Happy Independence Day!

We've enjoyed a beautiful day today!  Well, "enjoyed" might be a bit strong!  I started the day working at 4:30 am where it was SUPER SLOW and then SLAMMED!  I ended up being 12 minutes late in getting off and I'd started the day thinking I'd go home early!  During part of that time Kent was busy working on the side of the house.  The south end has needed new siding for a long time and he's finally getting around to it.  Of course, he's finding oh so much more that's going to be needing done.  The dining room window's hanging on by, well, I'm not really sure what in the one corner!  The screw isn't into the stud at all!!  I made some incredibly yummy cream puffs and for dinner we had BBQ salmon with an AWESOME lemon dill sauce and ribeye, grilled corn, Russian Vinegret salad, fruit and Chinese steamed buns!  Interesting but quite good if I say so myself!  Anyway, now starts the fun part of the day -- fireworks.  Coda is NOT impressed!  Poor guy is about ready for a benadryl and I'm going to need to go to bed soon, too, as I open at 4:30 tomorrow again!  So, I hope YOU have enjoyed your day and Happy Freedoms!  Most of all - THANK YOU to every person, past and present who has done their part to ensure our freedom today!

Siding project

DELISH!!

As I'm wont to do, I went on a wild and wacky Google Search and found a recipe for a Blueberry Cream Cheese Braid.  In the comments of the recipe, someone mentioned using Costco's Triple Berry Blend, and since I had plenty of those, I used that instead of blueberries!  I must say!  A KEEPER of a recipe!  I'm thinking maybe next time I need a bit of apple pie filling with a caramel drizzle when it gets out of the oven, or maybe leave out the majority of the sugar and make a southwest chicken sandwich, or ham and Swiss...The possibilities are seemingly endless!  There's a 16th Birthday coming up and I'm thinking that would be an easy way to feed a number of kids!

HOT DOG!!!

WE HAVE SOME SUMMER WEATHER!!!!  It is over 70º, the clouds are just wispy white fluffs and well, I'M HAPPY!!!  And what more to enjoy but a big bowl of ice water!

Happy Father's Day!!

Look at those racks of ribs! Those have us so poppin' full we could about burst! We don't even have room for the homemade chocolate pudding!! I'm sure we'll have that before too long, though! With a cup of coffee! So there's cornbread, seven-layer salad, Kent's "famous" macaroni salad and RIBS!! There's enough for 2 days of leftovers for Kent, too! I get in trouble a bit for inviting people over and then there's no leftovers - not this time!
Happy Father's Day, dear!

Call to Nature

Coda for some reason LOVES to be on the leash in the front yard. He will bark and tell us exactly when he thinks he needs to be out front! The first thing he does when the leash is clipped on is run out and roll in the grass. Not sure why the front yard is so much better than the back for that, but... Today he was pretty sure that SOMEBODY needed to enjoy the outdoors with him. It is so nice out, although the sun is filtered through a bit of cloud. I joined him and he was pretty content. Last week I worked on my math homework while he sat leashless next to my chair. At one point he looked up at me with the GOOFIEST grin on his face and this look like, "Ah...mom, you're the best! You're out here with me, I've got NO strings, and isn't life great?!?!" I love dog smiles!

Happy Memorial Day

In Memory of POW/MIA

The White Table

This Morning Tiana sang with a few of her choir members at a Memorial Day ceremony at the  local cemetery.  For many years I've wanted to go to a service, but only now did it.  It was very touching and I'm not ashamed to say I shed some tears.  Too often we take our freedom for granted.  The freedom we have to criticize our government came at the expense of men.  Men who believe enough in a cause to put their life on the line.  Today our servicemen and women are fighting in battles that we're often very critical of, but because they are willing to fight, we sleep well at night.  If they are needed on our shores, they will be here.  We must be grateful.  We must support them and we must support the families who have paid the greatest price.

Thank you!

On a lighter note, it's a beautiful day with some sun breaks, no rain and a bit of warmth.  I finished my homework (although there is always fine-tuning I could do!) and the day isn't over!  Kent and I shared a salted caramel chocolate cupcake at Pinkabella Cupcakes!  YUMMY!!!

We did a bit of shopping and I am SOOO happy!!  I found 2 skirts that are so super comfy and so what I've been looking for!  They fit, the price was beyond right and it makes me want to do a happy dance!  Like truly!  I want to dance!!

Happy Summer's-almost-here-it's-the-beginning-of grilling-season-Day to you!!

P.S. Click on the White Table for pictures from the Ceremony.

Street Fair time!

We had this yummy "potato slinky" with sour cream and onion flavor on it.  They spiral cut a potato, deep fried it, and then rolled it in the flavor of your choice.  They had sweet and savory.  Should have tried the caramel!  We've had caramel potatoes (Danish style) and they are good!  Too bad the weather didn't cooperate with us.  Gray and cool today!