A Christmas Story Opening Night

raising the roof
Gordon and Robert. Who knew?
looking good guys.
Charlie's Little Devils?
awwww!!!!

A row of pretty Timberlines!!
Robyn O and Jennings, also pretty.
A tired Timberline
The boys line up ala Brady Bunch for our amusement.

Go see A Christmas Story at Theatre IV!!!

You may recognize Eric (who played my son in Member of the Wedding) in some of the above pictures. He does a great job as one of Ralphie's friends. He is smart and funny and I love watching him on stage. I think he is going to have a nice long career ahead of him.
The littlest tyke is Dave Timberline's son who plays Randy. His timing is amazing and he has stage presence to spare. I was impressed with how well he held his own around the older actors. I think Dave better get used to having an actor in the family. Really, it is not so bad.

This play was engaging and witty and every bit as entertaining as the movie. I even liked it more because I love watching theatre more than movies. I am funny that way.
The adults were wonderful and the kids were amazing. I didn't know how much young talent we had around. It seems to be a great year for Theatre IV to do Peter Pan again. I hope to see some of these boys on stage again soon. Great job and congratulations to all involved!

Moonlight and Magnolias

Keri, Joe, Robert and my BFF standing in front of the poster. (Nice purse)

Debra made a surprise guest appearance after her show at the other Barksdale (Hanover Tavern) ended for the night. She is starring in Swingtime Canteen and I can't wait to see it!
Scotty - either deep in thought or sleeping with his eyes open.
Chanukah at the Barksdale. Who knew?

Dave Bridgewater stands between the lovely Frank and Carol Creasey.
Artist and set designer Terrie Powers and her very hip children spoke about bands, myspace and facebook. I learned a few things.
Andy and our hostess Jennings.
Phil, Tom and Bruce looking dapper.

I can't believe this opened a week ago and I have yet to blog about it. I must have had a busy week but for the life of me I can't tell you what I did.

Anyway, tonight I am going to the opening of A Christmas Story at Theatre IV. It will be fun and interesting to see how they have adapted this popular movie to the Empire stage. One thing I love about the movie is that it is narrated by the author of the story and it is autobiographical so Jean Shepard is talking about himself and on top of all that he has a great speaking voice. When I was young I gobbled up all the Jean Shepherd books I could get my hands on. Wanda Hinkleys Night of Golden Memories and In God We Trust, all Others Pay Cash come directly to mind but I am sure there were others. But I digress, I will have to tell you about that next week - after I actually see it.

Last Friday Moonlight and Magnolias opened at the Barksdale Willow Lawn location. This show is fascinating, fast paced, knee slapping funny and surprisingly touching. Flawlessly Directed by my BFF. Starring 4 of my favorite actors to watch on stage - Scotty Wichmann, Joe Pabst, David Bridgewater, and Joy Williams. It is the (sort of) true story of what (might have) happened when they shut down production of Gone With The Wind to re-write the screen play in 5 days. I don't want to ruin the ending but I hear they do eventually get the movie made. What more could you ask for? Go see it people!

We Officially Welcome Charles Griggs Steinberg

Thing 2 with her brand new brother (Thing 6!!) . He looks a little tuckered out.

Mom with little Chip.
Pop during the baby naming.
Welcome Chip. We have been waiting for you for so long. I am so glad you are finally here. One day soon we will hang out. There are so many cool things that Aunt Muffin Face will teach you.

Urban Family Thanksgiving

Robert brought this beautiful dessert.
Dysfunctional Urban Family Robert's sausage stuffing.
Homemade mashed potatoes.

Fancy bowl, huh?

The famous "toast bones".
Green bean casserole
Squash casserole
Big Bird
My impromptu gravy

The "toast bones" are a famous Alexander family recipe. When HNS's mother made her wonderful cucumber sandwiches she took the crusts and seasoned them and baked them at a very low heat until they were crispy. I use them for snaking and croutons. It always makes me feel good making the cucumber sandwiches and the bones. I am so grateful that I knew her. I tried to take a picture of the sandwiches but it was all too white but they tasted great!

Since I go to my Step-Sister's house for turkey day I have not had the opportunity to cook my own Turkey in the last few years. This year I decided it was time and I haven't had the chance to cook that much lately so I spent the entire day Saturday cooking. It was so much fun and so relaxing. I made green bean casserole and squash casserole, A big turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, salad, cucumber sandwiches and toast bones. Oh yeah, and jell-o shooters. Nothing says Thanksgiving to me more than Jell-o shooters. Just like mom used to make.

Be Thankful

Clearly this is a Turkey.
Some of our Holiday Spread.

Kitty Mom, Mom and Pop.

Thing One and Thing Three.
Apple Pie made by thing One.
Muffin face surrounded by some of her favorite people!

My Mother and I made what is now becoming an annual trip to my step-sisters for Thanksgiving. I love doing this for a few reasons. My mom and I have have a fun time traveling together (really!), I get to be with one of my Nieces and one of my Nephews, I get to see my Step-Sister and her hubby and I get to be with all my parents at once. It really is a win/win situation.

My Mother makes a killer sweet potato Souffle. I don't have any pictures of it here because it was eaten too fast. I will get her recipe to share and post it soon.

When my mother and I arrived in Va Beach my mom gave me a package and said "This is from HNS but he wanted me to give this to you when we got here." It was my very own digital camera! I have been borrowing his for a while now and am so excited to have my own. Thank you HNS - I will take pics of your new home soon and share all that exciting news with my readers. (all 3 of them!)

I am thankful for my awesome and supportive family.

I am thankful for my amazing friends.

I am so thankful I live in America.

I am thankful I have a job I love.

I am thankful for the ability to learn and grow.

I am thankful for my health and the health of my loved ones.

I am thankful to have such a kind and generous ex-boyfriend.

I am thankful I live in a beautiful place.

The list goes on and on............................

A Commercial Shoot

Yesterday I shot a regional spot for The Virginia Pre-Paid Education Program. It was great to spend the day with some theatre people that I don't often get to see. And who doesn't love shooting commercials for extra money? Six hours after our call time we were finally filming our part. There are always hours of down time on shoots so I like to spend that time catching up with everyone and watching the other scenes. This one starts off with a bunch of children singing a song to their parents about how they (their parents) will never retire because college is going to be so expensive.

I apologize in advance for this song getting stuck in your head when you see the commercial. I didn't write it.

The commercial was shot at a school in my neighborhood that was built at the spot where Maggie Walker was born. I had some time to read about this during all that down time.

When I walked in at the beginning of the day I sat with my peeps and the producer came over and started telling us who we were being paired up with for the shoot - Who were going to be our pretend commercial husbands and wives - well, guess what folks? She came up to me and said - "...and Muffin Face- you are going to be our single mother."

Damn - I can't even get a "pretend" husband.

It was then that I came to the sad conclusion that even in make-believe-Commercial land - I was oh so all alone.

My Mother's High School Reunion

You can open your eyes now Ma.
My Mothers friends at the reunion dinner.

My Mother grew up in the Midwest glory of Ft. Wayne, Ind. She went to IU and then on to Michigan. She eventually escaped the Midwest for the fashionable East Coast but she occasionally goes back to visit and when that happens I always hear hilarious stories of "remember when?"

I am not a stranger to the Midwest myself, having spent all the summers of my youth at camp GUCI (Goldman Union Camp Institute). A reform Jewish camp smack in the middle of KKK country outside of Indianapolis. But camp stories will have to wait.

My mother recently went to her 50th High School reunion. She has a small group of girlfriends that have mini-reunions so they all went together to this big one.

One of my favorite "Mom" stories happened to her on her way home from school one day. She had a best friend that would walk home with her everyday. One day this so called best friend yelled at her the entire way home. She yelled "You killed Jesus! You Killed Jesus!!"

By the time my mom finally got home she was nearly inconsolable. When she finally calmed down enough to tell my Grandmother Ebby what was wrong all she could get out was "Susie said I killed Jesus, but I don't even know a Jesus!"

Clearly, truer words had never been spoken. ( and I made up that her name is Susie - not that I am trying to protect her but I can't remember her name.)

So we were all wondering what happened to this girl who yelled at my Mom? What had become of her? She has been talked about in my family for years and Mom was about to come face to face with her accuser. I am guessing my Mom was not looking forward to seeing her again But it made me giddy with anticipation.

At some point during the reunion dinner "Susie" approaches my Mother and just when my mom is rolling her eyes to her friends and one of them is laughing like crazy "Susie" gives my mom a big hug and someone takes their picture for the archives. I am waiting to see that picture. I wish I had it to post for you all now but I promise I will track it down soon.

Now don't get me wrong, my Mom had a great time at the reunion and I am only speaking of this particular moment because the story has always intrigued me. Every time I spoke to my Mom while she was at the reunion she sounded blissfully happy. That includes the two times she called me as she was passing the childhood home of James Dean. (the actor, not the sausage guy).

I think little old "Susie" forgot about that fateful day my Mom killed Jesus because she was very nice to her this time. Apparently she is a minister now so I would have liked it if she apologized but you know - it's only been 50 years...baby steps.