Home for the Holidays, by Thomas Kincaid

Friday, July 17, 2009

Honoring Cathy's 50th

Hello, Sweet Friends!
Tonight, friends and family gathered to honor my sweet sister-in-law, Cathy (Cathy is the x-wife of my husband's younger brother) and to celebrate her 50th birthday. The celebration was to be a surprise...
My sweet niece, Emily, had us all gather 30 minutes before Cathy was to arrive.
Below is my dear niece, Kelly, and the wonderful grand-niece (Cathy's first grandchild), Willow Kate, who is extremely kissable!
Cathy's sister, brother-in-law and their grandbaby...
Cathy's sweet niece and grand-niece...
Two of my precious nieces, two of Cathy's children...
Cathy's brother and his wife (lovely people!)
Cathy was blind-folded and driven to what she thought was a restaurant. When she took off her blindfold, there we all were, saying "Surprise!"
Cathy was so excited and surprised...
I love this photo, dispite its being blurry (I lost many of my pictures to blurriness), because Cathy looks so happy!
We ate a wonderful, catered supper and then formed groupings for pictures.
Above are Emily (the master-mind behind the party and Willow Kate's mother), Jared, Cathy, Becca and Kelly.
There was a wonderful slide show tribute to Cathy, put together by Emily's husband, Isaac.
What a lovely picture of her...
The room was full of so much love!

Cathy's sister and daughters sang a song from "Wicked" to honor the birthday girl. (all of Cathy's children have gorgeous voices)
Cathy opened presents...She is laughing here because she was given a book, entitled, "Sex After 50" and ...
...the pages are empty! :)
She also received a basket of 50 $1 bills, a picture frame from my husband and me, athletic equipment, etc.
Then, the music was began and everyone danced. Here are Jared and the wonderful grand-niece.
More dancing...
All my nieces and nephew, as well as my nephew-in-law are terrific dancers. I wish more of my photos had turned out. The whole family is not well represented.

Dancing to Michael Jackson songs...

I am missing so many pictures, but they are all inside my heart, because tonight was so very special. I am so fortunate to know Cathy and her children, as well as her extended family. They are so very wonderful, every single one.
Being with family is like being in Heaven!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CATHY!
Love,
Elizabeth
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Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday - Historic Wilmington

Come on a tour with me through wonderful, historic, downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, one of our day trips from our recent vacation...
These horse-drawn carriage tours of wonderful, but we opted for a less expensive bus tour...

Wilmington, North Carolina is settled on the banks of the Cape Fear River, not far from the coast.
The Cape Fear River Bridge, view from the River Walk...
The Historic downtown is quaint and picturesque. The history of this town dates to before the Revolutionary War (One of the old homes served as headquarters for the british General Cornwallis who was in charge of England's army that fought in the South).

Here is a downtown cafe, seen from the River Walk.
Quaint brick streets run throughout the District...When one of these needs repairing local leadership, in attempt to cut costs by paving over the old bricks...But devotees to the old bricks come out in the middle of the night and chip away the tar until the brick is exposed again - ha, what a hoot!
Don't you love it?
I wasn't able to take many pictures during the bus tour, because the dang thing didn't slow down long enough for me to get off many shots (again, I recommend the horse-drawn carriage).- However, here is the front of St. Mary's Catholic Church, built in 1832. I use to go hear to pray when I was 14-15 years of age. I went with a Catholic girlfriend and I would pray to know God's truths...I was very religious-minded in my youth.
Most of the homes in the Historic District have plaques outside, as you see in the above picture. These plaques tell the date of the buildings and any colorful history associated with the site.

More scenes from the River Walk... The Battleship North Carolina which served our country during WWII. It is open for touring...
My family resided in Wilmington when I was 14-15 years old. My father, a Coast Guard officer, was Captain of the Port of Wilmington during those years..
There is still a Coast Guard station in Wilmington...
Smaller Coast Guard cutters of docked there now.

I have a soft spot in my heart for tugboats, because my father was once a tugboat captain.

I loved living in Wilmington. We were very near our relatives and it is where my parents first lived when they were married. It is where my older brother, David, is buried (he died as an infant).

Well, I have to conclude my tour here. I wish I had more pictures of the buildings. So, you will just have to go there yourselves and see it up close and personal!

Have a great day and check out other posts at A Southern Daydreamer.

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Monday, July 13, 2009

Fresh Summer Cobbler

INGREDIENTS:
4 Tablespoons/butter
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup milk

2 cups of sliced fresh peaches and berries (any kind: blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc.)
1 tablespoon sugar.

DIRECTIONS:
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Melt butter in 9 inch round pan. Whisk flour, 3/4 c sugar, baking powder and salt in mixing bowl. Add milk; whisk to form smooth batter. Pour batter into pan, then scatter fruit over batter. Sprinkle remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Bake until batter browns and fruit bubbles, 50-60 minutes.

Serve with a generous amount of vanilla ice creams...
Oooooh, it is so yummy!
Elizabeth


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Sunday, July 12, 2009

Hello, Sweet Friends!
I hope that you have had an enjoyable weekend and are ready to face the new week. Would you like to see a few pictures of my soon-to-be 14 yo daughter?

Here she is dressed and ready for church...

My little baby girl...I've told her that she has to remain 14 for a long time, once she turns it!

God bless!

Elizabeth

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Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday - DC Ducks Tour of Washington, DC



Welcome to Outdoor Wednesday, hosted A Southern Daydreamer ...

Today, I am sharing Day 2 of our recent vacation back home to Virginia and North Carolina.
It's timely, having just celebrated our Nation's birthday, to share with you a tour of our Nation's Capitol.
Yes, that's right! We caught a "duck" at Union Station...However, these ducks are WWII vintage amphibious craft. Essentially, they are boats on wheels which take tourists to many wonderful
sights around the city, both on land and in the Potomac River.
Our boat is called the "Lame Duck" (cute). Here are my precious children, Sarah and Robert, standing next to it.
Above is our lively tour guide, who not only wow-ed us with some little known facts about the city, but who was quite humorous and entertaining in his own right. Doesn't he have a nice, friendly face?
Union Station is right across from Columbus Square, a large monument honoring - you guessed it! - Christopher Columbus.
You're going to laugh, but my middle-aged brain is struggling to remember what some of these buildings are. I believe the one above is the National Archives, Greek Revival style.

We passed the White House very quickly so I really had to jump to take this picture. Ever since the Oklahoma City bombing, no one can drive right in front of the White House anymore. The street is blocked off (fear of car bombs). Also, there are snipers walking around on the roof (can't see them in this photo). Look at the cool scooter things that these tourists are riding!
Here is the famous Lincoln Memorial seen from in front of the World War Two Memorial. Did you know that the Lincoln Memorial was built by the famous architect, Henry Bacon, who happens to be the grandfather of the actor, Kevin Bacon...AND, Kevin Bacon comes from a long line of architects and supposedly is the first male in his family not to follow suit.

I want to say that this is Patrick Henry..., but I can't remember exactly. Like his tri-corner hat, though!
This Memorial Bridge is arguably the most beautiful bridge in DC. It was first opened in 1932 and was dedicated by President Harding.
The Washington Monument was built to commemorate President George Washington. Construction began in 1848, but halted 150 feet up because of a lack of funds and also the Civil War. Construction began again and was completed in 1884. There is a difference in shading of the marble that makes up the first 150 feet from the rest of the structure, which attests to the halt in construction. Upon its completion, it was the tallest building in the world, until the Eiffel Tower came along several years later.
..Another view of the monument.
Halfway into our tour, we drove out onto the Potomac River and then our duck became a boat. The children on board were all given an opportunity to try their hand and steering. Above is my Sarah...
..and here is Robert.
Following our swim, we were given duck beaks and were allowed some time to try out their quacking noises...Sarah and my sister, Jeanie.
Gorgeous sculptures and fountain.
Our beautiful Capitol. It took many years to complete the building that we all know and love. It was begun in 1793, was partially burned by the British during the War of 1812. Finally, was completed just prior to the Civil War.
The Supreme Court of the land. Construction was completed in 1935.
One happy, but tuckered out boy, who enjoyed his DC adventure.
If you are interested in including a DC Ducks tour in your next trip to our Nation's Capitol, check out the website HERE or call: 1-202-966-DUCK.
Also, I highly recommend the Spy Museum. That was our first stop on this same day, but do to a restriction on personal photography, I have no pictures of the fun we had there.

Well, I hope you enjoyed the tour. Be sure and check out more posts for Outdoor Wednesday by clicking on the link above.
Blessings,
Elizabeth









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Monday, July 6, 2009

Hello, Friends!

I didn't post a menu plan Sunday night. I'm kind of winging it this week...Planning the night before what sumptious repasts will be ours.

Tomorrow, I think I will go fishy..

Breakfast - Raisin Bran Crunch and Milk (no fishy-ness here)

Lunch - Penne with Sprimp and tossed salad.

Dinner - Breaded Fish (Costco), Spanish Slaw and Roasted Potatoes.

Snacks...Fruit Smoothies!

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I hope that you are having a wonderful summer...It sure seems like the days are speeding by. I want to slow them down so that I can drink deeply from the time spend with my children. I feel like I got to do that when I was back East with the children. However, since getting back, there has been so much to do...housework, re-connecting with friends!

Have a lovely Tuesday and try something fishy!
Elizabeth
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