Off to the Navy

It's hard to believe sometimes that our kids are old enough to graduate from high school and college, get married, start their family and make some life changing decisions on their own.  We have had the joy over the years to be part of Benn's life, one of Liz's grandsons.  He would come to spend long weeks with Liz and George during the summer months and during holidays.  She would get so excited about his visit.  The last few years Benn has been such a help around the house when he would come to visit.  Liz would have a To-Do list a mile long and Benn enjoyed helping anyway he could.  Liz would always plan an evening when we would get together and Benn seemed to enjoy our company.  Benn has signed up with the Navy and will leave in August.  It's a bitter sweet decision these days for our youth to make that decision and yet we are so very proud of him and look forward to supporting him through his journey. The evening was just lovely for grilling out.

 I can only imagine what Mollie was telling Mary and Su Anne.

Harry was in the zone...

 A beautiful lady.

 Best wishes Benn.  Thank you for sharing the evening with us.

Travel planning 2012

Our travel group met Saturday night to begin our travel plans for 2012.  Hal put together all our travel pictures with the group in one library.  We had so much fun reminiscing the last few years of all our travels together.

The standard with our group is to dine and wine and plan.

 One of the best things about entertaining with this group....they have learned where everything is in the kitchen!

At the end of the evening our decision was to travel domestically this year.  I'm not so sure that it was unanimous.  We will probably have to have another meeting to make sure.

Fun weekend

My friend Carla came to visit from Cary, NC this past weekend.  Our friend Cindy could not join us on this trip (we took notes in the journal for her).  We met 24 years ago and when we are together most people can't stand us so we usually go somewhere.  This visit we stayed in Dallas.  Hal was a wonderful, understanding, participating when asked husband...love you babe!
The daughter of a coworker of mine opened a restaurant downtown Dallas, Mad Hatters.  We stopped there Friday before heading to Farmers Market.  Carla and I used to go to the Farmers Market on Saturdays and then split everything we purchased between us.  We had so much fun shopping and cooking the next week with all our fresh veggies and fruits.  All the fruits and veggies are displayed so pretty.

And now they have the flowers, furniture and most anything else you could want.

We made a stop at North Park.  I was totally amazed how crowed it was.  Why weren't those people at work?  Shopping made us very tired as neither of us are shoppers so our next stop was the Flying Saucer for a beer and chips and dip.

Now that we are refreshed, it's time for our pedicure.  Our nail technicians talked non stop with a heavy accent.  Carla and I were worn out trying to listen intently to understand them...not my favorite pedicure experience.  I'll go back to my usual place next time.

When Hal and I were in Atlanta a few weeks back, Chris and Melissa made homemade pizzas for us.  They made it look so simple!  I thought this would be a good thing for us to do Friday night.  Stay home, have some wine, make some pizzas.  Plus it was raining like crazy outside.  Well....I had Carla chopping and dicing.  I had Hal chopping and shredding.  Bowls everywhere.  Flour everywhere.

I served Thai and BBQ chicken pizza.  We had our last pizza around 11:15 that night and it was outstanding!

On Saturday we took Carla to our favorite breakfast place and then to the Wild Flower festival.  Elssye was serving beer at one of the stands for Junior League.  We made several donations.

We met up with Taylor and his girlfriend Kacy.

The evening was beautiful.  Little River Band was playing that night.  Great sing a long music for me..

Binkie, Taylor's sister was in from Austin and Kacy.

Taylor's parents, Maureen and Chris

Carla was leaving Sunday so after church we made our way to the Grapevine/Southlake area for a little reminiscing.  We had to stop for lunch at Mercado Juarez and it was as good as always.

We met up with Dan and Carla's neighbor Peter who still lives in the house across the street from their old house.  We had such a good visit....he hasn't changed a bit!

Dan and Carla's old house and it has changed a great deal, including the 2 car garage.  Looks beautiful.

One last stop at Willhoites.  We spent many an evening at this place.

Thanks girlfriend for coming to visit me.  Cindy you were thought about all along the journey and were missed terribly.  I treasure your friendship, love you dearly and look forward to our next time together.

Matthew Banks Recital

We have several very talented youth at our church.  Matthew has touched our hearts and is one extremely talented young adult.  We have watched him grow and mature over the years and it's hard to believe he is graduating this year.  We had the joy and pleasure of being invited to his Senior Recital.  Matthews plays the clarinet, saxophone, piano and sings....now that is talent!

Best wishes Matthew and continue to follow your dreams.

Mother's Day Weekend, 2011

We made reservations for our trip to Atlanta way before we went to Napa with Chris and Melissa....oh well.
Friday night Chris and Melissa made homemade pizza...yum.  These two love to prepare meals and they are very good at.  They work well in the kitchen when Melissa is "focused"....just kidding.

 The weather was beautiful for hanging out on the back porch with some wine and a game of Backgammon.

 I win!!

Saturday morning we went to one of my favorite places for brunch...Sunshine in Your Belly. I had my new favorite sandwich, pimento cheese w/fried green tomatoes and bacon...OMGoodness!

That evening we met up w/some friends from Chris's office for a Zac Brown concert.  Another beautiful evening and great concert. Kristen works w/Chris and is my inside scoop person.

Angie and Sandra.

 Chris D and Chris D...how confusing can it be? We all had a little champagne to celebrate Mother's Day.  I felt so special all weekend long.

 They are already leaning....

Mother's Day weekend was very special.  Received a sweet devotional book from Julie, Blake called from Singapore, Chris and Melissa had planned the evening at the concert and a lovely Sunday brunch, Keith & Elysse picked us up from the airport and joined us for dinner.  Thank you so much for your love, support and thoughtfulness.

We got to meet Melissa's mom, Trish, sweet lady.

 BJ, Trish and Melissa

 I love you sweetheart....thank you for a wonderful weekend in Atlanta and Napa!

Holland visit

It's been a few years since we've visited Linda, Lyle, Bennett and Maggie.  We took the opportunity to see and hear Maggie's last choir performance (in high school).  What a great performance!

Grandparents,uncles & aunts and parents were all there to support Maggie.

Lyle flew in from Costa Rica arriving at the house at 4:30, changed clothes, went to dinner at 5:00.  I think he looks pretty good for not knowing what time it is and where he is!
Alabama was hit hard by the recent tornadoes.  We visited a church that use to be a Winn Dixie.  I think they did a great job on transforming a grocery store into a place of Worship.  They will use the back of the structure as a large food pantry.  What a way to use a space and just in time.

Thank you Linda and Lyle and kids for a wonderful visit.