Kicked off Memorial Day weekend with dinner on the patio and smores!

I stocked up for when we had the littles here with us and we ran out of time that night!  So...win for us!

Beautiful May weather and chatting...

"Are we having fun yet?"

"It takes 45 hours to toast a marshmallow on this thing!"  Well, we could start a fire!  "Nope, I'm good."

Our special treat in honor of Teddy's birthday tomorrow!  Our hardworking son turns 21 years old!  How fast those years have gone!  He makes us laugh and makes us proud.
 

The gift of time

Brought coffee drinks over to Mari on her packing for Peru trip day.  I didn't help her pack, but gave her a mental break while we visited.  She got everything into her suitcase and then some!  They left Thursday (5/23) for two weeks...I'll have to visit again and hear the stories of travel.

I officially finished the three year mentorship with my K5 co-worker!  We met and turned in the last of the paperwork.  Thankful for the opportunity to help when I can!  It is a blessing to see her grow in her K5 role and continue.

The progression of the nap...

but being ever alert...

and comfortable with you buddy!  Taking time to enjoy the outside every chance we get these days!
 

Some days...I do too much...

I started the day with texts/calls regarding real estate.  I tutored my buddy, and then I tore the house apart.

I did some more computer and phone work before finishing the carpet cleaning.  I decided I was only doing one room today.  I have put this job off long enough...and the water was nasty!  The dining room is a major traffic area.  I'll get the living room area later this week.   

Then the dogs and I went outside to mow.  I took a break between the front and back lawns...it was hot.

We got that done and came inside to bake the bread...and cool down.  It was a busy day...and tomorrow promises to be just as busy.  I have a 3 hour orientation class, so I am hoping my little fur buddies will not be ornery since it is required to have my mic and video feed on for the class.  Maybe later this week I can make it up to them and give the dogs more lap time!?  Ha ha. They look so ignored and neglected.

Don't let them fool you!  They rule this place...and add to my work load. Uff da!  It's a good thing they are cute and cuddly.
 

Time with my girl

Alisa has made several different connections with ladies from all over Metro Detroit through work, church, farmers markets, and her crocheting.  I was quite surprised with all her contacts!  She attended an event at The Red Poppy a few weeks ago.  She was invited to another event and I got to go with her.

We went to a class about making sourdough and gut health.  It was a beautiful place and the gals were so friendly!

We learned some tips and tricks.

We ate some yummy food!  And they even shared their recipes!  Yay!

Sourdough..."not the fancy schmancy kind...the one that takes so much work"!  Three ingredients...bread flour, water, and salt!  Of course, we got starter to make the whole process go faster.  

We each got a jar of starter and made the dough for a loaf of bread that we will bake on Monday.

It was a fun time together...meeting other ladies...laughing and chatting...

and learning something new!  It has been fun to get all the texts today from the gals as they bake their loaves.

We came home with our bowls covered in wet tea towels to raise over night.

We came home with a new tool for tugging and tucking.  And...we each have a jar of starter to keep fed.

I was on bread dough duty while Alisa was at work.  I remembered to score her loaf.

                                                                    And it turned out great!

And I added Betty's homemade raspberry jam to a piece!  Oh my word is that good!

I added cinnamon chips to my loaf...and that is super good too! 

Sourdough is good!  And I like this way (two days with a total of four tug and tucks) so much easier than the fancy schmancy way (too many stretch and fold and proof steps and too many days to fuss with it).  Annnnd...the taste is more sour dough in my opinion...as I have now done both ways!

 

More work on the homestead

Power-washing and drying the patio...

We sat watching the cement dry...literally.  Ted helped it out.  We had to keep blowing off the buds and bugs...and birds kept messing up the cleaned off patio...

Finally...we just decided to start before more birds joined their friends in the tree.

And we watched the sealer dry on the cement.  There is so much excitement around here these days...we have to pace ourselves!  Ha!

We got the table set up and enjoyed the evening on the patio by grilling bbq chicken pizza.
 

First grilling of the season

How do I make Ted smile?  Make this for supper!  Grilled italian sausages with onions and peppers then topped with mozarella cheese.

A good day to wear this shirt!  My plans changed and I needed to run to the grocery store to prepare for some friends to join us for supper.  We tried the apple strudel from Aldi for an afternoon treat.  Alisa and I both agreed making our own from scratch would have a better taste.

I got to help with school running and homework.

Ted got to play ball, grill, and ride the four-wheeler.

We enjoyed our young friends for the afternoon and evening.

Our first picnic on the new patio!  With grilled hot dogs and watermelon...a yummy start to the season.

Beautiful spring days...

The look when the four-wheeler didn't start right away.  Whew!  Got it going again..

and we could hear the giggles and whooping as they headed down the street.  So thankful to be able to help out friends at a moment's notice!  And so thankful for a God who gives peace and help in scary moments of life...as well as grace for the days ahead.
 

Taking care of the homestead

Taking care of the lawn...

Making the steps more stable for humans while we figure out what to do...

The irises are blooming!

I cheated this year...the front porch doesn't get good sun and I'm tired of plants not doing well.  The pop of color is now from some fake friends.  We will see if I change my mind.