If I season my tomatoes, is that a-salt?

Let's just go ahead and get this out of the way, Internet...

Oh, yeahhhhh

Last week was belated Father's Day for The Husband's dad. We had his family over and I made some appetizers & dessert. The Hubs was kind enough to get BBQ so I wouldn't freak out since we're, as I priorly mentioned, short-handed at work as well as just had a lot to do since it was the middle of the week. But I showed him, I freaked out anyways. Kidding! Well... Sorta.

On the menu –

Chipotle-lime bacon wrapped shrimp

Grape tommy toes stuffed with fresh mozzarella, basil, lemon zest, and love

(Not pictured: sausage bites. Oh, and salsa & chips. And cheese cubes. You have to draw the picture-taking line somewhere. I guess. In theory.)

I scream, you scream, PIE

It was a really nice evening. I had a great time and I think Husband's fam enjoyed. The dog and our 3 year old niece became BFF. (Which was adorable because they're similarly sized.) And, bonus, our house was pretty clean already when it was time for my mom to visit.

Which leads us nicely into the weekend... My mom was in town this weekend! We had the best time. And it was sort of funny. She showed up wearing a navy shirt with khaki capris. I too was wearing a navy shirt with khaki capris. And obliviously didn't realize we were matching until hours later.

I won't bore you with all the minor details of our delightful mother-daughter weekend. But I will bore you with the major details! There were delicious things that were made by us and certain Lady B –

Popovers! Pre-deflation

Meat, meat, and more meat!

Do you feel hungry looking at the pictures above? Do you know about the many types of fancy butter you can make out of butter? Do you know that you can peel down the skin of an onion to use as a handle when you cut it? Do you realize that you can gorge yourself to sleep? I do on all accounts! We had a great time and I am so thankful to my mom for visiting, spoiling me silly, and the early 30 celebrationings! Saturday was such a special day. And there was still Sunday to go!

So yesterday, we went to church, Mexican for lunch, and the Pink Palace. For those of you not in the know, the Pink Palace is a Memphis landmark. You may have guessed, it's pink and, errrr, palace-like. The guy that started Piggly Wiggly built it but it ended up being sold to the city due to financial problems. I've done some light wikipedia'ing but can't seem to find out if he ever lived there. I sorta think he didn't. Just because they have so little mention of his family there outside of him building it.

More to come on that. Possibly.

Anyhoo, they have some great things to look at. Some panels on diseases that affect your legs (polio, scoliosis, etc.) Hmmm, seems weird to list a polio display after I say they have some great things to look at... You knew I meant that overall? The polio thing was very educational though.

I'm going to stop explaining now.

Currently, there's a big exhibit on evolutionary type-a stuff. And the permanent collection of Memphis history. From reptiles and mammals to more recent history. My family went, ohhhh, about 10 years ago? My favorite thing was a life-sized replica of the first Piggly Wiggly and some things don't change in 10 years.

Wiggly piggly!

Similar to EZ Way Downtown, anybody, anybody?

And some Victorian bidnass just for funsies

There was also a great miniature circus that a guy started building in the '30s that moved, a log cabin replica, and, yes, much much more! Check it ouuuuut.

Sunday night, Mom and I made some of my (in my mind only) famous blog hotwings. Over the weekend, we watched Last Chance Harvey. (Cute, not 'Guh-reat!' but good and worth a look-see. Especially if you're in the mood for a grown-up movie.) Leap Year. (More cute and not great. But comfortable chick-flick fun. Sort of like your favorite old pjs.) Mom got me addicted to Design Star. So you can expect more on that. And on Work of Art. And on Top Chef. (Oh, reality competitions, I do love you so!)

And then it was all over. Much, much too soon. I had the best time with my mama and The Hubs better be entertaining tonight to fill the void!

FYI, my mom helped eat a couple of my garden tomatoes and thought they were delish. No, really. You can ask her.

Now we're on to the week! Watching the Family O's dog so the house is pretty rowdy right now. But I'm happy for the dog because she oh-so LOVES a slumber party.

They look much more educated & mysterious here than actuality

The Husband and The Reptile will be playing ball on Tuesday. (Unless The Reptile turns into a big wuss and quits the team... Like he has something better to do.) Going to the movies with Hanndy. And we're actually in town this long weekend and looking forward to July 4th festivities at my friend Bliz & her hub's house.

Over half of this entry was jibber-jabber to you, wasn't it, Internet?

Anyhoo, thank you, Bubbleland, for the encouraging response to the blog before this. I appreciate the kind words and will look forward to posting the pictures of all the wonderful things I plan make on my new stovetop grill! Cast iron. 2 day delivery. I love Amazon. It's about to be on.

Until then, Internet, keep it classy!!!