Can I Keep It?

Before and After

Before the ceremony, Hud and I checked in to the gorgeous Romeo and Julliet Suite at the Peabody.

And they brought us strawberries and champagne!

Hud took me to lunch at Rizzo's downtown.  It was divine.

Blackened catfish eggs benedict.  Because you just should.

Then it was a quick trip back to the Peabody to change and hop into our carriage for a leisurely ride down to Tom Lee Park to meet our friends for the exchange of our vows.

Of course we chose the carriage with the most dogs and the sassiest horse.  Meet dapper Diesel.

Diesel was a commedian.  He took his time to get places.  In fact when the driver swatted him and told him to go faster, Diesel would clippity clop for about a foot and a half.  Then he would turn around and snort, like, "Yeah, buddy.  Like THAT'S gonna' happen."  Hud and I didn't care.  The unexpected part of the trip down to the river were all the smiling people, waving and wishing us congratulations.

When we arrived and dismounted, the driver stopped to offer Diesel a drink from his water bucket.  Diesel cut his eyes and smashed his snout into the bucket, spewing water everywhere!  And then he threw his head back, bared his teeth in a wide grin and laughed and laughed and laughed.  "Tip your waiters and waitresses, folks!  I'll be here all week!" The driver exclaimed that he always did that.  And I said, "Of course he does.  It's funny!"

Afterward the beautiful ceremony, we all made our way back to the Peabody to our suite.  What I hadn't shown you before is that the rooms are on two levels with a narrow winding staircase that leads to the living space.

The ceiling were about twenty five feet tall.  It was stunning.  I had brought our wedding albums.  Hey, with twenty-seven photographers at the first event, we have a couple of books and a huge photo box of prints from our wedding.  It was,um, well documented.

I put my incredible bouquet by Rachel's in a vase and started to cut the cake we had our friend, Joel of Manna, make for the occassion.

Well, tried to cut the cake.  Unfortunately, the table was cut as low as my dress, so Hud had to do it!

We talked and laughed and ate Joel's Chocolate Dulche de Leche confection that tastes like a dream and comfort, sprinkled in unicorn sneezes and happiness. Our lovely friend, Tracey arrived just in time for the treat.

When everyone left, Hud took me to a wonderful dinner at Chez Phillipe.  After that, it's none of your business!  Let's just say that we had the best day ever.

*wink*

 

 

I'd Do It All Over Again

This past month was a whirlwind of activites with my life rushing over me at such a swift pace that it took my breath away.  In cleaning up the house, fixing broken bits of it, packing up some of the clutter and brick-a-brack like Hud's Stanhope collection and my fourteen sets of dishware, it happened.  We fell in love with the house.  Hud and I and our menage a trois love affair with Schyterbolle is hot and heavy again.  We're just not quite ready to break up with her.  In doing so, I gave up most of my studio to make an apartment.  Hud called Rhodes and as luck would have it, a returning foreign exchange student called two days later needing immediate occupancy. She's happily ensconced in her new home and I can get on with my ninety thousand unfinished projects.

Whew.

In the midst of it all, we did find time to celebrate this special occassion.

 

Hud and I renewed our vows in a small ceremony down by the Mississippi River.  There were only seven of us present.  Hud's best man from our wedding, Calvin and his wife, Jamie, the original photographer at our wedding sixteen years ago, Keith and his wife, Donna, the two of us and our dear friend, Bob, who officiated the event.

We chose well in Bob.  He had some lovely things to say about us and our marriage.  Everyone was in tears.

 Hud said the most wonderful heartfelt things to me.  Everyone was in tears.

 And then it was my turn.  I retrieved my vows from my bosom.  Everyone laughed.  Hey.  Don't judge.  There weren't any pockets in that dress!  I managed to choke out my words for Hud.

That's Calvin, Donna, Hud, Me, Bob and Jamie  with the Mississippi River Bridge and Big Muddy in the background.

And here we are with our longtime friends, Donna and Keith.

October 4, 2013 was just as special as that same day, sixteen years ago.

 

Whew

The last couple of weeks Hud and I have been social butterflies.  Good thing he has a five day weekend coming up.  I need a rest. 

We photographed the Rhodes College graduation for one.  Went to a wedding at the Metals Museum for another.

The river is very high from all of the snow run off up north.  It's racing so fast that the barges going downstream disappeared in  a matter of minutes, while the ones travelling upstream?  Are probably still fighting the current six days later.

We went to a Gatsby Party, which was grand fun.  And my Art Deco jewelry got to go out for the evening, which it adored. Art Deco jewelry loves a good party.

Our friends, the Flowers.  Hud has known Calvin since they were babies, like sixty years.  Not being hyperbolic, even.  For reals.

We're having the house refinanced.  Zali and Simone were not impressed.  They had to go to jail for a few hours while the appraiser was here.

Muhzer! Wee are ze stressed owt!

I should have put Simone in her Thundershirt. Hud and I did Paws for a Cause a couple of weekends ago and I gave in and bought her one to ease her anxiety.  Two years ago, without warning, Simone became petrified of thunderstorms.  The slightest rumble would cause her to shake so terribly that I was afraid she'd rattle her teeth out of her head.  When I discovered her hiding behind the toilet after I got out of the shower, I knew that I had to try something.  And you know what?

EffingFunderCanBiteMe.GrowlAtSomebodyElse,AshullSky.

It works!  

The Thundershirt doesn't completely put her at ease, but during yesterday's storms, she merely panted a few times.  No shaking!  Simone even managed a nap during a particularly strong line of storms.  I may get one for Boudreaux.  Zoe didn't teach him how to catch a ball like an Olympian, but she did transfer her fear of the vacuum cleaner.

And we went to bunch and lunches with a variety of friends.  That's about enough, isn't it?

Well, there is this:

A baby Fig Parrot.  From Zooborns.com.

You are welcome.

Dejeuner a Midi

New Year's Eve, we started the day by tossing a coin.  Go to the Opera? Too far away. Sacre Coeur?  Did a church already.  The Bastille?  Maybe.  But knowing Hud is a Civil War fan, I figured that maybe he would like to go to France's favorite war hero's final resting spot --Hotel des Invalides.  It's right next to the Musee de l'Armee so he could get two birds with one stone.  What I didn't know is the best way to procede.  Hud ran down to ask Zahir at the front desk.  He sent us left out of the hotel, left at the first street, go three blocks and head right between a museum and a gallery and voila!

Go under the Eiffel Tower! There was a Christmas village set up at the base and a small fair.  And 9,485,283 and a 1/2 of our closest friends and their dogs.  I really needed my dog.

We made a left at the carousel and headed for the Tour Eiffel!

Through the hoards of visitors. Closer...

Closer...

Under and out!

Another left.  A little to the right and follow the golden dome to this:

The Hotel des Invalides is a large church finished in 1706.  It served as a large complex of buildings, apartments, hospital and church to provide for soldiers who had served in various wars over the years.  Napoleon and his son were exhumed from Elba and Austria respectively and moved to the church in the 1800s.  Actually, Hitler (!) thought the son should be with his father and had the remains moved to the catacombs of the Invalides.  Who knew he ever did anything nice?  Well, I have read that he liked cats, so there must be some kernel of good in everyone.

First we visited the Musee de l'Armee to the left of the dome.  It's a vast complex housing the armory of France's great warring past.

I loved this Art Nouveau pitchfork gate.  But onto the show!

First, you pass though one man's vast collection of examlples of all the outfits soldiers wore throughout the ages.  I said, " Wow.  I've never seen such a big doll collection."  Hud said, "Good thing you didn't say that in French."  Hmmph.  It's a DOLL COLLECTION.  I don't care what he called it.

I had no idea the suits of armour worn by knights were so intricately and masterfully etched! 

This one belonged to Louis XIV.  As Hud and I wandered around, we started to notice that all the artifacts we were drawn to belonged to him.  Louis and I could have definitely shopped together.

Even the horses were suited up for defense.

And the children.

At first, I couldn't figure out what the hook was for on many of the suits.  Je parle comme un bebe, but I can read a good bit.  Finally, I read that it was a support on Jousting suits.  You know. For the jousting ram.  As you do.

I was amazed that they still had the pantaloons for this suit.  The fabrics were why the lighting was kept so low and flash was not allowed.

The variety of these powder flasks was so interesting.  They ranged from antlers to ivory to a small bejeweled turtle shell.  That's it, second in, from the bottom right.

This ancient shield was carved from wood, covered in leather and adorned with paint and guilding.

Little known fact, as a child, the Furry Godmother was pretty good with a crossbow.  This one inlaid with ivory could convince me to take up the sport again, I think.

But the most amusing piece of armory came in the form of a canon, celebrating the marriage of a duke and given by Cardinal Richelieu. 

It had a portrait of the bride.

Lovely.  The handles were a carving of the bride and groom in an embrace. Naked!

Isn't it romantic?  Nothing says love like your very own weapon of mass destruction!

Hud said, "This is wonderful!  I'll get the Metals Museum started on ours the minute we get back!"

Quelle romantique!

I'll leave it here,because Napoleon deserves a post to himself.

Adieu pour la nuit!

 

 

Art for Hope

Come on by Art for Hope at the Memphis Botanic Gardens tonight from 5:30- 9:00.  Great local artwork for sale benefiting Hope House, the ONLY facility in Tennessee dedicated to helping children affected by HIV.

*THAREipist owned by the lovely Betty Snapp Barrett*

As a show special, I am offering custom portraits, ordered tonight only for 10% off.  Come by and get yours!  Because your pet deserves to be in pictures!

Leave Me Hangin'

The good folks over at MIFA invited me to hang my work in their gallery for the next sixty days. And I said, "Thank you, I believe I will." 

 

MIFA (Metropolitan Inter Faith Association) is a fantastic organization that brings all denominations of churches and laypeople together through nine programs that help seniors, teens, children and families in crisis.  Thirty percent of the people they feed with Meals on Wheels are sixty-five and live alone.  The Memphis Food Bank assists families with pantry basics for families in need. MIFA Transit makes over seventy thousand trips shuttling seniors to appoinments.   Eighty-six percent of every dollar goes to directly into MIFA programs.  Annually, sixty thousand Shelby County residents would go homeless and hungry without the care they provide.

In gratitude, I am donating thirty percent of all sales of my paintings to MIFA for all the great work they do.

Thanks, Jonathan and the rest of the MIFA staff and volunteers.  I hope my work can go to work for you.

Crest Fallen

The Mississippi has held Memphis hostage for several weeks now.  Built high on a bluff, the downtown was safe from flooding.  Only Riverside Drive and the elegant homes on Mud Island down there risked being submerged.  Neither faired well.  On Mud Island the first floors of many lovely homes became new breeding grounds for catfish.  And snakes.  Riverside Drive was closed as the Big Muddy leaked across its edges.

 

Memphis in May moved the Championship Barbeque Festival down the street from us to the fairgrounds.  It normally resides at Tom Lee Park.  In 1925, an african-american named Tom Lee saved thirty-two people from a sinking steamboat.  He rowed a tiny boat across the strong currents of the Mississippi to get to them.  He could not swim.  A monument to his bravery is the central point of the park.

 

It's nearly been swallowed by the water.  The current came up quickly as I was standing there.  One second, I was dry.  The next, I was enveloped in the thick brown of the river.

 

The waters have begun to receed here in the Bluff City.  The rice fields of Arkasas are coming back into view.  Downtown is drying out.

 

But the barge traffic is still having a rough go of it.  We watched as a fully loaded one barely squeaked under the M Bridge.

He probably would have had an easier time if he had taken Riverside Drive.

*My heart goes out to the people of Mississippi and Louisiana as the River

makes her might known to them.*

Furry and Terra at The Tower Center

Gentle Readers,

Make no mistake about it: Furry and I love, in this order, each other, our furkids, and wonderful food. Sadly, the Zali Lama and Simone were not able to accompany us as we journeyed recently to The Tower Room, Memphis's newest and tastiest place to have Sunday Brunch. Our new best friend, Wade Hartsfield, has been catering fabulous events for some time and decided that it would be great to use the top floor of Clark Tower as a restaurant, but only on Sunday for brunch.  We visited back in November during their soft opening and were blown completely away by their fantastic food, attentive service, and warm, friendly atmosphere.

And, omg, the view of Memphis from this place is unmatched.

It turns out to be true: We DO live in an oak forest!

Here we are, having a wonderful time, wishing you were here with us.  Our waiter, Michael, was kind enough to take this for us.

But sincee it's not all about us (though it probably really should be), let's talk about the food. There is an individual table for starters, where you will find the grilled and smoked artichokes, which are nothing short of amazing....probably the best thing on this delicious menu. There were also marinated mushrooms and grilled asparagus, and mesclun salad with dried apricots, walnuts, and cranberries. You could make a complete meal and never leave the salad table, but you must resist this temptation.

In the distance, far left, is the waffle-making station.  He made mine with chocolate chips in the batter, covered with strawberries and topped with whipped cream. It was the best I have ever eaten. And your waiter brings it, and your omelet, to your table when it is ready. That won't be happening at The Peabody.

Here is a closeup of the carving station...

where you get your prime rib (truth be told, we went off our no-red-meat high horse and had a small slice....very, very tasty). Hidden under the covers are shrimp and grits, biscuits and gravy, eggs, and sausage patties.They also have a station where a lovely chef makes a perfectly-cooked French omelet, so thin and scrumptious. However, I was busy drooling and forgot to get the shot.

For dessert we had strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, bread pudding with rum sauce, chocolate mousse cake, and carrot cake. It was a feast fit for the Furry Godmother.Wade even took Angela's suggestions at the soft opening and now provides black napkins and fresh silverware with each course. Purr-fect in every way.

We were once huge fans of The Peabody for holiday brunches, but now have seen the light and the realm of possibilites.  The truth be told, we waited until the Sunday after Christmas to have our Christmas Brunch, because they were closed on Christmas Day. People who provide such wonderful fare definitely merit the day off, and we were glad we waited. I have no reservations as I encourage you to call 901-767-8776 for reservations. You owe it to yourself; make your day! Thanks to Furry for letting me hijack her bully pulpit.

Terra

Super Young Festival

I have been derelict in posting the pictures of the Cooper-Young Festival.  Hud normally uploads my pictures, but he's been so busy with MUS Homecoming festivities that he left it up for me to figure out.

Huh.  I feel like Zoe must feel on a daily basis.

I JUST sold my soul to Satan.  I can now move pictures from my camera to the computer.  The crying and screaming of obscenities helped amuse the old devil and he took pity on me.  In fact, I'm quite sure they're the only reason I slogged my way through it.

This is my booth directly after set up.  Later, it will be so packed with humanity that it will take seven minutes to cross from its opening to the trash can in the middle of the street.  One hundred thousand people made their way to this part of the city that day.  A full tenth of the population of Memphis.

And let me tell you, it is a REAL cross section of the city.  All different races, religions, BLGT, mohawks, tattoos, piercings -- you name it --Cooper -Young has got it and most of them have had a lot of beer.  It's probably why it's my favorite festival in all of Memphis.  I love to see all the different people getting together and having the time of their lives.

Poor Hud.  Eating carrots and pretending that it is NOT 100 degrees and all of Memphis swarms about the tent.  Next year, I am not bringing any artwork.  I am going to arrange a baby pool in the middle and fill it with ice.  I will never have to work again. 

It was hotter than the hammered hinges of hell.

We were set up next to my friend Tatia and her marvelous beads she makes at Solstice Studios. 

Zali and I made our way from the house, around Rhodes College and over to the Presbyterian Church this weekend where Tatia was set up at the Clanjamfrey Festival.  We witnessed the "Bonny Knees" competition.  There's a dog parade, that we missed apparently, in which people tart up their fuzzy pals and prizes are won for the best ensemble. 

Zali is sooooo winning next year.  I feel sorry for the other contestants.  I'm going to make him a kilt, knee ribbons, scarf and a tam.  That dog will wear anything.  I should have named him Smithfield.  Because, you know he is a ham.

And the weather?  Has dropped twenty degrees over the course of the week.

Today is 75.  There is no God.  Or if there is, He has a wicked sense of humor.

Paw Prints Gala 2010

The largest fundraiser for the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County is tonight!  Festivities will begin at seven o'clock at Central Station in Downtown Memphis.  There will live and silent auctions, music by The Living Daylights and food provided by Memphis' premiere restaurants.

My friend Tracy and I will be there with bells on!  Okay.  Not actual bells.  More like Pucci prints and outrageous heels.  I'll take pictures.

I wonder if Zali would care to escort us.  Hud has Homecoming at MUS. 

Wish me luck that my painting brings them lots of cash!