[ad_1]
My sister, Renee, moved to Louisiana 3 years ago and they built their dream house on the lake, and I enjoyed going down to see them and staying for a while. They came home for a visit a few weeks ago, to see Dad and Bruce’s 94-year-old mother, who still lives on her own, so they come home every few months to see them. This time, I went back with them in their car and drove home a week later. It was a fun visit and I always enjoy staying with them at their beautiful lake home. If you haven’t seen their lake house, don’t miss it and the porches and outdoor areas. It is truly a dream home and they are thoroughly enjoying living there. Here’s an update to the black and white tile patio they did last year. They have been officially moved for 1.5 years now and have done a few things since the move. On this trip, we finally got her bedroom all decorated so I could photograph it after doing the wallpaper project when I visited last August. I’ll be sharing it next weekend because it’s so cute.
The weather is back and forth this year in LA, just like it is in GA. It’s cold one day and hot the next, windy and rainy and in between. It was spring there too and all their flowers were in bloom, but the heat had not yet risen. We had a nice few days by the pool and enjoyed it. I also sat in the verandah and read a book.
I’m not sure I’ve shared this with you all, but last year, tragedy struck their sweet dog, Bailey, who was about 6 years old. A German Shepherd dog attacked Bailey one morning while Bruce was walking him. It was too quick and Bailey didn’t make it. Both dogs were on a leash, but the owner of the larger dog could not control it properly. It’s such a shock to all of us and heartbreaking for Bruce and Renee. They aren’t getting a new puppy that soon, but I checked with the breeder where we got Daisy from and also where Bailey came from and she has new puppies due next week (last October). , so Renee talked her into naming their puppy for a boy. A new puppy sure is good for healing a broken heart! Riley was born and they brought him to his new home on the lake in December. He is a good kid and is 5 months old now. Riley and I bonded big time while I was there. He put some people in the car with me on the way down and we spent a lot of time together. He has such a cute mischievous face and that’s definitely his personality. He’s still in the puppy biting and playing stage, so it’s hard for him to calm down and lay down, but he’s nailed that part. He loved giving me lots of puppy kisses on the face and mouth!
Riley looks at the door saying let me in!
He is such a cutie and I had so much fun with Riley.
After I got there that Friday night, one of the local Catholic churches, St. John’s in Folsom was doing a fish fry for Lent, so we indulged in that. The church was in the country and we went out to pick up lunch. The church was beautiful and I had to take a picture of it.
We brought home delicious fried catfish with potatoes and coleslaw. They also had homemade desserts for $1 each and we brought those home too. It’s all mouth-wateringly delicious! Very good, the best catfish I have ever tasted.
Renee’s neighbor Gina told us that Ocean Springs MS was having an art show that weekend, so on Saturday the three of us headed out for the art show and it was a beautiful day too. We had so much fun browsing the vendors and shops in downtown Ocean Springs.
When Mark and I visited Ocean Springs 3 years ago we visited Coastal MS and loved it. If you missed that post, that’s fine and Ms. Daisy was with us and was about 6 months old when we took her with us.
Nice to see Ocean Springs again. We ate at Mosiac, the same place that Mark and I ate at when we were there.
This beautiful art gallery, The Pink Rooster, is where I bought a painting by a local artist.
Ocean Springs is such a charming coastal town.
We drove down by the water and I loved this house overlooking the bay the last time we were there.
Back at their home in Covington, the girls arrived shortly after noon on Sunday. Lauren’s college girlfriends were out of town on a beach trip, so Phillip brought the girls and we got to see them, then Lauren came over later in the week and spent the night with the girls, so we all had a nice visit. They love coming home to papa and me!
They are all growing very fast. Alex is 3 and will be 4 in August. Parker is 10, 15 and Iris will be 8 this month.
They are cute funny girls. However, they argue and fight some as sisters are prone to do. Little Alex wants to do everything her big sisters do too.
While they were there we had a nice day out and the girls wanted to try the paddle board and kayaks, so Papa Bruce took them out on the lake and they all paddled across the lake to the other side and back. They did great!
Alex puts on his life vest to ride with Bruce in the kayak.
The girls had fun on the water and outside.
All three of them love water and go swimming in the pool and lake. However, that puppy, Riley, got a lot of attention. They love dogs.
We went out to lunch one day in Covington with Renee’s neighbor, Gina, and had a delicious meal at Matina Bella.
I got blackened redfish in a salad and it was delicious. I’m a big seafood eater and get all the fish and shrimp and lobster I can stand.
It was definitely a relaxing week with them and I enjoyed my time there as always. I read a book, relaxed and loved my family time.
They have some beautiful sunsets over the lake. The sun sets on the other side of the street, so they get morning sun and sunset on this side.
Lauren shared this picture of the girls with their paternal cousins at Easter and it’s so cute, I had to share. They love their relatives! Parker is growing very fast and looks older than 10 years old.
I returned on Saturday just in time for Easter Sunday and Mark and I got dressed for church. This is a new dress I got as a gift from Clara Sunwoo and this shade of purple isn’t something I usually buy, but it’s a lovely shade and I enjoyed the dress. I already own the scarf and it matches perfectly. Use this (affiliate link) Clara Sunwoo Link For a 10% discount.
Mark and I had Easter lunch with Dad and it was a good time. I’m glad we did. We will certainly miss Mom at these lunches, but we know she is in a better place than suffering on earth. We 3 girls had a good conversation about her when I was down there. We all miss her dearly, but we are glad that she is not suffering from her frail body.
Dad is doing well these days, he is 96. He is stable, content and still doing well day to day. I’m so glad he’s in a nice place so close to me and he’s always expressing how happy he is to see me and asking, “So you live close to here?” I was asked again and again. And I always remind him, yes, I’m only a couple of miles away and can stop by often. He is still a pleasant person, quick with a smile and very grateful to have a nice place to live and sleep. I’m definitely thankful he’s there and it takes a lot off my shoulders to know he’s well taken care of.
That’s a recap of my trip to LA and our Easter celebrations. Easter definitely changed, we all still remember mom cooking a big Easter meal and making that coconut bunny cake for Lauren and the girls and those Easter memories will stay with us forever.
Related
[ad_2]
