OPENING OF ANOTHER FRED'S . . .

We have a longtime local favorite restaurant in Fort Worth called Fred's. It has been described as a complete dive. Its decor is very eclectic. It sports gold vinyl barstools with duct tape holding the seats together, plastic patio furniture and has what is likely the most charming patio area in Fort Worth, simply due to its completely unpretentious atmosphere that's both strappy sandal and flip-flop friendly. Fred's is named after the family dog, who belonged to the owner and chef Terry Chandler and just like the faithful companion, Fred's remains loyal to its patrons by refusing to adjust to the modern market surrounding it. Fred's has even been featured on Food Network's "Diners, Drive Ins and Dives". Everyone from doctors, executives, cowboys and rockers agree that Fred's has some of the best hamburgers around and love to sit on the patio in the evenings and listen to live music, eat their burgers and have their beer.

Well, like so many other restaurants in town, Fred's has decided to expand and has opened a second one called "Fred's North" and it is run by my son-in-law's brother-in-law, Quincy (Doug's sister, Melynda, is also helping out in addition to her full-time job). I was privileged a few months ago to be invited to the soft opening of Fred's North.

While it is located in a strip shopping center and the building is new they are trying to bring it down to the level of the original Fred's. Melynda even said that they will have the gold vinyl on seats and barstools in the near future.

Family and friends were invited to sample anything on the menu and enjoy the atmosphere - we were able to choose which time we wanted to attend and I decided on Saturday afternoon. Doug and Melynda's Dad and brother, Robert, would be there along with my daughter, Doug and the grandchildren.

Quincy has worked for Fred's for years and continues to, not only be co-owner of Fred's North, but oversees the operation at the original Fred's.

Miss Kylie calls him the "Q Man" and loves for Quincy to pick her up and show her some attention.

Doug's sister, Melynda, spoils the little ones like crazy.

Miss Wesley came all dolled up for her first outing at Fred's North.

As you can see she really wanted to get a taste of the chicken friend steak her daddy ordered. It was huge - two people could have made a meal out of it and had some left over to take home.

The little man was in awe of the decor and all the "wild" animal heads hanging around.

This is a picture of the Q Man back in the days he did the rodeo. A few years ago he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis so he has had to cutback on some of his activities.

With three little ones it is easier to have one adult and one child together, that way you can make sure they get enough to eat. I helped our little princess and my daughter took Miss Wesley, while daddy handled the little man.

It so happened that the day the soft opening was held it was also Robert's birthday so Melynda had a cake waiting to help in the celebration. Of course, Kylie could hardly wait to taste it.

Luke, on the other-hand, was wondering what that large drink was that Robert had ordered.

While Miss Wesley tried and tried to reach food from her daddy's plate.

I wish Quincy and Melynda God's blessings on their new adventure and plan on visiting again soon.

MEMORIAL DAY IN THE "FOREST" . . .

This year I stayed at home on Memorial Day and worked around the house. However, my daughter, son-in-law and their children decided to go south of the Metroplex to spend the day with one of Erin's co-workers and some of their friends. Kylie told me that they were going to the forest - it seems like there are a lot of trees on the ranch property. They have a stock pond where the cows hangout and the children could play in the water.

There was also a 4-wheeler that Doug got to drive around and he took each child for a ride. Miss Kylie thinks she is so big pretending like she is driving it.

Here they come heading toward the mom and the camera.

Next it was the little man's turn to try it out.

All the little girls got to ride in the back of the other 4-wheeler while the boys were off on the other one.

Luke and Jessie decided to try and fit into a little tub, guess they were pretending to be swimming.

All the little ones enjoying their nice cold watermelon.

My daughter, Erin (on the right), and two of her little ones. Sure does look they are very hot on this spring/summer afternoon.

This is Melissa, one of Erin's high school friends and our baby Wesley.

Seems like a nice way to celebrate Memorial Day - with friends and family and a little trip out of town.

DAY AT GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S HOUSE . . .

A few weeks ago I took the little ones down to see my mother and my brother for the day. My sister had taken off work for a few days and so they were able to spend sometime with her as well. In order to keep them entertained we decided to take them to a park in Cleburne. Of course, it is Texas and you would think that at this time of the year (early part of June) that the weather would be wonderful - a perfect Spring day - but alas we never had Spring this year. We went right from Winter into Summer.

We decided to go early in the day so it wouldn't be so hot - off we went. Three ladies, one in their 80s, one in their 60s and one in their 50s with three children, 3-1/2, 2 and 9 months. Crazy women.

Baby Wesley loved the swing. She just sits a laughs the whole time and what little hair she has stands straight up.

Great Aunt Kathy had to take a little break from swinging her. Wesley could swing for hours if someone had the time and energy to keep pushing.

Kylie loves the slide. She delights in trying each one out to see which one is the best and most fun.

She also loves to climb but this play ground toy was a little too much for her.

She was holding on for dear life.

The little man didn't want to leave the swings and was a little upset by the whole thing.

 

However, going down the slide a time or two seemed to satisfy him.

Of course, he saw his big sister climbing on the dinosaur and just had to follow suit. Notice the dirty face. Mother said that the minute he got to the play ground he started throwing the dirt in the air and naturally most of it landed on his darling little face. He is all boy.

Luke so wanted to touch the ducks but they just didn't want to cooperate. The minute he got close to them off they would waddle.

Other than the swing there wasn't much for the little one to do but to sit in the stroller, suck her paci and watch the big kids have fun.

On the way out of the park we had to stop so that Luke could have his picture made with his auntie and the buffalo. All in all it was a good way to spend the morning with the people you love.

BOB AND LARRY . . .

I am sure that every parent and grandparent knows of or has heard of Bob and Larry of Veggie Tales. My grandchildren love to watch their DVDs and, I hope, learn something about the goodness of God and how we should obey Him and treat others. Well, a few weeks ago, I heard that on the 30th of April Bob and Larry were coming to Lifeway Christian Bookstore and, of course, they had to go seen them.

For a whole week our Big Girlie has been asking if it was time to go. Finally the big day had arrived. So on Saturday I met them, along with some of the parents and their children from a Small Group that my daughter and son-in-law attend, and stood in line to be one of the first to see (and possibly hug) Bob and Larry.

The excitement was building as the children could see them from a distance. They could hardly wait.

The closer we got to the front of the line the more the little girls, Kylie and Katie, did not want to get up close and personal with Bob and Larry.

But true to form the little man could hardly contain himself. He was climbing their friend's arm trying to get a better look at his heroes.

It is a good thing that Theresa is not only tall but strong. Luke was all over her. While the girls were being very proper standing in line with their purses and ignoring Kylie's brother and all the excitement surrounding them.

Finally, it was our turn and, of course, being a normal child, Luke decided he didn't want to get very close to them. You can see he didn't want his mommy to be very far away.

Our turn was over and as we were leaving Miss Kylie decided to cry because she wanted to "see Bob and Larry" so as luck would have it some of their friends were about to have their visit with our heroes so I took Kylie back to go up with them - knowing full well that she would never, never go up with the Anderson girls. And I was right.

Dad (a detective with our police department) and his three girls were the only brave ones to venture into the area of Bob and Larry.

As we said goodbye to our vegetable heroes it was off to McDonald's for my daughter and her friends and children and I was off to run some errands. As I drove away I thought to myself that this was a wonderful way to spend the morning watching the children, with excitement in their eyes, have such fun with some of their favorite characters.