My Beauty Secrets

Traditional Talbots

Tuesday, September 2, 2025

My Summer in the Rearview





I hope all is well in your world and that you had an enjoyable Summer. We stayed close to home, took care of some projects, read a lot, met friends for lunches and happy hours, cheated at pickleball, walked our tails off, and got matching facelifts.

Okay, that's not true.
We didn't walk our tails off.



As you may have guessed, the highlight of our Summer was our one and only sweet, funny, curious, beautiful grandchild, Lucy.



Lucy's vocabulary is growing every day.



One word she is not saying is my chosen name, Lovey. Her mother greeted me at the door one day, with Lucy in her arms, who was waving and repeating the words "Bye-Bye!" Her mother burst out laughing, and Lucy giggled because she loves to make her Mama laugh. My granddaughter then referred to me as Bye-Bye during the remainder of my visit.

It's lucky I'm not sensitive. 



We ended the Summer with lunch and shopping at the American Girl Store.  



Lucy was in her glory!  The store was practically empty, so Lucy had the run of the place.  

She must have uttered her catchphrase, wut dis? at least a hundred times!



These dishes aren't gonna wash themselves!



The bright pink dining room is what little girl dreams are made of.  Every table is equipped with little highchairs for the guest dolls.  



Lucy is telling me her age and not asking for the check.



I told Lucy that I would buy her the store if she called me Lovey.  
 I think you can guess her response from her expression.



Thanks for buying me all the cool stuff, Grandpa!
Tell old what's-her-name I said bye-bye.



Lucy's Mommy and Daddy are very excited about moving into their beautiful new home this month.






I am happy to report that my #2 and Darling Will are still going strong.  She started a new job over the Summer, which she loves. 



 

We had some wonderful lunches with the Adorables.
The Misters chat about tools and appliances while Mrs. A and I talk about Lucy, Lucy, Lucy!!






I had some fun girl lunches.  This is KariAnne from the blog Thistlewood Farms.


Melissa has been a loyal reader for years. We finally met a while ago when we both moved to Texas. Now we meet for a catch-up lunch every month.

Note to self:  if my next life, I need to ask for long legs.







Our #2 and Darling Will introduced us to our new favorite restaurant, Bar Sardine.  It only has eight or nine tables, a limited menu, and delicious food.



My #1 loves it too!!











I enjoyed working with Cotton Print Company, which has beautiful table linens and pillow covers.








When we chose the sofas for this house, I wanted to stay neutral so that I could give the room a different look by changing out the pillows.  I originally had navy and green, and I think these give a softer look.  You can find them here.



      We also replaced our blue/white check chairs with navy leather recliners because the Mister is old.







This was the Mister's summer project. No, he didn't build it, but he did design it. Within the next few weeks, I will write a blog post highlighting some of its unique features. 




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We celebrated Adopt A Bobcat Week. Mama bobcat was teaching her little ones how to hunt.  After three days of sporadic visits to our patio, they realized the cupboard was bare and moved on.

When you are retired, bobcat watching is considered an art as well as the highest form of entertainment.






I kept my resolution of doing weight training three times a week.
* for two weeks.



Caroline of @carolinescircuits has some great lifting tips for middle-aged women.
Best part: it's working!  I could pass for her twin.








I played a lot of pickleball this Summer.  Yes, my fellow picklers are still cheaters.

Speaking of cheaters, guess who else is playing!  If you guessed the Mister, you would be right.  I  played with him once, and promptly called the divorce lawyer.   






The Mister and I did a lot of reading as Millie slipped into the role of our emotional support animal.
She gives 52 lbs. worth of support.  







I joined LTK, so now you can find all the products I mention on the blog or Instagram in one place. Click here to check it out.  There is also a button on my sidebar.


I want to welcome my new followers.  Just as a heads up...
  Some days I am more entertaining than others.  







Preppy Empty Nester
Preppy Empty Nester

Thanks for stopping by my blog. Feel free to contact me through comments and email. I love to hear from my readers!

19 comments:

  1. Yay, happy to have you back!! 🎉. Looking forward to your first book review of the season!

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  2. The only good thing about the end of summer is that you are back! I can’t believe how much Lucy is #s clone! She’s a doll and the pictures show her adorable personality ❤️

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  3. Oooh, sounds like you had a brilliant summer, Sis, and I'm beyond impressed with the LTK affiliation. I'm also loving your newly acquired hobbies. However, I think I'll hold off on the Bobcat front. Welcome back, Bye-Bye.

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  4. Ah, to laugh again! I’ve missed you. Sure love to see you in my inbox.

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  5. Lucy is TOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO darling !!

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  6. Seeing your email arrive in my inbox today made my day!

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  7. You are ALWAYS entertaining!! It sounds like you had a great summer. We've missed you. I love the built-in cabinet that your hubby designed!

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  8. Lucy is just beautiful, full of smiles and such a happy personality. It’s fun to hear her talk as long as she calls you beautiful and that you are her favorite.
    It sounds like you had a great summer. I will be happy when October rolls around and look forward to much cooler temps.
    If you both had face lifts, who ever did the work did an awesome job. Gave you the tested look. You both look great.

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  9. So glad you’re back and had a great summer. Your posts make me laugh out loud! Such a clever writer. My kind of humor!

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  10. I loved catching up on everything that you have been up to this summer. That "little peanut" is getting cuter by the minute...if that's possible! As a Munchkin size person...I always say " in my next life I'm coming back at 5'8" tall with long arms!!

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  11. So happy to see your return! It was like an old friend dropping by to see me! And that Lucy! She is so precious and couldn't be cuter if she tried!

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  12. So happy you are back!!

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  13. Welcome back! Do you have a link for the dinnerware with the blue floral border? It's lovely! Thank you.

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  14. Seeing your blog in my inbox put a smile on my face.

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  15. Welcome back! Glad you had a fun summer with your family! Looking forward to reading your blog this upcoming year!

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  16. Thanks for another entertaining post! (For all the new people, sometimes she's entertaining and sometimes she's REALLY entertaining!) :) And look at that little Lucy! What a sweetheart. Welcome back - now I know fall is here!

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  17. That sounds like you had a wonderful summer!

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  18. Oops, pressed send too fast. Also, looking fwd to hearing all about the mister's summer project. looks beautiful!

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  19. Oh wonderful to read about your sumner adventures🥰🥰🥰🥰 miss lucy is dolly ! Adorable 😍. Bye bye 😆

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