Happy Fourth!

Made it to Riverside! Holla.

Celebrating the fourth with Michael Jackson remixes, fireworks ready to fly, watermelon chilin'!

Life is gud!

XO
RO

**Post Savannah stories to come soon!**

Good Evening

We made it to Hotlanta and are enjoying the company, the food and the views from our room.

We were upgraded to a suite way up high, thanks to the hub's worldly travel.

Ya know I love my W's.

We decided upon FLIP Burger Boutique, run by none-other than my fav Richard Blais. He wasn't walking around the place like he did at his Home restaurant way back when Amy and I were there, but the food? Quite yummy, of course.

I had the Burger of today,

the Cuban--pork patty, ham, pork belly, Swiss cheese, cornichons, sweet pickles, mojo sauce, smoked mayo and dijon. Oooooof!

. . . with a side salad (like that made a difference in my caloric intake!).

The kids had fries which were oh so good. Can you tell?

We also had a Krispy Kreme milkshake--complete with liquid nitrogen which made it smoky when it arrived! A couple of sips of this is all that was needed! Daig, Krispy Kreme seems to be everywhere in everything!

Our waitress was a sweet young lady who also has a photography business. I told her I took pictures of EVERYTHING and she said "ME TOO!" She then gave me her card, Mac + Cheese Photography. Isn't' that a fabo name??? You need to look at some of her wedding photography. So lovely and creative. I wish I lived down here and were getting married!

It was definitely an all-thumb's-up dinner!

We then high tailed it on over to the Westin, one of the tallest hotels in the United States, or something like that, to watch the sunset from the top floor, which rotates!

We got a little turned around and missed the sunset, but it was gorgeous just the same.

The Sundial Bar was another winner. But now it's time for bed. Savannah tomorrow!

xo
ro

Where Does the Time Go

This morning, I received a call from mom's place saying that they were moving her once again. Geesh. And, I pray, this will be her last move. I suppose, again, this is why I have been putting off hanging her pictures. There's always a little voice in my head that I try and listen to. Anyway, she is right next door, but now she has a window bed and looks out to the pretty little park setting. It is already equipped with a bird feeder.

I was saddened when the director told me why they were moving patients around. Mom's roommate, Mrs. M., the one who just celebrated her 80th birthday on Thursday, passed away early yesterday morning. It is bittersweet. While I am saddened to lose her as she was just the sweetest lady--called mom "granny"--she had been bedridden for almost 15 years at the same facility. She was able to get into a wheelchair about once a week, but that was about it. On Saturday, when mom was asleep and I sat with her, she told me that she wanted me to take this pretty orchid plant that was in her room when the Lord came and took her. I told her she wasn't going anywhere but thanked her just the same. I suppose in some way, she knew she was ready to leave this earth and move on. She went suddenly with no pain, and for that, I'm sure the family is thankful. The kid and I will be attending her funeral tomorrow. We will deeply miss Mrs. M. She reminded me so much of my grandma Rosie in so many ways. And you know what, I don't think I have one picture of her. Go figure. Me who takes photos of every speck of dust. I hate regrets like that.

Mom seemed oblivious to the change except the fact that she enjoyed looking out the window. I'm hoping this is her last move and made my wishes known straight to the director and social worker.

After seeing mom, I had a dentist appointment. Seems I put that off for quite a while! It's been way over a year since my last visit. Oh well. Everything looked good, which I was quite pleased with! Yay! On my way back home, I walked around the corner to the Puffy Muffin and picked up some cookies for the nurses tomorrow since I won't be here on Friday. Mmmmm. Look at this display, will ya? It took everything in my power to walk away from the cupcakes! But I did!

Tomorrow is going to be a crazy day. Mrs. M's funeral is at 10, I have to run by mom's and see her and drop the cookies off and then the CUZ gets here around 1!! OMG. The kid kept telling me she was arriving around 4! Lordy me. I will be shot out of a cannon first thing! Woooosh. Hold on Rosa, it's going to be a wild ride!! So, I probably won't be posting until we get settled somewhere down south.

xo
ro

If You'll Be My Dixie Chicken, I'll Be Your Tennessee Lamb

and we can walk together, down in Dixieland

The cuz is arriving on Tuesday and we will begin our journey South! We are so excited!!

Vallen has me totally hooked on Roadfood.com. Deary me. Look at the places I have mapped out for possible stops!

And food? The South's best.

When we were growing up, the summers were spent equally between my mom's family in Georgia and my father's family in Texas. I remember being really young and going to my grandma Rosie's apartment where she would cook up a "mess" of food for all of us. Well, you know Southerners, Grannies especially. She would just throw it all onto a plate for us kids, not asking what we liked and didn't like--just a big ol' heap of food. I'm sure we all turned white with horror; and my mom would look at us with her gentle brown eyes and whisper "You have to eat it." I guess we all did because I don't remember any incidents of dad woopin' us. lol. Now, it all looks good to me, just a "mess of good eats" on a plate! Larapin, I say go 'head, slap it on!

Val, this is for you!

Cheers to all the memories of Little Feat at the Warner Theatre in DC. These boys were like our home-town band.

xo
ro

Happy Fourth?

Today, I finally got a little done around the house. I went to sit with mom, brought all my magazines because that's what we do on Saturdays, and she was asleep. So, I sat with her roommate for a bit until the nurses had some things to do in there. I got home early and started whizzing around the house getting things in order before the cuz arrives on Tuesday and we leave for our road trip into the southland.

I wanted to get my Fourth of July stuff up since we won't be here--will be at Riverside. I had some things I wanted to make, like a banner and such and look at what I encountered when I entered the office. Why do I do this????? Lord have mercy!

Well it soon became this! I was just so sick and tired of looking at it!

And the banner I did make!

And pinwheels too.

Yesterday I had my annual physical. Seemed everything is ticking like it should. I was happy with that.

Still hot as Hades here. Ooof. Oh well, it is summer!

xo
ro

Catching Up is Hard to Do

Seems I have been MIA. Guess the summer has taken me by storm. It's been a fantastic summer so far and it is only going to get better! Yaya. The cuz gets here in four days and then we hit the open road!

We have been busy doing fun things like bowling (again tonight with the all-you-can-play 9-midnight--but the kid and hub, above showing us up, conked out before 11!), a Pink Floyd laser show at the local planetarium, enjoying visiting friends, sleeping in, trying to keep the house cool with the major heat wave that hit us this week, swimming (the kids, anyway) and . . . well, you get the picture.

We've been on an Italian kick too, mostly the gelato sort-of-kick in truth. Oh my. Yesterday was my mom's roommate's 80th birthday. I decided to take her some gelato (what else?) but she's diabetic; so I inquired about sugarless/fat free. Good luck. Well, low and behold, they had some "custard" type in the back freezer. I tested it to see if it was worth eating; and let me tell you, it was as good as the "front, full-of-sugar-and-fat" stuff. Ooooof. So not only did I get Mrs. M a big ol' bowl, the hub, kid and I had to go back after dinner and get us some!

Well, they got the front full-of-sugar-and-fat stuff, but I stuck with the "hidden-in-the-back" variety.

Oh, and it doesn't stop there, no siree. Of course, I wrack my brain each week on what to take the nurses, ya know. Last week while at the Italian market, the owner told me that he could order a gallon of the gelato straight from Italy which got the wheels turning. Hmmm, what could I do with a gallon of dolce de leche gelato? Well, make gelato sandwiches, of course. And so, that is what I'm doing tonight (after bowling, of course). Deary me. My freezer isn't as cold as those professional ones and the gelato is a tad soft. I learned very quickly that everything, and I do mean everything, has to be chilled. That includes the utensils, the candies to roll them in, the cookies, even the plates you put the candies on to roll on! Ooof. My first try was a no go. I have now transferred everything to my new freezer (after having to move all that stuff to the old freezer). Lordy me. The things I get myself into after midnight! Geesh.

Ok, what else? Oh oh oh!!! I got my hair cut and colored today. Put highlights in for the first time in many moons. Then my lady blow dried it straight as a can be! I loved it. Everyone was freaking out when I got home! So different for me.

And of course, I've been eating things I shouldn't be eating . . .

. . . and drinking things I shouldn't be drinking. But, what the hell. It's summatime!

So sad to hear about Farrah Faucet's passing but I know she is in a better place. Now, as far as Michael Jackson? Still sad, and yes shocking, but who knows where he'll end up. A great loss as far as his talents though.

xo
ro

Midnight Madness

I made the mistake of taking a nap today. A rather late nap at that. So here I am at 2 a.m.

We decided, about midnight, to make some miniature brownie cupcakes. Deary me.

I iced some of them with vanilla buttercream, gave them to the teenager and his friends and then the kid talked me into adding some dark chocolate to the rest of the icing and go for it. Doesn't it look sinful? It is.

I then decorated the rest of the little ones with some chocolate. The kid likes the chocolate icing better, I prefer the plain vanilla.

There were plenty for every taste. I don't think anyone was complaining.

This is a really nice and easy recipe too. Even I didn't mess it up! (Well, I suppose I could have filled the cups with more batter; but with my last fiasco of them overrunning and sinking, I decided to err on the side of less. Of course, this batter didn't rise and there was too much room at the top. Oh vell, always sumfin'.)

Sending all my thoughts to the victims in the Metro train crash in DC tonight. How horrible.

K, I must try to go to bed. You know, when the cat's away, the mice will play. The hub is in Iowa. At least he's in the country this time!

xo
ro

Postscript 3 :10 a.m.:
Now I know why I took a nap so late and was up at 2 a.m. As soon as I finished this post (2 a.m.ish), the teenager comes upstairs and tells me a friend of his has run out of gas on the way home. "Mom, can you drive me to go get him?" Awww, once a mother, always a mother.

Groupings

There is nothing better I like to do than to decorate with groups of "things and stuff," as the hub calls it. Some folks call them vignettes, collections etc. It seems my entire house if full of these settings. This happens to be the family room off the kitchen--kind of the family-grouping area, if you will.

It's filled with mementos from the boys' childhood, the hub's and my wedding and just things that are special to me. --The boys' baby rattles that were given as gifts when they were born. A collection of kitties the family has collected for me over the years. A grouping of smoking paraphernalia given as gifts. A bowl filled with Christening cups, including he boys'. A set of Santons Raphael's family gave to me several years ago. And a few snuff bottles the hub has brought back from China. To anyone else, they would mean absolutely nothing. But to me? They are all special pieces in my heart.

I found all of these sets in Apartment Therapy which seems to always inspire my weekends.

These all make me want to just go through and start all over again. Rearrange all my stuff. But of course, I'm not gonna do that.

The last grouping is the box of cannoli I gave to the nurses on Friday. Yes, I dusted them with my vanilla sugar. No, I did not make them!

Hope everyone is enjoying their Father's Day celebrations. So glad to have the hub home. That's celebration enough for us!

xo
ro

They Call Me Mellow Yellow

I'm just mad about Saffron, and Saffron's mad about me.

We decided to go bowling yesterday since it was like 100˚ƒ outside. The kid,

the actor, in from LaLa Land,

and Miss Sherrie, bowling extraordinaire.

Loads of fun. In fact, the kid and I went back tonight for Thursday Madness. All-you-can-bowl from 9 to midnight. (The hub is still on China time so he was in bed by then.) Woooosh. Seven games, my friends. High score of 112. Not bad for someone who hasn't bowled in like at least ten years! Ross? Who? Another alias or typo?

Today, I went to our Italian grocers, Lazzaroli's, and picked up some fresh pasta for dinner. Love that place! (I made a garlic butter sauce with wild Florida shrimpers on fettuccine. YUM!)

They had some Madagascar vanilla beans which is exactly what I needed to make some vanilla sugar--both granulated and confectioner's.

Can you smell it? Oh my. Sugar is happy tonight!

xo
ro

A Summer Day

It started out hot and muggy, a good ol' summer day. Watermelon was definitely in order!

I went over to mom's to sit a spell and then all hell broke loose. (Well, not really.) We did have tornado warnings, especially in Nashville and points east. After the winds and rains slowed a little and I hit the road home. This was the sky as I left and there were a lot of downed tree limbs, but it wasn't that bad around us, thank goodness. Hope all my fellow Tennesseans faired as well.

I got home, gathered the men and we headed to get something sweet and decided on gelato. MMMM.

I had a scoop of the Dolce de Leche and a scoop of the Stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate pieces). You could have scooped me off the floor!

We then decided on chicken quesadillas for dinner and I whipped up a quick and easy batch of salsa from ATK cookbook. Needless to say, we all smell like onions now, even after watermelon.

Bonus recipe card for quick salsa! So easy and good. Makes about 1 cup.

xo
ro

Lazy, Dazy, Crazy

Days of Summer.

Summertime

With summer in full swing, I think we all have the seashore on our minds. I've found some lovelies to share that I think you all will enjoy.

I was inspired by the latest edition of Victoria Magazine and went from there. I didn't have to go very far to find these scrumptious items.

Most goodies were found at Seaside Inspired. The others can be found on the Victoria website here.

Hope summertime is treating you well.
Enjoy yourself. It's later than you think.

Flag Day

We have so many "days" here in America, I can barely keep up with them. But, when I do see Flag Day pop up on my calendar, I try and remember to put out Old Glory. She normally continues flying proud until after Independence Day (and beyond if I'm out of town).

We have a nice breezy day today, another almost perfect day here in Nashville. I was mesmerized by the flag blowing in the wind. So pretty.

I had the best time at mom's today. Since it was such a gorgeous day, we rolled outside to the back where there is a wonderful covered area complete with ceiling fans. We sat out there for over an hour watching the cutest thing I have ever seen. There was a youngster squirrel that was having the best day of his young life. He was exploring the trees and the ground without a care in the world. He would climb onto this little limb (if you can call it that) that was about six inches off the ground. As soon as he would climb onto it, it would bend and hit the ground. He would then begin doing flips around it until it would swing back up. Once he got tired of doing this several times, he would run over to a small limb that was lying on the ground (again a little limber one) and start twirling around it. This went on for over an hour until the nurses came out to give mom some medicine and she wanted to follow them back in. I could have sat and watched this little feller for hours. It was one of the most precious moments ever. Does the heart good.

Life is gud.

Finery Friday

Fridays seem to be my hectic day. But with summer here, I try and take it nice and slow.

Slow it down Ro.
Smell the fleurs.

The yummy hydrangea is in full bloom in front of the house.

I love the different colors you can find if you just look.

A little closer than normal.

Popping echinacea on the side.

Daylillies in the back.

Spent clematis which I always enjoy as bizarre.

IDK what this is.

My favorite smell in the world. It's right by the garage, so I always stop and smell the lavender!

Others do as well, I see. This time of year, it's full of bees and butterflies!

A beautiful shade of Butterfly bush in mom's yard.

And Mom's daylillies.

Yes, it is balloon flowers!

This is NOT A TEST! I made the pretty cupcakes today after yesterday's test run.

Of course, they didn't look like this at all. lol. But for you, I made this one especially perty.

Enjoy your weekend!

Dry Run

Friday is approaching quickly and I've been racking my brain on what goodies to make for the nurses. I thought cupcakes would be good and easy--two words I was looking for exactly.

I have been a fan of Chockylit's blog Cup Cake Bake Shop for years and knew one day I would try one of her wonderful recipes. (I'm dying to try the newest grape cupcake! YUM!) Well, you know I am baking challenged, right? So, I thought it best to do a dry run tonight and give what came out of the oven to the kids.

I decided on the Plain and Simple Chocolate Cupcakes with Vanilla Buttercream Icing. Can't get any better than that. That's my favorite cupcake of all time, anyway. Not that they should be sitting around my house, of course, 'cause I'll be the one eating them!

Chocky specifically says to fill the cups 3/4 full. Well, of course, not only am I baking challenged, seems my math skills are just as bad. Hmmmm. Most overran the cups and some sank.

But that is never a problem because I just filled them with Chocky's delicious buttercream icing. Problem fixed. And this is the best recipe for buttercream I have ever tasted. Just like I grew up on (not my mom though--the neighbor's. My mom always made chocolate icing.) Anyhoo, the buttercream has always been my favorite on chocolate cake; you know, the grass is always greener. . . .

While they're not so good looking, are they good enough for the kids? You betchya! Tomorrow I will try again for some prettier ones. Wish me luck.

I'm sending good thoughts to my childhood friends, Nadia, who is going through a difficult period in caring for her aging parents and Amy whose mom just had her knee replaced. Seems so many of us are in this boat right now, and it's a tough one. I grew up with both their parents and remember them warmly and send my love to both parents and friends. Please keep all those who are caring for their parents and loved ones in your thoughts if you can.

I'll Love You Forever

. . . "Well, that mother, she got older. She got older and older and older. One day she called up her son and said, "You'd better come see me because I'm very old and sick." So her son came to see her. When he came in the door she tried to sing the song.
She sang:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always...

But she couldn't finish because she was too old and sick. The son went to his mother. He picked her up and rocked her back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. And he sang this song:

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
As long as I'm living
my Mommy you'll be."

Presh

The kid took these of Her Preciousness the other day.

Awwwwww.

And speaking of precious, here's mom looking through a cookbook. This used to be her passion. She'd read them like a novel, from beginning to end. Now, I turn the pages for her looking for photos she can look at. But she's happy. And in big news, it looks like she will be staying put! Yay. I am so relieved.

Savannah Savannah Savannah

The kid, cuz and I are heading to Savannah, Georgia once she arrives at the end of June. I am putting my feelers out to all of you on ideas and suggestions, please!

We will only have two days there, not enough time to do much; but that's just how we roll. We're then off to meet the clan at Riverside.

Also need a quasi half-way point between Savannah and Fairhope. The kids don't seem to want to be in the car for over 8 hours. Hmmmm. Any suggestions there? It doesn't have to be the route outlined above by any means!

This is what I have so far, with many thanks to Tara for so many great tips. As you see, we will be eating most of the time. This is always high on our list of things to do, as you know.

So please, everyone put your thinking caps on! If you have any suggestions on things I must do with the kids in Savannah Savannah Savannah, please, do tell!

xo
ro

Dessert Bar?

I say, bring it on! I wish I were in NY and had a big birthday coming up or something! tehe. How fun is this????

K, let me back up a moment. While at Riverside, I think, I found a new fabulous blog by Lexi, Love. Obsess. Inspire. It is fabo to say the least. You must go and take a look. Anyhoo, Lexi did a post about Amy Atlas who designs these gorgeous tables. Oh my. Isn't it amazing what you find on blogs? I am in endless awe of these folks.

Just take a look at this scrumptious eye candy. Darling, isn't it?

Yummy.

For both the eye . . .

and the tummy.

Amy Atlas is one talented person. Wow. It's a good thing I'm married and have already had all my "parties!" And I have two boys who won't be doing much planning for weddings.

Enjoy.

xo
ro

Cookie Friday!

It's Friday, and you know what that means. Goodies!!

I decided to make make my chocolate chip cookies for the nurses. Then, the kid said M&Ms may be good too.

I made two batches of the regular chocolate chip with oats and pecans. (Recipe HERE.)

And one batch of M&Ms with some added chips. Well, of course I added too many M&Ms and they all stuck to the bottom of the cookie.

But, oh my, the little candy crunch is awesome!

I let the batter get a little too warm so they all spread out about the size of a Frisbee, as the teenagers says. Not a prob though, of course! I normally like my cookies a little thicker and a little cakier than these. But these are closer to my mom's growing up, so it's all good. Is there such a thing as a bad chocolate chip cookie? Um. Let me think for a moment. . . stupid question.

Dave watched as I cooked. Don't know why he was in, he's usually walking the streets.

Mom was really good. It is an absolute beautiful day. We sat outside for a couple of hours and enjoyed the warmth. Gorgeous! So glad it's Friday and the weekend is here. Yay!

xo
ro

Ozzy?

Do you think the Osbournes have moved to Nashville? Hmmmmm. The kid and I were out and about exploring this morning enjoying the misty day when we discovered this wonderful gate. It is just way too cool! (We spied cameras too--woooot!) Wonder who lives here?? That's the funny thing about Nashville, you never know who lives where around here. We don't only have the country-music scene any more. Oh no. It's become way too cool to live up in here with the likes of Jack White, Sheryl Crow and the part timers like Kid Rock, Peter Frampton and Nicole Kidman (with hubby Keith Urban, of course).

I'm still waiting for Robert Plant to sow some seeds out here in the countryside somewhere. C'mon Mr. Plant, be my neighbor!

Of course, I never see any of these folks. But Nashville does cover a lot of area. An oh-so-pretty area at that.

We thought we had spied a hawk.

Until he landed again. It was only a turkey buzzard. Wonder if he thinks he's famous the way he was posing for us while we took his picture. He kept on circling back, wanting more attention.

Perhaps I have it all wrong and he thought we were the famous ones. :-P

xo
ro

Message in a Bottle

Of course, I had to bring some of the beach home with me. And I shared with the nurses at mom's place.

Is there anything better than receiving a little bit of beach and a note in a bottle? I don't think so. Especially when you're working and a little sand is just what the doctor ordered. I'm going to make up two little bottles for mom and her roommate this week. I just ran out of time today, as I normally do.

I'll have a little left for our beach bowl too. So perfect this time of year, especially when you're landlocked, like us in Middle Tennessee!

Mom was doing great! She was so happy to see me. Almost as much as I was seeing her!! We walked and then sat for a while. We had to go out and spy the birds that had just hatched before I left and look how big they are!

When I came home, I spied a magnolia bloom. I thought they were all gone, but this was the lone one left. Oh and the smell is absolutely intoxicating. One bloom, so many photos. I just couldn't stop once it opened up for me.

Even Bella was enjoying the scent. It truly smells of ginger. Mmmmmm.

And speaking of Bella, she is wreaking havoc with Abby. Here she is lurking and then pouncing on the poor old lady of the house. Abby just spits at her and Bella backs up only to lunge again a short time later.

It's all good. Abby got over it and soon found another spot to lounge.

Awwwww, stretch.

And curl.

Dinner tonight? Of course, it's my all-time favorite first-night-back affair. Beans and franks!

xo
ro

Heading Home

This is our last night before heading home. The kid is trying to coax me into staying another week, but there are things to do, people to see; and so we must go home. Not that I wouldn't love to stay another week. Of course, I would.

Our first mission of the day was to find the exact mattress pad we have here on our bed. The hub loves this bed so much more than the one at home even though they are the exact same bed, bought at the exact (well, almost) same time. So, I figure it has to be the mattress pad. And since we bought the mattress pad down here, we went on a seek and find journey. And journey it was. The outlet mall no longer has the Westpoint mega store, so we opted for my trustworthy Tuesday Morning. It was in Gulf Shores, so we made a little trip to the beach, so to say. This is it, the end of the road. The beach, straight ahead. And not a cloud in the sky. Loverly.

We actually found one that is pretty darn close to the one we have. How's that. And, of course we had built up an appetite. I had a hankering for waffles. WAFFLES! Oh my. It was so good even at 3ish.

We got home, did some fixin' of the place and then, before we knew it, it was dinner time. Wha? Never have to ask me twice. We went down the street to our local Big Daddy's. Always good for a quick meal on the last night out. Shrimp? Oh yes. Of course. Don't mind if I do.

The hub wanted a Pabst for the first time since his college days, or so he says.

Kids were playing on the home-made beach.

While the dock was full of men talking boats and the slightly older kids were netting for mullet. It was such a peaceful night. A perfect end to a perfect week at Riverside. Sigh.

xo
ro

Another Day in Paradise

The hub was flying into Pensacola, so the kid and I decided to spend the day in that direction. Here's the kid at our favorite beach in Perdido Key talking to the cuz on the phone. We are anxiously awaiting her arrival at the end of June! Yay Jacq! Look at that gorgeous water!

We began with lunch at LuLu's, Lucy Buffet's crazy tourist trapy place in Gulf Shores. We went at an odd time because the food is fairly good and it's a fun atmosphere. Would I wait to get in? Not on your life! Seems the crazy sista (of Jimmy Buffet) has branched out even bigger. (Great website, btw.)

Lord have mercy. Daig sista, spread the love to your Fish River neighbors!

I do adore her LA caviar, but we skipped it this time.

I ordered the "everything but the kitchen sink" salad. Good stuff.

A snap by the kid. Mom would kill me if she saw me flipping my hair at the table. I be sorry.

But, the pièce de résistance was the dessert I had to have. Not the kid, mind you, ME! ! Now you know bread pudding is the big thing round these parts. But guess what Lucy's is made from? Krispy Kreme doughnuts, I kid you not. Who could say NO? Not me! We both had a couple of bites and then I had to say "Walk away from the bread pudding Rosemary, just walk away." This, btw, is my new favorite term. We were really good and truthfully only had two bites each. Well, maybe it was three. LHM. Smack me down and call me crazy.

After we finished at LuLu's, it was definitely time for a nap. But, since we were on a mission, there was not time. We headed down to the Gulf coast and followed it East towards Pensacola. The Gulf was breathtaking.

We stopped off at Joe Patti's at the suggestion of dear Dar, another fish market.

Some fresh local delicacies. (The mullet are the ones that love to jump here in the river during the spring. It's too much fun to watch!)

Some of the local fishing boats in from a long day including Capt. Joe himself.

We then headed up to our favorite little point, Santa Rosa Sound, to sit and kill time until the hub's flight arrived. The Blue Angels flew by in what looked like a missing man formation, or the practice thereof.

Then the fishermen began to arrive and set up their poles. Here, the gent caught a catfish which he threw back in.

The sunset was awe-inspiring. The guys said, "You don't really think we come out here to fish, do you? We come out here to watch the sun set." I'm with 'em on that.

It was then time to pick up the hub and head to dinner. The kid and I had decided on McGuire's Pub for a special treat. We'd never been here before and it was another suggestion from Dar.

Good one at that. (Another fun website.)

The walls, ceilings and any space is full of dollar bills. It is too much fun!

Loved this saying. Gonna have to remember that.

We ordered the boxty's, a fried mashed potato type deal. I thought they were pancakes but they were more croquet style. Good just the same, of course.

The the hub and I shared the Senate bean soup. Very good. Just like my Uncle Ralph used to make.

The hub ordered prime rib that was actually grilled. I'm not a big fan of prime rib, but the grilling made it very tasty indeed.

I ordered the steak and mushroom pie, your normal pub fare. Mmmmmm.

I loved the four leaf clover cut out on the pastry.

The kid ordered his favorite, fish and chips.

Dessert? Oh yes. White and dark chocolate cream pie.

Famous folks have all been here. I even noticed Jimmy PAGE's signed photo on the way out. Yowza.

When we left, I noted this little number. This is about my speed. Could you see me driving this baby with the kid in the sidecare? tehe. We had a Goliath about this color sitting in the back yard for years growing up. It brought back memories!! I would love to have that car now!!

Ok, now I'm hungry. Time for leftovers!

xo
ro

What a Difference . . .

. . . a year makes.

This time last year, the kid and I were in rainy Paris. I can't believe a year has passed by us so quickly. Thank you Raphi for a wonderful trip throughout France. (I still have a post to do on Mont St. Michel!!) I miss that we're not traveling somewhere big this year, but I am also enjoying the chillin' happening down here on the south coast. The kid and I decided not to head to China with the hub, this time; but we will make it happen soon. I just wasn't quite "feeling" it. I always have to listen to my instincts. They normally know best.

Bella seems to be enjoying herself too. I have never been able to get such sweet pictures of her. She normally doesn't "photo well." But this is exactly how she looks. So precious.

It's an absolutely perfect day here at Riverside. No humidity, light breeze, warm--not hot. Does it get much better?

Only if we were out on the water. Until then, I'm enjoying being a landlubber for the time being and waiting for the hub to arrive back tonight.

xo
ro

It's All Good

Bella's view on porch.

I've been enjoying Bob Dylan's new album. There's several goodies on here, including this little diddy. I'm hearin' a lot of New Orleansy blues up in here. Yep, it's all good.

Yep, it's good cooling off in the river.

Cupcakes? Check. Especially the snicker doodle one! Oh yes. Check check!

Fake flowers on little cafe tables. Uh huh.

Bella in any form, but kisses are especially good.

Anything the kid does? You betchya. Check out the dragonfly he painted this morning.

Add downtown Fairhope to the list.

And getting rid of palmettos, any way possible. (Major incident last night--OMG!) But it's all good cause this one is fake, of course. Sick sense of humor. It's all good.

Riverside? Oh yes.

The hub coming back down tomorrow. Really, really good. Check check check!

xo
ro

Bringing the Outside In

Darlene, next door, came by early (early for the riversorry folk, anyway) and we sat and talked and caught up a little. After she left, I sat on the dock and spied this brown thrasher just singing the most beautiful song. There must be a nest about because every time Bella comes out of the porch, two of them come as close to the screen as they can (similar to mocking birds) and just squawk at her. She swishes her tail as if to say "like I'm afraid of you." Silly girl.

Some moss has fallen onto the dragonfly. Pretty.

Dar pointed out the beautiful hydrangea in bloom and a sweet dragonfly resting on one of the blooms. (I didn't have the camera at that time--boo hiss.)

I went out a little later and cut some for the house.

This doesn't even look real, does it?

Beautiful hues.

Flowers always make a house a home.

I'm trying to catch up on visiting and blogging today!

xo
ro

The Good Life

Memorial Day was a nice, lazy day. For the first time ever, I actually took a nap in the hammock!

Bella was right there with me and I have to admit to hoping to throw a bunch more in before we head home. Sigh.

The day started out with a thunder storm.

Then opened to blue skies.

The hub and I headed back out to Bon Secour to get our shrimpers for our annual Memorial Day Holiday grillin'. We did it up this year! (PS, if you're in the area and want the freshest seafood, go to Aquila's rather than Billy's--the better-known merchant down the river. Billy's get their shrimp from Aquila's and then raises the prices to sell!! Word up.)

Not only did we get our usual royal reds,

but we added some rock shrimp, which I had never even heard of!

We had enough shrimp to feed an army by this time, so we skipped the big daddys.

On our way back, we stopped off at Tin Top grocers and got some sandwiches for lunch. Muffuletta? Oh yes! The kid and I shared a half one. As good as New Orleans' Central Market if not more betta. Per-fect. (Guess what we're having for lunch today? Uh huh, leftover Muffuletta!)

Then came the nap and then it was time to get those shrimps cookin'.

I always boil mine in beer with the spices (bag ripped open, of course).

And since I was brought up on the Chesapeake Bay, I always have to add Old Bay. Always--just because, you know.

Oh yes.

Rib eyes on the grill.

The rock shrimp were very very good. You just have to fight a little more with the shell, as it is rock hard.

And they are a little smaller than the RR. But just as good. Different but very good indeed.

To say the least, our feast left us all fat and happy.

xo
ro

Bon Secour, AL

We took a little drive yesterday to Bon Secour. It's so pretty there. It's pretty everywhere down here, really.

"Bon Secour has a rich history. It was originally a French fishing village settlement dating back to the late 19th century. Currently it is a Southern gothic, waterfront community that serves as a safe harbor to a current commercial fishing fleet. Named by Jacques Cook, a French Canadian from Montreal, a member of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville's colonizing expedition of 1699. He was a participant in the founding of Mobile in 1702. There are several major seafood industry businesses currently operating out of the Bon Secour estuary. Bon Secour Fisheries, Safe Harbor Seafood, Aquilla Seafood and Billy's Seafood all ship large quantities of Gulf of Mexico seafood to all areas of the United States. Bon Secour Fisheries is the oldest and biggest of them all, having been operating since the 1890s. The primary catch for the Bon Secour fishing fleet ranges from Mobile Bay shrimp to deep water "Royal Red" shrimp. Large shrimp boats line the shores of the Bon Secour River, docked at processing plants for packaging and shipment to all of America. One main point of pride within the community is the "Alabama Wild Shrimp Program". Because wild shrimp caught by the local fleet must compete with farmed shrimp from overseas, economic pressures have driven many, multi-generational shrimpers out of the business. As a result, the local shrimpers, along with shrimpers out of the Mobile area have formed an alliance, increased their marketing, public relations knowledge and efforts to brand Alabama, Wild Caught Shrimp. Their efforts have paid off. Marine science has indeed proven that wild-caught shrimp from local waters are in fact less likely to contain contaminates than the farm-raised shrimp that have been imported from other countries. Still, the commercial shrimping industry in Bon Secour is hanging on by a very thin line."

Our neighbor Dar told us the best place to get fresh shrimp and so this is where we headed. Well, the markets were closed on Sunday. Oy. No problem. It was still a gorgeous day to be out, as you can see.

I love watching pelicans and seagulls.

Did someone say oysters? Lotsa oysters have obviously been shucked here!

I loved the old crab pot in the river.

They've got ya covered here, whatever your needs are.

We spied a restaurant down the road, The Tin Top, so we stopped for some afternoon libations and shrimp before heading back home.

Stanley was busy shucking oysters and we had the best time chatting it up. He even passed one (ew) to the hub to try. Fresh in from Louisiana.

The hub said they were so good. Uh, no thank you. The spiced shrimp were very good and we decided to give it try for dinner and came back later.

They did not let us down. This is our new FAVORITE restaurant in all of 'bama. Oh my. (Watch out bubba!) The hub began with some type of cooked oysters with taso. Of course, they were delish.

I ordered the spicy shrimp, of course. Yummy. With Gouda grits on the side, oh yes, for Val. The kid had the best shrimp pasta alfreda we all had ever tasted. Yummmmmm.

The hub ordered the steamed platter. Mmmmmm. In addition, I have to add that they had the very best Pina Colada I've had since visiting Puerto Rico and the triple chocolate pie was just like eating a creamed Oreo pie. It was sinful. It all was sinful and we're still boasting on everything today!

We're all in heaven.

xo
ro

Memorial Day

American Legion, Fairhope, AL

We give thanks for their sacrifices.

Blogger/Google

K, Blogger has finally found a way to charge for posting. I just tried to put a new post up and it tells me my Picasso account is full. I need to pay for more storage for photos. WHA????

That sux.

Lower 'Bama Chill

Mudbug anyone? We found this one, dried up, on shore today. Yuk.

Had lunch here yesterday. What a mug.

Sweet summer bronzes.

After lunch, it was time to pick up Ollie up and bring her out of storage for the summer. She cranked right up. (Thanks to my brutha Jim helping me store her correctly!) Yay! I ran her through a quickie car wash and she just purred.

Happy girl at home.

Speaking of happy, here's St. Bea ready for a swim.

After a day in the sun.

Bella chillin'.

More tomorrow.

xo
ro

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO AN OLD FRIEND

Cheers to you Pammy. I love you with all my heart.

AHHHHHHHH . . . . .

Oh yes.

We've had a little river rising and we took advantage of it.

Wash the feet, cleanse the soul. Awwwww. Felt sooooooooo good.

The hairy one is not mine, promise.

The keeper.

Sleeping off his freshman year. Zzzzzzzzzzzz.

Life is good.

xo
ro

Summa Time!

. . . when the living's easy! Yay! The kid finished his freshman year in high school today. Yippee.

After dropping him off, I went to get my oil changed for the pending road trip tomorrow. That took longer than expected because I also had the tires rotated, again. Then it was about time to pick him up. He only went until 11 today!

We decided to head into town to pick up cupcakes for the weekly treat for the nurses and aides at mom's place. Since I won't be going tomorrow, my normal treat day, we decided to get a special treat of cupcakes from a new place in Germantown. Yum. We saw this delightful mini with a mini trailer hitched to the back on the highway. I love it! (This is the car the kid wants! He better start saving up NOW!)

Oh, these new cupcakes are too good! Is there such a thing as a bad cupcake? Hmmm. I don't think so. The new place is The Cupcake Collection, and they only use the best ingredients--no lard in the icing here! I've had two today. And I have to say, they are delish! Say it ain't so RO!! I'll only eat apples tomorrow, promise. tehe.

The ladies and gents were very happy to get goodies on a Thursday. And mom was happy to see us arrive in time for lunch. Once she was finished, we rolled on out to the veranda. The day was absolutely lovely. It's a little warmer today but under the awning the breeze just about put us all to sleep. Awwww, summatime--pre heat!

We spied the robin back in the nest but I thought the baby birds would have already flown the coop by now! Hmmm. So, once daddy had left to get worms, I had the kid stand up and take a pic and see what's going on down in there.

He came down and said "they're all dead, it's all a bloody goop in there." EW! When I looked back at the shot, I had to giggle. I had to explain this is what new hatchlings look like! Awww, new babies! I can't wait to come back and watch them grow. The last time I took pictures of the older babies, I made photos for the some of the ladies who told me about the nest in the first place. They were so excited to see the babies as they couldn't see them from their wheel chairs. I told the nurse I would make more photos for them when I returned.

Yep. Heading to Riverside in the morning. Let the summer begin! Cheers!

xo
ro