Friday Favorites 03.04.22 - Is spring here???

I can never write this date and not think of my wonderful grandfather - Pa Cooper.  March 4th was his birthday.  He is one of my most FAVORITE people ever and to have a conversation with him, at this time in my life, would be astounding.  I loved all the time I spent with him the first 28 years of my life, of course, but my perspective, experiences, etc. would be different now and my listening in a different context.  He will be forever loved and missed.  Our family always said, "we wish he would have written a book" -- I feel that way now more than ever.

July 1, 1995

I hope my daughters get to dance with their grandfathers on their wedding days :)

Alright, now, let me try to get Friday FAVORITES out on time (closer to noon then midnight) this week ;)

The link-up is hosted by Erika and Andrea, who I believe are both starting their Spring Break today!!

While I was looking for the above picture in my wedding album I snapped a pic of this too:

Wow, who would have thought???  Who could have known???  One of most FAVORITE days ever.  I put that dress on, just for fun, last year:

Ummmmm. . .don't worry. . .it's not like it zipped up in the back or anything!!  My dad was here and his wife was looking at our album and asking about the dress. . .I even still had my shoes!  Anyway, it was a fun little dress-up session and then back it went. . .I don't know why I keep it (I believe my sister used my veil?) but it's a beautiful reminder of a perfect day and start to a season of life as a Bell that is lasting longer then it ever was as a Foster.

Some Bell cousins came over to visit on Saturday and brought some old photos -- this one is of my children's grandfather and his brother.  We were commenting on the Bell likeness that runs in our oldest:

Below a recent picture of Robert (on left) at one of his college buddy's wedding:

(The only similarity these two have??  They are both named Robert - ha!)

But, back to the point, I love the generational attributes that are passed down.

We have another "Bell" girl and then two that are "Fosters".  And every mix-up possible:

male, blond hair, blue eyes

female, blond hair, blue eyes

female, blond hair, brown eyes

male, brown hair, brown eyes

Each with a parent with those hair and eye colors :)

And, anyone who gets to know them says "how did you have 4 kids in 5 years, raise them all together, and they are all so different??"  Anyone else out there like that????

My family is my FAVORITE.

Boating season is a FAVORITE too -- almost here!!!

This is a sure sign of spring:

Our FAVORITE doggy finding the sun as soon as it's warm enough to lay out there in it.

She's in a t-shirt b/c she was jumped at a local dog part 2 weeks ago and had to have surgery :(

She's healing well and will get those stitches out next week.  And yes, we have been back (haven't seen that particular dog though) and just leave the t-shirt on to protect the wound.  

Nothing better then beginning the weekend with this weather report!!  Sunshine is always a FAVORITE!

Excellent book.  Easily five stars and a FAVORITE from this week.  

A tale of two artists, living 78 years apart in a small Southern town, and the third artist who links them. The fates of two white painters in Edenton, North Carolina, intertwine with the legacy of a third, that of Jesse Jameson Williams, a prominent African American artist with Edenton roots.

Even though we are not "t.v. watchers" we do sit down to relax at night together to watch something that doesn't require much attention.  We just finished Fixer to Fabulous and really liked it.  I like Dave and Jenny so much and my favorite episode, by far, (I watched it twice -- once on HGTV a long time ago and just last week with Tom) was her parent's renovation.  What a neat family they seem to be!

Additionally, all the kids were randomly home last weekend (and not one picture -- ugh!!!) and we watched American Underdog.

Another "highly recommend" to watch :)

Lastly, I feel like a broken record, but I can't wait for the spring/summer season!!! I got some items out this week and refreshed them -- added some stuff to the wreaths and painted an old brown pot.  Now to get a new plant in that pot and start working in the yard!!  My FAVORITE days are spent outside :)

Here's hoping for a great weekend to anyone reading today!!  Nothing is on the books -- so unusual.  Maybe I'll talk Tom into some house projects???

Jenni