Are we there yet…

Getting MR to smile for the camera these days has proved to be quite the challenge. You have no idea the extent I go to get her attention. While jumping up and down and singing “Reesta Lavista” in my best opera voice, these were the pictures I captured.

Take 1: Shocked

Take 2: Still not having it

Take 3: As good as it’s gonna get

My performance paid off. In the end, I got my picture and a round of applause! MR clapped for the first time yesterday and guess what, I just happened to have my camera to capture it all!

Two years ago, I never would have dreamed that gas could be up to $4 a gallon. Yes it’s true, in just 28 short years, I have watched prices soar. Heck, I can remember when gas was .86 a gallon, a stamp was .25, and you could buy a movie ticket for $3. Not the case anymore. Times are a changin’…

Mary Reese, when you were 8 months old:

A stamp cost .42

a gallon of gas $3.93 (it cost your daddy $75 to fill up the tank of his Jeep)

a gallon of milk $3.59

a dozen large eggs $3.49

whole wheat bread $2.99

all purpose flour $3.59

size 3 Pampers diapers (60 ct) $16.99

20 oz bottle of water $1.49

2 liter bottle of Coke: $1.89

12 pack of Coke: $5.49

candy bar .79

pack of gum .99

movie ticket $8.00 

My advice–start saving now MR, life is expensive! However, the best things in life won’t cost you penny. Surround yourself with life’s freebies: laughter, love for family and friends, a relationship with Christ, and being outdoors. These things will lead you to more wealth than all of the riches in the world.

Few things in life make me happier than family, porch time, and grilling. Thankfully, this is how we spent our Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday, Big Daddy and Gran-C made their monthly trip to Charlottesville. After enjoying lunch at Christians Pizza on the downtown mall, we headed back to the house where we spent the afternoon relaxing on the porch, giving the girls wagon rids around the yard, playing horseshoes, grilling hamburgers and hotdogs, and enjoying homemade ice cream, cookies, and blondies.

Its all fun and games…

until someone gets hurt. (Hendley 15 months)

On Sunday, we went to Wintergreen Resort to a Blues and Brews festival. The weather couldn’t have been more perfect and the views along the mountain roads were spectacular! Hendley and Mary Reese had a ball dancing and playing in the grass. Later that afternoon, we headed back to the house for more porch time, visiting, and grilling. Thanks to Julie and Bill, we topped our meal off with one of the juiciest watermelons I have had in a long time.

Big Daddy and Gran-C hit the road about 9:30 Monday morning, but not before hitting up the Tavern for some eggs, pancakes, hash-browns, and sausage. They left town with a full belly and car…Julie and Hendley are riding back with them to visit for the week. I’m always sad to see my parents go, but it is comforting to know that I will see them in less than 2 weeks from now; let the countdown begin!!!

Thank you Big Daddy and Gran C for my Memorial Day outfit

Happy 8th Month Birthday, Mary Reese!

Friday’s have always been my favorite day of the week and this Friday was no exception. Our day started off with a cousin playdate. Hendley and Mary Reese had so much fun being outdoors and playing tug of war with a Baaa Baaa Lamb. Although Hendley won the majority of the battles, she always offered up a condolence kiss to her younger cousin. These two are going to be a handful in the coming months!

Later that afternoon, G picked up Mary Reese for a daddy/daughter datenight on the downtown mall. Having the house to myself, I was able to get a lot done. In just two short hours, I managed to clean, bake three dozen cookies, and run to the mall for a quick shopping trip! Tomorrow is sure to be just as fun! Big Daddy are Gran C are due to arrive around lunch.

Since Sadie was a puppy, we have lavished her with toys. We pride ourselves on the fact that she can distinguish between each of her “stuffed friends”. There’s Gentleman Jim, Little Lowell, Henry the Puffer fish, and Charlotte the pig. She knows them all by name and loves them dearly.

Lately, MR has started showing interest in Sadie’s gang of toy’s. She is particularly fond of Gentleman Jim because he’s Sadie’s favorite. While Sadie doesn’t seem to mind sharing her toys, the idea of MR playing with a ratty dog toy disgusts me.

In an attempt to discourage her new-found interest, I have started keeping one fo her stuffed toys around at all times. Lucy and Baa Baa Lamb are two of MR’s favorites. She also has a a frog that she occasionally plays with. This morning she just couldn’t get enough of her little green friend. As we packed up to go the mall, I grabbed the little fellow so that MR would have something to play with while we shopped.

Throughout out shopping trip, MR must have dropped that darn frog a dozen times. One of the times, a sweet little girl stopped to return it. After asking me a dozen questions about MR, the little girl asked me what the frogs name was. When I told her the frog had no name, she starred at me, shook her head and suggested that we call it “Marfa May” (Martha May).

Marfa May, I thought, now that’s a solid name…Apparently it’s the name of the little girl’s grandma. And now the name of MR’s green frog…

A few months back, my sister posted a picture of Hendley with a head full of bows. Like MR, Hendley didn’t have a lot of hair, but Julie was bound and determined to make a bow head of little Love Light. Not long after, Hendley started growing hair…

Hendley (Love Light)- 8 months

Here is my attempt to call the Hair Fairies…

Mary Reese- 4 days shy of 8 months

Besides modeling hairbows, MR has also been busy perfecting her latest trick. After yesterday’s gardening disaster, I went upstairs to check on MR. This is how I found her. As you can see, she was pretty impressed with herself.

Needless to say, G spent an hour last night lowering the mattress so sweet MR could not escape.

Our backyard is in full bloom right now. Don’t ask me what kind of flowers there are; all I know is that they are the type that cost no money. Intent on picking some fresh flowers for the house, Sadie and I headed outside with some gardening gloves, shears, and a basket. Oh and an apron. Ok, so it was my cooking apron and not an authentic gardening one, but every respectable gardener needs an apron, right?!

As Sadie rolled in the grass, I clipped away, moving from bush to bush. I was just about to call it quits when I heard the sound of bees…a lot of bees. Now I’m known for exaggerating– I’ll be the first to admit it. But I am not exaggerating when I say that there were at least 30 bees. Ok maybe 20 5, but they were the big ones and they were headed straight for me. Dropping my basket, I tore into the house, leaving poor Sadie outside to fend for herself.

Sweet Sadie was no match for the bees. I’m not sure how many times she got stung, but I heard her yelp several times before making it to the back door. I felt horrible. Before I could retrieve some Benadryl for her, I heard all kinds of commotion coming from my elderly neighbors house. Fearing that the bees had gotten Mrs. Jones, I ran to the front of the house and nearly scaled the fence to get to her.

There she was, with a hose in one hand and a broom in another, screaming at the top of her lungs. Now before you start invisioning a little old helpless lady, thik again. Mrs. Jones is 86 years old and tough as nails. She still drives, mows her grass, and walks to many of the UVA events. Mrs. J got the best of the bees. Ranting and raving, she scooped up the soaking wet dog and headed indoors. I headed indoors too; taking off my apron and vowing to leave the gardening to P Allen Smith.

MR slept through the whole ordeal,

played…and then begged to go to the mall.

She changed her mind as soon as we stepped foot in Belk. We left and called it a day.

Five things I love about today:

1) MR is feeling better…not 100% yet, but getting close. Today has been a “mama” day; I love hearing her say my name even though she refers to every man, woman, and dog as mama.

2) The sun is out and there is a nice breeze. I have had the screen door open all day and if I try real hard, I can smell fried chicken coming from Wayside up the street.

3) Spending time with K, Julia, and Cazin. K is an amazing mom, cook, host, friend…. I could go on and on. Her kids are equally as wonderful! I am so fortunate to have a friend/mentor like her.

4) There is still enough spaghetti and meatballs in the fridge to do leftovers for supper. And, G’s willingness to eat the leftovers means that I’m becoming a better cook!

5) I’m caught up on the laundry, the dishes are clean, and I have not had to make a single trip to the grocery store today…life is good! 

I’m leaving you today with a recipe that my friend K used to make grilled apple, cheddar, and bacon panini’s. This recipe is courtesy of Paula Deen and is quick, easy, and very tasty!

Roasted Red Onion Mayo:
1 medium red onion, chopped
2 teaspoons olive oil
Salt and pepper
1 cup mayonnaise

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. On a small rimmed baking sheet, toss the red onion, olive oil, salt and pepper together. Roast in the oven for 25 to 30 minutes until the onion is very soft, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and let cool. Transfer to a food processor and buzz until finely chopped. Add the mayo and pulse until smooth and combined.

Sandwich:
2 slices (1/2-inch-thick) sourdough, multigrain or another hearty bread
4 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp
4 slices Cheddar
1/2 Granny Smith apple, cored, sliced thin
Roasted Red Onion Mayo
Butter

Preheat a seasoned grill pan or griddle over medium heat. Assemble this sandwich just as you would a traditional grilled cheese sandwich: spread 1 slice of bread with some Red Onion Mayo, then top with 2 slices Cheddar, the bacon, the apple slices, then 2 more slices of Cheddar, finishing with another mayo-slathered slice of bread. Butter the outsides of the bread and transfer to the hot grill. Grill about 3 minutes per side, since this sandwich is so thick. Remove to a cutting board and cut the sandwich in half on the diagonal to serve.