Simplicity is Expensive

Country Living Magazine Page

I've been going through all my catalogs trying to get in on all the summer sales. Even with the sales, geesh, things are expensive. Or is it that I just have expensive tastes? Probably the latter, as I am often told by loved ones.


Is it only me that has to go through every catalog that comes through the mail or are there other catalog freaks out there? I mean, Lord forbid I ever throw one out before perusing through it--even if the last edition just came in with a different cover last week? Do any of you have to "page" shop (as opposed to window shop) in every catalog? If I see something I want to purchase, I pull the page and sort it in "Home," "Riverside," "Ideas," "Art," or any other tittle that seems fit. Do I purchase everything I pull? Gawd no. If I did, we would be in the poor house.

I did, however, finally order some linens for our master bedroom at Riverside. I think I made a major faux pas in purchasing a down comforter when we first got the place. Ew. To remind you all, I have the most sensitive nose on earth, yes, on this earth. I kept smelling an odor in our bedroom. I couldn't find it, but it was driving me absolutely berserk. I finally put my nose on it--it was the down! I had it dry cleaned. It came back smelling a little better; but I suppose the humidity and the fact that it's closed up for long periods of time with the heat gave it a smell that does not seem to want to leave. Think I'll have to bring it up here and find a down-alternative comforter for down there. I'll wait until I get back and hit the outlets. I did, however, order a cover and some pillow shams from a catalog (of course) that I have had my eye on for many months. Finally, they went on sale. Of course, I had to order the most expensive stuff--sale or no sale--linen. Hey, it goes with the heat, mind you. And it's just super simplistic. A pale, pale blue linen duvet cover. That's it. White oxford cotton sheets, boom/done. I'm going for simple and calm.

My flowers of the month arrived yesterday. They are lovely. I'm really enjoying them. My bubba is just too sweet. Oh, and we also received our chocolate of the month also.

Yummo. Take a look at this chocolate cake! It is like to die for. We had a slice for dessert last night. I think that's straight fudge in the middle! Sigh.



Ok, I've promised myself to go out and get some flowers for planting. I'm on my way, self. Promise.

All's Quiet on the Home Front

Baby Bella is feeling right at home these days. She has taken over Bev's old antics of sleeping in the "cat bed," carrying miscellaneous items around the house in her mouth and basically letting everyone know she has arrived. It does the heart good to see a little thing that was so pitiful enjoying her new found life. She's quite content here, as you can see. Abby wants to baby her; but she'll have none of that. All she wants to do is play. Abby gets disgruntled and walks away. Dave wants to kiss her too; again with the biting and playing. Dave takes that as a complete insult and thus has nothing to do with her.

Raphi made it home safely after an unplanned night in Atlanta. The cuz made it home after many hours waiting at the airport. Oh to travel in the Southern and mid-Atlantic states during the summer time. You just never know when those wicked thunder storms are going to wreak havoc with travel plans. Raphi's delays were due to storms in Alabama. Finally, when an opening came, they jetted him off to Atlanta even though he had already missed all his connections. Jacq's flight back to the DC area was delayed more than five times. After the fifth, and still no clearance in sight due to a horrendous storm in DC, I decided to pull the plug and let her stay another night. I've travelled enough to know once the domino effect begins in the Northeast corridor and you're already four or five hours into it, you may as well hang it up, cancellations will soon follow. After changing her flight to Wednesday, we began to exit the airport. I stopped at another Southwest Airlines desk, about six gates down from our original to grab another form to fill out. Unaccompanied minors have paperwork, ya know. I figured I would rather have it all filled out before coming back in the morning. As we were waiting, we heard the announcement that the original flight was NOW BOARDING! Of course. Murphy's law, right? I motioned the kids to follow me and we high-tailed it back to the gate. I was crossing my fingers that they had not already given up her seat. The attendant took one look at us and began keying her back in. We were in like flint. Yahoo. I knew she was ready to go back home and I know how disappointing it can be when you have your hopes up. She was elated to be back en route. Poor girl didn't make it home until after 10 p.m. But it all ended fine. Here she is saying goodbye to Bella. Of course, we all miss her terribly.

The hub arrives home today after a two-day stint in NYC. He had clients to entertain and fashion shows in which to partake. Hope he brings some pics home to share.


Mom is doing great. Seeming like her old self again. She doesn't come upstairs every ten minutes to make sure I'm here, so we're all settling in, I suppose. I've been busy making Jacq some pages for a scrapbook from her time here with us. Lordy, if I ever figure out Photoshop, it will be a miracle.

After getting rid of all the weeds in the front, I'm itching to plant some more things. Every day, I say I'll go out and get some plants but then the day is gone, poof. Wonder where it goes? All the plants are showing they're late summer blahness. Wish I could just snap my fingers and have the hedgerows all grown and shaped. I definitely need a little color out there in front. Tisk tisk, it all looks horrendous. At least most of it came back after that late freeze this winter. I had thought I would lose everything!

I kinda feel like I have a cold coming on. Fun. I've taken my herbs and I'm on my way to get some Advil. Hoping that does the trick. Probably just another storm heading our way. Aw, summatime!

We Lost Another One

Art by Danny O.

We put the cuz on an airplane home today. Both the kid and I are just too sad to talk about it. Sniffle.

Safe Travels

Artwork by Danny O

Sending safe travel wishes to Raphael. He is attempting to get back to France tonight. Of course, there was a delay in his first flight out of Mobile which jeopardized his connections. I think he'll be staying in Atlanta tonight rather than Paris. Poor guy.

Hey Raphi, if you see Lil Jon, tell him you met up with Lil Wayne in New Orleans. hehe

Mo' NO

Here's some mo' pics from New Orleans. Still loving that Spanish Moss.

This was a lady at Aunt Sally's candy shop in the French Market making pralines, excuse me Creole pralines. Yum. The cuz and I said we were going to stop back by and pick some up but we never did. Grrrr. Oh well.

While in New Orleans . . . have to get a Hurricane! (I forgot what cocktail Raphi ordered, but it sure was colorful!) We went to Mulate's for supper, an old establishment that has live zydeco and a big ol' dance floor. The cuz and kid went out for the chicken dance and MY SON left her on the dance floor. I had a talkin' to that kid. "Never, ever leave a young lady on the dance floor alone!" Geesh. Raphi saved her and finished the dance out. It was hilarious! Guess the chicken dance is a world-wide phenomena! I forgot what drink Raphi ordered, but those colors sure were pretty. Grin.

Of course, I ordered red beans and rice to start. Duh. It was delicious. For supper, Raphi had the gator and I had blackened shrimp. Everything was very, very good.


After supper, we strolled back to the hotel. The kids wanted to go swimming again and Raphi wanted to see Bourbon Street in it's glory--at night. When we arrived at the hotel, we were walking through the lobby and I noticed three guys talking to the concierge that looked straight out of a rap video. We made it to the elevator and I told the cuz that they were rappers; her being up on today's music and all. She immediately saved the elevator for them and low and behold they came in. I was trying to contain myself after my Hurricane (well, maybe it was two) and one was going on and on about not being put in the top-floor penthouse. "I can't believe they put us on the 22nd floor!" the one kept on saying, over and over. Of course, I had to pipe in, in all my ghettoness, and say "Aw man, they only put us on the 17th flo'!!" hehe. (Again, picture Lucy.) The guy in charge was like "Man, naw, it just ain't right." I think Raphi and the rest of my homies were just about dying by this time. The guy goes "I'm gonna send you up a bottle of champagne, send her up a bottle" talking to one of his homies. I was like "Aight."

Of course, it was then time to get off the elevator and we said our take-it-easies and he goes "Do you know Lil Wayne?" I turned back and grabbed his hand to shake it saying "I knew you was a rappa!" He said "What do you like to drink? We're going to send you up a bottle of Moet Chandon, what's your room numba?" I gave it to him and the door closed. My peeps and I could barely contain ourselves until we made it to our room where we all jumped on the bed in a burst of laughter! Lord have mercy. Then it hit me. Who was this guy I just gave our room number to??? Either he was going to send us a bottle of bubbly or send his squad up to kill us all for acting the fool! At any rate, we were all on cloud nine. It was absolutely hilarious. Of course, I had never heard of Lil Wayne. Had to call the teenager. Apparently he hangs with Lil Jon, king of crunk, who I do know--well not personally, mind you (hey, I have kids, ya know!). The cuz called her mom because she was so excited. Mom looked Wayne up on her computer and played some of his music. We're talking hard-core rap. Oh dear. lol. (Cuz's mom probably wondered about my adult supervision about that time.)

Each time we heard a noise, Raphi would run to the door to see if it were our champagne. We finally decided to go to the pool and left Raphi in charge of signing for the bubbly. After a bit, Raphael showed up at the pool--with a sad face. There was to be no champagne that night. Pout. But the excitement of the possibility just made the trip that much more special. Since I had given our room number out to some strange rapper, we decided against going to Bourbon Street for a quick jaunt and leaving the kids alone in the room. Hey, I'm not completely irresponsible!

When we made it back to Riverside and had access to a computer, we all looked up Lil Wayne. It definitely wasn't Lil Wayne we were hanging with in the elevator but probably one of his boyz, I suppose. After I thought about it, he never did say he was Lil Wayne, he asked me if I knew Lil Wayne (which I never did admit to him that I did not, Lord forbid). Whoever the guys were, they sho did make for a fun elevator ride. You just never know who you'll run into at the W Hotel. And you never, ever know what's gonna come out of my mouth!

One Home, Three to Go

French Quarter by Raphi

It's been horribly quiet and boring without any one else here but me and mom. Today, the teenager arrived home safely. Yes. Now I await the hub, the kid and the cuz on Sunday. I cannot wait!

The teenager brought me lots of incense which smell divine. I've been burning them ever since his arrival. I'm afraid the house and I now smell like head shop, as the hub says.


I never did show you the gifts Raphael brought me. The plant holder hangs in the kitchen window at Riverside. Love it! The chalk board, I brought home as it fits better with my decor here. I put it up, temporarily, on the kitchen counter top. It won't be long before demolition begins in here. Joy. Can't wait for that. NOT! I love the chalk board. He said he found this store after he had already bought all my other gifts. He said it had all the things I like. Yes, he always spoils me with wonderful goodies from France. He also found me lots of candles, you know me and candles. These three (which I don't have a picture of) look just like river stones. The smell is heavenly. He brought the kid a gorgeous compass and even thought to bring the cuz a sweet bracelet. She's been afraid to wear it down on the river though. I don't blame her. It's too precious to lose. Thank you Raphael!


Here's some more of Raphi's pictures of our critters. (I've had a heck of a time uploading some of Raphael's pictures as they are so large. I wish I could share them all with you. Beautiful, as you know.) The dragonflies on the river are all a midnight blue. Not like the ones we have here in Nashville. Aren't they pretty?

Then there are the little lizards.

Grasshoppers.

And, of course, the tree frogs.

Last, but not least, is Reese. The neighborhood dog.

One night, we were leaving for dinner, and she would NOT let us go. She chased after the car and I kept stopping thinking I was going to hit her. It literally took over a half an hour to get out of the hood! We were laughing so hard. We tried everything--the cuz and Raphi tried to walk her home and then RUN back to the car--Reese won, of course. We left the door open on Raphi's side and he would say "GO GO GO -- STOP!" Finally, Raphael took her a couple of houses down, I started driving slowly and Raphi caught up and jumped in--and I floored it! They were like "FASTER--FASTER!" It was just like Jurassic Park! Must go faster. OMG. It was absolutely hilarious. Things like this can only happen to us. We are straight out of an I Love Lucy episode sometimes. Giggle.

Can't wait to get everyone home. Sigh.

Chillin' with Bella

Bella is settling in nicely with the rest of the crew. She goes up to Rootie now without the attack stance, her and Dave are slowly touching paws and smelling areas I won't mention and Abby is still in flabby mode, rolling over for Bella. I continue putting her in the kid's room at night. What is it about kitties that wakes them up at 3 a.m. ready to play--with sleeping faces???

The fireworks started kinda late last night. I kept looking out the back trying to see them and wondered if perhaps the trees had grown that much in a year that I just couldn't see them. Finally, of course, once I gave up on them and sat down to watch some TV, they started. I sat for a little bit and watched them, but it just wasn't the same by myself. I miss the lot, let me tell you. The quiet, at times, is nice, but I think I prefer the hustle and bustle of kids during the summer time. This is the first vacation the hub and I have not been together. Pout. I'm just glad he went and got some time. Poor guy has been working way too hard. I think the kids are keeping him terribly busy--well, I mean going to the beach and such. That's a good busy! He says they found the perfect spot on the Gulf down near the Florida border. Nice! Seems the jelly fish are out in full force though. Everyone has been stung at least once; but they keep going back for more, so it can't be too bad. Maybe they took the bottle of vinegar with them this time!

Mom is slowly coming back to herself, talking a little more (or at least trying) and not looking so confused about everything. It makes me feel so much better when she answers me rather than that blank stare she is getting so good at. She still comes upstairs at least a dozen times a day, I think just to make sure I'm here. I just smile at her and ask if she's doing her "walking." She just smiles and nods. She had a pimple of some sort while I was gone, the lady who comes in to see her took it upon herself to pop it--which scared me to death in my absence. All I could think of was blood poisoning and infection. It did look pretty bad after I made it home, but with a little doctoring and some neosporin, by Monday it looked pretty good. I still called and made an appointment with her doctor who gratefully took her right in. She also had a place on her arm that looked like a boil-in-the-making that I wanted checked out also. The doc said the spot on the face looked ok, a little red, and the same with the arm. He gave her an antibiotic just to make sure. I feel so much better being on top of it; and today the face looks much better. I even took the bandage off so it can get a little fresh air. The bandage made it look like she had been beat up!

I have done little if nothing since I've been back. Today, it will probably be more of the same. I have a horrible headache which is normally the sign of a storm coming. There are clouds but no rain in the forecast. We really need it here too. Everything is so dry and dead. Not the year for that prized garden. Yet another excuse not to go out and clean up the yard. Why is that weeds thrive when it so dry? Irritates me to no end!

Think I'll take Bella's cue and take it easy just for a little while longer. Grin. (Does she not have the most gorgeous eyes????!)

PS Nothing happening on the pickle front. Not even a bubble. Oy.

July 4th

As always, it's a joy when July 4th rolls along. Here in the land of blogs, Merryville is always the hottest spot of all. I think we all look forward to any holiday in Merryville; but there is just something about celebrating our Independence Day with the dear Staggs family.


In years' past, I have used every type of transportation imaginable--some memorable, some not so. My favorite memory is that of Ulla picking me up on her way in an old gypsy wagon. Now, let me tell you, we arrived in style. Even the most demure ladies were woo-hooing as we pulled into town. This year, I'm taking the mid-day Merryville Express straight to the festivities. I have no time to waste (being behind because of my indecision in this year's outfit) . Since this train is an express, I'll be in Merryville before you can spell I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-E-N-C-E!

As tradition goes, I've pulled some old photos out from last year. They sure do bring back some fun memories.

While the "Float Committee" was posing for this photo, the wives all jumped into the
Carnation Wagon and lined up for the parade. We spent all night long decorating this beauty! Mrs. Staggs is always in charge of driving as Mr. Staggs doesn't trust anyone else driving his prized possession. I'm surprised he allows us to decorate it each year. All I can say is, he must truly love that Mrs. Staggs!

Here, the freshly betrothed Maggy Flue and Wilbur Flannigan are taking their engagement spin through town.
We were fortunate enough to NOT be stuck behind the old vinegar wagon last year! Lordy. Almost did us in two year's ago--peeee-yew!

Last year, the Swetman family were the Grand Marshalls and lead the parade through town. That little Swetman boy sure was a pain. As we were all following behind, he was throwing firecrackers out the back. I'm sure glad there were no horses directly behind them; we could have had quite a runaway parade if that had been the case!

Well, I best be getting down to the train station if I'm going to make it! Wishing all a wonderful fourth!

Half Sours

I've always wanted to can vegetables and have never gotten around to it. I saw a recipe for some dill pickles as I was skimming through my usual array of magazines while I was at Riverside. On my way home, I stopped by a road-side stand and picked up some Silver Queen corn and some tomatoes for mom. They also had to most perfect cukes for pickling. This was my sign to finally do something with summer veggies.

I was raised on dill pickles, I guess most of us Americans are. I had never had a half sour, nor even heard of one, until I met the hub. On my first visit to his parents house during Easter Week, they served half sours. Yes, they were even included in the Easter Feast. I fell in love immediately (with more than just the half sours, I may add). My first impression was that the cucumbers weren't quite finished "cooking." They are on the cucumbery side, but the crunch and flavor just can't be beat. They are not overwhelming as some dills can be.

When I got home with my cukes, I did a search for some half-sour recipes. I came across the one I used on a blog site--but of course! Since these ferment for several days, I will have to keep you posted on the process and the outcome. I will see if these are the perfect half sour or if I will need to doctor it up a bit. I cannot wait to take my first crunchy bite!

Tommy's Half Sours (Makes 1 jar)

• 8-9 pickle sized cukes
• 1/3 t whole coriander seeds
• 1/3 t brown mustard seeds
• 1 or 2 whole allspice
• 1/3 t crushed red pepper flakes
• 1/3 t black pepper corns
• 1/4 t dill seeds
• 1-2 T dill weed
• 2-3 pieces broken dried bay leaf
• 6-8 cloves garlic, cut in half (skin on is ok)
  
• 1/4 C pickling salt
• 4 cups water

Mix spices (except pepper) in mortar, mixing but not completely crushing.

Put cukes tightly in jar. There should be at least an inch left open at the top of the jar--cukes need to be completely covered with the water at all times during process.

Add dill weed, garlic and peppercorns to jar, pushing around with a chopstick if needed.

Mix the salt and water completely and pour into jar.

Put jar in a large bowl as it may spill over during fermenting.

Cover lightly with lid--do not close lid completely.

Let sit in clean, cool, dry place for several days--48 to 72 hours.

Fingers' crossed!

Oh yes, this is my new writing assistant. She's working out ok. It actually takes me more time with all her shaningans! Oh well, no one is perfect, right?

Happy Independence Day!

1936 Barry Faulkner Murals

The Declaration of Independence

Home Sweet Home

Since the hub and teenager were coming down to Riverside and mom is in a fragile state, I thought I better high tail it back up. It took FOR-EVER! Raphi and I left the house at 10:30 to pick up the rental car and I don't think I got home until after 8! Lord have mercy! First, instead of taking I-10 from where I was, I drove all the way back into Fairhope, past the house and out again. Sometimes I wonder about myself. Like I said before, I am always lost. Anyhoo, the rental car had been sitting out in an Alabama parking lot for Lord knows how long, so it was hot through to the core. It literally took two hours for it to cool down inside. The poor animules were just a panting. By the time it did cool down and I was flying and making good time, the interstate came to a complete halt. Of course, I was low on gas--trying to make it to my half way point before stopping. So there we sat, in the beating sun, low on gas, going from 100ºƒ air to air conditioning to save on gas. I kept giving the babies water as they were so hot. We sat, and I mean literally sat--no movement--for over an hour. As soon as we started again and I got to a gas station, I asked what the deal was. Apparently there was a motorcycle accident. So sad. Anyhoo, made it home safely and was glad to get in. Mom was already asleep so I waited until this morning to see her. It's good to be home.

I'm slowly introducing Bella to Dave and Abby. So far, so good. She's the feisty one, getting all triangular on them. Thank goodness the big cats are laid back. She has a chip on her shoulder, I swear. She even goes after Rootie, trying to instigate her. Rootie could take her out in one chomp so I haven't left those two together in a room without adult supervision. I first put Bella in our room to sleep. No good. At 4 a.m., I was moving the litter box and food over to the empty kid's room. I already look forward to a full-night sleep tonight.


The hub had a little juggling to do in the office and had to put his vacation off several days. Hopefully, he'll be able to leave today.

Now it's time to get mom out for lunch. I'm sure she'll enjoy that!!