Halloween 2012

A very happy Halloween to you all! Hope you get more treats than tricks!!

I am a tad behind in everything, especially decorating. I had to gather my dead body together yesterday and get pumpkins and candy! I was afraid if I didn't put any pumpkins out, we would look like the bah-humbug house! Cannot have that on one of my favorite holidays of the year!

Ooooofy, it took everything I had just to get dressed!

Truth of the matter is I had pneumonia! I was so weak, I didn't even have enough strength to get on the computer! Ugh. It's been a long time since I've been knocked so low. A check-up and more x-rays at the doc's today looked promising.

But, I am on the mend now thanks to friends and family keeping my spirits up. Dar sent these up from her trees in 'bama--Satsumas and Myer lemons!! A little rest, a lotta love and a whole lotta vitamin C is going to do the trick! I'm getting stronger every day!!

It's hell getting old.

Labels: Darlene, Halloween, Health, Friends

Blue

Well hello there, Blue.

Labels:  Darlene, Riverside

When the Living's Easy

First, allow me to apologize for the span of my absence. When you're surrounded by such beauty, the last thing you want to be doing is sitting at the computer. Am I right?

We have been celebrating life and enjoying one another, friends and family alike. It has now quieted down for a bit until our next wave; so the hub and I are practicing as "empty nesters" for the first time. We're playing house once more.

The teenager was able to come down south for July 4th after his big move back to Washington, DC just after graduation. Such an exciting time for him. You remember getting out of school and looking for your "real" first job, your first apartment? I think back to that time as one of my favorite memories "growing up." Roughing it--apartment poor--for that first year or so. I wouldn't change a thing. Anyhoo, we're as proud as punch. He has a place on Capitol Hill and is actually looking into an internship up there. Well, it's up to his generation to get the ball rolling with some positive changes in this country. More power to him. I'm so proud. And then he goes and finds a job as a waiter on weekends at a restaurant around the corner from his apartment. Whaaa? The kid has never worked in a restaurant in all his short years. So proud. Did I say that already? He's hanging a lot with my brother Jim, which gives me great joy and also turns me green with ENVY! Miss my brutha. But he and Jacq are coming down soon. Yay!!! Love my Jacq--and my brother! Cannot wait.

 

The kid is SO enjoying being out of high school. Again, I remember that feeling SO well, as if it were yesterday. FREEDOM! He's been back and forth to Riverside, all adult like. My baby is growing up. Sniffle. Well good for him. Much like me, he doesn't open up to many people. All of a sudden, he has a great group of friends. That brings a smile to my face.

The hub is in heaven. His "office" is a great spot under the house where he conducts his business and does his studies most of the day. Can it get any better? He deserves it. He's worked hard during his career. Now, he is getting the respect he has always deserved. My hero. So proud of all my men.

Riverside is as lovely as ever. Such a happy house.  It exudes happiness and love. She has given a lot wonderful memories to so many folks over the years, especially our little unit. 

We have been enjoying friends visiting and spending time with our riversorry friends and neighbors who are here all year round. It doesn't take me long to get into riversorry mode, believe me.

Dean and Darlene took us for an early-morning "breakfast" cruise out to Weeks Bay Sunday. It was absolutely breathtaking. Besides having breakfast, we were on a mission to see dolphin. And we did! There was a pod of at least four very large adults and three or more youngins. The little ones would stick their tails straight out of the water and then spiral downwards. It was precious to watch--until a group of about five or six kayaks and canoes tried to get right up on them. Poor boo's.

Ahhhhhh summertime. Hope some wonderful summer memories are being made in your neck of the woods. 

Cheers!

Labels:  Alabama, Brother Jim, Darlene, Hub, Jacq, Kid, Riverside, Weeks Bay

Every Picture Tells a Story, Don't It

It seems we were just leaving NYC yesterday, yet it's already been over three weeks. It scares me sometimes how fast time flies. Ok, I'm gonna give it a try to catch up here.

We met my SIL, Mary Jane, at Riverside. She had a full two days of complete freedom by herself. Well,  except for Frankie, Dave and Bella. It was just what the doctor had ordered, little did we know. She was completely relaxed by the time we got back. Yay! Of course we had to take the "Riley" to McGuire's Irish Pub in Pensacola. Kooky place, good pub fare.

 We got in some board games while she was here.

And we had my FIRST gator sighting anywhere other than the swamps of Louisiana! Here we are off of Mobile Bay (Mobile to the top-right corner and the USS Alabama on the top left). K, I know. I know they're there, but I have never seen one. Seriously. And you know I'm all paranoid about gators at Riverside now. UGH!

It's enough to make one break out the little umbrellas and mermaids. Am I right? So we did.

When it's this easy, why not. (Except the fact that it's ALL sugar, and I mean ALL. Ew.) First MJ and I found them at the liquor store and then I found them on a jaunt to the Dollar Store (looking for graham crackers, of all things. They had 'em too!) Anyhoo, they're made in New Orleans, so that has to count for something. Yup, picked me up a couple more for the freezer. 

Let's see, I think there was an UNO tournament between MJ and the kid that lasted at least five days. The hub and I even jumped in for a few novice rounds.

 Beautiful hydrangeas filled our table for over a week from the front yard.

 Father's Day at Dean and Darlene's.

And Bella has been as relaxed as I've ever seen her. Well, for the most part, anyway.

Let's hear it for the first few weeks of summer!

Yay.

Labels: Cats, NYC, Darlene, MJ, Riverside, Summer

Happy

Happy March equinox holidays. 

Happy spring.

Happy full moon.

Happy face in Dar's back yard.

.happy.

Labels: Darlene, Easter, Spring 

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.

Good Food, Good Drink, Good Friends, Good Love

 Cheers to dirty dishes in the sink!

And fries fried in duck fat at Hopjack's in Pensacola. Uh huh, ya wonder why I've gained over 5 pounds since arriving at Riverside in May? Read on, my friends.

What's better than cooking up some syrupy sweetness with local blueberries, a little butta and Gran Gala? Only the waffles you pour it over!

Opened the deep freeze and found a skull staring back at me. And . . . on top of some Gulf shrimp and beside Petron. Goodness!

 Friends over for a delish LA Boil. Mmmmmm.

Another trip to Pensacola for lunch at McGuire's, a must if you're in the area.

Not that I quite know what a New Orleans Sno-Ball is, but they are the shaved-ice variety (rather than the crunchy crushed ice) --and good.

Oooopsy, the last of the Gosling's. Hard to find in these parts. Guess a trip back to Bermuda is in order?

Of course, a trip to the Fish River grill is always in order.

Oooopsy, the last of the BB Stoli. Great with lemonade. 

Mom's green beans, cooked for hours. Even made her creamed corn. Stick a fork in me and call me done!

But, then there's the jaunt to Mississippi that found us at Mary Mahoney's with Mississippi Mud Pie and MM's goodness in a bowl. No, it's not grits and gravy. That be bread pudding with whiskey sauce! Bring it on baby! "More?" you say.

Oh yes, of course there is. One must never miss a chocolate merengue pie from Sweetie Pies in Gulf Shores. Well, someone couldn't wait, obviously! Reminds me of my dad with a spoon. There was always a piece of something missing whatever was being served. When it was, whatever it was, put out for everyone else to enjoy, there'd be a big ol' hunk taken out! Poor mom. ha!

The sweetest local watermelon you'll ever sink your teeth into, right here.

And the last frozen glass of the best margarita made North of the Rio Grande (and thus no more Petron). Thank YOU N&P! I think some shopping at the local ABC store is in order before the next batch of friends arrive!)

Local wild brown Gulf shrimp with my "Key West" recipe.  

Marinate in orange and lime juice--grill with orange marmelade, butter and some spices.) Voila! More great-googly moogly deliciousness!

 Clams? Why yes--several varieties, in fact.

 A special white wine broth for those babies? Sure, don't mind if I do, says Dean.

 Salad by Dar. LuLu has nothing, I mean nothing, over Dar!

A drive into Mobile for ribs and Q at the Brick Pit. I can see why Man vs. Food tried it out! PS Banana Pudding--TO DIE FOR! (Sorry momma.)

And a new fave from TX. Mr. Parker brought this bottle down from Nashvegas to try, knowing I'm a vodka-drinking-fool at times. He--the afore-mentioned friend--turned into Riverside's resident bartender for the weekend of the 4th. Holy moly, great memories. Those I can remember anyhows.

What's next??? More poundage, I'm sure.
More fun, oh yea.
More love??? You BETCHYA!

You only live once, maybe.

Why not make it a good one.