Five Day Road Trip

So, I just got back from a road trip to see Jess and the family, and my son came along with me.  I like traveling with him, cause he's a light traveler, like me.  We were gone for 5 days, took one bag each, and just the necessities.  All I needed to feel comfortable on this trip was the open roads and a car with music to soothe me.  Freeways are my fear, which I had to go on for a short time, but it was mostly highway.  I drove to my hometown, and my friends, it isn't the small hometown I grew up in anymore.  It sure has grown and more crowded for sure.  But I got to visit all my favorite places to eat, the Mexican restaurant, See's candies, and I've always wanted to try Jersey Mike's Subs.  It's as good as they say.   I got mine with a rosemary bun.

I met my faithful friend of 47 years the first night, and my brother stopped by to give me some birthday money.  So generous of him.  She gave me a delightful cup with some French butter cookies that were amazing.  The cup is big, but lightweight, and I really needed lots of coffee after this trip.  I've been using it since I got home.  I love it.

It was good to see my friend again.  I didn't get a picture of us, but here we are back in the day.  Don't ya love the 70's hair and clothes?  (I'm in the second photo).

I also got a chance to visit with my church friend, Anne.  It was a short visit, but it was so nice to see her again.   She lives right by the church, so I got to go inside and say a prayer.  Now, I've been to many Catholic churches, but this is my home church, where all my sacred ceremonies took place growing up.

One morning, I met Jess at grandma J's house, and she was making breakfast for all of us.  This is a flower centerpiece that was on one of the tables.

She went all out and made bacon, eggs, waffles, and coffee.  I have to mention how gracious this woman is every time I visit with her.  She always makes me feel welcome in her home.   She truly is the best hostess that I know.  My son enjoying his coffee in my favorite cup of hers.  She told me she got it from Target, and I want one!

Francesca is into puzzles right now, and she really is getting to know the art of it.  Papa was so patient helping her with all the pieces.  She insisted doing it all on her own, but asked for help if she needed it.  This is when she first started,

and this is in the middle of the project.  She completed much of it.

Then, we went to the back yard, and grandma J showed me all the wonderful things that are happening in her garden.  This will be a post for another time, cause there was so much to look at, but the one thing that caught my eye was the cherry tree that's been recently planted, as cherries are my favorite fruit.

Francesca left something for the birds haha.

There was another birthday going on the same day as mine (a dear friend of theirs), and this is one of the bouquets for her.  I've always loved purples and yellows together, they go nicely.  It was beautiful.

On our way to my favorite Italian restaurant, Macaroni Grill.  Francesca put lipstick on, and kept hiding behind her big mirror when I tried to take her picture.  I finally got one of her, and it made me laugh.  She's at that age where she loves telling stories and hearing them.   

I'll show you some of the gifts I received.  This is a Cross made from palm leaves that you see at Eastertime.  Jess got it in Charleston, when she visited there recently.  On top of the Cross sits a pretty rose.

Alice in Wonderland tea with a cute initial cup from Jess, and a large bag of Lindor truffles with a bottle of wine from grandma J.

Francesca ornament.  It's dangling from my cabinet with children's books.

A picture of Francesca that makes me smile when I pass by.  I love the white frame that Jess found.

And a drawing from a precious child is the greatest gift of all.  It's Francesca, grandma, bear, 2 doggies, 2 balloons.  I like that they're all smiling.

Before we left, we had cake!  It was the most Yummy and moist cake I've had in a long time.  Jess carefully wrapped up half of it for me to take home.  Francesca even wore a shirt that said  Happiest Birthday Ever!

She had fun helping me blow out the candles.

On our long drive home, I needed to get out and stretch my legs for awhile, and you can see why I had to stop at this antique shop.  I could have stayed in there and browsed for hours, but I didn't buy anything, cause we just wanted to get home.  I'll have to go back again sometime. 

Jess is my child that is very much into detail, and she always makes a special effort to make any get together a memorable one.  It was so good to see my girls again.

And I can't wait to see my other girls this Summer.

Thanks for putting up with this long post.  When we take road trips, there's a lot of happenings that we experience along the way.  I'm not real big on the travel, but it sure is good to see loved ones, and it's always a relief to be home sweet home.

~Sheri