Saturday, November 28, 2009

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Well, inside, that is!
Outside, we've been enjoying sunny days and cool nights.
Lots of bushes and trees are heavy with red berries.
Inside, the tree is heavy with other things...
Like lights, and ornaments.
And who needs gifts under the tree...
When you have a Kitty?

Giving thanks...

Bryan's Aunt Sharon and Uncle Russell graciously extended an invitation to join them, along with Sharon's brother, Barry, for Thanksgiving dinner. So, we drove up to Summerville, Georgia (about 80 miles north of Atlanta) to spend the day.

Though Russell and Sharon eat vegetarian ordinarily, they prepared a delicious Turkey breast, and Russell did a fine job carving!

There was a delicious assortment of sides prepared by Russell, Sharon, and Barry, that included green bean casserole, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade noodles, cranberry sauce (two varieties!), and broccolli and cauliflower gratin. There were several desserts, including a sweet potatoe pie I made.
Though attractive to look at, the sweet potatoe pie was far too sweet to be enjoyable. There was a scrumptious pumpkin pie, and apple bread as well.
We got a kick out of Sharon's super-sized egg one of her hens layed. After dinner, we took some scraps of food down to the hens and rooster. They got so excited to see the green pail Sharon and Russell carry scraps down in! There are also two guinea fowl, who were loose terrorizing the chickens. I took these pictures of the chickens while Russell, Sharon, and Bryan rounded up the guineas. I later realized I hadn't gotten a picture of the guineas!
The hens pecked and scratched at the yummy food scraps.

Buffy, notorious for her "talking", had a lot to say about the feast.
Sharon also threw some cracked corn, which Buddy the Rooster couldn't resist. Buddy is the grand, gray barred one in the center. And below, a good view of Buddy. Sharon showed us her greenhouse, where inside it looked like peak growing season, despite being November 26th! There were rows of delicious lettuce... And even eggplant!
We were all surprised to see Jasmine blossoming at the end of November as well.
Though past its prime for the year, the Beauty Berry Bush was still very pretty.
And all the while, Sally the devoted dog was enjoying being petted and spending time with her family and visitors.
The last time we were up to visit, the weather was rainy and dreary. It was geat this time, walking around and enjoying the beautiful view.
We drove home after dessert and coffee to spend some time with our two girls, and prepare their special turkey dinners.
Kitty enjoyed some turkey dinner with garden vegetables (left), and Susie, some Caesar's Turkey with meaty juices (right). Both enjoyed dinner, though Susie felt her portion was a little meager. It was good to end the day together. We sure have a lot to be thankful for!

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Petit Fours and More

Bryan's Aunt Pat passed way unexpectedly this past week. Bryan flew to Indiana to be with his family, which means Susie had to stay in "jail" all day while I was at work... Or did she?
This is what I came home to...

Someone broke through her barricade of a chair, trash can, and baby gate.

And had toys strewn EVERYWHERE!

We miss Bryan, it was our first time staying without him since we moved to Atlanta!

There's a few things you must know about the South...

They have interesting patterns of speech. For example, "Might could." Instead of saying, "Oh, you could do this...." you say, "Oh, you might could do this...."

And people "Fall out." Not "pass out" or "faint." For example, one of my first couple of weeks at St. Joe's, I heard a nurse say, "Someone just fell out in pod 2!" I asked, "Fell out of what?" Ohhhhh.... they meant somone lost consciousness, not fell out of a chair.

Well, another Southern thing, perhaps the best and tastiest of all, are petit fours. It's pronounced "Petty Fore". (Don't ask what I called them...)

They are scrumptious little 2 inch x 2 inch little squares of cake dunked in frosting and decorated. I was told that no Southern shower/party is complete without them. In Indiana we serve sheet cakes. Down here, you have dainty little squares of decadence. I was told it was because Southern women like to feel like they're only eating little bits of food. That's fine. I just had four of them. There's more frosting per square inch than a piece of sheet cake, so I was happy.

Sunday, November 15, 2009

MIA...

We've been missing in action here in Atlanta...
enjoying the 70 degree fall days, working, and watching Colts football.
Susie has been playing hard...

We've enjoyed some steaks, indoor-style, thanks to my Mom's coaching. We're both looking forward to having a place where we can grill outside, but we've had some delicious steaks on the stove... that is, when Susie hasn't confiscated the meat...

Here's the culprit... looking quite innocent in her Dad's office.

The object of desire... a ribeye steak. Tenderized, Susie style. The evidence from the scene of the crime...

I learned a very important lesson that day. I must NEVER carry in a load of groceries, deposit them in the living room, and return to the car for more.

I was able to go north to see my family for Halloween. I had a great time shopping for wedding dresses with my mom, and found "the one". I got to spend some time with a very special little girl, who was an award-winning Wonder Woman for Halloween. She placed first place and second place in two separate costume contests! I didn't have much for a costume, just a mask, but Mike and Hope supplied some great scary hair.

Here's my SIL Hope and the Green Lantern (my brother, Mike) at the fire station in North Webster.

Ella was SO excited that her Dad was dressing up for Halloween. It was a rather creative costume, I thought!
Super heroes and villians... The larger Darth Vader is Mike's new BIL, Scott Hardy, and the little Darth is Mike's nephew, Riley. And of course, the Green Lantern and Wonder Woman Ella. Beezleys at Halloween... Ella, me, and Mike.
Ella made a beautiful little Wonder Woman!
I also got to worship at my brother's church before leaving for my flight in Indy. They recently built on to their little brick building, and it looked awesome! I took some poor quality pictures, but the stained glass looked beautiful. This is "Bullseye", Ella's pet fish. He was part of the sermon.
A view of the pulpit.
Pretty sun in the sanctuary.

And Ella posing in front of a portion of the new part of the building.

It was great to be back in Indiana!