Friends vs. Acquaintances ?

Ronnie and I have met a lot of people over the past several years as we have visited wineries in the Virginia and Maryland circuits.  Some we have become friends with and some simply acquaintances. in both scenarios, fun is always to be had.  

On Saturday evening we were to attend the Doukenie Fall Concert.  Unfortunately the rain caused an issue which resulted in the 'concert' being cancelled.  Maria still wanted us to all come over so they stayed open until 9.  

We enjoyed the music of these two -

while tasting the newest release....Zeus.

Debra is very talented -

And it was great talking with them.  We laughed.  We attempted to get them 8 more 'likes' on Facebook.  We talked about where we live, what we do and what's on our agendas next.  These two are actually going to live solely in Nashville in the next few weeks.  

We talked about what it's like there and agreed that we need to visit.  REAL soon =)  So we can now say we have 'acquaintances' in Nashville.  The Hummingbyrds!  And we knew them way back when =)

Just a little taste -

So - a few weeks ago Mrs. Kathy called me from my favorite quilt shop.  She asked if I could come over Monday evening for an open house.  After making sure I already didn't have something, I committed.  I have to say I was just a little excited.  It had been a long time since I had visited.

As anticipated, I was greeted with open arms, coffee and cupcakes.  Wilsons is introducing their new "brother" =)

Oh my - it was SO fun to use.  Look at the big screen -

and scan in a picture -

adjust on the screen -

and embroider!  Oh my goodness.  It can even stipple.  Woohoo!  Definitely on my wish list.

And of course now I have the fever -  I'll start with an easy one....cut my squares

Cut the padding -

Pin together -

then sew the X -

Hoping for the finished product by midnight Wednesday - I might be burning the midnight oil =)

Meaning.....

Most things we love have true meaning.

For years every week of our summer vacation Ronnie would grab the Coastal Fisherman paper.  It would get folded up and stuffed in the beach bag each day.  It would fade from the sun.  It would crinkle from the water.  But it was read from cover to cover.  That's how we knew what to use for bait while flounder fishing.....

Even so, we were surprised when Tim caught this 'keeper' flounder back in 2010.

So we put it on ice - (for dinner)

I got to see the 'eyes' up close (and personal).  Now I see how they lay on the bottom and see.

And the teeth?  hmmm

And nothing must do but for Ronnie to send in Tim's picture to be published in the Coastal Fisherman!

Ronnie visited Oyster Bay Bait & Tackle shop often so got to know a lady named Sue.  He even called Sue and asked if she could save us a paper for us to pick up the next time we were in town.

And sure enough, it was there waiting for us.  But not long after that, Sue got sick.  She went to her eternal life last year and is certainly missed by all.  I don't think she met a stranger and didn't mind sharing her knowledge about what bait to use and what was being caught.

So this year when we stopped in, we had to purchase these shirts -

It is so cool to know that a reef is being built in memory of her.  These are the little things that mean the most.  Very, very cool.

Wouldn't be awesome to be remembered like this?

It was a FULL day =)

One of Ronnie's high school friends invited us to his/his Dad's church for Friends and Family Day.  The service was to be followed by a meal.  I was kinda excited, hehe.

We weren't disappointed.  It was one rockin' church.  The church was very welcoming.  Very quaint.  We knew just a few people but were welcomed with hugs and hand shakes.

We will definitely go again.

We didn't have time to enjoy the 'meal' because we didn't want to miss the Little Miss Jefferson County Fair pageant...

We picked up some flowers -

this little princess did a great job -

Sooooo close - 1st runner up but she is of course a winner to us.  She still has two more years so we'll see.  She was just too cute!

Even though Cierra doesn't show sheep any more, we still enjoy watching.  It was neat seeing Reba's baby -

Dinner at our Fav Fair Food -

Tomorrow's another busy day....but we LOVE the fair!

Ready for the week!

Seven days of fun starting this afternoon.  Pageant.  Sheep show.  Truck and tractor pull.  Our schedule is marked!

But first, we are heading to church =)  I am very excited.

The last one.......whew!

Yep!  Our last child is heading into his Senior year - and I think at the end of this, we will ALL celebrate =)

Lisa @ Tiptoe did an awesome job last week with his 'informal' pictures.  I think you will agree -

Here's to an awesome senior year!

Spaghetti Squash -

I was so excited to try to make Spaghetti Squash after picking this recipe up (and a squash) at one of our favorite produce stops on the way home from Ocean City -

I followed the directions and cut it in half -

I scooped the seeds out -

and covered it up with plastic wrap -

then in the microwave for 8 minutes -

and then out to see........

looked soft enough so i started taking a fork and pulling it away from the skin outside.  And look what I got!

It was soooo Yummy!  I can't wait to get some more.  I need to check out other recipes for this, I just used salt and pepper with a little bit of butter.  

HAPPY, Happy Birthday Cinderella!

I am sorry I am not there to enjoy your day with you AND I'm missing dinner but hopefully I will be there before the clock strikes 12 =)

I wish you the best day ever, just like you deserve.  I love you very much.

The angels are singing....

Happy 93rd birthday to Ma.....Happy Birthday to you!  We miss you.