September 8th: Monday Musings...

 

This post is all about my overnight stay in Naples, Florida, for my granddaughter's wedding shower last Saturday.  

Lauren and Jeremy closed on their first home a few months ago.  They have been very busy painting and getting curtains just right.  They are slowly getting it furnished.  The house sits on 2 1/4 acres - massive!  It is fenced in for the dog, has a swimming pool "caged" in that the cat is enjoying (and he fell in once, they told me).  There is actually a horse stable in the back of the property that requires a lot of work, but they have plans to turn it into a chicken coop.  They are so excited about the home and about the wedding plans.  I got to see a picture of her wedding gown, and it is beautiful.

Lauren and I are in front of their house.

Lauren, Jeremy, and Truman (the dog).

William and I made friends quickly.  He even got in bed with me the next morning!

Truman and I hit it off, but there isn't a photo of the two of us.

Truman, in his domain. This is just part of the backyard!

Lauren just planted a few of these Mexican Petunias.  I LOVE this plant!

This is a corner of the front yard, with part of the driveway visible on the left.
They have a really nice zero-turn riding mower!  Necessary!

And Lauren helps with the mowing, too!  (And Jeremy shares the cooking!)

Their pool, with William staking out his territory!

I was quite comfortable in their guest room, which has an attached bathroom.  I took us all out for Mexican food on Friday evening, and we had bagels with cream cheese and sliced jalapenos for breakfast.  We all enjoy spicy and Jeremy was sure I would love the jalapenos with cream cheese on my bagel.  He was right!  Lunch was included at the Ridgway Bar and Grill, in downtown Naples during the wedding shower.  We had a choice of 10 things (8 or 10 - not sure).  I chose the fish sandwich (without a bun) and fresh fruit.  The fish was delicious haddock, and the fruit was fresh and just right (watermelon, strawberries, and pineapple).  There was a beautiful selection of sweet treats for dessert.  I enjoyed a double espresso with my sweets.  I had a four-hour drive ahead!

Lauren's mom, Kathy, and Lauren
Kathy is my former daughter-in-law.

I am pleased that we love the kids, and that's all that matters.

We still get along quite well, and that's another blessing!

We all contributed a recipe.  

I gave her my pumpkin bread recipe (really my mom's).

The gift table...

The bride-to-be...

Jeremy's mom, Sherie, on the right in the blue & white dress.  I got a good hug from her!

I sat next to a family friend, whom I have known for 12 years or more.  It was great catching up with her and hearing about the family.  Her son and our Tristan were best friends in high school.  Brett is married and working in his field, living not too far away. Skye is through with her BS degree and is working on a Master's.  Time has flown!

I found a photo from 2013 when they all visited us in Lakeland...

Rob, Brett, Jenny, and Skye

Flowers on the table...

These flowers were offered to the guests at the end of the event.  Bouquets were made to take home.  I did not take one, with a four-hour drive ahead and cats at home to eat them.  It was lovely, though!

Jeremy arrived toward the end, and there was one more game to play 

"Did He Say It or Did She Say It"

Here is the sweet couple!

The drive home to Lakeland took me through heavy rain a couple of times, but the traffic wasn't too bad.  I even braved the interstate on the way back to get home faster.  My boys were happy to see me, but Susan cared for them well.

Thanks for getting this far!!  Wishing you a great week ahead!

A favorite photo of a much younger Lauren!

Peace and Hugs!

"How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity!"

Psalm 133:1