I Am A Traditionalist...

I am a traditionalist.

Family and tradition are at the core of who I am. One of my most favorite traditions is that of our annual Dove Days celebration.

Dove Days started out as a small get-together of six friends and their families. They would gather for the weekend, do a little dove hunting, have a bar-b-que and basically use this yearly event to celebrate their friendship.

Twenty-five years later the small get-together has grown in to a group of over eighty people who gather for the weekend, do a little dove hunting, have a 3-day bar-b-que and celebrate their friendship!

The most amazing thing about these six friends is the fact that they have been enjoying this crazy thing we call life together for the past sixty something years – give or take a few. And through these years they have brought together a unique group of individuals, in some form or fashion, to develop what we refer to as our Dove Days family.

We just completed our 25th annual Dove Days celebration. Over that weekend I took a step back and had a good look at those six men who have had a direct influence on who I am as a person.

And who am I?

Well, one thing is for sure, I am a traditionalist.

And that is one of the qualities I must have acquired from them.

They've taught me the lesson of friendship throughout my life...the importance of nurturing friendship through love and laughter, through trials and sorrow, through births and loss through forgiveness and through tradition.

Because of each of them, I am blessed...and I am thankful.



***Photos courtesy of Cory Hendricks-Seebackwards Photography - www.seebackwards.com

And I'm Off...

You know those girls you see in the gym who look all cute and sporty in their color-coordinated work out suits?

Their hair is pulled back in a spiffy little pony, nice rosy glow to their cheeks, maybe a slight bit of perspiration on their brow?

They have rock-hard abs, a tight tush and not a single jiggle can be seen from their arms.

Well, let's just make one thing perfectly clear - I am NOT one of those girls.

Oh NO, I could not be FURTHER from one of those girls.

Let's just get the truth out there. I am not a fan of exercise.

I have always hated the idea of perspiration and, quiet frankly, never wanted mine or that of anyone else to touch me. And, yes, that includes the sweat of the man I love and small children!

Now, those of you who know me are all too aware of my rather compulsive personality.
Whether it be related to Texas Hold'em, collecting (let's just not talk the pumpkins or the dishware or the music) or my love of all things food. You're getting the picture, right?

Unfortunately my compulsiveness does not carry over to exercise.

Lord, oh Lord how I do wish that it would.

I know of people who claim to be addicted to the rush of exercise. They claim it takes them to some special place - a special exercise world where everything becomes golden.

As far as I can tell the only place exercise has ever taken me is to my own little version of hell. In this place I become a huffing, puffing, dripping-wet, red-faced, uncoordinated, overweight, generic middle-aged white woman.

And let me tell you folks, when I get there, I ain't pretty. Not inside or out. In fact, I become angry...and dangerous!

With the obvious out there on the table I'll go ahead and say that I fully acknowledge the benefits of exercise.

I understand that as a person living with Multiple Sclerosis exercise is essential to my ability to continue to MOVE long term.

I understand exercise is essential to weight loss and that with weight loss comes more health benefits than I care to discuss here today.

I understand that it is time (AGAIN) that I commit myself to an exercise plan. (This time I'm saying a little prayer, Lord, please help me become obsessed with exercise. Amen.)

Once again the exercise bike and I are going to bond...to become one...blah, blah, blah...

It shouldn't be too hard, should it? After all, there was a time we were pretty tight.

Okay, who am I kidding? Starting over is never fun. It is almost as if the bike remembers the abandonment from the previous "commitment to an exercise plan" and purposely turns up the resistance while no one is looking.

Maybe that old saying "hell hath no fury" applies to a scorned piece of exercise equipment too?

I've got my non-color-coordinated work out clothes now and I'm off to the gym. Somewhere in the back of my mind I can already hear the conversation I'm about to have...

Me: "Please forgive me Mr. Bike. When I left you it really wasn't personal. It was me, not you. All I ask is that you give me another chance".

Mr. Bike, "Oh I'll give you another chance all right."

**Silently the resistance meter increases higher and higher**

Mr. Bike, "Now peddle faster you huffing, puffing, dripping-wet, red-faced, uncoordinated, overweight, generic middle-aged white woman!"

Hmmm, I can only imagine the fun that awaits me...

Fall Tablescape...

I MUST share this with those of you who enjoy a
GORGEOUS tablescape.

Michelle over at sweetsomethingdesign has put together in my opinion THE perfect fall table.

I am so impressed - not only with the beautiful choice of colors and texture but with the detail she is able to share through her lovely photographs.

I hope you will click over and check out her Fall table -

it has inspired me

and I think it will do the same for you!

Half The Fun...

I just love the Emile Henry red tabletop collection. I always stop by and admire the pieces when I visit our local Williams Sonoma. Aren't they pretty?

The Salad/Dessert Plates...

The Mugs...

Bowls...

The Butter Pot...

Ruffled Serving Dish...

Ruffled Cake Plate...

I've read all about the quality of the Emile Henry product. They are "handcrafted of fine Burgundian clay, then finished with an extremely durable glaze. They are microwavable; freezer, oven and dishwasher safe." Of course, these are all lovely qualities; however, they are also a bit on the pricey side for breakfast dishes so even though I do admire them I choose to pass them on by.

Yesterday I visited a local Home Goods/TJ Maxx and you can imagine my excitement when I ran across these for $3.99 each!

Precious red and white polka-dot mugs with a matching creme pitcher...

Mug, creme pitcher and what I plan to use as a sugar bowl...

Too bad they didn't have the matching breakfast plates or the serving pieces...all that really means though is that the search continues...and after all, isn't the search half the fun?

Welcome Fall...

Out of curiosity I did a little research and learned that, officially, Fall begins tomorrow, September 22, 2009 at 5:18 pm EDT. And to this I say, finally! Of course, before I get too excited I need to remind myself that I do in fact live in Texas. This basically means there is a large possibility that I won't see Fall temperatures until well after Christmas. Now, with this disclaimer out of the way, I officially proclaim the Season of the Pumpkin is upon us.

The pumpkin collection is out of the attic and scattered throughout much of our house. I feel certain each pumpkin will be moved from one spot to another several times over the next few days until I find their perfect spot for TSOTP 2009 but I couldn't wait to share a few of them with you so here's a preview for now...

Wishing you a happy Fall, a blessed harvest and a joyful Season of the Pumpkin!

Poulet Roti...

Some of you may remember when a few weeks ago Mark and I (I really - thank goodness he is such a good sport!) decided it was high time we took a stab at Julia Child's Boeuf Bourguignon recipe. Afterward I was oh-so-proud and threw out the mention that soon I would be on may way to Central Market to purchase "the perfect roasting chicken". Well, it took me a little longer than expected but today was the day and let's just say it out loud - I conquered that bird!

Now, according to Julia, it "does not require years of training to produce a juicy, brown, buttery, crisp-skinned, heavenly bird". Today I learned she was exactly right. It does however require a lot of babysitting! Basically, I basted and turned that bird (a 90 degree turn each time) every 10 minutes for an hour and a half. The result - a juicy brown, buttery, crisp-skinned, heavenly bird!

I think it is important to mention that I have roasted chickens before - and they were good - but nothing to compare to this. Maybe it was all the butter Julia asked me to bath the bird in? Anyway, in Mastering The Art of French Cooking Julia suggests the following sides with Poulet Roti, otherwise known as Roast Chicken. At her suggestion I went with Gratin Dauphinois (Scalloped Potatoes), Green Peas and dinner rolls. And so here you have it...my attempt at a simple, elegant, French dinner for my sweet husband and I...

The table...


And the bird...


And those yummy potatoes...


Ta-da...


So if Julia were around I wonder which of her recipes she would suggest I try next? One thing for sure, no matter the recipe, if I'll follow her lead it is sure to be delightful. Once again - Bon Appétit!

The Season of The Pumpkin Draws Near...

Okay, so today I couldn't stand it any more. I had to have a pumpkin on the premise and quick!

I figured a great place to start was the front porch. I mean seriously, who can resist the idea of having a gorgeous basket full of Fall colors and a sweet pumpkin on their porch? Certainly not me...