Five On Friday

Friday is upon us and with it another letter in the A-Z... 

P is for Patience 

'the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, 

or suffering without getting angry or upset'

Since it's Friday and it's been a busy week and we're all running on fumes in the April A-Z Blog challenge I'm keeping it simple. Five things I've learned relating to my word of the day....

1. Patience is a quality I admire and appreciate in others, and one I want displayed in my own life too. I have always been a very patient person. The world is so noisy and demanding and impatient, and I aim to be counter cultural in this regard. 

2. That being said, I'm surprised to find I have less patience for a lot of things in this season. I thought the reverse would be true. Discovering my fuse has shortened some is disheartening. Maybe it's got less to do with aging and more to do with the cranky state of the world that has strained my patience? I'm hoping that's true.

3. I want the people I love to have patience with me too. Cultivating patience helps us avoid impulsive actions and also impulsive words. When I'm patient I'm not giving control over to a person or situation that's causing stress and as a result I have the energy and clarity of mind to deal with whatever needs to be dealt with. 

4. That's the goal of course, but like most things in life it takes practice. We all get plenty of it.  

5. Most importantly patience leads to another p word-peace. Patience is a fruit of the Spirit....a deliberate choice to trust God's timing and leave room for Him to work. Slow to anger the way God is with me. 

May you feel the peace only He can bring on this good Good Friday friends.

'Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time 

we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.' Galatians 6:9

Friday Favorites

Trying to jot down some of life's little happies this month...linking with Erika and Andrea today for their Friday Favorites party. I always aim for five. ish. 

Holiday Dinner Parties 

We had friends over for dinner Monday night. Yes Monday. I know!! But sometimes a spontaneous weekday dinner party works well for everyone. The weekends are filled with activity and a relaxed dinner with friends on a weeknight is really enjoyable. 

Hubs made a yummy holiday cocktail called Rudolph's Tipsy Punch and it was a hit (recipe linked here). Earlier in the day I opened a box in the garage looking for something and landed on these fun glasses we forgot we bought last year. Perfect for our gathering.

Bonus, hubs sugared cranberries to add to the garnish. 

I love a pretty place setting, Christmas dishes, candlelight, and friends around the dining room table. Question-do you post pics of friends on your blog without mentioning it to them first? I typically do not. 

I didn't take a picture of the main, but I made Pioneer Woman's Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp which was served over Pasta al Limone (recipe here) . I've made the shrimp before and normally just serve it with bread for sopping up the juices, but felt like we needed something more substantial to go with this meal. We loved the pasta and I'll definitely repeat this whole dinner. 

Including the pie, which I already posted on the blog once this week but it deserves another mention.

Holiday Fashion

In other holiday news, hubs bought me this cute sweatshirt and I love it. It's comfy, warm but not too bulky, and the sleeves are the right length. 

The sleeves! All my grands are listed there which makes me smile. 

Scattered Smothered And Covered 

Hubs had a doctor's appointment first thing Tuesday morning so I tagged along because he asked me to. We had a Waffle House date on the way home. 

Don't knock it til you've tried it. 

Christmas To-Do's Getting Done

It took me most of the day Wednesday, but I finally finished wrapping all the gifts I needed to send via the US Mail. I kind of wanted to do a little dance when I left the post office. So nice to have everything mailed that needed mailing. 

I had a completely free day on Thursday. Not a thing on the calendar which is so rare. Normally on Thursdays I volunteer, but a church had people filling the slot this week so I sipped coffee in my pjs til 9:30, Facetimed with my daughter, then baked cookies and dehydrated some oranges old school (aka in the oven) for a little project I have plans for this weekend. It was nice. 

A Cuppa and a Homemade Cookie 

Ended the day with a cup of tea in my favorite Christmas mug-

I'm off to the salon this morning. Today is 'make my hair great again' and that is for sure a favorite. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

Five Things On A Friday

 Linking with Erika and Andrea today and sharing a few favorites from the week that was...

1. My sister was going through some of my mom's boxes (my mom lives with her) and she sent me this-

A Father's day card I made when I was in elementary school. Here's what I wrote inside...

Comparing him to the father of our country and the patriarch of Israel. Not bad for a ten year old. 

My dad was not a man who gushed and the fact that he saved this makes it feel extra special to me. 

2. Luggage. Go big or go home. I bought the world's biggest suitcase before our trip and I'm not even kidding. A stranger in an elevator even commented on the size, and hubs had a lot to say about it too lol. 

Also, I loved it. Empty it weighed just 8 lb, which given it's size wasn't much, and it rolled like a dream. I wore every single item of clothing I brought with me and I had a jacket for hubs and his shaving bag in there too. The brand is Travel Pro Maxlite 5 Breakaway (I chose slate green) and I bought these cute luggage tags (Amazon) to go with-

It's the little things, right? 

3. These shoes-

They're the Skechers Virtue Show Runners and I got them in navy. They came in my last Stitch Fix box and I love them. 

I told the stylist I would be traveling and doing a lot of walking and the comfort factor with these is five star. They're light weight and run true to size. I'm thinking about getting a second pair. 

4. This coat-

True story...I lived in this coat the second week of our trip. I paid 25 pounds (roughly 32$) for it at the Super Tesco near my daughter's home. Yes, I bought a coat at the grocery store. It's got a fleece lining, a hood, is water resistant, and the pockets are perfect. 

I brought my Barbour coat with me but forgot the hood and I also inadvertently left my rain jacket at home (still filled that giant suitcase though lol). It wasn't a problem week one because the weather was amazing, but the Sunday before hubs and I were to head to York I could see there was rain in the forecast.

I was kicking myself for leaving my rain jacket behind, and my daughter suggested I try the local grocery store (this one also has clothing, etc so more like a Walmart). Voila! 

It's so cozy comfy and definitely saved the day. 

5. Our outdoor project. It's mostly done. Not 100% which is the goal, but we plan to break in the BBQ bar this weekend. 

The project was basically three pieces-the waterfall, the BBQ bar, and the outdoor dining space under the screened porch. This is the view looking down from the porch above. 

Prior to the project we had riverstone underneath the screened porch. Almost as soon as we built the house hubs was wishing we'd made this area a patio. Until we took the riverstone away I didn't realize how big the space was. 

We added pavers in their place and we're waiting on a fan and some twinkle lights to be installed in that section. This is the lower level of our house and we mainly use these garages for storage and a little car hubs gets out from time to time. Mostly we use this driveway for cornhole so it will be nice to have the grilling bar right there. There's room for some bar stools but add that to the list of things we need to buy. 

I don't have a picture of the actual dining space but once we get the fan and the lights and some furniture in there I'll share. I have family coming for dinner on Sunday and we'll probably use the space with our current table and a folding table and that will be fun too. 

Have a nice weekend everyone! 

Friday Favorites Ho Ho Ho

I had every intention of blogging yesterday, but that didn't happen. About a million little things happened instead and that's life sometimes. I've been itching to write about something more than weekend happenings and home improvement but that requires a clearer head than I have at the moment, so a lot about a little it is.

1. Our backyard project. The project itself is not my favorite thing, but I know the end result will be. Once the barge issue was resolved things got rolling. The guys doing the work have laid plywood down one side of the driveway to move equipment from the front yard to the back and so far so good. 

I mean it's a lot for them because the project involves a lot of heavy rock, but they're not complaining and made a good start this week. I keep them supplied with water, gatorade, and a big tub of snacks because that's what I know. 

I was part of the original planning of the project, hubs and I together met with the construction manager, saw the plans and the budget blah, blah, blah but you know how these things go. Or maybe you don't, but how it goes is quite often a new decision needs to be made on the spot, and why does that only happen when hubs is out??? 

He's sticking close to home for the most part, but had two appointments yesterday so naturally the guys wanted me to make sure they had all the pieces in the correct spot, correct height, correct everything. Huh? 

I know from my description this doesn't sound much like a favorite but honestly it is. Forward motion is good. 

2. As if all of the above were not enough, I've had painters at my house two full days this week, and they'll be back on Monday to finish up the guest suite bathroom. It's a big change in terms of color and I absolutely love it. This room has needed zhuzzing for a long while now, and I'm so happy it's finally getting zhuzzed. I will post pictures when it's finished and I have the artwork back from the framer. 

The decorator hung out here most of the morning while they worked and by the time the painters were wrapping up I'd gotten her advice on a very long list of things I'd like to do here. 

3. Next up is this post my daughter wrote. I love it so much-

Our New Normal

4. Morning coffee. We normally have our coffee on the upstairs deck, but the early morning weather has been so nice this week that we sat right here with our coffee instead. 

5. Christmas shopping. 

No haters please. I'm not an early shopper under normal circumstances, in fact I'm pretty much a December shopper, but I'm trying to get myself in gear so I can take gifts for my grands (and their mom and dad too) when we visit in the not too distant future. Congratulating myself for ordering all the jammies in August. Whoohoo!

Linking today with Friday Favorites hosted by Andrea and Erika....Merry Christmas and happy weekend everyone! 

A Few Of My Favorite Friday Things

I wrote a post Monday (linked here) recapping our houseful, but wanted to share a few more favorite things from the past week on the blog today. 

While my youngest daughter and her littles went home last Friday, my oldest daughter and her family were here with us until Wednesday. On Wednesday we loaded up in two vehicles, that is the in-laws in one car with dad and the two boys, and then hubs and I in the other car with momma and her little miss, for the trek to the Atlanta airport and their flight to the UK.  

Two kids dragging backpacks of their own, momma wearing the baby pushing a cart loaded with three huge bags, dad pushing a wagon carrying a car seat and then pulling a cart with another two ginormous  bags, and whew! They're rockstars!  

They will be living in England for the next six months, and believe me when I say one of my favorite things currently is knowing I have a trip already booked and on the calendar. 

For the record, airport goodbyes are not my favorite.

Let's talk fun...linking up today with Andrea and Erika for this week's edition of Friday Favorites. 

1. A 'Grand' Summer Bucket List- I like to ask the two oldest grands what they want to do when they visit, and then I make a little bucket list/chart, hang it on the side of a kitchen cabinet, and they can check off as we go. They enjoy the checking and remind me when I forget. 

This year's chart included the usual swimming-boating-fishing type of activities plus a few newbies as well...paddle boarding, the jumbo Connect 4...

...a trip to the Fish Hatchery, and jello pie. 

2. Jello Pie-have you had this? 

In this picture I hadn't spread the whipped cream over the top yet, but you get the idea. Hubs has very fond memories of his grandmother making him jello pie as a child. He told me it was plain strawberry jello poured into a graham cracker crust, topped with sliced bananas and topped with cool whip. I wasn't convinced, but he really wanted the boys to try it. 

First of all, I don't do Cool Whip. I know some people love it, but homemade whipped cream is so easy and a thousand times better. Also, jello pie? I went to Pinterest and found a variation of hubs grandmom's technique, and the boys helped me put it together. 

I was out of bananas so used strawberries instead and they were yummy. Hubs assures me the bananas are possibly more delicious but then childhood memories are hard to beat. The boys helped make the jello, and my 'recipe' had you add a little cornstarch and less water so it was more like that filling you get in fresh strawberry pie. I think I really wanted strawberry pie and hubs had his heart set on the jello version. This one made everybody happy. 

We stirred the sliced strawberries into the mixture, then poured that into the crust. I'd purchased a large box of jello, but the recipe only called for 3 ounces so I mixed up the rest of the jello as directed on the box. Because the strawberry mixture only half filled the pie shell I went ahead and poured the rest of the regular jello on top to set. It worked. 

I have to say, it was so tasty. Surprisingly light and refreshing and the boys thought it was a big treat. Hubs too! 

3. Paddleboarding. Y'all. My six year old grandson jumped on the paddleboard on day one and navigated like a pro from the word go. Even the four and a half year old could manage without a lot of help. We made the paddles shorter after their first try and that was even better. 

The mancub had to literally be pushed off the board and into the water if you wanted a turn. He absolutely loved it, and while he used to spend all day running off the dock he's now spending all day on the paddleboard.  I mean he still loves running off the dock, but the paddleboard is his new favorite.

4. Water skiing-

Friday night we went for a quick boat ride so Daughter1 could waterski. She hadn't skiied in a few years, mostly because she's birthed three children in the last seven, but she is her father's daughter in terms of coordination. Popped right up without even thinking about it. 

Her children thought she was amazing. 

She pretty much is. 

5. My people-

We've had no less than nine people in the house, eating, sleeping, and playing since July 14th. The level of activity from sun up to sun down has been something like mach ten. The volume too. 

There's been swimming and boating and jumping and games and books and movies and outdoor showering and indoor legos and meals eaten...so.many.meals. We've talked and laughed and applied sunscreen and reapplied sunscreen and we've sipped a lot of coffee. We tried to take a few pictures too, but this crew was not having it so we let that go. 

Yesterday it was back to just me and the hubs, and the silence is deafening.  

The house needs cleaning from top to bottom, every sheet and towel is in the process of being either washed or dried and folded, the frig needs wiping down, the windows too because little hands and noses need to press against the glass for a really good look at the world around them. 

Not gonna lie...the transition from full to something less than that takes time. We give ourselves a lot of grace and space to reset the house and our heads too. It takes a few days to get back into the rhythms of regular life, but we'll get there. We always do. 

Girls who grow up and grow families of their own, who keep touching home plate whenever they can... definitely one of my favorite things. 

Five On Friday

Actually I have seven not all that important things to share but Seven On Friday isn't a thing in the blog world and Five on Friday is. Quite often you have to use your imagination here. 

1. It's been a really rainy day here and we've taken advantage of the 'at home' time to get a few things done that needed doing. We've been gone more than we've been home these past two months and it feels good to slow down (ish) and catch our breath before the holidays roll in.  

2-I'm so excited to have my whole crew here for Christmas this year and we got the very first bit of decorating done today. I don't put my Snow Village out every year because the set up/take down is a bit tedious, but I know the grands will love it so up it went. 

I love it too. Takes me back to Christmases at my momma's as some of these buildings used to be hers. 

We won't put up any trees until after Thanksgiving, but I'm doing bits and pieces starting now to get  ready for the holidays. I've got my card sorted, stockings ordered for the two newest littles, and a few gifts bought. Baby steps. 

3. Last weekend daughter2 and her hubs and the cutest little boy in the world spent the weekend at a college reunion in Charleston. 

We were on their route home Sunday so they stopped for an overnight visit. We loved the unexpected snuggles with this munchkin. 

I could eat him up with a spoon. We Facetimed with the cousins and I cannot wait to have all four grands in the same house at the same time. 

42 days, not that I'm counting. 

4-We started watching the new season of The Crown and I have to say I'm not loving it as much as I enjoyed the previous seasons. I think the Diana storyline is still too fresh, and it feels strange to see the current royals in the news, then watch them fictionalized on tv. I bet it feels strange to them too. 

5-I loved the Amor Towles novel, A Gentleman in Moscow, and I saw this week it's being made into a Showtime movie starring Ewan McGregor. I'm excited.

6-This was the entrance to our neighborhood just a few days ago-

I'm sure all this rain will mean the end of the gorgeous color but we have really soaked it up these past several weeks. We've had beautiful moonlit nights too and while I love summer, it's the autumn skies that are my favorite. 

7-Heading to a little neighborhood Veteran's Day recognition ceremony this evening. My heart is so tender towards all who serve and towards their families too. I grew up in a military family and am not sure I truly appreciated the load my mother so often carried in my father's absences due to wars and other responsibilities relating to his service. 

And now I have a son-in-law in the Army and their various postings have once again given me the chance to spend time around the military community. These men and women and their families give so much that goes mostly unrecognized and is very often under appreciated  I'm glad we have this day to acknowledge all those who have served. 

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation 

is not to utter words, but to live by them." ~John F. Kennedy

A Nana's Prayer

You may be glad to know I do have a plan for some of the letters coming up in the A-Z Blog Challenge, which doesn't help with today but!... Daughter2 to the rescue.  I threw out the letter and she volleyed back with hopes and dreams so that's where we're headed today. What do I hope for my grandsons?

H is for Hopes and Dreams

I hope they know Jesus. I don't mean acknowledge His existence but really know Him.

I hope they talk to Him regularly and daily seek His will. 

I hope they choose wives one day who do the same. 

I hope they stay close and connected at heart, even if geography lands them miles apart.

I hope they are slow to anger and quick to forgive.

I hope they honor their parents all the days of their lives. 

I hope they're grateful. 

I hope they do the right thing when no one is looking.

I hope they are ever curious. 

I hope they see the world. 

I hope they are daring, not reckless. 

I hope they find beauty in small things.

I hope they laugh a lot. 

I hope they live their lives seeing the glass half full.

photo credit : Sincerely-Shannon

And I hope they're still best friends when they are old and gray. 

These are my hopes, and also my prayer. 

Five Things Friday

Three posts in the same week-whoohoo! I haven't done that in a while. And there's not even a whole lot to say or maybe there's too much to say? but either way it feels good to try to get back into some sort of rhythm here. 

I say that a lot but maybe this time it will stick. 

Since it's Friday let's go with an old fashioned list of five unrelated things, which used to be a regular occurrence in the blog world on Fridays. Like most things online the blog world is also topsy turvy, but don't worry...today's post won't strain your brain.  

1. This bit of loveliness bloomed big on Wednesday and makes me so happy. 

2. Daughter2 teaches in a snowy state and y'all!!...her students tote their snowpants and boots to school and she helps her entire little flock of 7-year old cuties get into that gear and then outside for recess. Prior to moving to said snowy state the bride spent her entire teaching career in the sunny south so helping a classroom full of second graders into snow gear every day is something new for her. 

I'm so happy they are in person learning and also in person playing. And I guess if they didn't go outside when the playground was covered in snow they wouldn't go outside for a big chunk of the year, so hooray for parents who remember to send snow pants and hooray for teachers doing what needs to be done.  

3. Remember this? 

Three months later and the repair is almost complete. Crazy I know, but the windows for the dormer were backordered and didn't arrive in the shop until January. They couldn't finish the dormer rebuild without the windows and then there were a bunch of other things that needed to happen, but they're happening now and it's just about done. I've almost forgotten what my house looks like without the blue tarp front and center. 

The sky looks almost the same today as it did three months ago. 

Minus the hurricane thank goodness.  

This post is interesting so far, isn't it? Ha! 

4. Something else you'll find super interesting...the TV situation here. It's so annoying. Hubs would add the amount of time I've spent mentioning how annoying I find the whole thing is also annoying but whatever. 

In hindsight we are wishing we'd made a different choice, and probably if we'd been less distracted during the sales call we would have. The agent, who was perfectly nice, turned up at our front door at 6 PM on a chilly evening, three days before the wedding. We reluctantly listened to his entire lengthy spiel and conducted all the signing and account set up on our front porch, six feet apart, because we weren't letting anyone whose level of Covid exposure we didn't know inside the house two days before the wedding. It just seemed easier to say yes, plus the new option was quite a bit less expensive which at the time seemed worth it. Now not so much. 

We're not tech people. I just want to turn on the tv in a single step and have it work. Same for my computer, although the internet portion seems fine. Long story long, hubs called in the professionals and we have someone (not the cable company!) coming to sort everything out for us and I really hope I don't have to be present for the sorting. Ha! Just make it work please and thank you. 

5. Let's finish on a high note...the winter sunrise sky. Swoon! 

Happy Weekend Everyone...may your souls find rest and beauty there.