Thanksgiving at Green Needles

We went to Sara Jean and Fred's farmhouse outside of Atlanta and had a great Thanksgiving with the Irby side of Bryan's family. Bryan comes from a big family and it is fun because I come from a small family and it is very different. There are lots of cousins and it is great to get together. I would also like to give special thanks to Spike and Cathy for the lovely setting for Thanksgiving lunch. Bryan (aka Alton Brown) smoked two turkeys
Kevin, Dima, Erika, Clay, and Gitti Irby

The "Grown Up" table

After lunch, the guys headed out to shoot rifles.....and pistols...and shotguns...and an AR-15.......and....well, I think that is about it.

After the big meal and shootout, it was time for some relaxing by the outside fireplace.

Later that night, Fred led a 50's rock and roll sing along. We all gathered in the den and sang as he played the guitar. FUN FUN!

Sara Jean (Bryan's aunt) and Sara Elizabeth (Bryan's cousin)

Pumpkin Bread

My sister, Leigh Anne, tagged me on her blog to share a recipe. I make this pumpkin bread this time of year and it is so good and very easy. It is great served hot out of the oven with butter or at room temperature for breakfast, dessert, or a snack.

1 (15 ounce) can of Libby's pumpkin

1 cup vegetable oil

2/3 cup water

4 large eggs, room temp

3 1/3 cups all purpose flour

3 cups sugar

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 2 (8x5 inch) loaf pans. In a medium bowl, beat pumpkin, oil, water, and eggs and medium speed with an electric mixer. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Gradually add to pumpkin mixture, stirring to combine. Pour into pans and bake for 1 hour. Let cool in pans 10 minutes and them cool on wire racks.

I am going to tag:

Candace

Lauren Baugh

Whitney

Peggy Weaver's Baptism

On Sunday, my Goddaughter, Peggy Palmer Weaver, was Christened at our church, Canterbury Methodist and it was a beautiful day for everyone. Peggy was a little angel during the service and really enjoyed looking around at everyone. Afterwards, Whitney and Steven hosted a luncheon at their home and it was so elegant and lovely. A wonderful day it was!

Alabama vs. Mississippi State

Finally, after months going to Mississippi State games as a neutral fan.....Saturday came and I was so happy! ROLL TIDE!!!!!! Mary Catherine, Scott, and Katherine Penton came to cheer on the Tide with me. Claire was there but we all know she is a MSU fan too. It was a great day and a GREAT game. MC made Maroon and Crimson Jello Shots. LOVE IT!
Mary Catherine and Scott

We couldn't find Big Al, so Bully had to do.

Me, Katherine, and Mary Catherine

Laura Katherine and Bryan

Laura Katherine, Me, Jennifer Lynne

Halloween at Emily and Eric's

On Saturday night, my dear friend, Emily Getty and her husband, Eric, had a Halloween get together in their front yard. They live on one of the best streets in Birmingham and everyone on their street is out in their front yard with friends and children, cooking out, socializing, watching football, and of course, passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Thanks Emily and Eric for a great time! Emily and Eric

Mary and John

What an adorable and sweet family!

Cody and Lauren

Me, Emily, Rachael

The Stewart girls

Dr. Stewart and his wife, Julie, live across the street from Emily and he is one of Bryan's attendings at the hospital.

John Getty

Rachael, John, and Eva Barnhart

An UNWELCOMED House Guest

"You got your mouse, you got your rat, and you got your gophah......and you got gophahs" Charter Cable Guy, November, 2001, Tori's Homewood house

That was my one and only experience with rats until tonight. Yes, as a young single lady in Homewood, my cable guy crawled under my little house and told me it was covered in rat (gopher rats at that) traps. Well, I never saw the first one and so I was happy.

Tonight, as I was washing my face in my bathroom, I heard a commotion in the attic. I thought it was Bryan up there, but when I found him in front of the TV, I knew we had a problem. Bryan braved the attic stairs with a shovel and a flash light and found this little jerk. He was cold busted in a trap. We took him out but I know he has friends and family...so I will be calling Cooks tomorrow for a 911 visit. YUCK!

Mississippi State vs Florida

On Saturday, we headed over to Starkville for the Mississippi State/Florida game. We had a nice long day of tailgating. We got started at about noon getting everything set up (which for those of you who seriously tailgate...is not easy). By about 3:00 we finally had everything going...the TV, satellite, crock pots (which take forever to heat chili), and music. The weather was great and we had a great tailgate spot thanks to Ricky and David. I must say, I nearly had a heart attack at about 6:00 as we were watching the final moments of the Alabama game. I can fairly say that after that kick was blocked, there wasn't a person within a mile radius of us that didn't know I was a true Bama fan (just camouflaged in Maroon for my marriage sake). Anyway, I have to give State props: they looked great against the mean and dirty Florida Gators. I was pulling for the all them way and the stadium went wild when they returned that interception for a TD 103 yards It was a great game but the next time I return to Starkville, I will be in Crimson and White. Roll Tide!

Jennifer Lynne (our Chili cook) and Stephen Lee

The Collins Family
David, Mrs. Collins, Perry Cate, and Celeste

Bryan and Ricky

Taylor, Ricky, Rob, and Patrick

Celeste and Me

Tallassee Trade Day and a Fun Day with Georgie

On Saturday, we went to Trade Day to see Georgia Anne perform with her dance class. She did such a great job and stole the show. It was quite chilly, so we went home and I spent the whole day with Georgie. We went to the park in the afternoon and Georgia showed me how much she has grown. She can now swing on the "big kid" swings and go across the monkey bars by herself.


Georgia Anne and Harley

Daniel was all snug in his seat during the festivities.

Kelly's Birthday

My sweet friend, Kelly LaFleur, celebrated her birthday last week and we had a girls dinner at Cocina Superior. It was so much fun to get out with so many fun ladies and I know Kelly had a great time too. Happy Birthday Kelly!

Casey turns 9 Years Old

Well, they say that a picture doesn't lie. I think that must be true for my Golden. Casey just had her birthday last week and I must say, she is looking old. Her face is solid white and gray. Aside from looking like a granny, Casey is still the vibrant, annoying, needy, clingy, loyal, jealous, and loving dog I got in November, 2000. She can't go on long walks with me anymore (She laid down mid-way through a 4 mile walk last summer) but that is pretty much the only thing different about her. Her fear of thunderstorms has gotten a bit worse with old age, but lucky Casey has a Mom that will let her bunk up with her during the storms. Happy Birthday Casey!

Georgia Anne, Jack, and Daniel

Well, after a long hiatus from blogging (I haven't had anything to blog about), I am back! On Saturday, Leigh Anne came to visit with her 3 little ones in tow. I think her trip in the car was a bit hectic due to some crying and quarrelling, but when they got to my house, the kids were so sweet and very glad to see Toe Toe and Bryan (and Casey and Basil). This was Daniel's first time to really be around Casey and it went very well. Casey licked him and little D loved it. They just looked at each other and smiled. It was so sweet. Jack can look so mischievous sometimes. It is so cute.

The kids love to play outside on the swing, but the weather outside was a bit gloomy, so this trip was consumed by the "busting out of the pillow" game. I have 3 beds with lots of pillows on them and the kids love to bury themselves and bust out. They are so cute and they crack themselves up!

Poor Basil. She was so tired and stressed out due to all of the noise and chaos, she had to take it to the dining room and lay in true Basil form.....Half on the carpet, half on the hardwood floor.