We’re off on another adventure this weekend. On Friday morning Dan, Bronwen and I fly from Raleigh to Monroe, Louisiana so that we can attend my niece’s wedding on Saturday afternoon. Unlike any wedding I have ever been to, this wedding is going to have about 600 people attending, 400 are expected for the reception. Truly, I cannot actually visualize what 600 people looks likes, but I can clearly imagine the bill for a reception of 400. Yikes!
I will try to take lots of pictures so that from now on, I will be able to visualize 600 people.
It will be interesting to observe the opposite of my wedding.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
If you would like to see the city or town you live in in a totally different, new, and exciting way, take a bike ride. Yesterday I hopped onto my bike, for what I thought was going to be a brief ride around town but that turned into six and half mile study in pain. I set out from my house, the usual way, across Spring Garden into lovely Lindley Park. I cut across the middle of the park and continued down Lindell. At the intersection of Lindell and Walker, there are two ways I usually go, straight continuing along Lindell towards Matt’s house, or left along Walker over the bridge over Wendover. This time I went left, as it takes you across to the other part of Lindley Park.
The evening was lovely and everyone was out with their kids, dogs, wives, boyfriends; the trail was full of people. Normally I cycle around the park, but this time I headed off in a different direction right out of the park onto Green Valley road. Here is where I discovered that Greensboro looks very different from a bike. Did you know that there is a small river and run-off tunnel right at the corner of Green Valley and Friendly. I didn’t! And it is really beautiful.
I cut across friendly and hit the greenway right there under the bridge where Wendover crosses Friendly. The Lake Daniel Greenway is a two mile trail that follows Green Valley, then turns sharply and shadows Benjamin Pkwy down across Elam, and then under Aycock and dumps you out over in that cute little park by Tremont and Mimosa.
By the time I got to the park, I was ready to go home. Another thing you discover when biking Greensboro, it is not a flat town. Every turn you make has you taking another brutal hill. I tried to plan my trip home with the least amount of hills, but failed miserably and by the time I got home, was red-faced and exhausted.
The evening was lovely and everyone was out with their kids, dogs, wives, boyfriends; the trail was full of people. Normally I cycle around the park, but this time I headed off in a different direction right out of the park onto Green Valley road. Here is where I discovered that Greensboro looks very different from a bike. Did you know that there is a small river and run-off tunnel right at the corner of Green Valley and Friendly. I didn’t! And it is really beautiful.
I cut across friendly and hit the greenway right there under the bridge where Wendover crosses Friendly. The Lake Daniel Greenway is a two mile trail that follows Green Valley, then turns sharply and shadows Benjamin Pkwy down across Elam, and then under Aycock and dumps you out over in that cute little park by Tremont and Mimosa.
By the time I got to the park, I was ready to go home. Another thing you discover when biking Greensboro, it is not a flat town. Every turn you make has you taking another brutal hill. I tried to plan my trip home with the least amount of hills, but failed miserably and by the time I got home, was red-faced and exhausted.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
A great party
It’s been awhile since we’ve thrown a eat amazing food, drink delicious drinks, get plastered and play stump kind of party but Sunshine and Cavin’s arrival into town was the perfect excuse.
First, the food. We had caprese salad (fresh mozzarella, fresh garden tomatoes and basil leaves cut from my potted garden), chevre with cucumbers and spring mix and crackers. Chris brought an amazing cantaloupe which we cut up and ate with our fingers. Then Nikki arrived with the baked brie soaking in brown sugar, almonds and warm black berries (this particular dish was a huge hit with Sunshine. She sat down right in front of it and proceeded to moan while she ate). Then more crackers and olives, and the mojitos were enjoyed, and the wine was broken out. The corn was thrown on the grill and Piper carefully monitored it until it was ready. (Monitoring meant periodically yelling out “the corn needs to be turned!” and Dan or I would rush over and rotate everything.) While we ate corn I prepared the salmon fillet and the whole steelhead for the grill. The salmon I covered in mayo and dill and the steelhead (which apparently is some sort of trout or salmon, no one seems to know) I prepared with lemon pepper, white wine, lime and dill. Both were delicious, but I’d have to say, the salmon was perfectly cooked. Cavin was amazingly helpful with my attempt to flip both fish, thanks!
I think it was then that we sunk into a drunken food coma and decided to play stump. To learn more about stump go here. Basically, it is a drinking game that involves a hammer, nails and a stump. Sounds dangerous? Well it is, and incredibly fun (not as fun as fire stump!) We’ve never had such a big game; I think it started out with nine people. And somewhere in the middle, the moonshine arrived. Perfect combination if you ask me.
After the stump game, we made fire in the fire pit and got out the guitars; we drank and sang, and talked and then played two very drunken games of Apples to Apples. It was a delightful night. Thanks to all who came over and congrats again to Sunshine and Cavin for their “half-aversay” and six months of marriage!
First, the food. We had caprese salad (fresh mozzarella, fresh garden tomatoes and basil leaves cut from my potted garden), chevre with cucumbers and spring mix and crackers. Chris brought an amazing cantaloupe which we cut up and ate with our fingers. Then Nikki arrived with the baked brie soaking in brown sugar, almonds and warm black berries (this particular dish was a huge hit with Sunshine. She sat down right in front of it and proceeded to moan while she ate). Then more crackers and olives, and the mojitos were enjoyed, and the wine was broken out. The corn was thrown on the grill and Piper carefully monitored it until it was ready. (Monitoring meant periodically yelling out “the corn needs to be turned!” and Dan or I would rush over and rotate everything.) While we ate corn I prepared the salmon fillet and the whole steelhead for the grill. The salmon I covered in mayo and dill and the steelhead (which apparently is some sort of trout or salmon, no one seems to know) I prepared with lemon pepper, white wine, lime and dill. Both were delicious, but I’d have to say, the salmon was perfectly cooked. Cavin was amazingly helpful with my attempt to flip both fish, thanks!
I think it was then that we sunk into a drunken food coma and decided to play stump. To learn more about stump go here. Basically, it is a drinking game that involves a hammer, nails and a stump. Sounds dangerous? Well it is, and incredibly fun (not as fun as fire stump!) We’ve never had such a big game; I think it started out with nine people. And somewhere in the middle, the moonshine arrived. Perfect combination if you ask me.
After the stump game, we made fire in the fire pit and got out the guitars; we drank and sang, and talked and then played two very drunken games of Apples to Apples. It was a delightful night. Thanks to all who came over and congrats again to Sunshine and Cavin for their “half-aversay” and six months of marriage!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Happy Mother's Day to Me!
My first official Mother’s Day was wonderful. First of all, I made sure that everyone knew it was my day, and that I should get whatever I want. Hey, I am the ultimate "self sacrifice for others’ happiness" type, so this behavior was fun! Bronwen woke us up at 6:30 and Dan took care of her so I could sleep in, but I was awake so I got up around 7:15 to play with the baby. We all got dressed and headed out to Tate Street Coffee around 8:30 to get coffee and the NY Times for the crossword. Dan and I attempted the crossword (he did all of the work, but I got a few) and Bronwen bonked her head on the coffee table and we drank our coffee and read the paper.
Bronwen fell asleep at the coffee shop so we decided to go home. We put her down and then decided to nap ourselves. We woke up around 12pm and Dan made me brunch. My favorite: Corned beef hash with onions and eggs over easy. Don’t forget lots of Tabasco. It turns out that Bronwen loves corned beef hash as well.
Then we played around the house. I played some Snood Slide (I can’t stop playing.) Then Bronwen and Dan took another nap and I mowed the lawn (Don’t give Dan a hard time, I actually like mowing the lawn.)
Then, Matt and Chris came over for special Mother’s Day Beer Butt Chicken and Mother’s Day Stump and Mother’s Day Settlers of Catan. I told you it was my day. We had a lovely time and Dan stomped us at Settlers.
Bronwen fell asleep at the coffee shop so we decided to go home. We put her down and then decided to nap ourselves. We woke up around 12pm and Dan made me brunch. My favorite: Corned beef hash with onions and eggs over easy. Don’t forget lots of Tabasco. It turns out that Bronwen loves corned beef hash as well.
Then we played around the house. I played some Snood Slide (I can’t stop playing.) Then Bronwen and Dan took another nap and I mowed the lawn (Don’t give Dan a hard time, I actually like mowing the lawn.)
Then, Matt and Chris came over for special Mother’s Day Beer Butt Chicken and Mother’s Day Stump and Mother’s Day Settlers of Catan. I told you it was my day. We had a lovely time and Dan stomped us at Settlers.
Friday, May 11, 2007
Little Rock, Arkansas
I just got back from Little Rock Arkansas yesterday afternoon. What a beautiful place. It completely exceeded my expectations. Granted my expectations were very low. I was thinking it might resemble someplace like Dayton Ohio. But Little Rock is right there in the Ozarks. The city sits is a valley surrounded by lush green mountains and bisected by a wide, slow moving river.
The airport was the first sign that the people of this town really care about it. It actually reminded me of the Sydney Airport. Very accessible and color coded. The baggage claim was clean and it took no time to get our bags. The rental car desk was easy to find and I was in my car and loaded up with baggage only ten minutes after deplaning.
When driving in Little Rock one must navigate by a series of raised highway ramps that duck over and under and around each other through the hills and across the lakes and river. At one point I was pretty sure I was riding along a roadway that had been designed by the great rollercoaster designers. It was awesome. The best part was on the way back to the airport on Thursday when I took a ramp that curved 200 degrees around a hill and sloped down across a beautiful misty lake. The ramp is a single lane wide and as the road sloped down towards the water, all other roads, buildings and signs of people disappeared and only the trees and lake were visible. Beautiful.
The first night in town we all met up at a bar and grill. It was happy hour from 5-6pm so we commenced drinking. After a few, I challenged my co-workers to a little game of pool. I was a little intoxicated; I had had a few beers on an empty stomach (which actually means I had six beers on a half a quesadilla.) Anyway, I think I embarrassed the guys who thought they were going to beat me. Yeah, I won 3 out of four games. Ha! I still have it, even after having a baby.
The guys left and my coworker and I finished our beers and went back to the hotel. I only had a little headache the next morning.
My whole time there was really fun, but I was happy to return home yesterday. Bronwen has grown two more teeth and has decided to be a little human now, not a baby, and she is eating pasta, and chicken and even chocolate chip cookies! Maybe next time I’ll take her along so she can ride the rollercoaster highways of Little Rock, Arkansas.
The airport was the first sign that the people of this town really care about it. It actually reminded me of the Sydney Airport. Very accessible and color coded. The baggage claim was clean and it took no time to get our bags. The rental car desk was easy to find and I was in my car and loaded up with baggage only ten minutes after deplaning.
When driving in Little Rock one must navigate by a series of raised highway ramps that duck over and under and around each other through the hills and across the lakes and river. At one point I was pretty sure I was riding along a roadway that had been designed by the great rollercoaster designers. It was awesome. The best part was on the way back to the airport on Thursday when I took a ramp that curved 200 degrees around a hill and sloped down across a beautiful misty lake. The ramp is a single lane wide and as the road sloped down towards the water, all other roads, buildings and signs of people disappeared and only the trees and lake were visible. Beautiful.
The first night in town we all met up at a bar and grill. It was happy hour from 5-6pm so we commenced drinking. After a few, I challenged my co-workers to a little game of pool. I was a little intoxicated; I had had a few beers on an empty stomach (which actually means I had six beers on a half a quesadilla.) Anyway, I think I embarrassed the guys who thought they were going to beat me. Yeah, I won 3 out of four games. Ha! I still have it, even after having a baby.
The guys left and my coworker and I finished our beers and went back to the hotel. I only had a little headache the next morning.
My whole time there was really fun, but I was happy to return home yesterday. Bronwen has grown two more teeth and has decided to be a little human now, not a baby, and she is eating pasta, and chicken and even chocolate chip cookies! Maybe next time I’ll take her along so she can ride the rollercoaster highways of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Iraq
I just chatted with my brother on the internet. He is in Iraq and today is his 29th birthday. We talked about what being 29 is like (only one year form the big 3-0) and what present he got from his fellow enlisted friends (a cooling pad to keep his computer from overheating in the 125 degree days.) We talked about how much he misses his kids and wife, and how there are so many job openings for him in Kentucky, but how he is not there to claim them. We talked about the post he is on and he told me how he watches the Iraqi children playing around the walls of the base. He says they have nothing.
We talked about the 115 days until his return and what we are going to do when he gets back, mainly drink lots of beer and hang out with our kids.
His story is the same as so many others over there. This war needs to end so we can get our brothers, husbands, sister, wives and kids back, and so the Iraqi people can try to get their lives back on track.
We talked about the 115 days until his return and what we are going to do when he gets back, mainly drink lots of beer and hang out with our kids.
His story is the same as so many others over there. This war needs to end so we can get our brothers, husbands, sister, wives and kids back, and so the Iraqi people can try to get their lives back on track.
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