A Weekend Recap From The Porch

The weekends go by fast, don't they? We like to say every day is the weekend in retirement, but lately not so much. Hubs and I declared Saturday a no-hurry have fun day and although I had to remind him of the no-hurry bit a couple of times, he eventually relaxed and we had a really nice day. A day date if you will. 

Remember when I was counting those here? I'm still counting, just not posting all of them on the blog. 

Backing up to Friday...

Hubs of course had a dozen projects going so he spent most of the day power washing the dock and bridge. We've hired the staining out this year because that is a back breaking job and some years we pay to have it done. They're supposed to be coming on Monday so he wanted it squeaky clean first. 

Power washing the dock is also back breaking so he earned the rest. 

I took care of some paperwork and cleaned bathrooms, then went to play Mah Jong. Not back breaking, but it can sometimes strain the brain. 

Daughter1's hubs was attending an out of town medical thing last week so she and the kids came over Friday evening for a slumber party. The puppy too, because where they go the puppy goes. He desperately wants to play with the Little Brown Dog, but the LBD is not having any part of it. He lets him know too, but they'll get used to each other. 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous all weekend long, so we sat outside and played and talked, and hubs grilled burgers for dinner. Little Miss went to bed on the early side and the rest of us snuggled on the couch and watched Hook. Nana might have missed the entire middle of the film due to an unplanned nap, but I'd seen it before so no biggie. That's life in the third act. You fall asleep before the six year olds. 

Actually that has always been me, never a night owl. Does staying awake past 8:30 qualify one as a night owl? 

After some early Saturday morning fishing for the Mancub and Pawpaw, the party goers had breakfast then went on their way. Hubs and I jumped in the car for a drive one state over. We had a lunch destination in mind, then planned to piddle around in some of the shops nearby. 

At our wine dinner this month one of the couples we sat with told us they'd been to a great BBQ place in the little town of Dillard Georgia. I live in the Palmetto State, but the GA border is right down the road. 

We don't often go out for BBQ because hubs makes a mean pulled pork here at home, but the pitmaster at the Blue Hound in Dillard won Season 6 (July 2025) of the Bobby Flay BBQ Brawl and we thought we should taste it for ourselves. 

The drive over was just under an hour, and it's my favorite kind of BBQ place. A small building that sits on the literal side of the road beside a gas station, smoke billowing out of the smokehouse, and already a long line at 11:15 AM. 

I got the brisket sandwich with a brocoli salad instead of chips and hubs had the brisket plate with collards and slaw. He meant to order banana pudding, but forgot. We did get two jars of their rubs to try at home. 

We sat at a picnic table outside and enjoyed every bite. Afterwards we browsed a couple of shops just a few hundred yards away, then headed towards Clayton, which is a cute little mountain town we love. 

We passed this shop on the way to the restaurant and the name forced us to make a stop there on the way out-

They actually had some nice pieces of furniture and then the usual assortment of 'stuff', but we just looked before heading on to Clayton. Which was hopping on a sunny Saturday! Once we got parked we walked to a little shop called White Birch Provisions for a coffee. I think I might like to stay in the White Birch Inn sometime as it looks cute. We browsed the shops on the main drag, but didn't buy anything.  

On the way out of Clayton we popped in to the local distillery there so hubs could get a bottle of their bourbon. I hadn't been in the place in a couple of years and they've expanded quite a bit which was nice to see.

We made the hour-ish drive home and spent the rest of the afternoon and evening on the lower level porch. I had a small nap (my sleep tank has been fumes the past month) and we listened to music, read, and chatted. Neither of us were very hungry so hubs ate the leftover burger and sides from Friday's dinner and I had a fried egg sandwich.  Sometimes that is exactly what I'm craving. 

Sunday morning kitchen sink view. 

We went to church, then made an exceedingly and unnecessarily long stop at Tractor Supply for a piece of rope for the outdoor shower mirror (the one we had finally broke) and then had lunch on the porch. After lunch hubs trimmed tree branches or some such nonsense and guess where I was? 

If you said the porch you wouldn't be wrong. It's great to be back in almost summer mode. 

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

Day Datin'

Retirement is funny. We should have all this time to figure out fun places to go and new things to see, but between home maintenance-cleaning-improvement tasks that need doing, grandchildren that need grand-ing, appointments that need attending, and our various hobbies and volunteer commitments, the days fly right on by. 

Most weeks Wednesdays are a day we're both pretty free so I've declared it date day (hi hubs!). I'm trying to put a few things on the calendar for us to do together, even if it's just lunch someplace new. 

I was determined to find some fall last week so we drove about an hour from the lake to an apple orchard everyone talks about that we've never visited. When we lived in New Jersey we had a lot of orchards around us and apple picking happened every fall. I miss that so last week we made it happen. 

For starters, the day could not have been more beautiful. The sky was a bright blue, with some puffy clouds and a nice temperature for being out of doors. The orchard was just across the state line in the 'other Carolina', and sits atop a mountain, hence the name-Sky Top. 

We thought we might pick the apples ourselves, but when we stepped into their little shop and saw it loaded with bags and bags of freshly picked apples we decided to buy instead. 

We walked out into the orchard though, and wandered the property to see what all was there. 

For starters there was an apple cannon. 

We saw it in action and it was powerful. They gave you earphones to wear because it was also loud. 

There was a duck pond, some play spaces for kids to run and climb, picnic tables, and donuts right out of the cooker. There are few things better on a fall day than a warm cider donut. 

Just ask this guy. 

We bought apples, apple butter, apple cider, and some peanut brittle to take home, then headed in to the nearby town of Flat Rock for lunch. 

We'd never been to Flat Rock so relied on the internet for a lunch recommendation. We ended up at the Highland Lake Inn and Resort's restaurant- Seasons. 

The property has a long history dating back to the late 1700's, and over the years it evolved from a grist mill and private estate into a summer retreat for wealthy families. Throughout the 20th century it served as a school, camp, and Catholic retreat center and in 1985 was transformed into an inn and conference center. Today the focus is hospitality, dining, and preserving its historic charm. 

Hubs and I both had a cup of their homemade butternut squash soup and a salad, and both were delish.

Did I take a picture of my date? Nope. Just lunch lol. 

After lunch we drove about a mile down the road to check out Carl Sandburg's home. Through the years, on our treks north and south, we'd see the historic marker signs on the interstate, but we never took the time to get off the highway and see what it was all about.

The house sits above the town, and it's a little bit of a hike to get to it. There may be closer parking if you approach another way, but we were in town so parked at the bottom. 

Sandburg spent much of his life in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan but moved to Flat Rock in 1945 for the more temperate climate and a better environment for his wife's prize winning goats. You can tour the house (called Connemara) which sits on more than 250 acres along with the goat farm, sheds, two small lakes, several ponds, gardens, an apple orchard and 5 miles of hiking trails. 

We started the hike up and ran into a short detour due to a bridge being out. A year later and remnants of Helene are still evident in this area. 

We got about halfway up the trail when a man walking his dog let us know the house was closed due to the government shutdown. Sigh. Next time. 

Sidebar-that's the most I've walked since May. May!! I did go back to the ortho and have a new plan for the next couple of weeks in hopes of getting on top of this. 

Anyhoo, we had a really nice day and since I didn't take a single picture of us together, or even separately, you'll have to take my word for it. 

Also I never say anyhoo in person but for some reason it comes out of my mouth here. Stay tuned for more retirement shenanigans happening every Wednesday for the next 51(ish) weeks. Dream big, right? 

Linking today with Joanne for Talking About It Tuesdays

Hello Monday

Good Monday morning friends. We've had the most glorious weather and have spent a lot of time out in it and enjoying our porches too. Here's how our weekend looked-

Friday we did some of the usual stuff that needs doing before the weekend rolls in. I picked up groceries, bought gas, made a quick stop in the drug store, and returned a library book. Hubs scrubbed the showers and did some outdoor tasks including cleaning all the outdoor lanterns, and knocking down the cobwebs from the porch ceilings. 

We left around 2 for the nearby city. We were meeting friends for a late lunch/early dinner around 3, then it was on to an evening with Tara Leigh Cobble and The Bible Recap. Her event was held in a large church and we had great seats. 

We weren't sure what to expect from the evening, but we all agreed it was very well done. For those of you who don't know, Tara Leigh hosts a daily podcast which is a read through the Bible (chronologically) and then she 'recaps' what you read that particular day. You read three or four chapters a day, and then her recap is between 5-10 minutes long. 

She's adorable in person and is so naturally funny. She's also wise and comes across as warm and genuine. There were some fun bits to start, then she spoke on Psalm 23, and then a Q & A at the end. We all enjoyed the evening. 

Saturday we slept in, I cleaned all the bathrooms, and then we hung out on the screened porch and watched some college football. The Vols had the day off, but Hunley says go Tigers! 

Also, he's not allowed on the furniture. Oops. 

Friends invited us to a wine tasting they were hosting which started at 4. The wines were all from the Napa Vineyard- Ladera, and the winemaker Dan Ladera, was there to present the wines. 

They have a great story as to how his family went from Minnesota farmers to Montana ranchers to California winemakers. Our hosts made really nice charcuterie boards and hubs and I called that dinner. 

Sunday we went to church then made a quick stop afterwards at Lowes for something hubs needs for a project here. I grabbed two big mums since we were there, but as usual I forgot to snap a picture. 

They almost made this shot. Almost. 

My daughter and I have been a little bit obsessed with these big wreath bows we've seen online but the price is ka-razy! She's crafty and made one for herself, and on Thursday I met her at Hobby Lobby to pick ribbon so she could make one for me too. She brought it to me at church and I love it! 

Once we were back home hubs vacuumed while I did some dinner prep which included an apple crisp of which I also forgot to snap a picture. It was good though! Our next door neighbors came for dinner, hubs grilled, and we had a nice time catching up in person. 

And that was the weekend. I think fall might finally be here, and I hope the sun shone for you too.  If you'd like to add a recap of your own or read what others are saying, hop over to the host blogs -Holly (Pink Lady Blog) and Sarah (Sunshine and Books). 

Have a great week everyone! 

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!