What a wonderful weekend!  After a hectic few weeks I got to spend this weekend focused on my family.  I finally got to watch the movie the Blindside.  What a wonderful story for Mother's Day weekend.  I was so blessed to grow up with both my parents.  I've never wondered where I might sleep or if I would be able to eat my next meal.  Thank God for people willing to take in children in need.  Our Sunday School class is studying a book on prayer.   A recent chapter focused on praying for God to expand our territory.  I am one of those people that likes to have a plan or agenda, but God doesn't always give us the agenda ahead of time.  This is very scary for me.  I just pray and trust he will prepare me for whatever he has in mind.  As I watched this movie I thought about the chapter from the prayer book.  The family that took in Michael Oher really had their territory expanded by opening their home to this young man.  I'm still nervous about what God has in mind, but I do pray for him to expand my territory for His purpose.

• Spring Festival at the elementary school (my son spent all of his tickets trying to win a goldfish- no luck)
• Daughter's dance recital
• Favorite BBQ sandwiches
• Time at the Pond- kiddos played on the zip line
• Slept late and cuddled w/the kiddos
• Favorite amaretto flavored coffee
• Brunch prepared by brother-in-law
• Fishing -even though the fish were not biting
• Pimento Cheese on homemade rolls
• Watched the Blindside
• A nap

If the end of the school year for my kids were not hectic enough, I think I have been attempting to do everything peopl ask of me.  Yesterday and again today, I feel absolutely exhausted.  Monday night I presided over an organizational meeting for the PTO at the local elementary school.  My daughter's dance rehearsal was extra long yesterday due to the upcoming recital.  I missed my son's first baseball game due to a meeting.  I'm scheduled to go to a meeting Monday night and Tuesday night of next week, but tonight I made an executive decision.  I'm cancelling all appearances at meetings until after baseball season.  I realize my exhaustion comes from trying to do too much, but I also think I trully miss being at the game last night.  My favorite day of the year (Mother's Day) is fast approaching and I'm glad I had to opportunity to stop and think about what is important to me.  The meetings will go on without me.  This few days has reminded me of a devotion I read over and over again at the beginning of every year- it reminds me when I put on a new hat I must take off an old one.  Lately, I've been adding to my collection, but forgetting to purge.  I've got way too many hats.

I'm so glad I was reminded of this before the weekend.  I got so excited about my revelation I have already packed my bag for the weekend.  As soon as the dance recital is over I'm turning into a beach bum.  The only hat I'm packing for the weekend is the one protecting my head and skin from the sun.  I've even commented to my hubby I wouldn't mind living off popsicles for the weekend.  Life is Good if you Just Say NO!

Hubby and I hosted our fourth annual Derby Party last night. Due to “country cable” the race was not visible on our television so just like the Waltons we listened to the 136th Kentucky Derby. Thank goodness this wasn’t a college football game or we would have moved the party to another location. I took a few pictures, but ended up with the backs of lots of people so I thought I’d share a recipe.

Regardless of the cable situation our friends enjoyed the conversation and munchies. I am usually the type of person that plans every detail weeks in advance, but due to our recent schedules this wasn’t possible. I did end up with fresh crab meat from the “shrimp man”. The night before the party we headed to a specialty grocery store to purchase a few items. I had some ideas for a menu, but it did not come together until I started shopping. I found Old Bay crab seasoning and remoulade sauce while shopping. We also picked up a Greek Artichoke Salad and buttered crostinis. I added some bowtie pasta and extra dressing to the Greek Artichoke Salad to make it a little more filling. The morning of the Derby I went to the local farmer’s market and picked up fresh basil. I also found Mrs. B’s frozen tea biscuits at my local grocery as well as some small tomatoes. From my shopping excursions the Crab Cakes-n-Biscuit appetizer was created. Our menu: Southern Fried Chicken Wings, Crab Cakes-n-Biscuits, Greek Pasta Salad, Pimento Cheese w/Strawberry Preserves on Buttered Crostini, Asparagus w/Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette, Lemon Squares, and Mint Juleps.

Recipe for Crab Cakes-n-Biscuits

1 lb of fresh crab

1 packet Old Bay Crab Cake Seasoning

½ cup Hellman’s Mayonnaise

3 tbsp finely chopped bell pepper

2 tbsp finely chopped onion

Olive oil

2 packages Mrs. B’s Frozen Tea Biscuits

1 container Remoulade Sauce

1 package mini tomatoes (slice just as you would a large tomato)

Fresh basil (36-40 leaves)

Lightly stir crab, seasoning, mayo, bell pepper and onion until combined. Shape mixture into mini crab cakes (I made about 36). Cover the bottom of skillet with olive oil. Heat the skillet to med-high heat. Brown crab cakes. Carefully lift and turn cakes during cooking to brown both sides. Bake Mrs. B’s Frozen Tea Biscuits according to package directions. Brush biscuits with butter during the last few minutes of baking. After removing biscuits from over allow to cool for 10-15 minutes. Slice biscuits.

To assemble: Take top off of biscuit. Place a mini crab cake on bottom biscuit, top with a sprig of basil and tomato slice. Put a dollop of remoulade sauce on inside of biscuit top. Place top back on crab cake, basil, tomato stack. Makes about 36 appetizer servings.

Our friends' wedding was beautiful.  The entire family had a great time.  My sweet daughter danced every song from beginning to end.  We were glad to see the big day come, but felt sad all of the fun leading up to it was over.  Even with the wedding over we had no lack of activities.  The kiddos were in a musical production at church on Sunday.  I wonder how we juggle it all.

The schedule this week:  host a luncheon and Derby party, dance class for daughter, attend a leadership class, two nights of baseball practice for son and sew a Little Bo Peep costume.  When will I work and get things done around the house?  I need a break- thank goodness next Monday is Girls Night Out.  Also Cinco de Mayo party next Tuesday.  I really need a trip to the beach.

Hubby and I have decided to make the Derby party planning a little easier by ordering a few things from the "seafood man".  He comes into town a few times a month to make deliveries.  Looking for a great appetizer recipes w/oysters. The farmers market is also opening this weekend.  Hoping for some fresh tomaotes and homemade bread.   I normally do the traditional Derby fare, but I want to do something different this year even though the juleps are a must have.

We are taking part in a family friend's wedding this weekend.  The festivities began last night as we attend the rehearsal dinner.  Food was scrumptous- Southern Seafood Buffet (Shrimp, Flounder, Crab Cakes, Salmon, Pork Loin, Grits, Asparagus w/Hollandaise, Mixed Veggies)- also Great Salads, Hors D'oeuvres  and Dessert. 

Since we have a brunch and the wedding today, I'm trying to take it easy this morning.  I woke too early and decided to download some pics.  I turned on the television- too many informercials on Saturday morning.  Eventually, I landed on MTV for reruns of The Hills.  Let's just say there was nothing else on television.  Since I work with teens I like to keep up with what is going on in their world.

I happened to watch the episode where Heidi and Spencer get engaged.  In the previous episode Spencer decided to decorate their apartment by airbrushing graffiti on the walls with any input from Heidi.  When he decides to buy the ring he takes along his side kick Brody Jenner.  Spencer enters the store and ask the sales lady to show him the most expensive stuff in the store.  It takes him all of 5 minutes to choose a ring.  He makes no comments about how Heidi might like the ring, her taste, or how it will look on her finger.  He also comments he should put a GPS tracker on her ring.  Where is the romance?  In the next episode he gets buys vintage, arcade size video games for the apartment- again with no input from his bride to be.  Then he gets really angry when she paints over his grafitti.  I'm sure much of what we see on tv is dramatized to make the show interesting, but I hate our kids are encountering such role models. 

Back to the real world where people work for a living and try to be considerate of other people's feelings.

Tuesday is my dear daughter's dance and gymnastics day.  Every Tuesday we head to the local beauty salon to take dance.  Strange I know?  I think I mentioned I live in a small town.  The dance class meets in a room in the back of the salon.  While the dancing is going on I sit in the front of the salon w/another mother.  This day of the week is alway trying as we don't get home until 7:00 p.m.  As we are nearing the end of the school year we are also preparing for the annual dance recital.  Today my sweetie got a new dance costume (wish something I wear would fit in a sandwich baggie)- gold lame leopard print.  I asked my daughter what kind of dance she would be doing in this costume and she promptly responded ballet???  I went on to ask the music they were using for the routine and she replied "Who let the dogs out"-  I think she is a bit confused.

Today, I attended my local Kiwanis Club.  We meet every week at a local establishment.  Each week a member is responsible for hosting a guest speaker.  This week we welcomed a local organic farmer.  The farmer recently moved to our community from Turks and Caicos.  He and his parents purchased a small farm and began planting.  This summer they will offer community supported agriculture program.  Basically, you purchase a share or half share and receive weekly vegetable deliveries.  If you have read about my quest for homegrown tomatoes, you know this is right up my alley.  Sign me up!  Living in a small town is wonderful, but we don't have access to lots of produce one might find in the city.  Currently, I must drive about an hour to purchase herbs and certain produce.  Maybe this summer I will grow my own herbs.

What a wonderful evening in our little town.  We enjoyed dinner at a local fish camp (not really a fish camp- just goes by the name "fish camp") followed by the Art Guild's Spring Show featuring local artist.  Downtown was full of locals and people returning home for the show, 5th Anniversary of the local art gallery, local musicians, downtown dining and more.  Topping the evening off- one of my favorite things to do---polish silver.  Yes, I'm a bit disturbed- I love to polish silver.  A great family friend is marrying so I helped his sister (my flower girl) polish the silver.  Life in a small town is never boring- so much diversity.