To Market We Went

Last Saturday, Frank and I went to the Mexican Market behind Smiley's. He went to check out the unique fruits and vegetables he might use to cook with; I went to scout out unique photo opportunities. I came away the winner. Check out these beautiful photos:


Ahh ... the smell of fresh cilantro

Feathered Eggs and Watermelons

Prickly Pear Cactus Nopales

Prickly Pear Cactus Fruit

Little Girls Hiding Under Tables

Mexican White Onions & Radishes

Market Essentials

Southern Yellow Peaches

Peeling the Cactus ~ Nice Mushrooms

Cucumbers and Apples

Manzana Chiles

Sticking Close to Mama & Papa

Lychee Fruits

Yummy Apples and Watermelon

Myrtle Beach Babes

I was really proud of the girls, as you can see they got along pretty well ... and when they didn't I pulled out one of the lines I remember from my childhood. "Do you two want to go home?" I swear I heard that on every vacation every time Angie and I argued or when I talked back. It worked just as well this vacation as it did 30 years ago on vacations with my mom and dad. One time in the car they started "barking" at each other and I used the line to make them laugh ... as we were already on our way home. It still worked to change their attitudes! Amanda and Amy do get along pretty well most of the time and I am proud that they look after each other. These photos reflect how close they truly are!

Fun in the Sun!

Look at these girls having fun in the ocean!

Happy Father's Day

Even though the girls and I are at the beach, we wanted to be sure and wish all the dads in our lives, "Happy Father's Day." We love you all!

My 400th Post - LIVE from Myrtle Beach!

Some pictures from our day at the waterpark and the pool ~ Can you tell me what's funny about the Double Trouble picture?

We're at the Beach!

We made it! Amanda, Amy & I got to Myrtle Beach at 11:45 yesterday morning! We stopped to get gas at Exit 15 in SC and never looked back! The only thing that slowed us down was the 501 traffic 30 minutes from the beach - part of that was beach traffic but the majority of it was just locals. I couldn't believe how the place had grown up since my last visit. Remember the outlets just before you cross the bridge? Not there anymore, now it is Hard Rock Park - which we will NOT be visiting since tickets are $50 each! After you cross the bridge it is non-stop strip malls and a new Tanger outlet center is being built. I couldn't believe it, it was red-light city. The distance between red lights reminded me of the strip in Pigeon Forge and the traffic was just as bad!

Check in was supposed to be at 4 - but they got us into a room right away. We got unpacked and headed to Dino's for the best pizza ever. It was so good. Then we changed and went to slide down the tower tube into the pool and float around the lazy river.

For supper we had sliders and salad at Ruby Tuesdays and then headed to Walmart to get some milk for breakfast and lemonade to keep us hydrated. The weather is great - thank goodness we didn't come last week when the temps were at 100 - this week they are expected to be around 85 ... perfect.

Amanda got a really pretty new bathing suit and Amy got a cute new top with strawberries on it. Will show you pictures soon. Today we are going to the waterpark that is included in our package at Family Kingdom and tonight we are going to FREE MOVIE NIGHT. We get to see Nancy Drew and The Bucket List. We even brought our own popcorn to pop!

Well, tata for now. Have a great day everyone!

Keep Dreamin' I Say ...

Saturday we went to the WNC Air Fair in Hendersonville. It's one of those places where even the biggest boy gets to be a kid again.

Happy Birthday, Gene

Oops - I Forgot to Show You Wilmington

From our trip the last weekend in April. My views of the old city. I would really like to go back again ... soon!

Flowers that Teach

If dandelions were hard to grow, they would be most welcome on any lawn.”
~ Andrew V. Mason

I took this at the airport the other day while Frank was talking to the flight instructor. As I stood there waiting, knowing that even if I got closer I probably wouldn't understand half of what they were talking about, I started to look around. What caught my eye were these tiny little yellow flowers, shining like stars in a dark sky of green. For reasons I won't go into, I needed to escape into something that made ME feel good that day and those little flowers did. It was like they were shouting out to me, "Look at me, I was run over yesterday with a big mower and yet, here I am, back today!" The next thing I know I was down on my knees taking its picture.

Then I noticed another "flower" that I believe is only appreciated by the little girls who dance about the yard wearing necklaces and halos made of them ...I don't even know that they are called but they are definitely resilient and that is a strength I needed to be reminded of last weekend.