Away in her manger

Shana decorated the tree on Wednesday, then left. That was a first. Off to sleep in her new place, leaving us alone with a twinkling pine and three star-struck cats. Even the dog that would scrounge around, eating through boxed and wrapped chocolate gifts brought home from the office wasn't here anymore. What's Christmasy about that? But tonight, after a mother/daughter movie, the kid followed me home. Cuddled on the sofa for dinner, The Santa Clause and some country Christmas songs show. The Ho Ho Ho is back. 

Arcadia Holiday Reunion

Showed up with my hot date to a sea of faces from the past, including by BFF from second grade. We remembered the slumber parties, my rec room, the panty hose for Junior Assembly, the cool mom that would let us play dress up and the other one that wouldn't (they're still not speaking), and all the years in between. As so many seem to fade away, it was fun to come full circle and add back the long ago to the present, mingling on a beautiful, some of us will never leave, Arizona night.  

Segal's Spectacular Spicy Sausage and Spinach Soup

Even with the wind knocked out of him, the man's a perfectionist. Solid. Thorough. Hand-picking appropriately sized spinach leaves, carefully slicing thin sausage rounds, then halving those, except for the every-now-and-then thicker chunks to tide over the chef. Sautéing, marrying the flavors, adding broth, then noodles, slowly heating to a boil, testing. All for a bowl of soup. That's how it's always been. Thoughtful. Logical. Look it up. Mmmm, it's good. Worth the effort.

Indigo Swing

Johnny Boyd and the Indigo Swing at the Fat Cat Ballroom (no bar in the place, so, of course, we Arcadians had to buy beer to drink in the parking lot - just like the good old days!) before watching Johnny B swing his stuff. Fun, fun.

Book Club - No book, but a Limo!

Twas the night of book club
And all through the town
The ladies went scurrying
Watching Christmas lights full blown

Starting at Louise's
Arugula pesto and Brie
Old friends and new
White elephants under tree

Piled fourteen in limo
Out into the night
Mini me crowd in front
Keeping the downers upright

Passed Little Baby Jesus
Our most precious tradition
Thanks, "I love us"
With never a condition

Cruised to The Coach House
To raise a cup
With all the red above
Looked like Santa threw up

Rolled back to base
Leaving smiling donkeys behind
Until next year
When back in limo we'll climb

"Hold hands and close your eyes."

If it weren't for the cactus and big SUVs out front, it could have passed for a rainy, winter night in Paris. Sidled up to Eddie's bar with big red bows and the coolest bartender in town as the girls gossiped over some vino before hitting the art-filled streets on a it-finally-feels-like-summer's-over night.

12/12/12

How about THAT for a birthday?

Skipping work and taking Shawn the birthday boy down to Bondurant for a few hours around the track.

Crafeteria

First Friday Fun sidling up to the bar at St. Francis,
then perusing away at frances vintage,
with a nightcap at Kitchen 56

Movie Madness - Silver Lining Playbook

Whoa, just when you thought you were the crazy one in the family, everything changes.