Another Summer post??   YEP!

When I was young, when school got out for the summer......we were able to enjoy a very L-O-N-G  Summer.  From the middle of May until the first week in September, was our Summer Break and wow....what a fabulous time it was.

Of course, the school buildings were not air conditioned and here in Texas....that would be like sending kids to school to learn in a HOT OVEN.

I can't believe that as of MONDAY, my girls (teachers) will be back in the school.  Then, two weeks later..the grandkids go back! 😓

What fun is that??

I'll be losing my retail therapy sidekicks as well as my Southern Sweet Tea drinking crew!!

I'm guessing I'll be fine........LOL

Hugs to all....

Shug.   

A COOL way to Cool Down

SUMMER......

Sherbert is so refreshing anytime of the year, but it is especially great during the Summer Months.  

Which of the flavors is your FAVORITE?

I like them all......

~~~

I do appreciate so much, even the small things in life.  Sometimes those small things are the ones that we overlook, but yet they are the ones that bring us many smiles throughout any given day.  

Just today, one of our grandsons was on the phone with Sam and during their conversation, I sneezed (from across the room where Sam was talking to him on the phone) and I didn't even give it any thoughts.

About 2 minutes later, I got a phone call from this same grandson, and he just wanted to tell me "Bless You" because he heard me sneeze while he was on the phone with his pops!

Such a simple thing....but, during my phone call, I also got an "I love  you" from him as well.   Gosh...those three little words gave me a big smile.

This one phone calls reminded me of how valuable my grandchildren are to me.     I absolutely adore them...  

Hope you all have a great evening...

Shug

 

Crazy Bird.....

What is the State Bird of Texas?   A Mockingbird......

And....I have had my fill of these somewhat aggressive birds this week.   Evidently, there is a nest of birds in the tree that is beside our driveway.   

Yesterday morning, as Sam was taking the trash out to the edge of the drive, a bird swept down towards him.  I walked outside, and sure enough, there was a mockingbird out there making such a hideous chirp.  

Source...

I din't really think anything about it until I later went outside to water some pot plants.  The pot plants are kind of close to the tree near the driveway!  

Suddenly, a bird flew to the gutter, right above my head.  The crazy thing would  not be quiet.  It kept making loud "Bird noises" lol......over and over again.  Then, it flew down towards me!  It really scared me, and as I swung around, the water hose splashed water all over my face.    ARGH!!

THEN....you all are not gonna believe this!!

Later in the afternoon, I was walking over toward my neighbors house and the bird kept darting at me and ended up perching on a power line.   I was almost to the neighbors house, when Tucker drove into my driveway and honked his horn.   I started back towards the house and I could still see the Mockingbird sitting on the line, but didn't think anything about it.  

As I approached the area near the tree......(MY BACK TO THE BIRD)   the psycho thing came sweeping down and pecked me on the back of the head.    I'm telling you, it hurt like CRAZY!!

My head is still sore today!!!

I feel like a prisoner in my own house.....no matter what door I try to go out, the bird is outside making that ridiculous  noise, just daring me to walk out to the driveway!   Have you ever heard of such?

Meanwhile.....my flowers need watering but I can't go out there for fear of bring pecked again.   LOL....

Seriously....I thought my head surely had to be bleeding yesterday.  It hit me hard and I'm totally surprised that the thing didn't hurt itself when it hit my head.   

I hope this doesn't last long.....those eggs need to hatch....OR....those baby birds need to fly away so the parents will leave me alone......

I'll keep you posted......

Shug

SUMMER  FUN.........


Summer is so HOT, but....even though the temps or so very warm and humid, we can always find fun things to do !!!!

Tori and her parents, visited the Oklahoma Zoo this past weekend and Tori had a blast.   She had the opportunity to get up close with several of the birds and animals.  

Feeding the Giraffe was one of the big highlights, as well as getting to ride a camel....

And Then......

It's always fun to take "Frog" pictures with your dad......at Bible school..     Tyler and Keelan look cute, don't they?

Who wouldn't want to have their picture taken inside of a heart?  

Mylee went to the Pecan show with us and this big ol' "Frisco" heart was just outside of the convention center......

           Can't beat pool time.......This is great for cooling off!!!

Mom...."Shanda Kay" watching as the kids played.

One of my favorite pictures......Trey ordered his 

welding helmet and even though it has been very hot outside....he wanted to try it out.    He loves welding!!

Summer, Winter, Fall or Spring.......who doesn't love riding a 

Carousel?

Yes.......Lots of Summer fun all around and MORE TO COME!!

Stay cool, and stay hydrated!!

Shug.....

It is full force Summer around here!  Here I go again.....Watering pot plants, in the mornings and the evenings.   I refuse to think about how much my water bill is going to be!

I recently updated my computer and guess what?  THINGS CHANGED!!   Oh my goodness.......why does this happen.   As of right now, I cannot access my photos in order to use them on my post.   I can go to my photos just like I have always done, but just can't use them when I write a post.   So...for this reason, no photos today.

In this busy tech world that we live in, everyone thinks you need to text more than you need to actually have a conversation on the phone.   I will say it......I DON'T LIKE TO TEXT!!!!!   My girls, my husband, my grandkids, and seems like everyone that I know,  prefers texting.   Don't get me wrong...it's not that I have a problem with the teeny tiny keyboard.....because I JUST HAVE BIG FINGERS.   I just detest the guessing game of what the actual emotions and attitudes ARE of the sender.  

😅  😖  😂  😘  😢  😧  😫  😬  😮

On many occasions, I've had to ask myself........"Did I just get a sarcastic response?"   "Are they trying to make me feel good or bad?"........."Are they laughing at my text?"  "Are they taking me serious?"

YOU GET MY POINT.....I HOPE!

Just this past week, I sent a message on FB messenger to one of my Face Book Friends....and the reply to a simple question was very questionable.   Made me want to question as to whether or not they are really my "Friend" or if they just follow me in hopes that I'll ask them a question so they can be rude!   LOL........

Back to Texting.......   I'm not a big fan of it.  I prefer to to talk to you!

Shug

I have been blogging for 9 1/2 years now.  My anniversary month is in December!!   I would love to tell you that I have written a post for every single day of these past nine and a half years, but the truth is....I haven't!!!  Oh geez....the first year, I was really into it and I blogged almost every single day, BUT...after a year or so, I cut way back.


This past week, I was looking back at some of my post from those first couple of years of blogging and I noticed that I had a whole lot more energy back then.  My writings seemed to have more meaning from the many post that I write about today.     I must say, blogging has been great therapy for me.  I needed this adventure!

My mother had passed away, my grandson was in treatment for Leukemia, my dad was not well and I needed to help him take care of my niece.  I had a whole lot on my plate, but the Lord was watching over me all the time.

Just out of the blue, I decided to look up blogging and from one evening of searching "How To Blog," I started the blogging journey.   Even though I sometimes get what I call "Blogging Block," I still enjoy blogging as much as I did way back then.

Below is one of my early post from December of 2012.......thought you might enjoy it.


Last Day of 2012

Oh my....It's hard to believe that this is the LAST day of 2012.  As many would say....."Where has the year gone?"


365 days.....have just flown by (AGAIN.)  I remember when I was younger, I would hear older people say
"Time is passing by so fast" and in my mind, I was thinking....."Are you kidding me, It's still 4 hours before my date with Sam, and time is standing still!"

Now that I'm older, my how I understand what they were talking about...WAY BACK THEN!

New Beginnings are special....and I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to what the year 2013 will bring.  I can already see some challenges in the future, but I plan to push forward, with a vengeance to get through these.  After all, a challenge can only make me stronger.

I see big changes in the days and months ahead.  August will be a key month for me this year.   For one thing, my (?0)  birthday will be on the 24th of August.      And then.....Mylee Jo will be starting school!  Yes, she is the last of our six grandchildren to journey off to school, and this means that Shug will be left behind, ALONE!

I have been Blessed to be a stay at home grandmother and I have been Blessed to be able to take care of each one of our precious babies!  I have experienced 17 of the Best years EVER.

But, the time is drawing closer for me to move on with my OWN life.   I have to tell you, I'm a bit scared.   What does my future hold?  What am I going to do?    For 17 years, less a few months, my life has been entertained by kids.....now what?

I'm thinking.....if I worked a few years, I could certainly add to our retirement.  But, 17 years is a long time to be out of the work force and things have changed, drastically!!  I don't even SHOP at Walmart, so how could I possibly expect them to hire me as a greeter?  (not)

Seriously.....changes are on the way for me in 2013 and I really DON'T know what to do!!  I don't Know what the future holds, but none of us do....do we?  Whatever it is that God has in store for me, I plan to do it with HIS wisdom and HIS direction.

Hope you all enjoy a wonderful New Year celebration.......Be smart, Be safe, and Be Blessed!

Shug

Good Morning......Welcome to my day!

Don't you just love it when God wakes you up in the middle of the night, to finish your prayers?  I was tired last night, but never do I want to fall asleep without thanking God for my day and thanking HIM for all of HIS goodness.  Praising God is the last thing I remember when I dozed off.

My prayer list is very long.....Family, Friends, Our Nation, Our World, and the list goes on!!

I wasn't even able to complete my prayers last night, because I fell off to sleep.   BUT...during the night (around 3:00) I woke up and it was if my prayers picked right back up.  I am so thankful that God is aware of my tiredness and HE allows me a few hours of rest in order to be rested before praying for others.

This doesn't happen often, but when it does, I am so much more aware of how important specific prayers can be.  People and situations have been placed on my heart for a reason and I never want to fail the Holy Spirit.....I don't mind that I am awakened in the wee morning hours to pray for others.  I count it a Blessing to have this opportunity!

                                                                          ~~~~~~~~

My day is going to be a good one!  I have several things planned and then, this evening, Sam and I are going to be having dinner with 9 of our Wonderful friends.   How great is this!!


Be Blessed....
Shug

~~~~      I decided I would swim for a little bit yesterday afternoon!  Not sure I could say swim, because it was more like being in a HOT TUB!

Seriously.....when the temperatures are way up in the 90's to almost the 100's, there is no way the pool is going to stay cool.

I honestly......Love being in a pool.   I could spend hours just relaxing in the pool, and the cooler the water, the more I like it.   Our Texas heat sure doesn't allow for the water to stay cool though.

Life is good......

Shug.  

Happy Birthday to this very special lady......

Our oldest daughter.......Trista!   She turns 44 today!!

Her beauty runs so deep.....She has the sweetest, kindest heart and it radiates in everything she does.  

She is an awesome mom to 3, a mother-in-law, a wife, a wonderful grandmother to her 4 year old grandson.....who calls her "Tweetie" and one of the BEST as a daughter, sister, aunt and friend.  

Aside from taking care of her wonderful family, she spends her days as a teacher at our local school.   

Hope your day is as special as you!!

Love you "Tweetie"

Mom/Shug

Wow.....this header photo is certainly a few years old.  I still remember this wonderful evening that was spent with great friends, celebrating America!!!   ****

Pictured from Left to right:   ME, Susie, Vicki, and Joyce!!!

                                                     ~~~~~~
I love celebrating our Freedom here in the USA and I also deeply appreciate our Military men and women.   

Tomorrow, July 5th, our grandson (Tyler) will have his 3 year anniversary of serving in the United States Air Force!!!  Yay Tyler!
The time has passed by so fast and it has been so exciting to watch how he has grown during these past 3 years.

In this picture, he had just signed all the paperwork and was heading out to Basics in San Antonio, Tx.   This was a day filled with so much emotion for all of us.   Many tears!

   

Our First time seeing him after he completed Basics

I loved this smile on his face.....Because, he was thrilled to see us too!

Tyler, Showing us his coin that he received during the ceremonies.

This picture was made about a month before he left to go into the Air Force!

His pops was super proud of him......

This picture was taken about 3 months after he got to his Tech School.......We rented a Condo for the weekend and our family (all 14 of us) visited him that weekend.    Gosh...I remember how hard it was to leave him that Sunday afternoon....

His 1st official photo from the AF

A visit home......

Now...he is married

 And has a son........such a beautiful family.....

And here is his latest Air Force picture.   

So many changes in 3 short years and we couldn't be more proud of him and all the accomplishments he has made.

Happy 3rd Anniversary Tyler.......

and Happy 4th of July to all of you.....

Shug.....

                                                            Header photo from Image Source





Have you ever made Cream Brûlée?   I love this stuff.....I absolutely do!!

BUT:  I had never made it before, UNTIL this past week.

We have a group at church that is called "Spice of Life" and I have to tell you, THIS GROUP HAS SO MUCH FUN!!

Here I am, browning the sugar on my Brûlée.    This was fun, and I had never used a torch before.  I think that next time, I'll add a little more sugar and caramelize it a bit more.

This was a couple's cook night, so I took the dessert lesson and Sam took the grilling a steak lesson.   Here he is (in the black shirt)...well, there are two guys in black shirts....duh!  Mine is the one at the grill, flipping my steak and he's holding the white cup.

Stephanie,  is grilling her and her husband's steak, and he is in the kitchen doing their dessert.   

The guy leaning on the counter......Yep, that is Stephanie's husband, Jeremy, better known as PJ.

Jeremy is the Children's Pastor at our church.   

This was such a fun evening.....Not only did I learn how to make a dessert that I dearly love, but I/we enjoyed a delicious steak, cooked by my honey aka...Sam!

The class was entertaining, the food delicious, and the fellowship was amazing!

I'm excited for the next class.

~~~~~~~

Recipe for Creme Brûlée...

2 cups Heavy Cream  (Heated)

5 Egg Yolks

1/2 cup granulated sugar plus more to sprinkle for topping

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional:  Berries and Mint for topping

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar until creamy.   Slowly pour in the cream making sure not to cook the eggs.  Add vanilla.

Place unfilled ramekins in a baking casserole dish and fill baking dish with water to half-way up.  Pour egg mixture into ramekins.  

Bake for 45 min. to an hour, checking every 10 min after 35 to 40 min.   Stick a knife in the middle and it should come out mostly clean, to check for doneness. 

Let chill before adding sugar to top and using a torch to caramelize sugar.   

add berries and mint....

Shug ~