Catching Up

Just popping in to let everyone know that we have been off in the land of my birth, that fabulous land of mystery, the United States' very own little Banana Republic, the great state of Louisiana. Christmas was wonderful, the hunting not great, but still lots of fun. Pictures to come, but I wanted to wish everyone a very very HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!!!

Cross Country Award

I'm excited to announce that Girl received the Coaches' Award for Cross Country at the Fall Sports Banquet.

This award is given to the team member that most displays leadership, sportsmanship, discipline and motivation.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!

Ridiculous

Christmas is less than two weeks away.According to the news, most of the country is encased in an ice storm. But here in the Middle-Of-Nowhere, GA, I had not expected to need the air conditioning at this time of the year. It's hard to work on Christmas present knitting when the spring bulbs are threatening to emerge.
Most Christmas music mentions snow and cold, and we're all supposed to be drinking mulled wine, not cold beer.
Bah, Humbug!

The Mountains

A while back, Grumpy Guy and I went to the local Rotary Club annual Low Country Boil and Auction. While there, we bid on and won a week at a friend's condo in the north Georgia mountains. This past week was "our" week, but life had a way of preventing us from using the whole week. GG went up on Wednesday and went fly fishing for trout until Girl, her BFF and I arrived on Friday afternoon.

The afternoon started off eventfully. As the girls and I were unpacking, I noticed a hissing noise from a back tire and found a lovely 3 inch screw had lodged in the tire. So off I went to the just-over-the-border-into-North-Carolina tire store to have the tire fixed.

One hour later, I was a much happier person. GG returned from a very successful day of catch and release trouting, and off we went into Highlands, NC for supper at Wolfgang's. Yum! I adore a good plain wiener schnitzel, and it was perfect. The girls had escargot. The desserts weren't bad, either.

And back to the condo to watch some very silly movies.

Saturday, we did some more researching into the wonderful town of Highlands. If you get a chance to visit, do so. It is a charming, charming town.

The girls got pedicures, I found a yarn store and bought some yummy silk and wool to make GG a pair of fingerless gloves. He missed his while fly fishing and mentioned he'd like a pair. Another project in the knitting queue. We visited the cutest shop, Raspberry Fizz, where we made earrings, and met the most adorable Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bradley. Now, I have wanted a CKCS for the LONGEST time, and playing with Bradley only confirmed this. They are sweet and fun little dogs, and rumor has it they can even be trained to hunt birds (a requirement for any dog at Maison Cou Rouge).

If you are in the area, Raspberry Fizz is a MUST VISIT store. Not only can you paint your own pottery, but the beads and art glass are TO DIE for. The staff is so helpful and friendly, and will put together any necklace, bracelet or earring you make right on the spot. The girls and I could have spent hours there, but we had Grumpy Guy with us--and let's just say he's not a bead fanatic.

Then onto Kilwin's for a chocolate fix. Back to the condo to change, and BACK into Highlands for a fabulous dinner at Madisons, which is part of the Old Edwards Inn.

This place was Divine with a capital D. The chef is young and incredibly inventive. What a meal! BFF and I had lobster, Girl had duck confit-crusted snapper, and GG had braised sweetbreads and veal cheeks. Oh, yeah, and dessert. Grand Marnier souffle, flourless chocolate cake with CREAM CHEESE ice cream, creme brulee, and bourbon pecan souffle. Oh and cheese. Girl LOVES her cheese-the stinker and stronger the better. Grumpy Guy tried to steal some, and was met with disapproval.

The drive back on Sunday was uneventful. We went to Helen. Once upon a decade or three ago, Helen was a charming town done up to resemble a Bavarian village. It's a bit tatty now, and looks like like a miniature golf course owner attempted to recreate a German holiday. But we found a "gem mine" and the girls spent an hour panning for gemstones. It was good fun.

We got home to found that Boy had not thrown any wild parties or gotten arrested or started fires or such while he was alone for 3 days. We had forgotten to turn off the warmer on the coffeemaker, and in true teenage fashion, he had not thought to turn it off himself. Nothing that a good soak couldn't fix.

Now back to the reality of Christmas cards and laundry...Ah, Monday!!

Bowl Bound

HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS TO MY TWO FAVORITE COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAMS--THE GEORGIA BULLDOGS AND LSU TIGERS!!

The BCS finally got their computer rankings right for a change--and LSU is going to play for the national championship. Although Dude, my middle brother, feels his pride and joy team has not played up to potential this season, I'm still glad that a team undefeated in regulation got the recognition it deserves.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!

And, who'da thunk it?? The Dawgs in the Sugar Bowl.

Now many of you know that I had the chance to go to football camp with the Georgia Dogs this summer

under the "Football 101 for Women" fundraiser that Coach Richt and his staff run.

Since I got to hang out with the team,

Ramarcus, Massi, AJ and me

I feel like they are "my boys" and I am so proud of them!!

GOOOOO DOGS! 'SIC EM! WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!

There's gonna be some mighty fine football come the New Year!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my husband's family's favorite get-together holiday. This year, as last, we went to Grumpy Guy's sister in Atlanta, and his siblings gathered from all points-Chicago, New York, & South Carolina. Our nieces and nephews came from Connecticut, New York, Washington, DC, college at Clemson, and Los Angeles. The only one who couldn't make it was the Doctor Nephew, who was on call.

Maybe just pics with captions would suffice at this point, but we had a FABULOUS few days and can't wait to get together again!!!

Second Floor shot of the gang


Few are allowed on the "Kitchen side" on Thanksgiving morning


The hands of a master cornbread dressing maker


The cornbread dressing maker-aka the math prof


The Clemson Senior niece


It would not be a family gathering without something breaking-in this case, the handle on the refrigerator. Note all the "chiefs" supervising.


"Aunt Peter Pan" and the CT Nephew and the NY Niece


These two married in---no they are not related by blood! One married a sister, one married a niece


More family--the tall one in the back is Washington Niece's boyfriend. Can you believe he was brave enough to meet us all at once?


Big Brother and Little Brother carving two turkeys simultaneously


Happiest great-niece around


Multiple cooks-multiple opinions


Little Sis-the hostess with the mostest


'Da Cop and 'da Baby


Artist Niece in from LA- yes, she actually makes a living painting pictures and selling them!



Some teens can sleep through anything--even THIS family!!!

Girl's Varsity B

Well, it's official...Girl is a jock. Her Varsity jacket arrived yesterday and it hasn't really left her body since. Doesn't she look great??? Maybe in four years, I'll be posting a pic and it will be covered in glorious patches...... but for now, she's pretty impressed she's a letterman as an eighth grader.......

Time Flies

As I was reading Allison's blog, I was reminded of a picture taken of Boy when he was about the same age as her son is now.

And here he is now.......

It's amazing how fast they grow up.

Allison and Jeff, enjoy every minute with Evan. He will be running out the door before you know it.

And if you have a minute, gentle reader, go read the incredible story of the first year of a little guy with a brain tumor. (Don't worry, he's fine now)!! Here's the link again.

I've been Tagged

Well, Daddy D (aka Darrell) has tagged me with a meme. What, you say, is a meme?? A meme, as defined by Wikipedia, is a “bit of cultural information that propagates from one mind to another”. Translation—little bits of knowledge about one’s self that one is forced to share with others, and if a blogger, with the blogging world, due to peer pressure. The latest version circulating the blogosphere is to list things about which you are suspicious, then go and tag someone else.

Yikes, what a task… Ok, I am suspicious of

1. People who want to “save” me. Especially if it means I hear the question “Have you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior?”

2. The Federal Government. Except those in the military below the rank of General.

3. Anything labeled “free”—including puppies, towing, or “gift with purchase”.

4. Infomercials.

5. PETA. I didn’t climb to the top of the food chain to eat vegetables.

6. Politicians who think they know how to protect my children better than I do. For that matter,

7. Anyone who thinks they know what is best for me or my family. (Gosh, that could apply to #1, #2, #5, or #6.)

8. Most people living on the Left Coast (cousins excluded).

9. Anything written or uttered by the present administration of Randolph College. (Any alumna of Randolph-Macon Woman’s College will understand this one).

I think that’s a start. Now, instead of tagging someone, I’m just going to tag Maison Cou Rouge’s readers. Anyone who wants to make a list, just email it forward………Consider yourself tagged!

New York One Last Time

Wednesday saw all my doctor stuff come out well--see you next year!!

Just at dusk, I ran into Lord and Taylor for a last minute Christmas present for Girl..and got this shot so typical of New York at Christmastime.

Wednesday night I ate at my favorite Madison Avenue restaurant --Salute!

I love this place because they make a woman dining alone feel so very welcome. No table scrunched in the corner, but a nice table with excellent attentive service. Never intrusive, but never neglectful, and great food and excellent wine by the glass. Who could ask for more?

I packed and got ready for the flight Thursday afternoon. I was way ahead of schedule but antsy to get to the airport because it was raining. I managed to get a cab first thing, and got to LaGuardia in time to try for standby on an earlier flight. It turned out to be a good thing, as my 3:30 flight was cancelled due to backups with the rainy weather. A flight and two-hour drive back to the Middle-of-Nowhere, and I was safe and sound in my "own widdle bed".

Thanks to Cynthia, Minnett, family and friends for such a memorable trip! Can't wait 'til next year!!!

I love New York--but I love being home even MORE!!

More NYC

Nothing more fun than having a whole day in NYC with nothing planned. I went shopping for Girl and Boy, hit Sephora for Boy's significant other, and went to Caswell Massey for Grumpy Guy's cologne (he's a traditionalist..C-M Number Six--the same stuff worn by George Washington).

Then in the evening it was off to the apartment of my oldest and dearest friend...he and I have known each other since I was born (he's 5 months older) and our moms are lifelong best friends. A trip to New York would not be complete without visiting him, his partner, and their three amazing kids! This is what awaited me when I opened the door:

Then I got to see gymnastics of all sorts from the girls:

And general silliness all around.

I love you guys!!!!

Monday, Monday...NYC Style

When I go on the annual Cynamin trip, I go up a few days before or stay a few days after to visit friends and have my annual mammography. Why, you ask, go to NYC for mammos?? Well, Grumpy Guy used to be an X-ray film salesman for DuPont, and his territory for four years was Manhattan's teaching hospitals (aka "Bedpan Alley"). One of his clients was Murray Hill Radiology, the head honcho of whom is Julie Mitnick, MD. Dr. Mitnick is considered by many to be the best breast radiologist on the East Coast, if not the entire U.S., so when it came time for me to start getting mammos, he scheduled the appointment personally. He won't let me go anywhere else. What a great guy...and what a great excuse to stay in NYC a few extra days!

I am also lucky to have a free place to stay. One of Grumpy Guy's business partners runs a company that has a corporate apartment in one of the nicest parts of the city--right across from the Morgan Library. It's a tiny pied-a-terre, but it convenient and, best of all, FREE!!!

So Monday morning, I hopped in a cab with my luggage and dropped it off, then walked the 15 or so blocks back to the hotel. Another gorgeous day! How did we get so lucky on the weather?

We headed downtown to the land of imitation ....Chinatown.

I wish I had pictures, but for reasons well known to policemen and street vendors, I can't divulge my sources. Let's just say that a minibus full of well-dressed ladies had no problem finding fake Gucci bags and Chanel sunglasses.

We also made a stop at Papyrus and Kate's Paperie which is right across from our lunch spot-

the ever-popular Balthazar.

Food so good, it makes me weak-in-the-knees. I had the warm goat cheese tart with caramelized onions as a starter, and it was so wonderful, I bought the Balthazar Cookbook.

A little more shopping, and it was time to tell everyone "bye" and hop the subway back to the apartment.

Late afternoon, I hooked up with my sister-in-law, who teaches at Hunter College, and we were picked up by her son-in-law, our favorite New York cop. The drive out to the suburbs was fast (thank you Palisades Parkway) where I had a fun visit with 'da niece, 'da cop, 'da teach and my two precious great nieces (I am too young to have great nieces......).

What a way to end the weekend!!!!