Happy 4th, Happy surprise much-belated welcome back home to hubby, and finally, which one - UofL or UK?

UPDATE: Time to prep for July 4th gathering: 3 days. Time to clean up: 30 minutes. Pounds gained while "taste-testing" during once-a-decade baking: ? Look on hubby's face when surprised with belated welcome to KY friends, gifts & deocrations: priceless.

Happy Fourth everyone!

Below is my attempt at red-white-and-blue festiveness. Martha Stewart I ain't. But hey, when for some reason a Betty Crocker email popped in my box, well, she I can do. M-n-M's on brownies? Check. White frosting and sprinkles on some more brownies? Check. Cupcakes with sprinkles. Check. (those turned out marvelously well, my photo on the other hand was horrendous, I swear).

Pop some flags and spin-wheel things across the deck. Check.

Now you'll notice Savannah is not sitting on a cushion. That's where the weather comes in. Right when everyone arrives (in about an hour), there is a 75 percent chance of thunderstorms. So we're keeping the cushions dry just in case there is that slim chance we can put them back out again. Ha. Haha. But those spin-wheel things - they sure look better when they're doing their spinning thing - and they're bound to be quite the show stopper when it storms (ever the optimist).

So today the family is coming over, but Steve also was surprised with the announcement that a few friends were coming over, too. None have seen our house yet, or met our kiddos. A little late, yes. But now that our garage is cleaned out and we have flowers planted, it is time. Time for the official welcome Steve back home. They are showing up with KY-themed goodies, some gag gifts I hope.

A few were asking me which basketball team Steve has aligned himself with - U of L or UK... Well, Steve likes them both. Me, it was time to make a decision. I can't do wishy-washy.

I revealed my decision today with the unveiling of a new UK grill cover. There are many reasons, but remember this - my mother-in-law goes Blue all the way. How can I go against the matriarch of the family? Savannah's first sports bib was UK (from Granny, of course). Ditto for my first Kentucky-related shirt, UK from Adam and Steve. So if there are so many U of L fans in the family, where's my "stuff," eh? Also important - I will be spending much much time in Lexington the next half year (see last post). I will explain why next time I write. Anyway, go Wildcats!

Have to go check on the weather... have fun and stay safe everyone!