Utter bliss

'Nuff said.

Maple Bacon Cookies...What!?!

So, I was shopping at target this month, and I found a new fall cookie kit from Betty Crocker, Maple Bacon flavor.

As these are flavors I love, I thought, "they can't be bad in a cookie, can they?" Night before last, I decided to try them out. This is what they look like after they're baked.

And the taste? Well, they taste a lot like a pancake with syrup and bacon all smashed together into one bite. In other words, delicious - or at least I thought they were. I think George and the kids will stick with plain chocolate chip. 

This week

This week was a busy one, like most of them in the Creamer household. However, a few events stand out in my memory.

One - Zachary came in over last weekend for a visit. He went to church with us, and then we all went out to eat at BJs before he headed back.

We were happy to get a little bit of time with him. Can't you tell? I also found my new favorite drink - an Irish root beer.

A mixture of Jameson, Irish cream, butterscotch schnapps, and BJs root beer, this drink is dangerously easy to drink and so good!

Two - George took me to a fabulous lunch at the FSU University Center Club on Tuesday.

We are so glad to be members, and we really enjoyed the food as well as the view.

Three -  I had an appointment today for a node on my thyroid. Doctor says she's not worried, and it will probably go away on its own. I am so relieved!

Four - Last, but not least, the Megan and Danny were off today for the fall holiday (the schools decided to give Yom Kippur off) and went to stay with the grandparents. George is working. These things mean that I have a night alone (with Harley) to watch as much Outlander as I want!

Its been a great week, and this is the perfect end!

My "Chairs"

One of our favorite movie quotes is from the movie Phenomenon.

Robert Duvall, who plays Doc, is trying to explain why Lace (Kyra Sedgewick) is so committed to being with George (John Travolta). He says, "Now George has a love at his side and she is sticking with him. You know why? Because he bought her chairs. That’s pretty smart to me." The chairs are these hard, uncomfortable chairs that Lace makes, and George buys them because they are a part of her - what makes her tick.
 
For me, a big component of my "chairs" is anything Outlander-related. From the books (which I started reading in college 20 years ago) to the new series on Starz, my obsession with Outlander is well-known. During our 15 years together, my George (coincidence on the name, no?) has bought my Outlander-related "chairs," and has even surpassed me in reading Outlander spin-offs. He's right there beside me, watching the show every Saturday night (and then during the multiple times I rewatch the show during the week). I can't tell you how buying these "chairs," as well as others (my love for Indian food, watching every British show I can find, anything Le Creuset, trips to Thomasville, etc) means to me.

Thank you, George, for buying my chairs!

Happy 84th Birthday, Granny!

Today, my grandmother turns 84. Born in 1930, Ida Annette Gilbert grew up in small town Georgia. This is one of the few pictures I have from her youth, just prior to her marriage to my grandfather at 16.

She lived the life of a military wife through the Vietnam era, farmer's wife, catfish cleaner, and more importantly, mother and grandmother. I have so many memories of spending summers with her, mostly simple things like going to the post office and watching her make spoon bread. She now lives in an assisted living facility in Jacksonville, where my dad (her oldest son) takes good care of her and keeps her supplied with Coca Colas and M&Ms. We visit her whenever we can get the chance to break away from our busy lives.

Granny, you are very loved by your grandchildren and your great-grandchildren! We will see you soon!