A Little Of This, A Little Of That

 It's getting warmer here, and you can tell summer is right around the corner.  It's not too hot, just warm enough to enjoy this season with a pleasant atmosphere.  My brother-in law came for a visit, and I love when I see that little brown bag, cause I know some goodies are in there - two different small cakes, and a big pack of pork ribs with barbecue sauce.  We had a nice conversation with stories of old and new.  I made him a cup of coffee, and while he had the brownies I just made, I enjoyed some of the cake he brought.

Have you ever tried this barbecue sauce?  It's the best.  I'm not sure if it's popular in the south, but it's one of our favs around here.

Remember my neighbor's bush with the single rose that bloomed?

This is what they look like now.

My family are Rocky lovers, and all 9 movies of Rocky and Creed are showing on Netflix right now, and we've been watching some of them.  It's a 50 year celebration, from 1976-2026.

Some summer pretties around the house.

So, I mentioned to you that Jess and Nel are on a fabulous trip, and I'll give you a hint on their destination.  This heritage sparks in my dad's blood....and mine!

You guessed it.....GREECE! 

I'll share a few pics that Jess sent me first.

Athens....You may have heard that there are a lot of Cats in Greece.  This is true, and for many different reasons, one of them is that they don't neuter their cats and just let them roam, believing that altering animals is unnatural and goes against the animal's nature.  They view the strays as "community wildlife."  They are treated very good and fed, even on the streets.

My favorite Pastichio dish.  It tastes a little like lasagne, but different with the unique spices they use in the recipe like cinnamon and Bechamel sauce.

The villas in Greece are so charming and old with flowers and family stories.

I loved this photo because my grandfather's name was Leonidas.  He immigrated from Greece in 1912, and raised his family in the states, in my hometown!

One of my favorite pics is of the dancers with their unique and festive clothes.

Loved the expression on Francesca's face when eating one of the meat skewers haha.

The ruins in the background are the Acropolis, and the Parthenon is part of it.  The Parthenon is one of the most famous and influential structures in the world, and probably the most famous in Greece.

On the Island of Zakynthos....while Nel was making her presentation, Jess wandered around.  They found a church, and Jess lit a candle and said a prayer for me.  I thought that was so very special.

I'll show you more of their Greece trip in the days ahead.  Since Father's Day is approaching, I'd like to share with my new blog friends a little about my own dad.

*I was fortunate to have a terrific dad.  He had a big smile and a twinkle in his eye.  He was always there for his kids if we needed anything, and I was very close to him growing up.  He had a garden across the street from our house, and I would go over there and help him water and pick veggies, and we would sometimes have long meaningful talks.  He was also a hunter, and I accompanied him at times on his hunting trips.  He worked for the phone company, and when I was a little older, I would visit him at the workplace, and he introduced me to many of his co-workers.  He was always out there in the yard sprucing things up, and making his house look nice.  He was a good husband and dad, and since I was the youngest, I had the least time with him before he left this world.  I was only 28, and not at all ready to lose someone so dear to me, but he filled my life with many good things, and I am thankful every day to have had such a great dad.

I'm the wee one on my oldest brother's lap.

Fourth Of July Hutch

One of the best purchases I made was the white hutch that stands in the corner of my house.  I love decorating it for the holidays and seasons that come around.  My pulled neck muscle feels better, but my neck is still stiff and sore, so I rested last week, and I thought it would be a good time to decorate my hutch for the 4th of July.  I don't have a lot of stuff for this holiday, as I gave many things away in the moves - three moves in six years (awful, but each move gave me some special moments that I will always remember).  So, here is my hutch that's not too cluttered, just festive enough for the 4th. 🎇🎇🎇

I found this little 4th of July girl at Hobby Lobby this year.

A few other items.

And I can't forget to put out my 'All American' Troll that I've had since my childhood.  The writing on his shirt is faded, but that's what makes him vintage and a treasure.   He's at least 55 years old. 

I found these pretty blue candle holders, and I already had the tapers.

I liked them so much, I went back and got another.

Made a batch of sugar cookies and chocolate chip cookies cause they're always good with a cup of coffee.

My neighbor across the street has a row of pink roses planted in her front yard.  There are a couple red bushes mixed in with them.  This red rose was the first to bloom this spring.

My son made a braised chicken dish.  I got a picture of it before it was all gone - it was really good.

~Oh, to be a kid again in the spring and summer....chasing the butterflies, listening to the frogs tell a story, picking the wild dandelions anywhere and everywhere, skipping and laughing, and resting on a tree stump until you do it all over again~

From the plane....✈ Jess and Nel went on a fabulous trip, and I'll share with you the destination soon.

 

Town Story

 Whenever I go into town, I always come home with a story or two.  One of the first things I asked my brother when he bought the house is "how far from town is it?"  He was careful in his search to find a place that was not too far out.  I'm only 3 minutes from the town, so I drive there often.  Here's a story from last week that I'll share with you.

~I was at the grocery story in the produce section getting the best looking veggies to bring home, and when I was finished, I headed over to the meats.  I looked back, and from the corner of my eye, I saw something run fast in the distance.  It came from the back storage, and ran past the produce section, and I was glad to be done there.  I thought it might just be a shadow, because another shopper came through.  But I hurried up and gathered all the groceries I needed, and checked out.  Someone was at the check-out with a big bag of dog food.  He said, "did you see the Chipmunk in the store?"  I replied, "that was a Chipmunk?"  He said, "yea, it was so cute."  I said, "not everyone thinks that Chipmunks are cute," and thought to myself, "especially at a grocery store!"  So, I mentioned it to the manager, who's such a good guy, and he searched for it.  He said, "I opened the back door so he can run out."  Apparently, he snuck inside the storage area early in the morning.  V. at check-out said, "well, we live in the woods."  I said, "I know, I love the deer, but not the rodents!"  I got out of there faster than a greased pig! 🐷 

I picked up some Chinese take-out, and the restaurant always accommodates me with my orders, as I sometimes change the order to this or that.  The restaurant owners are so good to me.  I asked for chicken chow mein, with more sauce, and it was delicious with fried prawns. 🍤🍤🍤

I thought these flowers were so pretty in the parking lot of the Chinese restaurant.

I also drove through the eatery on another day last week and got a hot pastrami sandwich.  I pulled a neck muscle, and it was painful, and didn't feel like cooking.  They open at 11, but I got there at ten to 11, and they took my order.  I asked them to beef up the sandwiches, and they sure did.  They make a mean hot pastrami sub.  I have this little rock in the console of my car - it's a reminder of all the little daily graces I receive.

The 100-year old pioneer wagon on main street is already decked out with red, white, and blue, and flags waving in every direction.

The California Poppy is blooming like crazy along the edges of the highway, and even in the parking lots.  Their color ranges from shades of golden yellow

to an intense beautiful orange.

Mia did a craft project with her mama.  I thought it turned out so cute.

A California Quail and his mate were digging vigorously in my garden.  They are ground birds that search for food, but there is no food in my garden, so maybe they were making a nest?  Then, the female kept digging while the male looked on.

He looked funny when shaking all the dirt off him.

I love hearing the song of the birds in this area during this season.  It's fun to guess what calls are from what birds.  I will see these little songbirds soon.

Mia finished her last dance class (of three years), and will graduate from her little pink tutu to a purple leotard next fall.

Remember Maxwell House Coffee?  And their jingle?...."Good To The Last Drop."  Maxwell House coffee was introduced in 1892.  Is it just me, or does it blow you away that a coffee has been around for 134 years?  It's still good to the last drop.

I know I share pics of the deer often, but they came around a lot in May this year.  And I was in awe of this Buck right across the street!

Happy June!