New York Eating

A few people (ahem, James...Mother....) erroneously say to me all the time "now that you don't work..."  Let's be clear people.  Yes, I do still work!  I work very hard!  My new job is actually a promotion!!  What I no longer do is pack a suitcase every Sunday night, hit up a different city or country - or two - each week, refer to the Delta agents at Hartsfield by name, etc.  I don't wear suits each day or schlep into an office, but, folks, I assure you, I STILL WORK.  Just from the comforts of my home office upstairs.

Obviously this is a touchy subject for me, as it's been a bit rough to give up my career identity as a traveling consultant.  Fortunately I do still get to travel about every six weeks or so, and when the location is NYC that ain't half bad, either!

I won't bore blog readers with what I actually do for work when I'm there, but I will skip to after hours and brag about what I get to eat.  At home in Georgia this little foodie is a bit stifled, but in the City there are no boundaries or combinations I won't try.

Vermillion - Latin / Indian Fusion


As I've said many times, "fusion" places usually irritate me because I think it's just an excuse to add $10 to each plate.  But this one really did not disappoint.  Dinner included a Tandoori Skirt steak in an Indian marinade, served with Plantain Chips, Chorizo Swiss Chard, and a Jicama Citrus Roll - YUM.  (And when I said "rare" they made it "RARE".  Love it - this Texas girl knows how to eat some meat!)  

Dessert was a bit more interesting...and I admit even I was skeptical.  They were described on the menu as "Avocado Beignets" and the best way to describe it would be slightly sweetened mashed avocado with bits of chocolate mixed it, wrapped in pastry dough and fried, served with a sweet blackberry sauce.  Throw in some mango sorbet on the side.  Gone in 60 seconds.

Cibo - Italian


Nothing too special about Italian in NYC except that I just love it and this is good Italian.  One of my fave combinations the last few years that I'm always excited to see:  Sausage with Fennel and Broccoli Rabe!  This sauce had a bit of a KICK and those red flecks are just what you think:  red pepper. Did not slow me down too much...

Dessert was a very simple chocolate souffle, which, if I had to be honest, was a bit too dense for a souffle.  It came out more like a cake...but what's so wrong with chocolate cake?  I ate - and enjoyed - it.

A-Mexican-Place-I-Can't-Remember-the-Name-Of 

After dinner drinks one night were held at a Mexican place that I can't remember the name of. I had eaten there before, but what's really lovely about the place is the downstairs bar.  Think dark wood, low lighting, and individual storage lockers for people to keep their rare tequilas.   The lockers have screen doors and are back-lit to cast a yellow hue on all the bottles.  Super posh.  I couldn't bring myself to drink a tequila, but didn't resist a Pisco Sour.

(Some Wine Bar)

Okay, now I'm just getting really lazy with names and will resort to describing the places.  My last night in the city I got to meet up with my good friend, Sapna, who is a true New Yorker and knows the coolest spots to be in.  After a lovely sushi meal, we headed to a wine bar where she knew and spoke to everyone in Italian (and I'm pretty sure she doesn't actually speak Italian).  We got a great seat, a great Carmenere, and got to catch up.

I'm so glad that just because I "no longer work" I get still get to have some adventure in my life!  And good food!  And good friends!  What more can a gal ask for. :)

South Georgia

Ah, South Georgia...and, as a bit of education, when we say "South Georgia" in our house we are talking waaaaaaaay down South.  Nothing makes my husband roll his eyes quicker than someone who says they're from "South Georgia" when they're from Macon.  He's points out that "South of Atlanta" does not necessarily constitute "South Georgia".

And James should know because he is from Cairo, GA which easily qualifies as South Georgia because it's way the heck down there.  Almost to the Florida border.  If you're geographically challenged, like myself, maybe this visual will help:

Furthering your education, let's discuss the pronunciation:  although spelled like Cairo, Egypt, it's actually pronounced differently.  If you're familiar with Karo syrup - and you should be if you've ever made candy or marshmallows - it's pronounced just like that.  Now, this is really going to blow your mind, but their school mascot is the Syrupmaker.  You'd think this has something to do with Karo syrup, based on the pronunciation, but...it does not.  It's because of Roddenberry Syrup, which was headquartered in Cairo.  This has taken me years to sort out and come to terms with.  

I don't think the Rodenberry's HQ is still in Cairo, but there is another famous landmark that is worth calling out: Mr. Chick.  (Waco folks, this would be comparable to Bush's before they expanded.  And their 44oz iced tea is not $.49)  But I digress...

Despite the fact that James and I have been together for quite some time, I've only been to Cairo twice in my life!  Now, there is a little Cairo reunion at our house almost every other week (with all our friends from Cairo who now reside within a 20 mile radius of our Atlanta home), but we don't actually find ourselves in Cairo too often. 

Except for this past weekend when we loaded up Mom/Ms. Leron and Enda in the little hybrid and headed south for the wedding of James' good friend.  It was a great trip, and so wonderful to meet so many of James' friends from his childhood / HS days.  Some people I've heard about for years!  Unfortunately, the trip was way too short to see and spend time with everyone.  Definitely convinced us that we need to make another trip soon!

Not many pictures - actually, just a couple of random (poor quality, yikes) iPhone shots from the reception.  One of the two of us, and one of James and a good pal from HS.  ("Dave stories" are always pretty darn funny, so putting a face with this character was great.)                                                                          

                

More Enda!

Admit it.  You've just been dying for an update on how the little Vizsla baby doing.  Well, she's just a growing and getting more mischievous adventurous by the day.  I read the other day that puppyhood lasts about 2 years for a Vizsla - Lord, help us all....

iPhone photo updates are the easiest way to document what all she's gotten into recently, if I can even catch her quick enough to snap a photo!  And, not to get you too excited....but I also managed to create a video (WITH MUSIC) and upload it to You Tube.  My first time ever.  It's a big accomplishment, y'all.

First, she had a nice, long (13+ hour) road trip to Texas, and she did surprisingly well.  Considering the fact that she hates being confined AND likes to run around like a wild bandit most of the day, we were not looking forward to spending all that time with her, cooped up in our little hybrid.  We covered the backseat with her blanket, threw in her favorite pillow, and loaded her up with all her favorite toys, including her most prized possession:  a pig ear.  This managed to keep her happy nearly the whole way.

A few times she decided that the backseat was no fun anymore, and my seat was a better place to be.  I was able to stay strong for most of the trip, but broke down  a few times for a quick cuddle with my 30lb lap dog.

They say that Vizslas are "working dogs" and I can believe it.  She is very helpful around the house, particularly with housework.  As soon as she's a bit older we'll probably start talking about a Chore Chart and allowance....

Despite the fact that she gets plenty of play time, plenty of daily walk/runs, and plenty of cuddle time, she still feels that even a minute in her crate is too much.  When she's being quiet in her crate, I suspect that something is up.  Usually, I'm right...

Last little update - this gal discovered how fun the water can be.   Her first experience was at our friends' pool, splashing around with their sweet 80lb Bouvier puppy (yes that's a PUPPY!)  Two hours of swimming bought us a few hours of quiet time that evening, yeaaaaaaa!

After the posh pool we worried if she would find a baby pool as exciting....but fortunately she did.  Big entertainment factor for both her and us.  And now you - Enjoy!

Memorial Day(s)

Memorial Day was spent, per usual, in Texas.  I say "per usual" because my parents have hosted a Crawfish Party every year since 1997 when my sister got married at the house.  And, yes, there were crawfish at her wedding, it was THAT FUN.

I wanted to link back to my last Memorial Day post, but realized I've never posted about one!  Last year we were in Florida for James' "niece's" graduation, and then prior to June 2010 the blog was non-existent.  Sooooo, this is going to turn into a post about 2012 AND we're going to take a little trip down memory lane and look at some pics from Kerr Memorial Days past.   Ya ready?

Fortunately for the readers, the content does not really change from year to year.  The weekend basically consists of eating, drinking, and hanging out.  And when I say "eating", we take that very seriously.  Ribs, pork, brisket, sides, desserts, and, obviously, crawfish.  Dieters not welcome.

The essentials

What does change year over year?  People. We add people through marriage, friendships, and births.  Sadly, we lost a few people over the years, specifically my sweet grandparents.  And, people grow up!  And change their hair!  You'll see what I mean...

2012

A few new faces this year, primarily furry ones.  Enda made her debut (after doing excellent on the 13 hour car trip); my parents have taken in a stray kitten that they're "trying" to give away (that cat will be there next year, I assure you); plus I got to hold the sweetest new baby EVER, thanks to our good friends Krystal and Aaron who drove all the way in from Kyle to spend some time with us and introduce little Ella Rose.  Love her already!

Would you like a kitten?  Too bad, they won't give it up if you ask!

New duck toy from HEB

BFFs

BFFs + Baby Ella!

Sweetest little gal

Tristan and Tori (and Greycie)

Cute little Julian

2010

Now, rewind back a couple of years and you have a lot of the same characters.  Doing a lot of the same things.  For instance, same niece, different dog....

Tori and Tauper!

Turning 11 and 8...

The Parents!

Serious little Julian

Different meat in 2010, where were the ribs this year!? 

Won't even comment...

Up to no good...

2009

Just like you have "working lunches" I turned Memorial Day 2009 into a "working weekend".  That was our wedding year, and I managed to give everyone a job each time we got together.  If you had good handwriting, could use a hot glue gun, or could fold a piece of paper, you were tasked with something.  Looking back at pictures, I think we look young.  Have the past 2.5 years of wedding bliss been that stressful!?  I've seen Presidents age less in their first administration!

"Smile, ladies, and then GET BACK TO WORK!"

Birthday, yet again.  Those kids keep having them!

Is this the same boy from the 2012 pics?  Can't be!

Pretty sure this was Kristin's first trip (and now she's officially a Kerr!)
I think the weekend convinced her she should join our fam. :)

My sweet grandmother was also still with us that year, and we did not miss the Memorial Day ceremonies.  You understood the true meaning of the day with my grandparents, who were so actively involved in the area POW groups.   This was the first Memorial Day without my grandfather, and the fact that (former) Congressman Chet Edwards spent time with her that day and remembered him...so, so special!

Three generations!

Such a wonderful man. Let's send him back, please!  

2007

Not sure what happened to 2008, so we'll jump to 2007.  This was James' first introduction to the family and Kerr Memorial Day festivities, but I don't have him documented in pictures.  Obviously it was a good time because he decided to join the Kerr family and hasn't missed a year since.  This is also the last year I have pictures for on my computer so we'll stop at 5 years back.  (I can't take credit for the 2007 pics - my cousin, Guy, was the photographer that year!)

These pictures make me smile.  Tori is...well...still holding a dog.  Grandmom was still with us!  Julian was a tiny baby!  And Marcus (my brother-in-law) was rocking some great hair....

Tori and Rosie!  (Rosie was pre Greycie)

Still up to no good...

Ah, what good memories!  Hopefully my family (who say they read the blog) get a kick out of these.  I thought they were pretty fun!

So blessed!

Following such a heavy post, I couldn't move on without adding one more positive blessing to the things I keep focused on:  sweet friends and family.  THANK YOU for all of the kind words, thoughts, and messages.  And prayers!  We are so blessed to have people sending prayers our way.  :)

A Difficult - but HOPEFUL - Update...

How long has it been since the last post?  Are we closing in on a month?  Oh, good gracious, my commitment to our participation in the blogosphere is severely lacking lately!  Which leads me to an explanation...a bit of a sad one - although certainly not my intention - but something to help summarize what's been happening during this absence.

For quite some time I had been anticipating how I would post the big news we had been keeping a secret  – sonogram pictures (we had several), maybe our new furry baby, Enda, in a “big sister” shirt (because I do love cheesy stuff like that), or maybe just a “Coming Soon - November 2012!” in the body of a post. 

Unfortunately things did not work out as hoped.  No longer do we have good news to share about our family.  It’s taken me quite a while (obviously!) to figure out if I even should or how I even would, but at the end decided that our blog chronicles our life and this is a big reality in our lives right now.  I feel like a poser sharing carefree posts of weekend trips or outings with friends, when quietly our hearts are very heavy.

James and I had been expecting a baby.  Again.  But, sadly, we lost the baby.  Again.  This had been our third pregnancy since last May.  Our third miscarriage in nine months.  “Third time’s a charm” did not turn out to be true for us, despite making it so close to that magical 12-week mark where you can post to FB and Blogger and announce to the world. 

Whew.  It’s out there.  Not the announcement I thought I’d be making, but, oddly, I feel better. 

We didn’t say anything about the first two losses to many people because 1) I was convincing myself they were sad, unfortunate, but RANDOM events, and 2) I didn’t know how.  I like the keep the blog light. I like to keep it (I think ) funny. My blog mantra: posts should be positive!  However, things are different now.  My doctors say that “three shouldn’t happen”, but, since it's definitely happening, it means that it's time to start figuring out why.   So – while we can’t let our reproductive challenges run or ruin our lives – it’s going to be a part of our lives for a bit.

For a BIT.  We’re going to stay positive.  Because, well, that’s a heck of a lot better than the alternative: that sad, discouraged, dark place I’ve been hanging out the past few weeks.

I don’t know how long “a bit” is.  I trust that God knows, but while I try to get Him to share the secret I recognize that we need to stand firm in our faith no matter how long this journey is.  We have some true advantages on our side that I see as pure blessings: we can get pregnant, obviously; we have great doctors and, starting in late July (first available appointment, REALLY!?) a well-respected specialist in this area; we have good insurance; the million-and-a-half Google searches I’ve conducted the past few weeks indicate that there is still a good (percentages vary, but we'll go with "good") chance of a baby after three miscarriages.  AND, we believe strongly in God’s promises for our lives which we feel include several human additions (as we're pretty much tapped out on the furry ones).  It doesn’t make the losses less sad or make the anxiety about the next steps go away, but it keeps us focused on what we hope and pray the future holds for our sweet family.

So, keep hoping and praying with us for that happy, BIG NEWS post!  Until then, we’ll keep posting pictures of Enda (she’s pretty darn cute) and we'll be sure to get into some fun shenanigans the next few months that we can report back on.  J

You know who I love...?

This guy.

Old photo (Enda is still a teeny tiny baby), but the one I have on my phone and look at every day and smile. :)