Points South

The hub and I are heading to Key West for a long weekend. Kind of dreary here in Middle Tennessee; so bring on the Vitamin D therapy!

We haven't been there since the boys were small. It will be a whole new world with adults! Bringing extra Advil!!

TGIF!

Make a Wish

May they all come true.

Resolutions

The very day I find enough willpower to begin my life-long diet once more, the hub comes home with TWO boxes from Carlo's. (Boy are they milking this Cake Boss thing.)

I didn't mind, of course. I was good and only had one, or two. Maybe three. But then I sent them all away with the teenager's girlfriend headed to Knoxville.

Stay calm, and carry on.

Sixteen Candles

To my girl. Don't ever change.
I Love You.

Big Doings

The kid made his selection and has chosen Western Kentucky University to continue his education. We couldn't be prouder. Sniffle.

Honky Tonk Heaven

Nashville is famous for its Honky Tonks. And finally, the hub and I are beginning to get out more thanks to new friends.

On this particular evening, we met up with Sarah and Randy at the Palm for a quick bite and a couple of drinks. They were going to a show; and so the hub and I made our way down Broadway to listen to some live music.

We ended up hanging at Tootsies, one of the old establishments everyone and their mother talks about when it comes to the Grand Ol' Opry.

Ya see, here I am in Tootsies, and just across the alley, the stone and brick wall, is the original Opry House. Now, they just call it the Ryman. It has to be one of the all-time best venues in the states to see anyone. Honestly. It's an old church--wooden pews, wooden floors. It has great acoustics. These two poor guys, ya wonder how many people come back here and take their photos. I sorry. I have a story to tell, guys. Ya know I do.

And, here's the infamous alley. There's a side door here on the left that leads straight to the back of the stage. I've heard that many a star have made their way to Tootsies either before, during and/or after a performance. Ha. In fact, this is where the kid and I "met" Willie Nelson. We waited for him to come off his bus and go in the back way (momma knows these things). The kid was right by the door and Willie rubbed his head before he went inside. Awwww. Precious moment. Gonna have to find that pic. (Of course, I have one!)

The hub is always a good sport when it comes to music. You know I can just about listen to anything and do. The hub is a tad more particular. I have music playing in the house from the time I get up until late afternoon. My mom was the same. She had her country music radio station playing all day. So, I can listen to some country. Let's just say, it is not up there in the hub's choice of tunes. But always the good sport for his kooky wife. To make matters worse for the poor guy, I always have to dance. Ya know he's a Jersey boy, right? They don't dance. Seriously. But, give the hub a drink? He's dancing with me. Oh yea. 

I'm going to have to check out this radio show. Looks like George Clinton to me.

Ok. First, let me tell you that this is the inside of the woman's bathroom. This is the exit door from inside--which opens right into the front of the stage. HA! "HELLOOOOOO everyone! Mwaaaaaaa! ow, where's my drink?"

Let me just say that Tootsies' drinks are probably all doubles, if not stronger. I'm tellin' ya, it doesn't take but one to get me dancing. Two? I'm giving the singer a $20 bill and a note, "Hank I or III, even II--or Lucinda Williams?" I got Lucinda. It was good.

Now, with all that being said, I had to CRACK UP when I saw this door. Wow. You have to pretty far gone to not be able to push a door open. But, I get it. After more than two of their drinks? I totally get it! Wonder if there are any local men just waiting to rescue the next drunk stuck in the woman's room? Brawhahahaha!

Alright, now back to reality. The Season is officially over. Sniffle. It was such a great one, too. But, alas, I'm starting to take everything down. Ugh. I don't much like putting things away.

Tut-tut, said Pooh.

This Week

We had a beautiful sunset this evening. It turned out to be a warmish day; a door and a window were even cracked open. We're pretty fortunate to be able to do that during the winter months down here. Gotta love the fresh air wafting through the house most of the time.

We did have a few days of frigid air come through Middle Tennessee this week though. Even had some snow on Thursday! Yay! Didn't amount to much more than in the photo. Regardless, schools were closed on Friday. Yay! I heart the South!

I can now officially say to the hub, "Why, yes. I do drywall." An old family joke from early in the marriage. Of course, he thinks I can do anything. Ha. Well, the ice maker is on the blink, again. It had a leak; and my floors began to warp. After the entire fall trying to figure out what was leaking, we finally traced it back to the ice maker. Loverly. Long story short, it is defective and needs to be replaced, again. Geesh, Louise. But . . . I do give U-Line credit; they certainly do back their products. I have not had to pay for any repair work on this appliance. Cheers to that! And it seems, they are even going to repair the floors. Those types of companies are few and far between these days, unfortunately. Don't EVEN get me started on the KITCHEN IDIOTS! Braaaawwwhaha! See, I can finally laugh AT that saga! Amen.

I've been rehashing my blog this week, if ya haven't noticed. After spending a LOT of time on the header  (comme ci, comme ça), I then learn about all of these new free layouts available out there. And I mean some really nice ones! Wow, who knew? Ok, I know, sorry... I'm the last one on the planet to get that memo. (Yea, yea, I more-or-less took last year off from blogging, 'memberrr?) I still work in Photoshop and Image Shack and HTML code, etc. etc. UGH! Not for much longer, though. Well, maybe. I still enjoy fiddling about with all those PNGs.

Who knows what you might find next time you visit.

More cowbell, baby!

Chile Tonight and Hot Tamale

Another wonderful cooking class at the Viking Cooking School in Franklin. Tonight we made beef tamales and other goodies.

 Preparing the tamales to be steamed.

Spicy Lime Pepitas, pumpkin seeds. Yum.

Black bean, tomato and avocado salsa. 

And Mexican rice. Bonus was sangria, which they made us wait for. No drinking and cooking! Wha? No fair. Seems the rules have changed.

Cocktails? Yes, please.

Jack Rudy Tonic

I've noticed that there seems to be a resurgence in the art of making cocktails.  Perhaps it's just that I'm at "that" age where I appreciate the perfect drink prepared just for me. Rather, let's say I'm at the next level of being a foodie, age has nothing to do with it. Yea. "Small batch" and "home made" seem to be the latest buzz words in the making of spirits these days. 

I believe I was enlightened by such concoctions at The Patterson House here in Nashville--a lovely, dark, speakeasy type bar. Their bartenders are kings of mixology. (And I am the queen of All Due Respects.) The hub and I enjoy sitting belly up to the bar so we, or at least I, can be awed by their "iron" mixologistness. They truly are liquid chefs. 

Love the name, Cathead so I had to find this vodka. (The site is great, too!) New Year's Eve found me out and about searching for some champagne for the evening's soirée at Riverside. Somehow, I also remembered to ask about the Cathead. (PS It was started by two University of Alabama alum, so of course, I didn't have to go far to score) Hmmm, now I'm thinking a Cathead Tonic would be perfect. (Only I forgot the bottle at Riverside!)

Of course, you'll remember this summer, I was all over Tito's vodka--"handmade" in Austin, TX. With Texas blood running through the veins, I contributed my fair share to this little hands'- on distillery.

Now I'm finding out that not only has Absinthe gone all legal on us but Moonshine has as well! What??? You heard me, you can purchase it now legit. Doesn't that kind of take away the only reason why someone would drink the stuff--being a rebel? If you're interested in the vile (moonshine, not absinthe) stuff, here's an entire article on the firewater in Bearings. Ok, ok, my question is why would anyone  drink moonshine when you can drink, um Tito's or Cathead or just about anything else? Why? Have you tasted the stuff? I admit to having a no label, "hand made," "small batch" jar in my freezer for several years now. Blech. Patooey. C'mon people, do you really want to go blind??????!!! WTH.

Some other great foodie/drink sites:

Find. Eat. Drink.

Food Republic

Tasting Table

Cheers!

Say What?

This is my Christmas present from the hub. Ya think he's trying to tell me something? ha.

It's a beautiful four-volume set with stunning sketches, each lined with printed tissue. I cannot wait to delve in!

Southern Withdrawals

Here I am at home pining for the river. Sure do miss it all. 

I brought a bag of Satsumas home; but the three above are dried from Darlene's tree. I've been drying them in the sun, rotating and such. Each time I glance at them, I think of her.

The teenager stayed a couple of extra days with me after the others left for home. He has a grueling class load coming up before graduation. Twenty-one credits. Ouch. So this was a well-needed break before the storm.

One morning I woke up to find a beach across the river. I knew it was quite shallow on the bank there, but I had not seen the water so low. Ever-changing river. Love it.

The Women Folk of Fish River went on a treasure & trash hunt to the local thrift shops one day. (I'm going to start a blog one day from down there, I swear! "WFFR," coming soon to a screen near you. ha.)  Anyhoo, our day began when we spied this hawk with some fresh nibbles on top of a building. (Hi Johnny!) Stupendous.

Of course, we had to have our own nibbles. Linda had suggested the Dragonfly Foodbar; neither Dar or I had been there.

Linda knows her stuff. She had a bowl of noodles; and both Dar and I ordered the taco special. Oh my. It was wonderful. Miss those two. It was such a wonderful visit with both my river "girls."

New Year's Day, we were all invited to Darlene's for supper. Of course, black eyed peas, hoppin' John and greens were served (in addition to the best tiramisu I have ever had made by Linda). Dar passed out little reloved gifts. She is just the best. Only Dar. She found these gnome faery lights for me! Vintage to boot! Oh, Darlene.

Ok, now that I have that out of my system, perhaps I can get something done around this house. Ya think? Brahawahahaa! NOT!

PS Happy Ukie Christmas. My Ukie Santa is out of town, so not much going on here.

Really?

I simply cannot grasp the fact that 2012 is here. Christmas, come and gone. The Season sure did pass quickly this year.

I'm feeling very optimistic about the New Year, kinda scary actually. It's been a tough couple of years. Honestly, when autumn rolled in, I was half scared that something bad would happen, again. I had a health scare (which turned out to be nothing) that put me into a tail spin in November. It sure did make me think of my absence in this life for a couple of weeks there. I don't normally get all riled up. Just a hard time of year, I suppose. Anyhoo, all is well; and I am quite happy to be moving on.

Christmas turned out to be absolutely perfect. We put up our first tree in two years. I decorated the house quite a bit, bringing out special pieces that meant a lot to me and the boys. Making a trip to NYC to visit family turned out to be our best visit ever, having almost every member there (sans our Cali bro, SIL and niece). If they had been able to make it, it would have been perfect in every way. Family is so important.

Still trying to get cards out. Hey, I did get out some Christmas cards this year. The first in many, many years. Now, I'm moving on to New Year's cards. Ha. That is my usual correspondence.

Wow, 2012. Alrighty then, let's do this thang!

Labels: Family, Health, New Year's

Two Ships Passing

The hub travelled home with 2/3 of the kids on Monday. The teenager and I stayed at Riverside for a little more R&R. We drove back north yesterday. The hub, travelling again, left a lovely vase of roses for me upon my arrival. Aww.

He always makes me feel loved. No matter his location.

My hero.

Happy 2012

 Let's all make it a healthy, happy and rewarding year.

 Share the love and be silly.

And be thankful.

I am.