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My Wednesday Shout-out this week goes to Dianne Mooney, founder of Southern Living at Home.

She spoke at the Willow House conference a few weeks ago and shared a phrase that has stuck in my head and my heart:

“Live Generously, Love Wastefully”

Isn’t that fabulous?

How many of us truly live generously or love wastefully? I know I’d like to be one who tries.

Think about it… living generously. That would mean to live unselfishly, to live abundantly in the spirit of giving. Wow!

One of Websters definitions for “wastefully” is grossly extravagant. I also think wasteful means having so much of something  that you can afford to use it with abandon. What a thought – to have so much love you could afford to lavish it on others with abandon.

So my hope for you all today is that you will find ways to “live generously, love wastefully” each and every day.

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Word of the Week: conniption

con·nip·tion

[kuh-nip-shuhn]

–noun

a fit of hysterical excitement or anger
Someone had a bit of a conniption fit last night. The “cook” had gone on strike for breakfast and lunch at my house yesterday. When the strike threatened to continue through dinner, a small conniption fit was thrown resulting in a pretty good meal, thrown together from what could be dug out of the fridge and freezer.

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1949 Senior Prom

This good-looking fella and this tiny little gal (as my Dad would put it) joined their lives and hearts in wedded bliss 60 years ago today. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Wow! I can’t think of too many people we know who have been married that long, which makes today’s anniversary extra-special.

The photo is from their senior prom in 1949.  I’m guessing the two of them knew how to “cut a rug” way back in the day. I can’t say that I’ve ever seen them cut a rug, but I’ve seen them roll up rugs, clean rugs, catch rugs on fire… but that is another story.

What I do know is that they wed in an evening ceremony at the home of my dad’s parents. They had to wait until Mom got off work from her job as a telephone operator, so they got married quite late in the evening. They both wore suits and she had pink gladioli as her flower of choice. Do you think I could find a photo from their wedding to share today? Of course not! I’ll find it tomorrow when I’m not looking for it. So the best I could do is their prom photo. I have to admit it is one of my favorites of them together. They both look pretty snazzy.

So by now you are asking yourself what does any of this have to do with entertaining? I’m getting there!

My Mom and Dad gave me a great foundation of entertaining basics. I can honestly say there is no one on the planet who enjoys having company more than my Daddy. He absolutely, positively loves to have people come over to visit. The more that come, the better it gets. He could teach most anyone a thing or two about being hospitable and making people feel welcome. He greets you at the door with a big hug and a beaming smile that says “so glad you are here, come on in!” If one or two people have popped by for a visit, he can get on the phone and have a regular party coming through the door in short order.

While Daddy is the one who is all about the people, Mom is the one who is in charge of the nuts and bolts of the entertaining operation. Through the years, she has entertained hundreds of people in their home. She taught me a lot about organizing, food prep and pre-planning. She could whip together a perfectly respectable meal on a moments notice for however many people Dad or one of my brother’s brought home to eat.  Huge family gatherings that would have thrown most people for a loop didn’t seem to phase her a bit. Mom was an expert at cooking for the masses, but could also put together wonderful meals for a small group as well. Mom is the one who, to this day, wants to make sure everyone is fed and content. “Can I get your something to eat? Do you need a drink? What can I get for you?” are all questions she tosses out to anyone who is in their home.

So thanks, Mom and Dad, for teaching me about entertaining. I am thankful I grew up with a family who liked to get together, connect and enjoy company.

Wishing you both a wonderful anniversary and many, many more beautiful days ahead.

Happy, Happy Anniversary!

Love ya!

Your daughter

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Exhaustion

Word of the Week: exhaustion

ex·haus·tion

ig-zaws-chuhn

–noun

1.

the act or process of exhausting.
2.

the state of being exhausted.
3.

extreme weakness or fatigue.
I came to the conclusion that Hubby was exhausted after a very long day of work out in the sun Saturday. He went to bed early and slept and slept and slept. I began to be concerned when he was still sleeping when I left for church. I was quite worried to find him asleep when I got home and was ready to hit the panic button when he was still sleeping a couple of hours later. Frequent checking assured me he was still breathing. But I can’t tell you how glad I was to see him finally wake up about 3 p.m. yesterday afternoon.
This morning, he was back to his normal obnoxious self. I can’t tell you glad I am about that!
With this warm weather we are having, make sure you stay hydrated, don’t spend extended periods of time out in the sun if you can help it and get plenty of rest!

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