Then and Now in the Islands

Well, 8 days down in the Virgin Islands with my big camera, my old point-and-shoot, plus an iPhone has resulted in waaaaaaaaay too many pictures for the blog.  Even deleting all those "oops", "forgot to focus on my subject," and "what am I supposed to be doing with the aperture for this light?" shots, I've managed to parse down to a mere 158.  Geez...

BUT, I am up for the challenge of documenting a fabulous trip - as soon as my iPhoto and Picasa programs decide they're back on speaking terms and communicating.  (GRRRR, sometimes technology can be so frustrating!)

While I try to work out my computer issues and get the photos uploaded, I couldn't resist the fun of a little "then-and-now" moment.  This is James' and my third trip to the Virgin Islands over the last 5 years, and I inadvertently took a couple of the same shots from the last trips.  Well, that's a lie...I very much insisted on capturing a few repeat couple shots for the purpose of the blog, and my husband was sweet to oblige. :) 

US Virgin Islands (St. Thomas), Malfolie Restaurant

July 2007

July 2012

British Virgin Islands (Jost Van Dyke), Soggy Dollar Bar

September 2009

July 2012

I know what y'all are thinking:  we're like a good wine that just keeps getting better and better with age.  That is SO SWEET of you to think that.  What's that you say?  You think I still look like I'm 25??  Now you're just making me blush... ;)  One thing is for sure, I better stay looking young because my husband is definitely aging quite handsomely (despite the grey hairs that he says I give him).  

Okay, these will have to do for now, but I promise more pictures and stories soon!  

The Academy

As we lounge around here in the beautiful BVI waters, I have to admit - we're missing our furbaby!  And, I think it's safe to say our little Enda girl is missing her padres.  You see, while her parents enjoy a little R&R, our little gal was shipped off....to the Academy.   That's right: two weeks of "boot camp" style training with a couple of "no holds bar" type women up in Athens who run one of the elite dog training academies.  Safe to say our little girl is either well behaved or traumatized at this point. 

Leaving for the Academy - doesn't quite know what's in store for her!

If Enda were a human who could read or write (and had a potty mouth), I think her letters home would read a little something like this:

"Dear Mom and Dad,

Where the $&#*$ are you?  After dropping me off out here in the country at this "kennel", my days have been filled with nothing but commands and obedience.  I live outside (which is NOT as warm and cuddly as your bed), they make me do all sorts of things I don't want to (like "stay" and "sit" and crap like that), plus no one gives me hugs and kisses.  COME GET ME NOW!!!

Love,

Enda"

We arrive back home in the States tomorrow, and go pick up our little lady this Sunday from the Academy.  Here's hoping that 1) she has learned something and 2) she still loves us.  It's for her own good!! 

Independence Day and Beyond!

Happy Birthday to this GREAT COUNTRY that we are blessed to live in. We had a fabulous July 4th holiday this year, complete with delicious ribs that the hubby grilled on his new Green Egg. Happy to report that his first attempt was a complete success!!  Much more American way to spend the 4th than where we celebrated last year...in (GASP) Great Britain!

I'd also like a take this opportunity to demonstrate the PROPER way to eat meat off a bone.  (This is for all of those folks - especially my Yankee colleagues up North - who tease me every time we order chicken wings or ribs and I clean the bone).  Where I'm from, we don't leave no stinkin' meat!

You know what we did not do on the 4th?  Pack for our vacation that starts on the 5th.  That's right, we leave TODAY (in a few hours) for an 8 day trip to the British Virgin Islands.  The fact that I'm updating this post while I need to be closing my carry-on should show my dedication to our blog!  

See y'all in a week or so when I return with lovely pics of blue waters, West Indies cuisine, and relaxed-looking Sassers.  :)

Weekend with my Gal Pal

Every gal needs to have a good set of girlfriends.  I'm lucky that I have many spread out all over the country.  Fortunately we have cell phones and Skype and Facetime and Email and Google Chat to keep in touch, and then, of course, airplanes for that occasional, exciting visit! 

This past weekend, my dear friend Andrea came down from DC to spend the weekend in Hot-Lanta.  (Emphasis on HOT, as Georgia decided it wanted to compete with Texas for the title of "hottest place on the planet"this weekend.)  At least it got this gal out of DC for the terrrrrrrrible storms.    

You know what I loved about the weekend?  We did NOTHING.  Well, unless you count eating, gabbing, and teasing James - there was plenty of that!  But, with no planned activities, it allowed for 2.5 days of catching up and hanging out.  Couldn't have asked for anything more fun!  

Now, she's a familiar face to the blog because each December I write about one of my favorite events: Andrea's Christmas tea.  I never miss it.  However, we've had a lot of other fun adventures over the years....

I met this gal in 2006 when she joined our project team supporting the US Forest Service.  I remember the exact moment when I met her in the Duke Street office, and thinking 'she has the prettiest eye make up I've ever seen!'  (Beauty products, coincidentally, have been a consistent theme in our friendship:  Andrea was later horrified to learn that I relied totally on drug store products, and introduced me to the fabulous world of the MAC counter at Nordstrom's.  She also graciously - and beautifully - helped my Mother with her make-up on my wedding day.  She also was a full participant in my spending a small fortune on Trish McCoy products this weekend...but I digress....)

Andrea's true calling!

Alternating weeks between Alexandria, VA and Albuquerque, NM throughout 2006 and 2007, the two of us shared rental cars, adventures, gab sessions, meals at Sweet Tomatoes, and much more.  We also were a bit mischievous, working in cahoots to get free HOV parking at Duke Street, sneak into the Continental President's Club  ("why, of course, we're biological sisters, why do you ask??"), and harass our Managers on the project.  Andrea was also the first person to whom I confessed my crush on James.  Her response, "well, of course you have a crush on him, isn't it OBVIOUS?"  Aaaah, we should all be so lucky to have a colleague who turns into a best friend!  

Forest Service Days!   Circa 2007?  

After we both rolled off the account and then moved our separate ways career-wise, the friendship continued with all sorts of new adventures outside of 9 - 5.  Being in DC together meant lots of fun memories exploring the city:  Cherry Blossom festival, Old Town brunches, baseball games, crashing at her house July 4th when my AC went out...I could always count on Andrea for support!  Saying goodbye to her when I moved to Atlanta  in early 2008 was one of the hardest.  

Fortunately, that summer Andrea organized a girls trip to Cancun and we got to add an international adventure to list!  All sorts of good stories came out of that trip, which I don't really have documented since I dropped my camera very shortly after this picture (wonder why...haha).

2008 Girls Trip!

The last few years I haven't been able to see her as much as I would like, seeing as we're several hundred miles apart.  But, that's what phone dates, Christmas teas, and Delta miles are for!  Thanks for such a fun weekend, doll, and can't wait for another one again soon!

Love this gal!

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!