Our Dining Room

I'm excited to be able to participate in Kelly's Show Us Where You Live this week.  Now that I actually live back in my home, we are getting to experience all the joys that go along with home ownership (leaking roof anyone)?  Seriously as soon as we get moved back in from one flood, we have another, which are totally unrelated by the way.  We're rolling with it, and looking forward to the weekend.  Shirlington's Oktoberfest and the Bama game.  A little sad we aren't in Tuscaloosa especially with the ticket offers that rolled in this week.  But I hope all my besties have fun at the Lake House and tailgating for the game!!! 

So on to our dining room.  I just realized that our curtains are still at the dry cleaners.  At least I've got my table linens, which will stay on the table until the movers send the restoration company to repair all the scratches it acquired during the demo and move. 

I put out some heartier plates for fall, but I'm thinking about hanging them on one of the walls in the living room, we'll see how industrious I get.

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My cookbook shelf tucked in the corner-featuring my Junior League of Tampa Cookbooks.  Can't wait to complete the series with Capture the Coast!

My family's prayer.

My mom cross stitched it for me and it was a gift at one of my showers.

My China Cabinet-I have it set up a little differently after the move.  I have all of Josh's grandmothers tea cups out now, and really like it.  Lord knows I have enough crystal and china-may as well switch it out from time to time. =)

All lit up and ready for a nice dinner.  Guess that means I need to get cookin!

It wouldn't be a Friday if I didn't get to say, Go Gators-Beat Bama!

These are a few of my favorite things

As summer has come to a close, I'm switching over from fresh summer vegetables to hearty fall produce.  Doing this, I had to reflect on one of my favorite summer meals involving a few of my favorite foods.

Oh how I love tomatoes, cheese, and mayonnaise.

Josh and I prepared a summer feast of sorts when we were visiting our family in Florida for Labor Day weekend.  So of course it had to include all my favorite items bought from my favorite store, Publix.

There I was just flipping through cooks books when along comes Paula Deen.  A heroin in her own right who decided to combine all my favorite things in a crusty pie shell and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.  Perfection, pure perfection.

Tomato Pie


•4 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
•10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
•1/2 cup chopped green onion
•1 (9-inch) prebaked deep dish pie shell
•1 cup grated mozzarella
•1 cup grated cheddar
•1 cup mayonnaise
•Salt and pepper

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Place the tomatoes in a colander in the sink in 1 layer. Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for 10 minutes.
Layer the tomato slices, basil, and onion in pie shell. Season with salt and pepper. Combine the grated cheeses and mayonnaise together. Spread mixture on top of the tomatoes and bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
To serve, cut into slices and serve warm.

In true Thompson form, we had a slew of other dishes, but that topped it out for me.  But I can't forget the grilled pineapple and peaches that I topped with Publix frozen yogurt and shredded coconut.  Pretty much summer in a bowl-until next year. xoxo

Fall Mantle

Coincidence that the Nester is hosting a Fall Mantle Party and the only part of my house slightly decorated for fall is my mantle?  I think not!

Can't wait to see all the other great ideas!  And yes, I know I need to polish my silver.

My Favorite Songs

So Miss Tay is hosting Top Two Tuesday.  I thought I would share my two favorite songs. 

Trying to think of my favorites made me realize how many songs I love.  But these two take the lead.

My favorite Hymn played on the Pipe Organ:  Holy Holy Holy. 



And Tim McGraw singing The Cowboy In Me.  I have to say in college, I kept this CD in my car, and listened to the song over and over.  It completely described who I was at the time, but I guess I was really a Cowgirl!

Back to the Grind

Oh Monday, how you come so quickly.  I am in recovery mode from this weekend.  And by recovery, I mean I am still in physical pain from all the food I consumed at Robyn and David's wedding and rehearsal dinner.  Wowzers!  I don't think I should need to eat for a few days.  AND don't even have room for coffee in my tummy this morning-that's saying something.  Considering I had three speciality coffees at the end of the reception I should also have a caffeine buzz that lasts another day or two.  How could I turn down multiple personalized peppermint mocha's made with Godiva liquor and Creme de Menthe?  Considering I don't know the definition of will power, I couldn't. 

Monday's mean the commute to work is back on.  And I have switched mine up a little in the past few weeks.  Luckily I live fairly close to my office, so my 4-5 mile commute shouldn't take that long, but seeing I live just outside of DC-one of the most trafficy spots in the country my 4-5 miles translates to 45 minutes up to two hours, yes, two hours.  For the past year and a half I have driven the same city streets to work every morning.  Although the inner loop is a straight shot from my house to my office, I have never really taken it to get to work.

I have always been a city street kind of gal.  When we stayed in the hotel this summer, I discovered I could take a few less traveled highways and get to work lickety split.  So once we moved back home, I decided to give 495 a go.  Although it is pure chaos coming and going, it has shaved some serious time off my commute.  So, I've traded my 45 minute leisurely drive chatting on the cell to a 20 minute run of pure adrenaline.  If I don't pay 100% attention, I would end up flipped over in a ditch on the side of the road.  Gosh I love DC traffic!

Is It Friday Already?

Oh my how this week has flown-by.  I have to excuse myself because I have been knee-deep in boxes all week. 

I'm talking 6-midnight every night of unpacking, organizing and cleaning.  I am so proud of the progress I've made.  To tell the truth, I wouldn't have been as motivated and maybe would have been able to spend some quality time with my DVR and big screen TV for premier week, but my in-laws arrive this afternoon.  I wanted everything to be in tip-top shape for their visit. 

I'm looking forward to a wonderful weekend with family as we celebrate the union of Josh's cousin Robyn!  Looking forward to the lavish affair and the Viennese dessert table at the reception-yay!

We're hoping to be able to sneak in the second half of the Kentucky game after the rehearsal dinner, as always:

The End of an Era

Yesterday marked the last day of life for my childhood pets.  My parents called yesterday to say they had to put our 17 year-old cat, Shadow, to sleep.  I know she is in a better place and not in pain, but it's still sad.

Shadow was the baby of my other kitty Midnight, who passed earlier this year.  Midnight was all black with a white star on her chest and half moon on her tummy.  Shadow was the exact same-hence her name the shadow of her mother.  She was born under my bed, and I would love love love taking care of my kittens when I would come home from school everyday.

Crystal was the cat who ruled the roost.  She moved with us for IL to FL when I was 8-she was my favorite kitty cat, but passed two days before I came home for the summer after my freshman year of college.  Here's a pic of me and Crystal back in the '90's.

Crystal and Marshmallow posing for the most horrendous Santa picture on the face of the planet.

 Marshmallow was also a Yankee transplant with Crystal.  She got her name because she was white with a little black-just like a burnt marshmallow.  I remember I wrote a paper in second maybe third grade about my two best friends Crystal and Marsha (I gave her a people name for my paper)-ha!  Now that I think of it I wrote a bunch of papers about kitty cats.  In second grade I won an award for a paper I wrote about a kitty cat chasing a ball of yarn, when I went to get my certificate I shook the principals hand with left instead of the right, and then I got the important life lesson from my parents on how to properly shake someones hand.

Then there was Q-Tip, my very first kitty.  She was an orange cat with a white tip at the end of her tail, just like a Q-Tip.  Gosh I was good at naming cats!

I can't forget our doggies, there was my beloved beagle, Peaches.  We got her the summer before I started 10th grade.  She was our family dog, and we loved her, she loved us, too.  Especially my mom, she would follow her around everywhere.  Peaches got a little plump in her later years, and did not like being put on a diet by my parents.  She also LOVED to chase Shadow and Marshmallow around the house!

And Josh was my parents dog before I was even born.  Funny that my parents had a dog that shares the same name as my husband.  Josh, the golden cocker spaniel, liked to run away - a lot, actually so did Peaches in her younger years.

Finally Friday!

What a week!

The movers are moving our furniture back in today-it's going to be so great to be home tonight!!

This week, responsibility trumped my social calendar.  I'm still not 100% sure how that makes me feel, but I'm pretty sure it means I'm growing up. 

So, I didn't make it to a happy hour on Georgetown's Waterfront or at The University Club.  But I was a good homeowner, good wife and a good friend.  And the latter two are probably the most important things I could possibly be. 

Not only did I give up happy hours, but I'm also giving up a Gator Game road trip - which is an extreme rarity.  No Neyland Stadium or tailgating on the Tennessee River this weekend in Knoxville. For the very first time since I was a freshman at UF, I will not be sitting in the stands as the Gators take on the Vols.  I will be unpacking boxes, while watching the game on TV.  Sigh.  With that, there's only one thing to say:

Ambassadors Ball

I spent last evening at the JW Marriott in DC volunteering with the MS Society for the 2010 Ambassadors Ball. 

As September "kicks-off" ball, gala, fundrasing season in DC, I was excited to get my first taste of the social season.  Plus, I've spent every night for the last 2+ months in a Marriott, why should last night have been any different?

I'm glad I decided to bring my TB's so I could alternate between heels and flats, because I would have faded fast if I hadn't.  Although I think TB's are the most uncomfortable flats on the face of the planet (and I can't get the elastic back to stay on my heel) the only thing worse would have been an evening spent on 3 inch spikes, I need to work myself back into high heel's it's going to be a challenge-I digress.

Highlights of the evening included welcoming ambassadors, diplomats, congressmen, and a real housewife or two to the event.  I also enjoyed the eye candy of all the beautiful ball gowns.  My fav of the evening came from the wife of an Indian Diplomat who wore a beautiful crimson silk gown.

Another factor I enjoyed was a new process for the silent auction.  Bid sheets be gone.  The MS Society welcomed in BidPal.  Which is pretty much a reprogrammed Ipod Touch, that you use to bid for silent auction items. 

I hope this new method was effective for the organization.  It did make me remember when I was excited to get wireless credit card processing machines to wrap up my silent auctions back in my fundraising days.  My, how times they are a changin. 

Trying to figure out an item or two to bid on come the end of the auction was fun with all the different ways to search and sort on the BidPal.  I left almost empty handed because I didn't think Josh would appreciate me coming home with a new David Yurman watch or a chocolate lab - which were my two favorite auction items by far.  I did however walk away with latest issues of Washington Life, which helped me to familiarize what's going on in DC and who I should invite to my parties going forward with the 100 most invited.

Hummm though I heard their #1 pick doesn't tend to RSVP...

Looking forward to lending a helping hand at more upcoming events, and glad I could assist the MS Society at the Ambassadors Ball.

My Goals for what's left of 2010

So, Top Two Tuesday is what we want to accomplish with what's left of this year.  Why is this list so easy to write in January, but so difficult to reconcile come September?  Gosh, all those things that I said I was going to do but haven't.  Also I think my priorities have shifted slightly with the events that have taken place in my life over the past few months.  I want to follow-through on the action plans I have set for myself.

Loose the weight - lost 30 pounds earlier this summer, gained it back living in the hotel.  I have the healthy food at my finger-tips, have the support, now, need to stick to it. 

Couch to 5K - this is kind of a subset of Loose the Weight-as they kind of go hand in had.  But gee, I've started this like a begillion times, I would like to stick to it this time around.  Maybe with the beautiful cooler temps, I can enjoy some time outside while teaching myself to run.  Fingers crossed.

Via

Cheering on the Gators

Gator Football is a big deal for us.  We met going to a game, we re-met eight years later at various post-game activities in various SEC cities.  Needless to say going to Gator Games together is one of our favorite activities.  Although we had big plans for this season, due to weddings and the Great Thompson Flood of 2010, we quickly realized that we would only be visiting the Swamp and tailgating in Gainesville once this season.  Needless to say we were going to make it count.

Tailgating Thompson style takes a little bit of pre-planning.  We leave coolers and other game-day gear at our secondary headquarters, Josh's parent's house.  Josh also coordinated to have our needed supplies delivered to their house for easy pick-up.  This year that included special order grits and tickets to the game (two VERY important things).  If you've ever had Georgia Ice Cream, then you would agree.  If you haven't then you need to and fast!

Now, we needed to focus on the rest of our supplies.  Which also entails a trip to our favorite store Publix, gosh I love and miss that place.  So on our flight down I made our list and checked it twice.

So after a brief stop, and an overflowing shopping cart we were ready for Cheese Grits and Egg Sandwiches pre-game, and Cheese Steaks for the post game tailgate.

Josh cooked up a storm by 9 am.

The beautiful sights of early morning tailgating.

And don't start to think for a second that we aren't set up with Bloody Mary's in hand by 8:30 am every game day in Gainesville whether the game is at noon or 8 pm.  We get there as soon as the RV lot opens and let the good times roll.

Sadly with the early kick-off, it made it difficult for me to tailgate hop.  Luckily, my friends had a parking pass in the same lot, making it much easier to meet up with the besties!

Game Time, nothing like it I tell ya!

Walking to the game my dad did make the comment that he could tell I'd been gone for the past two years because we were actually able to walk to the game with out stopping 200+ times to say hello or talk to a friend of mine.  That kind of made me sad, guess I've lost my title of Honorary Mayor of Gainesville.

We had a great time at the game, so glad to be able to spend time with my #1 gator girlfriend.  We've been going to games together for the past 13 years-wow.  I do have to say I much prefer sitting in her seats now in the shade and air conditioning of Touchdown Terrace than with the sun blaring down on us with no room to move in our block in the student section!  But I wouldn't trade those days of Lemon Ices for anything, well maybe a TT cookie or two. 

The post game tailgate.  Part of the crowd due to Josh's famed Cheese Steaks the other part due to tailgating with the quarterbacks parents.  I'll leave it up to you to decide which drew the larger crowd JT or JB - ha!

We topped the day off wishing Robey at happy 21st with the largest sheet cake I've ever seen.  By then soaring temps pushed me to the sidelines and I was ready for some AC and H20!  Josh did tell me he knew I was officially old when I wanted to be home and in bed before 10 pm on a game day. 

It's true, although I may not recognize as many friendly faces as I walk to the stadium and may want to turn in when the post game party is just getting started.  I still love my Gators and all the wonderful friends, family and memories this team has brought me.