A Swinging St. Patrick's Day Weekend

It's been a great St. Patrick's Day weekend over here!

I spent Friday night in the company of many, many friends, tearing up the dance floor at the monthly GA Tech swing dance!!!  I danced from 8-Midnight and then some of us went to the local Steak N Shake until around 2 ish.  I crashed in bed at around 2:45, with sore feet, aching muscles and a huge grin on my face.  That's the most social fun I've had in a while and I am so looking forward to next month's shindig! :) :) :)

I clean up rather cutely! Though, this pic was taken
before I stopped by to see a friend at a salon and
wound up getting a bangs trim and curls done! :)

Here's a short video- I didn't take many photos or movies CAUSE I WAS DANCING! :)

Yesterday, Mum and I ran general errands around town and then went and got our nails done.  A rare treat for me, that I thank her for!  I took this photo of my "dressed up for St. Patrick's Day" self whilst waiting for her to get done with her mani-pedi:

Green shirt and green nails (Kiwi Kiss by Salon Perfect),
 plus the shamrock necklace that the Bestie gave me for Christmas!
No chance I was getting pinched! LOL

Then we met up with some friends at the Douglasville Irish Bred Pub.  I'm completely temperance.  I don't drink anything alcoholic whatsoever.  But their food is wonderful!  I had the Blarney Burger and sweet potato fries.

Source

There were Celtic dancers doing Riverdance type musical stampeding. (I can't imagine what it sounded like downstairs!  It's a historic building, so I'm fairly certain it may have seemed like the ceiling was going to cave in!) Sorry, I wasn't able to get a photo of the dancers.  Too many people in the way and they were jumping around so much, the camera couldn't focus. Oh, and there was also this guy:

So grainy- but better than no photo at all, I suppose!

We stuck around until around 9 ish and then headed home so I could write a few reply letters (the backlog is stacking up! I also still need to finish taking photos of the incoming for the Flikr albums). After Friday's shenanigans, it was a good idea (however boring) to go to bed at a decent hour.

Today has thus far been spent quietly, catching up on the blogs I read; writing letters, posts, and to-do lists for the coming week; and getting my game plan down for making the most out of the hours that will compose tomorrow.  Because I have a metric ton of stuff to do that must get done if all of my other plans are to ever happen.  (This is what procrastination does to you, kids.)  I have one of those B12 energy shot drinks on hand if I end up needing it, but I'm hoping to be able to get the right amount of sleep tonight so that I won't have to open it.  Kind of nice to have a back up plan, though.  Those dust bunnies better live it up now.  They'll be obliterated in the morning. :)

I hope you have had a marvelous Green Weekend, my dears!  Don't forget about the giveaway happening on Friday!  See you soon!

I Have The Most Awesome Best Friend EVER

So apparently we had mail last Saturday that included packages, because when a guest came to the front door (that we don't ever really use ourselves) yesterday, there was a little stack of post sitting on the bench.  Really need to communicate with the delivery person about that.  ANYWAY.  My best friend of 20+ years sent me THIS:

I about fell over, I was laughing so hard!
In case you haven't discovered the wonderfulness that is the Hyperbole and a Half Blog, here is the post from whence this tea bling comes.  (Read it, I'll wait.)
I hope Allie is doing well and recovering from her battle with clinical depression.   The internet misses her dreadfully (as do I).  In the meantime, we at least have the archives of past H&AH to keep us laughing.  She is hilarious!
I'm going to fix a cup of caffeinated, sugared up tea in my new mug to give me a blast of energy and then take the Cute Gremlins to the parp park to play while it's blue skies and sunshine out!  Happy random Monday in the middle of February, everyone! :D

Grilled Cheese

Yesterday my friend Carrie posed a question on her Facebook wall:
"What is the best cheese for a grilled cheese sandwich?"
Almost instantly, there were well over 20 comments ranging from the classic (including my own suggestion of deli sliced ham and swiss) to the fancy ("marble rye and Gruyere") to the extremely creative that substituted cheese altogether ("melted banana, peanut butter, honey-cured bacon and cinnamon with fresh fruit"!).  There was even a nice representation of the range from healthy ("hummus, bean sprouts, white sharp cheddar and tomato on wheat") to utterly artery clogging ("Velveeta...that block of uber-processed goodness").

One of her commenters mid-way through the thread made the good point that "ALL THE CHEESE" is the best cheese to grill (agreed!!!), which of course prompted me to borrow an Allie Brosh drawing (copyright hers) from a meme creator page and tweak the text to create this:

Pretty sure I know what we're having for lunch now...  :)

Ahoy, Matey!

Arrrrr!!!! Avast, me Hearties!  Today be International Talk Like A Pirate Day!  Whether ye be chartin' a course through the perilous sea o' traffic on the interstates, or swabbing the decks and spit shinin' yer vessel at home port (translation: housework and laundry at home. Though with very young buccaneers underfoot, it may well be more "spit" and less "shine".), raise yer glass o' grog and enjoy the spirit of the day!  As it be Wednesday, I thought this series of High Seas Hijinks were in order.  Hoist the Colors and weigh anchor!

February Gratitudes

February has come and gone!  It was a busy month, filled with good friends, letters in the mailbox, and so many blessings to be thankful for!!

• 2.29- Cutie Pie Emily making me smile every 5 minutes!
• 2.28- Dayquil
• 2.27- Voting
• 2.26- All the bills paid up
• 2.25- Inspiration for new projects and creative goodness!
• 2.24- Fish legs is tasty noms! :)
• 2.23- a whole day to myself to move furniture around, get organized and clean things up
• 2.22- Taking Gran out shopping
• 2.21- Fun time with kids, making green slime :)
• 2.20- Friend's surgery went well
• 2.19- Getting GRACED by 2 wonderful friends. You two are such blessings!!!
• 2.18- Good doctors for my Grandmama
• 2.17- Musical Numbers
• 2.16- Fantastic Bible Study time!
• 2.15- Half price chocolates/Valentine's candy
• 2.14- Friend who sent me Mr. Darcy in the mailbox and made my Valentine's Day not so horrible
• 2.13- More letters in my mailbox
• 2.12- Email about things relating to The Other Me that made my entire year!
• 2.11- Heat and warm blankets as the temps drop super fast outside.
• 2.10- Two people I love have a Birthday today!
• 2.9- A few questions answered
• 2.8- I found a few awesome treasures at the thrift store!
• 2.7- Letters in my mailbox
• 2.6- My brother-in-law, who has a birthday today
• 2.5- Someone who came to church
• 2.4- Strong headache medicine
• 2.3- The freedom to make a few long term plans
• 2.2- Pretty paper to write letters on
• 2.1- Meeting new friends through the Lettermo challenge

52 Weeks of Mail: Incoming!

This week I got two amazing pieces of mail!  One is from a fellow 52 Week-er on Facebook, from Germany!!!  So cool!  Danke, Svenja!  I'm writing a reply!

The other is a reply letter from my good friend Taylor, in Jasper, GA.  She's been a part of my blog hilarity before, in this post about the "for decorative purposes only" owl(s).  She enclosed with her letter this owl, whose caption reads: "I am used for enjoyment and smiling purposes!".  :)  I'm hanging him up on my crafting room "inspiration wall" so I can see him every day and smile!

He will be clipped up with one of the super-cute, tiny clothes pins! :)

My 52 Weeks, Week 3 Outgoing is still being added to and will go out probably Thursday.  It's convenient to swing by the post office right after Bible study.  I'll be sure and take a pic before it goes out, don't worry.  And just cause of all this fun mail, I picked this up at the library today:

...along with a book on piano/reading music, Broadway Musicals (every show, ever), a new edition of a great basic photography book that I love to refer back to as I learn my trade, and Michael J. Fox's second biography ("Always Looking Up". Read it; it's really good.).

ADD, much?  Yep.  But it makes for interesting letters! And I'm looking forward to another great week of sending and receiving mail! :)

Halloween Funnies

When I was in college, the Final Fantasy video games were extremely popular.  My then-boyfriend's roommate discovered this extra gem on one of his games.  With Halloween just around the corner, I thought it was perfect for today's Music Monday.  (I have something else for actual Halloween next week.)
Enjoy. :)

Have Some Insulin Ready...

For years my Grandmother has made this awesome banana pudding.  She taught me how to make it and for a long time now as I've stood over the saucepan, constantly stirring to make sure the mixture didn't stick on the bottom, I've let my mind wander to what other variations could be made off of the basic recipe.

It's just a vanilla custard of sugar, flour, egg yolks, milk and margarine.  It doesn't become "banana" pudding until I pour it over the sliced bananas and vanilla wafers in the baking dish. Hmmmm....

A couple of weeks ago, my friends TJ and Kayla Brown were visiting and I made shepherd's pie for supper.  Afterward, Kayla helped me make a banana pudding for dessert.  As she worked on the meringue and I tended the custard, I shared with her my idea of making something new.  We brainstormed about all kinds of possibilities, but ultimately kept coming back to the idea of turning the regular custard into a chocolate one.

There is a festival coming up next weekend, and I've invited them back to visit again.  I thought it would be wonderful if I could experiment with the recipe and, if I hit on a winner, present it to them for dessert when they come over.

After scouring Allrecipes.com to find the ratios for a chocolate custard (I knew I wasn't the first person to think of all this), I put together what I thought would be the ultimate chocolate dessert recipe.  I didn't get to try it until early this afternoon, but when I got the opportunity, I went straight to work on it.
 Oh. My. Goodness.

It is super sweet.  (Like, "hear-your-teeth-rot" kind of sweet!)  It is super chocolatey.  It is SUPER GOOD!!!

Of course I am too generous to keep something like this all to myself!  Here are some photos, followed by the recipe itself.  Enjoy!*

Ingredients:

(Custard)

3 egg yolks

1 ½ cups sugar

4 Tbs self-rising flour

2 Tbs cocoa

1 ½ cups milk

2 Tbs butter or margarine

(Meringue)

3 egg whites

½ cup sugar

¼ tsp cocoa

Approx half a package of chocolate creame Oreos. (We used Kroger brand “Chocolate Lover’s Kiddos”)

Directions:

Line the bottom of an 8x8 square glass baking dish with chocolate creme Oreos.

For custard: In a medium sauce pan, stir together sugar, flour and cocoa.  In small bowl, beat egg yolks and milk together.  Stir beaten egg and milk in with dry mixture.  Over medium heat, stir constantly, breaking up any lumps, until sauce begins to thicken. (Take special care that it doesn’t stick/scorch on the bottom!)  Stir in butter/margarine until melted.  Continue stirring until custard is a medium thick consistency.

Pour custard over the Oreos and let sit while meringue is being made.

For meringue: Preheat oven to 350°.  In large mixing bowl, mix ½ cup sugar with ½ tsp cocoa.  With electric mixer, whip egg whites with dry mixture until stiff peaks form.  

Pour meringue over custard and spread evenly until all sides are sealed.  Bake until top of meringue is golden brown.  

Serve warm, or let cool and refrigerate for 1 hour and serve cold.  Keep any left overs refrigerated.

*I'm completely serious about how rich this thing is.  If your family finds you dead on the kitchen floor, it is NOT my fault!

Frank Gets Artsy Craftsy

It's been a little slow around here, "Adventure-wise", for Frank.  We're recovering from the summer in general and the kids are getting ready to head back to school soon.  Here's a quick peek at Frank as he accompanied my friends Jason and Taylor (and myself) to the local Hobby Lobby for some sewing supplies to finish those dresses that I made for Taylor. :)

In the van and headed to Hobby Lobby!

Ah, Crafty Goodness all under one roof! :)

"F" is for Frank! :)

Frank's Further Adventures in St. Simons

August 7, 2009
Mine and Jake's 5th wedding anniversary.  We went down to St. Simons again, this time taking Frank and our good friends Charles and Marilyn.

Frank at the SSI Historic Lighthouse

While we were there we ate at 4th of May Cafe.  Be sure to read my past Go Here Thursday post about it here.  Frank enjoyed cuddles from Marilyn and myself while we waited for our food (which was not long.)

While we were there, we saw the 6th Harry Potter movie, which had just come out.

And spent some time at the beach.  I don't have any photos of him under the canopy that day, but I saw these sail boats and I think the next beach trip, I will see if we can rent one and Frank can have a new adventure!

After a long, happy day at the beach, we ate dinner at the Whataburger.

While I was retrieving these photos, I found some from the last Frank Friday that I had missed, so here they are:
July 24-25, 2009

Frank hangs out in the sculpture thingie outside the Glynn Art Gallery

Outside the SSI Lighthouse

In front of the SSI Pier

Playing on the swings at the Pier playground

Frank with one of the SSI Tree Spirits

The whale on the SSI Pier playground thought Frank looked like a good snack.
Don't worry, we rescued him! :)

On our way home, we saw this. :)

Frank's First Visit to St. Simons Island

July 24 & 25, 2009
Not long after we acquired Frank TAA (The Adventurous Ape) in 2009, we took him along with us on vacation to St Simons Island.  Before we left Atlanta, though, a true welcoming to the family was in order. Nowhere in Atlanta says that like The Varsity.  The Georgia Holy Grail of fast food, The Varsity takes the most unhealthy food ever (hamburgers and hot dogs) and transforms it into further artery-choking goodness by dipping it in giant vats of grease.  If you've been to Atlanta, but haven't eaten at the Varsity, then you haven't really been to Atlanta at all!  Here then, is Frank at the Varsity. :)

Once we arrived in south GA, we stayed with my dear friends, Mars and Alan.  Frank wasn't shy:

Alan is a firefighter in Glynn County.  On our way to the beach, we stopped by the station to see him, and he graciously allowed us (and Frank) a tour of one of the trucks!

Do you have a license to drive that, Frank?!

After awhile, we said goodbye to Alan and headed for the beach.  Frank loved the way the sea breeze rippled through his fur, and although he preferred to hang out (quite literally) under our canopy most of the time (salt water being hard to get out of his stuffing), he smiled the whole day.  Me too, Frank.  Me too.

Just hangin' out at the beach. :)

A Blog Award!!!

Sarah McCabe over at The Aspiring Sub-creator gave me the Versatile Blogger award!

Thank you, Sarah!  I'm glad you enjoyed my Hugh Laurie Birthday post.  And I'm glad you also knew him from A Bit of Frye and Laurie and Jeeves and Wooster. (How I love BBC). :)  And thank you also for good wishes for my own birthday.

So the rules are:
1. Thank and link to the person who nominated you. (See above.)
2. Share 7 random facts about yourself.
3. Pass the award along to 0-100 deserving blogging buddies.
4. Contact those buddies to congratulate them.

Here's my 7 random:
1. At this moment, my toenails are painted Cotton Candy Pink (Avon speed-dry enamel). Pink toenails are the girliest thing ever.
2. My favorite chocolate indulgence is a Cadbury's Turkish Dairy Milk bar.  I have a good friend in England who ships them to me a few times a year, since they are so hard to find here.
3. Although it's a bit obvious from my blog name that peacocks are my favorite bird, owls come in as a close second favorite.
4. When I was 7 I won first place award in the entire elementary school for an essay I wrote, about "What Easter Means To Me".
5. I've got a BH&G scented candle on my nightstand that is pretty awesome.  Shimmering Cherry Blossom.  Smells so good.
6. As long as I feel safe, I love to watch thunderstorms rage outside.  Ultimate goal = living where I can watch them rage at the beach.  Awesomeness.
7. When I was in labor with my son and doped up on pain killers, I told my husband to leave the hospital, drive across town to Tucker, GA and return a green bowl that I had borrowed from our church pianist's wife.  He knew I didn't really want him to leave the ROOM while I was having the baby, let alone the hospital.  We don't know where near Tucker the pianist and his wife lived.  I never borrowed a green bowl from them.  In fact, she told me later that they don't even have a green bowl I could have borrowed if I'd wanted to.  Ah, the joys of IV meds during childbirth!

And now on to passing along the award!

Chris at Where The Pavement Ends blogs about everything from mudding trucks, to summertime in TN, to preparing for his upcoming wedding.  I'd say that's plenty versatile.

Pamela at From The House Of Edward was one of the first blogs I started following, and they don't get any more versatile than hers.  Every post is an enchanting mix of beautiful images and carefully chosen words.  The whole blog is simply decadent.  Posts on everything from the blog's namesake (a shaggy and wonderful sheepdog named Edward), to book recommendations, to the perfect rain coat, the Royal Wedding, tree houses and trips to Scotland.  Just. Gorgeous.

Su at Cheekyness is a student, runner, reader and writer, among many other things.  I love her blog, and she always leaves the sweetest comments on my posts.

Adam at Meet Adam Jones has been a friend of mine for 15+ years or so.  Not only is his blog versatile (and hilarious), he's a pretty versatile human being in and of himself and I am always richer for my time spent talking with him.

There were going to be 5 recipients, but some of the others that I love and follow either have taken a break for the summer, or already have the versatile blogger award.  So visit these 4 and show them some love and attention.

Frank Goes Back In Time

It's Frank Friday!

Last weekend we packed up a bunch of gear, some out of style clothes, a black powder gun and Frank, and moseyed on down to Selma, Alabama for the 146th anniversary Civil War reenactment.

Frank enjoyed himself immensely.  I carried him in my work basket (alongside some quilt blocks I am working on, and my carefully-concealed-from-view-unless-I'm-using-it camera.) and we traveled around the sutlers, saying hi to dear friends along the way.

Here is Frank with Miss Mary of The Paper Lady sutlery.

The name comes from the pre-made paper cartridges that Mary makes and sells by the box to soldiers.  But what I love her sutlery for, is the corsets and sewing supplies.  I sew like a mad thing, and I'm working hard to learn more techniques and be able to personally make every piece of a 19th Century costume.  But those corsets are just beyond me.  Holy. Cow. All the boning and the lacing and the fitting makes my head spin.  Not to mention the materials it has to be made out of, which would surely break more than a few sewing machine needles if I tried it yet.  Therefore, I make everything else, and leave the corset to her!  I highly, highly, highly recommend her wares.

Here is Frank with Mr. Johnson of Rum Creek sutlery.

Rum Creek used to sell a variety of art prints, but lately have become purveyors of excellent 19th century related books and dry goods.  Mr. Johnson and his brother, Chuck, are some of the nicest gentlemen in the hobby and as I shop around their store I always hear them asking visitors if they can be of any assistance.

I can sew Jake's shirts, but it's actually quicker, easier and more convenient (since I'm up to my ears in ladies things, mostly) to purchase them here.  The tailoring is excellent and the price is very reasonable.  Plus, there is a large variety of colors to choose from, so Jake can find exactly what he wants.  At Selma, I also purchased a pair of reproduction eyeglass frames that I will get fitted with my prescription.  Like Mary's sutlery, I highly recommend Rum Creek's wares.  They will be at the Resaca, GA reenactment next.

Frank also posed with my husband and our friend Jesse before the battle on Sunday:

Frank then went back to the camp to "nap" in my tent, so that's all the photos I have of him at Selma.  Here are a few more photos of us and our hilarity, though. Enjoy. :)

This is generally how Marilyn and I start out a reenactment together.

The guys on Saturday

A friend and myself at the ball on Saturday night.
I have GOT to make a new ballgown! Ugh!

Best Friends

Period correct photo of us being serious

Us being friendly

Us being... well.  Us.

Jennifer and Shelby playing a period game called "Graces"

Yes, they really did burn the cabin down to the ground.  Every year. :)

Honoring those who lost their lives in the Tuscaloosa Alabama tornadoes last month

For more of Frank's Adventures, here is a previous post about him going to Florida for Spring Break.
I'll be sharing his other past shenanigans next week. :)