Friday Fotos 2024 #6

 Friday Fotos is a post where I can dump some photos from the previous week. The goal is to make me more aware of the beauty and fun in my everyday life. I guess I took a bit of an unplanned and then planned hiatus since the last of these posts on April 5th, but I'm back...at least for this week!

The magnolias are blooming! This is from a big magnolia in the park next to my house.

I had a nice quiet evening on my back porch, sipping some Northern Irish Whiskey and listening to '70's music.

The "baby magnolia" in the park is just starting to bloom.

The landscapers did a great job repositioning my daddy's amaryllis...I thought I only had 2 and this is the best they've looked in years.

I don't know why I didn't think of this before. I haven't found anything that will grow in this area on my front porch. Last night the thought came to me to get beach rocks & put them in there. It ties in the dry creek bed that the landscapers put in my front yard. (see picture below)

This isn't from this week, but this is the dry creek bed that the landscapers put in to help with drainage in the front yard.

Until next time...

Impressive Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joyce asks the questions, and we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond.

 1. What impresses you? 

Genuine kindness and thoughfulness.

2.  Where are you in your family birth order? Do you fit the stereotype of that particular slot? In what way?

I'm #8 out of 10 and the youngest girl. It's funny, but I told one of my sisters once that for some reason people just take care of me. I'm definitely one of the bratty younger siblings, but oddly enough, my 2 younger brothers are not. Maybe it's just being the youngest girl. 🙅

3. What motivates you more-a reward or a consequence? Elaborate. 

Definitely a reward. Even if it's just verbal praise, I'm all in.

4. May 14th is National Buttermilk Biscuit Day. Who thinks biscuits deserve their own day? Do you like biscuits? Make your own? Grab one for breakfast at a drive-through now and then? Which drive-through makes the one you like best? What do you like to put on a biscuit? What's your favorite food or dish that calls for buttermilk? 

Sometimes there's nothing like a good sausage biscuit from Burger King. Or a chicken biscuit from Chick-Fil-A. And you can't beat a good sausage & gravy biscuit.

My favorite food that calls for buttermilk is Irish Brown Bread. 

5. Are there any weddings on your summer calendar? What's your favorite part of a wedding/wedding reception? 

I was verbally invited to a wedding on May 18th by the bride. I told her that was a great day for a wedding...that is our anniversary. Other than that, nothing on the calendar.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

As I mentioned, the 18th would have been our 40th anniversary. I'm still trying to decide what I'm going to do; I think I  need to at least take a drive up to the mountains for the day. We were never big on celebrating on that day; we took some camping trips around that time of year but would usually just go to a local restaurant. I'll just have to see what plans unfold that day.

Drinking up the Hodgepodge

Joyce asks the questions, and we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond. 

1. Did you watch the Kentucky Derby this past weekend? Have you ever been to a horse race? Ever ridden a horse? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever been to Kentucky? Do you like Bourbon? 

I have no interest in the Derby if I'm perfectly honest. I've never been to a horse race but have been to the dog race once. I've ridden a horse; it was okay; not my favorite activity. I live in a state bordering Ky, so yes, I've been there & I do like bourbon. If you've never tried bourbon cream, it's worth a try. It's even better than Irish Cream. My bourbon balls are always a hit at Christmas, especially since I believe in making sure people know there's bourbon in it. 

2.  What's something you wish you'd placed in a time capsule fifteen years ago? 

I'm drawing a total blank on this one.

3. Are you adventurous? Elaborate. 

I didn't think I was but looking back over the past several years I guess in a way I am. I think I've always had a travel bug but never thought I'd be able to act on it. I'm not so adventurous to hike the Appalachian Trail or even go out into the woods and camp on my own, but I'm working up the confidence to travel alone.

4. Something you want to make this year? It can be a new recipe, craft, diy project, a milestone you've set for yourself...anything at all. 

I want to make plans to go back to Ireland and spend time on my own there.

5. Cinco de Mayo was also celebrated this past weekend...do you like Mexican food? If so what's your favorite dish? Have you ever been to Mexico?  Margarita-yes or no?

I do like Mexican food, for sure. Sometimes just a big plate of nachos & a bottle of Dos Equis is all I need. I've never been to Mexico and actually have no desire to go. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Last week I did something I hadn't done since we moved into this house...I mowed the yard. We have a zero-turn mower and I kept telling CH that he needed to teach me how to use it. But, he liked mowing the yard and didn't want me to do it so I never learned. I had MS give me a quick lesson and I mowed the yard myself. He mowed a small hill in the backyard because he was afraid I'd tip over, but other than that, I did it. It's funny how little things like mowing the yard can boost my confidence!

Calling on the Mayday Hodgepodge

Joyce asks the questions, and we provide the answers. See how others answered at From This Side of the Pond. 

1. Mayday! Mayday!...when was the last time (or a recent time) you literally or figuratively needed to call for help? Elaborate. 

Somewhere in Ireland, I had to text my sister to find out what room we were in. During the 6-day tour, there were only 2 nights that we stayed in the same hotel. I didn't pay much attention to the room numbers because my sisters always take care of me! That night, though, I stopped by the restaurant to get some dessert to go so I was on my own. 

2. May Day...when was the last time you danced? Do you have a lot of baskets? What's something you keep in a basket? What's your favorite purple flower? 

I can't remember the last time I danced in public. I'm not a dancer, for sure. I don't have a lot of baskets, in fact, I think I only have a couple. One of them is a small one that I use for a bread basket during the holidays. My favorite purple flower is lavender.

3. What's something you may do this month? 

I may get around to painting my bedroom and hanging curtains. I may not, though.

4. Do you like eggplant? Quick topic changes lol? If you said yes in answer to the eggplant question how do you like yours prepared? Of the following purple foods, which one is your favorite...plums, purple carrots, purple asparagus, eggplant, acai berries, blackberries, purple cauliflower, elderberries, purple potatoes, or passion fruit? 

I enjoy a good eggplant parm. I have a super easy recipe for it; it only takes 30 minutes and it is delicious. My favorite purple food would be plums. I didn't even know there were purple carrots, asparagus, cauliflower, or potatoes.

5. The calendar turns on Hodgepodge Day...

"Then you have to remember to be thankful; but in May one simply can't help being thankful that they are alive, if for nothing else."-L.M. Montgomery

Tell us one thing you're thankful for today. 

I'm thankful for my siblings. I wouldn't have been able to get through the past year without them.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I've been busy getting things done around the house that have been neglected. It's keeping me really busy and I think I have one more project to do before I can take a breath. We've had drainage issues, as in water draining into the basement when it rains. Hopefully, that's taken care of through some landscaping and a drain in the driveway. I'm really pleased with how the front yard looks...they did an incredible job.