Just Because

I haven't done a 'just because' post in a while, so I thought it was time.  They are similar to 'this and that' posts, which show the simple happenings of the week.

My son made some croissants, and I think it's safe to say that he has mastered this recipe.  It was his best batch yet.  I drizzled a little butter and blackberry jam on them.  Were they ever so good.

He also made a French stew.  It had such a unique taste, and the beef was tender.  I liked it so much that I had seconds, and some more the next day!

It's still a little early for Fall, but I couldn't resist picking this up when I saw it at the grocery store. 

My best friend called last week, and we talked for an hour!  It was good catching up with her.  She sees everyone more regularly than I do, as she lives close to my hometown.

Check out the cake Nel made for Mia.  It's a 'Lilo and Stitch' theme.  I think it's her most creative one yet.  I love all the colors swirling in the cake.

My neighbor's roses are blooming like crazy.  They repotted them in an iron pot, so he thinks that's why they are doing so well.  She always has delightful things on her front porch.

I met my brother-in-law at the Chinese Restaurant last week.  I ordered the deluxe lunch special, which included sweet and sour pork, chow mein, egg roll, and shrimp and cream cheese wonton.  A coke is a must when I order Chinese food.  It was delicious. 🍚🍤  I enjoyed catching up with my brother-in-law.  I was cracking up at his face expressions when he was telling stories of the squirrels' antics around his house, and the amusing behavior of the raccoons when he traveled up north.  I do not like the squirrel, but I got some pics of one carrying on as he was sitting on the big pile of logs that my neighbor will use this winter for firewood.  For my squirrel-loving blog friends.

Hope the week is kind to you.

  

Students With Charisma

Well, school is starting for some, and it seems that it's getting earlier every year.  I so wish the kids started school when we did, in September, so they don't have to endure those hot days that are still so apparent in summer.  Every school year I can't help but look back at my own childhood, remembering the fun moments, and especially those students who stood out from all the others.  

*There was Shannon.  Her name, in itself, was cool.  She had such a cute smile, walk, and personality.  She lived across town where we attended junior high, and it would be a very different scene that year from the local school we were used to.  All the boys liked her, and all the girls wanted to be like her.  She just had a way with people.

*Then there was John B.  He excelled in every sport he played, and he played many.  Our senior year, he got Most Athletic, an honor that was well deserved.

 

All the girls liked him, even the girls from our rival school across town.  He was just a good guy.  I seem to remember his girlfriend too; she was pretty nice.  ; )

*There was Tina.  She was a pretty thing who could get any guy she wanted.  We had the same taste in boys, and we actually had some of the same boy crushes throughout the years.  She was my best friend until high school.  She had twin sisters, so the closets in their bedrooms were filled to the brim with clothes.  Between her and her sisters' clothes, I borrowed a thing or two, and she was always generous.

*Then there was Jackie.  Just her face expressions alone were hilarious.  We were good friends for a time, and spent many hours at each other's houses.  She had step sisters, which was foreign to me at the time, and a brother who was pretty cute.  He was so shy though that I could barely get a "hi" out of him.

*There was also Morfoula.  Her name just says it all, doesn't it?  She was Greek (like "my big fat Greek wedding" Greek).  She was attractive with long brown hair and brown eyes.  When we had sleep overs at her house, her family would tease me and never hesitate to remind me that I was only part Greek, and that their family was all.  She married a Greek man (what a surprise), and I ran into her from time to time, as she lived in a big house in my hometown close to where we lived.  I also saw her regularly at the Greek festival every Spring.

These are all people I grew up with that had charisma, and often times, it's these type of students who put an unexpected zest in the school year.

Francesca started her first week of school, and I hope my little ones have an exceptional year; maybe they will have some of those charismatic students in their lives as well.  Or perhaps they will be fortunate enough to be them.

And Mrs. Jessi has already started teaching her elementary class.

Mia hasn't started yet, but this was a happy little camper when Nel took her shopping for school clothes at Target.

Nel has a little bit more of a summer break before teaching her college students.

Oh, school days....be kind to the students and teachers.  They make such an effort all year long.

Do you remember any unusually delightful students when you were in school?  I'd love to hear about it.

 

Thankful For New Appliances

Good Morning, and welcome August!

August is a good month for my family, with Mia and Charlotte's birthday and Jess' anniversary in the midst of it all.  It was also my mom and dad's anniversary.

My oven was on the brink of disaster.  It wasn't heating up, and it was just too old to get the parts to fix it, so a new stove/oven was ordered for me.  I didn't know the type or brand it would be, and I didn't ask; he just said it would be a surprise, but that he ordered the nicest one they had.  I love it! - it has a grill on the stove to make grilled cheese sandwiches and such.  New appliances are always fun to get.

And my first batch of cookies baked in the new oven.

Did your kids have fun playing with the cardboard boxes when they were little?  Such a simple thing can bring hours of joy.  My kids used to love them.  And so it goes with each generation.

Meals this week.

And I have to ask my Texas friends about these sausages.  I haven't tried them yet, so I was hoping for good reviews.

Have to always stop for red roses.

Nel made this cake for her father-in-law.  It's a Baseball inspired theme because he loves Baseball, especially the Dodgers.

Speaking of Dodgers, I came across these peanuts at the store.  No canned peanuts for me; I love the old-fashioned ones that you have to crack open.  Peanuts are packed with protein!  I tell you, the day after I ate them, I had a burst of energy.

I had a zoom chat yesterday with Nel and Jess and kids.  We talked about school starting, new school clothes, and latest happenings.  Nel and Jess remember having at least one week of new school clothes at the beginning of each school year.  The kids were scrunching their cheeks and making faces and cracking me up.  Once I start laughing with them, it's hard to stop.  Nel showed me her new Disney cup.

And she sent over a video of her and Mia baking a peach pie.  When she lived in Georgia, she loved baking those peach pies, as it is widely known as the "Peach State." 🍑  *these aren't videos, just pictures.

Do you know that Georgia has around 70 roads in the state named after peaches?  Peachtree Street is one of them.

Well, we are supposed to have some cooler days here in August.  We'll see.  ; )  My heart is looking forward to Fall, and we usually get rain at that time.