12/27/2015

Weekly Update 12/27/2015

A few years ago, I took the Old Savannah Walks Dickens Christmas walking tour. I enjoyed it very much and had always wanted to do it again. Connie and Jim were going on Monday this week, so I tagged along with them (and a couple of tourists, too). The weather was perfect, temps about 60 and no wind. The houses in the historic district were lovely. The chatter as we walked along - some history lessons on general Victorian Christmas traditions as well as some tales about Christmases past in Savannah - and the caroling - I just mouthed the words so as not to ruin it for everyone - were just wonderful! We ended with rum cakes and mulled wine, what could be better?

lovely decorations

Donna and another friend she made this summer at the pool have begun a new tradition here at MP - Martini Monday. I haven't been able to attend for one reason or another, and they kindly changed it to Tuesday this week. It was at Donna's condo, and she made apple-tinis. Oh, my, those were good! Festive, too, with the green apple drinks and Donna's red candles.

Christmas Day began with an email from from friends who live in the condo development - they had left fresh muffins outside my door! I spent the day with Lisa, Dave, Donna, and Kay at Lisa and Dave's house. We had the craft tree judging, the gag gift exchange, crackers (which are a British tradition, and since Kay and Dave are both from UK, that was a lot of fun) and a wonderful meal with good friends.

the craft projects

good friends

I had to open BC on Saturday morning. It was really foggy. We've been quite hot and muggy all week - not Christmas-y at all. I wandered around the cemetery for a while because of the fog.

12/20/2015

Weekly Update 12/20/2015

This was a busy week; I need a rest. Next week should be relaxing, up until Saturday, and then everything will let down after the holiday is over.

It all began on Monday. I had errands to run, so I started out early. I eventually needed to be at the Savannah Mall, so I started with the things to do closer to home and worked my way to the Southside. I went to The Dollar Store to get the items I would need for the brunch on Sunday - utensils, punch cups, napkins. I have been out of bagels for a few weeks, so I needed to get to that deli to replenish my supply. Since I was out that way, I went to the big liquor store for Coffee Espresso Baileys that I need to have for Christmas, and champagne for Sunday. Then to the post office to mail the cards and the meager packages; it felt incredibly good to have that all done. Then to the Mall. Just about as I was pulling into the parking lot, it occurred to me that I had left the receipt for the framed print back at home on my kitchen counter! Crap. But without so much as blinking, they let me pick it up. I dunno, but I'd hoped for a little more authorization than that to pick up a expensively framed signed and numbered print! Whatever - I was glad I didn't have to go all the way back again. I was looking for an inexpensive red shirt to wear this time of year, and found exactly what I wanted at Target - how often does that happen? But that was the end. By this time, I'd had enough and needed to get home.

In the afternoon, plans had been made for a Downton Abbey Tea at the Westin Hotel across the river on Hutchinson Island. A group of us had reservations for the tea, and we were hoping to take the free water taxi to the hotel. Unfortunately, it was raining, so those plans were scrapped. Also at the Westin was the annual gingerbread House display. This is always amazing, and Donna and I wanted to see it. It's become a tradition for us, and this seemed to be a perfect opportunity. The houses did not disappoint! The tea was another story. There was only tea, where we had expected finger sandwiches and petit fours. And the tea was served in paper cups, not fine china. This event was sponsored by GPB (Georgia Public Broadcasting) who wanted to be sure we would all tune in for the final season beginning in January. It was ok, but not exactly what we had expected. Well, it was free, so we got what we paid for. 

the overall winner and my favorite

Savannah - city hall, the Westin, the Talmadge Bridge

tea time

 

Tuesday was the Lunch Bunch “Ugly Sweater” luncheon for the holiday. Most of the sweaters are definitely NOT ugly, but they are all decorated for Christmas, and it's fun to see them. The party was the The 90, which was also decorated very nicely, and we had our own private room there. Many of the group showed up, so it was nice to see so many and have a chance to wish them all a great holiday. After that, I had seen that there was Adult Coloring Time at the Tybee Library. I didn't know what that would be, but I'm as good with a set of Crayolas as the next one, so I decided to try it out. A group of about five ladies get together to work on intricate coloring pages, much more than the simple coloring I was expecting, and they chat while they color. They told me it is a great stress reliever, and they meet once a month. I'll have to see if I ever get back out there, but Tuesday was delightful and I had a nice drive out to the beach with the top down on the car, and that was a stress reducer itself.

 

Wednesday was cookie day. Although I had made some dough before Wednesday, and baked the cutouts, I hadn't finished those. It was like Holiday Hell. I made three kinds: frosted cutouts, holiday ribbon cookies (my favorites) and Hershey Kiss cookies. None are very difficult, but since I haven't baked anything since about 1994, this was a struggle. I think they turned out well, in spite of my lack of motivation.

doing the tricky frosting

making cutouts with an improvised rolling pin

finished and ready to take to friends

I planned to take a few of the cookies to some of the ladies in my book club, and to Sylvia and Charles, my good friends. So I put them on paper plates and was ready to go. You know me, I want things done the fast way, which is often not the best way. So, who needs three trips up and down the condo stairs to load three little plates of cookies into the car? I DO! because when I tried to take them all at once, I dropped one. Luckily, I had saved a whole plate for myself, so I could trade the destroyed cookies for better ones, while I was forced to eat the broken ones. I have more dough ready to bake for one more event next week, and then if Pepperidge Farm doesn't make it, I don't need it.

  

Friday was another busy day. Of course, I had my DH tours in the afternoon. Then I met Lisa, Kay and Beth at The 90 for a drink and something to eat before going to the Lucas Theater for the Christmas Cabaret performance. We met at The 90, and decided to have dinner there before walking to the theater. The dinner was wonderful, but we have an in with the chef; we expect good food there! The performance was like what you find in the “night club” of a huge cruise ship - not my favorite, but entertaining. There were a lot of people there that I know. It was held on the stage at the Lucas, so I got to see my favorite theater from an angle that I've seen it before. I could see my “cheap seat” way up in the last balcony. If I go to any performance here, I usually buy the least expensive seat, and have to get there an hour ahead of time to give myself ample time to climb all the way to the top. But, I figure I hear the same music as those who pay higher prices, and that's what I'm there for, so I rarely pay more than the lowest prices. 

my usual vantage point is the last row in the balcony, but I got on stage for this event

Saturday was BC - I had to open and I was there in the afternoon. After opening, I went to the grocery store to buy whatever I still needed for my Sunday holiday brunch. This has become very expensive, but I won't have to do it again, so I don't mind. In the afternoon, it was very slow, but I knew it would be. DH was not busy Friday, and it was cold here (in the 60s) so many people would not want to come out to walk through a cemetery in this weather. One visitor came in, however, and he asked me if I give tours there. I said I did, and he replied that he thought I looked familiar. He told me that he had seen me on the internet, and someone had made a comment that I was a really good tour guide. I was surprised, and didn't ask him what site it was; I should have done that because I couldn't find it when I looked later. That would have been interesting. It's always good to know that what I do is appreciated. The rest of Saturday I spend preparing for the brunch and drinking cheap wine to help me through that. 

 

Sunday was the big day. I had been planning for (and obsessing over) this for weeks. I have had the good luck to be invited to many of my friends' homes here in Savannah for a meal. Since I have no dishes, and I don't cook, I have not been able to reciprocate. I resurrected the old Holiday Brunch Buffet that I used to host every year I Rochester, because I felt that I could do casseroles in disposable foil baking dishes, I could serve on paper plates and with paper cups and plastic silverware, toss a few Christmas cookies on a plate, and it would be ok. I made plans and searched for recipes, I cleaned the house and went to Starbucks for coffee, I and finally I was able to have some friends over for a little party. I served two casseroles (one bacon, cheese, tomato and bread cubes; the other grits, sausage and mushrooms), blueberry and pumpkin muffins (again, harking back to my Rochester days), fresh fruit salad, and mimosas, hot wine, and coffee. I thought everything was tasty, and everyone seemed to enjoy the food and the company. Even Jim, the chef at The 90, had good things to say. I am so-o-o glad it's over! 

the food must have been ok because there was a lot eaten

good friends in my home

The Buffalo Bills 2015 season is also over.

To everyone who reads this blog - I wish you all a very Happy Holiday Season, and Every Good Thing in 2016!

12/13/2015

Weekly Update 12/13/2015

Following book club on Monday, Donna and I went to DH for the second of their series of lectures. This was a wonderful speaker who is a living history interpreter from Middleton Plantation in Charleston, SC. He told us about a very rare artifact that Middleton owns, Ashley's Sack. It has been verified that this cotton cloth bag dates to the mid-1840s. These words are embroidered on the sack:

“My great grandmother Rose

mother of Ashley gave her this sack when

she was sold at age 9 in South Carolina

it held a tattered dress 3 handfulls of

pecans a braid of Roses hair. Told her

It be filled with my Love always

she never saw her again

Ashley is my grandmother

Ruth Middleton

1921”

Although a lot of research has been done, they have not been able to connect any slave named Rose or Ashley to Middleton Plantation. This will always remain a mystery, but the words are chilling.

I ordered a nutcracker for myself this year. I have added one to my collection every year for a very long time. This year, when I shopped at a few of the Christmas stores, or other places that carry nutcrackers this time of year, I didn't see anything that I really thought was something I needed to have. I was going to skip it this year until I saw this one in a catalog. I read quite a bit, and this nutcracker is holding a book, so I thought this would be a good one to add. 

the 2016 addition to the collection

 

I spent a few days doing the typical holiday chores: getting the cards printed and the envelopes addressed and ready to mail, making cookie dough (to be baked a few at a time as I need them in order to eliminate the need to eat entire batches myself all at once), working at the craft project that Dave has challenged us to create. This time, unlike the bunny project last Easter, I didn't hot glue myself to my kitchen countertop. And I watched a lot of tv.

Friday, after DH, I went to The 90. This was the Friday that they had their holiday party for the “regulars”. Since I'm there almost every Friday, I consider myself to be one of the locals who hang out, so I sauntered up the free buffet table for all the wonderful treats Jim, the chef (and Connie's husband), made for us. I was so intent on getting my plate as full as possible, I didn't get a picture. It was wonderful - and tasty! I couldn't stay too long because I had a ticket to join Lisa and Dave at the SCT for the performance of A Charlie Brown Christmas. It was more than a play - it was an event. There was singing, face painting, hot chocolate, crafts, cookie decorating and photo opportunities for everyone before the play. More than half of the attendees were kids, and it was so much fun to see all the little ones enjoying themselves. As I expected, the play was great!

the doghouse in the lobby

The Jeff Work art exhibit closed on Saturday. Because Donna had been out of town for most of the time it was showing, this was to be her last chance to see it. We went on Saturday night for another talk about the value of saving art as a legacy. It was so wonderful that Suzy would do this marvelous tribute to her brother, and it ensures that much of his art will be saved and valued.

Sunday, Connie had invited a group of us to come over to her house before going out for brunch. Because it was a Second Sunday, I had to give a tour at BC, so although I would have to miss the food, I did go and enjoy a glass of champagne. It was the first time I'd been to their home, and it is lovely! It's in the historic district, and was built in the late 1700s. Connie has decorated it superbly, and it has a warm and inviting atmosphere. I was delighted to be included. 

a fun gathering of good friends

the lovely living room

Connie in  her adorable kitchen

Lisa, Dave, Suzy, Bob, Connie, me, Donna.  Jim's taking the photo

 

Anyone who wants to read a good, uplifting story this holiday season, I would highly recommend A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg. I read this last year and the reason I picked it up was because it's set in the South. But it was just a wonderful, feel-good story. I borrowed it from the library again this year and read it in one day. A wonderful tale of the power of believing, and the good things that can happen when good people care about others. And there's some uniquely Southern humor. I often need something like that in the most wonderful time of the year.

12/6/2015

Weekly Update 12/6/2015

I was at the Walmart last week. I actually chased a guy in the parking lot because I saw he had on a Buffalo Bills sweatshirt! Imagine his terror as he saw this old fat lady charging at him as he was putting his purchases in his car. I was saying something like “Rex Ryan” “Tyrone Taylor” “Sammy Watkins”. He kindly smiled at me, and we high fived each other. I said how excited I was that there was another fan in Savannah. But really, Wilma, get a grip - you can't follow people because of the clothes they wear. 

 

I had to go downtown Monday because there was training for DH. They change some of the inside décor to reflect what the holidays might have been like in the 1820's. Although I've done this for five years now, I can always jog my brain. Before I went to the afternoon training, I met Lisa and we walked around the historic district for an hour or so. And we stopped for coffee and lunch. 

 

I gave a tour at BC on Thursday morning. It was a very small group of women from Sun City SC. By the time the tour was over, we were all best friends - they even invited me to have lunch with them! That was rather fun.

I should have known better. The Board of the Bonaventure Historical Society meets on the first Thursday of the month. My friend, Elizabeth, always sends me copies of the minutes of the meetings. I know that I miss a lot by being a member of the group, but not serving on the Board. I thought I'd try to get a meeting “sometime” to see for myself what goes on. This was the time. I went to the cemetery, where the Board meets in the conference room last Thursday night. When I saw the agenda items, I knew I was in trouble. The last item was accepting nominations for filling the vacancy left when a Board member recently resigned. I give tours there, I answer questions on weekends, I open and close and am trusted with a key to the administration building, I count the money; I do a lot. Every member already on the Board knows me, and I consider them all to be friends, not just fellow-volunteers. So, guess what? My name was really the only one considered, and they were all delighted that I was attending so they could ask me if I would be interested in joining them. Oh, why not. So now I'm the newest Member of the Board of Directors for the Bonaventure Historical Society. Congratulations to me! And for that, I missed a Thursday at The Rail. 

Little Gracie, ready for Christmas

 

Donna FINALLY returned for her extended stay in Maine, Baltimore (to visit son Joe) and San Francisco (to visit son Bill, his wife, Julie, and their adorable baby, Addie). She's been away for months! and it is wonderful to have her back. I saw her for a few minutes on Thursday, but since she'd been driving all day, I didn't want to make her entertain me. On Friday, after DH, everything returned to normal - I met her at The 90 for a drink after DH. Other friends joined us, too, and after we had chatted for a while, we walked to Wright Square and City Market for the holiday open house event they have this time of year. It didn't seem as crowded this year, and we think that's be because there's so much all going on at once. In fact, I had to make a choice and the Victorian Society Christmas Party scheduled for this evening didn't make the cut. 

maybe I don't look happy because there's a big spot on  my shirt where I slopped dip from one of the free snack tables in one of the stores

the tree and luminaires in City Market

 

Saturday evening, Donna and I drove down to Darien to visit Hofwyl-Broadfield Plantation, a rice plantation that was built in the 1850's and survived the War. Today it is a Georgia State Park Historic Site, and at Christmas each year, they decorate the house and there is a Civil War re-enactment camp out. The way the house was decorated was absolutely amazing! There were candles, greenery and red ribbons everywhere. There were Civil War soldiers who actually spent the night in the tents on the site. They also had demonstrations of cannon and musket shootings. Inside the house it is full of authentic antiques and heirlooms that were left were left to the state in 1973 when the last surviving family member died. Volunteers in costumes answered questions about the family and the house.

Confederate soldiers and others around the campfire

Donna walking to the plantation house

greens, red ribbons and candles were throughout the inside

even the separate kitchen was ready for the holidays

  

There were some very exciting NFL games this week. Monday night and Thursday night, the games came right down to the final seconds. Monday, The Broncos needed OT to give the Pats their first defeat of this season; Thursday, the Packers won with a Hail Mary as time ran out. But very fun, edge-of-your-seat games. And then Sunday - the Bills held on against all my belief that they would hand the game away in the 4th quarter. I actually think they are looking better than they did at the start of season, but the record is still not that good. 

 

I have decorated a little bit in the condo. I never have a “tree” here, but I do trim my fake ficus plant with lights. My neighbors upstairs have the same candles in their windows as I do, but they also have a big tree in the center. It looks rather nice, I think.

I'm on the 2nd story; my neighbors on the 3rd floor nave nice lights, too

Deck the Halls.   fa la la

11/29/2015

Weekly Update 11/29/2015

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I did! I didn't do much in the early part of the week; I was resting for feast day.

On Thursday, I was invited to June and Jimmy's. June is an excellent cook - she used to own a catering business. I contributed a loaf of pumpkin bread and a green bean casserole that I bought in the Publix deli. June did all the rest - mashed potatoes and gravy, a 16-pound turkey (for the 3 of us), corn, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, collard greens, dinner rolls, and two kinds of cranberry. And that isn't counting dessert! which was coconut tart, pecan pie, and pumpkin cake. I did not leave that table hungry!

June and the turkey

the bountiful table

 

Friday was a beautiful day - sunny, temps in the 70s. I'd been inside all week, so I thought I'd get out. I went to Old Fort Jackson again (you know, I've spent hundreds of dollars over the years for membership, so I should go when I get a chance and they have a special program). They were having a Century of Sentries program for the entire weekend. Unlike a couple of weeks ago when I went with Jan and Gerry, there were other visitors today. The docents are knowledgeable and are very interested in educating the children that visit. 

giving a talk

firing the weapons

 

Saturday evening, I did something I never do - I cooked a meal and invited
Dave, Lisa and Kay over for “game night”. Kay wasn't feeling well, so she wasn't able to join us, and Donna is still away from Savannah. Or perhaps the idea of eating anything I would make was making people sick or making them stay away, who knows? But Dave and Lisa, brave souls that they are, came over. We had dinner and played a couple of games. It went well, except that Dave used all his tiles on his very first move in Scrabble (and he did it again later in the game, too!) so Lisa and I were playing catch up and were never able to equal his vocabulary. It was all in good fun, though. 

good friends, games and m&m/s - what's not to like?

 

I was back at Coach's for the games this afternoon. It's been a few weeks since I've gone there. Between the tours at Bonaventure and the Thursday night and Monday night games the Bills have played recently, I haven't been to the sports bar to watch. I wish I hadn't gone today! I was texting not only with Brian and Allen, but my brother, who lives in KC, got into it too. Is anyone else tired of saying “maybe next year” year after year, and again this year?

11/22/2015

Weekly Update 11/22/2015

Sometimes, I have no problem eating well. And then there are the other times, when I feel like a steam shovel, and can't seem to put enough in my mouth. Same with walking. There are times when I actually want to get out and walk. But other times it's so hard to open the front door and put one foot in front of the other. Am I alone in this? or does this happen to everyone? This has been a week of eating everything in sight and not being motivated to get outside. I hope the pendulum swings back the other way soon. Probably not until after all these holidays are finished, though.

Are you all tired of reading what history lecture I went to this week yet? It seems as if I do a lot of that. This week, one was the DH fall lecture series. The talk was about the canal craze that followed to opening of the Erie Canal in New York in 1825. In Georgia, the business investors were not immune to the lure of money to be made by easy transportation of goods, and canals were built throughout the state. None, however, had the success of the canal in New York, and railroads quickly surpassed them as a way of moving goods and products. Having grown up close to the Erie Canal, I was not impressed by the little ditches in Georgia. On Thursday, I went to the Telfair Gallery (not to be confused with the Jepson) for what I believed was going to be a talk about the large painting there, The Black Prince. I had hoped it would be about the painting itself, or the story about the Edward of Woodstock. But it was about armor and the parallels of the armor in Medieval times to the armor in the Batman movies. Yuck! And for that I was late for the Jeff Work birthday party at the exhibit Suzy has put together. 

 

the Black Prince, by Julian Russell Story

I had a couple of service problems this week. The right blinker on my car has been making a funny sound for a couple of weeks. So, I finally decided I'd better get it looked at. I made an appointment with my friends at the Goodyear center, and took the car in on Monday morning. To my amazement, they said the blinkers were working and that there must be a short on the turn switch. No charge! As long as my directionals are working, and other drivers have a clue when I'm about to make a turn or change lanes, I guess I'm good. I'll take the car to the VW shop “someday” to have the wires checked, but not right now. Then, early one morning, my tv went blank. If only Comcast were as easy to work with as my mechanics, but it's a different story with them. I talked to someone in Bangladesh or Central America who wanted to be sure I was having a good day, but was a little less interested in fixing my tv. (Don't you love the ads on tv where you call customer service and get Jake at State Farm, or some beautiful young girl who is all smiles and reassures you that Dish Network is only $29 for 2 years? Young, attractive, intelligent, American reps? REALLY???) Finally, after nearly a half hour, she sent a “refresh” signal to that cable box and I was back in business. I dunno, but maybe that would be the first thing to try - to “refresh”? Whatever. 

 

Friday was DH, of course, and then The 90. I don't have to be at DH next Friday, so I'll not be downtown the day after Thanksgiving. Although Donna isn't back in Savannah yet, I went for a quick drink this week and to wish Martha and others a happy Turkey Day. It's amazing how many people I know there, even when I go by myself. I didn't stay for too long, and went home. I unsuccessfully tried to talk myself out of going to see the movie Rosewald. It was only going to be playing on this one day, so if I wanted to see it, this was my chance - I went back out in the evening to see it. Just like the Peanuts movie last week, this would have made a wonderful PBS American Experience, but it was not so good as a movie I had to pay to see. I knew most of the story already, so I only learned a little by watching the film. 

poster for Rosenwald, "the remarkable story of a Jewish partnership with African American communities"

 

Saturday, I had to open BC, but I didn't have to stay. I stopped at the Walmart on my way back home and picked up some paint samples. I've been meaning to paint my sunroom for a while, to try to make it look a little more as if it's a separate room, not an extension of the living area. There's nothing going on for a few days, I’m able to have the windows open for ventilation, and there's a few entertainment adventures for me in the near future, so now's the time. I chose a color that was nearly the same as the brown shade that has always been on one wall there, hoping that it would match closely enough that I wouldn't have to paint the wall in the dining room, too (and I did ok with that, because once I was done in the sunroom, the last thing I wanted to do was move all the dining room furniture and climb the step stool to paint that wall, too!) As soon as I started, I knew I'd made a mistake. I'm too old for this now - getting on step stool and reaching to high places, using muscles I haven't used in years. Once started, though, what could I do? So I worked all Saturday to get it done, and finished cleaning up Sunday morning. I don't know if I like it - it didn't change much - but I'm glad it's done. 

before

after

during