Lets Hear it for Marriage - 65 Years of it!

Bob & Gwen Hadley
  
 This month my amazing Grandparents will celebrate their 65th Wedding Anniversary! These two eloped to Elko, NV in the summer of 1946. They claim 5 children, 13 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. They are by far two of my most favorite people in the world, not be mention some of the best pinochle players you will ever find. I am so excited that LB and I will be in Idaho to celebrate this auspicious occasion with my grandparents as well as friends and family. So lets hear it for marriage! After all...

"Newlyweds become Oldyweds, and Oldyweds are the reasons that families work!"


Assateague Island


On Saturday LB and I and our friends the Cardons got up early and took a day trip to the Assateague Island National Seashore. The weather was perfect and so was the water - and while we all put on sunscreen multiple times we all came home a bit on the crispy side. 

The island is home to herds of "wild" ponies, that pretty much wander around anywhere, including the parking lots. However, the ponies were very fun to watch and there were even several foals with their mamas.

We had such a wonderful time that we are planning another trip before school starts, but this time we will wear more sunscreen and take a beach umbrella - in fact I just bought an umbrella at CostCo. Let me know if you would like to join us on our next trip.

Cafe Rio - East Coast!

Cafe Rio has come to Virgina and Maryland and since the beginning of the month when we discovered this I have been 3 times! The even more pathetic part of this story is that each of the two locations are more then 45 minutes from my apartment.


 Cafe Rio in Maryland - Our 1st Trip



Today Chira and I took her boys to the Cafe Rio in Virgina - however the boys did not find it as awesome as we did. Oh, and their new Mint Limeade is divine.

Spring In the City

Here are a few picture of our spring adventures. DC has the best spring season and two of our favorite spots/events are the Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Arboretum.
DSC_2806DSC_2839We and a few thousand others enjoyed the cherry blossoms one Sunday morning – though it was much colder then last year.

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The old columns from the US Capitol Building
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The National Arboretum has the coolest Bonsai Trees that have been in “training” for over a hundred years.
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If my house was on fire I would take this cooking pot


Way back in January a really big box showed up at my door from my amazing brother Ian and inside was the most beautiful Le Creuset dutch-oven in the most perfect color. Oh how I had wanted one of these - and  oh how I love it. This pot has to be one of the best presents I have ever been given - my brother ROCKS!

So if the house is on fire this beauty is on the short list of things I would grab on my way out the door!

A little story about a little girl...

One Saturday, right before my birthday, LB and I were out shopping. At this point in time it was January, I was sick of the cold and I was convinced that I was old and very un-attractive. Somehow we ended up at Wendy's (I really have no idea why) and as we sat down to eat I noticed there was a little girl, who was about five, and her parents sitting next to us. As LB and I sat there I over heard the mother say "shh, eat your food" and the little girl say in what she thought was a whisper "but mom, she's beautiful". So I looked over and this little girl is staring at me. Her mother then said "why don't you tell her that" to which the little girl replied, again in what she thought was a whisper "oh no, I'm too shy!" I smiled at the little girl and she excitedly exclaimed "mom, she smiled at me"!

This little girl made my day - her sweet complement could have not come at a better moment. I can't imagine what prompted this little one to say what she did - but I am grateful that she did so.

Lucky for you I took a picture of my beautiful self that day so you could see just what I was wearing - but also as a reminder to not be so hard on myself when it comes to my looks. Got to love insecurities, right?

Yes, those are cowboy boots, vintage in fact - they were my grandmothers!!!

25 Things my mother taught me...

In honor of the upcoming holiday:

1. Be it November or June, a dress or a skirt, proper ladies wear a slip - even if you have to barrow one from the mortician at a family funeral (true story), it is not appropriate to go with out. 

2.  Original Star Wars + Popcorn = Perfect Friday Night

3.  Take your time - especially when it comes to having children.

4. Read - as often as you can and more then one book at a time.

5. In the summer the best way to drive is with the windows down and the AC on.

6. Dinner in a pinch - cheese on bread under the broiler, and a paper towel will suffice as a plate.

7. Dangly ear-rings and high-heels are for adult women, not little girls.

8. If you love an article of clothing don't dry it, it will last longer and keep its shape - also a spritz of water and a tumble in the dryer will take the place of an iron for most clothing, but not all.

9. Good hair products, makeup, and skin care are worth the money.

10. Don't be a rug - know when to say no.

11. Keep a clean house - it will keep you from being embarrassed and reduce your stress.

12. No matter the setting if the lettuce in your salad is the wrong color do not eat it.

13. What other people think of you is none of your business.

14. Bring a change of shoes and a jacket, you just never know.

15. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

16. Red is not my color, I may wear it on my feet and on my nails or as a hand bag but that is all.

17. One should always carry theses items in ones purse: tissues, painkiller, lipstick, identification and a credit card, oh and a snack - again you just never know (I once entertained  a 3 year old and a gaggle of ducks for an hour with a crushed granola bar from the bottom of my purse).

18. Always answer the phone correctly, when the caller asks for you, your reply is "this is she/he" not her/him.

19.  All girls need silly frivolous things from time to time.

20. Buy the good toilet paper, even if you're poor, and keep the house well stocked.

21. Know how to play cards, specifically Pinochle, Hearts, Scum, and Texas Hold'em. 

22. Take a big purse and a sweater to the movie - stop at the grocery store candy aisle on your way.

23. It's better to be feisty, strong willed, and blunt - but keep it in check.

24. Cookie dough should be enjoyed both raw and cooked.

and above all remember...

25. God helps those who help themselves!
 
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