Food, Fun, and Family

No matter how long you have an empty nest, it's always lovely when you have everyone, or nearly everyone, home for a meal. And that's just what happened yesterday.

I tried a few new-to-me recipes I found on Pinterest and those who live close were more than willing to be my guinea pigs.

Mexican gazpacho fruit salad, fish tacos (made with fresh flounder),
sweet potato fritters, and citrus cake for dessert.  

Y'all, I can't tell you how absolutely wonderful it is to watch your grown kids parent. I look at my girls and I think I did a pretty darn good job raising them but when I watch Baby M's mommy parent, it becomes immediately clear she is so much better at it than I. And my SIL? A most incredible daddy. Baby M is one lucky little girl. She hit the jackpot on parents.

These two are the best parents. I'm so proud of them.

Goobers. That's what this bunch is when they're all together and I wouldn't have it any other way. Remember how one of your most favorite sounds, when your kids were growing up, was the sound of their deep down from the belly laughter? It remains one of my most favorite sounds when they are all grown up. It is impossible not to smile, at the very least, when you hear your adult children laughing hysterically with one another. It's amazing how laughter can take away worry, lighten your load, give you peace, fill your heart...

Three sisters and a baby. We missed Nashville daughter so much but she and DrummerBoy will be with us in July. 

It was just a dinner on a holiday weekend. And yet, so much more.

Please visit my Etsy shop, CoasterDoodles
and feel free to FAVORITE the shop
or buy something! :)

Memorial Day Fun

While I enjoy and appreciate holidays, when they fall on Monday my entire week is completely thrown off.  I will not get one single day right this week.  Today is Monday in my mind and it will be Monday all day long.  At some point, however, I will skip a couple of days and be a day or two ahead of everyone.  My mind just cannot take Monday holidays anymore. 

Regardless, we had a wonderful time with Birdie, her boytoy Evwardo, DoodleBug, Gibby and her new boytoy, WS. Breezy and BestSonInLawEVER went to the mountains in NC and Deanie went to the lake with her boytoy Nichol-Ass (we love him I just call him that from one of the William Powell/Myrna Loy Thin Man movies). 

AND yesterday we had TWO birthdays:  my brother T-Bone and BestSonInLawEVER!  Love you boys!

DoodleBug, Gibby, WS

We played Farkle! after we ate while Tucker made his rounds at the table.  Yes, we let Tucker up on the table.  Why?  Because he wants to be up there.  During meals, however, he just sits in a chair.  He's spoiled rotten and we're all guilty!

Gibby rubbing Tucker's belly. 

Charlie's toy after he drug it through the dirt.

WTH is this little thing doing?!

I'm gorgeous and I know it.

 

Birdie: This is a disc.  I am going to throw it and you are going to catch it. 

Charlie: IsshegonnathrowthatIwantitLetmehaveit!

Strider:  MY stick!  Charlie: MY stick!

Strider:  IT IS MY stick!  Charlie:  I WANT the stick!

Charlie:  IGOTITIGOTIT!  Strider: GIVEMEBACKMYSTICK!

Later they played Mad Gab.  I suck at that game so I didn't play BUT it was a riot listening to them play!  

 

It's not too late to donate!  Deanie is running in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure Global in DC on June 4.  Click the button below if you would like to donate on her page for this very worthy cause!