The Funeral Service

We had the funeral services for my Great Aunt Liss today. This is one of the hardest funeral I have ever been to. I think that I was probably closer to her than anyone living. She was 97 years young. She passed away on Tuesday last week right before Hurricane Ivan hit. I think it made things a lot more difficult because we had to wait over a week before we could even begin to have any closure. Liss lived with my grandparents or rather they lived with her when I was growing up. When my parents, my sister and I went on vacations she came with us. During Mardi Gras she stayed with us while my parents went to the balls. I stayed with her on the weekends all the time. We were really close. I miss her so so much. Yes, she lived a full life. Full of sacrificing for others. She was a wonderful woman and loved by everyone that new her. Unfortunately, she outlived most of her family and friends. I miss her so much. My best friend Catherine, who just opened the restaurant I talked about last week, was at the services. After the service we went at got lunch at TGI Friday's and then went to the restaurant and had some wine. I did not want to gone home and have time to think. It was a really tough day. I had a picture of her blown up to display at the service. It was when she was young. She was really pretty. My husband took it and picked it up for me and now he can't find the original. That is why there is a delay in posting this blog. I was planning on scanning her picture but oh well.

Blu Bistro Grand Opening

Last night Luke, Gavin and I went to the grand opening of Blu Bisto. My best friend, Catherine, and her husband, Chef Michael Blucas are the proud owners. The restaurant features fine southern cuisine. Michael has definitely outdone himself with this menu. It was absolutely wonderful dining experience. Catherine chose all the wine selections and they were superb. The dining room is reminiscent of a New Orleans style bistro. Perfect lighting and beautiful background music lead you into another world.

We ordered a bottle of Rabbit Ridge and sat back to enjoy the surroundings. For our starters I chose the baked brie in puff pastry with cranberry orange glaze and Luke decided on the seafood gumbo with shrimp, crab and smoked sausage. The gumbo beyond compare and the baked brie (one of my favorite dishes) was divine. I could eat that everyday for the rest of my life and I would be a happy lady. For the entrees we both had the pan seared eight-ounce USDA choice filet mignon with herb butter. Luke added the sauteed mushrooms. The waiter told us he could provide us with steak knives but the chef proclaimed the steaks to be so tender they could be cut easily with a butter knife. This was in fact the truth. The filets melted in your mouth. Luke said he was drunk on taste. Gavin had the pan roasted breast of range chicken stuffed with conecuh sausage and smoked gouda stuffing. This delectable dish was a perfect smokey blend to stimulate the taste buds. The spinach madeleine, yukon gold mashed potatoes and garlic herb cheese grits were perfect accompaniments to the main courses. Although we were completely full and relaxed we had to try the creme de broule. The perfect encore to a perfect evening and meal.

Several of Michael's family and friends were there to celebrate the opening as well as many others from the area. I would recommend anyone visiting this area stop in for dinner and enjoy some fine southern cuisine and hospitality.

Labor Day Fun with Friends Part 2

Steve and Dorothy were having a Labor Day cookout on Sunday. Luke was not able to go with us because he had to study. Gavin and I loaded up the car and headed that way about 12:00 noon. We stopped at Bruno's and the deli manager gave us a free cake. We bought sodas, beer, chips and dip. There was a good crowd there including Dorothy's sisters and Lesleigh's mother. It was Lesleigh's birthday and Dorothy had a cake for her. We got Peggy to stop at the store and get the candles. We cooked out, ate and drank until night. Peggy and Dorothy decided I did not need to drive especially with Gavin and so we crashed there. Monday morning we woke to a beautiful morning. Hurricane Frances was now a tropical storm and was in the Gulf of Mexico. We were getting a wonderful breeze from it and it was nice sitting in the back yard drinking coffee.

We got home about 10 on Monday and I worked on my other website most of the day. I am trying to get away from posting personal pics on that site and trying to build it up as more of an information site. I eventually would like to offer travel packages and other things for people interested in coming to Mobile for Mardi Gras.











When I check my email last night Polly had made me this great tag. I am still trying to decide where to use it.

Labor Day Fun with Friends

Teresa called about 1:00 today, Tammy and Craig were in town from New Orleans. The guys were going to play golf and they were going to our new favorite bar. Charlotte was meeting them there. We were there for a while and Peggy came and so did Dana. I was like a mini WBC meeting. We did talk a little about having another party at the end of the months. We are going to call it the WBC Open Hive and invite people outside of the WBC group. I think is will be fun and interesting. The only problem we have right now is a location. We don't have a bunch of money to spend on this and most places we would normally go will be packed due to football season. Well with just a few weeks to go we will figure out something I am sure. If anyone can pull a party together quick it is this group of ladies.

We stayed until the evening and then were invited to Teresa's house for dinner. I went and got Luke, Gavin and Frolic and off we went. We listened to the Alabama game and ate. Craig is a wonderful cook. After dinner and the game we adjorned to the backyard and built a fire (it was only 85 degrees outside but there was beer involved) and laid around on blankets watching the stars.