For The Man Of The Hour

It's Monday. It's Labor Day here in the US of A. And most importantly it's my hubs birthday. Whoohoo! Let's discuss. I mean let's discuss more than I have already discussed him on the blog over the past sixteen years. 

Have I been blogging for sixteen years? It seems so. 

Anywho let's celebrate the hubs with a list of my top ten favorite things about him.  Coming up with list of things I love about him sounded familiar so I looked back at my trusty blog and yup. I found a list from 2011 which is like a hundred years ago, so time for an update. There's some overlap but he's still that guy and I love what I love, which I think is a good thing.

1. He's funny. Always quick with a comeback, comment, humorous observation. Makes me laugh when I want to cry. Makes me laugh when I'm mad which, let's be honest, can sometimes make me madder except it's hard to be mad when you're trying not to laugh. 

2. He's neat as a pin. If you know him you're laughing, especially my girls. I'm not sloppy, but he is something much more than just not sloppy. He vacuums, cleans the showers, washes windows when the dog's nose prints become too much, and picks up pinecones in the yard when he's got nothing better to do. He's also in charge of the floors, the granite, and cleaning the stovetop, so what's left for me? Still plenty, but it's nice to know he will happily do his tasks and anything extra that needs doing and they will be done perfectly.  

3. He's a wonderful grandfather. I always knew he would be. He's so crazy about our crew and he shows it, lives it, loves them with words and actions and humor. They all know he's funny too. 

4. He's reading through the Bible with me this year. I've done this many times, but he's never read it cover to cover, and y'all it's September and we're still in the Old Testament. It can be a bit of a challenge to stick with it, but he's stuck with it and I appreciate the commitment. He keeps his word. 

5. He makes the icky phone calls and deals with repairs I'd prefer to handle by pretending if I can't see it then there's nothing that needs repairing. Who's with me? He's always one step ahead of whatever needs doing around here and I know he'll find the right person to do the job and will call said person at least three times to make sure they didn't forget, they're really coming, and also they definitely have us on their calendar for Tuesday at ten, yes just checking. He is the squeaky wheel and nothing is left undone, half done, or badly done. 

6. He's the mayor. Not the actual mayor, but he never met a stranger and makes everyone feel welcome wherever he goes. He draws people out and helps people who aren't comfortable in a group feel comfortable in a group. If there's a microphone he's happily behind it. 

7. He's an excellent dancer. Seriously. This made my first list too but it's still worth mentioning. 

8. He watches out for me. Thinks of me. Cares for me. Opens doors, tells me to watch my step (more so in recent years because let's be honest here, I've missed a couple), walks on the traffic side of the sidewalk, drops me off when the weather is yucky, brings me coffee, knows when I've had too much motion and not enough Dramamine, gives me his jacket when I'm cold, says let's eat out when I've had a full day, understands my need for space and words and books and a long hot bath. 

There's more. Lots more. A thousand little things that are meaningful and thoughtful and that fill up the well I'm always talking about in marriage.   

9. He encourages me to write more, to try something I think I won't like before I've ever tried it but he knows I will, to step out of my comfort zone, to give myself credit when credit is due, to let go of hurts I tend to hold on to, to not dwell, not panic, not overthink. 

10. He thinks he's the lucky one. 

Happy birthday hubs...you're still a cutie xoxo

Friday Fragments and Favorites

Linking today with Andrea and Erika for their Friday Favorites hop. 

I'm out of sync with my blog these days mostly because I'm not doing a whole lot besides rest my foot. Hubs says I'm not doing great with that and gave me a talkin' to yesterday about how we're going to the beach and I'll be in this boot unable to keep up. Even if I'd done a solid nothing it's likely I'd be in the boot when we go to the beach. I have not driven one time and have spent most of the month with my leg propped up so I think I've done pretty great. There's been a day or two I've overdone it, but for the most part I feel like a slug. 

I volunteer on Thursdays making lunch in a soup kitchen, but after hubs said he thought it was too much  I called in last minute yesterday to say I wouldn't be there. Then he left for the day and I planted myself on the couch. Except he was suddenly buying a car and needed me to make four, yes four!!, separate trips to the office downstairs for information. I told him I'd have done far less walking and definitely no stairs had I gone to the soup kitchen. 

Anyway, I guess we have a new car lol. And it's been purchased in my favorite way. I wasn't there. I saw it online before he went to look, and honestly this is how I feel about a pick up. It's a truck. The end. Hubs is excited and even though he babies his vehicles his current truck has over 200K miles on it so it's time. Apparently there are a lot of variations, and he does his homework. Since it will be his mode of transportation if he's happy, then I'm happy. 

This particular new vehicle ticked 'our' must have list-the color both interior and exterior (those are my must haves-ha! ), something about the running boards and the tailgate, very low mileage (we never buy new) and price. No pictures because we won't get it until next week, but yay! We have a new ride.

We've spent very little time on the boat this summer so on Monday morning we spontaneously decided to pack up breakfast and go for a ride. 

Yes in my boot. Are you tired of hearing about it because I know I am. 

I made us a scrambled egg with cheese on a bagel to go. They were so good. 

It was a picture perfect day and we had the lake pretty much to ourselves. Weekends are busy, but weekdays it's like your own little slice of paradise. 

When my sister-in-law was here over the 4th she brought us these ginormous rubber bands (linked) which I think she said are made for patio furniture, etc but they are also perfect for keeping your towel from flying up on the boat. 

I ordered the most adorable little sundresses for my granddaughters to wear at the beach, matching because I like matching-

They're from Janie and Jack, which has so many cute things. 

Monday night we had plans to get sushi with some friends we haven't caught up with in a while. My roll was so pretty and just the right amount of heat. Hubs and I each ordered a roll and split an order of their Brazilian street tacos too. 

Our tomato tree. Y'all my hubs has the green thumb here. My daughter1's in-laws gave us a teeny tiny tomato plant back in the spring and hubs has cared for that thing so well that it's now what we call our tomato tree. And it's loaded! 

The in-laws were here over the 4th and they could not believe the size of this plant. Yesterday we picked our first tomato and I will probably make us BLT's for dinner. Hubs is golfing today and I'm sitting and it's hot so a BLT will be easy and won't require the stove. 

His lemon tree is also thriving.

We watched the grands on Wednesday evening while their parents had a middle-of-the-week date night. They had fun with these water guns which are more powerful than they look lol. 

Especially at close range. Nana got it in the face more than once and I wasn't even armed. 

Hubs made smash burgers on the griddle, and the boys put together new legos I'd purchased. We had fun just hanging out. 

Thursday morning's sunrise was a beauty. As are they all, but Thursday's was really pretty. 

My limelights are making me happy too. 

I spent the day on the couch when I wasn't running up and down the stairs to get hubs the paperwork he needed to buy the car. 

Also, I wasn't running. 

My next door neighbor invited us and two other friends over to float on Thursday afternoon so we went over there around 4:30 and floated for an hour. Afterwards we went for Thai food at a place we hadn't tried before, and it was really good, just very very slow. We weren't in a hurry so no biggie. 

Today I'm back for more sitting and reading and catching up on a few things blog wise. Hubs is on the golf course so won't be calling lol. 

Enjoy your weekend everyone! 

Recapping The Weekend Trifecta

And happy anniversary to us! Hubs is in one state and I'm in another, but we'll still mark 41 years of married life today. 

This particular weekend in June is what I call the trifecta here. Not only is it our anniversary, it's also Grandson #3's birthday and Father's Day too. Whew! Lots to celebrate. 

Let's back up and take it one occasion at a time, k? 

We had plans to travel to Daughter2's house in Tennessee for the big birthday bash happening there on Saturday afternoon. Hubs and I were going to head that direction Friday afternoon and then Daughter1 and her kiddos would join us there Saturday morning. 

Before leaving town we had a small birthday brunch here for a friend celebrating a milestone year. I mean why not? We had three couples in addition to the two of us. We intended to make bacon and eggs on the griddle, but the weather didn't cooperate for outdoor cooking. We still were able to dine outside, but hubs made the bacon and eggs on the stove. I made my overnight French toast, one friend brought a delicious hash brown casserole, and another friend brought a beautiful fruit tray.  

I think birthdays should be celebrated and this was a fun gathering. 

Once everyone left to get on with their weekend we finished cleaning up and hit the road to hub's brother and sister-in-law's house. My mother-in-law lives nearby and we were going to spend the night at my brother-in-law's then collect hubs mom Saturday morning to go the additional hour and a half to the party. 

This was our first trip to the Knoxville area driving our pre-Helene route. The highway between Asheville and Knoxville has been mostly closed or single lane since the hurricane hit and it's still a huge mess. You can at least get through now, and the traffic wasn't too terrible. I know most of the country has moved on from the disaster of Helene to any number of other crises our country has experienced since, but it's really hard to see and think about all that's been lost or rearranged in the western Carolinas and East Tennessee. 

We arrived at my brother-in-law's home in time for dinner. They grilled delicious filets and it's always great to see them and catch up in person. They were also keeping the little brown dog for us overnight so we didn't have to bring him to the party and he loves that. 

Saturday morning we picked up hub's mama and headed to Daughter2's. Her sister arrived with her crew and the world's biggest dinosaur balloon shortly after and we all had lunch. 

The party wasn't starting until 3:30 and the weather was questionable. They have a bounce house and we got that set up (by 'we' I mean my son-in-law of course) and then about an hour before the party the skies opened up, it rained buckets, then blew on out and the sun shone once more. 

Guests began arriving and the kids had a ball. My daughter and son-in-law have the nicest friends and they all have kids of a similar age which is fun. My daughter's in-laws were also there and we always enjoy time spent with them. 

The party had a dinosaur theme and everything was super cute. There was pizza and ice cream cake with a side of cupcakes too. 

The bounce house got a workout so a win for kids and parents alike. 

One of my favorite things about the day- 

Since Daughter2 had a full house with the in-laws in town plus her sister with her three children, hubs and I booked hotel rooms for us and for his mom for the night. The in-laws are staying over for several days and it didn't make sense for them to go to a hotel. 

Sunday morning we went back to the house for breakfast with the whole gang. I'd made two trays of french toast for the Friday brunch and brought one with me for the weekend which worked out well. My son-in-law made bacon and eggs on his Blackstone so everyone ate well. 

Oh, and happy Father's Day! I brought chocolates for all the dads and they had plans to go skeet shooting or clays or something similar that afternoon which they love. I rode back to the lake with my daughter1 and her kids as I had some things to take care of today, Monday. Hubs drove his mom back to her home Sunday afternoon, then spent the night at his brother's house. He had plans to meet a long time friend for lunch and will be home later today. 

Forty one years ago today we said I Do. We'll make plans for a celebratory dinner in the next couple of weeks, because while we're always living life all in, I still think it's important to set aside time to mark the year. To see where we are and where we've been and to say we're still here.

I always write a birthday letter to my grands on their special day, and if you'd like to read today's birthday letter, you'll find it linked here-Dino-mighty

Linking today with Holly and Sarah for their regular Monday morning weekend recap hop. 

Jump over to their blogs if you'd like to join the party. Have a great day everyone~

Hello Monday Afternoon

I didn't have it in me to blog Sunday night, and then had some things to do here this morning, so going to try to catch up now. I took very few pictures this weekend which is partly why I put off doing my Hello Monday recap. I feel like these posts need pictures. 

Honestly I'm not sure what I did on Friday. The kids spent their first official night sleeping in their own beds in their own house Thursday night so we woke up to a quiet house Friday morning. When they pulled out of the driveway on Thursday hubs was a little sad and my daughter laughed and said, 'see you tomorrow' because that's life now. 

While it's nice to return to our quiet morning coffee routine we are also missing the hugs and chatter and big smiles we've been greeted with first thing every morning since mid-January. We'll get used to it. 

I think hubs and I went out to a little local 'dive bar' for dinner Friday evening. I only know this because I took a picture of one half of my BLT, which hubs thought was funny (as in odd), but I told him that's how I remember things now. Sad, but sort of true. 

Plus it was delicious. This place is tiny and low key but the food is homemade and tastes like your momma made it. 

I do know hubs spent the entire day on Friday cleaning both my car and the boat. And the dock too, because why not? I'm getting new tires put on my car as I type,  and hubs says you can't take a car for new tires without washing it first. 

I mean I could, but he couldn't.  

He came home from washing the car and said he was just going to clean the boat which is a job in itself since it's been covered all winter long, but he cannot ever do just one thing so he went ahead and waxed it too. 

With his sidekick of course. Then,  since he was there and had the power washer going, he also cleaned the dock. 

She's all ready for her first voyage of the season.

Now we just need the weather to get with the program. We have a rainy few days in the forecast, but hopefully later this week we can go for a spin. Ride? Cruise! 

Saturday I picked my daughter up at her house which is 3.7 miles from my house (just sayin'), and we drove a little over an hour to a baby shower for her sister-in-law. 

The shower was in a friend's home and the hostess did a beautiful job with the decorating, the food, and all the little nice touches that make an event feel special. 

It sprinkled on us a little so we ended up opening the presents inside, but it was a lovely event and a fun day. 

The hostess had these sweet little favors which are wildflowers on seed paper. You actually plant the paper and flowers will grow. 

My daughter rode home with her mother-in-law because her hubs was at their house with the kids so they could have an early Mother's Day dinner together on Saturday night. I came home and kind of wanted to flop on the couch, but hubs said he'd been 'lazy' and wanted to go out so we did. 

fyi-my hubs is never lazy. 

We went to a local place for Mexican food and a margarita which was fine. 

Sunday morning we went to church with the kids. We've been going to their church the past few Sundays and I really like the pastor. The messages we've heard have been excellent and they're going through 1 Corinthians one chapter (sometimes less) at a time. So so good. 

We arrived before the kids did and it's so sweet to see them running towards us. The kids come into church for the first part of the service, then go to their own classes before the preaching and Max held hubs hand the whole time. After church we went to breakfast/lunch with the whole crew. I always order breakfast, but the boys had lunch so everyone was happy. 

My daughter brought me the cutest hat as a gift and the sweetest cards. Hedgehogs are a thing for my girls and I so they always try to find me hedgehog cards when they can, and I appreciate it.

I haven't mastered the selfie. Carry on. 

Daughter2 sent her gift earlier in the week, and I knew I'd love it because it's from a company I order from myself-The Rifle Paper Company. They have hand painted designs...stationery and home goods, and I think they even do wallpaper too. The quality is so good. She sent this pretty tray-

And a stationery set (yes, I write notes and letters) in a pretty box-

There's a nice pen, pretty paper, and envelopes with fun seals that I can't wait to use. 

It was a gray rainy day so we came home and I put on my comfy clothes and spent the afternoon reading. Hubs had booked us a table at a nice restaurant in the 'city', but we decided before church to cancel and just go to brunch with the kids instead. We watched a couple of movies that evening and just chilled, all of which made for a very nice Mother's Day.  

And that's pretty much the weekend that was. Hope yours was filled with lots of happy moments too. 

Linking a bit late, but not too late, with Holly and Sarah for their Hello Monday weekend recap party. Have a nice week!

Rolling In The Dough -Week Three Of The At Home British Bakeoff

It's Bread Week in our at home version of The Great British Baking Show. If you don't know what I'm talking about read this post-Bamboozled By A Battenberg followed by this post-Waltzing In To Bakeoff Week 2 to catch up. 

This week's technical challenge had contestants baking a 7-strand plaited bread wreath in two hours, thirty minutes. They weren't given a recipe, just a list of ingredients. Paul demonstrated the plaiting technique before they got started and daughter2 and I agreed we'd probably watch that bit at least ten times before we tried it on our own. 

Okay, first of all we're not on the clock-ha! 

Secondly, we used a recipe. Our house, our rules. 

Neither of us are bread bakers on a regular basis and we were excited to try this. Plus fresh bread? Yes please. 

Not exactly like braiding hair, but it's the same general idea. Rolling out the 'octopus' was the hardest part of the process. I didn't feel like my strands rolled as easily as the contestant's did, but I got there 

Look at me all official with my proving bag.

my finished wreath

I have to say this turned out surprisingly well. I credit years of raising daughters who regularly wanted their hair braided. 

My daughter’s wreath 

I told my daughter she was star baker this week. 

Now,  did  I make a kitchen mess? You betcha. In fact hubs may have stated he hopes we don't do this again next year lol. Except I think he was serious? Whatever. He's not turning down freshly baked bread, and it's been fun baking with my daughter, comparing notes, trying something new, and realizing I could never be an actual contestant on the show-ha.  

I'm sure Paul Hollywood would say mine was 'slightly underbaked' but I tapped it like an honest to goodness contestant and it sounded hollow, which apparently is the sound you need. The texture was really good. 

Next up-caramel week. We're going to hold off on the actual bake for another week because we both have some travel scheduled and we don't need the extra pressure. Plus! we anticipate being in the same kitchen next weekend so our plan is to do the caramel bake together. Double the fun...

No doubt double the mess too. Enjoy your weekend everyone!