It’s the last Friday of August and time once again to reflect on and share the week’s blessings. Thanks to Susanne at Living to Tell the Story for starting this weekly exercise.
1. More family time. My oldest son was here through last Sunday morning. This was a quieter than usual visit with no major outings except to each other’s houses, but we all enjoyed just hanging out, talking, and playing games.
2. My birthday. My family always goes out of their way to make my birthday special. Mittu made this pretty and tasty Texas Sheet cake.
3. Family photos. When everyone’s here, we try to get a photo of us all together.
4. Cracker Barrel take-out. Monday night, I had a craving for Cracker Barrel’s meat loaf. That’s not even what I usually get there, but for some reason I was hankering for it that night. I asked Jim if he’d mind getting take-out from there for dinner. It’s not his favorite restaurant, but he indulged me. Thankfully, he said what he got there (their Monday special of chicken and rice and a salad) was the best meal he’d ever had from there. Mine hit the spot, too.
I had also been wanting to try their biscuit beignets, so we split an order of those for dessert. They were so good. We had enough left over to last for a few days.
5. Haircut coupon. When I don’t need a haircut, I see coupons for the place I go all the time on Facebook. When I am looking for one, I can’t find one. Their FB page (and phone app) just has ads, not coupons. We’ve had coupons pop up on sites after we’ve discussed the business or the product, which is creepy. But I decided to see if I could work the system this time. 🙂 As I scrolled through FB, I kept repeating the business name out loud. “OK, Facebook, I need a coupon for _______.” “Hey, Facebook, where are your coupons for _______?” Nothing happened. I force-closed the FB app and opened it again–and there was my $5 off coupon right at the top. 🙂
When I told the stylist about this, she said next time I see a coupon but am not quite ready to use it, I can just take a screenshot. All they really need is the coupon code. Good to know for next time.
How was your last week of August?
Stray Thoughts 
I refuse to put the FB app on my phone because like you said, those algorithms of ads or things we “like” or talk about start coming to my inbox on my email!! I only access FB through my laptop now and my inbox is much quieter…but that’s cool to know about the coupons! Glad you scored one!
A lovely family photo and the birthday celebration for you was so pretty…the theme….and that cake looks yummy!
My husband enjoys Cracker Barrel but where we live, to get to one, is a drive so we don’t often go and now that we have a chick fil a he always wants that. I prefer more plant based food so i tend to head to a mediterranean restaurant here in town for take out. This summer I’ve done a lot of cooking as we are trying to cut back on money from fast food and fatty foods for Dave (he is 25 lbs overweight and really needs to lose). Tomorrow though we have a gift certificate from the ladies in my book group (a xmas gift!) that I found on my desk so we are going to use it. It’s for a beautiful family owned restaurant here in our town that we haven’t been to in a long time. I’m super excited I won’t have to cook! 🙂
Sounds like lots of great happenings in your family. I love coupons, too. Have a wonderful and blessed weekend. 🙂
I love finding coupons for the things I need! It’s like a little treat. Family photos are the best. Happy birthday.
Very interesting about the coupon for the haircut.
The family photo is so nice, Barbara. I know you were happy to have all of your family together. Timothy is really getting tall!
Isn’t it odd how we get those cravings for things we don’t normally get at a restaurant when we are dining there? I’m glad that you got your meatloaf and that Jim was pleased with his meal as well. The dessert you shared sounds really good.
Take care, my friend. xx
Having the family together and getting a photo is my favorite of your faves.
And Happy Birthday to you! Mittu always goes above and beyond on the food, especially the desserts. Too bad we live so far away 🙂
Sometimes what you are craving is what your body is telling you that you need to eat. Meat loaf sounds like a pretty good choice.
I find it sort of creepy too when I’ve just looked at something and there it appears on the side bar of Face Book. I’m glad you found your coupon.
Such a beautiful family. I’m so blessed to know (or at least meet) most of them.
Your cake looks scrumptious. What flavor is it?
Happy Belated Birthday! So much fun to share it with family
Hi Melanie, I hope you are doing well!
haha on the haircut coupon! Is it Great Clips? I get annoyed with them; followed them on social media for coupons but often the ones that pop up say they’re good in a different city from where I live. Usually I can’t know whether or not mine will be accepted until I get there …!
Nice photo; a good one for the Christmas card! I have already regretted that we didn’t get a family photo at my dad’s funeral because I don’t know that everyone will be together again in 2026.
Yay too on the good Cracker Barrel meal! I like much of their food (much I can’t eat, but anyway), but the last time or two I’ve been to ours it’s been so crazy busy/crowded and very loud in the dining room. The experience hasn’t been that great. Hopefully it will improve!
Okay, #5 sounds just a little bit creepy! But I’m glad you got your coupon and haircut. I wonder if they’d give you a birthday coupon…
That is sweet that you all could be together and just enjoy quiet time together. That’s a lovely family photo.
Good things for your birthday week. What a blessing.
Happy birthday, Barbara! I loved seeing the photo of your family and I’m glad they made your big day special. And yay for Cracker Barrel! We never used to go there until my daughter Lilly got job a waitressing there when she was in college. That was several years ago and it’s still on our list of favorites. 🙂
Happy Birthday. That Texas Sheet cake sure looks good!
Happy Birthday! Wow, I love a Texas sheet cake! I like the cards you made too. I don’t have a Cracker Barrel near me, but meatloaf sounds good. I haven’t made one in a long time. Maybe I will this fall when the weather is cooler! Have a great weekend!
Hope you had a great birthday. The cake looks delicious! And yes, FB is creepy that it works that way. But glad you got it to work for you. 🙂
Happy belated birthday to you! I love how your family makes celebrations so special! Love the family photo! Timothy has gotten so tall! I’ve never been to a cracker Barrel. We don’t have them here in Alberta, at least that I know of. The whole FB “listening” thing is very creepy and I’ve just very recently had an experience with it that had nothing to do with business and was more of a personal thing. It was shocking to say the least. Glad you figured out a way to get your coupn out of it, though.