A Rather Nice Hodgepodge

Welcome to June and 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 comment for the blogger before you. Here we go-

1.What's something you find extremely difficult that most people would say is simple?

Directions. As in how to get from A-B and where in the world am I lol. I have absolutely no sense of direction. On the one hand I'm thankful for GPS, but it also makes me a little lazy.  I quite often rely on it, and don't worry too much about finding my way. 

Also, if you're telling me how to get somewhere don't give me any of that east west nonsense. Is there a McDonalds on the corner or a Texaco? I need a landmark. Sometimes when we're hiking and I'm unsure of which way to go hubs will say something insane like, 'How can you not know where you are??? You know where the sun is in the sky.' Huh?? 

2.  "And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, just as things grow fast in movies I  had that familiar conviction that life was beginning over again with the summer." 

~F. Scott Fitzgerald

Does the season of summer make you feel this way? Elaborate. 

September is when this feeling hits for me. Years of living life by the school calendar is likely the reason why, but September always feels like a fresh start. Technically September is the end of summer, although I tend to think of it more as the beginning of autumn. 

3. Pickles. Love 'em or no thank you? What's your favorite type of pickle? What's something you eat that definitely needs a pickle added?

I love them in all forms and I love cucumbers before they become pickles too. My favorite is probably a crisp dill pickle, but I also love bread and butter pickles. 

Something I eat that needs a pickle added? A burger needs a dill pickle slice, tuna salad needs some chopped pickle, a hot dog needs pickle relish, and while not a requirement I do like pickle on a deli sandwich. 

4. Tis the season...do you know any June brides? Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite movie wedding? 

I'm a June bride...

We don't have any weddings on our June calendar, but we do have a July wedding this year. It will be red, white, and HOT, but lots of fun too. I love a wedding. 

My favorite movie wedding? 

Maria and the Captain in The Sound of Music ranks right up there, but I also love the wedding scene in Crazy Rich Asians. 

5. June 1st is/was National Say Something Nice Day...say something nice here. 

I think the Hodgepodge is one of the nicest little corners of the Internet. Thanks for playing along each week!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Since we're talking nice...

A neighbor brought me some of her gorgeous hydrangeas. They're even prettier in person. We have hydrangeas in our yard too, but they're just starting to bloom, and none in this color. So pretty!! 

A reminder I'm hosting A Day In The Life link up here on Thursday, June 18th.  If you don't know what that is check out last week's Hodgepodge random thought for details. 

1011 Photos Are Worth At Least 1000 Words

The problem is where do I begin? 

How 'bout I do what I always do and just dive in hoping somehow everything will make sense in the end?  I'm going to link all of our vendors whenever I can because they were the best. The best of the best. There was not a single vendor who disappointed and in fact there are a couple I would like to adopt. 

Let's start with the before. The getting ready and the butterflies and the girl time spent in the world's loveliest bridal suite. 

Daughter2 had three bridesmaids and one maid of honor (in absentia because of the %#?! you know what). Everyone rallied though, and when we learned the maid of honor wouldn't be able to travel from the other side of the world, Daughter2's cousin swooped in with a sweet phone call to the bride saying she would be her girl. She would hold the flowers and smooth the dress and cry all the happy tears and so she did. 

Having a cousin stand beside you, someone who has known and loved you since the day you were born, is the next best thing to your sister being there. 

photo:Chris Isham Photography

The morning of the big day we girls all donned yoga pants and our super cute monogrammed shirts (mine said mother of the bride on the pocket) and transported all of our dresses, shoes, jewelry, wraps and at least 99 other assorted necessities over to the bridal suite located in the event venue. It only took three carloads to get it all there, but once we were in we settled for the duration. 

photo:mob iphone

The groom's mama also joined the party wearing her matching 'mother of the groom' shirt, and the bride invited her soon-to-be sister-in-law, who was reading scripture at the ceremony, to spend the day with us too. We had mimosas, snacks, and sandwiches brought in by our caterer and everyone rotated in and out of the salon chairs for hair and makeup courtesy of the fabulous Latia Curtis and Co. 

photo: fob iphone

It happened to be Latia's birthday and we all so enjoyed spending the day with her. She and her team took such good care in getting our hair and makeup just right, and honestly I'm still a little bit obsessed with the way she did mine.

Is it okay to post a picture of the bride mid-do?

photo: mob iphone

Yes, because I asked. Plus she's never not adorable and she's wearing my wedding dress in the form of a getting ready bridal robe, which needs documenting here.  

photo: mob iphone

Meanwhile, the boys were off on their own, bonding over haircuts and razor shaves at a nearby men's salon, then getting themselves into their wedding wear so they would be on time. Our wedding planner (Beckon Events) was so on top of the day's timetable I did not have to give it one minute's thought. 

photo: Chris Isham photography

Do you need to know this level of detail?
Probably not, but I need to write it anyway. 

The bride and groom opted for a 'first look' which allowed a lot of the wedding party pics to be taken prior to the ceremony. I especially loved how relaxed everyone felt by doing things in this order.

photo: Chris Isham photography

These first looks are so so tender. In some ways I think both the bride and groom fully appreciate the moment more than trying to take everything in from the altar and aisle. Daughter2 also has a blog (what can I say-we girls like to talk) and I'm sure she'll have much more to say about this particular part of her day. You can read her words here-It's Elementary

Dad got a first look too. Hubs did not want to see either of his daughters in their wedding dresses prior to their big day. There's a tap on the shoulder and you turn around and see this-

photo credit: Chris Isham Photography

Except I'm pretty sure what he saw was this-

Dads and their daughters are somethin' else y'all.  

Monday Miscellaney

It started out a gray Monday here today and we made a wasted trip to the DMV which is a little snapshot of how it's going so far. Who knew you could make an appointment at the DMV? I think it's a grand idea and will put that in the plus column when sorting Corona fallout, but of course knowing it's a thing would have been even better.  

I try to take care of all DMV business online, but this task requires an in person visit so hubs masked up and went in, paperwork in hand, and they told him without an appointment it would be an hour and forty-five minute wait. An hour and forty five minutes!! And oh yeah, don't leave the parking lot. 

So we left the parking lot and ate Mexican food instead. Much better. 

Let's talk about last week when Daughter2 was in the house and the weather was glorious and we enjoyed a  leisurely fall boat ride in our own backyard. We accidentally took the dog which does put a little kink in your level of relaxation, but nobody wanted to tell him he wasn't going and he was all in. 

He is always all in. When he's wearing his life jacket he thinks he's going for a swim and he was not going for a swim. 

Which took some convincing. 

Hubs and I have not had a 'day out date ' in a while so we made plans Friday to drive over to a nearby mountain town for lunch, browsing the shops, and leaf peeping. It sprinkled a little but was still a gorgeous ride up and over, and the color was lovely. 

fyi-we were not the only ones who thought a day out was a good idea. The place was hoppin'! 

Highlands is a charming little burg with loads of fantastic eateries, beautiful homes, and plenty of shops all plunked down in the middle of a scenic mountain landscape. I don't think I'd want to live here because it's a destination and has destination-like traffic but it is a great day out, and a trip to the mountains helps clear my head. 

Daughter2 had a little bridesmaid weekend with her girls, minus her favorite sister, and she brought me back a fun little mug as a gift. There are many things that make my girls think of me, but tops on the list are London and hedgehogs. Not related in any way shape or form except to say my run in with the hedgehog occurred while we lived near London. 

Also, run-in might be overstating things. More like an encounter but I shrieked a lot so maybe my girls will say run-in is accurate.  

I know, I know it's too early for Christmas mugs, and I'm someone who doesn't like to rush the holidays, but I'm going to rush it for a quick minute. I had a cup of coffee in it last night, snapped a picture in front of the candy corn so as not to confuse anyone about which holiday is happening now (aren't we all confused about the day-time-month-season???) then put it back in the cabinet until Thanksgiving has come and gone. 

Happy Monday and Merry Halloween everyone!

Saturday Summertime Sweetness

The world is a bit of a drag these days, but rest assured there's still sweetness to be found. Catching up on some of that goodness here today and not mentioning the long list of things making me crazy. It's a choice y'all.

Let's roll it all the way back to last weekend when we trekked over to a semi-nearby South Carolina town and my daughter's future in-laws. Fun fact-both my girls m-i-l's have the same first name.

Anyhoo, celebrations in the age of Corona are a lot of work and a bit of a brain drain. The hostess has to think about a thousand little details that would never have occured to anyone in the pre-virus days of hosting parties.

Things like space between tables, disposable towels in the powder room and disposable masks too for anyone needing to come inside. How to serve food without anyone actually touching the utensils (a masked server with a gloved hand because hi it's 2020), and of course the weather is a worry because we need to be outdoors and it's a bazillion degrees in July, and we want people to come, but not too many people and whew! It's a lot.

Flowers and hand sanitizer as seen on Pinterest. Well maybe not but it should be.

In spite of all the hurdles daughter2's future in-laws did a wonderful job of making the whole event feel so special and I know the bride and groom felt well loved and well celebrated.

Even the sky on our drive home was cheering them on.

The soon-to-be-marrieds came back to our house for a couple of days and spent most of that time packing up Daughter2's belongings for her move north. Not going to elaborate on that because this post is all about sweet things, remember? I might mention it some other day when I'm telling you about all the things that make the mothers of grown children simultaneously sigh and smile, but that day is not today.

We enjoyed a lovely leisurely dinner one night at a place on the lake, and I'm here to tell you going to dinner by boat is definitely sweet.

The sun was setting as we motored home and it was an all around picture perfect evening.

Tuesday hubs and I met neighbors for tacos at a spot we enjoy. You eat at wide tables on the patio and the servers wear masks and it's not completely normal but it did feel almost normal. As normal as things can feel in this very strange season.

Speaking of not normal we've had some wicked storms this week, but the upside to all that is this-

God keeps His promises.

Yesterday hubs and I packed a picnic lunch, loaded up the boat, and headed to one of the beachy islands in our lake. There are many, but we'd never set up in this particular spot before and we loved it.  All tucked away in a cove away from boaters and people and everything.



The weather was sunny, hot, and humid aka perfect for swimming, fishing, and reading...

Forgetting for a moment all the turmoil in this upside down world and counting our blessings instead.

Still Finding Sweetness

Earlier this summer I wrote a summertime sweetness post, and then another, and today there's another. In this season like no other it's good to seek out beauty, to notice the small things, and to feel grateful. Here's a few things on my list today-

A scrunchy faced baby boy who makes my heart soar from an ocean away-

photo cred: sincerely shannon 

Weekends. We like to say when you're retired everyday is the weekend, and it kind of is, but somehow they still manage to feel like an exhale when an exhale is needed. We finally had a full weekend of gorgeous summertime weather and spent all day Saturday out of doors.

My sister and brother-in-law and my niece and her fiance came for a late morning brunch on the patio and it was fun to catch up in person after months of not catching up in person.

These adorable cousins are both brides-to-be, and it's so much fun to be in this planning season together.

Normally we come and go a lot round here, but one of the blessings of not coming and going is all our plants are getting lots of tlc and it shows. They're blooming and thriving in a time when life feels the opposite.

We've tried to get a mandevilla to climb this little trellis several summers in a row and it seems 2020 is her year. She has been showing off all summer and it makes me so happy to step out on my deck and see her bright pink blooms.

Hubs superhot chili pepper plant is loaded and nearly ready for picking too.

Nothing sweeter than a summertime 'mater samich with a side of Duke's.

If you could read that and were nodding your head, you might be from the southland.

The lake is always a little busier on the weekends so we try to save our boating for later in the day on Saturdays. Sunset cruises are my favorite anyway, and I love watching the sky change as clouds move about and the sun sinks low-

Sunday afternoon we hit the neighborhood pool for a swim and had the place pretty much to ourselves.

My book is good. Ha! The Huntress by Kate Quinn. Bonus, someone has been crafty during this time of #stayhome and left sweet reminders all around the neighborhood. We found this one at the pool.

This morning I was up before the birds and the mowers and the buzz of ordinary Monday morning life and I took a deep breath of quiet stillness to help carry me into a somewhat busy week.

Busy for us retirees anyway.

Which in the scheme of things is not all that busy, but there are more than a few things on the calendar so it feels busy-ish.

Hope you found the sweetness of summer in your weekend too!

It's A Grand Ol' Hodgepodge

Welcome to the Wednesday Hodgepodge. If you've answered this week's questions, add your link at the end of my post then go say howdy to the blogger linking before you. Here we go-

1. Are you currently making plans of any kind? What kind? What emotions are associated with the planning process? Tell us about one plan you had to cancel due to the current situation which shall remain nameless. Ha!

As far as current planning goes we're trying to make some wedding plans for Daughter2 and her groom. How does it feel? A wee bit complicated. Also exciting, joyful, overwhelming, and fabulous. Taking it in small chunks and making the best decisions we can with the information we have at hand which, quite honestly, is conflicting depending on who what when where the information comes from.  

On a smaller scale, we're trying to make plans to see my sister in a couple of weeks and praying everyone stays well in the meantime. 

One plan we were forced to cancel due to you know what was a birthday luncheon celebration for my mom in N.J. She has done so well during this crazy at home time and I'm so sad we're not going to be able to mark her big day as we'd hoped. Still, my brother and younger sister live in her neck of the woods, and will have a small outdoor party for just the six of them, and no matter where we are in the world she's still my mama and I thank God every day for giving her to me. Me to her? Either way, I'm truly grateful for the way she has loved, supported, and prayed for me all of my life.

2. Last time you saw stars, either literally or figuratively?

Literally seeing stars would be pretty recently. Hubs and I like to sit on our covered deck in the dark of night and star gaze. Figuratively? Hmmm...the thing that came to mind immediately was my mishap with the step ladder a couple of summers ago where my foot slipped causing the ladder to collapse. I came down with a bang on my rib cage and definitely saw a few stars.  

3. Blueberries yay or nay? Blueberry pie, blueberry muffins, blueberry yogurt, blueberry pancakes, or blueberries by the handful...what's your pleasure?

Blueberries are my favorite berry so yes please! Of the choices given I'd go for the pie or just blueberries by the handful. 

4. swim against the tide, swimming upstream, in the swim, sink or swim, makes your head swim...choose one of the 'swim' idioms listed and tell us how/why you relate?

Let's go with makes my head swim. 'Merica. No explaination needed is there? 

5. Sum up your June in a single sentence.

Young love, old love, longer days, shorter fuses, riots, cruelty, self-centered humans and a God who loves us in spite of ourselves. 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.

If June were a picture. 

Wednesday Medley With A Capital I

I might be stretching my A to Z Challenge theme with today's post, but it's my blog so I can. We're on Day 10 and if I want to keep up and enjoy this month of all things wedding I need a smallish break thrown into the mix now and then.

I is for I miss my weekly hodgepodge peeps and am going to participate in The Wednesday Medley today, hosted by Terri. The medley replaced the hodgepodge and it seems I rarely have time to play along, but today I'm playing along.

Terri asks the questions and we answer. Today's post is all about National Sibling Day which happens to be April 10th, and I believe she found this week's questions here.

1. How many siblings do you have? Are you rivals or do you support each other in all you do?

I have three siblings and feel like we're all supportive of one another. We're all different, but we enjoy one another and we all get along. We're bound together by shared childhoods and strong family ties. We're not rivals and I sincerely and genuinely care about their lives and happiness. I think they would say the same about me. 

2. Have you heard of the Birth Order Book? What are your thoughts on the premise that your birth order affects everything you do in life?

I've heard of the book and I'm the third of four children as far as birth order goes. There's a 5-year gap between my brother and I (he's five years older) and a one year gap between my younger sister and I. In a sense I'm the middle child since my brother is the only boy. 

Mostly I think I fit the stereotype of a third/middle child. Adaptable, independent, people-pleaser, peacemaker. I also read where middle children tend to be attentive to rules and structure and that might describe me-ha! Also an age gap can skew your descriptors so it's possible I have a few first born traits in me too.  

As far as your birth order affecting everything you do in life, probably not. I'm sure it plays a significant role, but there are so many factors that influence who we are and who we become. Our parents and the circumstances we encounter along life's way, just to name two. 

3. Is there something you still do that drives your siblings crazy?

Probably, but you'd have to ask them. 

4. Would you dare to tell an embarrassing story about a sibling?

Not here, and definitely not without permission. The bonds of sibling-hood run deep and strong. 

5.  Tell us something random about your week.

In keeping with my A to Z Challenge theme of delight-

Less than three weeks til our precious little Miss becomes a Mrs!

'Twas The Week Before Christmas

So what's everybody up to? Ha! There's only about a hundred things I should be doing, but I'm sipping coffee in a Christmas mug and blogging instead. Obviously you're here reading so I'm not the only one avoiding my to-dos. It all gets done, right?

We had my sister and brother-in-law out for a mini early Christmas dinner this past weekend. My niece and her boyfriend came too and Daughter2 minus her fiance who was in another city. Hubs got up at the crack of dawn (actually before the crack of dawn) to start the cooking so I got up at the pre-crack of dawn too.

The sun hasn't even begun to think about rising, but here we are out on the patio making BBQ magic happen. Hubs cooked a 10+ pound brisket on the Green Egg because when it comes to barbecuing he's a 'go big or go home' kind of chef.

It was out of this world good with a peppery crust outside and so tender you could cut it with a fork on the inside.

Did you come here to see what we ate this weekend?
I thought so.

Daughter2 made this scrumptious English Trifle for dessert which involved a home made almond pound cake, pears poached in honey and vanilla, fresh raspberries, creme anglaise, and whipped cream. It sounds heavy but was so light and delicious.

She and I enjoy hanging out in the kitchen together and while I've known for quite some time she is getting married in 129 days (not that anyone is counting) it kind of hit me this weekend how much I'll miss having my baker bride at home.

Not just because she bakes.

And technically she doesn't live with us, but she's been secretly moving in since October and I'm okay with that. Brides need their mommas y'all, and mommas need their baby girls.

Dads do too-

Speaking of sweet things...

Oh my stars! The little mancub was not too sure about Santa Claus this year. Eventually he settled in and as long as Santa didn't touch him or sit too close everything was a-ok. I'm pretty sure this is the real Santa because he knew just what to do-

And on that happy note I will leave you. The reason everything gets done is because someone does it. I mean those presents aren't going to wrap themselves so I guess that someone is me.

Merry week before Christmas everyone!

She Said Yes To The Dress

I think I might have mentioned Daughter2 is getting married, but in case I didn't-

...she's getting married!

And of course she has asked her big sister, the person she's loved best and longest, to be at her side on the big day. She had the most adorable box of personalized goodies made as a way of asking, including this little print-

One of the things Daughter2 has looked forward to the most was having her sister with her for dress shopping. That sounds simple enough, but with the bride in the southeastern corner of the US of A and her sister in the northwestern corner of the US of A, maybe not so simple.

It's okay. We're all used to not simple round here.

We were so excited with the way timing worked out for Daughter1's trip to the lake (note to self: in all things wedding related timing generally works out), and we happily scheduled an afternoon of dress shopping last Thursday.

Our appointment was for 5 PM, but we wanted to pop in to the reception venue just before that so Daughter1 could see it up close and in person. She worked in events and sometimes notices things about a space that I might miss. It was really fun to see the venue again and I'm excited to see it all prettied up for the big day.

Which is still many many days away, but anticipation is all part of the fun.

We dropped baby boy at his other grandparents house then headed to the very lovely bridal shop where we had the nicest afternoon I've had in a long time. This particular shop books appointments so we were the only people there, never felt rushed, and our consultant was so sweet and helpful in understanding the different bits and pieces (fabric, cut, neckline, back, sparkle, etc) Daughter2 was hoping to find in a gown.

Our plan had originally been to have a first look in this shop, then perhaps check a second shop only because Daughter2 wasn't exactly sure what she wanted.

Except she kind of was.

And y'all she's such a beauty. When I saw her in 'her' dress the word that came instantly to mind was breathtaking. As in she literally took my breath away.

She tried on several dresses, but came back to this one every time and it's absolute perfection. As soon as the consultant set the veil on her head she knew.

I knew the minute I saw her step out of the dressing room in it, but that's because I'm her momma.

And now a public service announcement for anyone who's watched too much TV-

I don't believe there's just one dress out there that's right for you. Nor do I think you need to try on  umpteen million to find 'the one'. In fact I think if you try on too many it all becomes a jumble and none feel like the one. There are many, many dresses you can look and feel beautiful in on your special day. My philosophy is choose one you love, one you feel comfortable in, and most importantly one you feel like YOU in.

Then love that dress.

Your dress.

And that's what she did.