The "Delicious Dishes" Reunion

About 12 years ago my friend Tracey and I started a group called "The Delicious Dishes". There were 16 of us at one time, and eventually there were 20. Quarterly we planned really extravagant and special evenings. We stayed together for about 3 years. Since then we've had one reunion, and tonight we had another. Most of us are still friends - but we don't see each other often. So, the reunion potluck we had tonight was a blast! Great food and drink - but more importantly LOTS of laughter. I am SO lucky to have such great girlfriends.

Lorraine & Adrienne

Adrienne & Me
Peggy & Mary Louise

Tracey & Tammy

Kathleen & Teri

Lorraine, Adrienne & Peggy

Laura & Me

Unfortunately some of our friends have moved away - but we stay in touch with them. And, some of our group couldn't make it tonight. But, there may be another reunion in the works for autumn. I would totally be up for that! We had a FANTASTIC time tonight.

Celebrate

On Wednesday night I gave a 40th birthday party for two of my Ya Ya sisters. Laura and Kathy will both be 40 in a few days. All of the Ya Ya's were here to celebrate in 1970 style.

Brenda & Adrienne enjoying the fun.

Jamie & Me

The table was decorated in 1970's chic! We played 1970 Trivia, as well as other fun games about our favorite TV shows and Movies! I asked everyone for their favorite songs from their favorite decade of their lifetime, and made an awesome playlist out of them on my iPod. The Ya Ya's make up a pretty fantastic playlist!

The birthday girls asked me to make my Strawberry & Whip Cream cake. (Click here if you'd like the recipe from my Gumbo YaYa blog.) But the highlight of the evening had to be "cheese in a can". We made foods that were popular in the '70s. I'm not saying that we had a little too much fun with the Cheez Wiz... but, you can be the judge!

Wishing two of my very best friends a spectacular birthday! I had fun planning it for you and wish you all the best during your new decade!

Genealogy - Sentimental Sunday No. 44

This is my maternal Grandfather with my Mom. He was born in 1894.

My memories of him are good ones. He lived about 2 hours away from us when I was growing up. We would visit a couple of times per year. Every time we visited we would go out to dinner at various local restaurants. In the 1970's there weren't a lot of really fabulous choices in Hemet. I recall a couple of his favorites, and we always went to dinner quite early. Usually around 4pm. I remember that he enjoyed a cocktail before dinner and his favorite was a Brandy Alexander.

My Grandma Mary passed away in the late 1960's, and Grandpa never remarried. When he moved out of their home into a mobile home park down the street - he was quite popular with all the widows. Several times a few of them would come to visit him while we were there. At the time I didn't think anything of it. Now, I look back at how they would all fuss over him and it makes me giggle. Today I understand what a commodity an older gentleman is with the widows.

Grandpa was in World War I. Here is a photo of him with some of his unit. He is in the middle. My Uncle told me that only two men from his unit returned from the war. So sad.

Grandpa and my Grandma Maurine were my mom's parents. They divorced when my Mom was very young. However, this photo that I found, dated in 1930, indicates that perhaps they tried to reconcile at one point. Alas, it didn't work out. She ultimately married another man - and he married my Grandma Mary in the mid '30s.

Grandpa died in the early '80s. I miss our visits and early bird dinners with him. One of my prized possessions is a cherry-wood breakfront hutch. It belonged to Grandpa for many years. I treasure it and think of him when I look at it. When I open a drawer or door on it, I remember that these handles and this wood was touched by his hands as well. It brings me comfort to know that I can pass this on to my son and he will have something that belonged to his Great Grandfather. And, while a 15 year old boy doesn't find interest in this today - I hope that someday he will appreciate the history.

Robin Hood - The Movie

Although the reviews haven't been stellar, we saw "Robin Hood" starring Russell Crowe & Cate Blanchett last night.

I must say that I completely disagree with the reviews. I love that Ridley Scott did not make another movie about the same Robin Hood cliches we seen time and time again.

It was a wonderful story and enjoyable film. Both Richard and I really liked it!

Spoon's NW Bistro

I met a friend for an early dinner at Spoon's NW Bistro tonight, on Commercial SE in Salem. It was VERY good and I'll be sure to plan return visits.

We both had the Seafood Linguine. There were plenty of shrimp and mussels and crab was sprinkled throughout. Quite tasty. We even saved room for 5 Layer Chocolate Cake. Decadent and extremely delicious. I'm glad we shared it, because even with two of us eating it - we couldn't quite finish it off.

The service was wonderful and the entire evening was quite pleasant. They weren't very busy. Perhaps, people aren't aware they are open for dinner. I wasn't aware of that until my friend suggested we eat there.

I highly recommend you make a trip to Spoon's. Quite enjoyable!

Genealogy - Sentimental Sunday No. 43

1856 - 1948

This is my Great Grandfather, Lewis B. Heslet. The more I research my family tree - the more gems I uncover.

My Uncle told me that Lewis was a blacksmith. He's looking for a photo to send me of Lewis in his blacksmith shop. I can't wait!

While googling some of my ancestors names I discovered that Lewis had applied for a patent and was approved in 1911. The patent was for a machine which sharpened plow shares. Here is an excerpt of the patent:

This invention relates to machines for sharpening plow shares, and it has for its object to produce a machine of this class of simple and efficient construction in which the plow share, after being adjusted in position for operation, may be automatically ground or sharpened without further attention on the part of the operator.

I don't know how successful the machine was, or how long it may have been in operation. More research on my part is needed. But, I was pretty excited to find this piece of information. The more tidbits I discover about my ancestors - the more excited I am to continue researching.

Back to Reality

It is so hard getting back into the swing of things after vacation. Returning to work and school - trying to get the house back in order - just getting back to the daily "living of life".

How much more fun things would be if it were vacation EVERY day. But, I suppose THEN it wouldn't be as special... but I sure wouldn't mind giving it a try for a while. (Hey, a girl can dream - can't she?)

New Orleans Trip - The End

Our last full day in NOLA was spectacular. The weather was perfect and we had a relaxing and fun filled day planned.

We made reservations for lunch at Commander's Palace. This restaurant is a New Orleans institution. We had never been before - so we were looking forward to a treat!

Our good friends, Tom & Kris, suggested that we make our reservations for the Garden Room. It was really beautiful. Great suggestion! Thanks guys.
The "$.25 Martini Lunch" is supposedly the best kept secret in town. It isn't well advertised - unless you go the website. We had a delicious meal - and a couple of equally delicious martini's. I couldn't believe our bar bill was only $1.00 ! Amazing!

After lunch we took some pictures outside the restaurant - and then headed across the street to the Lafayette Cemetery.

After our visit to the Garden District we headed back into the French Quarter for one last walk and look around the city that we love SO much!

The gorgeous St. Louis Cathedral -

A happy and handsome boy sitting on the steps of Jackson Square.

And a final photo from Pirates Alley.

We have been home for two weeks. We already miss the Crescent City. We're planning our return visit - probably sometime in the summer of 2011. Our hearts are always renewed in the city that we love so much!

New Orleans Adventure - Part Three

We began this day by walking to the Civil War Museum. It was established in 1891 - and Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy, had a huge hand in making sure that this memorial was established. This building is the oldest museum in Louisiana.

They don't allow photographs to be taken of the individual exhibits - but they do allow photos from the front door. It's a really beautiful building, filled with wonderful and sentimental memorabilia. I was amazed at how small in stature the men were. Their uniforms looked so small to me. We were able to see Robert E. Lee's mess kit - with his monogrammed silver ware. What a gem.

We made lunch reservations to eat a Muriel's on Jackson Square. It had come highly recommended by three different friends - so we had to try it. Wonderful doesn't come close to describing what a fantastic lunch we had there. We loved the ambiance of the restaurant and the service was impeccable. A real treat - and we highly recommend eating there if you're ever in NOLA.
After lunch we went to the Louisiana State Museum at the Cabildo - on Jackson Square.



What treasure trove this is! Original outfits from the 1800's



A slave collar from the 1840's - this was a very sobering exhibit for me. How sad to think of human beings treated like animals.
The beautiful second floor level where parties were held. The room off this receiving room was where the Louisiana Purchase was transferred.

Quite a bit of memorabilia belonging to Napoleon.

And his death mask. Truly a unique treasure.

And last, but not least, the piano that belonged to Fats Domino. It sat in his home in the Lower Ninth Ward in the flood waters after Hurricane Katrina. I got so sad looking at it. All the feelings of loss washed over me all over again.

One more day to blog. It makes me sad all over again - we love New Orleans so much. There is always such excitement when we are planning and preparing for our trips there. And then the sadness of having to leave sets in. (sad face)

The Crescent City - Part Two

Day four of our trip, to the beautiful city of New Orleans, found us travelling to the Garden District on the historic St. Charles Street Car. It's always an experience to take the street car and enjoy the sights of another section of NOLA.

We walked to a local neighborhood "joint" called Parasol's for their famous roast beef po-boys. Parasol's has been featured on the Food Network as well as several magazines. Their po-boys were fantastic and worth the trip to the Garden District.

We wandered through the "GD" and ooh'd and ahh'd at all of the gorgeous homes. I could SO see myself living in one of these beauty's. I think I would fit right in!

While waiting to catch the streetcar to head back to the condo, we noticed that the trees and a few street lamps still looked like they were celebrating Mardi Gras - we couldn't believe how many beads were draped in the trees! It was really pretty!
Our special dinner at a special restaurant was planned for that night. He doesn't look it in the photo below, but we had one excited 15 year old. We were going to one of Emeril LaGasse's restaurants - Delmonico. We've been to Emeril's two other restaurants in New Orleans - so this trip completed our tour of his establishments. The food was excellent and the restaurant itself was gorgeous, very stately.

It was a great fourth day. Stay tuned for the last two days of our trip in part three!