A New Adventure | Peaches Prattlings

{December 25, 2016} Another Christmas and another and an overdue visit

Merry Christmas one and all! Mele Kalikimaka as they say in Hawaii!

The morning started nicely with breakfast at JT’s parents house, luckily, next door, so you can go barefoot. His dad, JT, go figure…cooked, it was nice, eggs, potatoes and bagels, yum.

They opened presents, we got a kick out of watching and enjoying with them, then it was time to head out to our Christmas celebration, with SDL’S, her sister, DL, and of course, Miss A!

It’s really been wonderful introducing PSM to my family of friends. We hung out, opened fabulous presents, oohed and ahhed…someone…not saying who…but she’s small and fabulous and had so many presents, we were all opening them for her! It was a lot of fun and of course, my homemade ornament with her photo was my favorite! Along with her calendar!

After presents, a snack and then off to a friend of SDL’s for dinner, her former roommate and I’ve known her for quite a while. We ate, drank, made merry.

Then, off to the hotel to check in and meet friends of PSM who were driving through from Valdosta to North Carolina. We had drinks, then went to get their puppy and all made it up to the room, they crashed with us for the night. I had gotten a junior suite, bed and pull out sofa, worked out perfectly!

Repacked my bags, talk to you and I gotta crash, flight is in a few hours! Going home for a week, I cannot wait!

I hope whatever you celebrate its happy and merry brings you joy!

{December 21, 2016} A waffle…a visit…a movie…a waffle

So…there are no Waffle Houses where I am, I have to get my fill!

I left ST’s house and went to Waffle House for breakfast. Then I toured my old neighborhood and took a look at my house, tried to visit my neighbors, unfortunately, they weren’t home, bummer. I went to Starbucks for a bit, trying to coordinate with a friend in the area.

Eventually, I went to where she was and wet caught up for about an hour, so great! Happy anniversary KC!

By now, it was about 5pm and I headed to JCT’s house. When I got there is got to see her mom who hadn’t been home when I first got here. She fed me, as she always does, one of the reasons I call her mom. It was red bean soup with these little dumpling things filled with peanut butter, odd but tasty!

JCT, her daughter, SAT and I went to the movies, we saw Miss Peregrine’s, it was good, scary, fun…all at the same time.

After, since we promised SAT, a trip to Waffle House, crazy that I started and ended my day at the same place! Like I said, no Waffle House in Hawaii or Illinois, gotta get it while I can!

Then it was back to the house to hang out, talk to you and then hopefully crash. I’m picking someone special up at the airport! Wink wink

I can’t wait to see what tomorrow brings!

{December 14, 2016} Holiday dinner…fun!

We had our team holiday dinner last night and it was great fun!

We went to The Publican,”a homage to oysters, pork and beer”, just what a vegan ordered!

It was great, aside from the pork rinds, ha ha, I’m glad they told me what was in the paper cone! The menu was meat focused, but when I said I was vegan, they accommodated me quite nicely, don’t you think?

It was a lot of fun to be together because I don’t see most of them very often some I’m in the field almost every week.

We talked, drank, laughed, shared, ate, told stories, had a great time. At the end of dinner we had a ‘white elephant’ gift exchange.

A white elephant is where you purchase or bring a gift you have in the house, that cost, for us, $10 or less. Everyone draws numbers and then the first person pics a gift. The next person pics a gift then decides if they want to keep it or swap with someone else. Spot #2 apparently is the worst because you can only swap with #1, #1 gets to choose after everyone else goes. So stressful!

I brought a Shaper Image bank that counts your money and a Santa hat that says Naughty on one side and Nice on the other, #2 kept it and protected it! I swapped after I opened mine for a portable speaker!

A lot of good times and laughs. I’m glad I fought the traffic and went, I had a really good time and…everyone enjoyed the bags of chocolate coal I gave them.

How was your holiday party?

{December 4, 2016} Our first party!

We hosted our first official party! As a couple and it was awesome!

I’ve met some of PSM’s coworkers at work functions or just when I’d visited, but it was brief or a long time ago. Now, when i was home last month one of his coworkers had us over for dinner and I met two families, which helped because they were beginning to think I was a figment of his imagination!

I thought it was time to meet more people and christen the house, so I reached out to the two people I’m friends with on Facebook and I got a list of emails and invite I did.

So…PSM just got a taste of a JJ weekend! We happened to get up early, par for the course here, went to breakfast at one of our favorite places, then it was back to the house, clean, two appointments, run to the grocery store, back to the house with literally 20 minutes to spare. That meant set up for the cookout and a very quick shower.

The first family arrived with their kids and I was informed that they have a brand new puppy. Where is the puppy? We were going to bring her, we weren’t sure…we insisted and away went dad to get the puppy! Oh my but she is precious! Am 8 week old Australian Shepherd, is she not the cutest thing! She was such a huge hit at the party! We wondered if they would actually get to take her home, we were all in love or, with everyone holding her, she’d ever learn to walk!

People kept coming and it was fabulous, kids upstairs playing, running up and down, people inside and out enjoying good food, drink, friends, conversation, just having a really good time.

At one point we went upstairs and it looked like it has snowed in the loft! I made popcorn for the kids to watch movies and…the adults felt bad, I didn’t care, it was funny. The best was they were cleaning up, “put it under the sofa, they won’t see it!”

At one point I looked down and realized, I’m really in Hawaii hosting a party! I say that because everyone was barefoot! In Hawaii, it’s customary to take your shoes or slippers [pronounced slippahs] off when you walk into someone’s house. There is always a pile of shoes outside the front door!

A few hours later, people started to say their goodbyes. There were promises of a next time, getting together for new years eve, other gatherings.

Good friends, food, conversation, it felt like we were home.

{November 27, 2016} Two different families, two different traditions

Aren’t traditions grand?

My family has a tradition that started when GES and I were children. Our parents started taking us to see The Nutcracker ballet at the City Company in NYC every Christmas Eve. This was the Balanchine performance, so of course what we know and love. I’ve seen the Nutcracker in different cities by different choreographers, but you know my favorite by now.

A few years ago GES thought it was time her girls experienced a treasured memory and started taking them as a family. I’ve gone with them a few times, I haven’t always been able to. Different family members have also joined them and now it seems, Thanksgiving is the holiday or time of year they go. I hope I get to join them for years to come. They love it and a new family holiday tradition was born.

The other family tradition is with PSM’s family. The women in the family started the tradition a few years ago when his niece MM was a teenager. All the women in town for Thanksgiving go to dinner and a movie together. I was invited last year but couldn’t go, but this year…we went out to dinner and then Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, good thing I really liked it!

It was fun to just be with “the girls” away from the entire family, kids, spouses, hanging out, talking about everything and nothing. I appreciate being included.

So, two family traditions, a really nice day.

{November 26, 2016} A party, a party, a movie

What was your Saturday like?

We started with PSM’s family Chanukah party. It’s always the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It started years ago when his generation started spending Thanksgiving with their respective spouse’s families and Chanukah, as you may know, is never the same date each year. They decided that on Saturday they would all be together for the Chanukah party. PSM’s uncle informed me, with a wink, at our first Chanukah party together, that he would be at the Chanukah party each year, yes sir!

PSM has been hosting the Chanukah party at his house for years and this year, since he moved it was hosted by one cousin at another cousin’s house. It was great, as always. About 35 people, lots of kids, now including my nieces and PSM’s best friend, K&D N’s kids. They played, laughed, ran around, there is a play about the story of Chanukah that the kids put on and singing, then presents for the kids and the adults donate to a charity.

We ate, got to catch up, talk, laugh, get to know each other, watch the kids open and enjoy their gifts and enjoy the time we get to spend together.

After the Chanukah party, back to the house, PSM went to hit golf balls with his brother and the rest of us for ready for our next party. This party would be a surprise party for SHK, he’s a few months older than EJS and she wanted to throw him a surprise party.

And throw him a surprise party we did! We had steamers, a hand made happy birthday sign, cupcakes, pie and eventually ordered Italian for dinner. We hid when they arrived and yelled surprised and sang happy birthday! It was perfect, he was very surprised.

The kids played, ran around, built a Chanukah house, put on a talent show for the rest of us, sold us tickets, scanned our phones “through security”, even gave us paper so we could get autographs! What a show!

After the show, GES, LaLa and I went to the movies to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. I’ll give you a review another day, but all I can say is…go see it!

Back home to try to get a few hours of sleep because I’m taking PSM to the airport at 3am, what?!

So…what was your Saturday like!? Mine was awesome!

{November 25, 2016} Another Thanksgiving, a special visit, friends!

When is it quiet when we’re in town?

Well, I should say, when is it quiet when I’m in town, now, PSM is getting a little taste of what it’s like when I come for a visit! He might need a nap!

We got up to a fresh bagel breakfast, yum, he headed out to an appointment while GES and I cooked for another Thanksgiving meal, this time with ACS’ brother and sister-in-law. They do this every year, this was the first time I was here for it. It’s nice, they do Thanksgiving with their respective families on Thanksgiving and then together the next day.

This was also a chance to celebrate with the neighbors, M&C O’F, who really are more like family. I have to tell you, I’m so glad my sister and brother-in-law found this neighborhood, it reminds me of my neighborhood in Atlanta, more family than friends.

We had a champagne turkey, the vegan cooked the bird! Who has pictures?! We also cooked the stuffing in bird, this is important to some people, they were quite happy! Green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, corn souffle, crescent rolls, salad, cranberry. We don’t mess around here! PSM and MF didn’t realize it was the full enchilada, so to speak!

Don’t forget dessert! Unfortunately we had to leave before the pumpkin pie, pecan pie, sugar cookies, oh my! but PSM and I had a very special visit to make.

Uncle K wasn’t able to join us at PSM’s brother’s house for Thanksgiving. He’s PSM’s mother’s brother-in-law, need a chart? I can make one, I’ve learned! He’s older and wasn’t up to the drive or that much excitement, so when the mountain can’t go to Mohammed, you know the rest.

He was so touched that PSM was there, both of us, but more one of his favorite nephews, and let me tell you, he’s got a few…wink wink. He regaled us with stories of his sister-in-law, PSM’s mother, his own mother-in-law, PSM’s grandmother, his entry into the family, his children and as with many of the older generation, “wash rinse repeat”. It was just like every visit with your older generation relatives, stories, silliness and bad jokes or puns.

It was a great visit, important to Uncle K, his daughter S and most important, PSM. I’m very glad I was able to join them and get some one-on-one time with Uncle Kim, and that PSM wanted me a part of it. I’m honored.

From there, we went to meet the friends, wow that sounds so ominous, the friends. We met them at a bar/restaurant/bowling alley. It was so awesome to see them! They are so very fond of PSM and I see that when we’re together and they have brought me into their family as if I have been there forever and I appreciate that so much.

We laughed, drank, ate, laughed, drank, ate, wash-rinse-repeat. How’s Hawaii? How was your trip? We need to plan a weekend away! How about a girls weekend in Iceland?! I think it might happen! I’ll definitely keep you posted!

Then back home, GES was up, we chatted for a minute, PSM was sawing logs on the loveseat, I sawed a few of my own in and out while GES and I watched Hallmark movies. Then it was time for lights out, officially, more family stuff tomorrow!

Hey, PSM, welcome to my whirlwind! Ya tired yet?

{November 24, 2016} What am I thankful for?

Happy Thanksgiving all!

What am I thankful for? Where do I start?! I am lucky enough to be surrounded by friends and family and extended family this week in Boston. You know what it’s like when I get to go to Atlanta!

My sister has an amazing network of friends, they have become my extended family. PSM’s family has accepted me and become family, who knows, maybe one day it will be “official”. He also has an amazing network of friends who are his extended family. I’ve told you about my friends in Atlanta who are my family. My friends from childhood and not to mention all of you, my friends.

I am lucky enough to have people in my life who make it richer just by knowing them. I am surrounded by love and friendship, who could ask for more.

You read my blog every day, how could I not be grateful for that? Not only do you read it, you comment on it, you send me texts and emails, I know you’re reading it and that says so much to me! Thank you!

The children in my life enrich it so much, I get birthday cards, pictures, hugs, snuggles, love, joy, excitement and things like this. MGS did this at school this week. She’s grateful for her family, her Papa, that’s my dad, of course and…her Auntie! guess who! How could I not be grateful for that!!

I know my post is selfish, what I have and what I’m grateful or thankful for and you know what, I’m ok with that.

Thank you my friends and family for being in my life and making it fuller, it would most assuredly be much bleaker without you.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, I hope it was all you wanted it to be!

{November 19, 2016} Day 13…Sweden…what adventures will you treat us to?

Boats, ice skaters palaces, crown jewels, Nobel prizes, vikings, oh my!
Let’s start the day off with a nice walk back to the Grand Hotel. While we wait for our canal boat tour, we walk through the park across the road and find an ice rink along with a skating troup.

We realized that if you have an opportunity to take a canal or walking tour you do it as soon as you can when you arrive. Sometimes, when you do it towards the end, you see stuff to already knew about.
We enjoyed the tour, actually saw and learned a few things! For instance, The Grand Hotel flies the flags of the be nations of their guests. There is a park that has one of every tree native to Sweden, minus one, the climate is not conducive for survival. We saw the ABBA cabin, ha ha, high end houses, even a castle that had been converted to a rest home, sold!

After the canal tour, the royal palace was just across the street, literally, so there you go.

It was just about 1215pm, so we got to see the changing of the guard in a second country.

We were also treated to the trumpet and drum signals to the guards and soldiers. [Unfortunately the videos are too large to post].

Entry into the palace, let’s go! I love to start a tour with a statue of a woman of power, armed!

We began in the Room of the Royal Orders. A few medals, some royal crosses, royal uniforms puts one on their best behavior.

An exhibit of royal wedding dresses from the mid 1970s to today brings a tear to your eye. It seemed to turn each woman into a little girl playing dress up.

Then the guest residences and the state apartments. There was one hallway that can be set up with a table that stays 170! Another room was an audience room that was once turned into a crib room for a royal babe.

We did go to the treasury to view the Crown jewels but…no photos, sorry friends, not allowed.
So…all this royal stuff made us a bit hungry. We found a restaurant in the dungeon or cellar of a building and settled in for two sandwiches, who knew we were going to get full salads in the bread! The atmosphere was cozy and close.

After lunch, our next stop was literally across the square. Unfortunately, no one posted that the Nobel Museum would be closing early. We had about ten minutes to walk around, that bummed us out. Damn our stomachs!

What should we do now? A little shopping, this was the place to do it, maybe a cup of tea and something sweet. We were really just biding time. Why, JJ, you might ask, why?
Why, I will tell you my friends…a Stockholm Ghost Tour! We were going to get some history, a story or two, maybe even see a ghost!
Our guide, Calum, was bloody brilliant! He’s from England, married to a Swedish woman, glad for that, he was great!
Did we see any ghosts? I can’t speak for anyone else, but I didn’t. Some good stories though!

Turns out, wherever there is bloodshed, death and horribleness, the Swedes like to build amusement parks and spend family quality fun there! [This is centuries after the horrible stuff occurred, of course!]

One of the other funny tales is of the little statue with the scarf, if you rub his head, you get a lifetime of good luck, also leaving him gifts, like phones and mp3 players, when you come back 24 hours later, the tribute will be gone and you’ll have a lifetime if good luck, um…the funnier part, after we were at our next stop “I completely forgot, um, if any ladies rubbed his head, there is a 96% chance you’ll be pregnant within 24 hours!” Um…

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All in all, a great time was had by all!

All this ghost hunting worked up an appetite, so where did we go? A Viking restaurant! Efyr was great! You walk down a dark flight of stairs, literally with red lights, the doors are heavy wood, the interior is all stone and wood.

Apparently you really need a reservation, but like high tea, we got lucky! When you finally get seated for dinner, you are announced by name and where you are from to rousing cheers and thunder claps and foot stomping.
The food was good, even a vegetarian option for me. Everything was great and authentic, down to the cutlery.

There was music and merriment had by all!

{November 17, 2016} Day 11 Sweden…what do we do first?

Return the car! Ha ha

After breakfast we checked out of the hotel and props to the property. The woman at reception gave me two passes, shhh, for public transport for the time we’re here and took care of the parking tickets! Apparently there is no free parking in Stockholm and no one told us where to park when we checked in…and they knew we had a car. Now get out there!

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The outer doors to the hotel would open automatically you walked up, nice!

Our morning view was pretty spectacular and then the dive over to drop off the car, pretty, huh?

First stop was everyone’s recommendation, Skansen, the world’s oldest open-air museum and zoo. It has a zoological garden specializing in Nordic fauna, such as moose, reindeer, bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. It features over 150 historic buildings from previous centuries, from all parts of Sweden.

Here’s the thing, we liked it, but being winter, there wasn’t much happening. One of their big things is people walking around in traditional clothing giving talks and performing every day life, we found one. It boasted stories and shows, etc. I think in the spring and summer, it would be a lot of fun.

We did find several of the Nordic animals but the bears, wolves and reindeer were harder to find. Maybe we’ll just have to come back, hmm..

Next stop, canal or under bridges boat tour, yes? Great! Let’s go to the Grand Hotel, that’s where we pick up the tour.

Two tickets please, yes? No. Just missed the last boat, not to worry tomorrow morning it starts all over again! What ever will we do now?

Why…Let’s go to the Grand Hotel and have a spot of tea and figure out our next move. Sounds good to me!

Not only did we have tea, we had high tea! I love high tea and it’s been ages since either of us have had high tea. Apparently, this is something you need to order in advance, some people reserved up to four months ago! [“But let me see what I can do” said our waiter”]. Guess what happened next?!

First…they had decaf coffee so you know PSM was in heaven! It is one of the hardest things to find outside of the US. I jumped in and had their special house blend, so good, I even bought a tin!

So…if you haven’t had high tea before, do you think you could ever get full from for teeny [barely even quarter] sandwiches, two scones and four teeny cookie like desserts? The answer is YES!

We started with, well PSM going into a dreamlike state after his first sip of coffee, then when his feet came back down, we started with the sandwiches, my favorite thing on that level, whipped chevre with honey, oh my gawd!!

With the scones we had lemon curd, plum jam, sweet cream cheese and not so sweet whipped cream. The whipped cream helped to cancel some of the sweetness of the other toppings, I didn’t need that too much, ha ha.

By the time we got to the desserts, we were just about done! There is no way we could do that every day!

What a fun and new experience we had together! Although, we are so stuffed, we may never eat again! We need to walk this off !!
Where to? Next stop…the Moderna Museet.

We were both excited about seeing this museum, we both enjoy modern art and almost all of what we saw was amazing!

There were sculptures and paintings by Picasso, Munch, Leger, Gris, just to name a few.

Duchamp, Rosenquist, Oldenburg, Lichtenstein, Matisse.

There were artists and pieces we recognized. There was modern, expressionism, surrealism and then there were pieces like this. Yup…

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Another one of the free exhibits was on architecture, from arrival to moving, infrastructure, set up. What makes a house a home?

I found the statistics video fascinating.

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Let’s head back to the hotel, check in, get settled in and see what comes next.

We are in the room, we’ve gone to the executive lounge, had some treats and now we’re just enjoying the view, the lights, the sounds outside and sitting, we are enjoying sitting!

What adventures await us tomorrow? I can’t wait to find out! I’ll keep you posted!

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