some food and a birthday

I know, I know, my birthday often turns into a festival instead of a festivity.  But isn't that as it should be? You already heard about the friend birthday...here comes the family celebration. I do want to point out that sometime during the past year when I turned 55, I started thinking I was 56. Now I really am 56. So I think I'll be 55 this year and pick up at 57 next June. Ok?

 

After church Sunday, Mom, Jan, Sophie, Paul and I had lunch at Mr. Chen's. Jan and Mom gave me lovely presents. One of Mom's gifts made me laugh because of the way it was procured. We were in a department store buying makeup for her. I wandered away (attention problems) to the Estee Lauder counter to inquire about a fragrance I have always loved. The nice clerk said she had never heard of Azure but would be glad to check. It is the same perfume I have worn off and on since high school. Well she was surprised and delighted to find 2 bottles in a drawer apparently left there since the stone age. Or maybe they keep a couple on hand for me and the other woman who wears it still.

 

 

All the kids came over for dinner

 

Oh my gosh I could just die from the cuteness

 

Also celebrated a late Father's day

 

Ed promising Toby to share his snacks later

 

Thoughtful presents from all.

 

My favorite cake baked by sister Jan

 

Trying to think of a wish. What more could I want?

 

Ok, Lucy you can log off now. Food news alert. I have rediscovered popcorn. Candy has been making it the old fashioned way...in a pan...in oil. Coconut oil which is the new food that cures all. Apparently it does everything from healing dry hair and skin to curing cancer. Just google it for more info. The coconut oil producers accuse corn oil business of mounting a schmear campaign in the 80's. And I must admit I had heard all that.  I just think it tastes good.

 

Needs no butter. And there is only 3 tablespoons of oil to this entire pan of popcorn (we had already eaten most of it).

Okay here is the best corn cooking method ever. Mary Grace came up with it.

 

 

Trim silk ends off of unshucked corn. Rub with oil and cover with foil. Bake in the oven at 375 about 20-30 minutes depending on how many cobs.

 







 

 When done take off the husks. First cut off stem end. This makes it easy to just roll off the husk. Be careful it is hot. 

 

Season to taste. If you are Ryan that means lots of butter.



This little piggie...

...wanted me to have a happy birthday.

 

Bev gave him to me at my book club birthday get together. When asked what I would like to do for my party, I asked to go to someone's house instead of a restaurant. It seems like you can never hear all conversations at a big noisy place. Ok , maybe it has to do with our age, but still. Bev kindly offered her house. She has recently repainted outside and had plantings done. It looks great. It was raining so I didn't get good pics of the paint colors.

 

 

I did catch a cute one of this little guy. He liked the rain.

 

 

Love how she used all green and only texture for this corner.

 

Check out this pitcher plant. The sweet nectar inside attracts insects and then, slam, goes the top. Then the plant quietly digests it.

 

Here is the cute badger charm Lucy gave me. She is out of town , but Candy brought it. The badger is the mascot of Springhill College. I will think of her every time I look at it this fall.

 

Tons of rain this week has brought out great mushrooms.

 

All my plants love it .

 

 

Look at that little "hen and chicks".

 

 

Everybody but "the man" (my little jade plant)

 

A branch fell on him and broke it! I pressed the broken parts into soil in other pots. Hopefully soon I will have more plants. I always hated that tree. Not sure what it was, had thorns on it.

 

Anybody recognize it? weird berries. Dad would have  known.

 

Here are the cute gifts my friends gave me. I requested all white gifts. Not shown are a case of white wine from Candy and a bottle of Clos du Bois Pinot Grigio from Pam. Yum  yum. Food was great and healthy. Candy made my special craving - Chicken satay. It is grilled chicken with a great peanut sauce. Fruit, salad and some great cheeses. Friends make birthdays fun. Thanks, girls.  











Beach week 2014

Just read everyone else's blog about the beach. It was so great. I must admit Sophie has the best pictures of all of us. I can't wait for a new phone. So here is my take on the week. Hope I can find my pictures in the cloud where Ed sent them.

 

 

Ok, I found them! Let's start with this fun photo from the road trip down there. I rode with Mary Grace and Ryan in their truck. Mary Grace drove giving Ryan plenty of time to keep me laughing. I had to snicker at this scene at a truck stop. What else could you do here but drink and loiter?

 

 

We all met at Felix's in Mobile for lunch

 

Parker was checking out the bay.

 

Puzzling commenced immediately.

 

Followed by sitting around being together

 

 

More puzzling

Brody getting to know his cool, old uncle. (We gave him a hard time about turning 30)

 

Loved our little pool

 

Nana steps in so Cary can enjoy the beach

 

Need I say more?

 

I brought mandalas to color. Candy introduced me to them. They are addictive. Andrew was especially talented at them.

 

 

MG and Ryan's night to cook. No he didn't really eat it raw. It was like this.

 

 

Grilled...and fried and crab cakes and ...

 

...bang bang shrimp.

 

 

Puzzling got serious

 

if a Family Guy puzzle can be serious

 

Mom's quiet spot. She had a great view.

 

More sitting and eating ...except for new moms. Great face David.

 

 

Sunset out my bedroom window

 

Brody had lots to pull up on

 

We spent a lot of time on that deck

 

The only pic I managed to get in. Love the hair

 

 

Taco night by Sophie and Paul . Grouper and beef

 

We fought a valiant battle with these slipcovers

 

Not sure who won...there were daily skirmishes

 

So cute. Notice all the mandalas behind him on the wall

 

 

view from the tent. some of our crew

 

Kitchen prep

 

Bryan and Cary teamed up to make burgers one night. Roasted Brussels sprouts, grapes and walnuts were the interesting side.

 

Karis was glad to see her dad.

 

Just saying...so stinking precious

 

 

Reading session