New Year's Dinner

I am behind in blogging and will try to catch up - alot has gone on in the last few weeks. Christmas, my birthday, new year's, my dad's passing, and our wedding anniversary. Now I am under the weather and hopefully can use that time to catch up on easy things like downloading my camera ;)

Jerry and Jake show signs of stress on New Year's day. Watching college football and waiting on dinner to be served can take it's toll.

Having been selected as "the chosen one" to attend New Year's dinner at my mom's, Jake was an absolute gentleman. No marking, barking, whining, pacing, begging, or any other annoying doggie behaviors one might see in a more-spoiled doggie (not mentioning any names here); however, he did need to have me in his line of sight at all times. He was so good with my MIL Marge who normally avoids my dogs because they paw her to pet them and it rips her skin. (Don't you just love the aging process? I don't mind getting older but I don't like the changes so far or those to come.)

The crew sitting down for dinner. We had my hubby Jerry, my MIL Marge, my first cousin once removed Erica (in the scrubs because she had to go to work after), my mom Vee, my first cousin Lee (Erica's mom), and of course the world's worst phototographer, me!

My family, and strangers in restaurants, may believe it is wierd but I like to photo plates of food. Granted, I am no food stylist, but I like the documentation of tradition and food is a huge tradition during the holidays for my family. You could probably compare previous year blog posts and see just about the same menu year to year but always lovingly prepared ;)

Other than a day out, here's the real reward for being the chosen one. Luckily, Jake had his dental surgery the day before and had been on antibiotics for several days so I believe he was able to enjoy it.

New Year Dinner at Mom's (as told by Daisey)

I was the lucky one yesterday when I alone got to go to my granny Vee's condo for a traditional New Year dinner. I wore the cute snowman teeshirt that "Aunt" Michelle sent from Wisconsin. I so loved having my papa's lap all to myself.

I was such a good girl and didn't paw grandma Marge trying for pats (that normally results in torn skin and bleeding for grandma Marge).

Here's the holiday dinner table covered with southern delicacies such as black-eyed peas, ham, fried potatoes, fried okra, deviled eggs, and cornbread. I sure wish I was tall enough to reach the table.

And here's the best part - leftovers!

Ugh.....I think I ate too much!

Leaving my granny's was also an adventure because I got to chase a squirrell up a tree. My mama was too slow with the camera to catch it.

Happy New Year

Jerry and I went to the annual neighborhood party at Tim & Jan's last night to bring in the new year. It's always fun to get together with the neighbors and I orten wonder why we don't do it more often - like a 4th of July BBQ or something. But then again, many folks want to spend special occassions with their families.

I believe this photo is from when we were watching Evil Kenevil's son jump over the volcano at the Mirage in Las Vegas. The neighbor 3 doors up from us did work/works for the family but didn't go to LV so we all watched after the ball droped in Times Square.

Random party shot but showing that most people thought it was cold. The party was mostly on their lani but some folks retreated to the family room (seperated from lani by a sliding door). Tim & Jan are excellent hosts. Tim even made me an ice pack for my fat lip - Daisey and I had a collision of her skull and my mouth when fire work upset her shortly before we were to leave for the party. My tooth is still sore tofay, of course I still have the hole on the inside of my lip where tooth punctured, but swelling greatly reduced this morning.

Tim & Jerry cutting cigars. i don't know how mnay they smoked last hight but I think it was too many probably. The good news about neighborhood parties is that you walk home. We only had to cross a dead end street and walk down 5 houses. What could be better than that?

I loved the little floatie lotus blossom they had in the pool and spa. They held votive candles. See how beautifuly Jan's christmas cactus are blooming? They were gorgeous.

Their house is a bit beachy & flamingo themed so of course they had a stretching, dancing christmas flamingo. They didn't comment on my little guy guarding my mail box so perhaps they haven't been down the street lately.

This is me (fat lip and all) with our next door neighbors Bill & Charlotte. New Year's even also happens to be their wedding anniversary so we don't always see them for the entire night because they sometimes go out for dinner. Last night was number 20 for them. Congratulations!

I can't quite capture the glow of the beautiful floating cactuses. After many drinks, the countdown to midnight, and a few dances, we called it a night and walked home with our next door neighbors. The sound sensitive snowman below sat on the speaker of the dance floor so he danced along with us - plus he was "lit" up like many of the partygoers, LOL.

HERE'S WISHING YOU ALL A HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AS WELL AS IMPROVED PEACE, UNDERSTANDING, AND TOLERANCE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.