Birthdays

We celebrated 3 birthdays today. Jill, Kathy and Pam. We met at Bonefish. 

I got seafood ceviche. Probably won't get it again. Just trying to eat healthy. 

This was Jill's first Book Club birthday. She dominated with homemade cards using actual old family photos. 

So funny. 

Our poor little newbie waiter took this. Right before this he dropped all of our dirty dishes on the floor a few feet from us. He doused one poor woman in my leftover ceviche 😬. 

One of our favorite gifts. 

New sofa delivered at MG and Ryan's. Ryan is dreading having to readjust the artwork. 

Family already enjoying it. 

Table has arrived! My deck plants are loving this heat and rain. 

Love the half dollar and Indian head cent we put in the holes. 

On a sad note...our boy on a dolphin fountain took a dive. Not sure what caused the tumble, but he broke in half. Bless his heart. Will post on replacement. 

Lists

Ok...lots to do. A commercial job starting September 1, wedding on the horizon. My lists have lists. 

Work lists

Guest lists

Paint lists

Venue lists. Spent today with Tripp and Ivy viewing venues. Hot, tiring work. Drove all over the area looking for the perfect spot. 

A time honored tradition...break for lunch at Old Timer's Barbecue in Richland. Did the same with MG and Ryan. Getting close to a decision. We found a place that made Ivy cry. That may be it.

The last list. Pros and cons. More later. 

Kathy's turn

We descended on Kathy's house this month for our eagerly awaited Delta duo of books discussion. We read one book by a modern day Delta woman who is a writer, excellent cook and an all around good time girl. 

The book is a series of humorous essays and her recipes. After reading it we couldn't wait to see which ones Kathy would choose for us. She actually had a little help from the author herself. Julia Reed was in town for the Mississippi Book Fair recently and Kathy spoke to her. She recommended the menu for us. She was also intrigued by the other book we paired with hers. It was Trials of the Earth by Mary Hamilton. It is the story of a pioneer woman in the Mississippi delta in the logging camps in the late 1800's. It was about as opposite of the other book as possible. Read it if you haven't already. Ok...the food. 

And the sangria of course. 

She made a white one. Yum. 

Summer squash salad with the best vinaigrette ever. She made the best appetizer that was bacon wrapped spiced watermelon rind pickles. Oh my. 

The table. Her mom's China and crystal was almost like my mom's. Unfortunately you can't see the perfect crawfish etouffe she created because I fell on it like a jackal and took no picture!! Trust me it was so authentic and wonderful. 

So you think lemon squares are good right? You think you have had some of the best ones, right? But you haven't had these moist, intensely lemon, lightly iced little squares of perfection. 

With a little cappuccino. Mom, is that your China pattern? It is a Theodore Haviland. Fabulous meal and a pretty raucous discussion.  

Cuteness break. He loves his mommy. 

Wolf cat in her natural habitat. 

Happy 22nd to Chris, who celebrated with a bowl of sushi. 

Lucy (on the bottom) and friend after their first week at nursing school. 

Number 3

Well...here's the next big news. 

Ivy is engaged! We are so happy. Tripp is so sweet and good for her. I am the luckiest Mother in law ever.  The ring is very special as it belonged to Tripp's paternal grandmother. Sadly she passed away a few years ago. Emeralds have always been my favorite and this is exactly the style I love. 

A little toasting and bride magazine pouring over with Candy. Can't wait to get started. 

One more mushroom. 

Mushrooms and peppers

The daily rains continue to make mushrooms pop up everywhere. 

This one was in Mary Grace and Ryan's front yard. 

To give you a sense of scale!

The girls used to love these. We called them puffballs. They emitted a puff of smoke when you poked or stepped on it. It was really just spores coming out of the little hole in the top. 

We thought this one looked like a mini loaf of banana bread. 

I've been craving stuffed peppers. Decided to venture out with these other colors since they were on sale and beautiful. 

Turkey and brown rice. Aren't I virtuous?

Colorful enough?

They were so big. This recipe usually makes 10-12. I thought I might cry when I finished my serving. Dieting will do that to you. 

Ok...more in the Sugar Wars. Healthy snack. Fuji apples and cheddar. 

For the creepy files. The Woolvertons were cleaning out their garage and discovered this behind the shelves. Yikes 

A planter?!?!

Ed's 60th birthday. He wanted his usual gizzards and livers. A few hearts were included. 

As promised. $150 recliner. MG helped assemble. 

Turned out pretty cute

The Patrick's new dining table. They found it at the restaurant convention. This woman makes furniture out of reclaimed wood. Love it. 

Oh and just so you know, I'm doing the crossword with my Flair pen!!

Sugar Wars redeclared

Was so excited to find that the doctor who so lovingly treated both my parents was joining the staff at our SFB clinic. He apparently discovered that he wasn't quite ready for total retirement. I happily went in to discuss my blood test results. Not so good. Blood sugar and cholesterol high. He told me to lose 25 pounds immediately and said he may have to call my mama if I don't ! He went on and on glowingly to the NP about what excellent patients both my parents were. So here we go again with my diet. 

Ok not the best start. Ryan made these sandwiches for Sophie, MG and I Saturday. Oh my , maybe he should look into a career in the restaurant business. This had 3 kinds of meat and some kind of great cheese, rosemary bread, chopped romaine, tomato with red wine and olive oil all toasted up.  

Ok. A little better

Even better. 

More cool mushrooms in the Patrick yard. 

Those colors

Daphne looked so funny sitting up on the couch. 

This really happened. Ed duct taped his chair arm that Pepper has clawed up. The perpetrator looks on. 

What do you think? Pretty neat job. Well this forced us to buy another one online. It was cheap and we will consider it disposable. I'll let you know what a $150 recliner looks like.