Monday Memos and Me

We are on our way back from Santa Rosa Beach. We couldn't have asked for more gorgeous weather. I spent all of my time reading, stitching, putting together the itinerary for our London trip in June, blogging, catching up on blog reading and playing my computer games. I rarely have so much time to do absolutely nothing and everything I want to do! It's heaven and I never get bored! No matter how much time I have, it never seems like enough! This is a great time to come to the beach--not too busy and not too hot! It's just right.

Other than spending time on the porch (and enjoying this view), I only went out 3 times---to get my nails done and  for two dinners. We always enjoy The Perfect Pig which is right here at the resort. They have half price entrees--Monday through Thursday. Unfortunately, we didn't time that right! We had a gift card, so it was still "free!"

We ordered this appetizer. We were told it was shrimp ravioli. When it arrived, it was loaded with lobster! Actually, I sort of panicked that we had somehow ordered the wrong thing. This HAD to be expensive! Nope, this was the featured appetizer--our server just forgot to mention the lobster. It was divine! And ONLY $12.00!! We couldn't believe it. We shared the curried cauliflower soup (delicious), a shrimp and spinach salad (which we ended up not needing) and the crawfish pie. It was all so good.

On Saturday night, we used another gift card to Louis Louis---a place we had never been to before---we tend to stay right around here---even though this place is only 10 minutes away. We will definitely be back!! It was delicious and had such huge portions. The restaurant itself had a French flair with Chrystal chandeliers over each table. The matre di (who I suspect was the owner) was French. But the food was not really. I'd say it was eclectic with a little of everything. The menu was a chalkboard with about 5 entree choices. Still, it was enough.

The lighting wasn't so good for this photo. We started with the smoked tuna dip. We ended up bringing half of it home. I had some of it for lunch yesterday. I got the shrimp and crawfish pasta. Butch got the blackened grouper with spinach and a grit cake. Both dishes were so good. We brought plenty of leftovers home. That was dinner last night!

We ordered the bread pudding for dessert. You cannot tell from this picture how huge it was. We brought some of that home too. People complain about the prices at the beach, but we find them to be very reasonable--at least compared to Nashville prices. And we can't get enough of the fresh seafood!

When we come to the beach, Butch always has lots of work to do. Some of it is my fault because I am so fanatical about everything being so clean. That lead to our November trip to Emerald Beach in Panama City. We were there for a homeowners meeting. When we arrived---it had been spring since we were last there---I was appalled at the state of the carpet. I threw a little baby, hissy fit (meaning I acted like a baby). Butch agreed that we could replace the carpet which---even though professionally cleaned each year---would not stay clean.

We decided to go with hardwood/laminate flooring like we put in at Santa Rosa. I handled everything.  To make a long story short, despite 19 of 21---5 star ratings, we had a terrible experience. Turns out, the installer (or someone working with him) moved in made a mess of the place, leaving trash behind, breaking in to the owners cabinet and doing some other damage and stealing much stuff. The company we used said they were not responsible for the installers---that's a separate deal. I get it, but still, when you are at the mercy of relying on these businesses to get work done, you have to assume they have reputable people. You can bet I left them a scathing review. It wasn't worth the hassle to file a police report (although I threatened that). Luckily for us, we have a great handyman there who could take care of everything.

That leads to our place at Santa Rosa. Our "new" furniture is almost two years old now. There were several spots that I was---there's no other word to use---"wigging out" about. Butch went the very next day and bought some upholstery cleaner and spot remover. I was so happy at how well it seemed to work.

Several hours later, I was concerned that the cushions---and he had done them ALL---were not drying. Could it be that we just made matters worse? I suggested using a blow dryer to dry them faster. That worked. And then this happened!

Me and my bright ideas! Yes, the spots are gone, but now we have a burn mark on one of the cushions. I swear, I just can't have anything nice!!

Butch was able to play several rounds of golf, ride his bike and do some geo-caching. It was a nice relaxing trip. And we got to end with this.

Sunsets at the beach are picture postcards! For sure!

Now it's back to reality. I'm dreading that treadmill!

SomeThing for Sunday

On the day after Christmas, I flew to St. Louis. Unfortunately, even though it's my favorite way to go, it's probably my last trip this way. Everybody lives too far from the airport and I like to travel early. Plus since my sister moved to Timbuktu, it's nearly impossible to get around without a car of my own. I'll just have to drive myself. That will definitely limit the number of trips I'm willing to make. 3-4 hours is my ideal road trip. Any more than that and it's just too long for me.

My cousin, Chrissy picked me up from the airport. We met my sisters, Jeanne, Janet, Jennifer, Sharon and niece, Scarlet at the Cheesecake Factory for dinner. I stayed with Janet, so went home with her.

I had several goals for this trip. Number one was spending time with my Aunt Marie. She's one of the  main reasons I try to get there frequently. She's getting older and frailer. I called in advance and left a message that I was going to be there around 9 on Thursday morning. When I arrived, she was still in her pajamas. I asked her if she was sick. She said, "Why, do I look sick?" No, but I've never known her to not be dressed, with makeup and jewelry when I arrived. She said they didn't know I was coming. Uncle Tony said he hadn't checked the phone messages. Luckily they were available! 

Then it was off to lunch with my sister-in-law Chris. We went to a Mexican restaurant at Plaza Frontenac--delicious table side guac--the homemade sangria--not so good. I spent the rest of the afternoon with Chrissy. I always love that. Just the two of us with lots of time to be together and gab. It's never enough!

I was very excited to be meeting up with some grade school friends I haven't seen in nearly 50 years! I'm the one that got it together. Since re-connecting with many via Facebook, I was excited to see them. My family thought I was crazy. But, as Jeanne says, I'm the friendly one! Actually, I just love people and new experiences. Apparently, they felt the same because as it turned out, there were 4 available to meet me. Another had to cancel at the last minute due to illness and still a couple more had other plans. 

We met at Mimi's Cafe in the Valley at 5:30. I asked for a table a little off to itself if possible. They have us this big booth which was perfect. We ended up staying 4 HOURS!!! Lest you think we were "hogging" a table, I was cognizant of that. I guess a Thursday evening after Christmas is not a busy time. The restaurant had empty tables all evening, so we didn't have to leave.

Not the greatest picture. From left--Marty, Linda (in front), Carla, Chris and me. We had sooooo much fun remembering old and good times. We talked about our own lives in a nutshell. We have planned to do it again. Of course, I'm the one that has vowed to get us together when I'm in town. Reenie, who couldn't be there suggested one of the kazillion wineries in the area. That will work perfect!

On Friday, we had a surprise 60th birthday party for our sister-in-law Sharon. 

 Sharon is not in this picture as we took it before she arrived. From the back, Jeanne, Janet, me, cousins Judy and Chrissy.

That's the birthday girl on the left, Sharon. Janet, Aunt Marie, me, Jeanne and Jennifer. 

Saturday was pretty low key. Janet and I went to Evie's soccer game. Then we took her and Josie to see Mary Poppins. After the movie, we stopped off and got Greg and Jackie for dinner at Bartolinos. I ALWAYS do Italian at least once when I'm in St. Louis. There's nothing like St. Louis Italian salads!

It was a jam packed 3 days. I always make the most of my trips. We missed Janice and Joyce. But not for long! Our sister's cruise will be here before we know it!

I Resolve....in 2019

I have never been a big "resolution" maker. I've learned that I do better with resolutions that are on the positive side rather than trying to "give up" something. "Giving up" feels more like Lent. Instead, I'm looking to make realistic goals.

This year, I resolve to:

1. Take more trips.

Last year, when Butch and I had a heart to heart, I said that he'd been retired 8 years and we weren't doing anything we said we'd do during retirement. Travel was at the top of the list. Since that talk, we've done a really good job with our B&B days---but mostly little day things.

This year, we (and by "we"---I mean, I decided and told Butch!) we plan to take some sort of trip each month. They do not have to be big trips---although we have several of those in the works. we just want to see and do things. This is what we have planned so far:

January---we're at the beach right now.

February---my sister's crop and my sister's cruise;  his brother's trip to Peru.

March---Sandy, Stephanie, Mindy and I will be going to Newport, RI for our annual girls trip. 

April---New Orleans with our friends; back to the beach after Easter for a few days with Sandy and family.

May---Clemson for Mitchell's graduation. We'll probably plan a stop along the way; back to the beach with Walter and Chris.

June---Our last trip to Charlotte for Victoria and Elizabeth's graduation; England trip which includes tagging on a few days to Mindy and Justin's trip.

July---Family vacation to Stillwater Resort on Table Rock Lake in the Ozarks.

August---Butch on golf trip with Walker Board; ooooops! I have to plan something!

September---St. Louis to Chicago leg of our Route 66 trip with Walt and Chris.

October---Sisters crop; Gems of the Danube River Cruise with Stephanie and Nicky.

November---Back to the Beach

December---we don't have anything planned yet, but we'll be doing another festive few days somewhere.

So, as you can see, this NewYears resolution is well underway. Add to these planned trips, I'll be in St. Louis a couple of other times too. 

2.  Do something for my health. It's time to get back on the treadmill. I have a few other ideas, but I don't want to jinx myself. I need to do this in order to be able to keep doing my number 1 resolve! I don't want to be held back.

3. Get back to our stamp collections or clean out the closet:

Stamp collecting was one of the things that brought Butch and I together in the beginning. Our collections were packed away when we started having kids--nearly 47 years ago. We've still collected, but everything has been in closet after closet as we moved. Well, it seems Butch isn't really interested in the stamp collections anymore, so it's probably time to empty the closet of the stacks of albums, boxes of supplies and thousands and thousands of stamps. On the other hand, stamp collecting was the single hobby we had in common back in the day. Maybe I need to start working on that again. Or, clean out the closet and sell the whole kit and kaboodle. Perhaps whatever we got would pay for another trip.

Hmmm. It seems that everything goes back to travel. We need to get a move on!

Friday Funnies

Just Like That, It's 2019

Is it just me, or does it seem like the years are zooming by? When Jordan and Morgan were helping me put away the Christmas decorations last week, the last thing we had to deal with was all the wrapping paper, boxes and bags. I keep everything in the library during the season so it's handy for wrapping. Once we got it all sorted, rather than have the girls take it up to the Christmas closet, I told them to just put it back behind the chairs in the library where it was. I said, "After all, Christmas is right around the corner!" Besides, you can't see the box of stuff from the doorway, so I'm okay with that.

Yes, Christmas will be back before we know it. In the meantime, we're ringing in the new year. We are leaving today for the beach. We're hoping for some sunshine. Although Thursday and Friday aren't looking too good, the weekend looks to be really nice. I'm planning to finish my Christmas needlepoint with all of this free time!

I have quite a few leftover Christmas things to share.

I came across this new recipe that was so easy. You start with crescent rolls, but you do not unroll them. You cut the entire roll in to 1/2 inch rounds and place on a baking sheet. You make and indentation in each round with your thumb. There's a cream cheese and sugar filling that's spooned on top.

 It already looks like it will be cute.

It didn't look as good as the picture. It was delicious! Well, that is what we could eat of it. The bake time was way off. The inside was all gooey. I tried putting it back in the oven but that didn't really work either. I'll make it again next year for sure. I'll just adjust the baking time. I wonder if the other half of the pie filling will last that long? What to do with a half can of pie filling?

Mitchell was telling us at Thanksgiving that due to his height, girls ask him all the time at music festivals if they can sit on his shoulders. He tells them "no!" I had a t-shirt made on Etsy to save him the trouble! At the very least, it will make a good conversation starter.

 Stephanie and Mindy rented the "bird" scooters that are all the rage. It's a good thing as they are about to be out-lawed! Too dangerous. As you can see, even Santa jumped up to get out of the way!

 I got a gift from my friend, Christy who used to be my nail girl a very long time ago. She had this darling ornament on top of the gift. Notice the little rhinestones all the way around!

Stephanie and Mindy said that if she'd brought this to the ornament exchange, they would have gone for it---as would I! I'm glad to have it without fighting for it!

The actual gift from Christy is a pair of monogrammed towels. Very appropriate as she's my designer now! She got these for the new master bath---although it's nearly two years old already! I still love it every time I go in there.

We always play a lot of games when the family is together. This year, we played Guesstures. We hadn't played that in quite awhile.

We really need some new games. We've played all the ones we have so much that we're sort of tired of them.

About 3 years ago, Stephanie came up with a new idea. We have a secret exchange after breakfast on Christmas Eve. Every year it's a different theme. This year it was "decades." You were to get a gift reflective of the year your secret person was born---or that decade. Mindy got Butch. She gave him this little booklet about his birth year. Then she had a deck of cards made with a picture of the two of them. So adorable!

 Justin drew me. He found this vintage, 1950's style game.

It's a perfect addition to my other vintage things!

Justin has become the family "meat" man! He buys the meat, cooks the meat and carves the meat! This year he brought this contraption. It's called a Sous Vide machine. He said that the restaurants have much larger ones. That's how they cook steaks and other meats. It keeps everything at the perfect temperature and "holds" it there without overcooking!

 I gave Mindy this Broadway blanket.

 We were laughing at Morgan for her goofy poses!

 Stephanie and her girls---Morgan on the left, Jordan on the right. Christmas jammies never get old!

 I came across these cute plastic wine glasses for dogs.

 This is Morgan's dog, Walter enjoying his dog wine.

 Here's Titan having his New Year's toast.

 The doggy wine has beef broth in it. Sandy said he loved it---as did Walter!

While we're talking about dog treats, I noticed these at Janets. I didn't know they were dog treats. The only thing that kept me from eating them was that they didn't have frosting! Boy, am I glad. I would have had a rude awakening! Really rude!

 Remember these? I got them from the $3.00 bin at Target (for two).

 They were really cute on the table along with my Christmas tree folded napkins.

Have I ever mentioned that I love to set the table? Really, everything about the table from the centerpiece to the place settings. Once Christmas Eve breakfast is over, I remove the tablescape so the table is available for games. Plus, I do like to put the food on the table for Christmas dinner.

 Every year, Mindy and Justin show up with matching t-shirts. This saying is from "Home Alone."

I thought this was the cutest gift!! My niece, Jackie takes her 6 year old Christmas shopping. She's expected to use her own money for family gifts. She bought her gram these buttons for her scrapbooking. I was so impressed that she gave such a thoughtful gift for a little kid!!

So there you have it. The last of Christmas. I got so many great gifts, but didn't photo all of them. I got nightgowns, Russell Stovers chocolates, scented candles, Kate Spade dish towels and cutting boards, that darling little speaker that I've shared before, several fun books---Hamilton, The Royal Family and another whose title escapes me at the moment. I got some wall scents, a Kindle book and a beautiful pink and green pashmina. I got a Clemson ornament, a keyless doorknob and some bath bon bons. Oh and I got a new purse---it's one of those Spartina ones that is printed with a Tennessee map. I plan to use it for traveling. It will be a good conversation starter---as if I need that! I'm sure I'm forgetting a few things. I loved it all! Christmas is always so much fun. I have to admit, I love giving, but I also love receiving! I won't deny it!

Happy New Year to you all!

Wrapping up 2018

By the NUMBERS!

If you recall, I started getting my books from the library in 2017. I've kept track again this year of the money I've saved by doing that. Here's how it adds up:

I was a little light on the reading this year. I only read 54 books. I spent $81.50 on 9 books for book club that I could not get from the library in time. If I had bought all the other books I read, it would have cost me---$552.78.

Now that's quite a savings---but nothing compared to what I saved on movies! You might recall that I subscribed to "Movie Pass" last year. The deal was $9.95 a month and you could see an unlimited amount of movies. Since my friends and I have "Movie Monday," each week (or most weeks), I thought it sounded like a good deal. After just one month, I got an offer that if I prepaid for the year, I could have it for $7.95 a month. Sounded like a good idea to me!!

Somewhere around August, Movie Pass changed the "deal." Obviously, they could not sustain that business model. From August on, you could only see 3 movies a month. That wasn't so bad, except, you didn't know in advance what movies you could see. If you decided to go to the show, you had to check what was the "free" show that day---sometimes two movies were offered. Suddenly, it wasn't worth it anymore. Still, I got my money's worth. I spent $105.90 for the year which includes a movie someone bought tickets for in advance, so I didn't get to use my Movie Pass. I saw 49 movies. At roughly $10.00 a movie, I saved about $400.00! Definitely a bargain! Add to that---I racked up enough points for 7 free movies. Can't beat that. Too bad Movie Pass had to change their deal. I did not renew. I wonder how much business they have lost now. I would have kept it up for the 3 movies a month if I could choose what I want to see.

Now I have a confession to make. What I saved, I really didn't---if you talk needlepoint! Considering I have expensive hobbies, if I can save on two out of three, that's pretty darn good!

Here's to a new year of savings!!

PS Thought you might like to have my list of 5 star books I've read this year. I'm pretty particular about what I'll give 5 stars to. In no particular order:
Something in the Water
The Good Daughter
Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Pretty Girls
It Ends With Us
The Memory Box
The Wife, the Maid, the Mistress
Every Note Played
The Outliers

And here are the best movies I saw this year:
Murder on the Orient Express
Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri (even though it was filmed in North Carolina)
The Disaster Artist
The Greatest Showman (my absolute favorite of the year)
A Simple Favor
A Star is Born
Bad Times at El Royale
Bohemian Rhapsody

Happy reading and movie watching in 2019!!

Monday Mystery

I just ordered a shirt made out of 24 recycled plastic water bottles. I cannot wrap my head around that. How in the world can you possibly turn hard plastic into soft cloth? It just doesn't make sense. Unless someone can explain it to me, it's will remain a mystery!