Girls Beachin It

There is something to be said about being on vacation....with a group of girlfriends. That was what we discussed one evening over supper. Our long weekend together was just what we needed to renew and restore. It has been a tough year for our little group, I have shared some of it on my blog. Our group has weathered several deaths of loved ones (parents, a spouse and a sibling), the care of ailing parents, a wedding with the preparations for another in the fall, preparations of a child graduating, moves, business closings and openings....its been a rough road at times. But it has been a road that continues to bring us closer. And this girls trip, was a celebration of the road we have walked together. While it has had it's up and downs we know without fail none of us are alone in the walk. In this vacation, we come home better women. Better wives and mothers. As I mentioned, restored and renewed in spirit.

And what a vacation it was. And always is, filled with laughter....so much my sides felt as if they would burst open, my cheeks hurt and hoped that I wouldn't wet myself. I don't even know where to begin. And I am quite certain that this one post will not suffice.

The clematis club members that went down included (L to R) High Mae, Happy Hour, BBJ, Diva, Leigh-la, Terminator, Cajun Cutie and the Boss :

We arrived around lunch time last Thursday at the Phoenix West in Orange Beach (room #1401, for those that might want to book). Our condo was amazing-it easily accommodated our group of what ended up being eight (two that had planned to go could not because of unforeseen circumstances). Our unit was a four bedroom, four and a half bath. It also had two leather sofas (pull out).

After claiming our rooms and bunk mates, it was off to the pool and the beach.
Not only was there a pool but there was also a lazy river with a huge waterslide, both of which we took advantage of.

Do you know the old Jimmy Buffet song, "Growing Older but not Up?", well that was our moto for the weekend. May you stay forever young! Though we celebrated the fortieth birthday of our friend "Terminator/T", we were adamant about never losing that childlike appreciation of the world around us....be it water slides....or tossing mullets.

Yes, you heard me right! The Mullet Toss was taking place the very weekend that we chose to go down. We all agree before our trips, this is a weekend where everyone does what they want, no pressure. So it was Diva, Happy Hour and our newly inducted club member, Cajun Cutie, that found themselves at the Flora Bama dancing and watching mullets fly. What is a Mullet toss you ask? It's not what one adult child of othe group thought-a contest of who had a better Mullett hairstyle, goodness no!! Though at the Flora Bama, I am sure you could've found some of those throwback (and frankly wrong hairstyle)....a mullet toss is the long distance throwing contest of a mullet, which is a fish native to the area. Mullets are known to jump out of the water and "fly" but this version takes on a whole new meaning. Prizes are awarded to those that toss the furthest. My friend Diva told me that one said mullet was a sixty two pounder! WOW!

While Mullets were being tossed just down the road, my friend High Mae, T and I took on the waterslide. There are some great photos, but I have been threatened with my life if I post them. Let me say, they are some good pictures. They say pictures are worth a thousand words.....and these certainly are!

It seems we weren't the only group away for a girls weekend. We met a several other groups of women at our condo that were also doing the same thing. In fact the condo was mostly women. We all bonded over drinks as we floated down the lazy river. But their was one group in particular that we gelled with, and that was the Connecuh County Trail Blazers. They didn't call themselves that, but that was what they were. Especially considering the matriarch of the group, Thelma, which is her real name. Thelma, was a beautiful, highly free spirited woman of seventy two. When I think of the song, French Kissing Life by Kenny Chesney, I think of Thelma. Thelma didn't mince words. I am quite convinced she is who that cartoon character, Maxine, was based on. Thelma gave her opinion on everything from sex and cheating husbands (Her husband was not a very smart man...) to good friends, favorite dance moves and religion. She was a mess to say the least.

She approached our group on day one and asked if she could come and sit with us because we had a better song selection on the Ipod than her group. One by one, her group members trickled over and became "our group". You know its a good time when an impromptu line dance begins pool side. Thelma was determined to learn the electric slide ....she wanted to learn so she could test it out on the dance floor at the Flora Bama. LOL! Oh, and just for the record Thelma and her friends hit the waterslide too.

Food. Umm, hmm. You know I have to mention the food. Calories do not count on girls trips. That is very clear. A girls trip is all about enjoyment, relaxation, and no worries.

Night one for supper we had our local Homeplate Cooking fix up a pan of Spinach Manacotti with some cheese garlic biscuits to accompany the meal. The Manacotti is like nothing I have ever had. Kay, the chef and business owner of Homeplate Cooking knows how to cook and cook "right".

Night two we ate at one of our favorites, Desoto's Seafood. Desoto's features some really fresh seafood at great prices. Cajun Cutie ordered a plate of Royal Reds and Crabclaws and deemed them to be "delicious!". Although, the cracking and eating of the crabclaws caught the attention of a table of older men sitting close by, Cajun Cutie quickly became a sideshow act.

After dinner at Desoto's, we headed to Lulu's for a toast to Mama Joy and her husband, Mr. Larry. Mama Joy was unable to go with us on our beach trip, but she sent $$ for a round of drinks on her.

Mama Joy, if you are reading this, know you were greatly missed. Thanks for the drink!

So, we properly toasted and enjoyed the band, "Homemade Wine".

Who, btw, should you ever be in town when Homemade Wine is playing I recommend you check them out. They are a great cover band, covering classics's such as Jimmy Buffett's Volcano to Tom Petty's "Free Falling"...which got the entire restaurant singing with excitement at a high decibel. Homemade Wine is from Nashville, Tennessee and can be found at dive bars and juke joints across the south. Vocalist and Guitarist, Matt was kind enough to snap some pictures of our group before we insisted that he needed to be IN the photo.

Lulu's website had this to say about the band, "Homemade Wine has been a long time in the making. It's the culmination of two brother's passion for the beach, it's music, and all that the "beachlife" incorporates. Singer/Guitar player Ryan Sheley knew from the first time he heard "A Pirate Looks at 40" when he was 4 years old that making music and paying homage to his heroes was going to be a major calling in his life. Thank God for him, but his brother, Tod Sheley, was already doing so playing Latin Percussion for Trop-Rock favorites, St. Somewhere. It's in these early days that the brothers formed a musical bond that lasts until today. In early 2008 guitarist Matt McSpadden was added to the line-up to further diversify the sound. Matt brings more to the table than just his boyish good looks. He's a fine guitar player and a mighty fine singer, as well. It's this power trio that hopes to re-define the passion that lies within acoustic music. So, with summer looming, Bar-b-que's being fired up, and cold beer to be drank, we would like to introduce to you...the Parrothead nation...to East Tennessee's own connection to the tropics, Homemade Wine."
Website: http://www.homemadewinemusic.com/
MySpace: www.myspace.com/homemadewine

On Saturday night, we stayed in for the celebration of T's 40th birthday. BBJ cooked up her very own Shrimp and Grits.

Shrimp was bought and steamed fresh. BBJ sells the kit for shrimp and grits at her store, set to open this week in Old Town Helena, The Monkey Basket. I can personally say that the food was amazingly delicious! The sauce that is cooked with the shrimp has a Cajun zest to it, spicy yet not overwhelmingly hot.

Afterwards we celebrated with an Ashley Macs Strawberry Cake.

For lunches and breakfast we brought down mostly homemade "chic food" and feasted off it daily:

Leigh's Summertime Gazpacho Soup, Leigh's Super Salsa, Brushetta and Toast, Diva's Pasta Salad, BBJ's sweet potato muffins and cheese balls made into deli tortilla rolls (all products found at BBJ's store, the Monkey Basket), fresh fruit and fruit dip, Zoe's Kitchen Homemade Pimento Cheese, Cajun Cuties Spinach Dip as well as her Saucy BBQ'd meatballs and her Sausage Dip. We didn't go hungry, that was for sure.

Craft night was held on Saturday, On craft day we made the chalkboard plates and Monogrammed Galvanized Buckets (Vinyl Initials can be ordered at a great cost from Bama Belle. Thanks "Belle" the letters turned out wonderful!!).

We had a wonderful trip! There is still so much to talk about, but that will have to wait for a future post!

For now I would like to thank the following businesses who sponsored our girls getaway this year with the following products:

Velvetta Cheese Safe Box, Chip Clip, Coupons (Perfect for storing those products you use everyday)

Palmolive Dish Washing Liquid by Palmolive (Cuts grease with ease!)

Dominoes Pizza (Be sure and check out the new Pasta Bread Bowls by Dominoes. Delicious pasta served in a bread bowl you'll devour!)

Ritz Crackers- Have you tried the new baked cracker? Perfect for dips!

The Monkey Basket- Gift Baskets, specialty foods and gifts

And these businesses, because we love them! Check 'em out!:

Ashley Macs (order Leigh's favorite, "Strawberry Cake", the only cake "endorsed" here at Bloggeritaville)
Zoes Kitchen

The band, Homemade Wine
Lulu's

DeSoto's Seafood Kitchen

For this year's girls trip parting gifts were given to each and every member as a keepsake or our time together:

A Clematis Flowering Vine by Sweetness (LOVE!! Every Clematis Club Member needs one for her mailbox!)

Monogrammed Drinking Cups & Straws by DIVA

Handmade Picture Frames By Leigh

Handmade Sand Frames By High Mae

Homemade Raisin Bread and Stuffed Cheese Bread by Terminator

**Thanks to The Boss for the gift of Fresh Gulf Shrimp to the three husbands who baby sat at home! It was very well received and enjoyed!

I am truly blessed to have such wonderful women in my life. Each one of them is special to me in their own way. But it is our group, that is truly unique. Someone once said this, "You all should thank God everyday to have the friendship and bond you all share. It is so hard to find a group of ladies where everyone is there own "person" and no one judges each other for their differences in oppinion, likes or dislikes, ect.. I was dumbfounded to be honest at the humility you all have for one another." I praise God each day for the gift of friendship from these women.

We had a fantastic time together, although it was just to short! Time flies when you are having fun!I am left with some wonderful memories of our trip together and look forward to our next girls get together.

HUGE Hearts

Daily I am taken aback at the kindness, generosity and beautiful spirits of bloggers. But the past week, the random acts of kindness have been directed to me. My blessings over runneth and I am so touched!
I recently returned from a beach trip, where I had a wonderful visit with two precious bloggers, who I am honored to count as friends, Kristin of The Goat and Jennifer of Dust Bunny Hostage. I shared some photos of our visit on my Picture a Day blog as well as a Bloggeritaville post. But I didn't share what Jennifer gave to me (as well as Kristin) after our visit....
This jar of thread on wooden spools. She went on to talk about your friendships, being like that thread. The strength and beauty in it. It was a beautiful sentiment and I am so appreciative. Thank you, Jennifer. I just adore you! You ARE like that thread to me! And I love the ties that bind us....our friendship.

And speaking of precious people, I wanted to thank blogger, Jane of Mamie Jane for thinking of me as she was out thrifting. She came across some lettered "B: items and remembered me mentioning how I have had a hard time finding those. Apparently there are alot of people out there whose last names begin with "B". Jane sent me a box of B treasures......a beautiful bowl and some silver spoons, including a sweet note inside. Jane, your kindness is immeasurable, your thoughtfulness so appreciated. Jane, I feel a kindred spirit with you in your sentimentality and these treasures are certainly ones that are precious to me and meaningful, not just because they are "B's" but because you thought kindly and sent them to me.

Jessica of Thoughts of a Bama Belle is such a special friend to me. We met through blogging and quickly became real life friends. When I mentioned my giveaways, she so graciously offered to do the monogram  of the Vintage Monogrammed Jar. She sponsored  the winning initial and she also gave me my own initial as well as an ALABAMA vinyl monogram which is perfect to share my spirit for my favorite team, and where my money...and son goes to college. So sweet.

Jess is one of those people who never comes or allows you to go empty handed. Whether it's a serving of her homemade dumplings, a jar of her aunt's best blueberry jam or a box of chocolates, Jessica has made it her point in life to make others feel special. You can see that by visiting her blog, where she often shares her family recipes and incredible and well thought tablescapes. I don't think there is much "mundane" in her home. She celebrates life and I LOVE THAT!

Jessica is getting ready to make a move from my hometown of Helena to the Gulf Coast, where she will live in close proximity to Jenn, DBH. While I will miss Jess terribly, I celebrate this new chapter in her life and the life of her family and know she has a friend already there waiting in the wings. Life is grand like that.

And finally, I want to thank Mama Joy. Mama Joy does not have a blog of her own, but she reads Bloggeritaville very often. She will sometimes email and offer advice of thrifty finds or things to do, etc. She is also a precious soul in my life. And my life is better for it. On Saturday she gave me this copper cuff bracelet with a brass butterfly and oyster shell inlay on the wings.

"A thrifty find that I found at a garage sale and I immediately thought of you!!"

How kind! And how nice it is to be "thought of". Thank you, MJ!

Thank you, Jenn, Jane, Jessica and Joy (Wow! Something about the J's?)  for thinking of me. I appreciate you each and every one and love your huge hearts.
Many, many Thanks. My heart is full with your friendship.
Thank you.

Weekend Highlights

I knew it was going to be a weekend of continual movement, though one really never can prepare themselves. When I say that I am "tard" this morning, believe it. For those that do not live in the south, "tard" is more than tired. Uh, huh.
Friday and Saturday were filled with the AYWA wrestling tournament. I have to say first and foremost, I was highly impressed by this tournament. It was very well run, by my good friend, Glenn Albarado, who is the coach on on the board of directors for the association. Glenn and his group of volunteers did an amazing job at orchestrating this event to run smoothly...with even some added pomp and circumstance. My youngest son, J. Smooth competed. Big Daddy coached and I was the team photographer for the two day event. Exhausting. But I caught my second wind late on Saturday afternoon when J Smooth's group was up. Smooth won 5 of his 7 matches, that put him in third place for his weight division. To say that me, as a mother, and the rest of my family (who are indeed a "wrestling" family) were over the moon was an understatement. I had to leave the complex to keep from embarrassing my family with the ugly cry. I held it in until I got to the car and let it go. I was so overwhelmed and so happy for Smooth, who just a few weeks ago said that he "didn't think he would win any this season {since this is my first year to compete". We gave him the speech, you have to believe in yourself....you have to be a winner in your head (mentally) before you can be a winner on the mat. After Smooth's win, he came over to me and said, "Mom. I believed it in my head first." (Oh, sniff.) One of life's many lessons, understood.

Saturday night was the lingerie shower of my friend, The Boss, who is getting married at the end of the month. I literally raced from the tournament to home (to shower and finish the food I was to bring) and then onto the shower. Whew! All without my camera, which Big daddy had to finish the tournament. I borrowed Sister Sledge's and relied on Mama Joy to help with the snapping of photos.
The shower was alot of fun! Much! Boss got some really beautiful things, some really funny things (Joy Sister, that was to much. Really, that police badge get-up won the show), and a few uh, "scary" things too. It was funny, my friend High Mae took care of the invitations and asked that no one sign a card on the gift. The gifts were to reflect the personalities of the giver and "the boss" had to try and figure out who gave what gift. It was really fun. And you know, she guessed each one right with the exception of one or two. The boss knows her friends! There was a good turn out and everyone had a wonderful time.

On Sunday we celebrated my nephew's second birthday at a Japanese restaurant (Yuki). And then had "the Artist and Mida" (BIL & SIL) over to watch the Super Bowl while the kids played "cops and robbers".

It was an exhausting, albeit fun weekend!
I do want to make mention that though we were unable to be there, we celebrated the birth of our newest addition to the family, Gianna Marie. She is the newest daughter to our cousins Angie and Jason (and little sister to brother Christian). Angie delivered during the huge ice storm that took place in Indiana last week. Congratulations!

Rocking Weekend, Literally

I hope you had a great weekend! I actually had a long weekend, starting off on Thursday night with a girls night honoring my friend "The Boss", who was to be married on Friday.

We had supper together at a local restaurant and each of us toasted (no, not roasted! I said toasted) our friend on her impending nuptials.

"Stunt Woman, Mama Joy, Leigh & Terminator"

"Thiller, The Boss & Xanadu"

Group Shot (click for closer view of the who...)

On Friday, I had the pleasure of being a witness (and photographer) at my friend, "The Boss'" Wedding to the dashing Mr. Rick on Friday night. The wedding came amidst tornado watches and thunderstorm warnings. I had heard of talk of someone building an ark, that's how bad it was raining! But it all went off without a .....well, actually WITH a hitch! And you know what they say about rain on your wedding day? It's good luck! The Heavens were rocking and rumbling in approval. It was a wonderful evening. I couldn't be happier for my friends. For more on the wedding and to see pictures from the special night click here.

A short little memo to those that read my last Thrifty Thursday post...This is in regards, in particular to my ball fringe bed skirt and $23.00 brand new matlasse quilt (see pictures in the link above, or by scrolling down to last Thursday's post). I just have to say, I was glad to have gotten those pictures taken and posted when I did. Because shortly thereafter, all, uh, "vomit" hit the fan. Let me tell you what happened, Saturday night when I was laying in bed (following the wedding) and I felt by bed moving! I got up and looked underneath and two of my dogs were pulling on that bed skirt and it had separated from the seam! I could've killed them! I don't sew. I am going to have to find someone who does. Then to top it off, I put the puppy (who was pictured in the post) into bed with me, as she usually does. A bit later I heard a noise that only brings terror....sounds of someone or something trying to vomit. I sat up and then" blap". It was to late. It was as if my puppy Miley were channeling the exorcist. She vomited just short of her head spinning. She threw up all over my bed. I couldn't figure out how all that came from my little pup. I had to get up and change the sheets and wash them before I could go back to bed. Thank goodness it did come out. But this is just a glimpse of my life in paradise. Have you ever heard that song, Just another Day in Paradise? Well, that pretty sums up my life. But I wouldn't change it. As for the bed skirt...I have hope for it. That's all I can say. (If you listen to the song...and I hope you do because the words are just precious, dont forget you might have to pause my playlist on my sidebar).

Saturday, Big Daddy, the kids and I met up with our friends, The Young's for yet more fiesta time. It has been far to long since we have spent quality time with the Young's. They actually used to be our neighbors, but life took them in another direction and now we find both one other burning candle sat both ends with kids, jobs and life in general. It is always fun when we get to play catch up. At lunch, something was brought up about our Wii game system. I began to recount my love for the Wii Rock band. I have become a rock band moocher. It really is quite embarrassing, for I hate a moocher mentality, it doesn't come naturally for me. But admittedly I have jumped on that cart at any chance I have gotten. I think it finally sank into Big Daddy's thick head how serious I was about Rock Band (if you know me...well you know my secret fantasies of being the next Lita Ford), or perhaps that last rendition of Bon Jovi's Living on a Prayer, sung acoustically by moi in the shower, really impressed him. I really don't care which it was, all I know is that on the way home, he took a side trip to Best Buy and purchased a Rock Band for the Family Circus Home. More on that in a minute.....

I want to show you the big story around these parts that happened this weekend...SNOW! We got snow. We had about 3 -4 inches in our yeard. It was so beautiful to look at, but was gone by late afternoon. The kids really had fun in it, being their first "big snow". Yes, that is BIG for these parts. I will never forget waking up to the sounds of my kids running in my bedroom, "Wakeup! Wake Up! Snowwwwww..." and they pulled the blinds and looked. It was like that moment from "A Christmas Story" movie where we ohhhed and ahhhed. A magical moment between us. The street was still and quiet and we watched it snow. For all of two minutes and then the kids were out in it. Here are a few pictures from the fun:

Sorry to jump so much in this post, but there is alot to cover. Back to Rock band, All five of us did little else for the remainder of the weekend (after the snow melted), than try and decipher our roles in the family band. It still is up for debate, depending on who you ask. But if I can get Big Daddy to downsize the videos, I will post them on here so you can get a listen for yourself. That's a warning to ya.....proceed with earplugs. Except for Sister Sledge, who is a natural.

Who knows, we may just get ourselves a bus and take this show on the road!!

Sister Sledge on guitar, Big Daddy rocks it out and Bama pounds the drums.

Sister Sledge belts it out.

And so....in the name of fun....who wants to challenge us to a rock off? Anyone interested in posting your family rocking out to rock band? It has to be you singing...and your video. Leave a comment and email if your interested. Or, email me. My email is on my profile. We'll see if we can't have us an old fashioned hoe down, a rock off, a Bloggeritaville Battle of the Bands.

Stay Tuned.....

Dance & Cook! Shake & Bake!

OK, while you are preparing your dishes today....do this.

First, if you haven't already, mute my play list (not your computer-keep the sound on).
Next, click the link below.
Just type in any song that was ever played, and see what happens.
Then, following the
end of the song, it will keep playing songs of the same era forever.
http://www.theradio.com/
Love this! What fun!

(Thanks to Mama Joy for showing me this one!)

King Cakes and Other Weird Traditions

Those of us on the city parade committee have been working away for the upcoming Christmas parade on December 6th. We have been meeting at a local restaurant, where we plan and eat and fellowship. This year our Grand Marshall will be retired city council member Tom Lefebvre (who still owes me a tour of the coke ovens BTW!). Tom is from Louisiana and a big LSU fan (understatement) so we are creating a parade and a reception with the theme of Mardi Gras.

Last week our table of 9 women got extremely tickled when we were discussing ordering King Cakes for the city parade reception. Someone mentioned the baby in the King Cake. One lady had no clue what we were talking about, "the baby in the King Cake". It was so funny to explain to her. She had never heard of such. We got quite tickled at her thinking we were teasing her about their being a plastic baby in the King Cake.

For what it's worth, here is the info on the King Cake, in case you are in the 2% who don't know:

(Wikepedia)"The "king cake" takes its name from the Biblical three kings. Catholic tradition states that their journey to Bethlehem took twelve days (the Twelve Days of Christmas), and that they arrived to honor the Christ child on Epiphany. The season for king cake extends from the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas (Twelfth Night and Epiphany Day), through to Mardi Gras day.
the most common trinket has been a small plastic baby. Many people say this represents the baby Jesus, tied in to the connection with Epiphany. Many people attach no particular religious significance to the cake or trinket. The "baby in the king cake" was said to have become common after a New Orleans area bakery chain got a large shipment of such plastic baby dolls from Hong Kong very cheaply in the 1950s, and some people say there is little further significance to the baby, but earlier ceramic baby dolls as trinkets are documented in New Orleans back to the 1930s
The common plastic baby of today is usually colored pink, brown, white or gold. Due to the choking hazard posed by small trinkets, some bakeries opt to include the "plastic baby" separately from the pastry. The plastic babies are most often found separately in cakes from stores not native to New Orleans such as Sav-A-Center, whereas local bakeries are more likely to sell cakes with babies already inside. Usually when kingcakes are ordered to be shipped out of New Orleans the cake and trinket are packaged separately so that the plastic baby will not pose a choking threat to kingcake novices.
The person who gets the trinket is declared the King or Queen of the day. Sometimes there are separate cakes to select the males and females; the one for women is sometimes called a Loomis Cake. The king or queen is usually obligated to supply the next king cake or host the next party or both. King cake parties may be held at the homes of people who live on or near the routes of Carnival parades.
It is a common practice in elementary and secondary schools to have king cake parties, usually on a Friday. The person who receives the trinket is required to bring the cake the following week.
In some workplaces, a variation on this tradition is simplified so that workers share a king cake at lunch or during the day, with the person receiving the trinket bringing the cake for the next workday."

This week, it was I who became confused. One member of the group, Mama Joy, has secured a bevvy of Mardi Gras beads to throw in the parade. I believe someone mentioned concern about certain body parts being on the beads. I had never heard of such! I have been to Mardi Gras in Mobile and have yet to see those beads. I guess it's a New Orleans thing? And I really don't understand the reasoning behind it. Body parts? Uh, "private" body parts, to be exact. Oh, what a sheltered life I have led. LOL!

Well, when you get a roomful of women together who are all talking at once things get a bit crazy. One lady, I will call Maude (because she looks just like her, remember that show?) began telling me about her beads (like the ones someone was talking about) made of crystal of graduated sizes. This lady is someones grandma!!! Her son is a minister!!!! I was floored at the thought of her with those beads around her neck. "You have those beads???"I asked. "OH, yesssss, honey! They are crystal-different sizes. She didn't skip a beat.

I am certain my jaw hit the floor.
I looked over to my friend, Diva who had also heard the conversation and at this point had lost it, laughing hysterically. Which in turn I did too. imagine! I found out later that Maude missed the part of the conversation about what those certain beads had on them. I wish I could've seen my face. Or her's had she realized what I thought she was talking about.)

Oh, there are grand plans for the next parade meeting. That lady who didn't know about the baby....we are planning to stick a plastic baby her next meal. She is certain to figure it out then!

Anyway, you live and learn. If you plan to come out to the parade- know you will all be safe.

It will be a family friendly Christmas parade. No body part beads.

See you there!