Tomorrow I'll be on the road to Chattanooga to celebrate a very special boy's sixth birthday. Since I'll be away from my computer, I'd like to take this opportunity to wish him happy birthday a day early.
It only seems like yesterday that he came into this world prematurely. I was in New York City, walking in Manhattan, when I got the call. I came home with an "I Heart NY" onesie and a whole lot of love.
We've had lots of good times together, and it's been a busy six years. We've had time spent snuggling:
Rocking and telling stories:
Vacationing at the beach (not too happy about the waves here!):
But happier the following year:
Welcoming a new baby brother:
Making a new friend in Sadie:
"Driving" Peter's racecar:
Visiting with family:
And acting silly with Nanny:
I love you, little man. I've learned a lot about myself from you. Happy, happy birthday.
Today my ma, pa and I participated in the American Cancer Society's "Bark for Life" event held in Daffin Park. We were the third-highest fundraisers, thanks to my friends Richard and Shelley Spivey, Chris and Leslie Brown, and my ma and pa, of course! Approximately 1.5 million people will be diagnosed with cancer this year, and we want to do our part to bring that number down to zero! Don't forget, too, that dogs can get canine cancer, like my predecessor Beauregard.
We set out early this morning to the park. I'm ready to take a bite out of cancer:
My pa even walked with us (and hauled the goodie bag):
There were all kinds of dogs there today. Big dogs:
Little dogs:
And bloodhound doggies, which are the closest dog breed (genetically speaking) to the basset hound. Can you see the similarities?
This is my new, drooly friend Gracie:
I also got to see my pals from Case Veterinary Hospital. I was happy to see them and they were happy to see me.
Look - cars come in different sizes the same way dogs do:
After the one-mile walk, I was really pooped. Pa brought the Fiat to the park so I wouldn't have to walk all the way home (thanks, Pa!) That's how I roll.
Yesterday was a good day since it was Savannah Food Co-Op Pickup Day. One of the additional items I ordered was locally-caught Wild Georgia Shrimp, from Dubberley's Seafood. The shrimp are flash frozen on the boat and are as good as fresh when thawed. They arrived ready to cook, peeled and de-veined. I didn't waste any time threading these suckers onto a skewer.
And then I whipped up a marinade made of lime juice and zest, sugar, salt, fish sauce and Asian chili paste:
After about a three-minute grilling, we had this:
And this:
Sorry, no leftovers. But if you want to recreate this spicy deliciousness at home, you can.
For the Sauce 1/2 c. sugar 1 t. finely grated lime zest, plus 1/4 c. fresh lime juice 1 T. Asian chili paste 1 T. Asian fish sauce
For the Shrimp: Safflower oil, for brushing (I used canola) 36 large shrimp, peeled and deveined Coarse salt
1. Soak 12 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes to prevent charring. 2. Meanwhile, make the sauce by bringing sugar and lime juice to a simmer in a small saucepan. Cook until sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lime zest, fish sauce and chili paste. Season with salt. 3. Make the shrimp: heat grill to high and brush grates with oil. Thread 3 shrimp onto each skewer; season with salt. Divide sauce in half; reserve half for serving. Grill shrimp for 1 minute; brush with sauce. Flip and grill for 1 more minute, brush with sauce again. Flip and grill, brushing occasionally with sauce, until opaque, 1 to 3 minutes more. Serve with reserved sauce.
I've been absent from the blog lately because work and play have had my tush traveling across three states. I was in Atlanta and northwest Georgia last week for work and got to spend one night with my sweet boys in Chattanooga.
I swear, they have both grown a foot since I saw them last. This was the morning I was leaving town, and little Walt was upset that I had parked my "super fast" car in front of the hotel because he was certain that someone would steal it, on account of it being "super fast" and all. Don't worry. The car wasn't stolen, and Walter had a fun time the night before in the "great big bubble bath," aka Marriott jacuzzi.
Noel enjoyed the water, too:
When I finished up with my work obligations last Friday morning in Atlanta, I headed down I-85 and across some back roads in Alabama (not for the fainthearted) towards Fort Walton Beach. My sweetie was working on a project at Eglin Air Force Base, so I did my best to help him.
Actually, that was a lie. I enjoyed a lazy weekend in the sun.
Don't forget all that delicious seafood at the beach. Pietro and I enjoyed a dinner one night at Red Bar, in Grayton, and lunch one day at Seagrove Village Market:
You can keep Destin and Panama City and all of their t-shirt shacks, overpriced fried seafood platters and putt-putt places, but I am a sucker for the beaches along Highway 30-A. Although I do love my new hometown of Savannah, Tybee just can't compete with the sugary sands of Florida's panhandle. Here's hoping that the BP oil spill passes you by!
And then completely immersing his little fingers in paint:
Making silly faces with Nanny:
And opening some awesome gifts:
A good time was had by all. Until next time, little men.
We've had lots of good times together, and it's been a busy six years. We've had time spent snuggling:
Rocking and telling stories:
Vacationing at the beach (not too happy about the waves here!):
But happier the following year:
Welcoming a new baby brother:
Making a new friend in Sadie:
"Driving" Peter's racecar:
Visiting with family:
And acting silly with Nanny:
I love you, little man. I've learned a lot about myself from you. Happy, happy birthday.
After the one-mile walk, I was really pooped. Pa brought the Fiat to the park so I wouldn't have to walk all the way home (thanks, Pa!) That's how I roll.
And then I whipped up a marinade made of lime juice and zest, sugar, salt, fish sauce and Asian chili paste:
And this:
Sorry, no leftovers. But if you want to recreate this spicy deliciousness at home, you can.
I swear, they have both grown a foot since I saw them last. This was the morning I was leaving town, and little Walt was upset that I had parked my "super fast" car in front of the hotel because he was certain that someone would steal it, on account of it being "super fast" and all. Don't worry. The car wasn't stolen, and Walter had a fun time the night before in the "great big bubble bath," aka Marriott jacuzzi.
Noel enjoyed the water, too:
When I finished up with my work obligations last Friday morning in Atlanta, I headed down I-85 and across some back roads in Alabama (not for the fainthearted) towards Fort Walton Beach. My sweetie was working on a project at Eglin Air Force Base, so I did my best to help him.
Actually, that was a lie. I enjoyed a lazy weekend in the sun.
Don't forget all that delicious seafood at the beach. Pietro and I enjoyed a dinner one night at Red Bar, in Grayton, and lunch one day at Seagrove Village Market:
You can keep Destin and Panama City and all of their t-shirt shacks, overpriced fried seafood platters and putt-putt places, but I am a sucker for the beaches along Highway 30-A. Although I do love my new hometown of Savannah, Tybee just can't compete with the sugary sands of Florida's panhandle. Here's hoping that the BP oil spill passes you by!
