Sights and Moments We Will Never Forget

One evening last month, Rick and I glanced at my computer showing a slide show of "My Pictures" as a screen saver. This one came up and we both agreed -- that first walk on our first trip to Myrtle Beach was one we would never forget.

A Week at Home: Another Year Older and Deeper in Debt

Well, not literally in debt. In fact, less than ever! I'm entering my new year knowing that I'll pay my house off next month. But the new water heater wasn't an inexpensive birthday present to me!

Didn't Rick set a cheery table? I loved this bright lily.

That said, all was fine and wonderful. We came back from the lake. Rick made a lovely dinner and we were delighted when these two showed up -- with flowers, no less.

We started with bread and oil. Then dinner. I have to say, Rick knows how to cook a steak and found the most tender one in town, I think! A lemon couscous and fresh sweet corn on the cob and it was to die for.

But this was a treat for both of us. These pix are a bit soft. It's hard to hit a moving target!

But look at that face. Oh, he's going to be big, adorable trouble!

As Rick shared, he is the spitting image of Cam's dad at the same age!

We were glad we had chalk. Molly said "regular" chalk works better for his little hands than sidewalk chalk.

 A few days later, my friend Kate came over and we celebrated both our birthdays -- safely and at a distance in my messy garage!

Our friend Sarah Holland, massage therapist and baker extraordinaire, baked the most wonderful cake for us and we each had beautiful bouquets of hydrangeas from her as well. So thoughtful! Kate's birthday was on March 1. We were going to celebrate later that month after I got back from Canada. Well, we all know what happened then! It felt so good to celebrate together -- a "normal" day.

Fall is closing in! Ah, well, till then I'll enjoy celebrating another year older....with hot water!

I am so grateful to be having another birthday.

 

And I look forward to a new year.

Especially with this guy!

Christmas Cookies, Presents and Food!

Christmas Eve. I really love the sound of those words together. The anticipation. The joy.

We spent several hours of Christmas Eve with the Toddler Twosome so their parents could go to the gym in the morning and later, to a holiday party. There was some cuddling.

And cookie decorating. This has always been a full-family thing done after dinner on Christmas Eve. But times and ages of participants changes things and so it was me and the baking assistants in the afternoon (while the other adult baking assistant in the room took the photos.)

After a near-sprinkle accident, we got our rhythm down. (lesson learned: Don't give a toddler a jar of sprinkles and say put some of these on your cookie, because they will dump the whole jar onto the cookie sheet!).

The rhythm -- I frost cookies and hand some of them off to the sprinkler. Who covers them with sprinkles and eats them.

Meanwhile, our junior assistant's purpose was more as a taste tester. He was eating cookies as fast as I could frost them. His method? Lick the frosting off, then eat the cookie. I was glad I made many the size of animal crackers so it wasn't as decadent as it sounded! (Fortunately, the clean-up crew was under the table, doing their due diligence!)

Time for Christmas Eve dinner. Kevin made perfectly grilled steaks, Molly did a terrific salad and we had mashed potatoes with it. All delicious.

There is something about dinner by candlelight. So soft and gentle.

Of course, it wasn't all soft! I love Christmas crackers! Gotta wear a crown!

This group had particularly good "presents" inside. (They were by Emma Bridgewater -- if I see her brand again, I'm getting them!)

Our Big Guy was very into blowing out the candles!

The next morning brought presents! Big Guy delivered -- and helped us all open our gifts.

Rick and I gave the boys each a tent. They were hits!

Then Big Guy got his beloved Buzz Lightyear that lit up and talked!

While the kids played...

Kevin got breakfast ready.

More candles, more blowing, more play! Grandpa was invited into the tent to share time with the Big Guy and Buzz.

While Molly got the boys ready to head to the next family Christmas, Rick took a little break! This is one of my favorite photos from the time with the kids.

And soon it was over, they were out, we were on the road home. But this is the image I will keep in my mind! The magic and joy of being a child.

We got home in time to get ready for Christmas dinner. Fortunately, I'd set the table before we left.

That tablecloth is from our blog friend Rita at Panoply. Her downsizing generosity is now part of my Christmas decor!

It was mom's china, silver and crystal with some bunny ornaments for napkin holders.

Mike and Kate arrived, Kate bringing the rest of the dinner -- a salad and peppermint stick ice cream for dessert with our Christmas cookies.

That, the prosecco and a few appetizers set us up well for dinner!

I made jambalaya. And very good. I used THIS RECIPE but if I did it again, I might cut some of the spices in cooking and add them near the end or at the table. It was super spicy!

And then it was over.

Kind of perfect, actually. I couldn't have handled more people after the Toddlers and being prepped for Christmas dinner (and Kate's contributions) made it so easy. It has been a very good season.

And now, we're ready for a nap! On to the new year!

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Christmas with the Grands at Detroit Kid City

Happy New Year! I hope your celebrations were safe and happy! Me? I'm still in Christmas wrap-up mode!

I'm not sure the time leading up to our trip to the grands was exactly tranquil but it was calm compared to a few days with the Toddler Twosome! We arrived with fanfare! We really know how to light up a room!

(Those were a huge hit. It fit our oldest a little better, but that didn't stop the Little Guy from getting into the act!)

We arrived late Sunday and the next day Molly and I took the boys to Detroit Kid City, which is a "little town" made kid-sized, complete with fire department, grocery market, post office, barber shop, pizza restaurant, recording studio (it is Detroit, after all!) and an "up north" area.

The boys loved it!

Our Big Guy was fascinated by the mail at the post office...

....and loved the barber pole, swirling around!

Little Guy is big into music and "entertained" one and all on the piano!

In the "up north" area there was a large tent they loved and a spot for stories.

It was a great way to spend the day.

When we got home, we found Kevin and Rick in the kitchen. Rick made his jalapeno cheddar bread.

We also had time for a walk. Our Little Guy loved the Santa scene on a neighbor's yard.

Another neighbor had a little rock garden by his free library where kids could play with the pebbles and miniature fairy garden buildings.

And the guys did pizza for dinner.

There was also time for a little concert (call it guitar practice!). The Big Guy was bowled over by the music.

After dinner, we watched our friend, Robin Miner-Swartz, win her first game on "Jeopardy." I've known Robin since she was a baby and she's a wonderful person whose holiday generosity I wrote about HERE. She won two of her three games and no one could deserve it more!

Two more days (one more post!) to come.

(If you missed yesterday's spiced nut recipe, scroll down or check the links in the Christmas 2019 posts in the menu tab above!)