Tonight I treated myself to a fun evening.

First, if you don’t know about Scoutmob, it’s a great site and there is, of course, an app for your phone. It’s one of those deal sites, but the difference is, this gives you the discount without having to purchase anything. You might get 50% off an entree at a restaurant, 15% off something at a store and as I mentioned, you just show the coupon when you check out, don’t need to purchase anything, like you do with Living Social, Groupon, Half Off Depot and the list goes on.

Sometimes, Scoutmob will have deals that you can purchase, like the one I purchased for tonight, a half priced ticket to a performance at The Horizon Theater in Little Five Points, that is midtown Atlanta for those of you not “in the know” . It’s a charming little theater, I’ve been there for a few shows, saw Avenue Q there last year, took DCM, well, he actually took me, but I told him I wanted to go! I also used to have rehearsals for the Renaissance Festival there, yes, for those of you who don’t know, I was a street performer. I’ll tell you about it in another blog.

Well, tonight, I got a ticket on Scoutmob for “The Waffle Palace”. For my discounted ticket, I received entry into the show, a fancy Waffle Palace hat, of the paper variety, like all good fry cooks have and a waffle donut, y u m! Oh, and my ticket had my name on it!

When you walk into the theater, you are transported to a diner, looks so much like its namesake, Waffle House, down to the yellow block sign. They had all the good details, my favorite being the laminated menus on the tables. The best part, this show took place in the middle of the night, about 3am, you know, when all the fun happens at Waffle House and sometimes it gets really quiet.

This gave us a behind the scenes look, so to speak about the comings and goings of the staff, the customers, the regulars, basically, the family. There were fights, new beginnings, religion, progress, love, friendship, a memorial for a beloved customer, commercialism, the devil and even a wedding! They met the Waffle Palace, they fell in love at the Waffle Palace and they got married at the Waffle Palace.

And resolve, we saw resolve, the people who are part of that culture, they care, they’re dedicated and that’s why we keep going back weekend after weekend,

The show was inspired by so many stories that have happened at various Waffle Houses in Atlanta.
I’m sure you won’t be completely surprised by what you see.

If you’re from the south or have visited, you’ve probably eaten at a Waffle House, you know what the people are like, on either side of the counter. There were some great one liners…someone said, I’m from the south, I’m from Texas, the entire crowd gasped, the response, “Texas is west”. You know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if the waitress takes the menu with her after she takes your order, you know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if you don’t see scattered, smothered and covered on the menu, you know you’re not at The Waffle Palace if you can order a cappuccino, espresso, something julienned, sliced, diced and so many other options!

Before, sometimes during and definitely during intermission and after the show, the music playing… Waffle House songs, you know, like on the jukebox!

I love that every single Waffle House is exactly the same, nothing changes except the music on the jukebox and the jukeboxes are changing with the times, they now play CDs, they’re digital and…they take credit cards, and so does Waffle House!

Where else can you go, 24/7/365, and I mean that and you will be welcomed and you can have breakfast, lunch or dinner any time of the day? And honestly, lunch or dinner? It’s breakfast any time of the day!

There was a great moment when someone (the Texan) tried to order a….don’t gasp too loudly…a pancake! There was batter on the windows and the lights went crazy! It didn’t stop until he screamed “I’ll have some grits!”

For anyone who has spent any time at a Waffle House, any time of the day, you can picture what I’m talking about. If Waffle House wasn’t such a treasure, there wouldn’t be so many! Did you know that it is more cost effective to build a new Waffle House than to renovate the one across the street? I love the t-shirts and buttons that say “I run so I can eat at Waffle House!” (I am so going to have to run a little extra and harder tomorrow!)One of my most treasured possessions is my Waffle-opoly that AM got me (gave it to me at HIS wedding!)

Have you ever sat at the counter and just listened to the waitress call out an order? And the cook just do their thing? How a manager, no matter what level will get behind the counter and put on an apron and cook when there is a need?

Every Sunday, DCM and I have a tradition, Waffle House. We each have our own breakfast, but how do we finish the meal? You guessed it, we share a waffle. Every nook and cranny has to have butter and syrup!

OMG! I just got hit on by the only other customer (a much older gentleman that while he was talking to the cook, I couldn’t understand a word he said, very southern!) while I was paying my check, his pick up line? I like your car, where are you from?

So… Can you guess where I am right now, writing this to you? You guessed it! I wanted a waffle, how could I not? so here I sit, finishing my waffle (I feel like I’m cheating! I promise DCM, I’m just here because I was inspired by the show and I left a bite for you!) as I think about a funny, endearing, charming show that I encourage each of you to go and see.

One of the best parts…there are people in here who were just like the characters in the show!

The show has been extended a few more weeks, check out Horizon Theater for your tickets to see The Waffle Palace, it is truly worth it, possibly as sweet as the syrup on your waffle! It sizzles Like the bacon on the griddle, go see the show so I can stop!

Wait for it! The Boom! Tonight I saw “Here Comes the Boom” Again! And again, I loved it!

I met TS for dinner at a quaint Thai Restaurant, Thai Garlic, I think we were the only ones there and when I got there, the hostess was a little surprised that I wanted a table as the take out menus had just arrived and she was expecting me to want take out. Ok… The conversation was lively and lovely as was the company, we laughed, we cried, it was better than cats! Well, we didn’t cry, but we did laugh a lot and isn’t that what it’s about?

One of the coolest things TS told me is that she follows my blog, as I know all of you do and she said it’s like I’m sitting right across from her, so she knows how I’m doing day to day, it’s kind of cool! She can hear my voice when she reads it and she said, and I quote… You write just like you talk, here one minute, next off in the next direction! told you! And the fact that she hears my voice in her head… well… She did worry that she answers me back! Not to worry, TS, I do it myself! even with my own blog!

Then we got back in our respective cars and headed out in the rain [remember last night when I told you how warm and wonderful the weather was? Did I mention it was like being at the beach and I could have just stood out on the porch all night? Well, today it was about 70, balmy, IN MY HOUSE! I even had to put the ceiling fan on, then all of a sudden, the rain started and the temperature dropped, huh? By the time we left the theater, it was in the high 40s, I even heard on Friday, it’s supposed to be 27! What? ok, so now, you can stop being jealous!]. back to the driving..

We headed to the $2 theater! Yes, you heard me, the $2 movie theater. All seats, all shows, $2, cash! The concessions are a little bit more, but the movies, $2. And no, the movie are not old, there are movies there that might still be in the theater!  Very cool. Ok, now, on to the Boom!

I really enjoyed this movie, I think it needs to be added to the collection [I was watching it and thinking about all I would talk about with you tonight!]. It was funny and charming and sweet and sad and lovely, even with a moral and a happy ending, all rolled into one 1.45 hour movie. It starts off with Scott Voss [Kevin James] as the “lost” biology teacher, feeling that nothing can be done, the system doesn’t care, so why should he.

He has a crush on the school nurse, Bella [Selma Hyaek], but she keeps saying no. Marty Streb [Henry Winkler] plays the music teacher who’s job is in jeopardy when they find out that funding is going to be cut. All of a sudden Scott stands up and says we have to do something about it! Two people are behind him, Bella and Marty. Scott is doing what he can to raise money, but it’s just not going to be enough, oh, thanks for asking, they need $48,000 to save the music program and Marty’s job.

Scott teaches a citizenship class at night and in that class he meets Nico [Bas Rutten], who was a retired MMA fighter. Watching a match, Scott discovers that the loser of a match could win up to $10, 000, does anyone hear the ding ding ding, see the light bulb go off over Scott’s head? He was a wrestler in college, why not?

As the movie goes on, Scott goes from just showing up and while trying his best, losing, to finding his way, getting his footing. As he becomes more confident in the ring, his confidence in himself rises and as a teacher, he begins to find the passion again, jumping on the desks, firing off rockets, anything he can do to inspire his students. At one point, he asks his class what happens when broken cells come together [I am so paraphrasing]… they work together to become whole.

This is what happened to Scott and those around him. He began to bring himself together, the school came together to support him in what he was doing, his brother and his wife became closer as he found his passion, his class began to be more cohesive and he and Bella became closer [shocker!]. You started rooting for the guy who was the underdog, but by the end of the movie, he wasn’t the underdog anymore, he was standing taller and walking prouder, even if he lost the big match, he won, what he inspired in others was what really mattered.

There were things about this movie that made me think of my parents, how strong they are and what great teachers they were to their students and to myself and my sister. I know my dad inspired his students that to this day, he hears from them from time to time and they speak of him fondly. My mom was getting phone calls from her students long after she retired and they moved on in their lives. Teachers are unappreciated for what they do and how they do it, but they touch us in so many ways that we may not see it at the time, but we will.

This move was an inspiration and enjoyable to watch. It has MMA fights, so of course, there were a few times I covered my eyes, but I cheered and jeered and oomphed for him as I watched.

Here Comes the Boom! Look out!

The weather…Mother Nature is such a fascinating woman!

It’s almost February and it feels like its almost 70 degrees out! It was winter yesterday, probably in the low 40s, yes it gets cold in Georgia, then it was close to 70 today and it will probably be 40 again tomorrow!

That’s one of the crazy things about living in the south, the weather changes on a dime. I remember one of my first New Years eves, I spent it in Savannah, it was 80! I also remember my first summer here, 40days and nights of rain, I almost turned around and went back!

I get to drive around in January and February with the top down on my car, yeah, you want to be me!

I know my friends up north are seeing sleet, snow, freezing rain and all around brrr, so I send them some warmer weather hugs from the south.

I currently have 3 furry children, all cats and all girls I like to say it’s a sorority in my house!

I grew up with cats, all boys, interestingly enough. There was Rocky I, Rocky Racoon, had a mask around his eyes and rings on his tail. He was around before I was born and very protective when I did come around, he was at my side, on the baby blanket, if I cried, he came running.

Next came Rocky II (sensing a theme?), or as I named him, Rocky Baby Boobie, he was orange on orange striped and so wonderful, let me play with him, lead him around.

Next came Rocky III, a very cute grey kitty who was brought to us on my sister’s fourth birthday. He was such a good cat, he let her drag him around by a string attached to his flea collar, not to worry kids, she was a little girl.

Nougat (new cat) came while I was in high school, I was away for the weekend and the family brought him in the house (he was a stray that we heard was thrown out of a car window on the expressway or service road) and my mother fell in love and he was her baby. He was part Maine Coon, fat and fluffy.

So, as you can see… I grew up in a cat household.

So, when it was my turn, and I’ve had some interesting babies (rabbits, rats, yes, I said rats, I’ll tell you about them sometime) I inherited my first cat, a beautifully black cat, had Persian in her, with the same name as my sister! It was a little odd if I was on the phone with my sister, yelling at my cat!

I was her first stable home and eventually, she came to be mine fully and I loved her, she could be a *itch, let’s just say, but she was still mine and I was crazy about her. She was always there for me, when I was sick or sad, she was right there with me, when I would sing in the bath or shower, I wasn’t sure if she was singing with me or crying because she thought I was hurt!
She was 4 or 5 when I got her and about 19 when I had to put her down, she outlasted any roommate or relationship that I had!

I was with her when she died, I held her in my arms as the last breath left her body and it was one of the hardest moments of my life, but I knew that I was doing what was best for her, but my heart did ache. The mousepad I travel with has a picture of me holding her, she’s always with me.

I thought she needed a friend, boy was I wrong! I brought 2 cats into the house, Biscuit, who I thought was a sweet little girl…oops…after I gave her to a new mommy, we found out she was a sweet little boy! Oh boy!

Things were never the same after I brought Jymy home, what a cute ball of fur! I got her from a shelter, the minute I picked her up, she fell asleep in my hands, how could she not be mine! She was such a bundle of energy, she would catch and fetch and chase, not sure if she thought she was a puppy! She event hunted and brought me presents, oh my!

Everyone always wants to know how she got her name. We picked her up at the Blue Ridge Arts Festival one year and on the way home, I asked the kids what to call her “Jymy” they shouted in unison! (For some reason the wasband used to call me Jimmy as a nick name, not even remotely related to my name, but there you have it).

Shortly after I put my baby down, I added Peanut and Butter to the family, so tiny and adorable! I thought that if Jymy didn’t like them, at least they would have each other, I got lucky! Happy home!
Peanut is all grey and Butter, my little panther. It took a little, but they warmed up and it was heaven.

Unfortunately, a few years ago, we had what was referred to as “snowmaggeden” and Butter got out and I haven’t seen her since and I still miss her.

Jymy sleeps at my head and Peanut in the crook of my body, they are never far from their mommy. Jymy will actually put her paw or head on my head, kind of hold it.

Over the summer, I inherited another cat, Bella. She looks like Jymy, but fluffier, she’s a beautiful cat, full and fanciful. She was in a home with her brother and two small children, all of which stressed her out. The brother was given to a good home, which left the two small children, this didn’t work for Bella. So… Here we sit with three cats in the house and finally, it’s getting a little better, there isn’t as much hissing ALL the time, but there is still hissing I think she’s the one who’s been using the dining room as a litter box (I think I mentioned that in another posting). She really is a very sweet cat, when she wants to be.

So, my friends, there you have it, my furry babies. I have three, its four or more and you’re the crazy cat lady!

Meow to you.

Interesting…it was cheesy (took place before electricity, seems like late 1600s) and there were missing kids and milk bottles with the kids pictures on the bottles! Really?

As long as we’re on the subject, the weaponry…remember the time frame…machine guns, guns? Suspend your belief! Took place in Europe, Hansel & Gretel sounded like they were from the states and I don’t think anyone used the F-bomb back then!

As long as you aren’t going in looking for cinematic history or Oscar nods, you’re good. There were white (good) witches and dark (über bad) witches, trolls, stupid people, witches, witches and more witches.

Hansel & Gretel became famous for killing witches, starting at a very early age, the first one is from the fairy tale, candy house and all. As time went on, they killed more and more witches, brought in by different towns to help with their witch problems. Some of the witch talents were wicked cool!

It had some funny moments, some really grody ones and some downright ick! I even covered my ears and eyes once or twice, but overall, a fun time was had by all.

Today I did something groovy fun. CKM and I went to the Mirco Car Museum in Madison, Ga. (microcarmuseum.com). We started off at Cracker Barrel, yummy breakfast and then went on to the museum.

When I say micro cars, I mean micro. Think 1950s teeny tiny cars. You look at these things and wonder how anyone actually fit in them! Think Europe 1950s and movies, you get the picture.

There were so many of them (if we are friends on Facebook, you’ll see an album soon). It reminded me of the car museum in Las Vegas, only on a smaller scale! The cars were a lot of fun, all different colors, a bunch of different shapes and varieties, some in great shape and some…well, need a little love…

There were even some delivery trucks, Coca Cola, Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck Pez, Krispy Kreme, Double Bubble!

I loved the cars and trucks, but I think my favorite things…old fashioned popcorn makers and dispensers and candy machines! They had one that had candy cigarettes, one that sold raisins, another dots, but my favorite, must have…a Reece’s Peanut Butter machine!

There were a lot of people at the museum, today was the last day as Bruce Weiner, the owner, is closing the museum and auctioning off his collection in a few weeks. We think a lot of the people were there to stake out the inventory, apparently micro car clubs are pretty big (pun intended). Ad if I and my way… As much as I like the cars, I’d take all the candy machines, they were just too cool! They would look awesome in a movie screening room, which I am hoping to have one day!

It was a great way to spend the morning and early afternoon. The day didn’t end there, I had to get home for GNI, Girls Night In. I know you know how I feel about girls nights! No boys allowed (well, if he is under 3, and comes with his mommy, then it’s ok, who cold resist those cheeks!). CKM, SDL, DJL and JT came over, we watched “Death Race” (well, lets be honest, we watched Jason Statham, sigh), had some snacks, then went out for pizza, came back for dessert and now we’re watching “The Avengers”, and you thought girls just get together to watch “chick flicks”, so there.

Ok, enjoy your evening I need to get back to the girls!

Today was a very long day! I am going to beg off and hope you don’t find me terribly rude, but apparently I am very tired and I am going to get some sleep (fingers crossed) and I hope to have a wonderful story to tell you tomorrow, I’ve got a big day planned!

I will tell you that I got to see some good friends tonight, CKM, BG, CA, TS and made a new friend, was productive, hopefully helpful, drove through some freezing rain and came home to a frigid house (50 degrees to be exact, could have been colder, but the thermostat doesn’t go an lower!). I turned on the heat, my portable fireplace, put on some warm jammies, fuzzy socks, hunkered down into the flannel sheets with the cats and bid you adieu.

Goodnight friends, I hope you stay warm and happy.

So, today I did something that I knew was not good for me and a bad idea and I was right… I ate french fries from McDonald’s.

Everyone I know says after they eat McDonald’s they feel wretched and as there’s not much I can eat there, I just don’t. I always thought McDonald’s fries were the best, but as you know I’ve been eating a lot healthier, more veggies, more raw, so I’ve been staying away from the bad stuff.

Today I had to run an errand and as I walked out Walmart, they have a McDonald’s, I thought, fries, I want some fries, so I asked for a medium fry with no salt. The lovely woman behind the counter said she’d drop a new batch, very nice of her.

I got my fries to go and ate them on my way home and half way through my treat, I knew it was a bad idea, but I kept going and as soon as I was done…blech

So, all day long and even now, I sit here, feeling icky. I tried watermelon, some papaya, water, no dice. I am going to have to wait this out and hope for the best tomorrow.

Stay away from the fries and listen to your inner voice when it tells you it’s a bad idea!

So excited! My eldest niece, EJ, lost her first tooth tonight!

I found out when I got a text with a picture captioned “Guess who’s visiting our house tonight!” And when I opened the attachment it was a picture of EJ missing one of her bottom front teeth and a big grin on her face!

I was so excited! As soon as they got home, we got on FaceTime so I could see the grin in action! She was very excited! Showing off the tooth fairy pillow that she borrowed, guess its time for auntie to make a tooth fairy pillow for someone , she said yes, so… Looks like I have my next project!
My sister showed me the tooth in a Baggie, ready to go, what a mom!

I do remember one time I lost a tooth at school in the lunchroom and it was accidentally thrown away, oh no! When I got home, my mom helped me to write a letter to the tooth fairy, I put it under my pillow and everything was ok, she still came to visit, whew!

I spoke with a friend of mine tonight, CM, and it turns out she has all her teeth, and a map of where they go, her mom was very creative with that! I remember the first tooth my step-son lost at my house, it was so cool, he put it under his pillow and someone involved with this blog got to be the tooth fairy. Just in case you’re wondering, I still have the tooth in a jewelry box.

The next text I got was of the letter and map that EJ drew for the tooth fairy on how and where to find the tooth, I used to just put it under my pillow and hope for the best! She’s quite clever that girl!

I hope this pointing made you smile with a good memory of your child or even your childhood, I know I’m grinning right now.

So… You know I went to the farmer’s market on Sunday and you know I want to go more veg, what you might not know is that I want to cook a little more, try new things. I enjoy cooking, but cooking for one (two or more on occasion) not always that exciting, but I like to think I take after my mom a little, experiment and take chances.

When I used to ask my mom what was for dinner, “poison” would be her answer 🙂
She was great, a fantastic cook and when I decided to become a vegetarian, it was like a new exciting challenge for her, she would find all sorts of new and different things to cook for me. Sometimes it was for just me and sometimes the two of us and since my dad and sister, not so much on the veg side, she would cook something different for them. She found recipes for vegetarian meatballs for one, even vegetarian chopped liver!

So, now, in my quest to try new things, I have found some amazing soup recipes and from time to time, when I make a new one, I am going to share it with you. If you have a favorite you would like to share with me, I’d love it!

A few weeks ago, I made butternut squash, I’ll post that another time. Tonight, I made baked sweet potato soup, y-u-m!

I made two batches, the first with a larger potato and I think it was better than the second batch, it was good, just the first was better. I used almond milk and it came out great!

Enjoy!

baked sweet potato soup

This super creamy-delicious baked sweet potato soup has just a few easy ingredients, paired with a few vibrant veggie accents for a quickie bowl to warm you up. This creamy soup is dairy-free and packed with fiber and vitamin A! This blend has a secret ingredient too! Get the vegan recipe that serves two!..

This soup is given a holiday-accent by adding my secret ingredient: citrus zest! Just a pinch of orange or tangerine zest and the sweet potato soup tastes extra cozy and special. You can even add spiced accents like pepper, cayenne and or cinnamon.

Creamy Baked Sweet Potato Soup
vegan, serves 2

1 large sweet potato (1 3/4 cups mashed after baked)
1 cup soy or almond milk, plain flavored (warmed or room temperature)
1/2 cup vegetable broth (add more to taste based on how thin or thick you’d like your soup)
1/8 tsp salt
optional: 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil (adds richness)

Accents:
2 Tbsp tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp chives, chopped
1-2 Tbsp green onion, chopped
secret ingredient: 1/4 tsp orange or tangerine zest (optional)
black pepper, cinnamon and/or cayenne to taste

Directions:

1. Bake your sweet potato in the oven – about 40 minutes at 400 degrees.
2. Remove skin from potato – flesh will be very hot. Place in blender along with non-dairy milk and veggie broth and salt. Also add the optional citrus zest.
3. Blend until silky smooth. Pour into serving bowls.
4. Top with tomatoes, onions and chives. Serve warm! Add pepper, cinnamon and/or cayenne to taste.