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Happy Birthday, Crystal!

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Today is my sweet Crystal’s birthday. And in honor of my adorable friend, I am going to post some of my favorite pics of her.

Crystal and I met in 2002, when Eric was working with Teague. The first day I met her I spied her vegetable bible and knew we were destined to be besties. When she married Teague, Eric became ordained so he could perform the ceremony. When we moved to our neighborhood, we were thrilled that they bought a house on the next street.

They have been our friends through thick and thin and it is such a pleasure to call you my little sister, Crystal. I love you!

The prettiest bride ever!

I cried when they said “I do” all the way through the Krispy Kreme wedding cake!

More Birthday Fun Inside

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A Lavish Repast

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

This past Saturday night was the last stop in my birthday celebration tour.  And what a night it was!  My darling bff, John, took to the kitchen and whipped up the most amazing meal ever. I’m serious. If we could have had some judges there, he would have won a James Beard Award. And there was also a fabulous gift for yours truly!

The Maestro at Work

Hurry on in, you have got to check out this meal!

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Seeing Items Through New Eyes

Monday, March 8th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend, I know we did.  And I will be back in a few with lots of pictures and foodie stories for you.

But in the meantime, I’d like to discuss how to use items in your house for a purpose other than originally intended. For instance, I bought this killer planter this fall at the Grant Park Yard Sale with Crystal for $5.00 and I just love, love, love it.  But how can I use it for something other than plants?  You know, I bet it would make a wonderful and exotic ice bucket.  And it did. Take a look:

Isn't This Cool? The Bubbly Thinks So!

I just love how gothic and exotic it looks. For FIVE DOLLARS y’all!

The weather is finally getting nice – get out to those neighborhood yard sales and take a gander!

See you in a bit.

xoxo, Patti

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Arepas Day!

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Still celebrating my birthday, even though we are going into March. Yesterday Holly treated me to lunch and let me pick the spot. I picked Las Arepas de Julia on Lawrenceville Highway. On a trip to NYC long ago, Eric and I sampled some arepas from a street cart during a neighborhood festival. They were just some of the most delicious things we had ever eaten, so when I learned that someone was making them here in Atlanta, I figured it would absolutely worth the trip OTP (that’s Outside The Perimeter for those of you outside Atlanta, and thus, OTP).

We knew we had arrived when we spotted the bright, colorful sign outside:

We Have Arrived At Our Arepas Destination

For More Corny, Cheesy Deliciousness, Click Here

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Miss Yoder’s Buttermilk Pie

Thursday, March 4th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

My dear friend, John Channell, whom I have known forever, sent me this recipe from Miss Yoder of Inverness, Florida, our hometown.

Miss Yoder lived across the street from the little red school house I went to in the third grade. It was everything you would hope a school to be. Big, red brick, wooden floors, huge windows you could sit in.

But that little schoolhouse is gone now. But Miss Yoder’s Buttermilk Pie recipe remains. And I am going to share it with you.

And it’s crazy easy and so delicious you might be tempted to eat it all by yourself. But go ahead and share it with someone you love. They will feel so pampered.

Miss Yoder's Buttermilk Pie

Click Here For Miss Yoder’s Buttermilk Pie Recipe

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My March Challenge

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Since August I have been recording all the fun times at our house and beyond. And all we wanted when we returned from Santa Monica was to be surrounded with as many friends as possible. And we have. It has been grand.

I have to say, though, that giving party after party can be exhausting, even for a hospitalityaholic like myself.

And so, this month I am issuing a “no party” rule for March.  I can attend parties, but we will not be hosting for the next 30 days. I am taking this month to recharge my batteries so I can come back with renewed resources and ideas.

April will bring our spring fling, so I can gear up for that, but all dinner parties in our household will be held for just us two this month.

Some don’t think I can do it. I refuse to fail. Eric wondered what I would blog about. I believe there are a ton of things to blog about.  In fact, I’m a bit behind on dinner parties given in February that I must tell you about and there are also some fun surprises.

So, if you have been wanting to invite us, now is the time!

xoxo, Patti

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A Birthday Party Worth Singing About

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

I had the sweetest time in NOLA with my darling husband, but the birthday celebration didn’t stop there.  This past Friday night, 22 of us gathered to celebrate some more at Karaoke Melody, a terrific spot on Buford Highway that has private karaoke rooms. Most.Fun.Ever.

The photos really tell the story here, so lets begin!

Teague Checking The Mics

Join The Party By Clicking Here

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Birthday In NOLA – Final Installment

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Our last day in New Orleans was off to a slow start. We had a quiet breakfast on a patio in the French Quarter and just moseyed around town on foot. The sky was grey and the day was misty. I didn’t even take any photos.

More Last Day Fun After The Fold

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Birthday In NOLA – Lucky Day Three!

Friday, February 26th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Day three in New Orleans was the greatest and….it was my actual birthday, so even better!

Eric and I arose fairly early and caught the trolley to The Trolley Stop Cafe for brunch.  And since it was my birthday and I could do anything I wanted, I ordered a blueberry waffle and a crab cake. Both delicious. Eric ordered the eggs, toast and bacon. Also yummy.

After brunch we wandered around the Garden District and enjoyed all the beautiful homes. The architecture in New Orleans really is fantastic and refreshingly without a whit of snobbery.  Then we hit Magazine Street for some shopping. Such fun.

First Stop - Brunch At The Trolley Stop

More Birthday Fun After The Fold

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Birthday in NOLA – Part Deux

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Good Morning, Darlings!

Our second day in New Orleans my sweet Eric woke up early and decided to take a walk while I got pretty for the day. After primping, I walked out to find him and we met at Harrah’s. Mr. Perfect was armed with cafe au lait and fresh beignets from Cafe Du Monde.  We walked down to the river and had an impromptu picnic breakfast while enjoying the tugboats.

A Wonderful Way to Start Our Day

More Day Two Fun Next

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