Visiting Grown Children- Part 2

Two consecutive weekends visiting our children's homes and I am still smiling.  In this post we are celebrating the fourth at our daughter's home. We always eagerly anticipate the great food we will enjoy and this time was no exception.

Appetizer was incredibly delicious! We could have eaten another plate full.

Burgers with sweet potato fries and fresh grilled corn! Scott is a master on the Green Egg.

Our family has always loved peach ice cream and  Alabama Chilton County peaches are the best.

I did remark that making homemade ice cream is like putting lights on the Christmas tree because something always goes wrong. I won't elaborate on all the issues but in the end it was worth it. It's always fun to pull the dasher out and get a taste before the freezer gets wrapped in towels for the ice cream to ripen. Thanks, Scott, for all your hard work.

                                                                   ~Peach Ice Cream~

6 cups whipping cream

4 cups milk

1 1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond flavoring

4 beaten eggs

4 cups mashed peaches with 1 1/2 cup sugar added

Combine cream and milk. Stir in 1 1/2 cup sugar, salt, flavoring and beaten eggs. Add mashed peaches combined with 1 1/2 cup sugar. Place in freezer and freeze.

Graddy and Sophie: No words needed here.

We felt so blessed to enjoy the grandkids and their parents. The weather was much more moderate and sitting on their deck watching the water gun fights, sparkler fun and baseball practice was very enjoyable.

Water gun fight!

This picture is blurred but I just had to share it. After supper one of the nights we all danced and had so much fun.

This is just a small glimpse into part of the good food and fun activities over a three day weekend.  We always enjoy going to church with them, too. It was pretty special to hear my grandson's sweet voice in my ear next to me. He takes after his mother and daddy.

They have just moved into a bigger house and have done so much in a short time. I will show you a few rooms.

Master Bedroom

Great room

Kitchen

My talented daughter inspired me to start blogging. We had so much fun Amy, Scott, Noah and Sophie! Thanks for a wonderful weekend.

To both of my grown children: Those sweet words,"I love you" are beautiful music to my ears. I am incredibly proud of you and the mates you have chosen and the godly men and women the four of you are. Thank you for our grandchildren.

Special Memories

It doesn't  get any better than visiting your grown children. My husband, his mother and I recently visited our son and daughter-in-law in Texas.  We were so happy to see them. It has been four months since we have seen them which is a shorter time than usual. The first thing that caught my eye was this beautiful array of fruit which we enjoyed everyday.
I love her Portugal pottery!  Since I have a new camera it was fun to chronicle most of the wonderful food and sights we enjoyed.

Does this look good or what!  Dinner was a feast with marinated grilled chicken breasts, rice with cilantro, grilled pineapple slices basted with a special sauce and  a green salad with carrots, tomatoes, and mango  topped with a spicy dressing which complimented all the flavors so well.

We had the best time sitting in their loggia eating,visiting, and enjoying the view of their pool.  A variety of birds, several of which I was not familiar with, also entertained us flying back and forth from the palm and banana trees.

Sarah made homemade pesto with fresh basil from her garden to serve over ravioli. Served with a salad it was a yummy lunch. 

A leisurely breakfast outside by the pool was delightful! Whole wheat toast, cranberry pecan toast, spinach souffle, fresh peaches and sliced apples  could not get any better.

After all the good food a walk along a creek in a local park was enjoyable.

Then, we rode out to a beautiful lake. The water is really this blue! I went on and on about how pretty it was!  Lake Amistad is an impoundment of the Rio Grande and forms part of the border with Mexico.
Next, we toured a local winery which was very interesting.  Last on our sightseeing agenda was a visit to the base where my son is stationed. 

 Thought you might enjoy a few views of their home. Hospitality is their gift and they have enjoyed hosting squadron parties, bible studies and entertaining friends during their stay in Del Rio. The pool has been great for families with kids.  They view their yard from their bedroom window, great room and kitchen. It is so pleasant it draws you out and I could spend some major daydreaming time there.

Their house sits on a tree lined street and the bougainvillea growing on the wall by the garage is gorgeous. Wish I had gotten a picture of it. By the way, their house is "For Sale" since they will be moving to their next assignment.

There are so many architectural features that give their home so much character and flavor of the Southwest.
 The mexican tile floor in the loggia is stunning!  Double glass doors lead from the loggia into the great room and kitchen. I am so glad they found a home with such personality because it was perfect for them.

I praise God for special memories and the great blessing of family and ask Him to prepare the way for their next phase of life.

Thank you James and Sarah for a wonderful visit. We love you.

We are invited to visit our daughter's family for July 4th. That will be my next post. Life is good.

I welcome your comments. They are so encouraging.

I am linking this post to: Tablescape Thursday with Susan @betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com, to Foodie Friday @designsbygilliam.blogspot.com and Tabletop Tuesday @astrollthrulife.blogspot.com

The Charm of Hydrangeas

I fell in love with hydrangeas many years ago.  A special generous friend had beautiful hydrangeas and allowed me to cut as many as I needed anytime I entertained. Her flowers were so beautiful we used them in arrangements for my daughter's wedding. In fact, I rooted some of the flowers from the wedding and enjoy them now eleven years later.

Not long after the wedding I moved to another house and moved the hydrangeas too!

I've purchased and have been given many different varieties but can always be tempted to buy a new cultivar.

Would you believe I now have 82 hydrangeas plants? I just walked through the garden and counted and even I am amazed! 

My prayer and dream to have enough plants to make all the arrangements I wanted and share generously with others was answered!  It has also been a joy to share many rooted plants.

I am linking to a Southern daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

Texas rocks!

While visiting my son and daughter-in-law in TEXAS, I snapped this pic. I think her tabletop rocks!

I'm joining Marty at a Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday.

Seventies Revisited

70's Johnson Brothers ironstone , vintage 70's glasses and salad plates still make me happy!  This is on the patio. I am moving inside t0 experiment with the light . Loving my new camera.

Hydrangeas are my favorite.  I want to post pictures of my garden but I am having so much trouble with Error 400 when I upload pictures. It is driving me crazy.

 This is my favorite shot.  I use the mirrors all the time on my dining room table but decided to put them on the kitchen table just for fun. 

I am linking to Susan@betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com for Tablescape Thursday. 

Tabletop Vignettes

This darling cloche was given to me for my birthday by a special friend. I really have enjoyed all the bird's nests this year.  

I love my newly acquired stone fruit and its alabaster urn from a thrift shop.  I need to do some research on stone fruit but I believe it is Italian. 

I am joining Marty at a Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday.

Rabbits and Cabbage Leaves

A casual lunch or dinner: 

Plates- Johnson Brothers, Sterling-Buttercup by Gorham, Glasses- from the 70's, Faux Cabbage leaf placemats from local gift shop, ceramic tureen was painted by my mother,  matelasse bedspread used as a tablecloth, rabbit salt and pepper shakers I have had a long time and can't remember where I bought them. Guess what I forgot? I do have napkins but I forgot them. Visualize a white napkin tied with raffia to finish off the tablesetting.

I love white dishes because you can change the look so easily and I have loved them for 39 years. Of course, some have yellowed and cracked . I have replaced four plates from Replacements LTD.

Joining Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for  Tablescape Thursday.