Spring Book Club

Book Club, what a joy. Sue hosted. Everything was beautiful. 

Front room was welcoming. 

She set a gorgeous spring table. 

Cauliflower dip served with asparagus. 

And I promise that these were some of the best deviled eggs ever. 

Beautiful salad. We added chicken, feta, pecans and dressing. Perfect meal. Our book was very thought provoking and sad. The Feathered Bone by Julie Cantrell. If reading , beware. Sniff, sniff. 

Ed is sick. Coughing and congestion. He had to work anyway because so many managers are out for spring break. I made him some homemade chicken noodle soup. 

Attic repeat attack

Another day sifting through memories. Had Sophie and Mary Grace come over and make selections of things to keep. 

Girl Scout badges never sewn on. Oops. But, dang did I work hard as leader to make all that happen. 

Mamaw got a shout out from Sophie. 

Definitely in the keep 4ever file. 

From my way, way over the top 3 year old birthday party for Sophie. Trying to make up for having Mary Grace. This was  a pin the crown on the princess game. That was the event starring Bundt cake Barbie. I decided to make one of those cakes with the cake being Barbie's skirt. I figured I could do it myself with a Bundt cake. I baked one and it came to her calf. Baked another and put it on top of the other one. It came to just above her knee. Baked a third one, piled it on and it came to the top of her legs. Exhausted and time running out, I wrapped fabric around her naked waistline and iced the three cakes. Gold icing mind you. She was Belle. It was passable. The next day as party time drew near I noticed a grease stain creeping up the fabric. Oh well, everything else went ok. 

Don't try to keep paper mache King Tut mummies, no matter how good they are. To dust they returneth. Yuck. 

What do you do with trophies? Great bible school crafts. Bev did the best job with those! 

Christening gown found! Russian doll Mom and Dad brought MG. It is a rattle with a bell inside. 

Not sure how to feel about a brown snowman but Michael made up for it with a Power Ranger sticker. 

And I will end with this letter. It says it all. 

Attic attack

I'm sitting in my chair drinking a glass of water, trying to clear the dust out of my airways. 

After a goodbye lunch with Cary and Brody, Ivy and I got to work cleaning out our attic.  It has been on my list all winter so we needed to hurry before the temps rise. 

We started by removing most everything and sorting it. Apparently I have a thing for fall because I had 4 boxes of decor. Well, it is two of my favorite holidays. 

Next to come out were our VHS tapes. This represents hours and hours of our lives. 

Looks like a peek into the proverbial Disney vault. 

Things got a little more sophisticated here. 

Each girl got a pile of their stuff. MG's had crutches, bats and an art envelope that read- CAUTION. 

Sophie's is labeled and has a gnome peeking out. I guess that tag is off of Butch the Blue Blizzard, her first car. Ivy took her pile home before I got a picture of it. 

We decided Mary Grace had been through the most stages. Found a few relics. Valances from the bug era, the Asian dynasty and the inexplicable (and brief) girly, girl phase. Boy I did a lot of decorating and redecorating in those 3 rooms. 

And what to do with all this leftover fabric from client projects in the 90's? Loved us some tapestry!! 

Not to mention all these craft items I have from Girl Scouts, my teaching artist stint (printmaking), cemetery rubbings and Antonelli Interior Design classes...phew. 

How many sleeping bags could 3 girls have?

A few little woodland creatures, unsure of their future. 

Spring is coming

Toby, Truffles and I are enjoying this beautiful day sitting on our deck. The deck is a post winter mess but there are signs of spring. 

Pansies still going of course. 

Mahonia is almost done blooming. 

Oxalis has long been a favorite. Mamaw Brown had them lining the walkway at her house. I got these from my mom's house so I think these may be descendants from those. 

As kids we used to pick them and chew the stems. I remember them tasting like lemon. 

Even a little azalea was trying out the warmth. 

Stocking up on Brody time

Cary and Brody are staying with Jan and Tommy while waiting to tie up loose ends before moving. I've been enjoying spending time with them. The lake is a popular destination. 

He loads up his wagon with rocks to throw off the pier. I even got to fling a few. 

He took my concrete pig for a ride on Saturday. 

On Monday he helped Uncle Ed fill the big green bucket with sticks for a fire. 

Zoo day

When Jan texted me this morning saying "would you like to go to the zoo with us?", I didn't hesitate. What time should I be ready was all I said. 

We are trying to squeeze in every opportunity with Brody before he moves to Indiana. Also check out little sister under construction!!

Looking at Pumpkin, the orangutan 

Tiger

He made sure I new this was a FAKE alligator. 

Flamingos

I even saw a gopher turtle like the ones who live at Anna's cabin. 

Zebras

The Pygmy hippo was in mud heaven. 

Brody and I loved the Red River hogs. 

I was honored that Brody picked me to ride the carousel with him. 

Here is the old swimming area in Livingston lake. I have a few memories of going there before integration shut all public pools down in 1963. 

This was a big fountain you could swim to and stand inside under the flow. 

Selfie on the train.  

The tunnel. 

A redbud on the route. Great day !!