix of 70's-80's and 90's music. 

It was a scorcher too so hanging out in the water was perfect. 

Sunday we went to church, then came home and had lunch and a rainstorm. 

I spent the afternoon catching up on my blog and resting up for Sunday evening when our Vacation Bible School would kick off. I'm doing preschool and kindergarten crafts so it should be fun chaos. VBS always is. 

If you recapped your weekend hop over and add your link to the party.