A yummy surprise for everyone!

I got home first tonight and decided to have a cookout. Grabbing the bag of charcoal from my car, I lit the grill and commenced my plans. My son and I headed for the carryout for hamburger buns, a bag of our favorite BBQ spicy chips and some ice.

Back home there was just enough time to make deviled eggs, a relish tray and slice some onions before the coals were ready. The door chimed (It's alarmed so our son can't accidentally leave at night.), and I met my husband at the door with a glass of diet soda.

I returned to the kitchen and stealthily finished microwaving the bacon and cooking the burgers. Dinner was almost done before my guy figured out that it had been our house that had smelled so good when he pulled in the driveway.

Mission accomplished! Yay for me! What a good surprise! I must say that I usually give hints and give my secrets away before it is time.

Sigh... I love cookouts... love yummy treats... I love warm weather!

If you enjoy outdoor treats as much as I do, grab a bag of charcoal and share something tasty with your dear ones!

Adventuring with those we love

Standing in the mist,

getting ready to leave,

I sighed.

I took a picture of the happy people around me and I was so very grateful for the blessings granted to me this day. My daughters, my best friend and her son all enjoyed our outing today. A festival... a happy one... a moment of true American culture shared with those who share my daily life. Time together is so precious, happy memories were made today to hold close on days we need them. Blessings, happy times... a wonderful day.

Blessed

With my trusty alligator hat on my head,
(it was girl's day after all... so of course I needed a silly hat)

We headed out...

Down route 33 we went,

smiles on our faces...

Donuts in our tummies...

Radio rocking...

"old" people singing to eighties music...

Teenagers humoring the grownups they love...

A small boy exclaiming delightedly

as his "Miss Suzy" rounded the curves

on one of her favorite roads..

Sandwiches eaten together,

a woolly bear found...

examined and returned unhurt...

smiles from strangers...

time together...

Saturday...

Adventure Day...

My favorite day...

A patch of sunshine

Happy Habits...

With my favorite dear ones
and my furry dog son in tow,
my crew headed to one of our favorite Metro Parks.
Wandering the familiar paths,
talking and laughing...
relaxing.
My kids and I spent time together.
The girls and I even amused ourselves
by having our little guy walk the dog.
The expressions on my son's
and my dog's faces were priceless.
We giggled and chuckled
as they ran together
looking like they were up to mischief.
My oldest urged me to do a cartwheel.
I picked a blackberry.
The sun settled.
We came home.
Nothing amazing.
Happy...
calm...
predictable.
Nice words for a peaceful evening.
May you,
Now and Always...
be blessed with simple adventures
that bring you
peace,
joy
and
happy times!

Did mom say I get a sundae?

Chin tilted upward,
my youngest peeked toward the drive thru window.
He knows McDonald's means yummy things will be arriving shortly.
But...
what...
What was it that mom said?
Who is getting that soda?
Who is that iced coffee for?
Please...
Please let mom know I want ice cream!

Yup,
don't worry little guy.
Mom did know...
one of those hot fudge sundaes is for you!

Sigh...
simple pleasures...
my boy does love goodies.
I wonder who he got that from?
=-)

I don't claim it was a blockbuster...

With a bowl of peanut butter popcorn
and a "B" movie,
my oldest and I spent our evening together.

I laughed silently to myself at her outrage...
She's seen a Megaladon fossilized jaw at the Smithsonian...
apparently it's only a little taller than me...
With a, "Mom there is no way that shark could have really snatched that airplane from the sky"... my amusement was complete.

Truth be told,
I knew my girl would react this way.

I was honestly counting on it.
Her outrage was as much fun as the mindless movie.

If you rent the movie,
please be warned that it has exactly one suggestive scene.
It is a "B" movie after all and not everyone watches them for the same reasons I do. Still the action is off screen, brief and not the point of the movie.

The plot was...
simple...
the conclusion
inevitable....

The experience
of sharing my daughter's first "B" movie...
Priceless...

But,
I must be truthful,
do have a weakness for monster movies.

:-)

Mountain climbing

Today my crew are headed out to climb a mountain and maybe play some Frisbee golf.

Alright,
if I must be honest,
we are going to climb a really tall hill,
but the Frisbee part of the adventure is true!

I've never played Frisbee golf,
it sounds like a sport destined to supply everyone with smiles
and
most likely,
fits of laughter.

The mountain is an old favorite that I've hiked since I was child. From it's top you can see for miles on a clear day.

The view is breathtaking and it never fails to inspire introspection and quiet thoughts.

Today,
as I stand atop the mountain,
I'll ponder my life,
my children,
my blessings
and my new adventures.

I will pray that you and I,
will enjoy the journey,
take in all the lovely sights,
and not lose our way.

May your day,
your week,
your forever,
be blessed
with beauty and goodness.

Mom, are we almost to the car?

A moment on the grass,
convinced she was absolutely going not going to make it back.

My youngest daughter is a bit of a drama queen.

I wouldn't have a clue who she got that from.

=-)

Happy Birthday!

Chocolate ice cream cake made by my eldest...

A trip to a park...

Kiddo videos playing on endless loop in my living room...

Pizza for everyone.

Family

no need for anything fancy

simple joys

Presents

thank yous

smiles

Moments frozen in time

everyone welcome in my home

the blessing of sharing time

of supporting each other

of caring...

Phone calls to check up on each other when we are hurting...

Chocolate to share!

Laughing and not taking things too seriously...

Tonight,

I thank God for my sister...

for her little son...

for birthdays and time together.

May the simple moments

that we share with the ones we are given to love

make our lives worth living.

May the things not able to be bought in a store

bring us the kind of joy that lasts forever.

May this spring,

this Easter season,

bring us all peaceful hearts.

May you be blessed.

Tonight,

Tomorrow,

Always.