• and many more…

    I just don’t understand how this happened. The blog birthday has come and gone, and I completely missed it. You would think the huge number of comments on that day would have reminded me. Just for the record, one is a huge number when it comes to comments on this blog. Unless you count my friends at British Payday Loans and the Nigerian prince who wants to deposit “USD 10 million” in my bank account. Not that I am bitter. I talk to myself enough to know that I don’t need a lot of outside communication.

    So anyway, I missed the THREE year anniversary of starting this blog. I don’t think I have ever stuck with anything for three whole years. Unless you count SK (11 years) and my current job (10 years). On second thought, I may be in this for the long haul. I know you are thrilled. JUST THRILLED.

    As in years past, I thought it would be fun to do a blog birthday giveaway. I am feeling really beachy this week, so I decided on cute measuring spoons and a brass bottle opener from Anthropologie.

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    I know you were probably expecting Chanel or something, but the prince hasn’t made the deposit yet. Maybe I will host another giveaway when my British Payday Loan is approved.

    Leave a comment, and a winner will be chosen at random next week. Contain yourself.

    Seahorse out.

    Congrats to Dana Miller! You are the winner of the birthday giveaway. I already emailed you for your address and will get these cuties to you ASAP. Thanks everyone for entering and especially for all the sweet comments. Y’all are the best!

  • southern summer

    Weekends are tricky. You do too much and then you don’t feel rested. You don’t do anything and you feel like you wasted it. The weekend after school got out was a really good one. It started off with Graham’s first t ball game. I love watching four year olds play baseball. It is hilarious. On G’s first run to home, he decided to slide. Sort of…

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    After his game, we planted our annual garden. If you can call a 5X8 box a garden.

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    I was better at styling the garden work wear back in ’08…

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    Look at sweet little Wellsy. You have to choose your battles. At least they were both wearing pants. And here’s the garden now…

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    About this time last year, I won the EatJxn Staycation. Included in the prize pack was an overnight stay at The Fairview Inn. The gift certificate was about to expire, so after we hosed off the little gardeners, we headed downtown. If you are ever in the Jackson area and need somewhere to stay, I highly recommend this place.

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    I posted the last pic on Instagram and it made it to Southern Living’s blog, The Daily South

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    I agree that he is handsome, but “lifestyle blogger”? That’s a stretch. I think I’d better keep my day job. Back to The Fairview. They even have a game room. Graham asked when it was his turn to play ocean. (Pool=Ocean)

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    The next day, we hung around for the Sunday brunch. It was fantastic.

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    The best part about staying in town is the short drive home. Thanks, EatJxn… it was a treat!

    I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  • mojitos, less problems

    I have so many things to write about that I don’t even know where to start. My mind gets all jumbled up like that sometimes. Going in a million directions… a million thoughts. Summer does that to me. Wanting to do it all, take it all in, not forget any of it. So thankful for my blessings and for the One that bestows them upon me. So inspired by everything around me; the flowers, the ocean, even the hot, sticky air. But, at the same time frozen. Hoping that by being still and breathing slowly, these days will not pass by too quickly.

    But, I know they will.

    Sorry. That was probably the strangest lead in to a mojito recipe ever written. And I promise I didn’t even have one before I wrote it.

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    While we were at the beach, I perfected my coconut mojito recipe. They are so tasty, and the only calories come from the rum- basically a diet drink. Everyone knows you have to stay hydrated during the summer. And now everyone knows that I travel with a mason jar full of mint.

    Skinny Coconut Mojitos

    Muddle some mint (I usually use one to two mint sprigs… I like mine minty) with some lime juice (at least 1/2 of lime). You could add a little stevia or agave nectar here if you’d like. If you prefer, go ahead and use real sugar (you rebel). I prefer mine to have a stronger lime/mint taste, so I omit the sweetener. Next, fill the glass or jar with crushed ice and then add a shot of rum. If you prefer, go ahead and add two (you lush). Fill the glass to the top with coconut La Croix. Give it a stir, throw in a stripy straw and enjoy. But first, send me a picture of it because I always forget to take one.

    Happy Friday, my friends. I hope your weekend does not pass by too quickly and that you get to slow down and enjoy it.


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