What would The Debra do? Or WWTDD?

In honor of Audra's Birthday:

Beautiful day today. Sun. Everywhere.

I'm hungry. People keep having birthdays and talking about food.

My cat just barfed. X. I have lots of cats.

Why doesn't Robin A. like cheese? Wish someone would bring me something.

It is so hot in here it feels like when Joseph and Maggie brush my hair and get too close.

Ginnie let me cook a stew. Lots of things can be considered stew. I like chocolate.

Today I wore something that could only be described as delicately malicious.

I like singing and plays where I get to sing. They are called musicals. Oklahoma is one.

I like the fair. Tents flap open and pigs come out.

Ned should be my cat. I am the antithesis of Susan Luci at the Ratcocks.

I abuse apostrophes.

Hannah is a goddes's.

Babies.

Tom calls I jump. High.

I wish I was Asian.

Pies and Puppies!

Parents new puppy, Pugsley

Tivel

Mulan

Pugsley again

Steve's first Apple pie

Steve's second Apple pie

My Pizza Pie

Steve's (questionable) Peach pie

Last week Steve and I headed to P'Town for Rosh Hashana. The weather was beautiful and the services were wonderful. I am not sure we could have fit anymore into the fun filled weekend. Friday my Dad and Kitty had an amazing pre-temple dinner attended by many of our favorite members of the congregation. There was fantastic food including beef bourguignon, Yorkshire pudding, velvety mashed potatoes, perfectly roasted vegetables, colorful salad, soft fresh challah and of course the traditional apples with many different flavors of honey. Kitty and Pop also set up a full bar and on the table they sprinkled many different drink recipes all containing pomegranate juice still keeping with the Rush Hashanah theme.

Later that evening my Dad gave one of his best sermons ever. I could write an entire blog post just on that.

Saturday it was back to services and then an after party at the always elegant Bonk/Rivens, where we feasted and sipped champagne on the banks of the Elisabeth river - Steve even spent some time at their beautiful grand piano. After that we headed to the beach to spend some time with My sister Gretchen, her husband and my wonderful niece and nephew.

As luck would have it, one of her neighbors had just made a bunch of jello shooters so we thought it would be rude not to have a few. After the beach we headed back to Portsmouth to have a bite at one of my favorite restaurants, Stove. I have mentioned this place in past posts but I still must say again - if you happen to find yourself in Portsmouth for any reason - go eat here! Sydney the owner/chef is famous in Hampton Rhodes for excellent, fresh food using ingredients from local farms and gardens. The small place is always full but eating at the elegant bar where you can order anything off the menu is just as enjoyable.
The next morning we had a great brunch with this view:


The restaurant is called the Flagship.
The food here was amazing too - my parents friend, Alen, is the chef.
Steve's burger

My shrimp and grits

By this time the Redskins game had already started so we headed back to my Dad and Kitty's house to watch the game. We made it back home later that afternoon - full and tired and happy.
My Dad and Kitty have a new dog to join their brood. His name is Pugsly and he is so cute I had to share his pics with all (5) of you. I didn't want the other dogs to get jealous so their pics are on here too. Trixie was also with us but looked rather annoyed at the small dogs around her. I think she wasn't sure what they were. What I am sure of is if my parents get one more dog they are officially a lesbian couple.

I am taking the time to catch up on a lot here as I recover from my second tooth implant surgery. All went well but recovery is a bit slow. I can't wait until a few months from now when I will have 4 new teeth and be able to smile all the time! I just got a phone call from my Periodontist this morning to check up on me. Not the Nurse - the actual Doctor! This has never happened to me before -

A couple weeks ago - in an effort to save money I got a great pizza crust recipe from my friend Naomi - since then I have made a few very good pizza's (if I do say so myself) the dough is easy to make and by making it myself it has much less salt and fat than delivery. It is also a lot of fun!!

Steve has been on this pie kick. I think I mentioned he made a homemade apple pie - since then he has made another one and then just a couple days ago he made a peach pie. I have not been able to taste it yet due to my surgery but Steve P had a piece last night and gave it a thumbs up. As I was puttering around early this morning I noticed a piece of fruit that hadn't made it into the pie. It looked like a peach until I picked it up and realized it wasn't fuzzy - I think Steve made a nectarine pie by accident. I am so embarrassed for him...I am sure it is still good. He tells me his next pie will be pecan. I sure hope I can chew by then.

I believe I have bored you all long enough - time to take some pain killers and lie back down.

Lauren's Ladies Party

My party entry - what do you think they are?

So my friend, Lauren had to have a hysterectomy but before the operation day some of her girlfriends decided to throw her a party - and not just any party - you had to bring some kind of food that went with the Hysterectomy theme.

Well - you know I was so excited about this - I couldn't figure out what to bring - here are some of the entries lifted from Lauren's Facebook page....

The guest of honor enjoying some treats.

I really have nothing to add to this one.

Lynnie and Lauren holding a plate of something

Lauren and Jodi enjoying the treats I brought.

Lauren, Jenny and Jackie - also enjoying my treats

Just a bunch of beautiful friends!

A good time was had by all and since this party was a while ago I am happy to report that Lauren is doing great. Pics I did not get include Hysterectomy chicken (don't ask) and deviled eggs - all the food was great. period!

Sundays can be such a drag!

The lovely ladies


There was Lady Gaga

David, our waiter. Caught here having a moment with Naomi.

Laine and me.

Umm...I don't know who I am posing with but she was very sweet.

OK - this is definitely Tina Turner. Or Shmina Shmurner.

Having my own moment with David.

Naomi and me.

David got around to all of us.

Pretty Lady

..of course Liza was there.

I think she ate Diana Ross.

More Liza.

Last weekend Steve O. and a bunch of his pals went on a bachelor camping trip - I am sure a good time was had by all.

I enjoyed a weekend filled with more wedding planning - until Sunday when a few awesome gals went out to DRAG BRUNCH with me at Godfrey's on East Grace Street.

Drag brunch is a little something that makes me proud of our river city. They sell out weeks ahead of time - it is the place to be on a Sunday morning. The food is also very good there. Seriously - everything is fresh and made to order and they even altered a menu item to fit my low carb habits- you might be waiting for the food a while because everyone sits down and orders about the same time pre-show - but the great drink specials will curb your hunger and nothing beats the entertainment. Just make sure you come with plenty of dollar bills to hand out to the lovely ladies and makes your reservations as far ahead of time as you can.

Robert had a Birthday and Steve P. cooked.

I am a few weeks behind on reporting this story - or ANY story really - and It might be like this for a few more weeks while I am planning the wedding - and going slowly crazy. Seriously - as of right now I will be walking down the isle in Pajama's.
Anyway... On Robert's Birthday (or actually before) Steve P. cooked! - I am not sure this happens very often so I wanted to savor every delicious bite.



This Lasagna was so good. Steve P. made it with sausage.


Yummy green salad


Bread with a onion cheese topping

Flour less chocolate cake that melted in my mouth. And homemade whipped cream.

and last but not least - the beautiful center piece really pulled the whole table together...

This, um, thing blows bubbles out of it's tushy.

Really - The meal was wonderful. And I way very proud of Steve P.

Happy very belated Birthday Robert. You are a Prince among men.

Flying High

OK - Today at the place where I work Leland Melvin is visiting to talk to school groups and staying for the African American Trailblazers event tonight. I just have to say he is beautiful and we have all fallen in love with him at first sight. If you don't know who he is - he is an astronaut and only 4 years older than I am. Went to U of R and then UVA.

You can read about him here http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/melvin.html

I just had a long conversation with him about people who are afraid to fly - he pulled out his phone and showed me the pictures he took of our atmosphere from the space shuttle! Then someone took a pic of us together with my phone that DID NOT SAVE! I did manage to get this:



Steve called me today and I did mention to him briefly that I was in love with another man. That's OK, right?

While we were talking Leland asked me if I was going to be at the event tonight - I said no cuz, well, I am not - I guess it is for the best. I am afraid of flying so it would probably never work. Also I apparently can't even spell astronaut without the aid of spell check. That would probably end up annoying him, than I would get angry and resentful. And he is going up there again in a few months! Yep - all for the best.

PS - I am not worried about hurting Steve's feelings because he never reads my blog!
And he knows I love him more than anything - even a flashy, smooth talking, astronaut.

Sister Envy

everyone stop what you are doing and visit my sissy's blog.
www.andtheeggs.blogspot.com

I am going to save up so I can go next year.

Spookie Scary Post

A couple weeks ago I got to mark something of my check list and help out some friends at the same time. Steve O and I love scary, gory movies. So when my friend asked me to pose for a poster promoting a show - I did not hesitate. I am personally very proud of the result and can't wait to get a copy to proudly display in our home.

Steve and I are headin off to Winchester and tomorrow we have some appointments with a couple possible reception sites. Let's hope we can make some stable wedding plans after that!