Proud as Punch

The kid. 

Labels: Kid

Summertime

Ahhhhhh, those hazy, lazy, crazy days of summer are almost upon us. In fact, for some, they're already here! Today was the kid's last exam and thus the last day of high school for him. Yay! Can you remember that feeling?  I sure can. How exciting for him. We have his commencement exercises coming up this weekend. Wow.

The teenager has been lying low this past week getting in some well-deserved rest and play. He graduated cum laude (magna cum laude in his major!); and we couldn't be prouder. It's been wonderful having him home for a bit before he leaves us to begin a new life as an adult. Again, wow.

I am so excited for both boys as they enter into great new phases of their lives. I'm just giddy with pride.

Happy Summer!

Labels: Flowers, Kid, Summer, Teenager

Mr. Jack White

(Photo by Dipti Vaidya / The Tennessean)

Jack, at the Ryman. Does it get any better?

Now you know Jack does not allow any photographs or video to be taken at his shows. Back at the Memphis show, they were hard ass and actually kicked people out. In sweet Nashville, the security would just tap you on the shoulder and shake their head, no no no. Bless their hearts.

With Memphis fresh in the mind, I left my camera at home. But after seeing people being only reprimanded for photo taking, I joined in. I don't mind a tap on the shoulder, but just don't kick me out!

 My friends and I just giggled as we shot some off from our cell phones.

 Not the best, I assure you. But it's still Jack.

Yummy. 

Great show, great friends, great venue. Only to be repeated tonight! Last night was the boy band. Tonight? Bring the girl band on and rock it again for us, Jack!

Labels:  Music, Nashville

The Proudest

 We are so proud, I'm speechless.

Labels:  Knoxville, Tennessee, Teenager, UT

Nashville--After Dark

The hub flew in Friday night; so the kid and I picked him up at the airport and we headed into town to have a nice dinner together. We ended up in SoBro (new for South of Broadway--ain't Nashvul growin'!). (These photos were all taken with my phone--forgot the camera, again.)

After dinner, we strolled across the pedestrian bridge for a bit. None of us had ever even been on it since it opened several years ago. Pffft.

So much change everywhere. Nashville, the kid, the teenager and even the HUB! (Did I tell you that he's working on his Masters as we speak???) We're very fortunate, it's absolutely GOOD change for each of us. But, it's change just the same. I'm taking it all in, one day at a time. Even slowly absorbing the realization that we probably won't be in Nashville for too many more years. We've spent more time here than anywhere else as a family. It simply boggles the mind. Where in the world does the time go?

Labels: Nashville, Kid, Teenager, Hub

A Busy Bee

That's just what I have been, let me tell you. But, it's a good busy. 

Buzzz buzz buzz (for Raphi in South Beach, baby)!

The teenager graduates from UTK next week! Wha???? Can you believe it?

And then, two weeks after that, the kid graduates from high school!!!! Wait. Whattt????

And then we all head in different directions come June.

I'm getting a little "scurred." 

Labels:  Flowers, Graduation, Kid, Spring, Teenager

Wysteria

I shot this beautiful wysteria at a friend's house where all the kids met up before prom. (These days, most go as a group of friends rather than the traditional "relationship" couples. How times have changed!) 

The house was absolutely gorgeous but the gardens were to die for. I have admired the property since it was built; but I never thought in a million years that I would be inside. How fun! It was the perfect backdrop for a lot of great photos. (Oh and PS, thanks kid for letting me know that we were going to "this" house ahead of time! NOT! I could have, at least, put a little lipstick on! Pffft!!!)

Time is moving really quickly. Pretty soon, the hub and I will be empty nesters. Wait. What?

Oh, wow.

Labels:  Kid, Flowers

Senior Prom

Bling.

Many, many thanks to Steve at Garden Delights who is always spot on when it comes to any type of floral arrangements I have ordered through them. You think the hub would want to walk down the isle again? I would so have Steve do ALL of the flowers!!! I am crazy in love with this little arrangement!

Labels:  Flowers, Franklin TN, Kid

Honeysuckle Rose

Mmmmm, do you still pick the sweet drop of nectar from a honeysuckle?

I do!

Labels: Flowers, Spring, Tennessee

Chilly

After a full day of unexpected rain yesterday, it was nice to have a cool and sunny one today.  Now, it's downright nippy at 60˚!

These are a few of my blankets from India (remember the shopping spree to Tuesday Morn?). The striped wool blanket is from the Pendelton Woolen Mill Store in Portland, OR. What wonderful memories. I love it out there. 

It's kinda felt Portlandesque here these past few days.

I love when there is a chill in the air.

Labels:  Portland, Oregon

Warmth

Happy Ukrainian Easter!

These photos are from years' past, but I do feel the love.

Dad in the kitchen, doing what he loves best--cooking up a great Ukrainian Easter feast. Browning the kishka.

 Then he slices it and bakes it.

I only wish we were all together enjoying the love together. 

Miss you all, so very much.

PS Dad is doing better! Yay, and thank you for all your well wishes.

<3

Labels: Inlaws, Ukrainian Easter

Hugs

It's never easy watching as our parents age. In fact, it sucks. The hub's father is in the hospital after having some pretty serious medical problems. We're all worried sick.

Sending lotsa hugs and love to all of my inlaws up north, especially my mother- and father-in-law. Can you keep them in your thoughts, also?

<3

Labels:  Inlaws

A Day Like Any Other

NOT.

It started out wonky to begin with. Had to get up at 4:45 a.m. to take the hub to the airport. Ugh. But it really didn't feel too bad. At least I slept better last night than the night before. Kinda felt a tad ok at 4:45. Go figure. That never happens. After returning to bed (You think I'd stay up? HA!), the kid comes in complaining about his cough that he has had for over a month. So yes, above picture is of my sticker for being a good mom and taking the kid to the docs, finally. Dr. Rose was spot on. Allergies. Thank goodness. Nasal spray and some neti pot suggestions and we were outta there likety split. Ew. Hate pediatrician offices. Ugh. So many germs. Blech. (And yes, the kid is old enough to go to a regular doc, just haven't gotten around to it yet. Obviously.) Well, since it was so gorgeous out, I allowed him to play hooky for the rest of the day. (Another reason why I got a being-a-good-mom sticker. He got a being-a-good-patient sticker, of course.)

We were downtown and I had been meaning to get back to Third Man Records to pick up the live Jerry Lee Lewis record that I had already paid for last April when he played on Record Day. The album took an awfully long time to be released and I had completely forgot about it until recently. Today was the day to go and grab it. But, why stop there? I also picked up two 45s, Tom Jones-- yes, the Tom Jones w/Jack White and Jack's new release, Sixteen Saltines.(I kept saying Sixteen Candles! Pffffft!!!! I'm so getting OLD!) I  admire Jack for introducing many great talents from back in the day such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Tom Jones and Wanda Jackson to a whole new generation of listeners. My hat's off to him.

As the kid and I were walking into the shop, one of the main honchos at Third Man, Ben, was walking out --he welcomed us, held the door for us and even commented on our stickers. What a sweet guy. And, he was with Matt Pinfield, of MTV fame. Wonder if he is doing a piece on Jack? How cool is that! Right? Wish I could have placed the face and name when we passed one another tho. Doy. Always the way.

Anyhoo, fun enough. The kid and I got our records, then boom--outta there quick-like the docta's. We came on home; and when I went to open the JLL album, I notice that the hub, the teenager, his girlfriend and I are on the back cover!!! How hilarious is that? Pretty darn hilarious, I say. Too bad those two big 'hades are blocking us. Wait, that's probably a good thing.

What a cool day.

Labels: Hub, Kid, Music, Nashville, Teenager, Teenager's Girlfriend

An Abundance

Lily of the valley.

(Scratch -n- Sniff)

Labels:  Flowers, Spring

Here's My Easter Bonnet

With all the frills upon it.

Won't you meet me at the Easter parade?

Labels:  Easter

Happy

Happy March equinox holidays. 

Happy spring.

Happy full moon.

Happy face in Dar's back yard.

.happy.

Labels: Darlene, Easter, Spring 

Beauty

Is in the eye of the beholder.

Labels: Riverside

Earth Hour

 What did you do during Earth Hour?

The hub and I crawled up into the big bed and we're watching Dial M for Murder on his laptop! 

Cozy as two bugs in a rug.

Labels:  Earth

Fabulicious

The hub and I stumbled upon a fabulous new cupcake shop in Franklin this afternoon. Oh dear. Pull the gun right out of your holster and shoot me now.

Of all the times for me to leave my camera at home .  .  .  I never leave my camera at home! Geesh! (Well, that's obviously not quite true, now is it.) I borrowed the hub's iPhone and took a few delicious photos of the front room, all decked out in a stupendous array of merriment.

Apologies for the blur and not-quite-right photos, but I couldn't contain myself -- had to share in my joy to find such a gem. I did as much as I could with Photoshop. Sorry chillins'.

With all due respect to Nashville, I am very excited to be finding a more sophisticated array of shopping choices these days. (Hey, I mean we only got a Nordstrom's in the past year! What tha?) It seems a long time in coming, but slowly little ol' Nashvul is opening little shops that remind me of back home. And, no wonder in regards to this one -- The Cowgirl Cupcake Co. originated in Bal'more. Say no mo. But I will, of course. 

The hub and I were so excited about this, we actually discussed moving back to Georgetown during our drive back home with our goodies. That is, after the kid finishes his stint here, of course. How exciting is that? (Our final resting place changes every week, so don't get too excited, k?)

The kid is heading East for his spring break with some friends; so what a wonderful "excuse" to buy a dozen for the road, eh? I know they all will be thrilled to open the box and find these wonderful delights.

I mean, who wouldn't? Am I right, or am I right? You know I'm right.

The hub and I also treated ourselves to one each that we brought home for later. Well--later came earlier for me. Y'all know I ain't nothin' but a cupcake ho; and if one has my name on it, I'm gonna go in for the kill as soon as I can. I had an "oh wow" moment(s) with my chocolate and pink buttercream bliss. So much better than the other cupcake places around here, let me tell you. One can definitely taste the love put into these little gems. Just look at them! No, I mean really, look at 'em!

Schweet!

Labels:  Food, Franklin, TN