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!