Fixin' Supper

So I will tell you that often when I go to church, I don’t put a lot of effort into my appearance. Frankly, my mother would be horrified. Maybe she’s gotten over that by now….she is pretty good about not feeling accountable for our eccentricities. But for some reason this morning, I put on a nice sweater, makeup and even jewelry! I’m not saying I was pageant-ready, but I was definitely presentable.

And thank goodness. Because guess who came to my church today — Mrs. Jag and Hutchmo!! I have to confess to you all that I actually had to ask Mrs. Jag her real name, because I always think of her as "Mrs. Jag." She was quite gracious and didn’t seem to mind.

I do have one hint for all of you, to prepare you for any future chance encounters you may have with fellow bloggers….think up your opening line right now. Because I have to say, introducing yourself in person to someone you already know really well — online — is a strange experience.

Maybe you can be more creative than I. I said something along the lines of "Umm, excuse me. But don’t you write Being Brilliant??" Sigh. I already knew that. But what else was I going to say??

At any rate, it was nice to have you both there this morning, and I welcome any other bloggers to come see us at East End Methodist as well. I’ll try to be less goofy when you arrive.

UPDATE: GET OUTTA TOWN. I just learned over at Salem’s Lots that Slartibartfast was in the band that played at my church today! I really have to get out more. Four bloggers at EEUMC at once? It must be a world record!

2nd UPDATE: Upon further reflection, my title makes no sense, because Jag and Hutchmo were planning to come see Slartibartfast play this a.m. It was just me who was unexpected. That’s often the way in my life.

…Summer wanted to know how weird I was. Frankly, if that’s not obvious by now, I’m not sure you’re really all there. But I was just listening to iTunes while typing around here and doing the laundry, and reason #1 came into rotation.

1. I love John Denver. No, really, I love him. It was a sad day when he passed from this earth, but I’m hoping he’s now on a permanent Rocky Mountain High. This has created as much fodder for hazing through the years, as you might expect. Fortunately, I’m in good company on this point.

1.5. While we’re at it, thrown in much of 70s pop.

2. Also a Star Trek, Next Generation fan. Do not dare call me a Trekkie. Those people have lost their minds.

3. Am a very, very unsentimental person who loves sappy movies. You figure it out, let me know.

4. I am much more set in my ways than I’d like to admit. While I’m delighted that I have become a fairly spontaneous, free-wheeling type person in my own mind in the last 10 years, I have a morning routine that you disrupt at your own peril. This might actually surprise some people, including several members of my family.

5. Having said that, if you try to get me to commit to something, heaven help you. I fiercely cling to my independence. I’ll let you know when I’m damn good & ready, mmk??

6. This may not be weird, per se, but it’s a significant personality trait, shall we say? Unless you’re my child, do not expect me to lose nicely, whatever the game. Let’s just agree that I got the competitiveness naturally and it’s a well nurtured trait.

First, a shout to a couple of locals who are doing much better than I at getting their holiday on in the kitchen. Linda spent the whole of last week baking, from the sound of it, and Lance has been whipping up peppermint ice cream and awesome sugar cookies.

Me? I’m trying to get the laundry done and the kitchen cleaned so we can mess it up again. Oh, and the grocery shopping. And etc. etc. etc.

But I have already promised the 7yo that if it does not commence before, the Christmas baking frenzy will begin no later than Saturday morning. We have many old favorites on tap:

• Caramel
• Fudge
• Chocolate truffles
• Reeses’ squares
• Peanut brittle

But I think we’re going to start with Lance’s sugar cookie recipe.

One thing I am NOT doing this year, despite how much I love them:

• Chocolate covered cherries

I made some last year, and they were great, but good night! what a mess. As far as I can tell,  these are one of those items similar to childbirth: You must forget the horrid parts or there would be no second children, and no one would make chocolate-covered cherries twice. [Me, I still remember childbirth fairly distinctly, even 7 1/2 years later. So it may be awhile on those cherries.]

  Ridiculous 

I got this crazy mishmash yesterday when I tried to post a comment to the Enclave, a great site that always has the inside scoop on Nashville politics, downtown doings and urban living and architecture. I guessed: i a v w d f l j

WRONG!!

Maybe it was w v??

Anyway, I hate Blogger’s antispam word verification. I have 20/20 vision and I routinely fail it. C’mon, help us out here!

Kevin pointed out that there is a solution to posting your Netflix queue on your blog! [See lower left for the movies I soon won't be behind on any longer.]

  First meal  by Rex Hammock.

There is nothing better than the first thing you eat from your garden. My boss, Rex Hammock, has grown his first garden this summer. He didn’t do it halfway, either. Check out his pix on Flickr to watch the progress from this spring til now. I’m really impressed. Of course, the best part is when you get to eat the tomatoes.

I take that back. The best part is when he brings the extras in to share with the office. Rex? Rex??

Tim Morgan has been gone from the blog world for far too long, my friends. It’s been more than two months since his last post, and we have been waiting patiently. Patiently. And it was well worth the wait.

We must also thank Dr. Funkenswine, proprietor of Mothership BBQ, for inspiring such a masterpiece, for providing the fuel to the fire, as it were.

Always a good time…at least that’s what I hear. This is the first party he’s ever scheduled when I can attend. I have tried really hard not to be offended.

Tonight, 3 Crow Bar then Lipstick Lounge. I like that he’s brought the party to my ‘hood. It does begin to make up for all those blog parties he scheduled at bad times for me.