Popcorn and Soda

I used to be a huge movie junkie. In high school, I would go almost every weekend with my friends, Kathy and Miriam to the movies. We watched all the movies that were out...the day they came out, some over and over and even midnight showings and Rocky Horror. Those were the good old days. My only care was to make sure I had enough money for the $5 ticket and some popcorn...we always split the soda. We would drive all over three states to see the most recent films. One of our favorite things were the drive-ins. They had a VW Cabriolet and we would put the top down and watch the movies on summer nights. The tradition continued in college when we were home on holidays, and then fewer times during their visits from the west coast. Some of my favorite times with Miriam and Kathy (sisters) are when we went to the theatre. Recently, I haven't been going to the movies that often...actually, I can't tell you the last movie I saw in a theatre....I just remember that it was with my friend, Tizzie.
So tonight I broke the streak and headed to the movies to see JUNO. As I drove to the theatre I thought of all of the good times I had at the movies with Kathy and Miriam, my first date with Jeffrey to see The Royal Tenenbaums, and when I took my nephew to see Barnyard.

So....JUNO. It was great. Very cute and believable. Ellen Page is smart and funny...I loved her as Juno. I hope they do well at the Oscars. I haven't seen any of the other films nominated for Best Film or with any Best actors or actresses...except for Juno. I want to see Atonement next....maybe next week.
Here's the trailer from JUNO! Go see it!!! Ohh and the music is quirky and fun!

What a life!

Why can't life be this good?
Toby nice and toasty on a cold winter day.

Catfish or Shark?

My sister sent me an article from The Chattanoogan that featured this photo and blurb.

Attached are a couple of photos of a monster blue catfish caught near Greenville, Mississippi by an elderly man who let the fish go after his wife took the pictures. The weight of the catfish is unknown, though some catfish anglers guessed it to be at least 150 pounds. It looks like 200 pounds to me. For sure it would have been a new world record.

I don't know about any of you, but I wouldn't want to brush up against that while swimming in the water.

The King

This Friday is the homecoming dance at my nephew's school in TN. He is a little nervous because he doesn't want to hold the queen's hand. I can't wait to see the photos...I'll be sure to share.

Good Friends

I stumbled upon this photo tonight while doing some work for a meeting tomorrow. It is from last fall when Paula, Elizabeth and I went out to dinner. Just wanted to say...
I miss seeing you both! Happy New Year!

Twelve Drummers Drumming

Happy 12th Day of Christmas! According to my mom, all Christmas decorations can go down after January 6th, Epiphany, although our decorations have always lingered longer than that. I will start taking down some decorations this weekend. I left up the outside decorations of the restaurant until this week too. The entire town is still decked out, so I thought I better keep with the spirit.

A few weeks ago I saw an article about "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and how some believe that the song has hidden meanings to teach catechism to children in 16th Century England. I found a site that discusses Epiphany and the song here.

Whatever your beliefs, wherever you are...Enjoy the day!

Snow, Snow, Snow?

Happy New Year! When is it going to snow around here. I look at Libby and I am so jealous of her winter wonderland. Hopefully we will see some soon. When I was in TN one of my mom's neighbor's asked me how much snow we had in MD and if we would have a white Christmas...I just laughed.
I can remember several times when I was in grade school it would snow before we had to go back to school and sometimes it would even prolong our Christmas vacation. Until it decides to snow more than it did in early December...I will enjoy the lit snowflake on the utility pole outside our bedroom window. It is so peaceful to watch it glow outside the window each night before I drift off to sleep...until the utility truck decides to come take it down!!!!!
Besides some flurries...this is all the snow I have seen this season.

Unusual C&D Traffic

To take a break from the Christmas chat....

Last night at work, I looked out the front door and saw a very long boat docked at our town dock. It looked odd..I wasn't sure what it was or where it was from. About an hour later 4 chilly guests walked inside. They looked cold and like they had come from a boat. I asked it they had been on that boat that just docked. They said yes...which sparked this interesting post. They are crew from the ferry, Freedom. They have just passed through the Panama Canal, crossed the Gulf of Mexico and Florida Keys on their way from San Francisco to New York City. Freedom worked with other ferry's taking tourists to Alcatraz Island. In January, it will carry visitors to Ellis Island. The ferry holds 450 passengers. You can read the New York Times article here.
Ed Jerbic, the captain, has been sleeping behind the pilot seat in a tent partially covered and NOT insulated. He was freezing and decided to treat himself to a night in our cottage next to the restaurant. My staff enjoyed meeting the 5 person crew and hearing about their voyage. Ed has put together a blog...it is really interesting and has fascinating photos.

Burberry and Flannel?

For Christmas, I got my mom a Burberry purse. She opened it and right away my makeup wearing,doll loving, purse loving 3 year old niece, Aislyn grabbed it and slung it over her shoulder. She looked at it and carried it around the house, put all of her toy keys and baby doll bottles in it then went to bed with it. For all of you Burberry lovers...before you gasp one more time...it is a fake. That night I found it in her bed, so I took it out and put in near the tree. The next morning 6am or so...my sister wakes me and says where is mom's purse? Aislyn is crying and holding her new baby and asking for the purse. I found it and gave it to her. We sat in bed and I talked to her about the purse. She opened it and told me to look in at the "trash" or crumpled up paper to keep it's shape. Then I told her it was Gram's purse and she said she wanted one. Next trip to the flea market will include a Burberry for Aislyn. Only 3 and already expensive taste!

Go Tell It On The Mountain

During my trip to TN, I was able to attend Landen's Christmas Program at his school. His class sang Go Tell It On The Mountain and a poem about the candy cane. He did such a great job and knew all of the words. Landen is the one in the bow time below the angel.

Go, tell it on the mountain,
Over the hills and everywhere
Go, tell it on the mountain,
That Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching
Over silent flocks by night
Behold throughout the heavens
There shone a holy light.

Refrain

The shepherds feared and trembled,
When lo! above the earth,
Rang out the angels chorus
That hailed the Savior’s birth.

Refrain

Down in a lowly manger
The humble Christ was born
And God sent us salvation
That blessèd Christmas morn.

Refrain

After the program we went to his classroom and he showed me around. I saw his cubby, all of his neat Christmas projects and I got to meet his homecoming queen. WHAT?? Homecoming queen in pre-K???? You got it...Landen is the Pre-K Homecoming King and Kailee is the Pre-K Homecoming Queen. His school has a king and queen for each grade for the Homecoming Basketball Game. They will make their debut in mid January. What a cute king and queen!!!

Cocoa in A Jar

While I was visiting TN, I helped my sister make some teacher gifts for my nephew and niece. I decided to have Landen help me make Cocoa in a Jar. An idea that I got from Posie Gets Cozy. They are easy and fun to make...the perfect project for a 4 year old. He had a great time doing it. It kept his attention and kept him up way past his bedtime, which I paid for the next day! Something that a "spoiling aunt" always forgets...3 and 4 year olds need naps and bedtimes!!!!

Here's a photo of my helper in his apron!

Christmas in Ridgeside

The week before I Christmas I flew to my mom's home in Chattanooga, Tennessee for a visit. I was also a recruit to help with her neighborhood Luminarie and Open House Night. Her neighborhood, Ridgeside, has a 60 year old tradition of placing luminaries in front of each home, lining all of the streets. They light them from 6-9pm on the Monday and Tuesday before Christmas. It is truly beautiful. People come in carloads to tour the neighborhood. Longtime residents told me that many years ago the cars lined up to drive through the neighborhood.
On the first night, a few homes are open to tour and enjoy fellowship and snacks for all of the neighbors. My mom's home was one of them. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I was glad I could help. Click here to see a video of the sights in Ridgeside this Christmas.

Busy, Busy, Busy

Aren't we all this time of year. Ok..I admit. I haven't been posting. I am sorry. This week I was in Chattanooga, TN with my mom, sister, nephew and niece. We had a wonderful time and I will post photos TONIGHT....I promise, Ginger. My shopping is finished, the decorations are all up. I haven't baked anything...but I have made some really cute cocoa jars, which I will post about later. That's about it...the pneumonia really kept me down, I didn't rest as much as I needed...so it lasted a little longer. Those are all of my excuses. Check out the site later. You can also view a video of our tree that Jeffrey made here.
Happy Holidays!!!!!

It's Beginning to Look a lot like Christmas

I am finally feeling better. Sunday I started to turn around...so I started some Christmas decorating and made a wreath. I had a lot of loose greens my mom used while she was here and I cut up some pine and holly and VOILA!

Hot Tea, Chicken & Rice, and Rest

If those all sound like a remedy for sickness....you're right. I am sick. I have had this "thing" for two weeks now. Can't seem to shake it. The doctor might be calling in more meds for me tomorrow...depends. So while I have been hanging out at home and trying to REST (something that I don't do well) my mom has been visiting. She came into town to decorate the restaurant and make some decorations for folks on our town holiday house tour. It was a very nice visit and we had fun. She helped bring out the Christmas decorations at our house. Since I didn't feel like taking a photo and downloading it....I snapped this with the Photo Booth to give you a sneak peek.