What I Buy Wednesday

It's been one week since New Year's Eve. 

Ordinarily, we don't do anything. This year we had plans. Or I should say, we made plans. We invited Stephanie, Mindy and the boys over for a steak and lobster dinner AND--as I was selling it to them--elevated sides!

The boys do the grilling as they know exactly how they like their steaks. 

Butch came up with the headlamp so Justin could see in the dark!

Along with the steak and lobster, we had twice-baked potatoes, lima beans--Sandy's recipe, a salad of Bibb lettuce, mozzarella pearls and grape tomatoes with creamy Caesar dressing along with yeast rolls. I bought a Red Velvet Cake for dessert. It was all good and so easy! Everyone loved the red velvet except me. In my opinion, my mother's recipe is the best I've ever had--but I haven't made it since the 70's. It's a scratch cake and rather involved. I did not want to spend the day in the kitchen! I do need to make it sometime to see if I still like it as much as I remember.

One problem, the lima beans were way too spicy. I've made them before and must have cut down on the cayenne pepper. I've changed it on the recipe card now. They have such a good flavor. There was enough leftover for everyone to take home--the steaks and the lobsters were huge!

Clean-up was simple as everything (except my Waterford crystal) could go in the dishwasher. 

After dinner, we played a new game that Jordan and Robbie introduced us to over Christmas. 

It wasn't long before Nicky was complaining that he couldn't hold all of the cards. What? It was only 12!! Well, except if you had to pick up the pile. But he never had that many--just 15 in this picture. Still, I was able to come to his rescue with the cardholders I bought for my 98 yr. old bridge friend. 

I brought them to her, but she didn't like using it. Now, about a week ago, she asked me if I would get her one. I looked at Connie--I couldn't remember if I even kept them. Turns out I did. Now I have one for her and one for Nicky!!

I'm so glad I can help out "old" people!! 

We had a great time. Steph and Nicky spent the night, so was watched the Ball drop in NYC and the Music Note drop in Nashville. I fixed a big breakfast the next morning before we sent them on their way!

Happy New Year everyone!!!

Me on Monday

Omgosh! Omgosh! Let me emphasize that OMGOSH!!

Some people just have to go and ruin things for everybody. Or, maybe I’m the one who did it. 

I’ve always listened to my friends complain, gripe, and grouse about the colonoscopy prep. All, except for me. Instead, perhaps I came across as bragging (as much as you can brag about a colonoscopy) because unlike them, I did not have to drink the 5 gallons of stuff! Instead, I was able to take “the pills” and only drink about a gallon of liquid. 

Well, bless my soul! I’m getting ready to pay for it! It’s been 10 years since my last procedure so, I’m due. I went on Friday (Happy New Year to me!) for the pre-procedure appointment. Lo and behold, the doctor I’ve had for the other two—spanning 20 years, has retired. Now I have a new guy. I was informed that he “doesn’t do” the pills! What! Turns out, people didn’t follow the directions. They didn’t drink the amount they were supposed to which ended up causing kidney damage! What the H***! That should be on them! Now everyone is being punished. Okay, in fairness, it’s not just this new doc. Apparently it’s across the board—no more pills. They have stopped producing them. I guess there were lawsuits involved. 

Oh well. So now I have to join my friends in the prep from H***! Except, I’m really being punished. The rules have changed. 

Here’s what I have to do:

5 days before:

    no red meat 

    no raw fruits or vegetables 

    no corn

    vegetable skins or fruit skins

    no salad

    no oatmeal

    no beans 

    no seeds or nuts

    only white pasta--what does that even mean? All pasta is sort of yellow-ish, isn't it?

Starting the day before, I have to have a liquid diet--pretty much the same as before--until I start the prep. After that, nothing. (Side note: that's why I always choose the first appointment of the day). 

What I have to buy (holy smokes, it's a lot):

     2 bottles Miralax

    4 (5 mg) tablets of Ducolax laxative tablets (not stool softeners)

    3-28 oz. bottles of Gatorade (no red or purple)

    1 bottle of Magnesium Citrate

    

So you tell me. Did I do this to myself with my bragging? Maybe I was due for a “comeuppance!” Now, I'm actually kind of sacred! That's what I get for scoffing at all my friends who claimed that the prep was so terrible. In fact, one of my friends (okay, it's Connie) says that she is never going to have another no matter what her doctor says. 

Pray for me!

Something for Sunday

Today I thought I would post my December "by the numbers." It was a busy month, but I still had a lot of time at home. I spent much of that time working on my "December Daily" project. I'm just about finished and have loved every minute of it. I'm pretty sure I'll take it on again next year. But that time definitely took away from my reading!

December by the Numbers: (29 for the year)

Movies Seen: 9

****Eternity

*The Christmas Writer

***Hamnet

****Ella McKay

*****Nuremberg

****Zootopia

*****David

*****Song Sung Blue

*****The Housemaid

Books Read—8 (147 for the year)

5 star books this month:

  Atomic Habits

  Don’t Let Her Stay (Book Club)

  The Collective (A)

  My Grandfather Would have Shot Me

  The Stolen Girls

  Nobody’s Girl

  We Did Okay Kid

Podcasts & Ted Talks (11)

Classes (25)

Lunch Out—13

Dinner Out:—6

Bridge—2

Documentaries/Movies/Series  

TV Specials:

*****70th Disney Anniversary

*****End of an Era: Taylor Swift

***CMA Country Christmas

*****The First Christmas

*****Taylor Swift documentary 

*****Taylor Swift Style documentary

****Gaslight

Netflix :

*****Being Eddie

House of Guiness

*****Death by Lightning (4 episode)

****Breakdown: 1975

***Murder in Monaco

*****The Best You Can

*****The Crooked House

*****In Waves and War

Prime:

****A British Scandal (6 episodes)

****Ball of Fire

*****If You Believe

***Mr. Christmas

****Hollywood Rivals (1 episode)

*****One Special Night

***A Snow Globe Christmas

****A Norman Rockwell Christmas

****Life With Father

*****Dickensian (10 episodes)

*****Eloise at Christmastime

****My Man Godfrey

****Christmas Switch

*****The Family Stone

*****To Olivia

*A Christmas for the Ages

*****Enchantment

**Made for Each Other

*****Red One

****Zootopia

*****Penny Serenade

****A Christmas Wish

****Indiscrete

Paramount Plus:

*****Landman (4 episodes)

*****Shutter Island

Scrapbook Pages Completed:

Working on my December Daily—just about every day—completed Day 19 by New Year’s Eve

Trips & Events:

Little Big Town at the Ryman

Mindy’s birthday!

Sarah Brightman

Ornament Exchange 

Happy Hour here & Poker Dinner/Richland

Dinner with Stephanie and Nicky at Char

Took Betty and Louise to lunch at the Green Hills Grill

Dickens Party

New Year’s Eve Steak & Lobster dinner

Went to Atlanta for our Christmas with the Lapps family.

Scrapbook Saturday

I'm still working on my December Daily album. I'm up to date 20 now and hope to finish it off in the next week. Once I do, I'll post the whole thing. 

I create a huge mess when I'm working. 

I've done some hand-stitching and spent a good amount of time with my sewing machine too. I'm starting to feel comfortable with it--finally!

Happy New Year

So are you the type to make resolutions? I'm sort of 50/50 on that. Some years I've done it and others--not. Was I successful? Sometimes, but definitely not always. I'm trying to decide if I'm going to set one or two this year. I have a couple things in mind, but if I do it, I want to really commit. I have to figure out if I will do that. We'll see. Today's the day, so I better make up my mind!!

In the meantime, this sounds like a very good way to start off the new year.

Words of Wisdom Wednesday!

In case you are in Nashville for New Year's Eve, here are some things you should know--or maybe you should have known before coming. I guess I should have posted it a few weeks ago! Mostly, we locals don't go downtown on New Year's Eve. 

Your First Nashville New Year's Eve: The Essential Guide

You picked the right city. Nashville's NYE is massive, loud, and unforgettable. But it requires some planning.

Here's what you need to know.

Two Different Parties

Nashville's celebration splits into two scenes about a mile apart:

The Big Bash (Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park)

- Free, outdoor concert with Jason Aldean, Lainey Wilson, Bailey Zimmerman

- Giant music note drops at midnight (not a ball)

- 100,000+ people standing in an open park

- Gates open around 4-5 PM

Lower Broadway (The Honky-Tonks)

- Famous bars like Tootsie's, The Stage, Kid Rock's

- Indoor, heated, live music on every floor

- On NYE there can be cover charges or advance tickets needed.

- Gets packed by 8 PM

Pick one. You can't realistically do both.

Critical Rules (Don't Skip This)

Bag Policy - They're Serious

- Only clear plastic bags allowed (12" x 12" x 6" max)

- Small clutches okay, but no backpacks

- Applies to Big Bash and most Broadway venues

- Buy a cheap clear tote before you go

Weather - It's Cold

- Low of 28°F at night

- You'll be outside for hours

- Wear: thermal layers, heavy coat, gloves, hat, warm socks

- Bring hand warmers

Transportation - Plan Your Escape

- Roads close around the park

- Uber/Lyft surge pricing will be brutal (5x+ normal)

- Pickup zones are 10-15 minutes away from events

- Best bet: Walk if you're staying downtown

Quick Logistics

- Dinner: No reservations left. Hit Assembly Food Hall on 5th Avenue for quick options.

- Bathrooms: Porta-potties at Big Bash. Broadway bars if you buy a drink.

- Phone: Bring a battery pack. Networks get overloaded.

Other Options

- Hotel Galas: Virgin Hotels (Gatsby theme) and Grand Hyatt (rooftop) have upscale ticketed parties ($150-300+). Book now if interested.

Your Checklist

- Get a clear bag

- Dress for 28°F weather

- Plan transportation home

- Lower expectations for Uber prices

- Charge your phone + bring battery pack

The Real Talk

- It's crowded. It's cold. Ubers are expensive. Lines are long everywhere.

- But you're in Music City on the biggest night of the year, surrounded by thousands of people who traveled here for the same reason you did.

- The chaos is part of it. Roll with it.

Stay warm. Stay safe. Welcome to Nashville.

Tuesday Thoughts About...

...Christmas. 

I'm using this post to share some of our holiday pictures starting with my holiday 

decor--well after this outside shot of the house. 

Butch made the comment that he just wasn't in the spirit this year. But I countered with, "Are you kidding? You put out lights for the first time, got that projection thing, started playing Christmas music continuously after Thanksgiving and decorated the rec room? How are you not in the spirit?" Trust me, he was.

This was a new addition this year. I'm ready for some new things.

See that glittery Christmas tree on the right? Well, I broke it by doing something so stupid! I dropped the towels from the bathrooms over the rail--which I do all the time after having guests. This time, one of the towels flew open and took half of this display with it. I loved the tree. Luckily, only the base was broken. Butch was able to salvage it by smoothing it off. It's still pretty, just without the base. I'm glad the whole thing didn't smash.

I don't even bother taking my regular stuff off anymore. I just add the mantel scarf and few other Christmas-y things. 

That ornament of Downton Abbey on top of the books stays year round.

We were toasting with the new glasses that Sandy gave us. The picture is kind of blurry--selfies are hard!

This is in the powder room.

I added the bottlebrush tree outside of my little bookshop to add a Christmas-y touch.

This is what Christmas looks like for us these days. Olly, Morgan, Jordan, Robbie, me, Butch, Stephanie, Nicky, Mindy and Justin.

Although Sandy and family weren't with us, I'm so happy they sent us their picture.

Mitchell, Emily, Elizabeth, Victoria, Sandy and Greg. Graham (Elizabeth's boyfriend) is taking the picture. 

Jordan and Robbie.

I think it's so funny that Jordan loves handing out the gifts. Robbie helps her. They actually get the santa hats out as part of the job! Jordan has been doing this since she was little and learned to read!

We are very organized with our gift opening--one gift at a time!

I had so many different beverage requests that I had to make a sign to remind everyone what all we had!

We always set up a beverage/snack table. 

Another year in the books! This time next year, we'll have one new addition! Can't wait!