The Real Meaning of Christmas

Children's Christmas programs are always a delight. Their bright

eyes and joyful spirits are like Christmas packages, all wrapped

up in their very best, with a surprise waiting inside.

More from this series here:

The Real Meaning of Christmas

A Southern Food Tour

The southern states are known for their hospitality and great food.  I was in Texas and Alabama this last week and spent almost as much time in restaurants, as I did walking around seeing the sights

and celebrating the newest Doctor in our family - Thomas Turner Payne, DPT

Celebrations in Dallas was the first stop on the "food tour".

 

Broccoli , kale with walnuts and dried cranberries, baked sweet potato, smashed potatoes with the skin, fried okra.  The next day it was dinner at  

 Wintzell's Oyster House 

in Montgomery, Alabama.

Unfortunately,  I fell off the wagon and started a real binge.  Fried Green Tomatoes with some kind of yummy sauce, Gumbo, Fried Catfish, Fried Hush Puppies and Sweet Tea 

I almost forgot to mention the Pecan Cobbler topped with TWO scoops of vanilla ice cream...   Yowza.

I did not order the Pecan Cobbler - but I did have a taste - well a couple of spoons-full. 

More food at a celebratory lunch the next day. It's not everyday you get to say congratulations to two people who have received a Doctor's Degree in their field.  Congratulations Dr. Thomas Payne and Dr. Cora Huitt : Doctors of Physical Therapy.  

I fly back to Texas the next day where it's on to the next food stop Luby's  in Dallas for a late lunch and I top it off with dinner the last day I'm in Texas at Pappadeaux.  If you've never been - you have got to go.

I end my orgy with Mississippi Catfish Opelousas - Blackened Catfish with Shrimp, Oysters and Crab meat in a Lemon Garlic Butter Sauce and a side of dirty rice.  Another glass of Sweet Tea.  That's it, the end of the line - it's back to California and "skinny food" for a while.

A Visit with Nonnie and Grandpa

Grandparents are similar to a piece of string - handy to 
have around and easily wrapped around the fingers of 
their grandchildren."

Author: Author Unknown

View the Animoto video featuring the youngest of our crew.

A Visit with Nonnie and Grandpa