We’re officially halfway through 2024. Can you believe it? On Fridays I take a few moments to join with Susanne and friends at Living to Tell the Story to slow down and be thankful for the good things of the past week.
1. Guys’ camping trip. Jim, Jason, and Timothy went camping for a few days about an hour from here. I drove up on Friday for a few hours and ate dinner with them. Jim made what his mom used to call hobo packets: a burger patty (we used turkey burgers) with potatoes and vegetables seasoned and wrapped with foil, that could be given out, and these men would cook them over their campfires. Jim put frozen French fries in his, which I thought might get soggy. But they didn’t, probably because the turkey burgers were less greasy than ground beef. It was a good meal and a nice time to visit outdoors. Then I got to come home to my own bed and AC. 🙂 (Mittu didn’t come because she wasn’t feeling well.)
I passed a Dunkin Donuts on the way there and decided to stop and get a box of Munchkins on the way back. I don’t actually like their donuts much, but I like the Munchkins. Plus their box triggers special memories for me: when my mother’s father used to come visit us, he always brought a box of Dunkin Donuts. I can hardly see their logo without thinking of him.
2. Easy meals. Monday, Jim said he had a couple of his uncooked “hobo packets” still in the RV refrigerator and asked if I wanted to use them for dinner. Sure! Then Tuesday night, I came into the kitchen to start dinner and saw that he already had. Wednesday night, I used a package of frozen shredded chicken to make chicken tacos.
3. Lunch with a friend. Melanie and I used some accumulated gift cards for lunch at Red Lobster. Thankfully, most restaurants that we go to don’t mind if we hang around and talk for an hour or more after we finish eating (and the places aren’t crowded at lunch time, so we’re not keeping anyone else from being seated). We even thought to take a picture this time.
4. A love note with a newly-bloomed wildflower. We planted wildflowers from seeds this year, though we probably started them a little late. This one was one of the first flowers to show up.
5. Independence Day. Our country is not perfect and has its share of problems, but I am immensely glad that I was born here. We enjoyed burgers and sides with the family and played games. They brought over sparklers and “Pop-its.” We saw a few bigger fireworks displays, but most were obscured by trees.
Bonus: Catching up on housework. With the last several weeks being extra busy, I had gotten behind on things that didn’t absolutely have to be done. Housework is not my favorite thing to do, but I do like the results. And dusting gave me a chance to listen to my Dickens audiobook.
Another bonus. A literal empty nest. I’ve shown pictures over the last few weeks of a bird’s nest, then eggs, then baby birds in our front flower arrangement. I think they were house finches. They are gone already! That was quick. They left quite a mess. I thought I could salvage some of the flowers, but I ended up throwing them all away. Even though we enjoyed having them, it will be nice to use our front door normally without fear of startling the mama bird.
That’s our first week of July. How was yours?
Stray Thoughts 
How fun to meet up with the guys and spend time with them at their campsite. I kind of miss camping but with my back issues, I’m thankful that era is over with for us.
So nice to see you and Melanie together! i enjoy both of your blogs!!
I love it when my husband helps with the cooking! and yay for having time to do some housework while enjoying a book!
I also planted wildflowers in deck containers this spring. They’re coming up nicely except for the pot i put by the fire pit which bunnies have been nibbling on. hahah
I hope you have a blessed weekend.
You had such a lovely week, Barbara. I so enjoyed seeing the picture of you and Melanie! Thank you for sharing that. What a sweet gesture from your husband with the first flower on the note he left for you. Have a wonderful weekend.
Hi Barbara! I think it so cool that you and Melanie frequently meet up for lunch! Friendships made through blogging are awesome. Sounds like you had a nice week. That note from your husband with the flower is just the sweetest. I hope you have a nice weekend. See you again soon!
I remember versions of hobo packets 🙂 How nice for the guys to go camping and you got some time to yourself at home, too. Win/win. It’s so nice to see a photo of you and Melanie. Having company over for 4th of July prompted me to do some housework. It feels good to have everything clean and tidy.
The camping trip sounds like a lot of fun for everyone. My parents used to do what you did. They would get a hotel nearby and then come to our campsite for meals and fun.
Your time with Melanie was a good thing too. Glad you have a friend and fellow blogger living so close to you.
Hurray for getting your household chores done (I am sure all the dust will be waiting for me when I get home…)
Fun 4th of July! Have a good weekend!
Yes, yes! Every year goes by faster and faster. Sounds like you had a great week and with bonuses, too 🙂
I like your style of visiting your camping family for a meal and hanging out. I’d have thought frozen fries would be soggy, too. Shame they don’t crisp up, though.
Ah, finally, a photo of the two of you enjoying your time together. That’s very sweet.
Love the gift of the first of wildflowers (looks like a pink bachelor’s button). Glad you had a good time together celebrating Independence Day.
Well, I hope you didn’t need all of Dickens to get through your housework. Many of the stories I’ve listened to are around 34 hours!
Those hobo packets sound easy and very good! A whole meal in one.
I always enjoy our lunches together. I timed from our arrival at the restaurant to when we left and it was a bit under 3 hours. Always fun!
I’m glad you were able to visit with the campers for a meal and then go home to AC. That sounds like my kind of camping trip! LOL
That is a quick exit of the baby birds. But what a unique experience!
Have a great weekend!
Lots of good stuff this week! I too LOVE weeks with some ‘easy meals’ 🙂 I love that you took a picture at your friend lunch. My friend and I are usually out for over an hour too, so I’m glad restaurants don’t seem to mind. The note/flower are so sweet!
I love that picture of you and Melanie together. My cousin and I met up and we chatted for 4 hours! We had to order dessert and thankfully the restaurant was not too busy. I remember camping with my siblings and their families. My parents stayed at a local hotel and joined us for part of the day. We have not camped since the kids were teens and not they are 35-43. Have a great weekend!