This and That

Sorry guys - but I'm complaining about blogger this morning. Got to load all photos at one time - can't add any more after that. sucks. A couple got deleted. Oh well. That's life.

I had a good weekend. Got out of town for a change. And the change was good. Headed up north to Cleveland MS. My dad lives there and I went up to see my dad and step mother.

The trip up was boring as heck. We were in the Delta area. I learned that this road runs along the MS River and is nothing but flatlands. For the entire 107 miles that we drove this road nothing but flatlands. Boring.

I saw mostly open fields of nothing but dry dirt. The farmers can't plant due to the draught conditions we are experiencing here in the south. However there were tractors stirring up the dry dirt along the way.

Little Buddy did really well for the 5 1/2 hour drive. He mostly rested in his riding bed but sat up now and then to look around.

My dad and me.

We decided to take a less boring route into Jackson MS and rode the Natchez Trace. This was my first trip on the Trace and you couldn't ask for better weather for traveling. The bluest skies and temps of maybe 78. One day I'm gonna take the Trace to Natchez or start there. Natchez is a place I want to visit. It's on my bucket list.

Here we got on the Trace.

This is the first marker we saw.  

We saw only a few vehicles on the Trace. Ended up passing the only 3 vehicles 3 different times on the way.

 

We stopped at this park and walked part of the trail.

The view at the park.

The trail was open and well maintained. Buddy enjoyed getting out too.

Along the paths were mostly the Beautyberry that someone identified on my blog from my yard. Correct me if I'm wrong.

There was very little color which I found surprising. Guess it's not far enough north. However this was pretty.

We passed the resevoir. Forgot the name of it. The sun sparkled on the water as the sun hit it just right.

It's always a joy to see the grands, daughter and husband.

Gavin is taking guitar and piano lessons. Gavin is the oldest - going on 13. He is strumming me a tune.

Ben is in the middle. He is into martial arts and is showing me his routine for his next belt. The boy is good. (have I said I hate blogger sometime)

Luci is the youngest just turned 6. Luci decided that she wanted to take karate/tai kwon do too and she is doing very well. Last year she was in dance and I hope that she will resume dance along with the martial arts. Martial arts teaches the children self control and coordination among other things. (Could it be too late for me - I could use some self control and coordination. just kidding ya'll. I think something would break)

April and Luci and me. (have I said I hate blogger sometime)

The SIL Brian with Ben.

Gavin.

On Sunday I decided to fix a seasonal meal. Baked Tilapia with fresh basil, parsley, lemon, butter and paprika for color. Also baked sweet potatos and cooked yellow saffron rice and baked apples for dessert.



Baked apples was on the menu.

I make this stuff up as I go along here.

Apples with the first ingredient - honey.

Blogger didn't load right so they are out of order. Ready for the oven. Believe it or not what you see is two apples.

These are the ingredients for the apples. I love honey on just about anything. Except for all the butter I use, it is a somewhat healthy baked apples. I use a lot of butter/margarine on lots of things. Could I be related to Paula Deen? Just asking.

I have been wanting to learn quilting for sometime now and just haven't taken the plunge. Well my step mother set me up here with this Quilting Bible. And a quilt starter piece (under the book-blogger wouldn't load the photo). I need to get me a little Singer sewing machine and begin making some quilts. Can't wait to get started.

For the past few weeks - everyone who sees Buddy has commented that he has gotten so fat. I guess I didn't really notice that he had gained weight. The vet didn't say anything when we were last in for a visit. He weighed 22 pounds 4 months ago.

This is Buddy's cabinet filled with dog treats. I had been leaving his food on the floor and filling the bowl whenever it gets empty. Plus I love passing treats out to my little companion. He kinda ate when he wanted but - I'll tell you - Buddy eats when I am present and only if we are in the same room and he has to be sure I'm not doing anything with food. Funny dog.

Buddy loves his treats and I love to pass them out.

I decided to begin picking up the food bowl and putting it down for him only once a day now. He is focusing on his food now. After he eats good I'll give him a treat. I think this will help the little fat fellow.

Look at this sweet rolley-polley. He loves his momma and loves mommas chair.



Hope I haven't bored you too much.

Hope you all have a blessed day.