More catch up

Mom’s little Christmas tree. A slightly bigger one this year. A donation from Amy 2. It had been her mom’s. She was glad it found a home. 

Bitsy enjoyed it too. 

Arrangements for a party. 

Christmas morning had Truff watching the cute pet Yule log. 

Only picture I took of Christmas. They accidentally matched. 

Flowers for a January party. 

Cotton, eucalyptus and dried lotus pods. 

Very wintery I thought. 

Junior likes to get in the fire screen while Ed is building the fire. 

I got up for a few minutes and Ju Ju stoke my heating was pad. 

Truff trying to nap in the sun. 

Sunny spots are at a premium around here. 

Here is one of everyone. Well that catches me up. Guess I better start taking more pictures. 

Where have you been?

Ok... no way I can catch up. At least 2 seasons have passed. But I’m sitting here incapacitated by a back problem (pinched nerve) which is most painful in the morning. Hence this...

Perfect grits. They aren’t easy until you learn exactly how to cook them. These had just the right amount of real butter and a generous dose of pepper. So I take pen in hand ( so to speak) and begin to write again. Just a few highlights from previous months. 

On a trip to Natchez with Amy 2 we stopped in the scariest restroom at the Port Gibson welcome center. I think I see a ghost in the mirror. 

While she worked I read a book and enjoyed the view. 

I guess we had ghosts on our mind because we were a little unnerved by this drawer that kept sliding open on it’s  own. We stayed an extra night to attend Angels on the Bluff at the cool old cemetery. Mary Grace even came to meet us. It was so great. Very cold in the low 30’s. 

Mom’s 2019 Christmas happies for her 40 closest friends. 

Book Club at Kathy’s house. Our book was set in Tuscany so we knew we were in for a culinary visit ourselves. 

Just look at the appetizers! 

The table. 

The chicken entree. 😋

My plate. That arugula, pear and Parmesan salad! 

Thanksgiving day has Ed and I at home while the girls attend in-law dinners. I watched parades, dog show and accomplished this...

Perfect with a glass of eggnog. Don’t feel sorry for us we had lobster tail for dinner. 

Played a round of spot the dog. 

S&P hosted us the next day for our Thanksgiving dinner. 

Hey. She’s got the touch. 

So many things

I don’t know where to start. Time just keeps slipping away. 

Wood delivered. Truffles happy. 

It’s that time. 

Same ol’ same ol’

Sue set a lovely table for Book Club. We had switched months so we read my selection , Be Frank with me. We all liked it. 

Pumpkin sweet potato chili. Sounds odd but was interestingly sweet and hot. Loved it. 

Blew out the door from there to camping trip. Leroy Percy was lovely. 

Best prank ever

So it’s been a long standing bad joke of mine that whenever we open fortune cookies at a Chinese restaurant I read mine aloud. It always says the same thing - Help I’m being held prisoner in a Chinese bakery. Well it’s really not funny over and over and Paul always gives me a hard time about it. He recently went on a trip to San Francisco so it was no surprise when Sophie said he had brought a special dessert for us to share at our weekly Sunday lunch. We had Mr. Chen’s (yum). Well it was handmade fortune cookies.  

I opened mine ready to pull the same lame joke. 

Look what mine said!

He made it for me!! Love that guy. 

It’s over.

How quickly the week went in Orlando. I only have a few goofy pictures (no, not OF Goofy although I saw him) just goofy in general. I didn’t take my phone in so here is what I have. 

As soon as we walked in Ryan jumped in a ride line leaving us stranded on the other side of the rope. He helpfully snapped this pic of my frustration. 

Started at Epcot and enjoyed the food and wine festival which was going on. Each country was selling special food and drink pairings. Tiny servings , crazy high prices but very fun. 

Next day Magic Kingdom. Here we are on the surface of the sun. Oh no wait it just felt like it.  Record breaking heat   Got to100 degrees. 

Found Betty Boop for Mom. 

Last day was Animal Kingdom. It was our favorite of the Disney parks. Much shadier and had animals. 

However our last ride was an 80 minute wait and patience was wearing thin. 

Our sweat stained well used guide maps. It was so much fun especially being with my sweet kids who had to slow their pace and took good care of me. 

Orlando

Mary Grace and I have been wanting to see Harry Potter World at Universal studios. She, Ryan and I boarded a plane and flew in very late Monday night. 

 Found our cute condo and settled in. 

Got there. Already burning up.

Our first look at Diagon Alley. 

Amazing. Headed to wand shop first. The perfect wand picked Mary Grace. 

Got a Butterbeer to celebrate. It was quite good. 

I look awful in this picture but we were so happy that I included it. Horrible humidity = terrible hair. 

Ryan trying the wand. 

They had these markers in the street that told the wand motion to use. If you did it correctly things would happen. 

Followed by traditional English breakfast. 

Hogwarts castle.