AHA(!) re Southern BBQ! and Partypalooza pictures!

It was a crazy busy weekend with Partypalooza at our house but I think a good time was had by all.  I told The Hubs that I wanted to entertain more often and he looked at me like I was insane but I think we're good at it and he'll come around ;)

The menu for the party centered around a South Carolina BBQ recipe that a friend made for me last year.  I've been trying to figure out BBQ since we moved to Richmond 3 years ago and (AHA!) I've finally got it.  And since I don't know too many folks who don't LOVE southern BBQ I'm posting instructions...  I'm not a recipe hoarder and you can all thank me later...after you eat this...and lick your lips and smack your chops and impress your friends :)

 

 

And here are some of my favorites from the party!

Opening Day Excitement! and BRRRRR....

To all my VT friends & family - skip ahead to the next paragraph of this post.  You will not want to read my first section after your late April snowstorm for which I am absolutely feeling grouchy on your behalf.

Okay, now that my VT followers have skipped ahead I'd like to say to the rest of my readers...  WHAT THE HECK?  It was 35* out this morning.  I was freezing on my walk to work. 

Welcome back VT readers :)  Today is the opening day of the 17th Street Farmer's Market here in Richmond.  My favorite thing about this is that it is a 10 minute walk from my office.  So, I get some sun, some 'fresh' air, and some excercise in addition to supporting local farmers and picking up some goodies for my family.  I am really looking forward to my first visit today.

On the list:
Good, fresh baked, bread!
Goat cheese!
Unusual variety tomato plant for the garden!
Fresh, organic spinach!

YAY!

At last....Pictures!

CT Part 3 and the trip home...

Our last day in Connecticut was another whirlwind...not that I would've expected anything else by the end of the week :) Of course we were awake ages before anyone else and so were hanging out when Liza showed up to talk w/ my Mom and this guy who's been helping her...that's a really long story I'm not getting into here... Anyway, we've got a better idea about him, her and her finances but its still a messy situation and I don't know how the heck I'll fit in helping out with it. I suppose somewhere in my life there are still inefficiencies that can be managed better. I'll find them and then add this new stuff in with the "extra" time I've saved.

That afternoon we were going to take both kids to the ice rink but Patrick fell asleep 5 minutes before we were leaving so Jame took Nattie w/ Luke and Brian and I stayed behind. They had a blast! I got a lot of stuff packed up so we didn't have to do it later and waited for P to wake and the "kids" to get back from the rink. We headed to Gigi's for the remainder of the evening and had a really nice time just seeing everyone.

I think Gigi was exhausted from the entire event and was fairly quiet but it was wonderful to share space with her again. Natalie, Patrick & I took a few pictures with my Mom...none of which came out any good but what can you do. Getting 4 (2 squirmy) people to look at a camera and smile all at the same time was beyond us at that point but its okay.

I begged Gigi to give me meatballs to bring home and she did and they've been five-star!

We headed out at 3am in the morning. It was miserable weather outside for the beginning of the trip but we made decent time. It worked according to plan (always nice) and the kids slept until 7am thereby missing the first 4 hours of boring old drive time. They woke and we stopped for a moment and then were off and running again. Made it home just after noon and it felt good to be in familiar space again. I do not miss VA when I'm up north but I do miss my home even if it is in the wrong state :) Peanut was happy to see us and everyone was glad to get the hell out of the car!

Christmas Day!

The day started out great at 5am (our usual)! The kids were up and Natalie was beyond excited to get to her gifts and see what Santa had dropped off. We wasted no time in letting her open her gifts and most of Patrick's since he had no interest. It was so much fun and afterward they were really absorbed with playing with all their new stuff! After nap we met up with Nanna and they opened a few more gifts and then we all headed to John's house for dinner. Katie was in charge of a fantastic spread and their house had amazing, huge fireplaces. It was a little tricky not to be able to put Patrick down but Nattie was very smart about the fire and did great. We had a lovely dinner and afterwards I started to get a little freaky.

I figure it was probably the culmination of the weeks worth of listening to family say that I wasn't hanging out enough and really needed to relax and not worry about the kids or let them run my life, etc. And then of course there was my Mom who just wanted to leave. Not to mention the over tired kids! We had decided that Jame would drink & I would drive that day and then I turned into a crazed lunatic and picked a big fight w/ my moderately drunk hubby. It all ended pretty badly and I felt awful but thankfully he's a really good guy and sympathised w/ my stress and accepted my apology. Thankfully he's stuck with me :) Below are pictures of a mostly fun, very long day!

Christmas Eve - Part 1

On Christmas Eve we got up early, loaded up the car and headed to Springfield. It was a terrific day from start to finish!

When we got to the house everyone was glad to be out of the car and Jess & family arrived soon after. Donna (who knows kids!) decided we should open presents immediately. Everyone had a great time with their new loot and I always enjoy tearing into some paper. After gifts we had lunch and I snuck fudge all morning :) Then the kids headed out w/ the big kid (Jame) to play in the snow. Joyce, Dennis, Rebecca, Scott, Ryan, Mark & Donlyn all arrived a bit later and it was so nice to see everyone and catch up over a pile of dessert. Too soon it was time to head back. Both kids slept the whole way to the hotel and we dropped the dog off. Then it was back to Gigi's house. My Mom had arrived while we were gone and so it was nice to see her and get the kids to say hi. Natalie was her typical PIA self and would only spend time w/ her "cousins" Luke, Bri and Max... That girl is scary interested in the older men. More pics :)

Trip to CT - Part 2

Day 2 began like any other except it started earlier and with grumpier kids and a Mom w/ a hurting head! While we waited for the Dawson's to wake up at Gigi's we cooled our heels in the hotel, had breakfast, etc. We headed to Gigi's around lunch for a brief stint because while everyone else had just woken up our crew was ready for their naps. I left Jame to hang out and took the kiddo's back to the hotel. Then back to Gigi's again later that afternoon and Jame took Nattie w/ him and Luke to pick up some items. 2+ hours later Patrick was spent, no one had dinner and I was pretty frustrated. I do love my family but the challenges of being the only ones w/ kids were evident in their total lack of compensation...and the fact that they kept saying things like "Don't let your kids rule your life." I have news for the Dawson's....despite my absolute best efforts...my kids have taken complete control over my life. Perhaps one day they'll learn.

On 12/23 my Mom was supposed to arrive but due to bad weather in Burlington she was delayed. Nattie & I went to the pool and Brian came to our room to hang out for a bit. Then we dropped Mr. P off w/ Gigi and Liza and took Natalie ice skating. Had another enjoyable evening with the family at Gigi's house w/ the best pizza I've had in a long time. Luke gets major credit for knowing how to order an amazing pie!

Here are some more pictures :)