"The catfish is a dancin' man...

...but he can't Cancan like the sardine can!" At the Codfish Ball by performed by Shirley Temple in Captain January.

Baby Boo and Daddy at our weekly pilgrimage to our local catfish joint. So yummy!

Have a happy Tuesday!

"It's the end of the world...

...as we know it." It's The End Of The World by REM

I realize this is a couple weeks late...but in honor of the world ending, I made a cake on December 21.

...and then we ate it at the end of the world party (our host getting ready to cut the cake).

I thought I should share.

Love!

"One flight down there's a song on low...

...and it's been there, playing all along." One Flight Down by Norah Jones.

Hello lovelies! Happy weekend!

First things first - My Top 10 Cravings of The Last Week:

1. Coconut Cream Pie (Thanks to Coe's for a complimentary slice as a "baby present"!)
2. Home-grilled burgers.
3. Apple Crisp a la mode with Carmel Sauce
4. Sweet Tea
5. Iceberg salad with ranch. And yes, it HAD to be iceberg.
6. Bananas and Nutella
7. Apples, apples, apples.
8. Pistachio dessert (still haven't got this one yet - none of the grocery stores have had pistachio pudding, can you believe it!?!? How mean.)
9. Oreos and milk
10. Those really terrible Little Debbie's fall cakes. Um, YUM.

So now you know.

Photo by my AMAZING and talented friend Amanda.

We're less than a week before d-day and I am literally about to POP. This baby could come at any time, and I appreciate all the prayers and well-wishes from everyone! I'm so excited!!! My parents arrive tonight so I'm happy for him to come anytime now.

Keep an eye on Facebook for the big arrival!

Love! <3 p="p">

"Come and roll your sleeves up (so to speak)...

...and pitch in, cleaning crud up in the kitchen." Happy Little Working Song from Enchanted.

Hello lovelies! Happy Friday, and I'm so sorry for another week of silence!

I've been doing all kinds of projects this week plus we've had doctor appointments and birth class and a plethora of other activities almost every day (catching up after our many trips!)

I don't have any linkage for you today, just a picture of the lovely tomatoes I canned this week - aren't you so proud of me? I've been showing them off on Facebook too...I am just tickled to be so homemaker-y! I sometimes feel like my talents are limited to more modern and expensive skills (like say, manicures) but it turns out I can do frugal things as well. :) My great-granma would be so proud! (I already called to confirm that my mom and granma are proud, which they duly said they were, bless them).

Have a lovely weekend!

"Roam if you want to...

...roam around the world." Roam by The B52's

The next thing that I love, love, love about traveling is...eating out! I am totally one of those people who dress up so that we can take cute pictures of us eating in distinct little restaurants and cafes wherever we go! I love local flavor.

This is at the Cafe on the Square after I *ahem* snarfed down a sandwich. Ask for the Dulin toasted. Um, YUM!

And in case you didn't get enough of my luggage obsession yesterday, I found these two delightful posts featuring some truly delectable bags.

Mrs. Lilien on the art of luggaging.

Beeee-yootiful hard-side luggage.

Much love!

"Robin Hood and Little John walking through the forest...

...laughin' back and forth at what the other one has to say." Oo-de-lally from Disney's animated Robin Hood.

I know I've mentioned it before, but we have awesome neighbors. Miss E, down on the end, just brought me over some amazing macadamia nut white chocolate chip cookies. Yummmmmmm.

Me and the kitties are enjoying the lovely springlike weather out on the patio...and speaking of spring-like weather, I think it's about to rain, so maybe I should enjoy it inside.

I discovered a new (to me) tv series that has been surprisingly enjoyable! It's a series about Robin Hood. It's got some implied violence (various medeval torture techniques) bot otherwise it's quite clean so far. It's British, and set for BBC One. And it's on Netflix! It's not as dark as the Russell Crowe Robin Hood but it's not as silly as the one with the foxes (which, not going to lie, will always be my favorite.) 

Photo from BBC One DVD Box Set Cover

Maybe some of you have already discovered this show. I'm loving it as I'm frequently indisposed. :P

Love!

"More than fine...

...more than (bum-bum) getting by." More Than Fine by Switchfoot. (Flashback to your 90's youth group days? Anybody? :P)

Hello lovelies!

I am so excited about a special guest post coming later this week from none-other than my sister! She's got a fun hostessey post all ready for us that we'll be coming up on Thursday, so don't miss it!

My sister (far right), her husband and baby Meg (center) and our dad (left). 

In other news...

I have wonderful neighbors. I've mentioned this before, but really, wow. One neighbor regularly gives us food (the latest was an amazing homemade peach cobbler!) but another neighbor who we see less often showed up on my doorstep with some fresh, made-from-scratch fried apple pies. Oh. My. Word.

I wish I were a better neighbor but, I'm really terrible. I always take over desserts whenever I make anything (which isn't super often) and of course anytime they need furniture moved or stuff like that my sweet husband does it. And we do store runs and lend cups of flour and things like that. It's very chummy, here in our little strip of townhouses. I am inspired to be a better neighbor! I think I'll make some of these and take them around. Yum!

Whenever we finally move, I will definitely miss all our neighbors!

What are ya'll's neighbors like? Do you share food or visit often?

Love!

"I'll make you banana pancakes...

...pretend that it's the weekend now." Banana Pancakes by Jack Johnson.

Happy Monday!

Not that this will surprise anyone, but I am hugely obsessed with food right now. The next few days (weeks...months...) may have more food features than we're used to, but...that's not so bad, right? And yeah, so far, predominantly BARBECUE has been my craving of choice.

Right now, these recipes are making my mouth water...and my tummy rumble.

Chai-Spiced Apple and Pear Sauce (Slowcooker recipe!) - Recipe and Image via Design Crush

Cream Stovetop Mac n Cheese - Recipe and Image via Annie's Eats

Veggie Fried Rice - Recipe and Image via Annie's Eats

I'll have to do my own versions soon...as soon as I feel up to it...and share the results with ya'll. (Btw, I follow Annie's Eats on my reader, and I frequently find good, basic, DELICIOUS recipes there. I highly recommend her blog!)

Love!

"So cheer up, my brothers...

...live in the sunshine." Farther Along by Josh Garrells

Hello, lovelies!

One of my kindred spirits at the Cafe has begun a monthly event for some the ladies - Mug and Muffin! She sent out charming invites, telling us to bring a mug and we arrived to find carafes of steaming cocoa and coffee and some delicious baked treats...and a lovely plan!

Giant Blueberry Muffins

Mini Chocolate Chip Muffins

Poppyseed and Lemon Curd Muffins

Buttermilk Spice Muffins

Because many of us were only acquaintances with each other, some even strangers, we all sat around and shared why we brought that particular mug as a conversation starter, and then the conversation turned to home, where we shared various trials and testimonies of being women, what our particular struggles are with serving others, and how we make our home a haven of safety and goodness in this crazy world.

Future Mug and Muffin meetings will have discussion topic ranging from cooking, health, fashion, hospitality, finance and other challenges that face women, single and married alike. It was so much fun--our table had some single ladies, some married-with-kids, a newlywed and two (counting me) still-feel-newlywed. :)

We didn't do a Bible Study, and I don't think there will be any particular curriculum throughout, just sharing of experience and wisdom and a focus on Biblical Womanhood. It's so easy to let yourself get isolated these days - what with the internet's "social media" movement and the scattering of families for work, education, etc.

It was fun to see how many of the ladies have wisdom to share with me, and I was delighted to find that I was able to contribute too! I was very encouraged with the "girl time," and I can't wait until next month.

 The event was sponsored by and held at The Cafe On The Square. One of my besties had to work during part of it, but she got to come join us halfway through.

We even had some little ones running around keeping us laughing. :)

Do you have a group of friends you see regularly? With whom do you share your homey ideas and questions?

"I don't know how happiness...

...gets hidden in the wilderness." How The West Was Won by Katie Herzig.

Today I'm going to share my AMAZING pulled pork recipe! It's my own hybrid from Southern Living, a Betty Crocker, and Gojee.

Enjoy!

"Wherever I go tomorrow...

...you'll be here next to me." Here In My Heart by Plus One. (Blast from the past!)

As promised, a yummy recipe! This is not terribly healthy (but then again, it's not utterly reprehensible either!) but it is marvelous to take to potlucks and as easy as...well, you'll see!

Ingredients: 
Pasta of choice (I use bow-tie or rotini)
Grape tomatoes, sliced in half
Black Olives
Chopped Celery or Green Peppers
Zesty Italian Dressing

Using measurements of each ingredient according to the number of people you are serving, boil the pasta, cool, then mix it all together into a nice medley...adding more dressing on top immediately before serving, as it will tend to dry out a little.

This recipe is very forgiving, like most of my recipes, so switching out anything for what you have on hand will probably still be delightful! It's pretty to look at, and perfect for picnics, potlucks, and larger gatherings when you need filler foods!

In other news, I saw this recently by T.S. Elliot and it struck me as interesting, considering our recent acquisition of Charisma.

The Naming of Cats

It isn't just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I'm as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.
First of all, there's the name that the family use daily,
Such as Peter, Augustus, Alonzo or James,
Such as Victor or Jonathan, or George or Bill Bailey -
All of them sensible everyday names.
There are fancier names if you think they sound sweeter,
Some for the gentlemen, some for the dames:
Such as Plato, Admetus, Electra, Demeter -
But all of them sensible everyday names.
But I tell you, a cat needs a name that's particular,
A name that's peculiar, and more dignified,
Else how can he keep up his tail perpendicular,
Or spread out his whiskers, or cherish his pride?
Of names of this kind, I can give you a quorum,
Such as Munkustrap, Quaxo, or Coricopat,
Such as Bombalurina, or else Jellylorum -
Names that never belong to more than one cat.
But above and beyond there's still one name left over,
And that is the name that you never will guess;
The name that no human research can discover -
But THE CAT HIMSELF KNOWS, and will never confess.
When you notice a cat in profound meditation,
The reason, I tell you, is always the same:
His mind is engaged in a rapt contemplation
Of the thought, of the thought, of the thought of his name:
His ineffable effable
Effanineffable
Deep and inscrutable singular Name.
T S Elliot

For the record, our kitties names are Irony Laverne and Charisma "Izzy" Thor.

Much love!

"Glamorous Indie Rock and Roll...

...is what I want; it's in my soul; it's what I need." Glamourous Indie Rock and Roll by The Killers.

Another of our holiday adventures involved a local Chinese Buffet. As my nearest and dearest can attest, I LOVE fortune cookies. Not the actual cookie (does anyone eat them?), just the fortune. It's like a little surprise that you only get when you have Chinese takeout. :)

What I ate.

My first fortune cookie.

"Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings while the dawn is still dark."
Lame...so I got more.

"Today, taking a supportive role might benefit the group dynamic."
Whatever that means...

"Good news of a long-awaited event will arrive soon."
One of the sisters-in-laws fortunes. 

"If I bring forth what is inside me, what I bring forth will save me."
Lame, again. Must have more. 

"Watch out for little problems that could get a lot bigger."
Ryan's..he asked if I was expecting and hadn't told him yet, haha.

Super K Fortune Cookies.

"Express yourself now."
We all did a little dance at this point.

"If you don't have time to live your life now, when do you?"
Hmm, in Heaven? Not in this lifetime.

"Your life will be happy and peaceful."
I'll keep this one!

Dad W enjoying his fortune. 

Ma'mma W enjoying her fortune.

I do love chinese food. Yummmmmmmmm.

"We wish you a merry Christmas...

...and a happy new year!" We Wish You a Merry Christmas by Reliant K

Hello, friends!!!! I hope you all had an incredibly Merry Christmas!

Here's a yummy drinkable holiday treat for your post-Christmas, pre-New Years holiday limbo. :)

Peppermint Hot Cocoa

To make this delicious beverage, I am spoiled enough to have a hot chocolate pot and milk-frother given to me by a dear friend for a wedding present. Never fear, you can make it without that too!

Just make hot cocoa from a packet as per the instructions, mix in some milk (or heavier cream if you are feeling decadent!) and whisk till it's nice and foamy. Add whipped cream, stick in a peppermint stick as a stirrer (it will melt and give that delightful peppermint flavor!) Top with crushed peppermint on your whipped cream!!!!

Much love!

"Rockin' around the Christmas tree...

...let the Christmas spirit reign." Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee

This week is a "special treat," as my dad (and now my husband) would say. :) At the request of one of my loyal readers, and since I have so much experience (ho ho ho) entertaining, I'm going to give my top ten hostessing tips for your upcoming holiday gatherings. These are tried and true lessons from doing big events, but they work just as well (sometimes better) at home.

Let's discuss Dinner Parties!

1. First things first: Get YOU ready. 

"Wait, really, me? What about the bathroom, or the roast beast, or the presents?" No. Forget that stuff for a moment. Obviously you want to have plenty of time to prep all that, but face it, you will not enjoy yourself if you feel unkempt, exhausted, and frazzled. And more to the point, as hostess (or host), if you are freaking out and frazzled, your guests will probably pick up on it. You know what they say, "If momma ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." I'm not just talking about putting on your cute duds and getting the curlers warmed up - I mean get completely ready; hair, makeup, the works - and that way if you run out time you don't have to freak out because you're hair is still in curlers! You can always run to the restroom after guests arrive to "freshen up," and it will only be a few loose strands rearranged instead of a total (awkward) transformation. Don't forget to wear your cute party apron!

2. Do as much in advance as far in advance as you can.

This is totally obvious, and I know you all already do this, but seriously. Are you serving stuffing or pies? Do them ahead. Do you have presents to give? Wrap them as soon as you get home with them, set them under the tree, and keep a little running list somewhere so you don't miss anyone. Guest bathroom need to be cleaned? Clean the day before and only touch up the day of. And decorate early, and set up your centerpiece as soon as the table is available. If you need to have the table for prep ahead of time, I'd recommend having a "staging area" set up (laundry room, perhaps?) with trays holding all the table settings so they are easily found, ready in advance, and don't accidentally get used by anyone for anything leading up to the big event.

3. Plan for "helpers." 

Granma and Aunt Carol getting birthday stuff ready.

There is always that five-to-ten minutes when things are still being put together but there are guests standing around, asking if they can help. If any of you are like me, you have to intentionally set aside tasks (preferably simple and non-complex) that will give your guests the ability to be useful and feel useful while simultaneously giving you a few moments reprieve to finish what you're doing! Just make sure that you are considerate in what you ask people to do - don't call someone's bluff with an empty offer to scrub dishes...it's not a very gracious experience for your guests when you force them to use your ratty old sponge! (Except when they are compulsive, or relatives; in which case, go crazy.) I generally suggest jobs like setting out the napkins or filling water glasses.

4. Atmosphere!

Ok, so this was in a jazz lounge on our cruise,
but the ambiance was PERFECT. I kept expecting Dean Martin to show up.

Decorate, plan a playlist, put out some snacks, and light some candles! It's the little things that really make a difference. Music helps with awkward silence, and as a wise bear once said, if they're chewing at least their mouths will be moving. Also, place cards, centerpieces, all these things simplify things for your guests and give them lots of stimulus for conversation, plus giving you a chance to make all those pretty things you've been dying to try!

5. "Freshen up," "Call of nature," "Step away..." 

It may not be delicate, but the restroom is a vital part of entertaining. Whatever you want to call it, make sure you communicate which restroom is available to use and point them in the direction of it so there is no awkward squirming and desperate inquiry three hours later. Make sure there's enough toilet paper, hand towels, and other amenities your guests may require.

6. Plan so you can eat too.

L to R: Aunts Judy and Carol, Great-Aunt Joann, Cousins Jodee and Sarah.

No guests likes to be urged to eat while the hostess is stirring something at the stove, and although every grandmother struggles with this one, I promise you, the dishes can wait until after they're gone! No one cares more that your kitchen is spotless than retiring to the living room for coffee or drinks with you. If you can't stand it (like me), then just pull out the dishpan, throw the dishes in it with soapy water, and it will all clean up like a breeze when you're ready.

7. Don't pry.

Yes, it's your house, and yes, it's impolite to refuse the food your hostess serves you. However, if someone turns down a dish, do not attract attention to it or try to talk them into it by saying it's not that high of calories or it doesn't have that much alcohol in it. Don't force someone to explain dietary restrictions, reveal pregnancy or alcohol issues in front of other guests. The goal is to make guests as comfortable as possible.

8. Go with the flow.

If you were envisioning a sophisticated soiree but the guests are constantly on their phones or someone found your laptop and started sharing Youtube videos...just roll with it. You certainly don't want to make a scene, and you can communicate issues one-on-one after the party. If you find one of your guests is allergic to (or merely annoyed by) your beloved pet, be gracious and remove the animal to a different part of the house. Make note of any dietary restrictions and try to make provisions for them. That being said, don't go crazy - you are their hostess, not their dietician. Also, in these days where people don't know what RSVP stands for and hostess gifts are a thing of the past, don't be offended by people who perhaps weren't brought up as nicely as you to know all the secrets to being a good guests. (For an amusing read, see Martha Stewart's take on cell phones and picky eaters.)

9. Make it easy to be a good guests.

If you create an environment where the easiest action is the action you want a guest to take, you will generally get your way--for example, if you hate double-dipping, provide a ladle and little plates for the hors-d'oeuvres. Maybe this is just me, but I love, love, LOVE when a hostess has put out name cards or makes little specific "areas" for kids and such. It is so helpful to have a box of toys and an area clear of breakables if your guest list includes little people.  It sounds terrible, but I like to think of guests as sheep needing a shepherd. They need clear instructions, with the easiest choice being the right choice, a clear traffic flow, and extreme patience and flexibility on the part of the shephe-er, I mean, hostess.

10. Small Talk.

My dad is totally the king of conversationalists. <3

Again, this may be obvious to some...but as the hostess, you are responsible with making everyone feel comfortable at your party. If you are usually the political aficionado and one of your guests is from a different party or preferes to discuss the latest offering from Hollywood, make yourself familiar with a little news from their world and try to contain yourself about the latest horror from the White House. Not to say you can't talk about anything you care about, but make sure everyone has a little light banter about something they are interested in...you'll be surprised how much this lightens the mood. If you need to talk about politics or religion (Ryan's and my top-two favorite subjects, by the way) wait until the coats are off and there's been some lighter discussions first - you don't want to scare them away!

Much love!