Monday, October 19, 2015

Dinner With Ben and Other Monday Things

I do so love a good Monday!
 Especially when one of my kids come over for dinner!


When we took Ben out for his birthday in August, I took out my packet calendar and we wrote in a Monday for October to get together again for dinner and a visit. 
Today was the day!!


I planned my menu around things I already had!
What I thought were beef ribs were actually pork!
That's what I get for dividing a large package of meat up and not labeling it!!


Louis Dean was back at work on his projects today!
This morning I gave him 3 things for a Honey Do List.
Only 3! Fill the bird feeders, get the water fountains running again and repair a lamp.
He did the all PLUS some!!!


Turning a bird bath into a fountain was an idea he had several years ago and I'm surprised how well it's held up!


Louis Dean especially loves this kind of flower. I forgot its name but he bought three large plants last year and they bloomed like crazy right up until Christmas!
This year they didn't come back - even though they are perennials - until recently!
Guess the spring was too wet and then the summer was too hot for them!


By 4:00 I had the food ready and the house clean. Louis Dean was dressed and we put our feet up and enjoyed a little rest before Ben arrived.


My son loves home cooking and as a single guy living alone, he doesn't get that everyday!
You can't go wrong with baked beans and I knew he would love Red Lobster's Cheddar Biscuits!
Dessert was spiced apples cooked in an old Miracle Maid waterless skillet. I used that skillet for years and then gave it to Summer. SHE used it for a few years and then gave it back to me. It is really worn looking but I still love it!


Ben has always loved POT MEALS!!
When he was younger and it was just the two of us living here, he would tell me, "Mom, just cook a BIG pot of food and I'll eat it!"


Here he is!!! My pride and joy and the child of my old age!!!
Isn't he handsome??
His aunts dote on him and Nita told me to remind him of Thanksgiving and he said since she asked him first - he was definitely coming! Deanie told me to give him a hug for her and tell him how handsome he is!

He and Louis Dean talked about martial arts and exercising as we ate dinner.
That must have stayed in my mind after he left and Louis Dean went in to soak in a hot tub.....he's still a bath tub kind of guy! I finished the dishes and took the trash out - and then decided to get Lucy and get in a good walk! I must have started out overly ambitious because I walked a far piece before remembering I had to walk BACK!! I was huffing and puffing by the time I reached  home!
Two big glasses of water and a 15 minute rest and I was back with the program - so I went the 'extra mile' and did a Tai Chi workout - which was MUCH easier than that long walk. 

It's been a lovely Monday! Lucy and Maddie are already in bed and Louis Dean is waiting for me to finish up this journal entry so we can watch a program before bed.
The heat of the day is gone now and with the attic fan on, it is chilly! Chilly enough that I have a light blanket draped over my shoulders.
Should be good sleeping weather to night!


15 comments:

Novabella said...

Are those plants hibiscus? It is often slow to return...
Love the photos of home cooking-- very inviting!

Estelle's said...

I can relate to your happiness all too well....when the youngest "grown" child comes home to dinner! You want to cook a feast! Yes, Ben is handsome and I know how much he must love coming home to his Mama! What a festive fall evening...life is good!!

Susie said...

Linda, Looks like you and LD are back into the swing of things...You having a nice dinner and Him repairing. I loved what Ben said," Cook a big pot of food and I'll eat it." Love that. He is a cutie. All your kids have dimples. :):) Glad all of you had a wonderful time together. Blessings,love you, Susie

MadSnapper said...

we are having sleeping weather to.. and i love that flower... it must be a type of hibiscus but none that we have. i raised my kids on pot meals and now bob gets them to because i am all about the easiest way to put food on the table. i love red lobster biscuits. and Ben is truly handsome.

Arlene G said...

Sounds like the perfect day Linda. Your Ben is a cutie....

Vee said...

Well your big pot of food looks mighty deliciious! Did you also send Ben home with leftovers? With those kinds of dinners, I am shocked that he had to be reminded about Thanksgiving. =D Wait a minute...to Aunt Nita's? Is that where everyone is going this year?

Vee said...

some days I can spell "delicious."

Cheapchick said...

What a lucky son - dinner looks fabulous. After seeing the Red Lobster cheddar biscuits on your blog and whining because we couldn't get them in Canada - what did I see at Costco two weeks ago? Red Lobster cheddar biscuits!! I've already made one batch, and yes, they do taste just like the restaurant - Yummy!

Debbie said...

Your dinner looks delicious! and what a handsome son you have. Your Monday sounds wonderful, and productive. Doesn't get any better than that!!
Debbie
xo

BeachGypsy said...

That looks like an amazing supper! Yum!

BeachGypsy said...

That looks like an amazing supper! Yum!

NanaDiana said...

What a handsome son you have there...your baby. Sounds like he is the joy of your heart-my youngest son is that also.
You are so lucky to have Louis Dean that is able to DO THINGS for you! My hubby is good but inept when it comes to fixing things-anything!
Your meal looks wonderful!!! xo Diana

Nonnie said...

The pic of you and your son is so precious. He is a handsome one. All the food looks good enough to eat! Good job, LD!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very handsome son Linda. It's great when our kids visit. I know he appreciated the home cooked meal. Your hubby Louis Dean is a very handy guy. xo

Carla said...

Yep it's the the walk back that always hurts..LOL
Man that food looked delicious but then it always does,
And yes Mr Ben is very handsome.