Last Monday I mentioned I’d be at the White Squirrel Arts Fest on Saturday. At that time, the weather didn’t look good – at all. Low 50 degree temps and 90% chance of rain. All your positive thoughts must have worked because suddenly on Thursday the forecast switched to sunny and mid 60s. I didn’t sell many books – with it being the first year for the festival, I didn’t really expect to – but it sure brought people downtown. Art galleries, plenty of vendors in the parks, food trucks, crafts, Tacos and Tequila at the baseball stadium – it was lively. I packed up early, but it was for a good reason. Some dear friends’ son and his wife just adopted a baby, and we were invited to meet him at a Sip and See that afternoon. He’s so adorable! Son #1 was best man at their wedding, and now they’re parents. Time sure flies by.
Both sons were here for lunch yesterday. The oldest was here for the Sip and See (he bought the baby a stuffed Pikachu), and Son #2 came over to help prepare lunch. I have a seafood pasta packet recipe from Food Network I’ve fixed several times, but he tossed it aside and came up with his own twist. Guess I don’t need to tell you how delicious it was. I’m driving him and a couple of his friends to the airport Tuesday – they’re flying to Ireland to spend a week. It’s one of the countries he hasn’t been to previously, but high on his list of places to visit.
Although I’ve tried about nine different types of bulbs, I’ve never had any luck with them. A few years ago a friend was thinning out her irises and offered me some bulbs. I’ve always loved irises and decided to give it another shot. Here’s a pic I took this morning. Sure am glad I tried again.
Have a great week!
Books and Such 
Our weather has been unseasonably cold this year. And I greatly dislike a cold spring. The bulbs are beautiful. I have some irises that my mom planted years ago. They do well with little or no effort on my part. (And I can kill most anything!)
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Same here, Joan. I got a few blooms the past two years, but they’re really showing off this spring. Our temps have dropped again also – 30 degrees outside this morning.
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44 here. That’s way too cold!
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Sounds like a wonderful weekend. (I wouldn’t mind your son’s recipe. Hint, hint.) Wishing him safe travels. Ireland was on my list, too. And your flowers are lovely.
BTW, I couldn’t wait and watched Rabbit Hole. Now I’m dying to see how it ends. I should have waited and binged the whole thing. I have no patience…
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We’re behind a couple episodes, but hoping to get caught up tonight. I don’t know how you’ve held out this long, Staci!
Here’s a link to the recipe: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/foil-packet-shrimp-scampi-with-arugula-7118955
I’ve changed it up a little – added portabella mushrooms, a slice of lemon in each packet, sometimes we add scallops, and tried sun-dried tomatoes with it yesterday. You can make it as heavy or light as you want, and clean up is easy. Just throw the foil pack in the trash.
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Thanks!
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The irises look fabulous! Sounds like a great weekend. Babies, books, family and good food, what’s not to like? xo
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Right? A perfect weekend, Darlene.
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I wish I could live where you do. It’s terribly hot here like every year. It’s 40 degree celsius high and might go over 45 next month. Those flowers look beautiful. Looks like you had lovely weekend.
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Thanks, Yesha! I don’t do well with heat and tend to stay indoors when it gets too hot outside. Sure wish you could get a break in your weather.
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So glad the weather gave you all a break for the festival. How exciting that your son is going to Ireland. I would love to pick his brain when he returns. I will be going to Ireland in July for a writer’s conference and have no previous knowledge of this beautiful country, but I am so excited to go! I love the Irises. Just gorgeous!
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He’s staying in Dublin and then traveling to a few places. Where are you going in Ireland? And what a fabulous place for a writing retreat!
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The conference is near Galway City. I can’t wait!
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Beautiful flowers and glad you had a good time at the festival (and to see the baby!) Our weather is not spring like, its been cold and raining for ages and apparently is meant to get colder over the weekend! Scotland could see snow!
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That’s just wrong to have weather like that this time of year, Caro. We’re going through a colder than usual snap right now, but temps should be better by the weekend. And these irises have been effortless. Have no idea what I was doing wrong with the other bulbs.
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Im a useless gardener, my mum does mine 🤣
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It sounds like you’ve had an enjoyable time of it lately, Teri. I’m glad the weather cleared up for the book festival, and that you got to enjoy time with both sons (and were treated to son #2’s cooking again). I’ve never been to Ireland, but would love to visit. I’ve heard amazing things about the Emerald Isle.
And those irises are beautiful! They are gorgeous flowers!
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It’s always a treat having both of them here for however long, Mae. Bond may disagree since Sora was here, lol. Ireland is also on my list, and I’m excited for Son #2 to go (I think this will make 13 countries for him?).
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😲
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Sounds like a fun luncheon! I love what they are kid prepared 🙂 My son made a mushroom gravy one year we have been trying to match. Glad you got good weather for you event. It is finally spring here.
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Since Son #2 moved back from TX, it’s been nice to have both of them here occasionally, Denise. And even better when he cooks! The weather was a little cool over the weekend, but I’m not complaining at all. Glad you’re also getting some nice spring weather.
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Glad the weather took a nice turn. Your Irises are beautiful. They are one of my favorites.
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Irises have always been a favorite of mine, but I never had luck growing them. Sure am glad my friend was thinning out hers.
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Yes that was a good thing. 😁
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I had to laugh when I saw the addition of the “Not mine” in the title beside the part about the baby. You sure got that in quick. LOL!
Anyway, glad you had good weather for the festival and enjoyed it. Also glad the Irises have grown and bloomed nicely.
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Didn’t want anyone getting the wrong ideas, Tori, lol. My sons are grown and we’re nowhere close to grandkids. We really lucked out on the weather. A little windy, but much better than rain and low temps since the festival was outside.
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Sounds like you had a great weekend. Your garden looks lovely.
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Thanks, Craig! Other than planting them, I can’t take credit for the irises. They’re probably doing so well because I did nothing to them, lol.
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Hi Teri, it sounds like a great weekend. You sound like my mom with cooking and I am like you son #2. Cooking is a great adventure. Lovely flowers.
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Unless it’s something really simple, I use recipes, Robbie. I’m definitely not gifted in the kitchen, but Son #2 has always done his own thing.
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As per usual, catching up late. Ireland! Cool! I hope he brought you back a woolly sheep 🙂
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How did you know? It was a little hard getting it on the plane, but they managed. But seriously he brought me a couple things of chocolate (such a good boy) and a scarf/shawl in one of my favorite colors. He had such a great time, Sue.
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