Got the house all ready for Mom's first visit. 

Truffles is getting ready. 

Jan brought her over and we had lunch. 

Took a little trip to Meridian to visit Ivy and Tripp. These little buddies love to play. 

Cosmo definitely rules the roost. Here he is in Monty the dog's bed. 

This is Grandma's cat Miss Bossy. She rules the other side of the duplex. 

I woke up the next morning to this sweetness. 

We were fascinated by this Banana Orb spider that lived out front of the porch. Love the perspective with the truck. Also note her tiny husband just above and to the left. Poor guy. He will be lunch after he has done his duty. 

Yes. It is that time of year. Ed made the perfectly seasoned ones with the addition of a little Zatarain's crab boil. 

Then Sophie and Paul had us over Sunday for chicken shawarma. 

So good. 

First (and only) spider lily. 

Opened fully the next day. Back to school harbinger. 

My cousin, Diane asked if we would like these old quilts. My Aunt D was about to sell them for $1 at a garage sale in 1978. She rescued them. We will each take some. Ju ju loves them. 

Shack

The Clinton Pizza Shack is shaping up. This wall is painted and one light fixture is up. Booths will go here. 

Front wall. Subway tile will go from that black beam down. 

Walls finished, ceiling painted. 

All I see is great artwork here. 

Looking out the front window. 

Lights go up. 

This will be the edge of the penny topped bar. 

Latest celebration. Jill turns 60. We had lunch at Strawberry Cafe, then returned to my house for cake, wine and presents. 

Her favorite caramel cake. We sang to her a great showtune medley from Oklahoma. Priscilla is the clever author. 

We had fun even if some of us (me) aren't very talented singers. 

Selfie. Not sure why I look so shocked 

Poor Toby has been very sick. Had to take him in after terrible upset stomach. They had to shave a spot to draw blood. Antibiotics and bland diet have got him back to begging from Ed. 

Had a craving for chicken and dumplings. These are pretty close to my Mamaw Ellis's. But check out the motto in the red oval. That may be the solution to the drug problem. 

Remember my grubby old kitchen chairs? 

Love them. The upholsterer commented on how old they are. I estimate 1860-70's. They sort of seem to bridge Eastlake (late) Victorian to Art Deco to Modern style. 

Ok....am I wrong to be thrilled over my last Kroger shopping trip savings? It's like a game. 

Works of art

Gorgeous magnolia bud in Clinton. 

Ed has mastered cooking steak and salmon in a skillet. 

Thank goodness. It is too hot to stand at the grill. 

Perfect. 

Ok... the eclipse. Cool reflection 

Candy and I headed to the Lost Rabbit pool for a perfect view. Our scientific equipment. 

Two pieces of paper worked too. 

Fascinating shadows by the tree leaves. 

It was fun. 

The light had an eerie quality

Goodbye scientific equipment. 

Next cool thing...at lunch Sunday, Sophie told me about an estate sale at the home of a local artist. I had always noticed this unusual home near our Riverwood house and wondered about it. I headed over there. She was very prolific and very good too! Sophie took this picture of the studio. 

There were stacks of fabulous works. I fell in love with this watercolor.  When I went to pay for it, of course I knew the seller. She was a former neighbor. The artist was her aunt, LaRita Smith. 

Sophie bought this one. It's painted on muslin. 

It feels right at home. 

The artist signed the title on the side...Smith Park. 

Special occasions

Back to school. Sending Lucy off for her senior year. 

We celebrated at Amerigo's. 

I decided it was the end of summer. 

Took off my bracelet I got on Beach Week in Orange Beach. Sniff, sniff. 

Lucy sent me this later as she was packing. It's the cards I sent her weekly at college. Do adults get cards? We will see. 

Next celebration - birthday girls Pam and Kathy. 

Sue took the pic so is not in it. County Seat at Livingston. 

Special desserts. Blood orange tart

Banana coffee cake. Presents, food and fun. 

A little dose of grandogs. 

Sunday afternoon naps.