Oh for a short squat coffee pot

Before this soon-to-be-sweltering summer-in-spring day gets too much further underway, I must break from my wedding tales to tell you about yesterday.

First let me say:

I hope your Mother's Day was as interesting, fun, productive, and love-filled as mine.

Our pastor pointed out that not everyone gets a warm, fuzzy feeling when it comes to Mother's Day. I'd fall somewhere on that spectrum but I do enjoy the holiday.

Naturally we went to Sunday services in the morning. Our church treats the mothers (maybe all ladies) to breakfast during the Sunday School hour.

Also naturally, I don't go to that.

I'd rather have my elongated breakfast (mainly coffee) time at home, and show up for the worship hour. And who's to argue? Not TG. So that's what we did.

Afterwards we wended homeward in the already-boiling 95-degree heat. And it's not even especially humid yet. I'm happy to report that a break in the weather is due to occur tomorrow, along with some rain.

I am looking forward to that. More humidity, okay, but less heat, also okay.

Audrey had planned a light lunch of salads and sandwiches with chips and salsa washed down with cold soft drinks, together with pies and cookies and of course, coffee with the dessert course.

Dagny has been feeling under the weather for several days. She had a mini-meltdown at the start of church, and TG had to take her out into the lobby to comfort her.

Upon returning to the family pew, she fell fast asleep on Uncle Andrew's shoulder. Audrey said she'd also fallen asleep that morning after being dressed for church and waiting for her mom to finish getting ready.

Audrey had been conflicted about whether to bring her to church at all, but her symptoms were more malaise-like than actual fever or upset-this-or-that or worse, so she came ahead, not wanting to miss Mother's Day.

When it was time for the little ones to go to Children's Church, Dagny woke up and said she was keen to attend. So she did, and she seemed fine an hour later when it was time to go home.

She rode with TG and me -- recently when she graduated into a bigger car seat, we bought one for our car when Audrey got a new one for her own -- and I heard her happily munching on goldfish crackers en route.

Normally we don't eat in Mamaw's car but I know she is careful, and I was glad that her appetite -- which has been AWOL for a few days -- was present enough to handle a snack.

When we got home however, and settled in, I got busy putting the finishing touches on an ambrosia pie and making fresh egg salad as part of our lunch spread.

When Audrey arrived, having gone home to change clothes, gather her supplies, and bring a change of outfit for Dagny, she wondered where the little one was.

I said I hadn't heard her voice in at least fifteen minutes, but as I'd been preoccupied, I assumed she was in the TV room playing with her toys.

Turns out she'd crawled up beside TG and fallen fast asleep on his shoulder. Three naps before lunchtime.

Hmmmm. Puzzling.

When lunch was served, however, she revived and seemed to feel better, and even ate a few bites. Child does love a get-together with presents. She thinks every other day is a birthday party.

At church again that night, Dagny's color was improved and her spirits appeared to be at near-normal Dagny-like levels. 

Even so, Audrey plans a wee trip to the pediatrician, just to be sure nothing major is amiss.

Meanwhile, we ate our salads and sandwiches and blue corn chips with chunky salsa, then had pie -- if you didn't want the homemade ambrosia, there was a Kenny's Key Lime -- and soft cookies brought by Chad and Erica, along with a fresh pot of coffee.

Then it was time for presents. Speaking of coffee, Erica got me the short, fat Bodum Chambord French Press coffee maker I've been hankering after for a number of years.

I now have four, count them, four, Bodum Chambords in varying sizes from single-cup to make-a-pot-for-a-crowd. I love them all. The little rotund version is just so cute.

For the past few years I've been much enamored of a Secura double-walled stainless steel French Press that I found for a great price on Amazon.

But it's about to get a break because my new one is my new favorite. It will be pressed into service (pun intended) every morning for the foreseeable future.

Erica also gave me an oversized cake of scented soap (I love those) in gardenia fragrance, as she knows how partial I am to that flower.

Other gifts were just as charming. Audrey gave me a coffee table book about the department stores Goudchaux's and Maison Blanche, famous Baton Rouge retail establishments that I remember visiting with my own late Mamaw.

I can't wait to read it. Let it get as hot and humid as it wants; I have a reading spot in my sun room that's well-lit and cool.

Audrey and Dagny also gave me some dog stickers, with which to decorate my mail. I'm as partial to dogs as I am to gardenias and books and soaps and glass bottles and non-electric coffee pots.

Speaking of glass bottles, Andrew and Brittany gave me the darling Rae Dunn creation you see at the top of this post, and in the picture directly above. Brittany thought the decoration brought to mind a pirate tattoo. She is absolutely correct.

I have no ink but if I were ever tempted (to give you a vague idea of when that is likely to occur, pigs will fly first), that may be the design I'd choose.

But the kids know I love glass and isn't this cute with the bubbles still inside? I find it both awesome and awe-inspiring.

Stephanie had sent me some earrings tucked inside a card, along with a gift receipt because she worried that they were too big. Whaaaaat? I say, go big or go home.

The best thing I got was not presents but the presence of my children (three out of four is not bad) on Mother's Day, and the love of all four (plus my two handsome sons-in-law and my darling daughter-in-law) every day.

I hope that whatever Mother's Day brought you, you are well and happy and content as this new week begins.

And that is all for now.

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Happy Monday 

Comments

[Sally]

How wonderful, Jenny! I'm so glad you had a wonderful Mother's Day with your family. I hope that little Dagny is going to be ok; prayers!

It appears you're set for coffee 'pots'. :)

Well, I cooked peas and okra, baked sweet potato's, rice and fried cornbread for my daughter and I. It was a very quiet day, but we lived to live it. Mother's Day is very difficult for Patti, as you can imagine.

xoxo

xoxo

[Mari]

Sounds like a most wonderful day! I love Rae Dunn stuff and that mug that says Mine - so cute!
And speaking of cute, that picture of Dagny with TG is just adorable. It's no wonder Dagny thinks life is a party. It really is in your family!

[Sally]

Did I forget to say how beautiful you look with your new earrings. Well you do.
I love them on you!
XOXO

[Jennifer]

@Sally ... thank you and yes, I can imagine how your Patti suffers. Some days just have to be got through, don't they? God bless you and your family. xoxo

@Mari ... I know, when we saw her sleeping there it was just so cute with the light from the iPad making their faces glow! Poor little thing was wiped out. I think she's better now. xoxo

[Cheryl]

You do have a love affair with coffee because who else would collect coffee presses? I'll have to admit that I do like the looks of them. I have one that Alan ordered from ebay....not for me, but for himself. My coffee is just "bothered water."

Now those earrings are to die for!!! They look great on you. Yeah, go big or go home! I love that!

I hope that Dagny is better today. Some how, it doesn't seem right that she was so fatigued. Maybe the heat got to her. Hope that she is back to her old self soon. God bless!

[Jennifer]

@Cheryl ... bothered water ... that's funny! Reminds me of my late in-laws. They used to say they'd drink plain hot water if they had to. I need my coffee fresh, hot, and strong. I'm glad you like my earrings and I hope you had a lovely Mother's Day! We believe Dagny had a little virus but she is 100% and loving life now. xoxo

[Barb]

Quite the Mother's Day celebration at your house! I love French press but can't have all the caffeine. I gave mine to my son who roasts his own beans. I come from a strong coffee line of women - I used to say you had to cut my mother's with a knife! Poor Dagny - when little ones are that tired something is brewing. Glad she feels better now. Those filagree earrings are perfect on you - your daughter chose well. Hope your rain came and cooled everything down a tad. It's been nice at the beach - in 60's but sunny.

[Jennifer]

@Barb ... ahhhh for weather in the sixties! At the beach! Sounds ideal. We did get the very welcome rain but with it came the cloying humidity. It's sunny now but we may get a drop or two later. TG is busy trying to get the pool open, meanwhile having come down with the same little "bug" Dagny had. Something's going around. xoxo