Maison Cou Rouge

2011 SFC A Few Hermitage Details

2012-02-11T16:54:00.003-05:00

More lovely bits from the Hermitage.....

Ceilings....

Chandeliers...

Columns....

Floors....

Sculpture...

2011 SFC Hermitage

2012-02-11T16:38:00.002-05:00

Day 2 of our stay in St. Petersburg, Russia saw the family split up a bit. The Hancocks, who were experiencing their first visit to Russia, took a scenic tour of St. Petersburg, while the rest of us took a morning-long tour of the Hermitage.

Encyclopedias have been written about the Hermitage and the Winter Palace, so I will not even attempt a cursory description. It was enjoyable simply to look out the window from the Winter Palace, across the Neva River to the Fortress of Peter and Paul, where the tsars are buried.

It's a small little unassuming room, don't you think???

With a nice little throne, complete with footstool.

Passing through the State Apartments, we arrived at the galleries. The cruise lines have negotiated a FABULOUS perk for sightseers- entry to the Hermitage one hour before the public is admitted. HEAVEN!!! This photo would have been impossible 30 minutes later.

One will never be able to see all 3 MILLION items of the Hermitage Collection. Here are my top four favorites.

Michaelangelo's "Crouching Boy." Rough... unfinished...

Captivating.

My beloved Impressionists. Monet's "Poppy Field".

Renoir's "Child with a Whip"

Matisse's "View of Collioure"

Back aboard Serenity, we relaxed by the pool after lunch, reading and napping. After dinner and into jammies, we enjoyed the midnight sun on our verandas, until it got so low in the sky we had to break out the umbrellas.

Yep, it's a tough life, but someone has to do it.

Life is GOOD!

2011 SFC Peterhof Details

2012-02-11T16:24:00.002-05:00

I do LOVE details!!!

Along the sea canal.

Garden urn.

The beautiful golden domes.

I simply couldn't resist..............

These turtles are for my friend, Dr. Kreslyn Odom Brooks. She has a "thing" about turtles.

2011 SFC Peterhof Gardens

2012-02-11T16:18:00.003-05:00

There's just no way to do justice to the beautiful grounds of Peterhof. Here is just a taste.

The Grand Cascade, with Samson Wrestling a Lion in the center.

Triton and the Sea Monster.

The Grand Cascade.

The Chessboard Cascade.

More brides...

2011 SFC Peterhof

2012-02-11T15:52:00.003-05:00

We recovered quickly from the food and wine extravaganza that was the Vintage Room dinner, and it is a good thing. While sleeping off the dinner, we crossed into Russian waters and found ourselves in St. Petersburg, Russia in the early morning.

Now, those of you who have known me most of my life will know that Russia has always held a mystical magical place in my heart. I have no idea why, but from an early age I have been fascinated with her and her people. I majored in Russian (along with Technical Theatre) in college. I was lucky enough to visit Leningrad and the area around Moscow in the last days of the Soviet Union, and to return again in 2006 on our first Crystal cruise. I've enjoyed every second I have spent in Russia.

Our first excursion of this visit was a trip to Peterhof on the Baltic Sea. Peter the Great knew how to build a house, that's for sure.

We boarded a hydrofoil not far from Crystal Serenity.

It was a pleasant, enjoyable ride.

Looking back, we could see that Serenity was taking on bunker.

Arriving with just a little more speed than Peter did, we debarked onto the pier next to a lovely beach area...

and had our first view of Peterhof, the sea canal leading our eye up toward its legendary fountains.

The family enjoyed the short stroll and learned a little of Peterhof's history from out tour guide.

Alix enjoying the cooling breezes of the fountains--YES, it was a hot day!!!

How does one find words for such splendid surroundings?

Peterhof's legendary fountains are all gravity fed from large ponds at the top of the estate.

Ok, I was sneaky (bad tourist, no cookie!). I forgot to turn my camera off and "just accidentally" hit the shutter button once or twice... JUST ONCE OR TWICE!

Can't resist costumed characters...

Don't you know Tsar Peter and Empress Catherine were HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Many couples use the beautiful backdrop of Peterhof to marry. This bride was NOT happy that every tourist was snapping her photo.

More strolling.

Children are children the world 'round.

Such a lovely summer day.

Down by sea, by the Mon Plasir pavillion, stands the statue of Neptune. It is supposedly very good luck to rub his feet.

Never one to take chances with luck.

Yes, there were many sightseers, but it never felt crowded. Just a breathtakingly beautiful visit.

EP366 Week 40

2012-02-11T15:44:00.002-05:00

Day 274
January 29, 2012

Day 275
January 30, 2012

Day 276
January 31, 2012

Day 277
February 1, 2012

Day 278
February 2, 2012

Day 279
February 3, 2012

Day 280
February 4, 2012

EP366 Week 39

2012-02-11T15:38:00.001-05:00

Day 267
January 22, 2012

Day 268
January 23, 2012

Day 269
January 24, 2012

Day 270
January 25, 2012

Day 271
January 26, 2012

Day 272
January 27, 2012

Day 273
January 28, 2012

2011 SFC Vintage Room

2012-02-09T20:14:00.002-05:00

We wore out the kids for a reason....the "grownups" (very loose terminology, I know....it only is grown-up by age......) had an evening in the Vintage Room.

The Vintage Room on Crystal Cruises is a singular event. If you are even REMOTELY interested in wine or food-or BOTH- it will be an event you do NOT want to pass up. I had been lucky to attend Vintage Room dinners on two past cruises, and was very much looking forward to this one.

The meal is prepared by the executive chef- in our case, the wonderfully creative Werner Brenner. He developed a menu based around the wines that Head Sommelier Leonard de Vries selected for us to taste. (Leo is the "relief" Head Sommelier for Crystal. When my buddy Bart Dufour, who is Serenity's Head Sommelier, goes on vacation, Leo takes over. He swings between Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, covering both Head Sommeliers.) I totally forgot to get a photo of Leo in action. Drat!!!!!

May I say that, as usual, they excelled.

The nine of us- we thought Alix and Austin were old enough to be included with the adults- were joined by two couples. Leo passed around glasses of Billecart-Salmon Brut Reserve for us to enjoy as we got to know our new friends.

Even the roses had a vintage room feel.

Anticipation of things to come.

We were surprised to find our tablemates had Shreveport connections.

First course- Pan-Seared Sea Scallop with a sweet pea puree and vanilla champagne sabayon.

Besides the champagne, Leo poured us a yummy Austrian Grüner Veltliner-- 2010 Schloss Gobelsburg "Lamm".

Next, we had lovely Butternut Squash Tortelli with noisette butter and black truffles.

Nope this ain't your everyday teenage fare.

How about a little Sun-dried tomato crusted black cod? With a little fine herb salad and saffron beurre sauce.

Oh, and with that, a chardonnay- Darioush Signature- Napa Valley 2007.

Oh, but I'm not done yet. Not by a long shot.

It gets even "funner"---

What wino doesn't like having the option of 4 different glasses?

When was the last time you had short ribs like THIS?

Duo of beef- Grilled Wagyu filet mignon and short rib with Sauce Bordelaise and a little potato mousseline and veggies!

A lovely burgundy from Gevrey-Chambertin Vieilles Vignes- 2008 Sérafin Père & Fils and a 2008 Caymus Special Selection from Napa.

Alix is happy.

But then, she's a cabernet girl.

Buzz was enjoying himself, too.

But wait........

There's still cheese.......with apricot chutney and walnut bread.

And what goes better with cheese than a Graham's 20year-old Tawny Port?

Do you think we would leave off dessert??? Not THIS bunch...

How about white chocolate trifle with mango gelee and passion fruit sherbet?

OOPS- I forgot to take the photo until it was half-gone..... but with that Leo poured my beloved Trockenbeerenauslese--the Austrian 2000 Kracher Grand Cuvée No. 6. God, I love this stuff...it is truly the Nectar of the Gods......

Yep, life is good.

2011 SFC Sail-Away

2012-02-09T20:03:00.002-05:00

As Crystal Serenity set sail a little earlier than usual, we had a sail-away party around the Lido deck's Seahorse Pool, complete with band.

There's nothing like a summer swim, even in the Baltic.

Remember that this was during one of the hottest heatwaves the Baltic has seen.

Whilst the kiddos swam, the grownups lounged around and sampled some of the daily cocktails du maison!!

Hi Clark!

The band was terrific!

JuJu, now completely awake, was a dancin' machine.

And managed to talk the Junior Activity Directors into a little cuddle time!

The Estonian flag was flying as long as we were in port.

Could the weather have been any nicer?

There's always time for ANOTHER one, isn't there?

Hutch got in a little nap with his dad...

But Julia...well, she was up to her old tricks.....

2011 SFC More Tallinn

2012-02-09T19:57:00.002-05:00

Just a few more views of Tallinn!

I can never resist a rose, and these were superb!

The sun was JUST RIGHT when we visited the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

Evidence of the age of the area.

Centuries-old cobbles.

Everyone needs a rest now and then!

And it wasn't even lunchtime!!

2011 SFC Tallinn

2012-02-09T19:07:00.002-05:00

It was our first visit to Tallinn and the country of Estonia.

Our excursion was early, but we were awake. Well, all except Julia....

She has two speeds. On and Off.

Tallinn's Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is stunning.

First stop- the Tall Hermann Tower.

Beautiful day, beautiful setting. Everywhere we turned, there was something new to see.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral.

The spire of St. Mary's Cathedral.

We rested a bit.

Mary Cecile and Alix are all smiles, but Julia needs another cup of something, I think.

From a viewing platform we could see past St. Olaf's Church all the way down to the sea.

And another angle, toward the town hall.

Again, past St. Olaf's to Crystal Serenity in the background.

WHAT A VIEW!!!

Proof we made it up the steep cobblestone hill!

In the middle of everything old, there was an enterprising Estonian in a perfect setting.

Who could resist?

We walked along medieval stone walls, still standing strong.

Absolutely CHARMING.

At times, we felt as if we had all stepped into a time machine and been transported back 700 years.

The gates of the old city were built in the 14th century. So old, I can barely comprehend it.

Then it was on to the Song Festival Amphitheatre. A rehearsal was in progress, so we could not go in, but the gates were decorated with a charming assortment of ribbons.

All too soon, as the Crystal guidebooks are wont to say, we were headed back to the ship, ready for a sailaway party.

Hooray for Minus-Green!

2012-02-09T14:48:00.003-05:00

Now, most of you know about my love affair with the color pink.

Well, turns out that there is no pink light.

I thank "The Improvised Life" for letting me know.

I don't believe a word of this youtube video, I don't care how it is explained.

And isn't that pink staircase in the blog post AMAZING?????

Let's hear it for Minus-GREEN!!

2011 SFC Sea Day

2012-02-03T12:40:00.002-05:00

We had an enjoyable sail-out of Stockholm, and next up on the agenda was our FAVORITE- a SEA DAY!

Lectures, napping, eating...HEAVEN!

The Captain's Welcome party and first formal night is the highlight of the first sea day...

All three Hancock girls were GORGEOUS!

Alix was all smiles.

Mary Cecile and Julia had met up with ANOTHER Julia, the Vice-Captain's daughter.

Hutch and JuJu cut quite a rug!!!!

We love our dinners in the Crystal Dining Room.

The Baltic is calm....simply a perfect day at sea!!!

2011 SFC Stockholm's IceBar

2012-02-03T12:20:00.002-05:00

One of the most unique stops in Stockholm is a trip to the IceBar.

Located in the Nordic Sea Hotel, the IceBar is world's first permanent bar made entirely of ice.

Yes, the bar helps you dress appropriately, with fur-lined cloaks.

Even the drinks are served in ice--IN ice, not ON ice!!

Looks like the Hancocks enjoyed it!

I'm not sure what kind of cocktail this is...but it was GOOD!

(Hate the photo, but ) Proof that I was there.

We didn't leave much behind.

And the girls were chilly, but all smiles!

Try it out if you are in Stockholm!!!

2011 SFC Another Day in Stockholm

2012-02-03T12:00:00.002-05:00

Even though we boarded Serenity, we didn't leave port for another night.

Before our land excursion, Alix and I made a sighting of "her" boat...

(if you didn't know, her family nickname has always been "the Empress").

We headed out for a quick look at Stockholm, featuring a stop at the IceBar, which warrants its own post.

We made a stop at the Royal Palace, just in time to see the changing of the guard.

And then stopped in at the Stockholm Cathedral, where Crown Princess Victoria married Prince Daniel.

We had about an hour for shopping.

And then we headed back to the ship in time for muster.

Maybe we are all a little more aware of emergency procedures on cruise ships in the wake of the Costa Concordia tragedy, but Crystal Cruises has always placed a top priority on safety, and muster drills are mandatory for all guests. Yes, it feels stupid at times, and could even be considered a pain in which to participate, but I will never complain about the drill again. I have nothing with which to compare Crystal's emergency procedures, never having cruised on any other line, but if you take a look at THIS photo....

you'll see they get the message across!

Life jackets safely stowed, it was time to prepare to sail.

A beautiful evening in the Swedish archipelago.

Little boats come out to see the big boats.

All of these houses are lovely.

We make quite a procession.

(No, that's not the Costa Concordia- it is her sister ship, the Costa Atlantica.)

I'd take this one!

Dinnertime!

This ferry made me think of SOME guy I know....... ;-)

Well after dinner, with the Swedish summer sun still not set, deck maintenance continues.

Everything interests me on this beloved ship of mine!!!

2011 SFC Embarkation Day

2012-02-03T09:32:00.003-05:00

Some folks were catching some SERIOUS zzzz's after that long flight.

But soon, we were all ready-very ready- to head to Crystal Serenity. Bags sorted, everyone waited in my room for our alloted time to head to the ship.

Some read, some worked puzzles, some listened to music , some played video games.

Good thing I was taking pictures. There was no room for me to sit or lie ANYWHERE.

I had the chance to run ahead and catch the Hancock girls boarding the Serenity for the FIRST TIME.

On Serenity, we can open up the connecting doors of the verandas. Easy access to everyone, and we have one long bowling alley of a private deck.

All the stateroom doors are propped open for luggage delivery. This allows for the occasional stowaway.

The stewardesses finally got some deck guys to help corral our visitor before we left. Shame really- we could have made it our mascot.

2011 SFC A Few More Photos from Stockholm

2012-02-03T09:23:00.003-05:00

Just a few more fun shots of our first day in Stockholm....

Everyone knows I love details...the ceiling of the first floor of the Grand Hotel...

The view from Uncle Woo's room.

Just walking around. So pretty.

Goofin' off.

Pretty Girls.

Silly guys.

Dribbling swans.

Someone wants some attention.

She got it.

Not Lost in Translation.

Now, after the fits of laughter subsided, Brother Ed posed the question. Is this a sign for a huge sale, or are the really selling large donkeys inside?

Always look down.

Always look up.

Always look around. We would have missed this sculpture if Hutch hadn't seen it.

Summing Up My Entire Pop Music Experience in Four Chords

2012-01-31T21:20:00.000-05:00

Thanks to my Captain's Voyage pal Kristian, I once again have a hilarious YouTube to share...

This is especially for anyone who grew up in the 70's, 80's or 90's..........

Our entire pop music experience can be produced with only four chords.
Enjoy!!

2011 SFC Stockholm Day 1

2012-01-30T12:49:00.003-05:00

There was a fierce desire to nap in the luxurious beds the Grand Hotel offered, but we fought it off like the seasoned pond-jumpers we are. Nothing better than to get out in the bright warm sunshine of a Scandinavian summer.

So after a quick bite to eat in the hotel, we were off to reconnoiter the area for dining that evening. (because, you know, like, we hadn't just eaten or anything...) Stockholm on Sunday afternoon is the PERFECT time to sight-see.

Even camera-shy brother Ed enjoyed himself.

Someone's going to be surprised.

The ducks seemed happy enough with a petite snooze.

Restaurant located, we made our way back to the hotel to change for dinner.

Back at the hotel, I enjoyed the midsummer decorations.

A few hours later, we met up in the bar for cocktails.

And Mary Cecile and Julia were still all smiles.

And we had a glimpse of the wild JuJu in her natural environment.

We had a lovely early supper at Kaffegillet

Where most of us had, of all things, Swedish Meatballs (imagine that).

(No, I had reindeer).

And the Hancock girls got their first notice of why it is called "the midnight sun"--they thought it was funny for the sun to be up at 9pm.

Just wait until morning...especially if you don't close your curtains!!!!!

2011 Summer Family Cruise to the Baltic

2012-01-30T12:25:00.002-05:00

Back last summer, when it was so hot 'round here in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Georgia, I said to myself "Self...wait to write about the summer family cruise until it's the middle of winter. When it's so cold and gloomy, you can remember when it was so sunny and HOT in the Baltic."

Sunny? Hot? Baltic?

YES...sunny and HOT in the Baltic. One of the warmest summers on record. In typical family "Potato Famine" Irish luck, we chose to go somewhere cool to escape the hotter-n-hell Southern summer, and wound up taking the heat with us. Well, the residents of the area were happy about it...and we did have a blast.

This year, the crowd was a bit diminished. We had all had a huge family get-together the weekend before at Andy and Brittany's wedding, so it was just the James gang...with the addition of my first cousin, Ashley, and her husband Buzz and daughters Mary Cecile and Julia. We had been wanting the Hancocks to join us for years, and they finally managed it--and a welcome addition they were.

So Empress Alix and I hopped in the car and took off for the Atlanta airport to meet up with everyone arriving from Shreveport. The flight over to Stockholm was via Paris.

We had a few hours' layover in Paris--time for a bit of a leg stretch and a good baguette.

Like father, like son..boys with their toys.

Here's Julia, or JuJu, as she is called in the family. This is the quietest you will see her.

Taxiing for takeoff to Stockholm, we passed one of the Concordes--how I would have loved to fly in her!

Some pretty clouds on the way...

The second coldest thing I saw on the whole trip......

And then the clouds broke and we could see the beautiful Swedish archipelago.

That will be us soon!!!!

In the blink of an eye, we were out of the airport and safely gazing out our windows in the beautiful Grand Hotel in Stockholm.

Look out, Baltic...we're BACK!!!

EP366 Week 38

2012-01-30T12:09:00.002-05:00

Day 260
January 15, 2012

Day 261
January 16, 2012

Day 262
January 17, 2012

Day 263
January 18, 2012

Day 264
January 19, 2012

Day 265
January 20, 2012

Day 266
January 21, 2012

EP366 Week 37

2012-01-30T12:04:00.002-05:00

Day 253
January 8, 2012

Day 254
January 9, 2012

Day 255
January 10, 2012

Day 256
January 11, 2012

Day 257
January 12, 2012

Day 258
January 13, 2012

Day 259
January 14, 2012

The Japanese Tradition - Chopsticks

2012-01-28T11:56:00.000-05:00

The Captain has done it again. He found this instructional, yet HILARIOUS, video on the use of chopsticks. ENJOY!!!

Greenwood and Oakland Cemeteries

2012-01-28T01:39:00.002-05:00

If you haven't had your fill of Elizabeth's Ancestors......

I thought I'd show you the matriarch and patriarch of the Hutchinson clan in Louisiana.

We are now at Greenwood Cemetery, which was one of the first cemeteries in the parish. Oh, right...for explanation for some of you, Louisiana doesn't have counties like the other 49 states, it has parishes because it was settled by the French, and so the territory/state was organized around the parishes of the Roman Catholic Church. Additionally, the laws of the the State of Louisiana are organized around the French Code Napoleon, unlike the other 49 that are primarily based from English Common Law. Oops, sorry---the history lesson will now end and I'll get back to the graveyard.

Specifically, William Joseph Hutchinson and Adeline McDonald Strother. They came to Louisiana before the War Between the States to set up farming. Their plantation, Caspiana, is still on the map today.

They had nine--NINE??--- NINE children. I'm glad they had that many--because my great-grandfather was number EIGHT!

Greenwood Cemetery is a beautiful old cemetery, but I have one last stop to make...one of the oldest cemeteries, if not THE oldest in the area.

Oakland Cemetery is intriguing, interesting, and sad.

Why, I wonder, is this monument at an angle?

There must be a story here.

What a lovely thing to put on a mother's grave.

I wonder what she was like?

Part of Oakland is reserved for Jewish graves, the oldest in North Louisiana.

Sadly, parts of Oakland have been neglected.

And, even though it is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been vandalized in recent years.

Tragic.

But still beautiful.

Some Horne- Some Hutchinson

2012-01-28T00:31:00.003-05:00

There's a small plot in Forest Park Cemetery in Shreveport for my father's family.

Forest Park is a much newer cemetery, and there are not so many old-style ornate family plots. For the most part, simple family headstones are accompanied by individual footmarkers. Such is the case with the Horne plot.

Here's my grandfather--whom we called, appropriately enough, "Granddaddy Horne".

My brother Ed, who seems to be the family repository for all memories, remembers more about him than I do. I remember a stern older gentleman. And I vaguely remember Ed helping him blow out some candles on a cake and ending up IN the icing.

My Grandmother Horne (she was never Grandmamma, or a nickname of any kind. Always "Grandmother Horne" ) I remember a little more.

Sometimes I would go to her house-or more appropriately, her apartment after Grandaddy died, and sit with her watching the Laurence Welk Show on Saturday night. I also have a memory of her crocheting bandages for leprosy victims. One of those Catholic ladies' sewing circle things. And, for some CRAZY reason, I remember a chicken spaghetti casserole. I remember that darned casserole. I have no idea why.

And here's my Daddy.

He died when I was 27, but had been in ill health ever since he suffered a massive stroke a month or so after his mother died. Or was it a month before? Ed, help me out here.

Anyway, my father's brother, Charles III- or Uncle Charlie, as I knew him, is also buried here, and his wife, Aunt Jean. I remember them both, but her especially.

Now, if this isn't too crazy or morbid for you, I'll drive you up the hill to a familiar place to me...the Hutchinson plot.

Why familiar? It's a Southern girl thing, I guess....I remember many times coming out to the cemetery with my mother's mother- my Mimi- to take care of the plot, plant pansies, bring cut flowers, and generally tend things.

Walking the path, it seemed so much shorter to me now than when I was ten.

Gone is the small boxwood hedge that went around the headstone, with the spaces left bare for annual plantings.

Here's my grandfather-my "Gingy" --

Ok, ok--I know--weird name...but I am the oldest grandchild. If a grandmother was "Mimi", then my grandfather had to rhyme, right? I don't know how I came up with the name, I just did. Oh, he was wonderful. He would take me out with him when he checked on the cattle- and let me sit in his lap and "drive" the truck while he pushed the pedals! I was all of- what?-- 4 years old? Five??? And he and I would eat ALL the black olives at holiday dinners.

My Grandmother- my "Mimi".

She was amazing. She was a Steel Magnolia. We would listen to the Metropolitan Opera on Saturday afternoons in the living room, and I would sleep in bed with her- the same bed I sleep in now- and stay up listening to Chicago talk radio when the AM-waves bounced right. She kept the radio on because she had insomnia. She probably had insomnia because she kept the radio on.

My great-grandfather --"Daddy Charlie"--

I never knew him, but I did know my "Granny" - my great-grandmother.

The Martha for whom I am named (have you forgotten my birth name is Martha Elizabeth Hutchinson Horne?) - although she was called "Mattie" or more appropriately "Miss Mattie". Family called her "Pigeon". Yes, pigeon, like the bird. I kid you not. Oh, I remember Granny--she lived next door to my grandparents on Cecile and we would walk over and she would give us orange juice out of cut crystal tumblers and serve us butter mints. (Yes, I know that's a run-on sentence but that's how I remember it...just like a child would say it). You might notice she did NOT want the date of her birth on her foot marker for all to be able to calculate her age....but the secret's out, Granny. She was born May 26, 1880.

She was not only the mother of my grandfather, she was also the mother of THIS lady...

The one, the only...Arne. Pronounced Ah-Nee. Auntie Mame. The lady who let me stay with her in her suite facing Bourbon Street in New Orleans when I was eight. Who took me to my first Mozart opera, Don Giovanni (still a favorite). Who took me on my first Crystal Cruise. Yes, technically, she's not buried here--it's only a marker. We scattered her ashes off the stern of Crystal Symphony in the Sea of the Hebrides. And, yes, that's how I want to go, too!

And because my cousins read this blog, I am delighted to show Arne's consort, my "Uncle Robert"-

His family was from Shreveport, too, but I don't remember much of him.

Also "out there" with the Hutchinsons are my mom's brother, who was called "Bubbie"--

--but who was known to my brothers and me as "Unkee". He farmed with my grandfather and died from cancer much too soon.
You've seen photos of my beautiful cousin Ashley--it's her father. Ashley's mom, Jo Ann is next to him.

I remember their wedding. She gave me my own flowers. She was beautiful-in that delicate, dark-haired, porcelain skin, Snow-White way. I don't think she ever got over Unkee dying.

So that's the lot of 'em--my recent relatives. But just one more thing. Sort of cracked me up when I saw it, and I had to take a photo.

My grandmother, so diligently weeded and labored to have a pristine plot.....

........would she be horrified to find a weed blooming so near her marker????

Looking for Ancestors-St. Joseph's Cemetery

2012-01-27T23:24:00.004-05:00

If you have read my blog for any length of time, you know I love cemeteries. Far from being spooked by them, I find them quite peaceful places, full of beauty.

For a while now, I have been wanting to go through "the old Catholic cemetery"--or more properly, St. Joseph's Cemetery. I knew I had some relatives from my father's side buried there, so off I went in search of any Horne headstones.

I was intrigued by so many markers that listed birthplaces of "Cefalu, Italy". Here is one written entirely in Italian.

Many victims of the Yellow Fever epidemic of 1873 are buried here, including the five Catholic priests who died ministering to fever victims.

I spent almost an hour walking and reading names, wondering about lives long ago and taking the occasional photo. No luck finding any Hornes, though.

I hopped in the car, and, on a whim, drove through the center of the cemetery one last time. I noticed this beautiful statue.

And the name caught my eye. De Filiquier.

Bingo!

My great-grandmother's last name was de Filiquier before she married my great-grandfather Horne.

And so I found my paternal great-grandmother's family plot.

Lucien Blank de Filiquier and his wife, Mina Beyais de Filiquier came from France and owned a market. He died in 1895.

The next to join him was his little grandson, William, who died in 1901 aged 9 months.

I never knew about him!

My great-grandmother Emilie died when she was 45.

And then her mother followed 2 years later.

Here's my great-grandfather's marker.

Not nearly as elaborate as his wife's. He outlived my great-grandmother by 15 years.

The last to be buried in the deFiliquier plot is my great-aunt Lucille.

I remember Aunt Ciel- a tiny spinster, with white-grey hair and those '60 style eyeglasses who lived in the house next to my grandparents. Her house smelled like mothballs and was crammed to the rafters with the stuff of a lifetime. She was a ceramic artist- I remember her kiln and her molds and remember her greenware works-in-progress and how the glaze colors were never the same before the final firing as they were afterward. I still have one of her china Easter eggs.

Charles' and Emilie's eldest child, my grandfather Charles jr., is not buried with his parents and brother and sister. I'll take you there next.

A Week in Louisiana

2012-01-27T22:31:00.004-05:00

It was a big week for my family in Louisiana. My brother Ed had a "big bad birthday" as did CruiseGran. There was lots of celebrating.

I gave my high-school friends a "heads up" (thank you Facebook!) and we got together on Tuesday night at Genghis Grill.

We are a good lookin' bunch, if I do say so myself.
But lest you think that getting us all smiling in sync with our eyes open is easy, take a quick look at all the "takes" we had to take!!

Yes, that was my friend Nancy in town from Charlotte, NC. We finally managed to be in Hooterville at the same time. We had lunch at Cush's and then went to visit with her mom, Helen. Was a lovely, LOVELY afternoon.

I also had a awesome catch-up lunch with my friend David Hennington (why the heck didn't I take a photo of us, David??????? I'll get one next time!!!!)

Wednesday night, we fixed brother Ed's 50th birthday dinner at my mom's house. Ever the low-key guy, he wanted to keep it simple- steaks, salad and birthday cake.

Julie Ann's Italian Creme Cake, thankyouverymuch.

Ella loved the cake!

He got some cool prezzies.......

Brother Will delivered the cake with much ceremony.

And the birthday boy got a little annoyed (as he always does) with my photo-taking.

(I SWEAR he's not in the Witness Protection Program! He just doesn't like having his photo "out there" for the world to see.)

And Emerson helped her old dad cut it.

But my EP366 for the day shows the little brother in the pastel portrait all grown up!

Friday was the Cotillion Ball announcement party, and I am tickled to say that AJ was asked to be a Gentleman in this year's court.

I was so happy to see so many Shreveport friends, including my friend Mary, whom I have not seen in 25 years. Her daughter is also in the court, so we are looking forward to BIG times in April. Alix and nephew Austin have been asked to be ushers at the ball, and little cousin Julia is a herald...so it will be a big family affair!

Saturday, I had lunch with "the family girls".

Mary Cecile was able to join us, having just gotten back from a morning of duck hunting with her daddy, Buzz.

And then Saturday night, we celebrated Mama's birthday (I won't say how many). We had wanted to have a party for her, but the Shreveport Symphony was otherwise engaged on Saturday, so we just let them do their thing and we went to The Anvil.

The gang was all there...including the funniest woman in the world Kris Hiers and Austin's girlfriend Kelly.

Mama and cousin Ashley looked radiant, as always.

Ok, so we got her a mushy card.

And a bracelet from us had to suffice for the lack-of-big-party.

Mary Cecile was out of cammo by now.

And JuJu and Woo were not to be upstaged.

Busy busy busy week in Hooterville-on-the-Red!!!!!!

Atlanta

2012-01-27T22:09:00.005-05:00

The day after Alix's birthday, I headed up to Atlanta to stay with my darling granddogter Molly. AJ and Anna-Grace headed off for an overnight of skiing in North Carolina with his fraternity.

I discovered that Molly likes to watch TV.

She plays hard......

and when she crashes, she crashes.

On Sunday, I trotted myself over to the High Museum of Art to see the Picasso to Warhol exhibit.

I had seen many of the works in the Museum of Modern Art in New York, but it was like greeting old friends.

I loved that, although you couldn't use "real" cameras to take photos of the works, you COULD use camera phones!!!!

Picasso's Girl Before a Mirror.

My beloved Matisse. Maquette for Nuit de Noel.

More Matisse. The sculpture is The Serf, with the painting "Artist's Model" in back.

Mondrian's Trafalgar Square.

Brancusi's Bird in Space.

Pollack's Number 1A.

Warhol's Campbell Soup Cans.

I could have stayed for hours. But the kids were due back, and WOW, were they tired!

The girls fell asleep on the sofa right after dinner...

And I had a long drive ahead of me.... to Louisiana!

The First Half of January

2012-01-27T21:43:00.003-05:00

When last I left here (well, aside from the EP366 postings...and honestly, if Jan-Olav tries to get me to do a third one, it will be 365 photographs of a well-padded booby hatch...but I digress), it was that lovely quiet week between Christmas and New Years, when I had the house all to myself (a toe-dip into the water of things to come). So what, you ask, has been going on around Maison Cou Rouge????

Well, Alix and super-beau Wesley returned from Hotlanta in time to celebrate New Year's Eve with me--and Anderson and Kathy and Lady and Dick. No, I wasn't having a free-for-all at MCR, and NO, Middle-Of-Nowhere hasn't had a sudden influx of residents....that would be my hot dates for New Year's Eve--Anderson Cooper and Kathy Griffin on CNN, and Lady Gaga and Dick Clark on ABC's New Year's Rockin' Eve.

Yep, it was a hot time in the ol' town that night....

I could have edited out most of the photo, and left you thinking I had a super-up-close seat at a Gaga concert, but I wanted to prove that I actually stayed up until midnight.

Proof.

Wesley was fascinated by the champagne bubbles in his glass...I think he did a right nice job of capturing them, don't you??

First portrait of 2012!

They weren't all perfect...

What else have I been doing?? Tackling peeling wallpaper...

I believe there is a special ring of Dante's Hell for people who put up wallpaper without prepping the walls first. This is slooooowwwww going. I'm still at it.

I also do not understand why wallpaper peels at the edges so badly that it will not be glued back down...but yet remains absolutely unremovable 1.5 inches from the edge. One of life's great mysteries, I suspect.

I took some photos out in the rain...

Why people through junk carelessly away instead of disposing of it properly really gets me. Add another ring of hell....

The big news was that Alix turned 18. She had some friends over for dinner...

Which included quite an interesting menu. Steak, mashed potatoes, butter beans and macaroni and cheese. Ok, I forced a salad in there, but it was wilted spinach covered in warm bacon dressing. That's not really salad, is it?

Oh, and a cake, naturally.

Paula Deen's Tangerine cake with Tangerine Cream Cheese icing. DE-VINE!!!

It was an exciting day--I can't believe my girl is 18. Grown. Voting.

I guess it's time to stop using my standard excuse for the shape I am in...."I just had a baby".

EP366 Week 36

2012-01-12T11:57:00.002-05:00

Day 246
January 1, 2012

Day 247
January 2, 2012

Day 248
January 3, 2011

Day 249
January 4, 2011

Day 250
January 5, 2011

Day 251
January 6, 2011

Day 252
January 7, 2011

EP 366 Week 35

2012-01-12T11:51:00.002-05:00

Day 239
December 25, 2011

Day 240
December 26, 2011

Day 241
December 27, 2011

Day 242
December 28, 2011

Day 243
December 29, 2011

Day 244
December 30, 2011

December 245
December 31, 2011

2011-2012

2011-12-31T13:19:00.003-05:00

If you didn't already know there is something weird going on here at Maison Cou Rouge, I give you this photograph. I even put the timestamp on the photo, so you wouldn't think I made it up.

Yes, those are tomatoes ripening on the vine by my back door.

I don't know whether this is an indication of the weirdness of the year 2011...or of the strange things to happen in 2012.

Ah, well...let the adventure begin.

2012 A Year of Change

2011-12-31T12:34:00.003-05:00

A new year is like a new box of crayons and a new pad of paper. Hmmmmm--what to doodle? What to draw? What to make of the next 366 days?

You know me--I'm not for making resolutions. But I do know that 2012 will be a year of change for me.

The biggie is that, in August, Alix will be joining her brother at Georgia Tech in Atlanta. I will have an empty nest.

Yes, Alix is gone a lot presently. But she's still officially "in residence" and, although she's quite independent, I do get the occasional "Maaaaaaammmmmmmaaaaa" and "can you do (insert request) for me?". In autumn, my baby bird will fly north and begin making her adult life without my daily guidance (or interference).

Another biggie is that I have to figure out how to earn my room and board. My mother has been incredibly generous in helping me through this period, but it is time I learned to stand on my own. Oh, man--this is the awful, big "scary" under the bed with me right now. How, what, who? The fact that I live in a tiny town doesn't help. But I love living here in Middle-Of-Nowhere-comma-Georgia--or as I should more properly call it, Tennille--and don't want to move. My friends are so supportive--"Oh, you're so creative, you're so talented--you can do ANYTHING"--I love them for it, but maybe I think what I need is some focus and a good swift kick in the pants...... And, of course, the sleepless nights come every so often, with me doubting my abilities to succeed at anything. But I've dealt with that all my life.

I think this year, I want to write more--and with more substance than before. One thing I learned from the past few years is that I stayed so long in an verbally abusive relationship because I didn't think I had any other option. Once I realized I DID have options, I recognized that there are others in situations so much worse off that I. And I want to help them.

I am also feeling a pull to write about living with depression. It will come as a surprise to many folks who know me - some quite close to me- that I have struggled with depression for as long as I can remember. It is only in the past nine years- with the help of my very observant doctor- that I have come to an armistice with my version of Churchill's Black Dog. Again- I am feeling the need to help others in similar circumstances.

Ok, enough about that. We'll see what evolves, shall we?

I want to live more simply. More honestly. More AUTHENTICALLY. I heard my friend Jane Marx once say to someone "I like you. You are authentic." I want to explore what that means.

Maybe that is my word for the year. Authentic.

Oh, I'm heading places....lots and lots of places...

To Louisiana- lots. I'll get to know Interstate 20 like the back of my hand. All 500 miles of it.

Cruisegran and I are heading to southeast Asia this spring- Cambodia and Vietnam. Angor Wat. I'm too excited for words. I just got my passport back with the visas- so it's beginning to feel "real" to me.

This summer, the Family (gosh, that sounds like the mafia, doesn't it?) is going from Venice through the Black Sea. I've never been to Istanbul or Greece, so it will be new to me.

I am sure lots of adventures are looming just over the horizon...so when my friend Diane reminded me just a few hours ago of this Mark Twain quote, I smiled.

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

2011 Recap

2011-12-31T11:21:00.003-05:00

Well, I'm not much for looking backward (or forward, really) but I guess it is this day/evening each year when it is inevitable. At the first of the year, I wrote about 2011 being " A Year of Possibilities".

Let's take a look, shall we?

I used the "good stuff" more. Even just when it was I, by myself.

Treat my body with more respect?? Well, I totally blew that out of the water...but I will try... Lord knows, I will try.

I didn't get to meditate as much as I would have liked. I feel so much more whole when I do. Like in so many other instances, life keeps intruding.

I turned off the news A LOT this year. I used to be a news junkie, but found that switching the channel when people started yelling at one another made me less so. I switched from FoxNews (who now seems to be yelling all the time) to CNN. And if the telly is on in the mornings, it's now on Good Morning America, listening to fluff instead of manufactured "news alerts".

I don't think I had a glass of white zinfandel all year.

Did I have my friends more around me this year? I can't remember- a hazard that comes with aging.

My alcohol consumption went WAAAYYY down this year...but I did explore some great wines, and- as a consequence- did have more "chardonnay giggles"--heck, I even went to New Zealand and Australia and LEARNED to DRINK Chardonnay.....

One thing I do think I accomplished was looking people in the eye more. Asking them -and really MEANING it- "How are you?" And then, actually stopping to LISTEN. It was eyeopening- especially with store clerks. Actually, answering their tossed-off question "how are you"-- with something other than "fine"--and then returning the question to THEM and looking them in the eye and anticipating a response provoked more smiles in this year than anything else I did. Try it.

Did I finish the cookbook? I'm working on it, I'm working on it.

So--as I sit here with a fresh cup of coffee- what did I think of this past year?

I survived.

It wasn't the greatest year of my life. But it wasn't the worst.

I learned to live alone. Yes, I know Alix was here-and when I got down, that was such a comfort. But for the first time since I was a junior in college, I was single. I woke alone. I slept alone. I went to parties alone. I dined alone. I traveled alone.

I have never been "on my own" really. I married six weeks after I graduated college. I've always cherished my "alone" time- making a point to draw a difference between "being alone" and "being lonely". And, by my nature, I am a loner--a solitary character, content with keeping to myself in the company of books, music and my own imagination. This year, I have learned to make friends with being lonely sometimes. I have learned how to cope with it- how to cage it, how to corral it, how to manage it- but above all, how not to be afraid of loneliness.

I appreciate my family more. Maybe because I seem to have spent more time with them, traveling to Louisiana, or maybe it was the addition of my cousins on our summer family cruise. Or, maybe I am simply more sensitive to relationships, post-divorce. Maybe I have come to value those special ties of family more deeply. And, of course, I still like to remind my friends that they are my family--the family I got to pick.

In the past year, I have come to understand the Victorian concept of a mourning period. In a real sense (as the ever-wise Susanne pointed out), divorce is a death...and with it comes a period of grieving and change.

I worked on my photography-and with the help of some great teachers-have reawakened a passion that got lost somewhere in my teens.

I sold some artwork- needlepoint canvases, jewelry and photographs. (Yes, IRS, you will get your pound of flesh. Ah, if only the WOULD take pounds of flesh....)

I saw some amazing places in 2011- I travelled to New Zealand, barely avoiding a devastating earthquake in the process. I experienced summertime in February in Australia and met an internet friend in Prague, of all places. I returned to Russia-still not quite understanding why I feel so drawn there. I strolled the streets of Stockholm and had a martini in a glass made of ice. In Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens, I watched with tears of laughter in my eyes as my daughter and her beloved cousins linked arms and, skipping away toward the amusement park, broke into song..."We're Off to See the Wizard".

I watched as my daughter became more independent and my son became an adult. I stopped myself from dispensing advice to them on nearly every occasion and watched as they made mistakes. I watched them learn. I watched them grow.

Maybe the best thing I can say about 2011 is that I have learned to stop-and look-and appreciate. To realize- really understand- that this thing called "life" is a journey, not a destination. That it is the things that we do NOT plan that make up the richness of our lives. That it takes courage to choose to live life. That everything is impermanent.

And to smile because it happened.

EP 366 Week 34

2011-12-28T13:36:00.005-05:00

Day 232
December 18, 2011

Day 233
December 19, 2011

Day 234
December 20, 2011

Day 235
December 21, 2011

Day 236
December 22, 2011

Day 237
December 23, 2011

Day 238
December 24, 2011

EP366 Week 33

2011-12-28T13:32:00.004-05:00

Day 225
December 11, 2011

Day 226
December 12, 2011

Day 227
December 13, 2011

Day 228
December 14, 2011

Day 229
December 15, 2011

Day 230
December 16, 2011

Day 231
December 17, 2011

EP366 Week 32

2011-12-28T13:28:00.003-05:00

Day 218
December 4, 2011

Day 219
December 5, 2011

Day 220
December 6, 2011

Day 221
December 7, 2011

Day 222
December 8, 2011

Day 223
December 9, 2011

Day 224
December 10, 2011

EP366 Week 31

2011-12-28T13:20:00.003-05:00

Day 211
November 27, 2011

Day 212
November 28, 2011

Day 213
November 29, 2011

Day 214
November 30, 2011

Day 215
December 1, 2011

Day 216
December 2, 2011

Day 217
December 3, 2011

That In-Between Time

2011-12-28T12:25:00.003-05:00

I love the last week of the year. It's that calm-after the storm sort of thing....where there's always leftovers in the 'fridge and no one really has to be anywhere or do anything.

This was a different Christmas...but fun. All the chicks were home to roost- but in a semi-permanent state. AJ and Anna-Grace were at her mom's house for Christmas Eve and so it was Alix and I first thing on Christmas.

Before anything "began" we grabbed coffee and turned on the traditional "always on in the background" continuous loop of that Christmas staple "A Christmas Story". Still funny as hell, no matter how many times I see it.

Proper headgear donned, Alix telephones Wesley to wake him up..

Cruisegran always has clever and much-appreciated prezzies...

North Face Jacket. Score!!!

Then "GJ" came over in their jammies around 11am for stockings and prezzies...

Anna-Grace's custom-designed running shoes. Sooooo HER!!!

Molly found her master and mistress wearing those silly hats too much to take.......

Wesley came over around 1pm....

And another round of prezzies ensued.

AJ experimented with some bacon, onions and brussel sprouts (never a bad combination...)

The Beef Wellington came out perfect--yes, PERFECT...

There couldn't have been a better way to end the day!

Holy Frijoles!! 10 days and counting!!

2011-12-14T11:03:00.004-05:00

Yikes! Where has the time flown??

I've been crazy possessed, trying to get Christmas loose ends tied up before the chicks come to roost for the holidays!

I finally got Christmas cards and packages mailed not 30 minutes ago, and now I can begin to get the house ready for SANTA!!!!

On the academic front, Alix sitting the second of six exams as I type. Two tomorrow and two on Friday.

AJ has one exam- French- left. The fact that the subject matter of two of his three finished exams dealt with astrophysics and quantum mechanics makes my head hurt. I can barely spell them.

Wesley, that rat, has been off since Thanksgiving. Quarter system at Georgia Military College. This has not ceased to rankle Alix as she researched and wrote papers on stem cell research and Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome (yes, a real disease).

And Anna-Grace....well, Anna-Grace is an official GRADUATE of the University of Georgia!! And she has a job!!!!! And she's researching Master's programs. Don'tcha think there's a little bit of overachieving in that couple?????

The tree is up.

Yes, Alix and I hunted it at "The Flower Garden", brought it home, trimmed the bottom and set it up in its stand together!! No fuss, no muss and no CURSING!!! Wesley did the lights and I did the ribbons. That's as far as we have gotten. Rome wasn't built in a day.

Alix also insisted on a mini kitchen tree--yes....a pink tinsel mini tree, with pink, purple, silver and white ornaments.

Oh, STOP THAT!! It's Christmas.

EP366 Week 30

2011-12-01T11:08:00.002-05:00

Day 204
November 20, 2011

Day 205
November 21, 2011

Day 206
November 22, 2011

Day 207
November 23, 2011

Day 208
November 24, 2011

Day 209
November 25, 2011

Day 210
November 26, 2011

EP366 Week 29

2011-12-01T11:04:00.002-05:00

Day 197
November 13, 2011

Day 198
November 14, 2011

Day 199
November 15, 2011

Day 200
November 16, 2011

Day 201
November 17, 2011

Day 202
November 18, 2011

Day 203
November 19, 2011

EP366 Week 28

2011-12-01T11:00:00.003-05:00

Day 190
November 6, 2011

Day 191
November 7, 2011

Day 192
November 8, 2011

Day 193
November 9, 2011

Day 194
November 10, 2011

Day 195
November 11, 2011

Day 196
November 12, 2011

EP366 Week 27

2011-12-01T10:55:00.002-05:00

Day 183
October 30, 2011

Day 184
October 31, 2011

Day 185
November 1, 2011

Day 186
November 2, 2011

Day 187
November 3, 2011

Day 188
November 4, 2011

Day 189
November 5, 2011

EP366 Week 26

2011-12-01T10:20:00.003-05:00

I don't know HOW I forgot to post these 366 photos....Please FORGIVE me!!!!

Day 176
October 23, 2011

Day 177
October 24, 2011

Day 178
October 25, 2011

Day 179
October 26, 2011

Day 180
October 27, 2011

Day 181
October 28, 2011

Day 182
October 29, 2011

Numbers

2011-11-28T10:09:00.002-05:00

733.1-- The number of miles from Maison Cou Rouge to my mother's house in Shreveport.

1094-- The number of photos I took over Thanksgiving.

5-- The number of hours AJ and Anna-Grace's plane was delayed from Shreveport to Atlanta yesterday.

7--The number of stops we made on the road on Sunday for the "convenience" of one 15-week old beagle.

16-- The number of miles of Vicksburg Battlefield toured by Wesley, Alix and I.

4-- The number of football games we watched on the television.

1--The number of football games we watched IN PERSON a family member win.

4--The number of over-the-top meals we ate.

4--The number of hours spent with Justin Bieber.

5-- The number of Strawn's pies sampled.

Unknown but ALOT- the number of bottles of wine consumed.

Needless to say--we survived Thanksgiving in Louisiana.

Photos to follow.

A Chiropractic Halloween and a new GROCERY

2011-11-04T13:01:00.003-04:00

I had no idea that my chiropractor, Kelley Morgenroth, was such a fan of Halloween. So when I checked in with her on Monday, I was surprised to find Washington County Family Chiropractic all decorated.

And Kelly was bewitching all her patients.

There were eyes everywhere.

And food was in abundance.

Anna was taking everyone's photos, but I managed to get a pic of HER.

How appropriate that the treatment rooms were covered in wallart.

Well, after that frightful realignment of my spine, I headed to Milledgeville to visit the BRAND NEW Kroger's grocery store.

Sweetjeezuzgawdammighty!

100,000 square feet of inspiration. I haven't been this excited since....well, SINCE.

Yes, I had to sit down a few times. It was that wonderful.

Now, I have my huge patch of lemongrass at MCR. But if I ever run out....hallelujah!

Oh, stop rolling your eyes. I take joy in the simple things. Like fresh lamb. Blood oranges. Maytag blue cheese. Fingerling potatoes.

I am happy. Happy, happy, happy.

And caught up!!!! Hooray!

Even More Fall Catch Up!

2011-11-04T12:40:00.004-04:00

Heck, I've almost caught everyone up to date!

Halloween came early 'round these parts- Alix and I each had our own Halloween parties to attend on October 22. And BOTH were costume affairs!

Alix decided to go to Sarah Smith's party as The Joker's apprentice, Harley Quinn. Here's a stock photo of Harley Quinn..

And here's Alix.

Aren't they a cute couple?

For my Halloween invite, I went to Jeremy and Emily Andrew's.

Jeremy took the cake for his costume "white lies"..

and Emily went as a Spice Rack.

(No, Michelle, aka Little Red Riding Hood, does not always make that face...she had just done a jello shot. Oh, did I mention there were jello shots at the Andrew's party??? Um...I may have had A FEW.....)

The Gilligan's Island gang was all there...

The Moms..

Sad when no one has any fun...

My cooking cohort-in-crime, Sharon...

Doesn't everyone take photos of themselves in the bathroom?

Medusa and Mrs. Thurston Howell, III

No matter what age--the guys sit outside and the girls dance...

There is simply no explanation available. But it sounded like a good idea at the time.

Someone KINDLY grabbed my camera...

I thought Tiffany's costume was both clever and appropriate.

Angelina JoLynn made an appearance

Complete with paparazzi

And as for Anna....no explanation necessary.

She's Greek.

More Tennille BBQ Blast

2011-11-04T12:30:00.002-04:00

You step outside on Saturday morning of BBQ Blast weekend and can smell that wonderful scent of barbeque- sauce and charcoal and hickory and pork.

It was enough to get me out of bed early and head out to take photos and see what was going on.

Penelope Pig, the BBQ mascot, was at the ready.

Teams were in high gear, getting ready for judging.

The menfolk from next door were readying their ribs and relaxing.

The train continued to run on time.

I decided NOT to add the redneck windchimes to my collection.

Here's just a little of the sights of Tennille's Fourth Annual BBQ Blast. ENJOY!!!

Tennille BBQ Blast

2011-11-04T12:15:00.002-04:00

This was the fourth year of the Tennille BBQ Blast. As it is now an event "sanctioned" by the Georgia BBQ Association (or something like that), the Blast drew many more teams this year.

Friday night kicked off the festivities, as teams set up and began the long, "low and slow" process for their bar-be-que.

It was nice to see that vendors also set up, so when your tummy started rumbling to all those great smells coming from the cook tents, you could grab a bite (or sixteen).

The street dance featuring the Booty Pappas lasted well into the wee morning hours.

Susanne's husband John was my companion for the evening. Susa wasn't feeling great, but we enjoyed talking to everyone. John always finds a fellow Harley fan.

And friend Karen has a smile that always lights up everyone.

Our sheriff uses the transportation du jour...

I love Lee Strickland's rig--they are all volunteer firefighters. Can you tell?

There were even bubblewands for sale.

Caravans have been refitted into portable kitchens--some quite impressive!

A long night lay ahead for some teams, but I decided to head home fairly early and fall asleep listening to the band play on.

More Fall Catchup

2011-11-04T11:42:00.004-04:00

Before we knew it, Thursday had rolled around and it was time for the Homecoming Pep Rally!!!!

Countries of the World was the day's theme, and of course the Seniors chose the USA!

Graham and Caroline, as class spirit leaders, were Uncle Sam and the Statue of Liberty.

Friday night was the actual Homecoming game, and the Senior girls made up the homecoming court.

Alix and Sarah- looking much different from Cross Country meet days!

Suzanna, Taylar, Emmaline and Caroline- looking so grownup!

Alix and Cassie sharing some boiled peanuts before halftime!

Sometimes, even ballroom dance shoes hurt your feet...after all, they are made for dance floors, not concrete stadiums!

Everyone was delighted with the upper school's selection of Carson McDavid as Homecoming Queen.

Surprised and radiant--she looked AMAZING!!!

Alix was glad it was over and ready to change to get comfortable.

After that week's goings-on..we had a quiet weekend and then--MY BIRTHDAY!!!!

When you are as old as I, you don't celebrate birthdays the way you did when you were 5, or 16, or 21. Maybe we all should.

The Brown House timed the opening of the annual Art Show perfectly, so Alix, Wesley and I attended.

In addition, the new room devoted to the Old City Cemetery was formally opened, and three of my photographs were selected for the exhibit.

Here's a look at my work (with the green matting) before identifying labels were added....

Next year, I'm hoping to have some artwork ready for the Festival exhibit as well.

The Tennille Agricultural Fair was in town.

I love a fair....actually, I love fair food the most, but I do love a fair!

What's an agricultural fair without agricultural contests?

Hooray Emmaline!

Newly hatched chicks under the warming light.

As a knitter, you know I love an alpaca!

Mr. Tom Turkey looked appropriately regal.

But Miss Turkey was not at ALL pleased with my photography. She pecked at my lens!

I really hate riding ferris wheels, but love to photograph them.

Our little Tennille Fair has something for everyone.

NO ALIX.

You may NOT have a bunny!

And then there was the actual Kaolin Festival itself. I don't have any photographs of the parade, because while the parade was going on, I was at my booth.

I did sell some photos, but not as many as I would have liked. The reason, I think, is that it wasn't exactly my target market...

But I am not discouraged in the least!

Anna-Grace and AJ came down, and I got to see my Grandog-ter!

And had one of my favorite fair foods.

Fall at Maison Cou Rouge

2011-11-04T11:20:00.002-04:00

Well----- I am sure that if it weren't for my Project EP366, you would have thought I had dropped off the planet. We've had a LOT going on 'round these parts. Such is our busy life in Middle-Of-Nowhere.

What have we been up to, you ask? Well....

Back toward the end of September, I took the gang to see Wicked in Atlanta at the Fox Theatre. Alix, Wesley, Sharon (Anna-Grace's mom), and I drove up Sunday morning and had brunch at AJ and Anna-Grace's (or GJ's as I have started calling it...)

We played with puppy Molly.

Isn't she the sweetest, tiniest little thing?

Properly attired, I might add....

Wicked was FABULOUS!!!

Just as terrific as it was on Broadway!

Then back to the apartment for a little more cuddle time with Molly.

Next on the highlight film was Spirit Week at Brentwood. Starting off the week was Homely Coming and PowderPuff football. I don't have any photos of HomelyComing because I WAS PLAYING FOOTBALL!!!! It was Senior Moms (and teachers) versus Senior Girls...and while the Moms were defeated by a touchdown, it was fun!!!!

Warming up--the Moms needed more stretching than the girls did!

Please note the silk rose in my hair...a very festive touch, don'tcha think??

The name on the back of my shirt, appropriately, was "Tsarina"...which announcer Danny Brown could NEVER pronounce correctly!!!

Afterward, all opponents were on friendly terms again.....we even went for Mexican!!!

I said that week was a busy one....The day after the Powderpuff Game, my friend, amazing eye doctor Kreslyn Odum Brook's hosted a "Touch the Crown" tea party, where girls of all ages had the chance to meet 2011 Miss Georgia Michaela Grace Lackey and Miss Georgia's Outstanding Teen, Julia Martin.

Michaela really let everyone touch her crown!

There were crowns and beads, facepainting and delicious nibbles!

And Joel loved getting a hug from Miss Georgia.

And we were only on Tuesday!!! More of Spirit Week to come!!!

EP366 Week 25

2011-10-26T12:03:00.003-04:00

Day 169
October 16, 2011

Day 170
October 17, 2011

Day 171
October 18, 2011

Day 172
October 19, 2011

Day 173
October 20, 2011

Day 174
October 21, 2011

Day 175
October 22, 2011

EP366 Week 24

2011-10-25T12:07:00.005-04:00

Funny how I get these photos edited and forget to post them.....

Day 162
October 9, 2011

Day 163
October 10, 2011

Day 164
October 11, 2011

Day 165
Octobert 12, 2011

Day 166
October 13, 2011

Day 167
October 14, 2011

Day 168
October 15, 2011

World Cruise 2011 Links

2011-10-18T22:30:00.002-04:00

As stated in my last post, most of the links from my Picasa account and Blogspot were damaged, resulting in a whole ton of pretty black triangles where color photos should have been.

But it seems (for the time) that things have all been put right. Well, it was a code-learning experience....

Anyhow....

If you were not fortunate (tongue firmly planted in cheek) to view my tales from Down Under, here are the links to the updated, PRETTY, blogposts COMPLETE with COLOR photos!!!!!!

Itinerary

The Beginning

Auckland, Day 1

Auckland, Day 2

Waiheke Vineyards

Embarkation Day

Tauranga, New Zealand

Napier, New Zealand

Wellington, New Zealand

Wellington Botanic Garden

Christchurch and Overland Trip 1

Christchurch Fireman's Reserve Memorial to 9/11

Into the Southern Alps

Mount Cook

The Flight to the Glacier

Mountain High

Mount Cook to Queenstown

Queenstown to Dunedin

New Zealand Sounds

Tasmania

The Yarra Valley of Australia

Melbourne, Australia

Last Sea Day

Sydney, Australia

Sydney 2

Summer Family Cruise 2010 Links!!!!

2011-10-18T22:13:00.003-04:00

I have spent the majority of the past week repairing some broken photography links on the blog. Most of them, as luck would have it (and remember I have the luck of the Irish....the Potato Famine Irish....) they were days of heavy-duty visuals....mainly the Summer Cruise from 2010 and the World Cruise from 2011. So in case perused the writing surrounded by a bunch of black triangles with exclamation marks, here are links to all the posts for our Summer Family Cruise 2010 from Italy to England.

Itinerary

Heading to Rome

Rome

Rome 2

To The Ship

Pisa

Monaco

Barcelona

Tangier

Lisbon

At Sea

Bilbao

Le Verdon to Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Final Sea Day

London

Bristol 1

Bristol 2

Bristol Cruise

SS Great Britain

Windsor and Home

EP366 Week 23

2011-10-14T11:34:00.007-04:00

Day 155
October 2, 2011

Day 156
October 3 2011

Day 157
October 4, 2011

Day 158
October 5, 2011

Day 159
October 6, 2011

Day 160
October 7, 2011

Day 161
October 8, 2011

EP366 Week 22

2011-10-14T11:31:00.005-04:00

Day 148
September 25, 2011

Day 149
September 26, 2011

Day 150
September 27,2011

Day 151
September 28, 2011

Day 152
September 29, 2011

DAY 153
September 30, 2011

Day 154
October 1, 2011

EP366 Week 21

2011-10-14T11:17:00.006-04:00

Day 141
September 18, 2011

Day 142
September 19, 2011

Day 143
September 20, 2011

Day 144
September 21, 2011

Day 145
September 22, 2011

Day 146
September 23, 2011

Day 147
September 24, 2011

EP366 Week 20

2011-10-14T10:53:00.003-04:00

Did you think I'd fallen off the face of the planet? Well, I'm here, diligently working on all sorts of stuff...and playing catchup!

Let's start off with bringing the EP366 up to date...

Day 134
September 11, 2011

Day 135
September 12, 2011

Day 136
September 13, 2011

Day 137
September 14, 2011

Day 138
September 15, 2011

Day 139
September 16, 2011

Day 140
September 17, 2011

Thank you, Steve

2011-10-06T19:59:00.000-04:00

Our world is better because you were in it.

Yep, It's Here AGAIN...

2011-10-03T11:08:00.002-04:00

I thought this was hilariously appropriate for today......my birthday.

One of the many great things today.......it can only go up from here!!!!

My Last Will and Testament

2011-09-26T10:55:00.002-04:00

If I die tonight playing PowderPuff Football........

I leave everything to Alix, AJ and Jan-Olav. Y'all sort it out. But Jan-Olav gets the Titanic books. And the killer rabbit. And my geek duckie. Take the damn recipe files and publish them---FINALLY.

Throw my ashes off the back of Crystal Serenity a la Eleanor. Preferably somewhere wonderful. Wait a minute...everywhere is wonderful on Crystal Cruises....

Remember that I died in the process of making people laugh. And they were happy.

Which is all I ever wanted.

Hello...goodbye?????

2011-09-26T09:09:00.006-04:00

Just checking in here for a second...I have been busier than a one-armed wallpaper hanger!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am in the middle of getting photos matted--I am going to have a booth at the International Kaolin Festival!!!! I figured that if I sell 6 prints, I will break even...so what the heck? And so, right now, the dining room has become a workroom.

Wish me luck.

I show any sort of success at all, I might open up an online store.

We will see. BABYSTEPS.

Yesterday was a total blur. I took the kids to see "Wicked" at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.

I've been wanting to take them to see it ever since I saw it in New York...and that was 2005, I think! It was just as awesome "on the road".

I bought the tickets in April!

Alix, Wesley and Sharon, Anna-Grace's mom, hopped in the car and went up to Atlanta where AJ and Anna-Grace fixed a yummy brunch and we got to meet Molly the Beagle!!!

Could this tiny little thing be any darn cuter????

More photos to follow...maybe.

Why do I say "maybe"? Well, because today is the beginning of Homecoming 2011 at Brentwood School. While it culminates with the Homecoming Football Game (and Homecoming Court presentation, including the lovely Alix!!) on Friday, it begins with Homely Coming and the PowderPuff Football Game on Monday.

You might remember when AJ participated in HomelyComing....

I was so proud.

This year, the Senior Girls are playing the Senior Moms.

I might not live to see another sunrise.

I am playing center on offense, and outside linebacker on defense. "Playing" really is the appropriate word here. Before we had a coach (oh, yes, we have had all of 3 practices, one of which I missed....), we had a team trainer, team chaplain, and two team doctors. I have requested the doctors stand by on the sidelines with the cardiac paddles in case I need reviving.

At least it's flag football, not tackle. But still.

Pray for me.

I wonder if vodka mixes well with gatorade? I am going to need some anesthesia....anesthetic.....anti-inflammatory...

Something to get me through tonight.

EP366 Week 19

2011-09-13T10:10:00.003-04:00

Day 127
September 4, 2011

Day 128
September 5, 2011

Day 129
September 6, 2011

Day 130
September 7, 2011

Day 131
September 8, 2011

Day 132
September 9, 2011

Day 133
September 10, 2011

EP366 Week 18

2011-09-13T09:48:00.005-04:00

Day 120
August 28, 2011

Day 121
August 29, 2011

Day 122
August 30, 2011

Day 123
August 31, 2011

Day 124
September 1, 2011

Day 125
September 2, 2011

Day 126
September 3, 2011

EP366 Week 17

2011-09-13T09:37:00.003-04:00

'Bout time for a few weeks of catchup!!!

Day 113
August 21,2011

Day 114
August 22, 2011

Day 115
August 23, 2011

Day 116
August 24, 2011

Day 117
August 25, 2011

Day 118
August 26, 2011

Day 119
August 27,2011

On Being Human

2011-09-08T08:21:00.001-04:00

Rigpa Glimpse of the Day for today---

Enlightenment is real; and each of us, whoever we are, can in the right circumstances and with the right training realize the nature of mind and so know in us what is deathless and eternally pure. This is the promise of all the great mystical traditions of the world, and it has been fulfilled and is being fulfilled in countless thousands of human lives.

The wonder of this promise is that it is something not exotic, not fantastic, not for an elite, but for all of humanity; and when we realize it, the masters tell us, it is unexpectedly ordinary.

Spiritual truth is not something elaborate and esoteric, it is in fact profound common sense. When you realize the nature of mind, layers of confusion peel away. You don’t actually “become” a buddha, you simply cease, slowly, to be deluded. And being a buddha is not being some omnipotent spiritual superman, but becoming at last a true human being.

Shoes For My Heart

2011-09-07T16:28:00.001-04:00

It’s just one of those days. We all have them. Today I felt like....

I’m nearly 51.
I’m divorced.
How many pounds...still?
My last child is about to leave the nest.
My dear friend is seriously ill.
I’m nearly broke.
I have no job.

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121:1) I don’t even have any hills ‘round here in Middle-Of-Nowhere ™.

So I let myself wallow in that pity party for a little while, then attempted to drag myself out of it.

In the Tibetan Buddhist tradition I follow, we are taught not to shy away from all the negative “stuff” that surrounds us, but rather to go toward that pain, to understand it, therefore to expose the tender heart of compassion that lies underneath. We can use everything in our lives to make our lives filled with happiness.

Obviously, all this piled-up pity stuff is a way of gently pointing out to me that I have not been practicing my meditation, my reading, my training.

Pema Chodron, the Buddhist nun I consider my teacher, has a wonderful analogy. She said that often we see our world and we are so pissed off by it...This lousy word, this lousy government, this lousy person ahead of us is too tall, lousy mosquitoes are everywhere, it’s too hot, it’s too cold, the toilet is leaking, we weight too much, we’re lonely, our stomachs are grumbling, the traffic is parked and we are late. The world is against us.

It’s like walking barefoot over hot sand or glass shards. We hurt. It cuts us, it causes us pain. We have the idea to cover it up...Put down leather everywhere!!! Get RID of the lousy government, that lousy person who’s too tall...get RID of everything that bothers us. Make everything perfect for us. And THEN we will be content and happy.

Our feet don’t hurt when we cover the boiling sand with leather. Our souls don’t hurt when we cover up our feelings. But these approaches aren’t practical. Isn’t it impractical to demand that leather be everywhere we walk??? Isn’t it impractical to demand that the world be perfect for us alone?

Why don’t we put the leather on the soles of our feet? Call them SHOES! Now we don’t have to cover up everything with leather...just a little bit of protection for us to manage. So we will be able to experience all the glories of this world. In the same way, why not expand our mind, learn to work with it, to train our minds to be open, acknowledge the aches, pains, suffering, sadness that is there, learn to accept it...and use it. To fully live in all the wonders of being human. Including pain, sadness and "pissed-off-ness".

It sounds good, but it is so hard sometimes to stay in that second of agony. To stay present, to stop yourself from diving under the covers to hide. To not give up for just a second longer. Then it’s two seconds. Then 30. Then a minute. Then an hour.

Maybe situations listed up above haven’t changed. It’s all still there. It’s just the way I perceive those situations that change.

Somehow, it’s not so bad anymore.

Little tiny sandals for my heart. To help me walk through the rough bits.

I wonder if I can find strappy, high-heeled, sexy ones?

See....I'm back.

Peace.

Captain's Entertainment

2011-09-06T09:00:00.013-04:00

My dear darling friend Jan-Olav is back in the hospital again. This time, my "internet boyfriend" (a nickname given him by a family member, but I can't remember who) is in isolation because some infection has gotten a stronger-than-normal of hold his impaired immune system. Poor thing can't have any visitors...which is difficult for such a gregarious people-person as the Captain.

So in an effort to bring the party to HIM, I will try to be a better blogger.... trying to make my quiet life here in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Georgia ™ (or as he calls it, MON) a little more visible...and interesting. And while I write this blog for my family and friends--so that all of you can keep up with me and the kids- if I seem to explain things that make you think "duh, E...." remember that he's not Southern...and, as a Thai guy trapped in a Norwegian body, some things don't translate.....

So, while you, Jack, (a nickname with at nod to our mutually favorite movie) have been lounging around in the Infeksjonsavdelingen of St. Olav's hospital (which, I might add, is a pathetic way of getting out of your 36-hour long day shifts as ferry captain...) we had Labor Day weekend here in MON....

I went to Atlanta weekend before this last one, on Sunday night to spend the night at AJ and Anna-Grace's apartment and run some errands. I had to make an IKEA run to pick up an IKEA starter pak for my housekeeper, Lily. Her house burned to the ground last spring, and, when I asked her what she needed, she said she would really need kitchen and dining things....so that's what I am doing for her....

Ok, I'm back...I swear to Gawd, I just heard a cow moo-- like 50 feet from me. I had to go investigate. Either a trailer of livestock was just at the stoplight (yes, THE stoplight..the ONE stoplight in Tennille), Chip is playing with one of her chew-toys or I am starting to hear voices. Bovine voices. The last one is the scary one. Voices..yes...okay...but ANIMAL voices???) Where was I..oh, yes...IKEA.

So I went to stay with AJ/A-G. That was surreal.

Staying at your grown child's grownup apartment. I also found some great material for my office makeover ..for curtains and chair cover.

Very me, dontcha think? Remember all those years ago (I think now almost 3) when we laughed about sharing digs in the looney bin? I think we decided on a blue and orange color scheme...this works well...nothing changes...

Alix recovered from her first cross country meet. Her time, while not great in her book, was under 30 minutes, which was way better than she hoped for.

The week was quiet, and I got some projects around the house accomplished.

I replaced the peeling wallpaper in the dining room.

I weeded out cookbooks. Oh, and that horrible depression I just couldn't shake last week finally lifted. Thank you for calling me and "talking me down" in between ferry runs. And in the middle of the night for you. You are a true friend. I love Skype. Oh, you, too...but that goes without saying.....

Alix and Wesley went to spend Friday /Saturday with her dad, and he took them to the Auburn football game. No, not "real football", American football....the kind with helmets and protective gear. You're not a sports-guy...you really WOULD NOT understand American football. I had dinner with Susanne and John* and sat outside on their porch on Saturday night and watched the hummingbird wars and drank wine.

Perfect evening.

I also worked on refinishing this old washstand I bought 2 years ago.

It's a slow process, because it's so DAMN hot outside. When I get it finished, it will go in the newly refinished breakfast room/bar.

Well, almost refinished...I still have to paint the countertops. Can't decide whether to go for a dark granite look or a light marble paint effect. Opinions?

Since Monday was a holiday (Labor Day, remember? The traditional end-of-summer weekend), John and Susanne came over for supper on Sunday. When I asked them what I should make, John said "make something Louisiana"--so I made a big pot of sausage and chicken gumbo.

I know you are a world traveller, but you might not know gumbo--it's like a real thick soup/stew made with okra, onions, bell peppers, celery, whatever meat you have around, and served over rice. Get well and get here, and I will make you some. Oh, and in honor of the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee that was raining on my high school classmates partying in Biloxi, Mississippi over the long weekend (yes, girls, I will join you next year!!), I made a batch of hurricanes--coconut rum and fruit juices (which you would love, if all that medication you have to take would let you drink alcohol). Which accounted for my wee headache on Monday morning. But I digress.

Over the weekend, I got more photographs mounted for sale. I am thinking about getting a booth at the Kaolin Festival with some fellow amateur photogs to see if I can earn a little income. Or a LOT of income. Which reminds me.... I gotta find a job. Seriously. Fast. Being a goddess has its perks, but the base salary sucks. Do you know how ridiculously clever one has to be when one tries to write a resume when one has been a stay-at-home-mom for 20 years? The fact that I churned one out is a testament to my clever writing skills. (Oh, to anyone wishing to view said resume (or CV as they call it in the world outside of the USA), just email me. Happy to share.)

I went to see "The Help" last night with Wesley, Alix and Will (Wesley's brother).

Cried. Several times. PROMISE me that when you get sprung from isolation and this movie arrives in Trondheim...GO SEE IT. You will understand me even more. As it is set in 1963, I would be the same age as Mae Mobley. My early years. You will love it. It is a movie right up your alley. I am so glad the writer/director stayed true to the book. My mom and sister-in-law Julie kept saying "read it, read it," but I didn't want the whole "southern-upper-class, black and white race thing in the 60's" being thrown in my face...but I finally broke down and it was A-MAZ-ING!!!" Not at all what I was expecting. I would tell you to read it, but as I know you aren't a reader...oh, just go see the movie. Oh, and they make a reference to hitting someone over the head with a skillet. Just so you know I didn't make that up.

Well, I have to run. I have a Guild meeting to run in 2 hours (how I ended up as President I will never understand.....), and then a 2 hour drive for a cross country meet. Can't forget the vuvuzela. I am now a legend in the high school xc world for my vuvuzela...at least in my own mind.

Now, get some rest, Captain...and don't make me open up a can of whoopass on those t-cells of yours!!!!!

*For those of you who are saying "John and Susanne?" You know them. Susanne is my crazy friend who is like a sister to me. She's made a few appearances here.

Heat Relief

2011-09-01T11:23:00.004-04:00

I don't know about where YOU are, dear reader, but here in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Georgia it has been one of the hottest summers on record. In Louisiana, it's even hotter. So in honor of all of us baking away, I thought I'd post a few photos to remind us what it was like just a little under 9 months ago.......

I hope it helps.

Hang in there....the weather's gotta break soon...........

EP366 Week 16

2011-08-30T11:28:00.003-04:00

Day 106
August 14, 2011

Day 107
August 15, 2011

Day 108
August 16, 2011

Day 109
August 17, 2011

Day 110
August 18, 2011

Day 111
August 19, 2011

Day 112
August 20, 2011

EP366 Week 15

2011-08-30T11:22:00.004-04:00

Day 99
August 7, 2011

Day 100
August 8, 2011

Day 101
August 9, 2011

Day 102
August 10, 2011

Day 103
August 11, 2011

Day 104
August 12, 2011

Day 105
August 13, 2011

EP366 Week 14

2011-08-30T11:17:00.003-04:00

Day 92
July 31, 2011

Day 93
August 1, 2011

Day 94
August 2, 2011

Day 95
August 3, 2011

Day 96
August 4, 2011

Day 97
August 5, 2011

Day 98
August 6, 2011

Natural Born (Mouse) Killers

2011-08-26T13:08:00.002-04:00

Alix and I have had to learn to handle things around Maison Cou Rouge that traditionally and historically have been handled by men.

Thanks to my friends at Captains Voyage Forum, we were inspired to document one such activity.

Without further ado, I give you "Natural Born (Mouse) Killers".

What a difference 4 months make......

2011-08-22T12:24:00.002-04:00

Before- April 23, 2011

After- August 22, 2011

Before April 23, 2011

After August 22, 2011

There's a potential hurricane developing and heading toward Florida and Georgia...so who knows what the garden will look like next weekend!!!!!

(okay, okay...I know it's not much...but I've been painting, wallpaper stripping, clearing out lots of junk--that sort of stuff. Cut me some slack!)

Do You Know What Aisle They Are On???

2011-08-10T09:11:00.002-04:00

As I slept last night, my grocery list on the refrigerator got updated by someone.........

Wonder which brand to buy..................

June Cleaver (um...Amanda) and the Beav

2011-08-04T21:55:00.001-04:00

Here's a link to the story of my friend, Amanda, and the baby beaver she rescued.....

Beaver's artwork raises funds, awareness for riding therapy program | Shreveporttimes | shreveporttimes.com

Very proud to say I know Amanda and I think her idea of using Caddo's artwork is the BEST. Well Done!!!! I know she is missing Caddo so much--he went to his new home at the Alexandria zoo on Wednesday.

Just a great example of making the world a better place..one beaver at a time!!!

EP366 Week 13

2011-08-01T20:18:00.004-04:00

Day 85
24 July 2011

Day 86
25 July 2011

Day 87
26 July 2011

Day 88
27 July 2011

Day 89
28 July 2011

Day 90
29 July 2011

Day 91
30 July 2011

EP366 Week 12

2011-08-01T20:12:00.002-04:00

Day 78
17 July 2011

Day 79
18 July 2011

Day 80
19 July 2011

Day 81
20 July 2011

Day 82
21 July 2011

Day 83
22 July 2011

Day 84
23 July 2011

EP366 Week 11

2011-08-01T20:08:00.003-04:00

Day 71
10 July 2011

Day 72
11 July 2011

Day 73
12 July 2011

Day 74
13 July 2011

Day 75
14 July 2011

Day 76
15 July 2011

Day 77
16 July 2011

EP366 Week 10

2011-08-01T20:04:00.002-04:00

Day 64
3 July 2011

Day 65
4 July 2011

Day 66
5 July 2011

Day 67
6 July 2011

Day 68
7 July 2011

Day 69
8 July 2011

Day 70
9 July 2011

EP366 Week 9

2011-08-01T19:54:00.005-04:00

Day 57
26 June 2011

Day 58
27 June 2011

Day 59
28 June 2011

Day 60
29 June 2011

Day 61
30 June 2011

Day 62
1 July 2011

Day 63
2 July 2011

EP366 Week 8

2011-07-25T17:14:00.003-04:00

Day 50
19 June 2011

Day 51
20 June 2011

Day 52
21 June 2011

Day 53
22 June 2011

Day 54
23 June 2011

Day 55
24 June 2011

Day 56
25 June 2011

Norway

2011-07-22T16:59:00.002-04:00

So much is filling my heart at this moment. Norway, that breathtakingly beautiful and peaceful country, has become a terrorist target.

I'm desperately trying to be true to the Buddhist teachings to forgo anger and hostile feelings, and to focus instead on positive and compassionate thoughts. But it is so difficult.

My prayers are with Norway, her King and his subjects.

Summertime..But the Livin' Ain't Easy...

2011-07-20T14:22:00.002-04:00

Why, yes, my dears, I am back after the lastest globe-trotting excursion with the fam. My attempt to avoid the hell that is summer in Middle-Of-Nowhere, Georgia was an epic fail, however. Nothing like arriving in the normally cool Baltic to face the hottest summer weather they’ve had on record. Typical.

But before THAT, we popped out to San Diego for my cousin’s wedding. So I have THAT to tell you all about....oh, and catching up on project EP366.

It was a fine “welcome home” to find that one of the toilets upstairs had developed a drip right after we left for 3 weeks. Luckily, it was directly above the ex’s bedroom closet. Oh, did I tell you he still has crap here? Loads of it. And that the closet door was shut? Yes, it smells like a wet hunting dog kennel in there. Dommage, as the French would say.

But my marvelous plumber, Keith McDonald (or rather his marvelous assistant, Tim) came out and fixed the leak. Not the mildew, I’m afraid, but that’s not really my problem. Ok, the wonky sheetrock is, but I’ll worry about that tomorrow (thankyouScarlettO’Hara).

Less than 72 hours later, I discovered whilst endeavoring to take a shower that I had no hot water. Ah, the luck of the potato famine Irish continues with me. Bright and early Monday morning, Tim returns to teach me all about dusting under the water heater in order to keep the pilot light lit. Hey, cut me some slack...in my adult life, I never lived anywhere longer than 4 years...until Tennille. I’ve been here 10 years as of March 2011. I never KNEW you had to dust under water heaters. Those of you who know my domestic habits will not be surprised that I had dust rhinos under there.

I quake in fear to see what the cost of having Tim visit so frequently will be. I think I will start pouring a large glass of wine BEFORE I open the mail for the next week.

Who knew you needed ventilation in closets ANYWAY? And what BRILLIANT designer put BOTH the hot water heater AND the electrical box in a WOMAN’s clothes closet? OF COURSE I put a shoe holder up on the water heater door. If you need to get to a circuit breaker on the electrical panel, just move some of those purses.

But be very careful with the ones in protective bags. I may not give a rat’s ass about a former spouse’s hunting clothes....but I DO care about my Tori Burch tote!!!!!!!!!

My Calendar?? How Can It Be?????

2011-06-23T13:39:00.002-04:00

I just had a bit of a shock.

I was just replying to an email from one of my college friends. "The Six of Us" are trying to arrange a girls getaway weekend sometime next year instead of attending reunion at "that college that USED to be Randolph-Macon Woman's College"

So I was checking my calendar, as every parent of a high school senior must, given the importance of the pomp and circumstance surrounding graduation.

In the first half of 2012, two-thirds of my weekends are already booked.

WHHHHAAAAAAAA???????????????

That's a YEAR AWAY. A FREAKIN' YEAR AWAY.

I detest having my life ruled by my calendar....go here, go there. I'm much more of a seat-of-the-pants kinda girl, wondering what the next day will bring. Keep my options open. Take a detour if I want.

Good thing each child only graduates high school once. If I get any more overscheduled, I'm gonna be in a straightjacket.

Maybe I should deliberately overbook myself, like the airlines. Start my own personal "frequent flier" program. I could award points for events I don't attend. But then, I'd have to have a personal reward scheme. I don't think I want to go there.

Been there. Done that. Got that t-shirt. For 28 years. Not bitter or anything, just don't want to go down that highway again.

So if anyone anywhere wants me anywhere anytime the first half of 2012, BOOK ME NOW! Only nine slots left!!!!!!!!!

EP366 Week 7

2011-06-23T12:54:00.002-04:00

Day 43
12 June 2011

Day 44
13 June 2011

Day 45
14 June 2011

Day 46
15 June 2011

Day 47
16 June 2011

Day 48
17 June 2011

Day 49
18 June 2011

EP366 Week 6

2011-06-23T12:42:00.004-04:00

Day 36
5 June 2011

Day 37
6 June 2011

Day 38
7 June 2011

Day 39
8 June 2011

Day 40
9 June 2011

Day 41
10 June 2011

Day 42
11 June 2011

EP366 Week 5

2011-06-23T12:34:00.002-04:00

Day 29
29 May 2011

Day 30
30 May 2011

Day 31
31May 2011

Day 32
1 June 2011

Day 33
2 June 2011

Day 34
3 June 2011

Day 35
4 June 2011

1938 Dating Guide For Single Women

2011-06-22T07:50:00.001-04:00

Superbeau Wesley pointed this gem out to his sister...and when I saw it on Facebook, I knew I had to share it here.

I'm off to go check my seams.

1938 Dating Guide For Single Women - Alligator Sunglasses

Please Don't Shoot Me...

2011-06-20T23:16:00.009-04:00

Why, YES...I was away for a few days. How KIND of you to notice.

I went to San Diego, California for my cousin Andy’s wedding to the beautiful Brittany.

Where it was 68 degrees. 72 tops.

I can’t say that loudly around these parts. Some folks 'round Middle-Of-Nowhere-comma-Georgia routinely carry firearms with them, and this heat is beginning to make people ornery.

“Hot” does not begin to define what is going on here, weather-wise. Today it was 99. Tomorrow it’s supposed to be around 102. That’s 37 and 39 for my Europals.

After a while, you get used to the heat...sorta. But go away for even a few days, and----KABLAM! Come home and it’s like being slapped in the face by a hot-water soaked string mop. Rivulets of sweat start dripping down your body searching for the path of least resistance like a flooding Mississippi before the levee system was put in.

Alix described it perfectly when we stepped out of the air conditioned door of the plane last night. “Mama, you can smell the humidity”.

But yes, I was in San Diego. (Oh, there aren’t any mosquitoes in Southern California either.) We had the usual fun that you have when our family gets together.

Lots of wine.

(The head table's private stash- with the Father of the Groom reloading. I was within arm's reach at all times).

Lots of food.

Lots of partying.

I got a good look at the USS Carl Vinson, just back (on June 15) from burying Osama at sea.

Thanks, guys.

So I’m back...even had jury duty today. But all the cases were settled. Rats...and they were all criminal too. I’m the only human on the planet who WANTS to be on a jury.

And I’m up to my ass in alligators (as we say in Louisiana), doing the vacation-rebound.

Because I leave again on Saturday. For Stockholm.

Where it’s 65.

I think I hear the ammunition being loaded.........

*ps- more wedding photos to follow!!!!!

Making Room For Popsicles

2011-06-20T22:39:00.002-04:00

“Miss Elizabeth, the freezer stopped working and everything is thawing out.”

Not the thing you want to hear 20 minutes before your cousin walks down the aisle. And you are 2,283 miles away, on the other side of the US.

So, in my best Scarlett O’Hara “tomorrow is another day” mindset, I told Caro to just shut the door and I would deal with it when I got back.

Turns out, there wasn’t anything wrong with the freezer... just the operators. In order for food to freeze, the door must be shut. Which it did. Refreezed beautifully. Once the acai berries had liquified and dripped down over everything.

Lesson one. Never put anything once liquid in the top of a freezer. Equilibrium and gravity take over.

Those damn acai berries. A year or two ago, the ex thought it would be a great idea to try these new-fangled cure-alls from South America. So he purchased a 25-pound box to get free shipping. Well, at least he got that economy-of-scale thing down pat.

I’m truly sorry I didn’t get a photo of the freezer. Picture boxes of vegetables, puff pastry and phyllo dough, sheets of fresh pasta, bags of shrimp and salmon filets (ok, and the occasional Hot Pocket and Toaster Strudel) thoroughly glazed with mix of grape jelly and corn syrup. I will never think of the color purple in the same way again.

It really wasn’t that bad to clean out....well, nothing that a few rolls of paper towels and some aerobic exercise couldn’t handle. And now, my freezer looks like this.

It was a blessing in disguise....because NOW, instead of forgotten dove breasts, half-used bags of English peas and that forgotten can of lemonade from 5 years ago, I now have......

POPSICLES.

SFC 2010 Windsor and Home

2011-06-12T21:14:00.006-04:00

We had such an incredible time with Andy and John in Bristol. Thank you both from the bottom of my hearts for the IMMENSE fun and good times we had. I love you both so much!!!

All too soon (as Crystal is fond of saying), it was time to head back to the train station to return to Windsor.

I spotted a GREAT pub sign...

Sounds like the PERFECT name for a bar or restaurant near Georgia Tech.

AJ thought so.

The trip to Windsor was uneventful. Standard train trip. We arrived in Windsor precisely 100 yards from our hotel, the beautiful Harte and Garter.

The cousins, who had gone to Bath, also returned to Windsor that day. It was fun to trade "war stories" with them over..what else? Wine.

Alix's shipboard friend came to spend the day with her at Windsor, and while they were out and about, they just happened to see Burgundy Rolls-Royce drive past. A tiny lady in a lavender hat was sitting in the back. I didn't believe her...until I saw a photo from Royal Ascot, Ladies Day. Which was the day we were in Windsor.

Yep. Alix scored a viewing of Her Majesty the Queen. On her way back to Windsor Castle after the races.

That night, we saw more absurd hats all around- in shops, bars, and patios.

Windsor was a cool town to people watch after Ladies Day at Royal Ascot.

The next morning, while the rest of the family slept in, Mama and I went for a walk across the river to Eton.

Yes, Her Majesty was in residence.

And in just a bit longer than the blink of an eye, we were almost home.

Luggage retrieved, and we were on the road. Lookchin picked the tunes.

Well, I hope it was worth the wait.

If it was, let me know.

If it wasn't, don't!!!

and remember....

Life is Good!!! What a Wonderful World!!!!!