Search is over

Terrorist cat. 

Ever since Book Club I tried to keep some of the baby's breath on my table. 

This was the scene every morning. I finally gave up when I found it all turned over and further down the table, a blob of spit up containing flowers. No picture included. 

Lunch at Scrooges one day. 

Sofa search continued. This one was a contender until we took Ryan to actually sit on it. The corner sank in where he wanted to sit. Then FINALLY...

We found it!!  They just had to order it with the arm reversed. Ryan said he would miss her way down there. I still wish I could open a moderate priced furniture store with modern furniture. 

Book club July

It was my turn to host Book Club at my house. Forgot food pictures entirely. We welcomed a new member with Jill. She has recently retired and we were happy to include her. After much joking with her via text about her upcoming "initiation", she came with a little nervousness. We had hinted that she may have some duties involving the club mascot. 

Priscilla brought in the carrier. 

She pulled out the blanket. 

Reached in...

Took out a container...

Found the critters...

Had a good laugh. She was a great sport. 

Sat down for chicken kabobs and discussion. No one even brought up the election. What a relief to not think about it for a couple of hours. 

The book I chose got mixed reviews. I'm afraid that I must enjoy reading about dysfunctional families because mine isn't. 

How about a grandog update? 

Daphne as little baby bunting. 

Kitten

Ok. I'm having to borrow cute images. 

The new grandcat. 

Ivy and Tripp's kitten, Cosmo. 

His pet shark I guess. 

He is so tiny. What is sweeter than a kitten? 

Hot

This will be a short post. It is so hot outside. Mary Grace and I went furniture shopping Saturday. We broke for lunch at Saltine. 

I am in love with Nashville Hot. We had it in Birmingham on our mountain trip. It is a way of making chicken (or other meat). The chicken is marinated in a hot sauce before frying. Well Saltine has hot OYSTERS. I ordered oysters and she got chicken and we split them.  Ahhhh. I'm in love. Hot hot hot. Oh, and I am mostly disgusted with our furniture choices in our area😒

Pepper, peas and figs

Toby was never happy about his little scarf they put on him post haircut. Ed said that it was his cryptonite. After removing it, he perked right up. 

The eager(?) recipient was Pepper. He is still wearing it. 

A thunderstorm came through Sunday afternoon and cooled things off. The dogs and I were eager to sit outside for a bit. 

Anna sent me a few pictures of what she was up to in her hometown of Leakesville. 

How much more southern can you get than peas and magnolias?

Oh, add in fresh figs. 

Then put them in a pot to make preserves. I said that must be hot work. 

She said this might help cool things off. 

Summer

Anna found this fun blast from the summer past. 

It was Lucy's luau birthday party. Check out the little boy on the back row right side. That would be Mary Grace. Candy remembered that she made the balloon animals. 

Made the worst blueberry cobbler on the 4th. Tried to split a recipe and messed up the ratio. Hot cooked berries forced the dough into a tough crust. I'm a berry murderer. 

I call this creepy pic, Mary Grace in repose.  It is her preserved wedding dress I got back in the mail. I know, I know, I'm a procrastinator. 

Speaking of nostalgia, I pulled this CD out of my glove box (what an archaic name !). Sophie used to make music CDs for our car trip. I'm pretty sure this was the one from our first trip in our new minivan to the beach. We had just bought it and we were so excited. 

I popped it in ready for a trip down memory lane. My player said this!  Now, I take offense at that comment. I mean the first song was Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up. Come on! Well I guess 13 years banging around in car after car took its toll. So sad. 

On a high note, here is Toby with his summer Marine cut. He was so tired that he could barely keep his eyes open. 

58 for sure this time

Well the birthday festival began with Sunday family lunch at the Patrick's. 

Melt in your mouth brisket, homemade potato salad, Sophie's green beans, salad and rolls. 

And then I asked for a chocolate birthday cake. Here it is !  Trick candles lovingly provided for all to enjoy. I nearly passed out from huffing. Also had a great book club lunch at Anjou. Everyone outdid themselves in the gift department. 

Candy and Chris came in on my birthday with this on Chris's shoulder. Lady peas!

My favorite. 

Prepped for the freezer. 

Margaret came through with the book I've been wanting. I'm a little obsessed with Esther the Wonder Pig. 

Ok...took my first trip into the new At Home store. It is located in the old SAMs Here is a small sampling. This is the first candle aisle. 

Aisle 2

Aisle 3 with Amy shopping

Aisle 4 of candles!! I'm not kidding. 

The column area. Corinthian? Roman? Doric? We've got 'em all, plus some unidentifiable ones. 

I'll leave you with the Chef aisle. I need to go lie down.