• Life

    Celebrating Independence Day 2025

    July 16, 2025 - By 

    In our corner of Alabama, my in-laws’ Fourth of July party is a biennial celebration complete with fireworks, laughter, and enough food to feed a marching band. But this year, we kicked things off the day before with a brand-new tradition: making the homemade ice cream ourselves. Usually, the churn duty falls to the seasoned pros in the family—but this time, we rolled up our sleeves and took the reins (and the rock salt). We arrived around noon, the house already buzzing with my nieces and nephews and some of their friends darting in and out. The charcuterie boards were…

  • Life

    4th of July 2023 Party

    July 21, 2023 - By 

    4th of July this year was on a Tuesday and we all had to work on Monday, which was a total bummer. However, we made the best of it. Rob’s Mom and Step Dad threw a big shindig. Rob made Jambalaya over the fire the Drew made. Lots of homemade ice cream Caitlyn’s beautiful dessert creation just like her mom used to make. Gramma and the newest grandchild Drew and his newest cousin Lots of fun on the water slide. Fireworks in the front yard to end the day. More pics from the day here>>>4th of July 2023 How did…

  • Life

    The Weekly [7.5-11.2020]

    July 12, 2020 - By 

    PICS & GOINGS ON Here’s Katniss hanging out on the deck stairs, which comes down from our bedroom. Here’s the house right before they started installing gutters that’s they extension cord is running in the yard. Here’s the after – Nasty old awning gone is probably the biggest different you can see. And Kayleigh is just the cutest and this is one evening before the bugs got so terribly bad that even the Citronella candles don’t help. Alex often fills this cup up with Goldfish or something and eats in the playroom. Well, apparently he left it on the couch,…

  • 4th of July in Gulf Shores
    Travel

    4th of July in Gulf Shores

    July 20, 2017 - By 

    This year the weekend before 4th of July we were in Baton Rouge for Rob’s cousin’s wedding reception. When we were planning it, we were trying to figure out how we could combine that trip with a short getaway for the 4th. We decided the most logical thing to do would be to stop in Gulf Shores for a few days. Rob and I aren’t really beach people so a couple days at the beach is plenty. We enjoyed just relaxing at the condo that was just a short walk to the beach. We stayed at Gulf Shores Plantation. We…

  • Grilled corn with Jalapeno Lime Butter
    Recipes - Sides

    Grilled Corn with Jalapeno-Lime Butter

    July 3, 2017 - By 

    Corn is always a go to side dish for my family. So I’m always in search of ways to make it differently. This Grilled Corn with Jalapeno-Lime Butter is now one of my favorites! Servings: 6 Prep Time: 5 minutes + chill time for butter Cooking Time: 20 minutes Ingredients: ½ cup butter, softened 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced 1 tsp. fresh lime juice 6 ears fresh corn, husks removed 1 tbs. extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. kosher salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Directions: 1. Combine softened butter, jalapeno peppers, lime juice and lime zest and shape…

  • Travel

    Gatlinburg, TN Trip {Day 1}

    July 12, 2013 - By 

    Forth July 4th Trip 2013::Gatlinburg, TN {Day 1} Chalet ~ Day 2 ~ Day 3 ~ Day 4 ~ Day 5 Wednesday we got up pretty early so we could head up to Gatlinburg for the weekend. The trip there it monsooned for a good 2 hours, making the trip exhausting and stressful. Luckily the rain lightened up and we could relax a bit and make up some time. When we got to Townsend, TN, we started looking for a place to eat lunch. We stopped at the Black Bear Cafe. We enjoyed a quick lunch (cheeseburger, grilled cheese, grilled…

  • Travel

    Second July 4th Trip 2011:: Blue Ridge, GA {Day 2}

    July 19, 2011 - By 

    If you missed Day 1 of our trip read here. Day 2 of our trip to the North Georgia Mountains was filled with seeing the train leave, a “Farmer’s Market,” walking around Downtown Blue Ridge, a parade, visiting Mercier’s Orchards, lots of good food, and hanging out around the cabin. Blue Ridge Scenic Railway The gang walking to the downtown area from our free parking spots. 🙂 Abby doesn’t like that she has to look into the sun to take pics. Farmer’s Market Waiting for the parade to start Rexall Drugs Old Timey Parade My sweet nephew wasn’t annoyed by…

  • Travel

    Trip to Murphy, NC

    July 9, 2010 - By 

    Tuesday night the week before 4th of July, Rob was talking with his brother about finding something “fun” to do over the weekend. The last few years we have mainly hung out at home and enjoyed time with our neighbors. Before that we headed to Texas to visit my family there. Anyway, after some thought and research we decided it would be fun to head up to the North Georgia Mountains. Since it was so close to the date, there were only a few options. We ended up staying here in Murphy, NC. We went with Rob’s Mom, Step-Dad, adopted…

  • Life

    My Story In Photos: The Patriotic Edition

    July 8, 2008 - By 

    Looking back through July pictures, I started thinking of the traditions that we’ve had. Back when Rob was in school, the weekend connected to 4th of July was really our only opportunity to go to Texas to visit my family. So we did that for several years, even after he graduated. This first picture is of Drew when he and I flew to Texas without Rob, because we were going for an extended stay. 2001 Here he is with my cousins at the lake. 2001 This is from 2002 when we went to Texas and spent a day at the…

  • Life

    4th of July 2007

    July 5, 2007 - By 

    Yesterday was a busy day. We had family over and went 2 doors down to our neighbors. We ate, drank, visited, and swam. We went to the local fireworks celebration.