"...the beach is a place where doing nothing
is doing everything."
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"...the beach is a place where doing nothing
is doing everything."
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Beach, Blog friends, Family, Favorite things, God's Country, Kids, Personal, Photos, Smiles | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Waking up at 5:30 in the morning is rather easy to do when mind and body fully understand just why this is necessary. Please allow me to share Exhibit A.
A baker's dozen of steaming hot, made-to-order Huey's if-they-aren't, they-should-be world famous beignets. Supersize the picture, then press your nose to the screen and inhale deeply...you can lick it if you'd like.
Okay, please don't do that, that would just be weird; but it's inevitable--simply being in the presence of these mouth-watering culinary creations will force you to toss your diet out the door. You'll begin channeling Gollum and with a glazed, maniacal look in your eye, hands wringing in anticipation, you'll creepily chant "My precious" one too many times.
Or so I've heard.
We told our doughnut-loving, powdered-sugar-drinking children about Huey's ITATSBWF beignets after our trip to Atlanta a few months ago, and they've been plotting a way to get there ever since. Our drive to Hilton Head Island led us right through the heart of Atlanta, so we planned to get up early enough to stop there for breakfast.
Imagine our SHOCK AND DISMAY when we got there at 8:22 a.m. only to find out Huey's doesn't open until 9:00 on the weekends! Apparently, Atlantans are lazy! get up early Monday-Friday but sleep in on Saturday and Sunday. We had a choice. Drive through Chick-fil-A for a biscuit we could get anywhere, or wait it out.
We waited.
Atlanta has an interesting downtown, so even if there was nothing to DO at that hour, there was plenty to SEE. Although Tad was skeptical, I'm SURE we drove through a movie scene "they" were filming...we saw lots of people out grilling burgers (again, at 8:30 A.M.??) and I saw a guy carrying a BIG camera, another a light deflector, so what else could they have been doing?
With time to expand our appetites and build anticipation even more, we finally headed back to Huey's, their first customers of the day. The second, third and fourth were right on our heels.
In addition to their beignet cornerstone, scrumptious shrimp and grits and perfect omelettes, here's why I adore Huey's:
Their art.
Colorful and jazzy, the perfect metaphor for this restaurant.
Another reason to appreciate Huey's is their beignet craftsman. I doubt they call him that, but it's what I saw when I watched him at work. Behind a lucite window, this magnificently weathered black man with a thousand story-telling lines in his face methodically rolled out the dough, cut through it with grace and aplomb, and one-by-one, dropped the squares into boiling grease, gingerly turning and attending to them because, apparently, it matters. There was a rhythm and beauty to his movement, I was watching a master at work. It was nothing to him, it was magic to me.
Beignets don't last long. In moments, our plate overflowing was reduced to this:
Rachel subscribes to the notion that "more is better"--in this case, she was just being a good steward of the food we ordered; it wouldn't be "right" to let all that powdered sugar go to waste now, would it?
I don't think it's a breach of etiquette to lick your fingers after eating beignets...Emily Post?? Martha Stewart?? Am I correct in this presumption?
You don't just eat beignets...you kind of wear them, too.
If anyone had sneezed, we would've had a real mess on our hands!
** Sigh **
Oh! I almost forgot--the title of this blog is printed on the doors at Huey's. It translates "Let the good times roll". At Huey's, they always do :).
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Family, Favorite things, Food and Drink, Kids, Personal, Photos, Smiles | Permalink | Comments (22) | TrackBack (0)
...good times, great friends...
Sometimes there IS "someplace like home" :).
I'll be back to blogging....mid-week...maybe...;)
(And Willowtree, if you can tell me how to get the BC blogroll to collapse, I'd love to get rid of the 300+ names! It distracts (and infuriates) me, too! For the record, it's how I happened to meet Karmyn and Pamela and several others, so it's worth the distraction to me...)
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Family, Favorite things, Personal, Photos | Permalink | Comments (8) | TrackBack (0)
Thomas has been fooling around with my cell phone again. It's always a surprise, I really never know what I'm gonna find when I open it. Here's today's gem--the photo freaked me out but the caption cracked me up!
"Hello Clarice"
For the record, no, NONE of my kids have ever seen "Silence of the Lambs". I have no idea how he even knows this quote (I'll have to remember to ask him when he's around).
Postscripts: 1) I asked Thomas a little while ago where he got that line and he really didn't know the origin. He even knew exactly how to say it, just didn't know it was attached to this movie. I told him as much as I could remember--to try to scare the tar out of him--but I'm afraid I might have interested him instead :/. 2) Guess what's on television tonight?! (interrobang, thanks to the Mamas of Drama for that little dittie). Queue the "Twilight Zone" music!................!
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Family, Kids, Photos | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)
Years ago, we received some oh-my-word-were-they-delicious Omaha Steaks as a "thank you" from a friend with whom we also had a business relationship. They were worth every dollar he spent on them, and although we didn't know it at the time, this gift would last a lot longer than dinner that night.
Accompanied with our filets was a cooking guide for grilling or broiling steaks; cooking times were determined based on thickness and desired doneness. We used it when we grilled the Omaha steaks and they were perfect--seared and sizzlin' with a hot pink center that makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Nearly seven years later, we still have that little 4"x6" card, and although time-tattered and steak-seasoning stained, it continues to serve us well. I couldn't begin to estimate the number of rib eyes and filets and strips it has helped navigate us to culinary quintessence.
Chas and Steph called tonight to find out how long to grill their steaks; we've had the pleasure of cooking out with their family, so they're well acquainted with our foolproof cooking chart. Wouldn't you know it though? We weren't home to return Chas' call, he had to fend for himself, and I have no idea how they turned out....
I'd bet they were good...but there's a whale of difference between "good" and per-fect-shee-own;).
Anyway, I'm posting this for him because it's the easiest way for him to always have a copy nearby...and I thought since some of you may be grilling out with family or friends over the long weekend, I'd offer a simple cheat sheet that might make you (in)famous in your own right.
Lemme know if you try it...I'll be eager to hear your tales of carnivore-ravaging success. There should definitely be no soul-crushing, tear-gushing Hell's Kitchen nightmares in your future!
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Favorite things, Food and Drink, Home, Nutrition, Party, Recipes | Permalink | Comments (13) | TrackBack (0)
Conversation with Stephen (10 years old) during the American Idol finale tonight:
Stephen: "He sure is enunciating well," in reference to Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong during their performance of "Working Class Hero".
Me: (laughing) "I sure didn't expect that to come out of your mouth."
Stephen: "I'm smarter than I look."
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Earlier this evening, he also accompanied me on bicycle while I walked our neighborhood. It's a somewhat "typical" older suburban neighborhood, about 120 homes, pool, tennis court, and largish lots (at least compared to today's offerings).
During my 45-minute power walk/his 45-minute joyride, several cars passed us. My jaw dropped on this one:
Stephen: "Know what scares me when cars drive by?"
Me: (thinking he was going to say they'd accidentally veer into us...) "What?"
Stephen: "...that they have guns in there and they're going to shoot us."
He was serious.
My mother-comforting response went something like "Oh, baby, you don't need to worry about that...that's the last thing that would happen."
Tell that to the kids at Columbine or Virginia Tech :/....
There is no telling what's going on in the minds of children these days...how their psyche has been indirectly assaulted from the insanity of a random massacre. Perhaps this was a telling glimpse.
As he flew down the hill having already forgotten words that branded my heart, I silently prayed those desperate prayers that all mothers pray from cradle to grave...and wondered how in the world I'm supposed to hold my children loosely.
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Family, Kids, Personal | Permalink | Comments (15) | TrackBack (0)
I'm not sure what it's called, but I think I've got "it".
Everything I'm touching lately is plagued with "something" wrong...it's reaching Biblical proportion :/. I might get a bit twitchy if frogs or gnats or locusts show up on our back door step. It'd be funny if it w.a.s.n.'t.!!!!
Yep, this is me...an uncharacteristic Eeyore season. Oh, bother....
I'm six miles past ready for the OCEAN! THAT will restore heart, mind, soul and body like NOTHING else! Mmmmmm, I can almost see and smell and hear and touch and taste it now.
Praise God A'mighty, in four days I will be!!
And that, my friends, just turned my frown upside down :)!
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE | Permalink | Comments (17) | TrackBack (0)
I'm sitting here minding my own business, TRYING DESPERATELY to finish a photo project I had NO business signing up for in the first place when Richie Ann from GJSentinel.com emails me to let me know I've been quoted. Sheesh...the nerve! I felt a quick draft of cool air sneaking up my skirt, but when I followed the link to find out what in the world she was talking about, it seems I'm in a group of 25 quotees, and there's something about guessing who said what, and the most correct wins the cash...or in this case, I think, a gift certificate to somewhere g.o.o.d. :)
Soooo, follow her link, see if you recognize anybody (and I'm pretty sure you should recognize somebody--at least ME for heaven's sake!) and take advantage of the fact I'm completely hog-tied or I'd be tracking down those sources and schooling y'all in "who said what".
Yep, I'm pretty thankful to have an excuse to opt out!
Oh, yeah, while I'm posting, how bout y'all go visit Cheeky. This Snow Trapped Southern Girl was one of my earliest bluddies, and somewhere along the way we lost blouch. Reading her 201-300 "Things about me" reminded me why she was an early FAVORITE. She's hoping for 300 comments for her 300th post, so even if you don't know her, drop down to that post and give her some blove! I promise, you'll get a kick out of her...she's stinkin' adorable!
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Blogging, Smiles | Permalink | Comments (4) | TrackBack (0)
Nikki, "...Tales of a First Time Mom is hosting this week's Fun Monday. It's not too late for YOU to join in the fun, and here's her challenge for us today:
1. Write a short poem. It can be about anything and it doesn't even have to be good.
2. Whip out your crayons, markers, paint, etc. and illustrate your poem (or have your kid, dog or cat do it).
3. Post your poem and illustration on your blog
next MondayTODAY.
Here's my poem....since I'm writing it at 6:30 in the morning, I've yet to whip out anything in the way of illustrating utensil. Hopefully, I'll get to that a bit later, and in the meantime, I've snagged a picture to make the point....
Ominously looming.
Relentless in pursuit.
Exponential growing
Like chaos in Beirut.
I hear its mocking laughter
As I swim among the tears
Multiplying rabbits
Always in arrears.
Two steps forward, one step back
The story of this chase
Close to rounding home,
Now sent back to second base.
Have I emptied pockets?
Segregated type?
Dare if I forget to--
Whites now a hot pink stripe.
Decisions hot or cold
and sometimes in between
How could I forget to
Cut on the durn* machine?
"I need my field trip shirt today."
(approaching mental block).
"Where's my favorite tee shirt?"
"THE DRYER ATE MY SOCK!"
A never-ending battle
One day I swear I'll win
The cost: my babies up and out--
Then, I'll remember "when...."
Oh, yeah...the title..."Laundry"...............
Be sure to visit Nikki for the rest of the Fun Monday players...I promise you'll have FUN! :)
* Okay...so I edited myself. I'm a lot crankier before I've imbibed a bit of java, and after I thought about it, I can't bear to have Stephen ask me again--wide-eyed and pitiful--"You cussed on your blog?" or Rachel give me "the look"... Thomas would just be happy to see me throw in "legitimate" profanity. Y'all know what I'm thinking when I'm on my 12th load for the day, so just read it the way I'd really wanna say it. Oh, yeah, if Susan is printing this out for her laundry room wall, I can't very well teach the Inquisitor or Golden Boy any new words...although Funny Girl would LOVE to see it and say it if she was old enough to read ;).
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Family, Fun Mondays, Home, Personal, Poetry, Raves & Rants | Permalink | Comments (30) | TrackBack (0)
I wasn't gonna post anything today; instead, I was just going to visit some of the 2,000+ entries that have piled up in my reader :/. Best thing I can do now is CLEAR it!
When I pulled up Heather's blog, she had a link to Bono's acceptance speech at the NAACP Awards. Trusting Heather's judgment, I watched it. It's easy to see why so many people love the man, not just his music.
A few of my favorite lines--
"True religion will not let us fall asleep in the comfort of our freedom. “Love thy neighbor” is not a piece of advice, it’s a command. And that means in the global village we’re going to have to start loving a whole lot more people, that’s what that means."
"Because where you live should not decide whether you live or whether you die..." (Regarding poverty)
"...whatever thoughts we have about God, who He is, or even if God exists, most will agree that God has a special place for the poor. The poor are where God lives. God is in the slums, in the cardboard boxes where the poor play house. God is where the opportunity is lost and lives are shattered. God is with the mother who has infected her child with a virus that will take both their lives. God is under the rubble in the cries we hear during wartime. God, my friends, is with the poor. And God is with us if we are with them...This is not a burden, this is an adventure. Don’t let anyone tell you it cannot be done.
Preach it, brutha! If he ever leaves music, he's got a great "fall-back" vocation waiting in the wings.
HT: Weekend Fisher for the written transcript.
Posted by Robin Dance ~ PENSIEVE in Faith, Favorite things, Personal, youtube ROCKS! | Permalink | Comments (14) | TrackBack (0)