December 2016- Savannah, Santa and Skating

As if December isn’t busy enough, for the last 2 years John and I have started the month by flying off to the National Onion Association winter conference.  I will say one thing about those farmers….they pick some awesome spots to host these events.  Last year was San Francisco (and Napa🍷) and this year was Savannah, Georgia.  I’d never been to Savannah before, but am pretty sure I was a Southern Belle in a former life, so it was like the mother ship calling me home.  

Nana and Papa held down the fort at home while John and I took off Wednesday morning bright and early for our flight, which was connecting through JFK in New York City.  Upon arrival in the Big Apple, there was a little rain, so naturally they cancelled our connecting flight to Savannah.  What a bunch of weather pansies!  To make matters worse, the next flight wasn’t until the following day.  So, when life hands you lemons, you make lemonade….at The Plaza in Manhattan.  

I mean, you have to make the best of a bad situation, right?  The only thing missing was our luggage, containing my toothbrush, glasses and makeup.  Strangely, they managed to make it on a flight to Savannah and were waiting for us at the hotel.  Sounds fishy to me.  

Once we finally arrived, 29 hours later we got right to the task of celebrating those onions!!  John was being awarded the green jacket, just like at the Masters.  I like to tease him, because it’s actually a blue jacket, and instead of golf, it’s for recruiting new members into the NOA.  He was inducted into the “3 or More” club, and was presented with his fancy attire by his good friend and business associate, Gary Beadles.  Don’t they look like they’re up to no good?

After John attended the committee meeting and I slept in, we set off to explore Savannah.  It was a fantastic city…so full of historical charm, great food, great shopping and easily walkable.  If you know us at all, you know that we like to explore a destination by visiting the local watering holes, having a cocktail, sampling the appetizers.  Lather, Rinse, Repeat.  It’s what we do best and have stumbled (?!) upon some awesome places over the years.  Savannah was no exception.  Before we set out from the hotel, the bartender (yes, we had one for the road) told us that Savannah is considered Charleston’s slutty sister, and from that moment we knew we’d love it.  Just like Las Vegas, you can walk around with your drink in a to go cup….which is a good idea and a bad idea all at the same time.  

While walking around with that glass of wine, we found these coozies and couldn’t decide if they were funny or in bad taste?  I laughed, but ultimately we decided it was probably a little of both.  I blame those cocktails.

You know what I do not love, no matter how many cocktails I put down?  Boiled peanuts. Apparently, they’re a delicacy in the south and well…..I have nothing to say other than fauxkin’ disgusting.  I thought they knew good food down there….

After our mini-vacation, we rushed back home to our sweeties for the mad dash to Christmas and ALL OF THE FUN.  In order to give the big guy in the red suit enough time to make the toys, we visited him early in the month and brought along our lists.  Reese was on her third or fourth version by then, each of them carefully thought out and decorated in markers.  I told her she may want to consider using pencil to save herself the work….she rolled her eyes.

And, because we were at the mall and the weather was decent, we thought it a good idea to eat sushi and ice skate.  Obviously, just like they do at the north pole.

(Why don’t I ever have any pictures of Reese?  I swear I don’t forget her in the car).

We also competed in a little festive family competition at the Country Club Gingerbread decorating event.  As you can see, Jackson and I clearly won the award for best house, and Reese and Daddy won for most candy eaten.  And, if further proof were needed that Jackson is indeed my son, the young man showed up with detailed architectural plans for his house.  It was ambitious…with additions, dormers, landscaping…you name it.  Well….I looked over at the poor child after about 30 minutes and saw that he had bitten off more than he could chew and was in full-on panic mode.   So, I did what any overachieving Mom does…grabbed a glass of wine and a bag of frosting and went to work as the Chip Gaines to his Joanna.

Meanwhile, back at home Crystal had returned to watch over the kids and ensure they were on their best behavior.  Clearly, she was not on hers.  That Elsa is a bada$$….she’ll freeze you solid and it will take a whole day to thaw you out.  

But, Crystal was extremely helpful in potty training Rudolph, and he was a tough nut to crack.  I was tired of finding his little “poops” all over the house.

And speaking of poops, look at this dog.  Bless his heart, he is clearly starving to death by the looks of him and is attempting to swipe Jackson’s bagel with strawberry cream cheese.  Poor Walter is so food obsessed that he’ll eat anything…his, yours, Charlie’s…doesn’t matter.

On the matter of food obsession, in the days leading up to the holiday, you’ll find this mama in the kitchen preparing an assortment of baked goods, soups, breakfast casseroles and charcuterie.  All of my people descend upon my manger for the Christmas holiday and because for me FOOD = LOVE, I work my fanny off making sure they’re uncomfortably full at all times.  I also find that I do my best cooking when I am enjoying a few cold ones…beer, wine, cocktails.  I am not picky.

Before the crowd arrived however, I took a little time out from the hustle and bustle to attend this little lady’s holiday program at preschool.  She was fantastic and once again astounded us with her singing and dancing skills.  I videotaped a few of the songs, and I think we’ve watched her sing “Frosty the Snowman” no less than 4,768 times.  She’s already preparing her acceptance speech for her future Tony/Emmy/Academy Award.  She thanks her Grandma Jane first and foremost for the inspiration….HA!

Finally the big day was upon us and our people all traveled over the river and through the woods to get here.  Malory was delighted to see Grandpa.  (No wonder Grandpa goes home after a couple of days…he’s injured).

We get right to work enjoying each other’s company and having loads of fun.  So much fun, that I have very few pictures this year of the festivities.  Except of course for this gem….

You know he’s going to read this in about 5 years and say “MOM! Why did you let me dress like that?!”  

Wrapping up the month (and the year for that matter), I think I’ve mentioned once (or 30 times) that we are not big on celebrating New Year’s Eve.  The reasons for this are twofold….

1.  We’ve just come off of a L-O-N-G holiday season full of merriment in all forms.  Oftentimes just the thought of another cocktail is enough to make us lock the front door and turn out all the lights.

2.  We believe New Year’s Eve to be an amateur holiday.  We have plenty of other occasions throughout the year to party like the rockstars we are.  This is not one of them.  There have been exceptions to the rule, but we are typically home in our sweatpants on the couch.  We don’t see midnight unless it’s to get up and let the dogs out.

HOWEVER, there are two young people that are just beginning their celebrations of the new year and its promises of the good life.  And, where does one go to celebrate that?  Rollerland….again.  They have a pretty great party for kids, complete with hats, noisemakers, and a balloon drop.  The best part?  This celebration happens from 2-5 pm.  And all the mamas said “hallelujah’.