Finished A Terrific Project And Met My Husband's Favorite Newsperson - Jennifer Zeppelin

Newsperson?  Is that even a word?  Maybe News Personality?  Political correctness isn't what I'm aiming for here.  Can't say his favorite Newsman, because she isn't a man.  My point, and I do have one is that male or female,  KTUL

Channel 8 Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Zeppelin is his favorite!  And she came to the German American Society of Tulsa food booth at Oktoberfest where I was volunteering.  I knew she was good on TV, but she's even better in person.

The main thing I have been spending my time in has been a project to make Christmas Cards for Servicemen and Women who are away from home. I gave an all day party on Tuesday where people stopped in and colored in images that I stamped ahead of time, glued snowflakes on other cards, and embossed even more cards. All of these cards cost very little to make but look really good. 

My friend Johnny made some amazing food - this Christmas color Torta with Pesto and Sundried Tomatoes was delicious. 

Here he is making Grapes rolled in Cream Cheese and then in Chopped Almonds. And the most terrific Scones. But the my favorite was his version of Pimento Cheese Sandwiches.  

Les Klinger In Tulsa, Philbrook Museum Garden, And Other Groovy Surprises

Les Klinger is a very attractive man.  But with a mind so sharp - so Renaissance - that he could look like a toad and still have every eye in the room the moment he gets up to speak.  So here's the upsetting part - John and I didn't get to see him speak.  And it was not his fault.  Or our fault.  For months our Tulsa Sherlockian Society, The Afghanistan Perceivers of Oklahoma , had been planning a dinner to celebrate our 40th Anniversary.  And engaged Les Klinger - the most exciting guest any Sherlock Holmes group could imagine - to come and speak.  The only thing we were absolutely assured of was that no matter who else wanted to have him speak during the day, it would only happen if he was also going to speak at the Dinner that night.  So when we read the numerous emails about the dinner at 7 on Saturday, what else were we to think but that we would be entertained by the man that Robert Downey Jr asks when he wants to know something about Sherlock Holmes.  Surprise - Tulsa University had a big presentation at 4 - where Les gave the only talk (and we were told over and over again how amazing it was) he would give in Tulsa.  And not a word - not an email - not a phone call - to tell most of us that this happened.  Of course if you worked or were a student at Tulsa University you got to go.  If you were the Texas group that came up for the Dinner, you got told (on Thursday, so not much advance notice).  But the rest of us?        

 We got entertained by "Radio Plays" written by very clever members and performed by professional actors.

Could I have had a worse hair-day?  (Doesn't he looks a little like a straight version of Tim Gunn, but more fit?) 

I have noticed that most of these pictures look the same - but my Grandson is Waving!  I'm sure the pictures I take the end of January when he is finally born will be even better.  I don't think Amanda will teach after he's born, at least for the rest of the school year.  Sorry, all you Cal students - just wait and take your French classes next year.  Our gain is your loss. 

My niece - the one who told me I should start blogging when we moved to Tulsa so the family could keep up with my fast-paced, exciting life - is quite the seamstress.  This is her cute son, Joseph, dressed up like Krisoff from the movie Frozen.  The trim is some Fake Fur that I picked in the Los Angeles Garment District because fur vests were in fashion.  And I sent it to my nieces to make costumes with because as sometimes happens with sewing people, I didn't get it made into a vest until vests were out of fashion.  (I know - they are back in style again.  But you just can't keep everything waiting for that to happen.)  (I mean, really, how many of you still have Bell Bottom Pants waiting for the next time they're the Hot Item?)  (Unless, of course, you are saving them for a Hippie Party, which I totally understand.)  (Groovy, Baby!) 

 

And from my weekly visit to the Philbrook Museum, here is a picture of the post card of The Little Shepherdess by William Bouguereau - 1889.  Because I am nothing if not Law Abiding, I would never sneak a picture of the actual painting or lift an unauthorized picture someone else took, all I can show is this tiny grainy image.  But my point, and I do have one, is that this is exactly what my mother looked like when I was a child.  And it is appropriate, since her ancestors were raising sheep in Gap, in the French Alps, when they decided to come to Southern California. 

 Wildlife from the Philbrook Gardens - a Praying Mantis.  I won't bore you with another spider picture today, but anyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of the spider for pest control.  I have a beautiful one on my front porch, which was in danger of becoming a meal for one of these ravenous carnivores.  I grabbed a plastic bag and captured it and made John drive me and my captive bug the 5 miles to the church that Garth Brooks goes to.  And dropped him off unharmed.  Seemed apt. 

Indoor Golf, Butternut Squash Soup, Corvettes, Sugar Pumpkins, Garden Bounty, Pub Quiz With Chris, The Crayon's Improv And Do-It-Yourself Banana Splits With Casey, And Adorable Random Donkey. So How Was Your Week?

I had a busy week while John was in Canada playing "Indoor Golf" - he went there for an outdoor Golf Tournament, but there was snow.  (And those Canadians know how to show a visitor a good time no matter what the weather.)  First I went to the store with Michelle - in her Corvette.  Later in the week I went with Casey and her little one, Greyson.  A double treat!  Anyone who knows me knows I love the grocery store.  You can take imaginary vacations to Thailand, Japan, Mexico, Switzerland (my favorite - it's the Chocolate stuff, or the Cheese for Fondue), Italy - I think I've explained it enough.

I made some Butternut Squash Soup too.  Went to the garden and pulled up some of my onions and fried them.  Baked the squash whole - yes, whole just like baking a potato!  Who knew you could do that?  When it's cooked, you can easily peel it and pull out all the seeds.  Sprinkled some Curry Powder on the frying onions to cook it just a bit - I always think Curry Powder works better if it's cooked.  Then chucked it all in my Ninja Blender that Nick and Kelsey gave me for Christmas.  That is one fabulous blender, I must say.  Added an 8 oz package of Cream Cheese and thinned it with water until it looked like soup.  What's that?  Four ingredients?  You don't count water as an ingredient, do you?      

 And it's finally Sugar Pumpkin season - my Pumpkin Spice Cookies with Browned Butter Icing are next. 

 (That's Michele's Corvette parked in front of my garage.  Can you believe she apologized for it, since getting in involved being quite low to the ground?)

One of the things I do all the time in California that I had never done in Oklahoma was a Pub Quiz.  After all, how am I supposed to find a Pub Quiz in Tulsa if when I Google "Pub Quiz" and "Tulsa", all that comes back is my own blog??  So I Googled "Trivia" and "Tulsa" - still didn't work - but when I added "Night" I found that the Baker Street Pub had a Quiz every Wednesday.  So I told people who I thought would enjoy such a thing, but I would have gone alone and tried to pick up a team there, I was so Jazzed.  Luckily Chris showed up too.  (His girlfriend couldn't make it because she is currently in New York for the year.  He will eventually return there, but probably not until April.  She's my friend and I am sorry she is missing him, but he is really great on a Quiz team.)  All we need now is someone who knows current music.  Johnny?  Cailin?  Did I mention that there's a $50 prize?  That's a lot of free beer. 

 

 John was still gone Friday night, which is pretty unusual.  Casey had a few hours while her husband, Aaron took Greyson to visit Grandma for the weekend.  Since Casey is 8-29/30th months pregnant, we decided to go downtown, eat spicy food, dance in the street, and hopefully get some labor going.  We had Pizza and Truly Excellent Fried Pickles at Joe Momma's first.  Then we wandered around listening to the band that they had blocked off the street for.  Noticed the Comedy Parlor offering Improv Lessons - and who hasn't wanted to take Improv lessons?  Turns out there was a show going on right then.  $5 each for the one hour all-ages (means there can be children in the audience) performance by The Crayon's.  There actually were children in the audience, two very brave homeschooled girls (I knew they were homeschooled because The Crayon's kept mentioning this.)  But my point, and I do have one, is that the show wasn't particular funny, partially because they felt the need to play to these young girls.  Who were very brave and quick witted and came up with something nice to shout out all the time.  When The Crayon's asked for a suggestion for the subject of their "movie" they would act out, one of these cuties said "You!"  This is when Casey hollered "Yes EWE - The Sheep's Story" which resulted in some of the funniest Improv imaginable.   

 After laughing hysterically for the rest of the evening, and Casey still not going into labor, we ended up at Freddy's, home of amazing Frozen Custard, having Banana Splits, which they accidently left the banana out of.  So they handed her a banana and a plastic knife.  Good Times! 

Cutest Random Donkey Ever!

Good-Bye Joan Rivers

Can't even think of anything else to say.

Sunday At The Circle Theatre and Smoke On Cherry Street

I wrote about the great time John and I had at the Philbrook Museum on Sunday, but we had a really nice day on Saturday too.  First we went to the Circle Theatre, which is an older Art House Theatre (might be the only one in Tulsa) and saw Magic In The Moonlight.  It was fun, but neither of us realized it was a Woody Allen film and there is just so much of Emma Stone doing Annie Hall that we could handle.  However the fashions were Absolutely Fabulous, and I must agree with Faux Fuchsia that the Gardens were also amazing.  And Colin Firth is always so entertaining. 

After the movie we went to Smoke On Cherry Street for a late brunch, which is impossible to find because there is no Cherry Street anymore - a secret joke the native Tulsan must find hilarious.  They gave it a number, 15th Street - I think, and then kept telling the newcomers about the wonderful restaurants located on Cherry Street - and the unfortunately named Cherry Street Farmer's Market, which is purported to be one of the best. 

But back to Smoke - John had the Green Chili Pork on Seasoned Potatoes with perfectly Poached Eggs.   

And I had a Petite Filet with the same.  Best Steak Ever!

Saw this old car in the parking lot of the Y and had to take some pictures - but it was just too perfect - it was made from a kit using a modern car base.  Still very cool.

Is everyone as worried for Joan Rivers as I am?  

Good Hair Day At The Philbrook Art Museum

These are pictures from last Friday when I went to the Philbrook Art Museum with a bunch of girlfriends from Water Aerobics.  Today John and I went back - after an hour of testing out Golf Clubs at the local sporting goods store.  For me!  That's right, I am (probably) going to learn how to play Golf.  I always planned on learning to play once I retired, but had forgotten what with all the travel and basic excitement.  So we had to figure out if I wanted to play Left-handed or Right-handed.  I have adapted to doing so much Right-handed since all the equipment available to me wouldn't work the other way.  Like with Sewing Scissors - I am not as accurate using scissors with my Left-hand, since I got tired of all the blisters and had switched hands by the time I was seven.

If you do go to the Philbrook, you should probably just go ahead and join, because it saves you having to pay admission when you go back - and if you're like John and me, you will.  This month there was a special Monet exhibit and soon there will be the Christmas Festival of Trees.

 

 We saw some wonderful art, like this Rodin Statue

 And beautiful views of the fabulous garden

 and Carol, Michele, and Marilyn having their picture taken by my other friend Marilyn.

Good Hair Day Today

 

All day my hair has behaved nicely and felt as soft and silky as a head full of curl possibly can.   
Anyone who knows me knows that I am "Team Jennifer" all the way.  I mean, why on earth are we supposed to celebrate the marriage of Brangelina (Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie) - when the very concept is obviously lost on them.  But my point. and I do have one, is that I choose a new hair product (ever wonder what exactly was considered "hair tonic"?) because it had Jennifer Aniston's name on it.  I'd used up the travel size of my usual curl controller when I was in Hawaii this Summer, and had to try something new.  And there were endless choices.  Even once I'd decided to support Team Jennifer, I had to narrow it down.  The Living Proof Perfect Hair wasn't quite up to the task - but the Living Proof Anti Frizz Nourishing Styling Cream was terrific.  The Aveda Curl Controller is still first choice, but this is a very close second.

 

This Is Why Everyone Should Just Buy A Dress Whether They Need It Or Not, Because Nothing Is Worth The Panic Of Last Minute Dress Shopping

The hunt for a good Mother of the Groom Dress seemed so simple.  This blue dress was good but they only had smaller sizes.  And the nude lining was a little much.  But it was such a well designed dress that luckily I took notice of the designer's name - Tadashi Shoji. 

 And then I found this great burgundy lace Adrianna Papell - and I bought it.  Should have been the end of the search, right? 

 So why am I trying on this Tadashi Shoji dress two days before the wedding?  By the way, I loved it but am against black at weddings on the Groom's mother.  (Me.)

 The reason I had to run to South Coast Plaza and search out a different dress from the Burgundy one I planned on wearing was because Amanda sent me a picture of the dress she planned on wearing and it was the exact same Lace - I mean exact same - Color and Designer.  So why did I decide it would be easier for me to find a different dress than for her to?  Because she is just the slightest bit hard to fit these days since she is just the slightest bit pregnant!  (Hoorah!)

This is her with Kelsey, Nick, and Zach.  The shoulder at the far edge of this picture is Kelsey's very handsome brother Dustin and I will add a picture of him as soon as I find one. 

 So here is my last minute purchase and I just loved wearing it.

 The backdrop for these pictures is a set of barn doors that Kelsey's mother Linda whitewashed to perfection.  And she made our corsages - Roses and Miniature Cali Lilies - so pretty!  All I did was find a dress - I didn't even make it myself.  This Mother of the Groom thing is pretty sweet. 

This is Kelsey and Nick with her parents - the sun is in their eyes so just ignore their expressions.  Her mother, Linda wore the most beautiful beaded dress with matching shoes that I wish I had a better picture of.  Soft pinkish beige with flat bows - so good with the dress.  Just perfect. 

Just Try Googling "How Not To Cry At Your Son's Wedding" - You Don't Actually Get Useful Advice

Anyone who know me well, knows that I celebrate all of my children's milestones, large or small, with a bit of a cry.  I think this has always made Nick just slightly uncomfortable, so I was determined not to do it at the wedding.  First you have to discard most of the advice that a Google search for "How Not To Cry At Your Son's Wedding" comes up with.  Biting your tongue (literally) might keep the tears away, but results in a most unpleasant facial expression for the pictures.  I settled for looking up and occasionally blinking.  This worked pretty well until Kelsey's brother (who officiated) said that "Kelsey is my heart".  So sweet and now I am tearing up all over again.  I'll have to wait to write about my dress.       

Grit Chips, Cronuts, And Christmas Mint M&M's With An Expiration/Sellby Date Of 8/2014

 This is what happens when your husband goes to the store without you - Grit Chips, in the Sweet Heat Flavor, or course.  Not a Frito and not quite a Tortilla Chip.

 This is my first ever Cronut - purported to be a Donut (a good thing) made from the dough of a Croissant (a better thing).  Just in case you wonder how they are, I couldn't get a picture taken fast enough to get one without a bite out of it already.  Luckily they are too expensive at $3.50 each for me to get addicted.  In the background is my sweet son-in-law, Mike with his more healthy choice (understanding that all things are relative) a giant Ham and Cheese Croissant.

 

 All those flakey layers, deep fried and glazed!

 I don't know what possessed me but I chose to look at the expiration date before tossing out these Christmas Mint M&M's - and guess what?  They were not even close to expired.  Since I was on my own for dinner last night, I had a large glass of milk and a hand-full of these.

And this morning I got up early and ran the rest down the disposal, because if I can't get any taller for the Summer Wedding pictures from Nick and Kelsey's wedding, I should at least try not to look shorter.

Spent Easter Weekend In London - But Many Of My Pictures Were On My iPhone And My Cloud Was Full So When My Phone Broke, These Were What I Had Left

 Spent Saturday at the Royal Air Force Museum - Amazing collection of planes!

 St Pancreas Hotel was totally beautiful.  We had our Easter Tea there.  Lovely Sandwiches, Bunny Cookies, and an odd Carrot and Chocolate Mouse - which tasted just like Carrots and Chocolate.

 (One spoonful was all I needed.  You'd think as much as I love Carrot Cake that this would have worked for me - it didn't.)