Spring camping

One of the best things about spring...

...is the smell of magnolias. 

I managed to cut one from my tree. 

The scent reminds me of graduations. At Boyd elementary , they used to line the edge of the stage with them at sixth grade class day. 

The bitter end. I passed these little gnomes several times in Kroger before succumbing to his cuteness. 

Sophie reports that he is hanging with the chives at her house. 

On to Mother's Day camp out. 

Since I was not feeling my best I'm using a little guest photography compliments of Paul and Sophie Wolf. Only one is in this pic but there was a herd of deer that roam the park freely. 

Our view of Enid lake at Cossar state park. 

The photographers. 

Now this is the way to cook. 

Linda made her special sautéed mushrooms. 

The finished project. 

 

Paul's masterpiece plate. 

They didn't want to pause for this one. Not sure where Parker is. He was so much fun to have along. 

Love these beat up, well loved tables at state parks. 

After dinner Mary Grace did her fire magic. 

Need I say more? Or s'more?

The weekend was nice and cool, so the big fire was great. 

Got a visit from Dupree. 

Still sitting around...

But I'm doing a little. Ed had brought home a cabbage on one of his grocery forays. 

I scrounged up a couple of ground turkey patties and some leftover mushroom rice from the freezer and I had all the ingredients for cabbage rolls. At least half a recipe. I usually end up with enough for an army. 

My appetite is still leaning towards salads thank goodness. 

Huckleberries are blooming and smell so good. 

Aunt Dee used to make pies out of the tiny berries. 

Since Mary Grace and Ryan have ordered Bark Boxes to be delivered to their dogs monthly, their old toys had to be donated to less fortunate dogs. 

Guess who. Truffles is exhausted after playing with them. 

Toby loves this ball.  This month's Bark Box was baseball themed. Oh , brother. Now for the cuteness. 

Brody discovering a family secret. 

Whether we call them boiled cookies or smokey oats, they are the best. 

Mother's Day

Well here is what the day is all about!

The sweetest mom on earth. 

And the sweetest daughters! 

Met at Jan and Tommy's for lunch. 

Many flowers and gifts. 

I was just happy to get out and see everyone. The tulips Doris gave me still looked pretty. 

Got to go to MG & Ryan's for a hug from Dupree yesterday. Did I mention that Chris is home? 

Yes and all that implies. He wanted to clean and deodorize his car. The only logical next step is to pour a 40 pond bag of baking soda in it, right?

He has been helping get the house ready to sell though. 

Sick and tired..,

Of being sick and tired. These guys are hanging with me. 

Friends and family have been so great bringing food, flowers and reading material. 

Enough about that. I'm so much better and will be out soon. In the mean time how about a couple of pics from Indiana? 

Jan says they have the best parks there. 

Isn't he a doll?

Hello from the other side

So...I've been sick now for over a week. It started last Thursday. Mystery headache and nausea. Managed to get ivy to get her wisdom teeth out Friday and left her in Tripp's care. She was ok. After two trips to ER and two trips to Doctor, they finally decided it was viral encephalitis, cause to be determined. West Nile seems most likely. Waiting on results. 

Nothing much to say ( other than my living room light fixture is disgusting and needs replacing)

 

is I have such a great bunch of family and friends. Ed has run the house like a champ. Everyone has been so helpful and thoughtful. 

Here I'll post an event I haven't shown back in better days. Book Club in April at Pam's house. 

Love that saturated green. Always my favorite. 

She just floated native azalea and Ivy in this gorgeous bowl. 

These little crackers had olives (my favorite), cheese and tomatoes. 

Bev and Kathy 

It was so good. That sauce was so simple on the pork loin. She mixed red pepper jelly and barbecue sauce. Spicy and sweet. 

Sue, Pam and Priscilla. 

Maybe my week of fasting did some good...whew! We enjoyed discussing Freud's Mistress. How can smart women be so dumb when it comes to men?

Blimps, gumbo and peas

Ok...I love blimps. I was driving along the other day and bam...a blimp. Flying by our famous Madison landmark. 

Got to do the flowers for little Rachel's prom after party. She was always the little  one of the kids! 

Got to help Amy again this year at a conference at Beau Rivage.  

Great view. Amy gave me her gulf view. 

Never got to go out there! It rained all week and we were so busy. 

This was my view for most of the week. 

Here I am hunkered down behind the desk at a reception. 

Ok. And this was our reward lunch before heading home. 

My favorite thing on the coast. 

Mom and I stopped at Freshway today and guess what they had!!  Fresh English peas. Only available for a couple of weeks here in the warm south. So good. Totally different from canned or frozen.