Monday ~ Memorial Day

Flags. Patriotic music. Hamburgers. Chips. Thankfulness.

I'm not the kind of person who puts "God Bless America" stickers on her bumper or decorates her house with americana decor. I wouldn't normally classify myself as a "patriotic" person. I love my country, but in recent years, sadly I haven't been proud of my country and the things for which is has begun to stand.

But on Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Veteran's Day, the days that we remember those in the past who have died for this country, that's when I fly my flag, wear red, and reverently put my hand over my heart during our country's anthem. I think back on the days when honor, respect, duty and courage were true traits of our country and it's army. I think of the stooped elderly veteran man who fought for a country back in the days when our country stood for something for which to be proud. I may not respect my country in today's world, but I love and respect what we memoralize it for.

I also love the food we eat! Hamburgers and homemade ice cream - a true American celebration!

Mr. & Mrs. Condiment

Thursday

I love getting packages in the mail.

I love it when the package has online tracking information!

I love it when the tracking site says this:

I especially love it when inside the package is a brand new amazing camera lense!

I love it even more when the package also has Adobe Lightroom, the photo editing software I have been craving for a year!

And it's all happening today!

Wednesday ~ Little B & Berries

Besides cherries, we also have berry bushes producing their fruits. Little B has discovered the reachable treats inside the bushes by the patio. She's hooked. =)

 Classic Little B face.

Happy Birthday Eve to my brother Seth! Woot woot!

Tuesday ~ Cherry Pickers

We have two cherry trees that, during this time of year, are in fruitful abundance.

Stuart is basically a fixture in the cherry tree.

My favorite part about cherries...is cherry seed spitting contest. Forgive my unladylike confession. =)

Monday ~ Niece #3

Starbuck Thursday 05/17/12

Yes, I know it's Thursday during this installment of Starbucks Tuesday...but I'm potentially changing my coffee morning, seeing as how I can usually use a few shots of awakeness more on a Thursday than the earlier Tuesday. =)

Today my fancy was tickled by old faithful:

Grande White Chocolate Mocha Frap! I don't like strong coffee but I'm a sucker for sweet things, so this blend of a sugar taste, with a subdued coffee punch to it, is perfect for moi! Tasty, tasty...I think it looks rather nice on my office desk...

Wednesday ~ More Littles

Little M...

She looks almost Victorian...

The D-Boy...

Little E

Something wonderful, exciting and miraculous happened yesterday!

.

Wonderful...because all babies are wonders from God.

Exciting...because my aunty-ship is now up to 5!

Miraculous...because during a crisis 10 minutes during final birth and things were going wrong, God Himself responded in answer to a desperate prayer and instantly moved this little treasure into health and safety.

I am so excited about Little E that I couldn't wait until the camera pictures were ready and so this picture from my phone will have to do. I love being an aunt, and this little Aunty-ship #5 is a now a proud little member of my Niece & Nephie Entourage. I do believe I need another carseat for my Auntie-mobile. =)

Starbucks Tuesday ~ 5/8/2012 ~

I have gradually been developing a ritual of buzzing through the Starbucks drive-thru on my way to work. When I began doing this TOO ritualistically, I had to sit myself down and come up with some kind of plan. Whereas the beverages may give me an extra lift in my step while working, it also tends to add another inch to my waist and another spot to my face. Can't have that, now can we? And so, after talking about it with myself, I have come up with a plan. Introducing: Starbucks Tuesdays!

Today on this lovely Tuesday morning, my whim suggested this beverage:

Venti Iced Green Tea Lemonade, extra sweet (today it was 7 pumps).

 I had previously decided on NOT getting any pastry (an added inch or two, you know) since my sisters and I are going a sisters-date tonight which always includes something of a sweeter splurge, but to my shagrin, my mouth ordered something that my mind had NOT. No really, it did! It popped out of my mouth, and I literally smacked my forhead and started mumbling "no-no-no-no-no!!" to myself. I wonder if they heard that over the speaker...hmmm. Best not to think of that. But once I began to to eat it....I had no regrets.

My 2nd favorite pastry from El Starbucko's:

Cream Cheese Danish (2nd only to the apple fritter)

Cute couple! Now don't they look good together?! =)

That's it for today, folks, on this first installment of Starbucks Tuesday! Have a lovely day filled with sweet things!

Ode to the Cookie Crumble Mocha Frappachino (Starbucks New Drink)

A sleepy morning, a toasty car
The sun streaming down so bright
When did my eyes fall fast upon
A wondrous caffeinated sight

Just beyond the exit on my right,
So convenient for my commute
So green, so round, so hypnotizing
Was the Starbucks sign en route

  

I swung the wheel, I set my sights
On a White chocolate mocha frap,
Unaware that just before me,
Lay a hidden betrayer’s trap
Was it the music? Was it the air?
Was it something in the water?
Why did I heed that bright new sign?
I was a lamb led to the slaughter.

Cookies, cream, and coffee in one,
It seemed a worthy treat
But could I betray my White Chocolate,
For this encroacher’s beguiling entreat?
“Good Morning, may I take your order?”
I tried to resist this trap
But my mouth did open and say these words
“I’ll take a tall Cookie Crumble Frap!”

With my first sip of this brand new drink
It took a moment yet to decide,
Would Cookie be better than White Chocolate?
I sat up straight and cried:

"So cool, so cookie, so creamy,
So easy on the eyes!"
It was the White Chocolate Mocha’s fall,
And the Cookie Crumble’s rise.

By Kellie