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!

Gorgeousness

A heartfelt thank you for alllll of your kind messages and emails. I really appreciate it so much! We had the most perfect celebration of Mom's life on Tuesday. She would have loved every detail. ​It was classy, gorgeous and perfect. We did just what she would have wanted us to do - have a party after the church service at our home. The catering was delish, the champagne was spot on and the company was the best. 

Friends of mine that I grew up with drove 8 and 9 hours to be with us. 8 of my coworkers flew up for the occasion. We think there were about 250 people at the church. So much love and support from friends and family. 

These are orchids in the flowers that drape over the guestbook table. We had a gold leather guestbook that I ordered. The pen is one of Molly Anne's to make it more personable. 

A lady named Alison did all of the flowers. She is the queen of gorgeousness on the eastern shore of Maryland! Peonies, more orchids, vintage hydrangeas, snap dragon, light light pink roses. Mom loved her flowers and we know she would have approved of these. The champagne and garden club ladies did! This arrangement in particular is from the champagne ladies!

Sad News

My Mom passed away on Thursday, June 4th at 5:58am. I hate dementia. She has had a tough go of lots of health issues over the years. She is finally at peace and with her brother and parents. But gosh we miss her deeply. ​My poor Dad! He was the best husband and caregiver to her. In sickness and in health they said! 

We are planning a nice service and after party. She wouldn't want us moping around. She'd say, "bring on the champagne and have a party" so we going to try to do that too to celebrate her precious life! 

This was a great evening at Oyster Rock! 

I'll be back but give me a week or two. She loved reading my blog and would want me to keep on keepin' on. Hug or call your Mama if she's still here.

Busy Last Week of School

Busy week around here. Swim meet and lots of 5th grade promotion things! Grady and Dilan. Fun to swim against friends! ​

They were both heat winners this night!

Looks innocent but isn't!

I got to stop by Molly Anne's AIG party  I've been the room mom for two years! They had a puzzle competition to see which group could finish first and hers did!

I'm on the 5th grade promotion committee as the treasurer and it's been so fun! 

They had a huge carnival yesterday with a DJ, cotton candy and a ton of games.