July 4th Weekend

July 4th weekend started at my neighbor's home in Charlotte watching a World Cup game except I didn't get the red white and blue memo! It was so much fun though! ​

Down to Ocean Isle! Skiff enjoying the parade!

Our friends Benjy and Jess joined us since the kids were still at camp! Walking on the east end. 

July 4th night I made grouper, steamed shrimp, hashbrown casserole, corn and Caesar salad! Oh and Boat Dip appetizer - so good with Fritos. 

We missed Molly Anne so much on her birthday!! But I loved this photo from camp!

Fireworks from Hilary's new house!

And back to work we go!

Molly Anne is 11!

​Molly Anne turns 11 today! She is living it up at camp right now and loving every bit of it. I hate we aren't with her today but I am so happy she is happy! Here are some things about her:

1. She is friends with everyone and I love that about her! 

2. She is smart but also sporty. Well rounded is the name of her game.

3. She is loving field hockey these days and plans to try out for the middle school team. She played tennis this past spring on our club's team. 

4. She loves all of the Sephora and Target junk - body wash, skin care, lotion etc. I don't let her get too crazy with it all but she enjoys it. 

5. She is kind, considerate and caring. 

6. She LOVES Grady. And Skiff! 

7. She is a super great swimmer and loves the beach. 

8. She loves sweets more than salty! Ice cream and sunset slush galore!

9. She appears to be musically and artistically inclined! She's been playing piano and going to try percussion in the 6th grade band. 

10. She loves clothes and jewelry and all of the girlie things! So fun.  

We love her soooooo much! Yes, we watched the fireworks from the hospital overlooking uptown Charlotte back in 2015! 

Four Finds

Four finds to ease back into things! I haven't looked at websites or in stores in FOREVER! 

ONE - blue gingham shirt ​

TWO - looks like pottery barn but is Target!

THREE - a bubble vase $12

FOUR - into the house decor and feel like I need this for my square ottoman 

Menu Planning for the 4th

​I keep seeing all of these cute things to make for the 4th! 

One of my favorites so far is muddled raspberries at the bottom of a cup, fill with ice, add lime seltzer, top with blueberries. So red white and blue and a good mocktail!

I've also been seeing so many pasta salad recipes that look a bit different. I may end up making this one that I've made a zillion times. It was my mom's. 

Speaking of recipes. I went through alllll of her books and handwritten ones and brought the good stuff home! I'm so happy to have found a few originals that I didn't already have. 

Back to meal planning. I'm thinking we will do a fish and shrimp night with salad and maybe sliced tomatoes or corn. 

Maybe a taco night with tons of options - soft and hard tacos, sheet of nachos and all of the fixings.

And maybe a low country boil? 

Also, thinking about lunch ideas and may try the Hawaiian roll Italian sliders. 

Oh and my friend Lisa recently made coconut margaritas and I feel like I need to try that! 

Blowing Rock

On Friday morning, we took Skiff to be boarded at the breeder. We got to stop in and surprise a dear old neighbor that I grew up next door to! It was soooo wonderful to see her! ​These are the things I should be doing more of - and stop all of the chaos of other junk I shouldn't be doing! 

Kevin and I headed to Blowing Rock for Friday night. We stayed right downtown at the Embers hotel. It was perfect. We ended up shopping around and then we came upon a concert in town. We scooted back so I could change out of athletic clothes and we went right back. I had no idea that Blowing Rock was so dressy but it was! I needed to be cleaned up anyway ha. We met so many nice people and bounced around to different places to hang out. We ended the night dancing at Town Tavern with the most fun people!

Saturday we headed up to Mountain City, TN to visit Kevin's uncle for the night. We've needed to go see him for yearssss so I'm glad we finally made it happen! This was the only pic I took which was on the way down the mountain for breakfast yesterday! On Saturday night we went to OH restaurant in West Jefferson. I had the best trout! 

On Sunday we got to stop in Winston Salem and see Kevin's Aunt Kate who we have also needed to go see. She is 96 and smart as a tack! Using this time without the kiddos to make it happen! Then we picked up Skiff at 3 and headed back to Charlotte and drove through a wild storm! 

Hope everyone has a happy Monday!

Hey

​Stopping in on a Saturday to play a little catch up! I got back from Maryland on Wednesday. I stayed up there to get some things clean out of my parent's home and for Father's Day! Dad and I enjoyed some good meals with friends and we even got to pick crabs! 

My trusty traveler and I made it back to Charlotte Wednesday evening! I worked all day on Thursday.

Thursday night we went to our friend's home for dinner and it was fabulous! I basically want everything in her house. She has the best taste. And they were the best hostesses. 

I'll be back with another update soon! I LOVE being back to blogging! I've missed y'all and this is my happy place! 

Camp Drop Off

​Another big thing that has happened recently is we dropped the kids at camp! They will be there for a month and judging by the pictures so far, they're having a wonderful time! This year we took Molly Anne first. This was definitely the way to do it. Traffic was easier and my SIL could go check on her when she took Sarah. We even got to go on a boat ride with Grady!