FOR SALE!

In an effort to down size, we've recently put a few things on Craigslist and eBay. So far the items up for bid are:

Recumbent Exercise Bike


Home Gym


Patio Set


The Boat


The Chinook


The House


If anyone's in the market to buy, call us!

A Night Out On The Town

On Monday this week we got to spend some time with our friends Ski & Kate from Wilmington, and had a fabulous dinner at Capital Grill uptown.



It was great to see them, and a great excuse for a date night!

A Low-Key Birthday

July 16th was Gary’s birthday, and we celebrated with cupcakes for breakfast and a low key lunch at the Rusty Rudder on Lake Norman.



I was super-excited that they had fried pickles on the menu - one of my all-time favorites!

Monster!

While still at Dad's, we were sitting outside one evening on the deck, minding our own business - when suddenly we heard something land with a *thump* on the steps. Seriously it sounded like a bird hit the screen door and dropped to its demise. However, to our great consternation, we found this:



He didn't drop in with the pack of smokes. We put it there for scale.

Perfect Summer Dessert!

I made this yummy little "Blondies" dessert for the July 4th picnic, except instead of Apricot I used Cherry preserves. From Southern Living -

Ingredients

* 1/2 cup butter
* 1 (12-oz.) package white chocolate morsels, divided
* 2 large eggs
* 1/2 cup sugar
* 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
* 1 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1/2 cup apricot preserves (or any flavor, I used cherry)
* 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
* 1/2 cup sliced almonds (I only used a sprinkling of almonds, not even 1/4 cup)

Preparation

1. Melt butter in a saucepan over low heat, stirring just until melted. Remove pan from heat, and add 1 cup white chocolate morsels. (Do not stir.)

2. Beat eggs at high speed with an electric mixer 2 minutes or until foamy. Gradually add sugar, beating until blended. Stir in white chocolate mixture and almond extract, stirring until blended. Add flour and salt, stirring just until blended. Spread half of batter into a lightly greased and floured 8-inch square pan.

3. Bake at 325° for 20 minutes or until light golden brown.

4. Melt 1/2 cup apricot preserves in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring often. Spread evenly over partially baked blondies in pan. Stir together coconut, remaining 1 cup white chocolate morsels, and remaining half of batter; spread over melted apricot preserves, spreading to edges of pan. Sprinkle batter with 1/2 cup sliced almonds.

5. Bake at 325° for 25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack. Cut into bars.

4th of July Weekend

Gary & I went up to Dad & Connie’s for the July 4th weekend. We ate like Kings and Queens the whole time, and enjoyed great weather and the serenity always on offer at their house.

Steaks and veggies on the grill

Chicken Salad Lunch

On the evening of the 4th, we went to an Independence Day celebration picnic at the home of some friends. One of the staples at this annual event is the reading of the Declaration of Independence, along with a group singing of “America the Beautiful”.

I have always marveled at how people from other countries have so much pride in their homelands, and experience a true kinship with their fellow countrymen - on holidays and at sporting events especially - but it‘s something that I think a lot of Americans simply take for granted or don‘t feel at all because we are such a diverse nation. In particular, there’s a line in the Norwegian National Anthem that translates, “Yes! We love our country!” - I think that is such a beautiful sentiment.

Maybe it’s just me, and I don’t go to enough baseball games, but that feeling, that “Proud to be an American” feeling is not a pervasive one in this country. So when a large group of people get together and sing “America the Beautiful” followed by a reading of the Declaration of Independence, it is reassuring that, in fact, there are still those who go beyond the hotdogs and coolers of beer, the staples of the generic 4th of July celebration, and remember why, exactly, we celebrate this special day. I get a lump in my throat just writing about it.

The "sponsors" of the party got reading parts, here's my Dad:



I've GOT to remember to not turn my camera to the side when taking videos! But isn't my Dad a great orator? I think so!



After dark we were treated to an impressive fireworks show which was manned by volunteer “shooters” - my Dad among them, lighting explosives with a lit cigar - rivaling the best DIY show in the land! Enough to warrant a campus fire truck on-site anyway!



We had such a nice visit!

Holy Moly!

"Thirty days have September...April, June and November."

I learned that by heart in 10th grade in a Marketing class. Tomorrow is July 1. I need a job!!!

I've been job-searching in earnest for almost 3 weeks now. It's hard. It's awful. It SUCKS. I haven't had to search like this for nearly 14 years.

There are actually A LOT of jobs out there right now, believe it or not. It's just that I'm not an IT pro, or an engineer, or a nurse, or a financial analyst. Hotel jobs are SCARCE these days. I've applied for many positions with all manner of businesses which I KNOW I would be GREAT at, but it's the convincing of HR people who send the THOUSANDS of resumes they receive through "intelligent" scanners to pick up very specific key words - that I'm their girl.

Please send good vibes my way! I need them!

Lake People

We are now Lake People again. We've spent many hours over the past couple of weeks cleaning and scrubbing and fixing things. Here's a bit of my handy-work, taken before I finished the last bit on the front left.



Not the best picture, but I scrubbed every square inch of the deck with a 4"x6" green scrubby pad and soft scrub to clean off all the layers of dirt encrusted on the bow. I have the scabs and scuffs on my hands to show for it, along with a very sore tailbone. About 2 weeks ago on a rainy afternoon I slipped and fell down our back steps landing square on my tailbone HARD on three consecutive steps - and it's been REALLY sore ever since. Sliding around on my butt for 5 hours on the hard surface of the boat was probably not the best idea, but it had to be done.

Anyhow... We've met our new neighbors who weekend on their cool house boats. They are all very nice folks, and it's a good thing, because we're nearly on top of each other in our slips, and we haven't put the plastic windows back up. While they provide a somewhat false sense of privacy, having the back open allows for welcome breezes and we don't have to run the a/c at the helm.

Once again we're closer to the ramp leading to the parking lot than most of the other boats, so every time someone comes or goes they pass by and give the obligatory wave and stop to chit chat.

But the best thing about being on the lake is...

The ducks!



We've fed them several times - from crackers to pizza crust. There are mamas and papas and babies, mostly of the mallard variety. I love how they swim and feed in formation.



They are brave and aggressive (for ducks, I mean)... Here's a quick video:



There are also lots of fish - including this over-grown gold fish that we've speculated was dropped into the water a few years ago where it has obviously thrived.



Not the best picture, but this sucker is as long as my arm! We also saw a large catfish, and this Bass was caught (and shortly released) right off the dock behind us.



Our view from the back of the boat is significantly different from our view at the marina at the beach. It's not bad, but I feel like we're docked in someone's backyard, which technically, we sort of are...



At night it's very quiet though, which is good. You don't hear traffic and sirens all night long, like we did at the beach - being one block from the Grand Strand Hospital. There's also minimal lighting at the lake, which is great for star-gazing. The marina at the beach was lit up, albeit tastefully, like the rest of glitzy Myrtle Beach.

Beach Baby

Weekend before last I went down to the beach to spend a few days with my sister and nephew at Mom's.



We got a lot of beach time in. For all intents and purposes this was the first time Finn really got to spend time in the ocean.

What a handsome little devil!

They've been to the beach several times but have not been able to take him out in the water like we did.



The tide was low and the water was smooth with only a few waves to glide over. He was so good and seemed to enjoy splashing around in the water.



We spent some good quality time together, and had a really good visit at Grandmommy's.

The Great Boat Move of 2009, part 473...

On Tuesday we finally...FINALLY took possession of the boat again - and put in at Lake Norman!!!!



I had a call from the transport company Tuesday morning about 9:30 from the girl I'd been dealing with who, to her credit, has been very nice throughout this whole process - despite all the delays and whatnot. She was calling to let me know that the driver (who happens to be her brother) was at the marina at the lake, and was wondering when I would get there with his paperwork, so he could unload and be on his way. She made the unfortunate mistake of saying he "was getting a little impatient." AS IF. During this entire process that has gone on for 2 solid weeks longer than it should have, I have been abundantly patient on the phone, and have not been rude, crass or anything short of polite to her/them. But when she said the driver was "getting impatient" - I broke. I scoffed hautily and said, "IMPATIENT? IMPATIENT? You can tell him he can kiss my ass if he's impatient!!!" Then we both laughed, I apologized, and said I'd be there in 10 minutes.



Little did I know, however, that they had not alerted the marina of the arrival of the boat - which meant they did not actually schedule time on the lift to get the boat in the water - which meant that we would have to wait until there was an opening for the lift at some point in the day. The main marina contact, Tim, seemed to take pleasure in telling me this - not so much because it was *my* fault that the driver hadn't called ahead - but I think it was because he thought it might be a little fun to delay the driver, knowing how he'd delayed us several times... but also because the company we used was one that Tim explicitly advised us NOT to use.



Oh well - we finally got our time on the lift around noon, got the hard top put in place and the necessary wiring reconnected. We then drove over to the new marina (not the same one where we were putting the boat in the water) to leave one car, then drove back to the launching marina, boarded the boat, and set off for our new home port by water. What a great feeling that was!!!!!



It only took about 20 minutes to make our way over to the new marina, and we enjoyed the maiden voyage through the clean, clear water of the lake.



This is the lake of my childhood, where I accompanied my Dad on many sailing trips in his old sailboat "Seascape". And this is me, back in the early days of my water-loving, boating love affair - circa 1975.



Cute, huh?

Once again, Gary impressed me with his docking skills and got us into our slip with only 6 inches on either side to spare. We hopped back back in his car to pick up my car at the other marina, then spent the rest of the afternoon scrubbing the inside of the hard top, the leather cushions and all the white fiberglass of the cockpit.

We were welcomed to our new home by several ducks and a big gray heron. I found some crackers to toss to our floating welcoming committee, and once again, all was well in the world.

Houseguests

Over the weekend of Katie's wedding, we had a pretty full house. Mom and A.Vee came up from the beach Friday night to go to his 50th High School Reunion. They had an event Friday night - with the Chairmen of the Board playing plenty of beach music. Saturday morning they went to a fabulous brunch hosted by a classmate who owns Shoe Show Corporation, then a Saturday night affair that both Mom and A.Vee seemed to enjoy immensely.

Saturday morning I was informed that our friends Lawrence and Pam from LaFayette, Louisiana, would be coming for a quick trip Sunday and Monday, to pick up a piece of equipment to take down to their Ice operation back home.

While I knew Mom & A.Vee would have most (if not all) of their meals over the weekend with the reunion and pretty much only needed a place to sleep - I knew I'd have to whip up a fitting feast for the Cajun folk (I don't know for sure if they consider themselves Cajun, actually, but it sounds exotic, doesn't it?), who have shown us the best southern hospitality when we've visited their home.

I asked Mom and A.Vee to stay one more night and join us for dinner - especially seeing as I had been THEIR houseguest for over a week while I waited on the truck to pick up the boat at the beach (which never came while I was there, btw). So we made BBQ chicken on the grill and had a summer feast out on the porch, complete with a white table table cloth. Dinner was outstanding, the weather was mild, and the company was the best. I kicked myself for not taking a picture of our spread! Also for not getting any pictures of Mom and A.Vee, but I managed to get this one of Lawrence and Pam before they left at 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning.



It was great having a house-full again. Mom opened a can of whoop-ass Sunday morning and cleaned bathrooms, the kitchen, and generally helped me get the disaster area of our living room under control. ANY TIME I can have Mom, or a Mom-like person like Pam around the house - I'LL TAKE IT!

Katie Sunshine

Today I had the honor and huge pleasure of being a guest at the wedding of my dear sweet precious friend Katie. What a beautiful day for a wedding, and what a stunning bride! I arrived around 10:30 for the 11am ceremony at St. Mary's. I knew it would be packed to capacity and I didn't want to chance not getting a seat.



Unique, personalized programs were given by attendants at the door. My apologies, Katie, for all the emotional bosh I'm about to spill about your wedding! Love you!



Katie was escorted down the aisle by her Dad to the melody of Moon River, ravishing in a gorgeous gown and veil. Her groom, Christian, who I had yet to meet, was very handsome, glowing, almost levitating, waiting for his bride at the front of the church.

Their chemistry was palpable as they spoke their vows and exchanged rings. Clasping hands, arms intertwined, leaning in together so close their foreheads touched. It was precious, and moving, and inspiring to witness the love and commitment of two people who so clearly belong together.

And it was all made even more fun with a couple moments of comic relief when the minister asked the couple what symbols they would be using to show their commitment to one another, and Christian said loudly, as if answering a trick question on a game show, "The RINGS!?" - which got a lively response from the guests. Later Katie told us that actually, that was planned. But they were supposed to say "RINGS!" together - but she confessed she choked so it was all him! Lol.

After the ceremony there was a group photo of all the guests taken just outside the church. The newlyweds stood a few steps in front of the guests, which is why I only got a shot of their backs. Still, they are such a fine couple - even from the back!



We drove to the Brunch Reception which was held at Bonterra, a local restaurant that has now become the location for two Arpa Girls' receptions.





The building is actually an old church and needs little decoration, but Katie had the perfect mix of pretty details and delicate flowers in bright yellows, oranges and greens, the perfect touch.



We were treated to a candy store's worth of sugary treats (with little cellophane grab-and-go bags), passed hors d'oeuvres including tarts of mushroom druxelle and asparagus & feta, along with ham and stilton filled endive petals.

There were Bloody Marys and a delectable selection of juices to make Champagne Cocktails (my favorite was the peach nectar - of which I enjoyed several). Everything was so pretty and so tastefully displayed. Just look what they did with the garnishes!





Once the bridal party arrived the aromas from the kitchen had become over-powering and we went for round two with delicious Fritattas, Salads, Panninis (including Cubans - which yours truly introduced Katie to a couple years ago), and a whole slew of fresh baked pastries and desserts, including melt-in-your-mouth cranberry scones made even better with a tangy lemon curd sauce, perfect mini-canolis, and tiny lemon tarts in phylo shells. The perfect menu mix!

Between sips and bites I managed to introduce myself to both Mother of the Bride and Mother of the Groom. Both ladies were so very sweet, and I was happy to tell them how much I love and admire and simply adore Katie. Such a pleasure to meet these ladies.

Next came the cakes! Leave it to Katie to be on top of the latest trends in wedding cakes - the Two-Tier Multiples. Pretty and Yummy!










Her Dad gave a sweet toast - leaving all our eyes glistening with his sentimental anecdotes - like the one about how at age 3, she was already organizing things, including the line outside a public restroom once, where she took it upon herself to try and get the ladies lined up on a "need to go" basis - ha! That's our Katie!



Then Christian's Dad gave a few wise words to the couple, reminding them to really take in everything today. All the sights, sounds and smells - all of the happiness and the feeling of being surrounded by all their loved ones. Because in times of strife, THIS will be what pulls them through the tough times - the memories made on this spectacular day, the first day of their marriage.



Once the cakes were cut and the toasts had been made, we snapped one final picture with our little Katie, who we could not possibly be happier for (I speak for myself and I'm sure for my friends Amy, Tina, and Nicole who are posed in this picture.



Katie and Christian are off for their honeymoon tomorrow - a week on the shores of Jamaica where I'm sure they'll soak in as much fun and adventure as two people should possibly be allowed! Congratulations to the new Mr. & Mrs.!!!!