Thursday, December 22, 2011

It's a Wonderful Life!

My sister Leslie and my Mom share the same birthday on December 18th. It is pretty cute how it worked out that way. Mom always says, "She's the best birthday present I ever got!" and "No, it's not my birthday-it's yours!" As I mentioned here It's a Wonderful Life is one of my favorite movies, but for my mom- it IS THE MOVIE of Christmas. We can't watch it without crying every time. On their birthday this year we surprised Mom by attending the local play "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Emmett Hook Center in downtown Shreveport. When we arrived, we showed her the play poster to explain to her why she was there. She literally screamed in excitement! Priceless.
While we were enjoying the theatrics, David Marshall and my Dad were cooking dinner. When we got home the appetizers were prepared, gumbo was looking delicious on the stove, and the blueberry pound cake was ready for candles! My dad even made potato salad all while watching baby Hudson! I was so impressed. Not only did it look and smell good- it tasted wonderful! You guys are in trouble now!
Cards are very important to this household...
and you can always guarantee a handmade one from Mom.
After they opened their presents, we wrapped some gifts for our adopted family for Christmas.
Happy Birthday you two!
...and may all of you be dazzled this Christmas holiday :)

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

no time like the present...

Isn't the week before Christmas just glorious!? I feel like everyone is walking around with a smile on their face. There is a steady rush of traffic searching for the perfect gift, festive holiday cards in the mailbox, neighborhoods lit with twinkle lights, delicious gift baskets filled with more sweets than should be allowed in my presence... the collective intent of goodwill to all is palpable. The Christmas parties ain't bad either...

(I have so many pictures of me making faces at Ty while he snaps away...ah, don't i look pleased?!)
(I am full of faces-awkward, silly, big teeth grin... I really need to start practicing in the mirror.)

Friday, December 16, 2011

I just can't help myself...

If there is a new restaurant in the area, I seek it out. I keep a running list of new restaurants or places I haven't tried yet at my office desk. It is something I highly look forward to and as of late there are about a zillion popping up on Youree drive, as if there are no other streets in my town. One road- where everything wants to be built. I call it Youree Hell. Did it stop me from trying the new sub place in town, Jersey Mike's on a Saturday during Christmas time? Well, as you can see here- it didn't.
The first time I tried Jersey Mike's was in Charleston, SC when I traveled to attend my friend Laef's graduation. It was so fresh and tasty that it even stood out in my mind years later when I saw the sign on the store front light up in Shreveport. A special drive down Youree Hell proves that I believe it trumps the other subbies out there. Tison ordered the reuben. de-li-cious! Ty and I fibbed (to no one in particular) by repetitively stating how exhausted we were from all the Christmas shopping we had just done (aka sitting on the couch) - how exhausted and famished- sooooo much shopping....hehe ;)

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

lately through the linz...

Just as I suspected of my little procrastinating self...I haven't bought one Christmas gift. Have I made a list of the perfect gifts for my family? - yes. Have I dared attempt the holiday traffic to get them? - no. So, what have I been doing lately?

{all pictures taken with my IPhone}

Friday, December 9, 2011

big tigers, little tigers...

Last weekend Lauren and I went with Katie to her hometown of Winnfield. It is a small town in Cenla (Central Louisiana) that has so much character! I can see where Katie gets it from. I have been hearing stories about Mr. Von, Mrs. Kim, Blake and Samantha since Katie started working at LSU with me, but it wasn't until I got to spend a Saturday afternoon eating the most delicious bbq chicken off the grill and watching the LSU tigers play and win, that I understood the family. From the second I walked through the door I felt like family. The casual way we were offered something to drink, the mountains of food on the counter, too many dogs to count, and the steady stream of people coming in and out of the back door showed me how welcoming they are and how comfortable their house is for everyone. I asked Katie if "all this" was for Blake's birthday and she said,"Oh no, they cook like this all the time." Coffee is brewing at all times- often referred to as "el coffee" by Mr. Von for all of you Spanish speakers. A pig named Champ that was found in the river as a baby prances around the side yard and has to be the biggest hog I have ever seen. (His diet includes Puppy Chow and corn.) After the LSU game we went to Blake's studio where any instrument can be found. We all joined in for an impromptu jam session.
Katie and her family were celebrating her Pawpaw's 91st birthday over the weekend. Since Winnfield Tiger football team has made it to the State Championship, the first time since 1982, we made her grandfather a sweatshirt with iron-on letters, "Shelton #1," to wear to the game. Pawpaw's youngest grandson, Jon, will be playing in the game as the kicker this Saturday against John Curtis. He refers to LSU tigers as the big tigers and Winnfield as the little tigers, which I think is so adorable! The entire town is covered with signage wishing the team well. Even the preacher on Sunday had the congregation applaud the team for making it this far! Katie says that the whole town will be at the game- and I really do believe her.
Good luck little Tigers!

at my third Christmas party...

First of all, I can't believe it's Christmas time. Second of all, I can't believe I have now attended my third Christmas party at my boss's house! {Remember last year?} I have been working at LSU for a long time now! Crazy. Most of my coworkers and I started around the same time. We have grown close to one another because of our jobs. This Christmas party was bitter sweet because I know, for a number of them, it will be their last. I get so sentimental about these things... I almost started crying at the party when I thought about it. I have said it before, and I'll probably say it again... I know that some days at work are the most grueling, exhausting and frustrating that we just want to scream, but we are all so lucky to work with each other. I have been truly blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people. Without everyone's optimism and encouragement I doubt any of us would have lasted this long. Most of us spend more time at work than we do at home...kindness and thoughtfulness go a long way.

So, I'm walking around snapping pictures of the party when I get a tap-tap-tap on my shoulder. I was asked by an older gentleman, "Are you taking pictures professionally?" I answer "Well, I work for the department..." He says, "Did you know there is a Princess here? Princess ______ of _____." For the life of me I cannot remember what he said because I was so dumbfounded. The man proceeds by getting her attention and inform her that I want to take her picture. She politely asks where I would like her to stand and I suggest a location were their wouldn't be people behind her. Then the most odd thing happens. She picks up that nutcracker and poses with it. It was so bizarre.
Of course I shared the "Princess Story" with everyone. Now we know how to pose like a princess!

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Lake Street Dancehall...

Lake Street Dancehall has offered a comfortable place to watch the LSU games this season. Almost every game day was spent at this location. For $5 at the door you get a free drink ticket, jambalaya-rolls-coleslaw, and a live band following the game! Who doesn't love a deal?! I especially love the eclectic style of Lake Street. The patio is complete with Coca Cola tables and matching chairs, there are vintage bikes hanging on the wall, the ceiling is rustic, and there are always old cars parked out front! It kind of has a "biker bar" feel to it, and I mean that in the best way... When you bring the right people, it is a perfect location to hang out. I believe the venue opened in August of this year and I'm looking forward to it's success.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

intergalactic planetary...

Over the turkey holiday some friends and I went to Holiday Lanes to get our bowl on. Luckily it was intergalactic glow-in-the-dark bowling at the lanes AND I was wearing a white scarf so I glowed! Not only did I glow, but the pins, the carpet, the bowling balls, and the glow stick necklaces they gave us where neon! To rent a lane there is a two hour minimum, which awarded us time to play two games. The first game I was lucky if the ball stayed out of the gutter, but the second game? Watch out!
{music flashback}

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

giving thanks to birthdays and traditions...

I don't know about you, but I feel like I am still recovering from the smorgasbord that was Thanksgiving. With a 2:30 Hudson meal and a 5:30 Tison meal, T and I jokingly went on an all almond diet this week. I am grateful to our mothers that made such amazing meals, as well as the side items Laur and Les made. Tison and I literally just had to show up and grab a fork.
This year Thanksgiving fell on Lauren's 25th birthday. A. It feels like I was just 25 and B. It feels like we were just carving the turkey last year. I have heard that as you get older time goes faster and I believe it to be true.
(Look at Leslie's full face- ha!)
Do you ever feel like time is rolling by so quickly and you don't know how to pump the breaks? As Christmas time approaches I am going to make it my concerned effort to stop and appreciate the little things, take deep breaths, look away from the computer to rest my eyes, practice my favorite sun salutations, say "no" to going out and "yes" to cozying up with my puppies, make a gift list and go
shopping BEFORE December 24th, go to church every Sunday, and listen to my White Christmas Pandora station non-stop! Do you stress during the holidays? If so, how do you "let your heart be light" as the Christmas song says?
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