Celebrating Pink and Blue

 Good Monday morning from a very warm East Texas! ☀️

The summer heat has definitely settled in, but so has a heart full of gratitude after such a wonderful weekend spent celebrating family.

Our first celebration was a gender reveal for Trey and Savannah… and it’s a BOY! 💙

The theme could not have been more perfect as baby Rowan's parents (Trey and Savannah) are both big time Duck hunters!!  🦆

We are already counting down the days until little Rowan Allen makes his arrival on October 31st. The moment they announced his name, my heart smiled. 

Rowan was my great-grandparents’ family name, so hearing it chosen for this precious little boy made the day even more meaningful. Some family names have a beautiful way of finding their way back home.

Then we traded blue for pink as we celebrated our sweet granddaughter, Tori, with a bridal shower. 💗

The day couldn’t have been more perfect. Tori was absolutely radiant, and the home where her shower was held was simply breathtaking. Every room, every flower, every little detail created such a warm and elegant setting. I'm sharing a couple of photos because this beautiful home deserves to be admired.

This weekend reminded me just how quickly life changes. One family is preparing to welcome a tiny new life into the world, while another is preparing to begin a life together. 

Babies, weddings, laughter, hugs, happy tears… these are the moments that fill our hearts and become the memories we treasure forever.

Now it’s Monday, and while East Texas is heating up, my heart is still glowing from a weekend filled with love, family, and countless blessings.

Shan and Mylee.....celebrating Tori.

Christmas tree that stays up all year long..

Wishing each of you a beautiful week ahead. May it be filled with reasons to celebrate the people you love. ❤️

Shug 💙💙💙

Find Gracie

 ** Update:  Gracie HAS BEEN FOUND 

If you’ve been on social media lately, you’ve probably seen the newest Texas celebrity… Gracie the Giraffe! 🦒💛

Gracie, a 3-year-old reticulated giraffe, wandered away from Cedar Hollow Ranch in Real County and has been giving Texans quite the adventure ever since. While search crews continue looking for her in the rugged Hill Country, the internet has been busy imagining what she’s been up to.

Apparently, Gracie has:

🦷 Stopped by the dentist for a cleaning.

🚤 Enjoyed a relaxing day on Lake Tyler.

🌊 Floated the Frio River in sunglasses like a true Texan.

🚒 Even signed up for the local volunteer fire department.

At this point, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone spots her ordering brisket, dancing at a country dance hall, or browsing Buc-ee’s for snacks.

One thing Texans are especially good at is finding humor in almost anything, and the Gracie memes have certainly delivered some much-needed laughs. It’s amazing how one adventurous giraffe has managed to bring smiles to people all across the state.

Gracie even stopped by to join us in one of our OLD Classroom photos...

Behind all the funny photos, though, is a real giraffe who is far from home. The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful place, but it’s no place for a giraffe to be wandering alone.

Here’s hoping Gracie is found safe very soon, reunited with the people who care for her, and can finally put an end to her Texas sightseeing tour.

Until then… keep your eyes on the horizon. Around here, you never know what might be sticking up above the cedar trees. 🦒🤠💚

Prayers for Gracie....

Shug.....

Thankful Thursday

 

I'm thankful for our sweet little great-granddaughter and her love for Ice-cream🍦

I am also thankful for each of these....↓↓↓

I’m thankful for the sunshine that warms my face, lazy afternoons with nowhere to be, and beach days that leave sand between my toes. I’m grateful for sweet treats that melt too fast, fresh watermelon straight from the fridge (with a little salt), and a tall glass of ice-cold lemonade on a hot day.

Summer gives us beautiful sunsets, blooming flowers, barefoot walks, flip-flops, family cookouts, and laughter that lingers long after the fireflies come out. It’s a season for making memories, taking adventures, slowing down, reading a good book, and spending time with the people who make life sweeter.

Sometimes we get so busy looking ahead that we forget to appreciate the little moments happening right now. Today, I’m choosing gratitude for this beautiful season and all the joy it brings.

What are YOU most thankful for this summer? 🌻🌊🍦💛

Shug......

Joining Michelle today @ HERE.  (It's a small town life)

Summer Day Hodgepodge

🏖️Summer Day Hodgepodge 🏖️

Joining Joyce today for a Hodgepodge

HERE

1. Summer’s Here! ☀️

What I love most about summer is the long days. I love having extra daylight to enjoy life a little longer. Whether it’s sitting on the porch, taking a walk, or watching a beautiful sunset, summer evenings seem to last forever.

My biggest summer pet peeve? Stepping in a piece of chewed gum that someone carelessly spit out on the ground. Nothing ruins a good day faster than scraping gum off your shoe!

⸻

2. What song always reminds you of summer? 🎶

Island in the Sun by Weezer. The laid-back vibe and carefree feel of that song instantly transport me to warm sunny days, road trips, and summertime adventures.

⸻

3. Childhood Summers 🌻

When I think about childhood summers, I remember being outside from morning until dark. Running through the water sprinkler, cheering at my brothers’ baseball games, eating homemade ice cream, and going barefoot almost everywhere. I loved visiting my Papa’s store where he’d always let me have a free soda and a piece of bubblegum. Vacation Bible School was another summer highlight, along with all the simple joys that came with being a kid.

Do kids today enjoy summer the same way? Not a chance......Many children spend more time indoors with screens than outside making memories. They don’t know the excitement of racing through sprinklers, catching lightning bugs, riding bikes until sunset, or spending entire days outside with neighborhood friends. Summer felt like freedom back then, and I think a lot of that magic has been lost.

⸻

4. Father’s Day ❤️

I probably favor my dad more in temperament than appearance. He was steady, kind, hardworking, and always there when his family needed him. Truthfully, we’ve been blessed with some of the best dads in our family. Their love, guidance, and example have shaped generations, and I couldn’t ask for better role models.

⸻

5. Summer This or That 🌞

• Flip flops or sandals? Flip flops
• Beach or pool? Pool
• Watermelon or peaches? Watermelon
• Shorts or sundress? Both!
• Iced coffee or ice-cold lemonade? Ice-cold lemonade
• Amusement park or water park? Water park

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6. Random Thought 💭

Summer teaches us that some of life’s best memories aren’t expensive or elaborate. They’re found in simple moments—a cold glass of lemonade, bare feet in the grass, laughter with family, and watching the sun slowly sink below the horizon. Sometimes the simplest things end up meaning the most. ❤️☀️🌻

Shug.........