Books, Movies, Dates and Jake's - Ice Cream, That Is!

It's been a big week and not just because of work.   This was one of those weeks when there were lots of activities scheduled every day and the summer has barely started.   The week started with a book signing event and not just any book signing.  This was the release party for the long awaited release of Mary Kay Andrew's new book Spring Fever.  I went to the book signing with my good friend Ginabeth but low and behold who was in line right behind us?  Sue from Rue Mouffetard!!  

 We all lined up waiting for our time with MKA which was made all the more fun because of being in line with good friends. 

  Sue was kind enough to take a picture of me and one with Ginabeth - thank you Sue!!!!

I love going to the movies and recently while seeing Exotic Marigold Hotel (love), I saw the previews for Bernie and given that it appeared to be VERY southern and funny, I made my husband take me out on a date to see it.   We loved Bernie (well, according to the movie, everyone loves Bernie) and I can't wait to see it again.  There were too many funny lines and at times I laughed so hard that I couldn't hear everything.  It is at times like these that I would love to have a pause buttons.

Before the film we stopped for an appetizer at a nearby restaurant called Rain.   Don't you love how restaurants prepare such fancy presentation?   That tray was so well decorated  and just for a few bits of food. 

And the good times just keep on coming.  

My grandgirls came today!  They brought a friend with them so we have three sweet girls at our house  and the girls and my son will be here for a week.  

With the girls here it seemed like a perfect time to stock up on ICE CREAM!  If you've been in Atlanta for any period of time your bound to have tried Jake's Ice Cream and the unbelievably great Slap Yo Mama Chocolate.  Well Jake delivers in my neighborhood and you should have seen the girls go running when I said the ice cream man was here.

It's a bit more pricey but well worth it.

The girls were still a bit puzzled by Jake's Ice Cream truck.  Somehow I think they were expecting some popsicles to show up.  Did you notice the little green bag in my granddaughter's hand? 

 That's the ice cream bag.

 In addition to the Slap Yo Mama Chocolate, I decided to try some of Jake's homemade Georgia Peach ice cream.  The perfect way to celebrate peach season.

Someone's looking very happy.  Today I'm joining 

The Tablescaper to celebrate some Seasonal Sunday fun.

Queen's Diamond Jubilee

So glad that it is Sunday.  Got a little free time to enjoy HM the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebration.

Thanks to NYTimes - Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

And what should one wear for a boating event on HM's barge?

 

And the flowers are the barge are amazing!!
Click here to learn about the flowers and the gardener.

 

Thought I would continue watching with a cup of tea.

 

Mama Said....

This Susan Branch print hangs in my bathroom so I read it every morning when I get ready for the day

At one time or another I'm sure all of us have reoccurring thoughts about things we heard our mothers say growing up.  I've got a list of sayings, superstitious thoughts or words of wisdom that I heard growing up but there is one that is always on my mind in the month of May.  

Growing up my mom said her dad (my grandpa) always told her "if it rains on your head in May, you won't have a headache for the rest of the year."   

Me and my grandpa - 1974

 Oddly, making sure to play in the rain has always been a serious objective for me.  Yes, even as an adult I love going outside in the rain in May with no umbrella.  

Are you still listening to mama's words from the past and doing things because "mama said?"

Poems the Earth Writes

Last week it caught my eye when Lorrie at Fabric Paper Thread asked the question What Kind of Tree Would You Be?  I remember thinking hard about this when I was in seventh grade and on a church retreat.   Each of us were given 30 minutes to go to a quiet place to think about the tree that might best represent our spiritual life.  It was a memorable exercise for me and one that I continue to think about from time-to-time.  

 This time of year it's hard not to think about trees.  Each spring when driving around Atlanta I think about the beautiful dogwoods and how they add a lace-like quality to our landscape.  We've even got a festival named to celebrate the dogwood season.  And just after the dogwoods lose their blossoms two beautiful trees make their entrances.  

  I think of the magnolia tree as a "hat lady."   An old-fashioned classic that reminds me so much of the older women in my past - perfectly appointed, delicately scented, perfectly coiffed with a dainty ivory hat.   Yes, the magnolia grandiflora enters the season with noticeable beauty.  This stately tree is one of my favorites.  

 Another tree that I love this time of year is the graceful mimosa tree.  It's so beautiful to see pink dotting the spring scenery.   Sadly this tree is hated by many being labeled invasive by lots of gardeners.   Growing up we had a mimosa tree and I loved the delicate fern-like leaves and those beautiful cotton candy puffs of pink.  Even more wonderful is the fragrance of this beautiful umbrella tree. 

   Hydrangeas are blooming like crazy and believe me, I'm enjoying my fair share of these magnificent showy blooms but as I'm enjoying incredible spring days and the beautiful flowers, I'm taking a little quiet time to enjoy the trees.  

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.
A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;
A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;
A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;
Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.
Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.

                                                                                  - Joyce Kilmer

This week I'll be joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.

Polka Magazine - I Want a New Camera

Earlier this week I had the pleasure of attending a lecture given on the topic of photojournalism presented by Dimitri Beck, editor-in-chief at Polka Magazine.

 Polka Magazine is a Paris-based photojournalism magazine.  

During the course of the lecture I began to feel a bit guilty just thinking about how quickly and easily I flip through magazines, particularly news magazines, without giving much thought to the talented person behind the camera lens.   

Dimitri shared a number of photo spreads that have been published recently, going into detail about the photojournalist, how they went about taking their photos and more specifically in some cases, how they pitched their stories to the magazine.

I wasn't in a hurry to buy a camera but after attending this week's lecture I can't stop thinking about getting a new camera.   My camera died about four weeks ago while we were on a weekend excursion.  I rushed to buy an inexpensive camera for the weekend and thought it would be fine for the time being.   Then a couple of weeks ago, Paris Breakfasts 

emailed me about something and offered some great suggestions on getting another camera (now when other bloggers start commenting on how to improve your photos...you know you need some help).   I'm still trying to figure out what would work best for me but no doubt, I've got to get a new camera. 

Does anyone have any comments, suggestions, pros or cons to help me in making a decision?

Today I'm joining The Tablescaper for Seasonal Sunday.  Hope you will stop by and see what other bloggers are up to.