lately

hello.
it's been a while.

last weekend boyd's t-ball team had an end of season party at a local park.

they were presented with trophies.

it was a sweet and proud moment for boyd and his teammates.

 life has been delicious lately.
and good, better.
remember the ebb and flow, the good and bad, it's always there.
i've spent precious time with family and friends,
eating out, talking and laughing, grilling, drinking wine in the front yard.
the picture taker in me wants to photograph all of the food, so that's pretty much what i do.
do what makes you happy, right?!

boyd went to a cute birthday party last weekend, at a neighbor's house.

he was the only boy there, he pestered all of the girls, just as it should be.

i came upon this converted school bus the other day, in one of my favorite parts of ft. worth.
it's call the wow bus, or words on wheels.
it's a non-profit traveling library of sorts.
you can sit inside and read, take a book home for free, or donate books.
the book lover in me went crazy. i love it.
i've got a bag full of books in my trunk now, ready to donate next time i see the bus.

boyd brought chumlee the lizard home from school.

he got to spend a few days with him, and write about their adventures in a journal.
 boyd read to chumlee, and we took him to starbucks.

 boyd brought home a lot of sweet things for me from school, for mother's day.
this one makes me laugh.
he loves me, but he REALLY loves his daddy.
it's hard to read, but at the top where it says mother's day,
he added in pencil, and dad.
he didn't want his dad to feel left out on mother's day.

then this.
he has written this several times,
when he grows up he wants to help people.
my heart's desire is that he is kind to others, and always helps those in need.
so, of course, this makes me happy.
and, he can't wait to grow up so he can deeside what restront to go to.

and i can't believe there are only a couple of weeks left of school.
it feels like we just started kindergarten.
i say this often, but it is SO scary and so wild how fast it all goes.

the dog situation. oh it's a doozy, but we're dealing with it.
seems like something new comes up every day with it.
boyd doesn't want me to go walking anymore,
and i jump at the sight of any animal.
but my arms are healing just fine.
it's all good.

kevin is smoking a brisket this weekend.
one of my favorite things made by one of my favorite people.

and i will leave you with this layered salad recipe.
i grew up eating it. it reminds me of church potlucks.
i recently got the recipe from my mom and she made one a couple of days ago,
and i made this one yesterday.

 from bottom to top...
chop up iceberg lettuce into small pieces
cherry or grape tomatoes chopped up
about 6 green onions, diced
small bag of frozen peas
bacon bits
{normally i would use real bacon, but these are the inexpensive, crunchy ones,
 and they just work for this salad. it's the taste i grew up on}.
water chestnuts, diced
miracle whip
grated cheddar, and a few more bacon bits

cover, and it will keep 2-3 days in the fridge.

enjoy.

love,
nicolle