Christmas -- Rounds Two, Three, and Four

Christmas Round Two -- December 23, 2009 -- Dinner with Net and Uncle Buford's family. We had a great time....Net gave everyone special gifts.....gifts that meant something to her. Aunt Carole gave everyone a picture with a copy of a poem writte by our great-grandfather (Warren Duncan Buford) in the second grade,
"Thunder rolled
Clounds got big
Lightening struck
and killed a pig."

Christmas Round Three -- December 24, 2009 --- Dinner with Poppy and Dee and all the Strain cousins.....there were four children under four....it was so fun to be with "believers" the night before Santa was coming!

Christmas Round Four --- December 25, 2009 -- Wake-up to Santa with Olivia and Mr. James House. Breakfast with Poppy and Dee. Lunch with the Williams clan at JO and Babbs house. A long afternoon walk. Then cards at Steve and Beth's house.

Christmas--Round One

We celebrated our first Christmas of 2009 this weekend. We will be with Oliver's family on Christmas this year, so we celebrated with my family early. And we had more to celebrate than just Christmas. Thomas is ENGAGED! He proposed to his girlfriend on Friday night.....so we had lots to celebrate. I could not be more excited to get another sister! Here are some pictures:



Thomas and Laura---besides their stockings!




Sis and I doing our annual baking with Mom---gingerbread house is a little crooked....

Busy Busy

We have been very busy lately. Between the LSU game, Thanksgiving, working on the house, and getting ready for Christmas I have not had a lot of time to post.

But here are some pictures from our busy lives.....

Halloween!

We had a great Halloween weekend. Last weekend we celebrated Patrick Walker's 30th birthday. Helene's dad treated us to a great evening at Twain's and Sam's Town. No one won any money....but Oliver did manage to stay out till 6:30 a.m.....by himself I might add. May got a really good picture of him about 7:00 a.m......he was not a happy camper. The girls all wore Patrick Walker glasses and birthday hats in honor of the birthday boy. Here's a picture!

Update!

We have been very busy the last couple of weeks. We have done a lot of work on the house. Last night we picked up our new chair--or at least it's a new chair to us. We bought this old overstuffed chair at the MIFA Feed the Soul party for $50.00. We got it recovered--and viola---the perfect chair! We have finished the living room and the dining room. Here are some before and after pictures.

Raiford

We went to the MIFA Feed the Soul Party about two weeks ago. Raiford was the guest of honor and you could get your picture made with him. If the picture had turned out a little better, we were going to use it as our Christmas card.....even though everyone outside of Memphis would have no clue!

Baby James!

The best part of the Ole Miss vs. Alabama game was I got to meet Sarah's baby, James David Nix, for the first time! He is so precious---and SO loved....I think there were almost a few fights over who got to hold him and for how long!

Sis and Ryan also made it to the game. Ole Miss was playing so bad that Oliver actually let me leave before it was over (he stayed). Ryan was nice enough to have me a hot chocolate waiting! The weather definitely reminded me that winter is around the corner.....and how much I HATE being cold.

Even though we lost the game, Mr. James should be happy about at least one thing--Oliver and Garner have finally started paying for their own cokes during the game....which if you knew how many Jim Bean and cokes these boys drink during the game....you'd understand!

80 Eastland

Our New Address:

80 Eastland Drive
Memphis, Tennessee 38111




Oliver and I are officially homeowners! We closed on our house last Monday and moved in this past weekend. We have a lot left to organize, but all the big stuff is in the house. We could not have moved in without all the help--- Sis, Ryan, May, and Patrick painted, Mom, Dad and Garner moved furniture, James hung pictures...Ms. Dot and Poppy are coming to hang wall paper this weekend.....this has been a group effort for sure!

In the midst of moving we did manage to celebrate Oliver's 26th Birthday. Last night, we went to Pete and Sam's...of course, it was amazing. It was also Quinton's birthday so we completely embarrassed them and sang happy birthday...

Here is a picture of the outside of the house. Oliver wants to paint the brick....I just want to paint the shutters forrest green....it is going to be a work in progress. Everyone stop by and see us--we promise we won't hand you a paint brush!

Art on Tap

Art on Tap was Friday night at the Dixon. It was a lot of fun....120 different beers to try. Considering how much I love beer, I think I tried two.....but it was still fun! Look at the amazing bottle tree sculpture....it was really something.

On Saturday, I bought a coffee table at a yard sale for $20 bucks. Of course, we have now spent about $100 on the "stuff" to fix it up......but I think it's going to look really good. I will post some before and after pictures when we have it completed!

Hotty Toddy!

Football season is officially here! The Ole Miss vs. Memphis Game was this weekend and we finally have done something blog-worthy! Helene, Mary John, and I hosted a game day party yesterday. Of course, our husbands helped. They did most of the cooking and cleaning (insert sarcasm here). We had a great turn out, the food was amazing, and the Rebels won! It was a fun mix of college friends, new friends, and people I didn't know at all! Here are some pictures! And if you happened to see a Chevrolet trunk being driven by a small girl with 18 boys in the back....that was Sis driving James' truck down Central.....pictures of that to come!

Nashville

I have officially joined the REAL world! I started work two Mondays ago and traveled to Nashville last week to work in the firm's office there for a few days. The office is in Brentwood right next to the Starbucks where Keith Urban and Nicole Kidman apparently get their coffee. I didn't see them but I am going back next month and will be on the look out! I got to stay with Camille, which was so much fun. I hope I didn't wear out my welcome...you know what they say about guests...they are like fish and start to stink in three days! Camille just bought a condo and it was so much fun to get to see it and her life in Nashville. She lives across the street from the most amazing coffee shop...Star Bagel...yummy! Sadly, I didn't take any pictures! But this is a picture of me and Camille from awhile back!

More Fair Pictures

I have posted some pictures that Leigh Allyn took at the Fair last week. This is what we do all day....watch horse races and chair races! For those of you who have never been to the Fair --there is nothing quite like a chair race. Every afternoon after the horse races are finished there is a chair race. People line up with folding chairs at gates and then rush to claim their spots for the concert. You can see some cabins in the background.....my favorite place on earth!

The past few days have really been a whirlwind. I finished the bar exam on Thursday. Tornado sirens were going off as I left the exam. The sirens were still going off when Oliver and I packed up the car and headed down to the Fair. We had such a great time and ended up having great weather. We had some great porch time and got to catch up with so many good friends. It is literally the only place I can stay up till the wee morning hours and sleep in. We missed the Fair last year and were really blown away by how much some of the kiddos had grown up. Coleman barely remembered Oscar (aka Oliver). Doesn't Coleman look happy that there is such a cute girl between him and Oscar???


We got back to Memphis on Saturday afternoon. I thought the plan was to go eat with Patrick's parents who are visiting from Georgia. We walk into May's house and the room is packed with my family and friends. May and Lisa had thrown me a SURPRISE PARTY. It is the only party I think anyone has every thrown just for me! Well, that last sentence isn't exactly true....Oliver just reminded me it was for Sis too! ANYWAY--it was wonderful and thank you both so much!

The Bar Exam

I start the bar exam in about an hour and a half. I am SO nervous and not even enjoying my coffee and the Today Show. Everyone please say a quick prayer for me today and tomorrow!

Horns a Plenty

My neighbor, Kate, transplanted some seeds from her garden to one of my pots. I wasn't quite sure what she planted...she told me the name but it didn't mean anything to me and I forgot. A few weeks pasted and Oliver kept telling me I had "weeds" growing in my pot. Then they bloomed. It was NOT a weed, but this beautiful flower. For one night...literally one night...they were gorgeous. The next morning---DEAD. I thought I had killed it. Yesterday I was telling Kate that I must have killed it and she said it is a horn of plenty and only blooms for one night. Who would have thought? I haven't decided if it is worthy watering a pot everyday for it to only bloom for one night...seems kind of high maintenance.

Memphis Crew to Cascilla

We spent this past weekend at the Carey's hunt camp in Cascilla, MS. Lisa and James treated us to a fun field weekend. It was so nice to just relax and the weather was absolutely amazing. Who could have guessed it would be eighty something and breezy the middle of July? The boys rode four wheelers and the girls went to an antique shop in Carrollton. We shot skeet on Saturday afternoon. Helene had never shot a gun before but she did really well! We all went into Greenwood on Saturday night and had drinks at the Alluvian and dinner at Luscos. The food was amazing....as always! It was the perfect weekend with the perfect friends.....we are definitely going to have to plan another road trip soon.

The English Royalty

I have always been a little obsessed with the English (and basically any European) royal family. I love reading about them and I saw the movie, The Queen, twice. They really amaze me for no reason. This used to stress my grandfather out. For some reason he did not like the English and he certainly didn't understand why you would want to go to England or marry Prince William. One of my favorite Granddaddy expressions: "This is why we left England." And he would say it in this all-knowing, you-don't- appreciate-anything-kind-of-way.....like he really left England and fought in the Revolution or something. So to make a long story short I had kind of forgotten about his little expression but I got a postcard today from my mom of Prince Harry and my dad had written Granddaddy's ole saying on the back...it made me miss him and I thought I would share that little story!

July 4th

We had a great July 4th! Here are some pictures from the 60th Annual Aurora Circle Parade. Later in the day, Oliver, James, Lisa, Caroline, and I went to Senatobia to Net's pool. Sis and Ryan came from Jackson. Edi and Olivia came too. It was a lot of fun and well needed break! Lisa and I took Caroline to pick blueberries at the Powell's farm. We are going to go back in a week or so b/c then the bushes will be full of berries.

The Blahs

So I am officially "blah". I haven't updated our blog in days because: 1) I have nothing to say except to complain about studying, and 2) I have not done much of anything besides study for the past few weeks. BUT I know it will be over soon and I will get to spend two nights at one of my favorite places on earth: THE NESHOBA COUNTY FAIR in Philadelphia! Here's a picture from two summers ago.

PS: The Aurora Circle 60th Annual Parade is Saturday at 9 a.m. Our porch is available for anyone who wants to come watch!

Blind Wine Tasting

Our supper club had a "blind" wine tasting party Friday night. Everyone brought two bottles of Cabernet. One bottle was covered in a brown paper bag and numbered. The other bottle went into the winner's pot. Everyone tasted and rated the wine and the winner went home with five bottles of wine. Out of 9 people, 4 are CPAs.....so you can imagine how seriously they took adding up the points to see who won. The winner was Educated Guess (Watson and Helene).

BARI

Last night Oliver took me to Bari to celebrate our 2 year anniversary. If you live in Memphis and haven't been to Bari Ristorate you need to go. It is in mid-town on Cooper right by the Play House on the Square. The owner's grandparents still live in Bari, Italy; which is on the coast so the restaurant has a huge emphasize on seafood. A lot of the reciepes are family reciepes. Our waiter was great and helped us pick out what to order. You order true Italian style and have a many small courses. Here is what we got:

Formaggio: Pecorino Affienato--Rubbed with honey and wrapped in hay
Antipasti e Primi: Spicy Salami and Roasted Red Bell Pepper
Pasta Course: Cavatelli con Pesce di Mare- (Oliver) and Spaghetti alla Carbonara (Julia)
-The spaghetti alla carbonara was good but Oliver's was much better--he out ordered me on this course.
Main Course: Polpette (Oliver) and I had the fish of the day which was a grilled red fish
Dessert: Tiramisu--house made lady fingers soaked in espresso, layered with zabaglione and mascarpone topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder--THE BEST!

TWO YEARS

Oliver and I have been married two years today. I am thankful for each and every day. I hardly remember the ceremony at all. We tried to watch the video last year on our anniversary but turned it off after about 5 minutes. I remember a little bit more of the reception....Oliver definitely smeared cake all over my face. We are going to Bari tonight to celebrate!

Caroline and Ally bonded yesterday.....mainly over cheese it's. Ally used to be so scared of children but she LOVES Caroline. Lisa called me last night and said that during Caroline's prayers she prayed for Ally and Oliver. My reaction: What about me?

This weekend I went to Jackson to see Sis. We went to the Farmer's Market Saturday morning. Sis had a characture made with Ryan. Besides May and I leaving in the middle of a tornado on Friday, we had a great time.

Mary, Mary Quite Contrary

Watching my little garden grow this summer I have been reminded of the old nursery rhyme, "Mary Mary quite contrary how does your garden grow..." Well, this year my garden is off to a MUCH better start than last summer. Last summer my garden was a hole in the backyard and got almost NO sun. I started getting tomatoes in September. This year it had some help from Oliver's grandfather, Dee, and some good ole delta earth. Dee replanted my garden in tubs of dirt and manure from Greenwood.

Swim Time

Oliver and I took his cousins, Mackenzie and Campbell, to the Greenwood Country Club for a swim on Saturday. They are so cute and I hope our children are as sweet and beautiful as they are. Do you like the "Super Star" poses? On Sunday, Edi and I took Olivia for her first swim at Net's pool. Sadly, I have NO pictures to show. Edi got some cute ones so when I get one I'll post it!

Rooster Update

Watson found a rooster in his yard on Monday night. Ole Miss was playing baseball and WON. Result? Rooster is now a good luck charm and named Rebel. Watson and Helene have NO idea how a rooster ended up in their yard. They have several theories: it's a joke (Watson), Helene "planted" a pet in their yard b/c Waston won't get her one (Waston), it's a lost pet (Helene), or it's wandered over from a cock fighting ring (Helene's mother). Helene emails their neighborhood group to see if anyone is missing a pet. She practically gets death threats for thinking about calling Animal Control. Watson goes to work on Tuesday and tells everyone there is a *****rooster in his yard. Then Watson receives the following email from Rebel:

From: John Smith [roosterharris@gmail.com]
Sent: 06/03/2009 02:44 PM EST
To: Watson Harris

Watson,

Its hot as hell out here and it looks like it might rain. You need to hook me up with a coop that has air conditioning before too long because I am here for the long haul. Also, it would be good if you could stop by the store on your way home and pick me up a 6 pack of Busch Light. Make it bottles because the cans usually screw up my beak. I'm planning to have some friends over tonight if thats cool with you.

The Rooster

Last night, Oliver and I went to pick Helene up for the Osiris Party. Helene showed us the rooster and we took this picture. I could not look at Oliver the whole way to meet everyone b/c I didn't want to laugh and ruin the joke. After everyone got to the party and had a drink, James told his rooster story. I wish I had a picture of Helene's face b/c it was similar to a person's face who has just won the lottery.

Roosters

Written by our friend....who remains anonymous--a true story that took place Sunday night.

Otis is a very sociable yet thunderous rooster that lived at our house a total of three hours, until he was relocated by the covert operation dubbed (Operation Gamecock). He would have found permanent residence at our home but my wife threatened me with divorce and eventually abstinence….the last of the two was the inevitable deal breaker for my relationship with Otis.

With no kids or pets, Operation Gamecock was going to transpire on either Harbert Ave or Holmes Street. Long story short, I would rather deal with the wrath of Helene and Watson and quite frankly the rest of Memphis than to be on the bad side of May T Walker. So Oliver and I dropped Otis off in Helene and Watson’s back yard late Sunday night.

Then there was another rooster…… I purchased two of them. You see, the Mexican that was peddling the roosters at the trade days insisted on not separating the two brother roosters. One of which was Otis and the other Andy. Andy I thought got devoured by Forrest in the back yard. But, I found this not to be the case yesterday morning at 3:30 a.m. when Andy lets us know that he was still alive and kicking somewhere close to our house. Andy is still on the loose and we can not find him.

Rossville & Painting

My New Years Resolution was, "I will not wish for the weekends on Monday...starting in August" So I have a few more months to wish the week away. And on Monday mornings it is very tempting. Our weekends are so much more fun than Oliver going to work all day and me studying for the Bar all day. I mean you can't really take pictures and write about that! James and Lisa told us about the Rossville Auction in Rossville, TN. We went with them on Friday night and really racked up. We got a drop leaf table, 2 x 3 oriental rug, four chairs and some wooden bowls. We also got some REALLY UGLY vases. Lisa and James got this huge leather 3-chair sofa thing that is from a Mason Lodge in Chicago.....it is really cool and will look amazing in their den. We ate dinner at the Wolf River Dinner--the atmosphere reminded me of Old Taylor but the catfish was better.

On Saturday we went to Columbus for a friend's wedding. We stayed with Oliver's aunt and uncle who are literally some of my favorite people. Oliver has four aunts on his dad's side and everytime I am around any of them them I think, "I want to be more like Aunt [Karen, Cindy, Beth, or Kim." They are four of the most cheerful, fun women I know. Everyone of them enjoys every minute of life (probably even Monday mornings). Sunday morning Aunt Karen gave me an "art" lesson and I came home with an awesome painting of three angels. Karen really painted the whole thing but I got to help a little. I am going to Michaels today to buy some paint and canvases. Hopefully, this will last longer and be more successful than the sewing spirt.

FIRENZE

Some good friends just got back from Florence, Italy. I made them promise to eat at my two favorite places. The Oil Shoppe has the best sandwich in the world. It is worth a trip to Italy just for the 5 Euro sandwich. The man behind the counter reminds me of the soup Nazi on Seinfield. The Golden View Ristorante was my favorite place for dinner in Florence. It overlooks Pointe Vecchio. Amazing truffles! Anyway if anyone is headed to Firenze this summer these two destinations are a must. Here is a picture from their trip and you can kinda see the Pointe Vecchio in the backgroud:

Osiris Banner Party

Osiris Banner Party was this past Saturday. We had a blast. It was really funny having our boys sing. And of course...every girl likes a boa.