TBT Photos and Stories...

Welcome to another throwback Thursday. More old photos, but these are all from the same vacation, so aren't as disjointed as previous TBT photos.

In July 2007, Joe and I joined my sister & sister-in-law and their families at Folly Beach, SC.  They rented a 6-bedroom vacation house, right on the beach, for a week. We arrived toward the end of the week and stayed through the weekend. What fun we had!! Folly Beach is only a couple of miles from Charleston, so we enjoyed Charleston while we were there, too.  Two years later, Joe and I rented our own house with son Joey, Darlene and Tristan, while my sister and sister-in-law rented the same bigger house for their gang. We had a blast that year, too.  These are all from 2007.

 This is the house they rented (both years). Nice. Very nice.

Multiple decks and balconies.

 

 Beach view from the house. 

Left to right:  Dan, Greg, Diana, Patti, Kelly, Joe, Kelly's friend, me, Jo Anne, and Mike.

Diana is my sister's husband's sister. Dan is her husband Greg is my sister's husband. Kelly is their daughter. Jo Anne is my sister-in-law and Mike is her son.  Got it? :)

Dan and Greg, seated, Patti and Joe, standing.

One night, we ate at 82 Queen, in Charleston. Fancy, delicious, and pretty expensive. It was a wonderful night out, though.  Joe and I treated everyone, since they didn't ask us to pitch in for the cost of the house. Pitching in for the house might have actually been less expensive! Ha!

 They put us in our own room at the restaurant. They must have thought we would be rowdy! Ha, again!

Me and my sister, Patti. 

Since I mentioned going back in 2009, here are some photos from 2009.

 A few more folks this year, than last. Niece Sara got to come with a few of her college friends.

This is the house we rented, and that is Darlene, Joey and Tristan.

Niece Sara, with Uncle Joe.

Fun times and lots of good memories!  I highly recommend Folly Beach, South Carolina, if you want a great beach vacation. Thanks for checking in!! Happy Thursday! Be blessed!

A Racing Hodgepodge #184!!

Happy Hump Day and thanks to Joyce, From This Side of the Pond, for another great Hodgepodge!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 184

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge...answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to link up with the world wide webbers.  See you there!

1. "Summer is like childhood. It's full of warm memories and gone too soon."~Kellie Elmore  Agree or disagree? Share something you loved about the summers of your childhood.  Ah, the freedom of my younger years, for sure. Barefoot and outside playing all day. I had a platform-like tree house in the big maple tree, in our backyard. I would climb up there with a book and be happy for hours. During high school, I worked in the summers, but the jobs weren't that bad and I still had time for the beach and boating with friends. Songs on the jukebox, first loves.....

2. Are you a fan of auto racing-NASCAR, Indy, Stock, Grand Prix, etc? Ever been to a race in person? Any desire to do this?  Do you know a lot about cars? Do you notice particular makes and models when you're out and about?  I am not a NASCAR or racing fan and have never been to a race in person. I do have an uncle who is crazy about it, though. I can change a tire, check the oil, put in washer fluid and know what different sounds mean. My dad made me learn a lot of that before I could take the family car out on my own - bless him.  I notice Land Rovers because I want one (when I win the lottery!). I notice classic cars, and also want a 1956 turquoise t-bird - when I win that lottery! Cars today all look the same. My Kia Sportage is almost a twin to my friend's Lexus SUV. Seriously. How can you tell the difference, unless you know the logo/symbols, and are close enough to see those little things?

3. What's something you think is too serious to be joked about? Or do you think anything and everything is fair game? Jokes about politics are fine - especially when it's not about my party affiliation. Jokes about me are okay, but jokes about other people are usually not funny and border on bullying. I don't like jokes about my religious beliefs (or others' beliefs). I DO like a funny joke, though. Jay Leno-style. No bad words and all in good fun. People who think bad language makes for a funnier joke have it all wrong.

4. July 29th is National Lasagna Day. Are you a fan? Do you have a great recipe, and if so where did it come from? If given a choice would you choose a plate of lasagna or a plate of spaghetti?  I LOVE lasagna and anything Italian. It's the sauce that makes the pasta, and Joe's mom taught me to make good sauce (gravy, at our house). There isn't a recipe - you just have to watch and taste. Given a choice, I would probably take spaghetti. I like to twirl it against a spoon. It just seems more "Italian" to eat spaghetti.

5. What's a simple pleasure you'd miss if it were not a regular part of your life?  Coffee. Ice Cream.

6. If you could be the CEO of any company, which would you choose?  Being the CFO is enough for me. CEO's have way too much responsibility. If you make me choose, it would be a non-profit, not a big for-profit company. I would want to do good in a community by providing a needed service.

7. August is just around the bend...bid farewell to July in exactly seven words.  I'll not miss your heat and humidity. (...but August will be just as bad)


8. Insert your own random thought here. Just having trouble wrapping my head around the fact that it is almost August. That, and our youngest grandson will be a senior in high school this year.  We really need to enjoy life each day, because the days soon turn into years, seemingly over night, and we wonder where the time has gone. Weeks go by, with us waiting on Friday and the weekend, then complaining about Monday mornings....cherish those Mondays!! (Remind me, when I post about dreading Mondays!!) Precious, precious time. 

Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for your comments! Peace, love, blessings & hugs!

Tuesday - Some Funny Tidbits!!

Audit week is here, so I am cheating with some funny signs as my Tuesday Tidbits!

Hope you got at least one chuckle! Thanks for checking in! Blessings wished for you!

Monday, Monday....

Aside from the weekend ending much too soon, my Monday began with a 6:30 a.m. call from the Museum, where I work. Plumbing problems caused some flooding from the second floor down to the first floor. What a mess! We are closed on Sundays, in the summer months (because of low attendance), so the leaking had been going on since sometime after we closed up on Saturday. Fortunately, none of the art was damaged. I did have to call in a professional company to do the clean up. Mold is not something we want to deal with down the road, so it needs to be done correctly, now, to avoid that problem later. We just don't have the equipment necessary to get all the moisture up, and dry things out.  Great way to start a Monday (or any day, actually).  In addition to being the accountant and HR person, I also supervise maintenance, security and visitor services. Five hats to wear, though they are all somewhat related.

AND...my annual audit started today. There are three people in the conference room, working on the books. Two are trainees. I was told that we make for a good place to teach people because I have everything organized and ready for them.  Seems like diving into a mess might make for a better learning experience, but...whatever. They all seem to be nice, and hopefully it will get done quickly, this week, with three people working on it.

I am on my lunch hour now, and thought I'd better get a post done while I have a few minutes. I've already reported on the weekend, but we did talk to both of our sons last night. Joey and Darlene were on the road and should get to the new house today. Their furniture should arrive tomorrow or Wednesday. Joey hired someone to deep clean the house, so they don't have that to worry with that when they arrive. He is also hiring someone to help them put things away and organize storage areas. Joey is a hoarder, so we were happy to hear he is taking this step and will let the organizer tell them what to keep and what to toss or sell. Hope it works.  They bought a four-bedroom house, with a three-car garage. Joe and I both have visions of three of the bedrooms and the entire garage full of junk, top to bottom. Joey is that bad. Praying for them, and for the organizer they hire. It sounds like he is ready to make the change.

Jeff is doing well, and it is always good to hear his voice. We text and are on Facebook daily, but I do like to hear his voice.

I have nothing else to report, and need to get back to work here.  Thanks for checking in!!

Saturday9 Meme, on Sunday!

Summerfling

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

Saturday9: Summerfling
(recommended by Kwizgiver)

If you're not familiar with today's song, you can hear it here.

1) This song refers to the summer breezes and winds of mid-July. Now that July is almost over, how would you describe this month's weather where you are? Hot, hot, hot and humid, humid, humid. Period.

2) The lyrics mention the "perfect plans." Do you have plans for today? Or will you just let this summer Saturday unfold? Since I am doing this on Sunday, I'll speak to plans for today. We were going to Orlando, to the Convention Center, for the Orlando Gift Market. It is always fun and I maintain my business license, for the craft & jewelry business. We can attend wholesale gift markets. BUT - we spent a little more on my computer than we intended, so decided we should just stay home and not be tempted in Orlando. Instead, I will just do my usual cleaning and laundry (and enjoy my new computer!).

3) This week's artist, k. d. lang, attended Red Deer Community College in Alberta. Red Deer's school colors are green, black and silver. What were your school colors?  My college's colors are blue and yellow. My high school's colors are purple and gold.

4) She had a bit part in the 2006 murder mystery The Black Dahlia. Do you enjoy murder mysteries?  That is a spooky movie, and I like the earlier version better than the 2006 version. But the question is about murder mysteries, and my answer is yes. I enjoy books, movies and TV shows about murder mysteries.
  

5) Ms. lang is a vegetarian. What's the last beef, chicken, pork or fish you ate? We had steak for dinner tonight. I am not a vegetarian - not even close. I'll eat meat before anything else on my plate. Roar! ;)

6) In 2000, when this song was released, California suffered a series of blackouts. Has your power gone out this summer?  Our power flickers during bad storms, and we have lots of surge protection, including whole-house protection on our meter. This is hurricane territory. Fortunately, the power hasn't gone out completely for several months.

7) Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire also came out in 2000. Did you read it?  I read all the Harry Potter books, at the same time our granddaughter, Lauren, read them. We talked about them (long distance). I really enjoyed the books, and saw the first movie (but not the rest). We have not gone to Universal Studios since they opened the Harry Potter attractions.

8) Which would you rather have on your hot dog: sauerkraut, ketchup/mustard/relish or chili?  Well, I enjoy hotdogs with all of those. We just had them, with sauerkraut, last week, as a matter of fact. I can't say that I prefer one over the other. They are all good.

9) If you had your choice, which would you prefer: new shoes or a new wallet? No question. New shoes.

Thanks for checking in on this Sunday. The weekend is going fast. Church was good last night, but attendance was down. It was pretty obvious that lots of people were on end-of-the-summer vacations. End of the summer...good grief!!  Be blessed!!

New Computer!

Whoohoo! I finally got my new computer! We got up (yes, I set the alarm) and went to Tiger Direct, down in Brandon (a "suburb" of Tampa - south of Tampa, off I-75).  I ended up with a Dell, and I am enjoying it very much. It is fast, has lots of room for my "stuff" and I am happy to give Joe's laptop back to him!

We went out for breakfast, on the way to Brandon, which was nice. We haven't gone out for breakfast in awhile, and it really is my favorite meal of the day.  I am now downloading photos and data from "the cloud" and then will have to boot up my old computer, one more time, and get some stuff put on a thumb drive, so I can finish. Carbonite is helping, too - a wonderful back-up system.

We are off to Mass shortly, and will come home to find something for dinner, since we ate out once already today. It's not like there is nothing in the house to eat....I just have to prepare it.

I hope you are having a good Saturday!! We have had our rain, so I hope it is done for the day. Thanks for stopping by!! Blessings!

Chat 149

Happy Friday to you! I'm a little late getting to the porch for a chat, but better late than never! Please sit down and let's share. The weekend is nearly here!!

Chat 149

 

 Saved you a place on the porch swing. :)

Greetings to all of you wonderful people, who drop by to visit with Wendell, the Wonder Horse, and me. I often wish we could really sit on the porch and visit. I'll sit on your porch and visit, Patrice. I will see if I can get my Wendell weight into one of your benches. Oh, Wendell!  I think you are to big to sit on my benches. Can you just stand in the yard, just off the porch?Do I still get iced tea? Yes, but I didn't know you liked iced tea. I don't. Then  why did you ask me about iced tea? Because I need a glass of iced tea. When I spill it all over you, you'll have to go into the kitchen to clean it up. That's where the carrots live. You will then bring some out to me. I will? Why? You just spilled iced tea on me. (Intentionally, I may add.) I'm glad you can add, Patrice. Now go get my iced tea. Please? Yes, please.

Today's Questions:

1. Other than those who live in your home, who's the last person who came to your front door?  It was the plumber, because our sprinkler system was leaking and Joe had to be there to let him in, turn off the water, etc. Got it fixed, thankfully. It was a bad leak and I'm not looking forward to our next water bill. Sigh.
2. Do you have many photos around your home?  No, not anymore. I used to have a hallway full of family and friends - Joe called it the hall of horrors! They are all on a Digital Photo Frame, now, that runs all the time on a book shelf in the living room. I think there are over 100 photos shuffling there, and I continue to add to it. We do have a few of the grandchildren and nieces & nephews in frames, in the guest room.
3. Do you like mint? Is there a favorite type of mint for you? How do you enjoy it? I am actually not a big fan of mint. I don't like peppermint at all, or wintergreen mint. I chew Mentos sugarless gum in the Pure Fresh flavor.
4. Do you enjoy your own parties and other times with guests, or are you so busy working...? I enjoy having friends over for dinner parties, and I do my best to plan it so most of the work is done before they come through the door. Dishes don't get done until everyone leaves. I don't let company help with that. We visit, and linger over coffee and/or liquors, with dessert.
5. What do you want to be when you grow up more? Job, hobby, self improvement, etc.  I am all grown up. I wanted to be an architect or an art teacher. Here I am, doing accounting and HR in an art museum. I'm where I am supposed to be. I have several hobbies I enjoy. There is always room for self-improvement, but after you pass 60.....(who cares?!)

 Thanks for stopping by my chat today! I wish you a good weekend ahead, and appreciate your time and your comments! Be blessed!


 

Throw Back Thursday....

I posted on Facebook yesterday that Onyx got a good report at the Vet!! He has gained a pound, in just a week, which is wonderful! Dr. Dunham was pleased with his progress and we don't have to take him back for another visit, as long as he continues to thrive. Hooray!  All the prayers and positive energy sent his way last week, worked! Thank you!

I am posting a few more old photos. Again there is no rhyme or reason. Just bear with me!

 This is Domenick and Rosella. They were Joe's first wife's parents. I was so blessed that they accepted me into the family when Joe and I were married. Joe's first wife and the mother of Joey and Jeff, died of brain cancer. It was (of course) a hard thing for all of them to experience.  Rose actually started calling me her 'adopted daughter', which was an honor I did not take lightly. They came to the United States, from Italy, as did Joe's folks. Joe and Loretta knew each other from the time they were kids. Close, Italian immigrant families stuck together. Joe's folks had the meat market, and Rose & Dom had a neighborhood grocery store.  I will offer that Loretta helped pave the way for me to be in Joe's life. She told everyone that she wanted him to find someone to love and to marry again, so to trust him. I think she and I would have liked each other, had we ever met.

 This is my Grandpa Kelly, when he was a very young man. I think it's great that these look like photo-booth photos that we still have taken today!

 

Above and below - I threw Joe a surprise 50th birthday party (1987). We had a house full of friends, and I asked everyone to bring something that is older than Joe (or represents something older than Joe). You can just see the head of a blow-up dinosaur on the table beside him. What made him laugh so hard was a can of Spam, which turned 50 that year, too, and the can actually said 50 years old! That was his favorite gift! 

 

 This is a photo of my parents. Probably in the mid-80s, is my guess. I just love it. The evergreen tree they are standing in front of was a tree I planted when I was in the Blue Birds, for Arbor Day. Dad dug them up (there were two) and moved them with us when we moved to this house. They thrived in our front yard, and got decorated for Christmas each year. Sadly, they are gone now (as are my folks).

I like this photo of the four of us, sitting on the fireplace hearth for our first Christmas together (1985). Me (see that cast on my arm, explained in a previous blog), Joe, Joey and Jeff. I am such a lucky girl!! Count my blessings daily!

Thanks for stopping by! I wish you a good Thursday! Be blessed!

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream Hodgepodge!

Welcome to another Hodgepodge!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 183

Here are the questions to this week's Hodgepodge...answer on your own blog, then hop back HERE tomorrow to join the linky party.  See you there-

1. When I look at the sky I feel...blessed and in awe, most of the time. Lately, though, there have been too many rain-filled dark clouds when I look at the sky. We do need the rain, but.....

2. If you had to run for political office, which one would you run for? Do you have any real desire to actually do this?  Running for office (any political office) is not something I have ever or would ever consider. No desire, no interest, nada. It's a dirty game.

3. What scent makes you think of home?  Mom's pot roast in the oven; Granny's fried chicken on the stove....chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven. Most any yummy, good food smell reminds me of home. I come from a long line of great cooks, and sometimes wonder how I missed out on that gene! I do okay, but nothing as memorable as the food prepared by my mom and granny.

4. How often do you take a step back to think about where you're headed in life? Do you need more or less self-reflection?  At my age, and at this stage of my life, I am done worrying about where I am headed. There aren't many turns left on this road.  I'm almost there!

5. July is National Ice Cream Month...besides a cone, what's your favorite food item to top with ice cream?  Ice cream is at the top of the food pyramid at our house. A dip of ice cream, topping off a piece of pie or a piece of cake - yum. Warm cobbler that makes it melt....double yum.

6. What might your autobiography be called?  (Snort!!)  "Read This To Help You Sleep"!!

7. Your least favorite mode of transportation? Why? These days, walking. It hurts my knees.  If you mean something that you get inside....my long legs do not fit comfortably in backseats of small cars, coach seats on airplanes, or tourist trolley cars...

8.  Insert your own random thought here.  When I get to this question, I never seem to have a really random thought. Only things not so random, like Onyx going to the Vet today, to see how he is doing, or our kids moving into their new home this weekend....

Thanks for reading my Hodgepodge answers this week, and thanks to Joyce for another fun grouping!  I appreciate your comments and look forward to your posts! Be blessed!
 

Tuesday Tidbits Time...

Good Tuesday to you! I really don't have much to write about, but I'll post a few little tid-bits that might be interesting....

• Work:  The auditors have all my files, so I am happy to have finished a day earlier than I expected. They will be on-site next week.
• Weather:  It rained again yesterday, and probably will again today.  Rain is good, but I'm getting tired of it.
• Home:  Onyx continues to improve and look better. He goes back to the Vet tomorrow, and we are anxious to see if he has gained some weight.
• Family:  Joe and Darlene got a cat! Carmella looks like a sweet girl. I hope she will get along with the two pups, Zoey and Brooke!
• Church:  The CCW get-together last night went okay, though we weren't able to finish for a couple of reasons. I have to admit that I am just not into 'women things'.  I don't like baby/wedding showers, I don't like parties that are just women. I don't enjoy meetings when lots of women are together. I have no patience for groups of women. I'm sorry. I never have and most likely never will.  The chatter bugs me; the fact that only 1/3 of those present are really workers bothers me; silly games drive me nuts. I don't like Mary Kay parties, Tupperware parties, Pampered Chef parties (the products, yes - the parties, no).... I love my girlfriends and enjoy lunch out with 3 or 4 - 5 or 6. When it gets to be a dozen or more, I just want to shut down and leave. I was the first to leave last night. We were bumping into each other. Half were in the kitchen drinking wine and eating snacks while a fourth were actually doing the work, and the other group were sitting around chatting. I just have no patience, or maybe I am just weird.
• I guess that's enough, after that confession! Whew!

Wishing you a good Tuesday! Thank you for coming by. Be blessed!

Monday Quiz About Me....

Monday Quiz About Me - What's your favorite junk food?

Welcome to Monday Quiz About Me - hosted by Heather & Wayne from Acting Balanced. 

Here are FOUR QUESTIONS that everyone can answer and then you have the option to add a fifth question of your own for those who are visiting your blog to answer in the comment section, along with commenting on the four standard questions you answered! 
 
Here are the Questions:

1. Today, Monday, is National Junk Food Day - do you eat junk food?  Favorites?  Of course I eat junk food.  Potato chips, chocolate, cookies, cake, donuts.... I'm off that stuff right now, though, trying to stay away from carbs, but who doesn't like a Frosty from Wendy's or a blizzard from Dairy Queen?

2. Some people call this time the "Dog Days of Summer" - is that accurate for you?  Why or Why Not?  Well, technically, that just refers to the time of year it is...end of July through the first part of August, so yes, these are the Dog Days for all of us. If the reference is to being lazy because it is so blasted hot outside, then yes, that is true, too!! LOL

3. This week also celebrates National Cousins Day - Do you have many cousins? Are you close with your cousins?  I have lots of cousins and we grew up close, and are still close. What a blessing they have been in my life! Sadly, my two first cousins are gone. They died much too soon, of cancer. I have several 2nd and lots of 2nds once removed, however, and we are in touch and visit and care about each other. 

A few of my cousins at the Rain Forest Cafe, Downtown Disney, last year.

4. Are you taking vacation this summer?  What are some of your favorite places to go?  We don't usually vacation in the summer. We do get vacationers visiting us, however!  We prefer to travel in the fall, and are starting to plan a September trip. My favorite place to go.... Italy!

As always, I won't ask a question for #5, but would love to see you answer one or two of the above in your comments! 

Tonight, I am meeting with a group of women from church. We are making up membership packets, to hand out to all the women of our Parish, on CCW membership weekend (Council of Catholic Women).  It will be a fun couple of hours, with friends.  

Thanks for stopping by, and I wish you a blessed week ahead!

How can it be Sunday already?!

 

Good Sunday to you!  This weekend is going much too fast (but don't they all!).

We spent the afternoon at The Red Elephant restaurant, celebrating our neighbor's 60th birthday. It was a small, but lively group of (mostly) relatives and Joe and me.  We have met the family members before, since we have been friends and neighbors for years and years. 

 

 The birthday boy, Bob, is in the cap, in the center of the table. His wife, Ginny, is beside him. One of the granddaughters is watching her grandpa. 

 From the other end of the table, so you can see Joe at the end, on the left.

 Another shot of the birthday boy.

 The Red Elephant has a big menu, and the salads are delicious. Joe and I both had the Southwest Chicken Salad. I had spicy ranch dressing on mine. Yum.

The name of the restaurant is strange, but the menu explains it. I think you can read it, if interested, by clicking on the photo to enlarge it. There are red elephants throughout the restaurant, both on the walls and standing here and there.

Our son, Joey, called last night to tell us the closing is done on their house and by this time next weekend, he and Darlene will be together, waiting for the movers to show up (Sunday or Monday). Darlene finished up her last dance class last week, at her Darlene DeMayo Dance Studio. She posted a video on Facebook of the last zumba class, dancing to Donna Summers' "Last Dance". There were tears.  She is happy to be done with the studio, though, and is ready for what life brings in Georgia. She won't be starting her own studio again, however.  Here is a link, if you want to see the last dance (posted public on her FB page):  https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10203910656147879

We have no plans, again, for today.  Just the usual laundry and some light cleaning. If the weather holds, perhaps a dip in the pool.  Onyx continues to get stronger and more active, and we are so thankful! Wishing you a blessed day!! Thanks for stopping by!!

Six for Saturday...

• I played hookey yesterday, and left work 45 minutes early. My audit was pushed back, so I have all next week to prepare! Sure took some stress off me! I'll actually be ready by Tuesday or Wednesday. An awesome turn of events!

• Joe and I took our neighbor, Sheila, out to dinner at Texas Roadhouse last night. She is the one who lost her husband a few weeks ago. She is doing great, she really is. We were headed to Sam's Club after dinner, and she asked if she could ride along, so we all went to Sam's. 

•  After we dropped her off at home, and then got our things put away, Joe and I got in the pool for awhile. It felt good to be able to enjoy the pool for a change. It has been raining every afternoon and evening for two weeks.  Today has been a lovely day, though a hot one.

• Today, we are going to a restaurant to join in a birthday celebration. Our neighbor, Bob, is celebrating his 60th birthday, and the party will be at The Red Elephant. Should be fun!

•  Onyx is doing much better. He is sleeping more than before, but is his "old self" when he is awake and moving around.  He takes his medicine like a trooper. I'm anxious for him to begin gaining back some of the weight he lost.

•  Later today I am going to attempt a low-carb brownie recipe. If it is good, I will share it with you! I am ready for something a little sweet!!

Thanks for peeking in today! I wish you a blessed weekend!

Chat on the farmhouse porch....

Happy Friday!! Another weekend ahead, and no alarm clock!!  Join in on the Farmhouse Chat by clicking HERE!!  Always fun!

Time to Chat #148

 

From Patrice:  Hello from our farm. What a lovely day! Today, we are having a day that makes me think of spring. This morning was cool and lovely. I think it was the reward for a stormy night. We did manage to get some rain last night. Too late for about a third of our corn crop. Between drought, and run away sheep who like to dine in our market garden, it has been challenging lately. To say the least. New fences are going up, but he sheep will probably sprout wings and learn to fly. It's that magnetic attraction to the garden.

Here are our questions for this week:

1. D3 is facing wisdom teeth removal. Have you had your wisdom teeth removed?  I still have all four of my wisdom teeth, though they do all have fillings. It's why I'm so wise (snort)!
2. Today Wendell is serving iced tea, iced coffee, and carrot juice. He wants me to ask you which you'd prefer.  Iced tea, please, sweetened with stevia.
3. If you use a crock pot, do you have a favorite recipe? If not, what is your favorite, easy "go to" recipe?  I use the crock pot now and then. No recipe - I just put a pot roast in with onions.
4. Do you prefer to wash dishes by hand or dishwasher? Yes, I know some of us probably don't like dish washing. Wendell flat out refuses!  Dishes and utensils go in the dishwasher. I wash the pans by hand....so a little of both.
5. What are you looking forward to?  Sleeping in tomorrow, with no alarm clock set!!

 Thanks for sharing the porch with me (and all who participate) today! I do wish you a good weekend!


 

Throw Back Thursday....

I am still scanning photos. No rhyme or reason....

My Aunt Dot, and cousin Peggy.

My Uncle Bill and Dad (brothers) showing empty beer cans!

On the left is my Great Grandma Kelly. Not sure who is on the right.  I come from a long line of hefty women!

This is me with my Grandpa James. This photo was in his wallet when he died.

I was in my mid-20s when he passed away. I cried when Grandma gave it to me.

My mom and my Aunt Dot. 

My dear mother.

My mom, ready for a special dance at school.

My mom (again). She was 15 when this was taken. She told me, laughing, that she and her girlfriends took "glamor" shots of each other on the bed, one summer day. My mom's friends, from high school, remained close all through her life. They had a "card club" and got together once a month to play canasta. After we moved 60 miles away, they still all got together (with spouses) for holidays, and several of them came to her funeral. Lifelong friendships are so special.

My mom, Uncle Bob (little guy) with Grandma and Grandpa Cameron. The was a few years before they divorced.

This is an aerial view of my grandparents' farm, in Fayette County, Ohio.

My dad probably took the photo. He flew single engine planes when he was a young man.  The smaller farm to the left is where they lived when Dad was born.  I have many fond memories of this farm, even though they sold it and moved when I was around seven years old.

Thanks for taking this walk down memory lane with me!! Wishing you blessings on this Thursday!