June 22, 2010

Landmark Birthday

Today my mama turns 90 years young!     She is such an amazing woman, and at 90, can you imagine the changes she’s seen in her lifetime?    Her second cousin is Elizabeth Dole and she remembers playing with her as children (Elizabeth is younger than mama).    She is also closely related to Billy Graham, the world renown evangelist.    Pretty good group of folks to be related to, huh?

My mama and I have not always seen eye-to-eye, especially during my teenage years.    I remember saying some terrible things to her but her love was unconditional.    Fortunately, our relationship was not permanently damaged and we’ve had some wonderful times in my adult years.     After I got divorced, she was my anchor and travel buddy….she loved traveling, eating out and was pretty much game for anything.     Even now, she is still “prissy” and always wants to look good.     Every Monday at her assisted living facility she gets her nails done then heads up a bingo game 3 times a week!      Last Friday at the beauty shop she got a new “do” for her birthday then she wanted to go shopping for a summer purse!   

So last Saturday we had a big shindig at my sister’s lake house with 3 of her children (me and my two sisters), grandkids and great-grandchildren.      Her best friend, Catherine, who turned 90 last January, was included as those two “girls” have lots of fun when they get together.

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Catherine (left) and mama on the right – true Steel Magnolias!

The weather did not cooperate for most of the day as we got some pretty heavy rain and had to stay inside all afternoon.    But around 5:00 the sun came out and we took a spin in my brother-in-law’s new toy.    

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My sweet little grandson Jackson was wishing the rain would go away so he could get his life jacket on and get in the lake.

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I thought these were real and was surprised to see they were “fake”….aren’t they beautiful?

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Jackson loves trucks and he loves to figure out how things work.    These were just a few of the toys the boy cousins got out.

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Let the eating frenzy begin!

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Taylor is always ready to give her MiMi a big beautiful smile!

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“Real” men cooking in the rain!

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Homemade hamburger, baked beans, bread-and-butter pickles and marinated vegetable salad (recipe below)

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My handsome son Shane and my sister Betsy

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The birthday girl’s favorite cake – Coconut

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Shane, me and Taylor (notice bad hair day due to rain)!

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Shane, me (looking way up at my baby boy), daughter Shannon (her hair NEVER looks like this!), granddaughters McKinley and Taylor

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The two birthday girls, me and my sisters Betsy and Kim

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I put together a family collage for mom’s birthday….she loved it!   I also have one I will be giving her from just me that has old black and white photos in it of her and my dad in their early years, her folks and me as a baby.    Since I was an only child for 5 years, I thought she would enjoy seeing her “favorite” child before the other rug rats came along!

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Jackson finally gets to get in the water!   

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Taylor riding on the Sea Doo with her Uncle Shane….she just loves him to death!

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Betsy’s son-in-law and her littlest grandson Austin

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Now it’s Taylor’s turn on the boat!

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Our own personal escort!

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Granddaughter McKinley was having such a “large” time she actually fell asleep on Shannon during the ride

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My sister waiting for her turn to ride on “her” boat!

Everyone brought enough meat for their own family and other special dishes.     One of my contributions was a yummy marinated vegetable salad.     I was served this at a Mother’s Day church banquet a few  years ago and loved it so much I begged for the recipe.    It’s a great summer salad and very easy to make.

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Marinated Vegetable Salad

1 = 11 oz. can white shoepeg corn

1 = 16 oz. can French green beans

1 = 16 oz. can green peas

1 med. onion – finely chopped

1/2 c. celery – finely chopped

1/4 c. bell pepper – finely chopped

1/4 c. pimento – diced

Drain vegetables, mix all ingredients together

3/4 cup sugar

1/3 c. vegetable oil

1/2 cu. white vinegar

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

Mix all together & heat until sugar dissolves.    Pour over vegetable mixture, cover and refrigerate overnight.

In other news (I sound like an announcer!) this week I’ll be going to my son’s house to begin the makeover of McKinley’s new bedroom.    She will be giving up her old room for her baby brother who will be arriving in August.     My goal will be to get the room painted…I doubt we’ll have time to do anything else.    I have been making some frames and will be painting and distressing her bed and nightstand here at our house and then later delivering them to Birmingham to get the room set up.     We are painting brown and pink stripes on one feature wall, then alternating brown and pink on the other walls.    Her furniture will be a creamy white.    In my mind, it sounds pretty so here’s hoping it turns out like I’m imagining it!     Otherwise, I’ll have to come up with a Plan “B”!

10 comments:

Stacey said...

That looks like such a fun day. What a great day to honor your mom.

Happy 90th birthday Mama!

Cheri said...

Good morning Judy,

I am sure the room will turn out just beautiful, can't wait to see it.

How fun that you all have a chance to go to your sister's beach house, what a great way to relax, I envy you.

Terri said...

Hi Judy,
Wow, 90 years young, huh? My mom will turn 89 in September. She likes to look good, too. Still uses her face cream and puts her makeup on every day. :) As a matter of fact, she's been drumming up business for that EB4 face cream she swears by at the assisted living facility. :) Take care and cherish your days with your mom.

Stephanie@SweetTeaAndSunshine said...

Happy Birthday to your mama! She looks so great to be 90.

And thanks for giving me a little taste of home in this blog post! :)

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Happy Birthday to your mama, Judy.

What an amazing celebration! I enjoyed all the wonderful photos.

Tales From My Empty Nest said...

Happy 90th birthday to your sweet Mom! It looks like you all had quite the celebration. And won't it be fun to re-do the "big girl" room? Sounds like you have had a wonderful weekend. Love & blessings from NC!

Simply LKJ said...

What a great day! Happy Birthday to your mom. Can't wait to see how McKinley's room turns out. Love pink and chocolate together!!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

What fun with family, Judy! Happy Birthday to your sweet mama. Hope you'll call me when you get back to B'ham & have a little free time.

Elizabeth Ann said...

Hi Judy,
Thanks for visiting my blog and my booth at Consigning Interiors. By the way your mother and I share the same birthday! Just finished looking through your blog. It's going on my "Inspirations" list. Be sure to let me know when your in town again.
Elizabeth Ann

hebergement web pas cher said...

What a great day,What fun with family,That's Looks like a fun day,What a great day honor of your mom.

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