Whimsical Wednesday

Oh, the deadlines, test dates, pictures, invitations, test scores, applications, conversations and far away visits that happen in the last lap.

The tears flow unexpectedly and without warning. The memories flood in like a cold, hard rain, and the expectations burst forth like a bright ray of sunshine.

There’s apprehension, excitement, fears, doubts and joys to be had.

Your heart desires to hold on tightly, clinging to all that has been, not wanting to extricate or even peek ahead.

Yet, your head knows the day comes and waits for no man, understanding this is all you’ve worked toward since the day your eyes first met.

Your hands acknowledge the time is beckoning him to fly, and there will be no flight if they don’t release their grasp.

Your soul understands if there is no surrender, his wings will be clipped, and the sorrow will be grave for all involved.

Your feet can feel the earth begin to tremble; you question is that the ground or the foundation of your dreams.

For they’re no longer your hopes, your visions, your aspirations; they must become his as he pursues the calling within.

The smiles savored and the grief in farewell is intermingled with the confidence and exhilaration of the promises yet to come.

As you cheer him on for this last lap that will count for a lifetime of yesterdays and tomorrows.

Penned – MG – 12/10/19

Tuesday Treats #192

Sushi Nami

Location: Suwanee, Ga

*a bit late, but better late than never, I suppose! 😊

Ok, let’s preface this post by stating, I am NOT a sushi lover. I’m sorry. I know it’s very trendy right now, and I know a ton of people who love it. This includes my oldest son. If you won’t judge me, I won’t judge you. 😂

My son asked me to meet him here one day, and I agreed. It doesn’t matter if I don’t eat sushi, time spent with your oldest who will be gone next year is both crucial and priceless. Now, that I’ve eaten here, I would eat here again. It was that good…but not because I got sushi.

Let me tell you about the atmosphere first. I can sum it up in two words: Modern Minimalist. It is totally different than many restaurants I frequent, and I liked it. What you see in the pics is exactly what you get. Very simple but nice. The waitress and hostess were both very nice as well.

The menu is pretty extensive on sushi, but they also have a nice array of “I don’t like raw stuff” items. The prices are a bit high on some things, particularly for mid afternoon (not dinner), but it was about what you’d pay at a Hibachi.

Please, excuse the “corner shot” of the sushi and rice pics. My sons had already dove in before I clicked the pic, and when it comes to food, there’s no slowing down a teenage man-child. My oldest ordered the Fire Dragon Roll with a side fried rice bowl. Six came on the plate, and he said it was good, but he wasn’t incredibly thrilled with the spicy tuna on top. He prefers the volcano roll and said he would get that the next time.

My youngest ordered the beef fried rice, and it was amazing. We all took a few bites. I’m not sure how to describe this other than to say this, it had a very clean taste; even though, the flavor was full and wonderfully tasty, it wasn’t like you specifically tasted (individually) the teriyaki, soy sauce or butter that it was cooked in nor did you taste the grease that you typically will taste at a Hibachi. I do believe that is what made the dish so amazing.

I ordered the butternut squash soup and a hot tea. To be honest, I wasn’t real crazy about the tea. It was great tea, which I generally like, but this was so incredibly stout, I added two packs of sugar and even a smidgen of artificial flavor, and it was still overpowering. I’ve not drank matcha green tea, but it almost made me think it might be that. I didn’t complain as I wanted something warm, and I kept trying to convince myself it would grow on me. Sadly, it didn’t. The soup, on the other hand, was absolutely delicious. I was a bit taken aback by the “foam” (see pic) that was in the center when they first presented it. I’m still not sure what it was, and I didn’t eat it, but the soup, with the topping of pumpkin, sunflower and a few others seeds I didn’t know, was incredible. I had gone into the restaurant a bit full from already eating earlier, but I consumed this whole bowl by myself! It was that good.

I will say, this day became a bit aggravating on the wait time. We arrived around 1:30, and we not served our food until about 2:00… and this wasn’t because we waited to order…and they weren’t slammed with customers. There were only two other tables the whole time. Looking at the hours now, I tend to wonder if they are at the end of the lunch portion of their day (the last Hour??), and maybe there was a shift in chefs or something. I’m not sure, but had it taken a bit longer, it would have been beyond ridiculous…not quite a deal breaker on the first run, I suppose, but it could be if it were to happen again.

However, I will definitely meet my son here again, both for the delicious food and for the precious quality time!

I couldn’t Google an actual website, but I am including the Google page for location and phone number. Evidently, there are various locations, and I think this one is rather new.

After searching a bit more, I found this news article that will give you quite a bit more information about this particular location.

Friday Fun Day

Sometimes, you just got to!

Whatever it is. Wherever you are.

However you can make it happen.

Happiness is a perspective. Joy is a choice.

Circumstances and people should never dictate the state of mind nor of heart.

Choose what fun you’ll have today.

Choose what goodness you’ll find.

And smile. Even in the rain.

Penned – MG – 12/7/19

Whimsical Wednesday

*Late post! We will just pretend it’s Wednesday again. 😂

Growing up can be altogether exciting, challenging and frightening…and that’s just for mom!

This year is full of changes, deadlines, memories and plans, and I’m so proud of our son.

We’re excited for what’s to come, but we’re determined not to look too far ahead that we can’t cherish the memories of yesterday and savor the moments right now.

Wherever you are, BE THERE. No matter how whimsical, joyful, painful or confronting that minute might be.

Learn from it. Soak it in, and if it’s not quite what you’d like it to be, work hard to transform it and use it for your good.

If you’ve found that “sweet spot,” enjoy it and don’t take it for granted!

We never know what will be next!

Don’t Hide the Scar

*A little late to posting today. My apologies.

I saw this picture the other day, and it struck a chord in my soul. Sometimes, we work hard to hide the scars we’ve obtained through the valleys of life. Many times, a scar leaves us with the memory of what is broken and marred. Often times, we try to cover the scar with a smile, a laugh or a seeking to remain in the shadows, thinking somehow, if the scar is never seen, the wounds and the pain will magically disappear as well.

I have found this statement to be so very true. “Never be ashamed of a scar. It simply means you were stronger than whatever tried to hurt you.”

Growth, strength and healing is all in perspective. Let truth be your guide. Let love be your light, and let hope be your destiny despite the scars with which you travel.

Hold your head high and embrace those things that remind you of the struggle, of the wrestling for the next breath, and always remember, your scars don’t make you a victim, unless you choose for them to be.

Friday Fun Day

Have you decorated for Christmas yet?

Social media seems to blow up with pictures of Christmas decorating right after Halloween and, then again, the weekend after Thanksgiving.

So, I’ll join in and show you a few of my favorites…

These aren’t fancy decorations, but each one sparks a sweet memory, because they’re each from a childhood. Mine, our oldest and youngest son’s.

I am a sentimental soul; so, I have lots of “favorites” on the tree, but I thought I’d share just a few of the simplest ones today.

What’s a few of your favorites?

Do you love or despise Christmas?

What is one of your favorite memories of the holidays?

Hope you have a Friday Fun Day!

Happy Thanksgiving to You!

Today was full of good food, fun family moments and even a beautiful hike in the North Georgia mountains. I do hope you and yours had a wonderful day as well.

Yet, all of this reminds me there are so many who aren’t as blessed. There are so many people in this nation who grieve on this day. There are more who are alone, desperate and afraid. My heart breaks for those, and I will allow it to challenge my heart but not change it to pure sorrow.

For if I allow the heartbreak of the world to keep my joy in the shadows, then I’ve not learned from their loss, I’ve only grown in pity.

Yet, if I will allow it to confront my soul and draw me to repentance, gratefulness and awareness of the blessings I’ve received, then I have grown in wisdom and understanding.

If I allow it to divert my eyes to the less fortunate, and it causes my hands to reach out with love and graciousness, then I will have grown in hope and learned from His goodness.

Let us cherish the grace we have found.

Let us treasure the blessings we’ve been bestowed.

Let us never neglect the chance we have been given to share hope and compassion with another.

I pray this Thanksgiving will not only be a day we celebrate, but I pray it will be a season in which we abide.

Whimsical Wednesday

Saw this post today, and I loved it. Such a true statement to the reality of life and to Thanksgiving. If you only give thanks for the happy times and the moments when you have all you want, you do not really have true gratefulness. True thanksgiving comes when you’re in your darkest hour, and you realize there are still things in life for which you can give thanks.

Happy (early) Thanksgiving!

Hope you eat till you’re stuffed, and I hope your heart is even more filled with gratefulness and wonderful moments of joy. 💗

Four Letter Word

HATE is such intruding vocabulary

Such a piercing, cutting, severing term

HATE can slice the heart in two

Before the phrase is uttered, it’s often long overdue

LATE is such a regretful term

Such a frustrating, remorseful, sad word

LATE can break a friendship apart

Before the word is formed, it’s often red marked

FATE is such an intriguing effect

Such a wonder, a fable, a faith encased

FATE can bring healing or heartache

Before the style is thought, it’s not often a mistake

HOPE is such a wondrous force

Such a striking, surprising, miraculous wave

HOPE can transform a life

Before the plan is devised, it’s end is in Paradise

Penned – MG – 11/25/19

Tuesday’s Treats #191

Tequila Mama

Location: Suwanee, GA

New place in a cool town center atmosphere. If you’re looking for a traditional, authentic Mexican restaurant, then, this might not be your spot, but I thought it was a nice change from our usual.

The atmosphere is bright and cheery. The menu isn’t too limited, but they don’t have the multiple pages of choices you’ll find in other restaurants. We ordered Momma’s Queso with beef, because when I asked the server if we could do bean dip (ya know, beans and cheese), she seemed a bit confused me did she’d never herd of that before. No, it wasn’t because of a language barrier either; she spoke perfect English. Although, unfortunately, that could have simply been a server issue, because she seemed a bit more interested in talking to coworkers throughout our meal rather than serving. 😕 Oh well.

My son was disappointed they didn’t have refried beans, but he had rice and the charro beans and liked it almost as good. I ordered the tequila lime chicken, and it was absolutely amazing. Hey he rice is a cilantro lime rice; so, it’s quite different than most Mexican restaurants, but I’ve always liked this style that you can’t find everywhere. The chips and salsa were good as well; although, the salsa wasn’t a bit spicy.

All in all, it’s a nice place to eat, and the food is good. I’m not sure I’d we will return often, as it doesn’t have some of the items we really like when we go to eat Mexican food, and the prices are a bit steep ($53 for just my son and me), but I am glad we tried it.

The website link via Google only takes you to an application form; so, I’m including the TripAdvisor link for you to check it out.

Website