It's Been a Long Time...

... since my last post.  There's been a lot going on and I'm slow to recover, I suppose.  Here's a recap of all my justifications for putting off my blog:

March

Planning for the first wedding in our family was a big project.  There was the ordeal of finding something to wear.  It's a challenge to find a nice outfit for the mother of the groom.  I looked for something that would be appropriate for a garden wedding.  Classic, breezy slacks with a matching, slightly tailored jacket.  Not in white but definitely not in black, either.  That's all I wanted.   How hard could it be?  

What I found was mostly career outfits that would have looked like I was going to a power lunch.    Nothing.  This drove me to look at dresses.  Words can't describe.  I don't do dresses or skirts.  I don't like short sleeves.  I don't do strapless or sleeveless.   I don't do ruffles or flimsy.   It was during this time I considered becoming a fashion designer for all the middle aged women out there who are not into that toned muscled look. 

I also considered wearing an Indian tunic.  You know, the long sleeve, long shirts that cover ones rump and have long graceful slacks.  They are lovely.  Might as well flex multicultural muscles if you don't have them on your arms, right?  I didn't go that route, but was so tempted.

Ever since Colson got his first manicure and pedicure before his chemo, he's been wanting to return to the nail salon.  Since I was going, how could I refuse him?  So, before we left for the wedding in Savannah, we both got a nail makeover.  

The wedding was spectacular.  My daughter in law was gorgeous and my son never took his eyes off her.  It's great having a front row seat at these events.

As you can see, I found something...  don't know why this photo is so blurry... really...  I didn't do it...

St.Patty's Day, March 17th

Some people really get into this fun holiday.  Take my sister and her husband, Tim.  They love it.  They hosted the family get together.  

We also celebrated my mom and Tim's birthday that day.

I think this is the first time we've ever celebrated Tim's birthday, as a clan.   There's a lot of men in the family who love to cook: my husband, my sons, my brother's in law...  

My husband, He-Man, was thrilled to give Tim a pressure cooker.  Tim was thrilled to receive it.  I think for the next thirty minutes they discussed how to cook meat quickly in one of these things.  

And I just love these two.  What a blessing to have them in such good health.  And I firmly believe this is the biggest reason we have such a great extended family: a reverence for our Almighty Creator.

 

April

Spring birthdays.  My daughter, Smarty-Girl turned 21!  One of my other sisters has a birthday, too.  This is my other sister with her two spring chicks.  

Once again, the clan gathers to celebrate.  This is also our annual fish fry at my parent's home.  My dad fries the fish he caught from his pond and we just party.

Then it's time to head outside for the "Beat the Piñata While Trying Not to Clobber Someone in the Head" event.  Just a little side note here: look at the two newlyweds in the background.  She's in the orange shirt.  Then there's He-Man and my dad in the rockers on the front porch.  Meanwhile, Tim is doing a little dance, still excited about his pressure cooker gift last month.

When that Piñata breaks open, my sister (the one who we visit for Christmas, the one who celebrates her birthday in April also) comes charging in to scoop up her share of the candy.  

We also found a shed from Craigslist.  We had been searching for something we could turn into a chicken coop.  It's been two years that I've wanted chickens.  Fortunately, this shed was right around the corner from where we live and my husband loved the fact that it had a tin roof.

The owner had little girls and I could not understand why he wanted to sell.  It was charming.  

We got it onto our property and within minutes, He-Man states it's too nice to convert to a chicken coop.  He's going to add onto the shed and nails this up to give me a visual of what it could look like with the sides extended. 

And sure enough, the building begins.  

I look forward to showing you the progress.  

Take care and thanks for stopping by 

Whippoorwill Road.

Love, 

Bernadine