State Park, Lewes Castle and Books

 Hello Everyone!

Dad and I enjoy visiting State Parks. In Florida there are currently 175, we have visited 20, ha ha! Here's some pics from Fort Cooper, it was where a battle occurred with the Seminole Indians. The Seminoles were eventually relocated to a reservation in the location of the Everglades. After visiting a few of these types of parks we realize the Seminoles usually came out ahead, probably because they were so used to the climate. 

Charlotte and David went to visit Lewes Castle. I love Charlotte's skirt, she looks so cute in it.

I read a few books last month, I figured I would share with you in case you were looking for something new.

The first is The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah. This is about a divorced woman who could not conceive a child and moves back home to run her family's restaurant. One of the teenage waitresses becomes pregnant and well you can guess how this will end. Anyway, I have really enjoyed a lot of Kristin Hannah's books lately, quite honestly I didn't know she had so many.

The second one is Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline. The main character is struggling with a death that she witnessed as a teen so she goes back to confront others who had witnessed it as well. Quite a very unexpected twist at the end.

The third one is Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. This book was written in the 60's and is done as a journal. A man in his 30's with a low IQ is selected for a surgical experiment to increase his IQ. So the journal writings are his thoughts before and after the surgery. Algernon is a mouse that they already conducted the surgery on. The term "retarded" is used throughout the book, however, this was a medical term and was not used in a derogatory way. When my brother was born with his heart/lung condition he lost a lot of oxygen to his brain and my parents were told he would have been retarded had he survived. Unfortunately, he only lived 6 weeks. I was only 2 years old, so I have no memory of him. We only have one picture, his name was Paul Ronald, Jr, though we called him Ronnie.

Well, let me know of any books your reading or if you've read any of these.

love, Mom

May Already!

 It is May already and we are just doing our normal stuff--fishing, working and reading lots. I am still waiting to hear if I got hired for the Lobby Host position at a local bank. It's a nice job with one week on and one week off. Dad shaved off his mustache, though here's a picture from Easter he still had it then.

Here's a video of Dad and the fish he caught. This one he has shaved the mustache! 

Chris celebrated his 36th birthday with Phillip and Jordan at Ciellos. Listen as he sings Happy Birthday!

Luke and Hailey visited the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco. So cool, I think the next time we visit we're going to have to check that out.

Charlotte celebrated her birthday last month too! David and Charlotte celebrated their first wedding anniversary with a trip to Brighton Beach. If you two have any pictures I will add them to the next blog post. 

Here's a couple other pictures. Rowan from Easter and Chris' #1 Dad Award from Holland.

Well, that's all I got for today. 

love, Mom

April Already!

 The time is flying by for the year. Spring/Summer is here in Florida, we've already had temps in the upper 80's.

Luke and Hailey are doing good, busy with their jobs and pups.

Some exciting news from across the pond, David bought a car, all I know is that it's a standard and here's a picture.

Here's Pop-pop with me, Aunt Karen and Aunt Kathy. It was a great visit!

I bought a key lime tree, and it has some tiny limes on it. Hopefully, it will survive. My cilantro is starting to wain as the temps get hotter but we got a lot from it.

Rowan is 3 months old now and full of smiles! Here are some pictures from them.

Well, I know I don't update regularly, but it is what it is.

love, 

Mom

Visit to Texas

 

Hello there, well my pictures always seem to load in reverse order when I do a bunch at once. 

This is a hawk we spotted on our walk today, they seem to be all over as we live near a wooded area. One time the neighbor across from us had one on her roof and I'm pretty sure it was eyeballing Cricket when I took him out to potty!

We found this can of Hormel Chili Ghost Reaper, it says "World's Hottest Chili", we left it at the store. It was on clearance and I'm sure it had something to do with being the world's hottest chili.

So here we go with my visit to Texas to meet Rowan Sulema. Of course the princess has to be shown first because she is the oldest. 

Hailey got a smile from Rowan and she just loved it. Hailey and Luke brought so much food to put in their freezer.

Luke checking out the little angel, she knows how to stare and is very alert.

I got a little smile from her, lol, she thought I was silly with that big goofy grin!

So I'm looking for ideas to season food without garlic and onion. You all know garlic is the only seasoning  I use regularly. What are some good combinations for chicken? I have rosemary but what else can I use? Also, is sage good for anything besides stuffing? 

Charlotte suggested when you make your flight to England to check out Gatwick Airport, it is closer to them. I checked it out and it is south of London and the flights were reasonable compared to Heathrow. 

Love, 

Mom

Recent Events-Rowan - New Year

 

Hello All,

Another year is here! 

Dad has been taking over some of the cooking recently, below is some Chicago Dogs he made and Ribs in the crockpot. Both were great. Last night he made a pork loin roast with vegetables. David we looked for parsnips in the store but didn't find them.

David and Charlotte on an early morning walk, the temperatures there have been chilly, 30s and 40s. 

Rowan is a little over 2 weeks now. Her doctor check-up today was great and weighs a whopping 7 lb, 5 oz. The doctor gave them the go ahead to let her sleep as long as she can between night feedings now. Let's hope she agrees with that!

Holland had her 4 year old check-up today as well. The doctor gave her straight A's in learning development and feels she is a little ahead. Even princesses wear their safety helmet when riding their Minnie Mouse bike.

Cricket met his new vet and got his vaccines. Unfortunately, he's a tad overweight. Too many treats and table food. 

Just one more week and then I will be in Texas for a visit! 

Hailey has a website for her new online store, Crow and Baubles! Lots of candles and melts along with wonderfully smelling bubble bath bars, body butters, scrubs and squeeze wax. Check it out at crowandbaubles.com  I'm sure most of you thought I didn't know how to put a hyperlink into my blog but many years ago I took a class on web design! :) 

I don't really have any New Year's resolutions but here's a few things I'm going to try and do better at for 2025:

Fr. Mike's Bible in a Year podcast

Work on my Spanish, I stopped for a long while but seemed to have picked it back up quickly. I just use the free Duo Lingo app.

Blog at least twice a month but hopefully weekly

Visit more state parks within our area, lots of free stuff out there

Well, drop me a comment and let me know if you have anything your working on for 2025!

Love, Mom

Photo Dump!

 Hello All, I have not done a post in several months so I am going to do a photo dump and tell a little about the pics if needed.

Holland's new year of preschool.

Pop-pop enjoyed watching Cricket for us while we went to Texas. Cricket decided to jump out of his arms after this photo, lol. 

Dad helping pop our fence pieces back in place with the neighbor after hurricane Milton.

Cricket loves his daddy, lol.

Watson loves his daddy, too!

It was Pumpkin Palooza at school, Maureen created a little pumpkin on Hollands hair.

Dad and I went out for my birthday to Longhorn Steakhouse, Pop went as well. I got a Mango Margarita and that was exceptional. The food was great as well.

David and Charlotte went to Brighton Beach.

Gus and Watson!

Pretty Florida sunset.

Picture day at school.

That's it folks, hopefully I will keep up with this blog. If you get lonely for the sound of my voice I have started reading aloud on the sidebar under Gigi's Stories for the grandkids.

love,

Mom