Happy Halloween

People with black cats don't really need additional Halloween decorations.

End of Days

Hopefully the sun setting on more than just monuments in this town...

Feel the Flutter

With some extra time in DC yesterday, we opted not to join a political campaign, instead headed to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. And on Tuesdays, the live butterfly exhibit is free. Score one for the good guys! Then we met up with my friend Kim, who led us to this happening spot for dinner with great food and unique menu style, Matchbox--a vintage pizza bistro.

Getting it together...

a place for everything and everything in a place...in between football games, I managed to reorganize my kitchen cabinets, launder a mountain of clothes, and finally found the floor in my traveler's room. There is still work to be done, but I feel great about a weekend of "nesting" as my friend Chris used to say. Err, I should say the new Dr. Blanar.

Goodbye and Good Luck Liz!

She is on her way to save the day! One of our favorite locals is headed to parts far and arid to flex her leadership and diplomacy skills. We wish her all the best and will count down the days until she returns.

The Case of the Vanishing Food

If you follow the progression of pictures, the food slowly disappears...EXCELLENT! Thanks to all who attended and assisted with the preparation of my apartment as well as the food. Thanks to Natalia for providing these pictures and her discerning Spanish palette for the tapas!

a chilll in the air

Mississippi is in its finest hour, weather wise. Slightly chilly in the morning and evenings, warm during the middle of the day--like summer in Saint John!

Goodbye and Good Luck Liz

Last night, Team Mitchell hosted an awesome party to bid our dear Liz bon voyage. Specialty hot dogs were on the menu, paired with not one but TWO potato salads, homemade pimento cheese, local tamales and mix your own Lynchburg Lemonade. I hope others share their pictures, since mine are always blurry and not reflective of everything going on. What I did manage to capture was Liz and Todd watching the slideshow, featuring not only us Vicksburgers, but also the beloved dogs. Thanks to Mary Beth for allowing us to show animal pictures. No animals were harmed during this party, except for the ones on our plates.

Table of Tapas

Thursday night was my turn to host Vicksburg Supper Club. In true form, I bit off more than I should chew--with a guest list numbering 14 and a menu streching to 10 recipes. Myfriend Sarah Coughlin taught me long ago, in our Stillwater days, when it comes to entertaining, "if it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing." My hope was to dine outside, but the weather intervened and we stayed in. It was a great party with all the right elements--food, friends, and flamenco music!

.

I never thought I would see the day...

Guess I will adjust my gas budget to reflect falling gas prices. I suppose I should just stuff it under the mattress, given the recent losses in my meager investments.

Let there be light...

Illumination is at an all-time high. If only it translated to my productivity at work.

Come Sail Away

Weekend project saw the installation of 2 sails on the balcony. They are like "an umbrella, deconstructed" with poles on the corners rather than in the middle. These will assist with sun deflection, aesthetics and a sure-fire way to anger my landlord. Note the carpenter on the roof. Huge thanks to Jimmy, Todd and Rob for their design and execution of this endeavor.

Upcoming Tapas Party

I am on travel in an altogether unexciting place, but I did pick up this new cookbook for next week's Tapas party.

Happy Belated Birthday, Truck!

Yeah, sure, you are a husband and a father now, but I can't seem to call you Chris. So Happy Birthday, Truck. Hope you had a great day! This picture was taken at his & Holly's wedding back in July 2006.

October Road

October is National Apple Month, Sun Dried Tomatoes Month, National Chili Month, National Pork Month, and National Spinach-Lovers Month.

Three more weeks with Liz!

Today marks the countdown of 21 days before Liz takes off for an assignment on the other end of the world. Although we will wish her the best, a support group will be formed to deal with the short-term loss felt here in MS. This picture was taken on Liz' birthday last year at Anchuca. We later sent this boa to Julie in Iraq as part of a girlie care package. Liz can expect similar treatment from the Vicksburgers. In related news, I am interviewing for new sidekicks. Maybe I can get Xandi back down here...