Relay, Birthdays, Museums, and More!

Did you hear that? That was a collective sigh of relief.
Lord. Have. Mercy.

I have been going strong since two Mondays ago.

I knocked out five interviews for a few freelance story items earlier...  two weeks ago. I spent most of my downtime trying to transcribe everything we talked about. Honestly, if you have ever conducted an interview, that is the hardest part. Sitting down and chatting with someone, as long as you listen and have a natural curiosity, is a piece of cake - it is the going back, transcribing word-for-word what you need to remember, getting the quotes right, and figuring out how to string the facts into an entertaining story is the trick. I have found in the past, if I can get past the first paragraph, the rest sort of writes itself.

Kinda like this blog post.

So what else is going on?

Well, two Fridays ago, I spent the evening with hundreds of warriors. No, no... I did not fight any battles, but I met people who have been fighting a battle and are winning! I'm on the Bibb County Executive Leadership Council for the American Cancer Society. I attended my very first Relay for Life!

 I was blown away by the sheer size of the event. Tents upon tents of truly courageous, as well as dedicated and enthusiastic people. I spent years working Heart Walks for the American Heart Association, however, I have never seen an event like this that was so incredibly emotionally charged. It was not only a quick glimpse into the what cancer does to families, but it was also clearly a celebration!

 As the ceremonies were kicking off, I wandered to the front and took a pic of these luminaries - they spell out HOPE. I thought this was a beautiful testament of what Relay for Life is all about.

 Here I am with the American Cancer Society  Manager and our Board President.

I spent years wearing red for Heart, now I put on the purple for Cancer.

The very next morning, SG drove up and joined me for another celebration of life - My Auttie Blossom's 9th bday party.

 She was thrilled to have a "skull" themed party. (Oh yes, she is a wild one, that Autumn.) I have to admit,  I got a first hand look at how painful coming from a divorced family can be. Autumn's dad does not take the time to spend with his daughter, and he was supposed to be at her party at 1:00pm. We waited and waited.. and apparently he showed up around 5:30 that night. Needless to say, she did not want to cut the cake until her dad arrived. It broke my heart to see her waiting for him by the window. I really should probably not say anymore. But I will sum it up in one word - TRASH.

 We consumed her favorite pizza from her favorite pizza join in Gray, Georgia.

 This kid racked up on the good stuff. The COMPLETE collection.

SG and my Dad enjoying a few beers while we celebrate the life of the blossom.

The next day, my SG and I drove about an hour north to Atlanta for the American Alliance of Museum's conference. He chose to take a few days to decompress in the hotel, while I went to the conference.

 The conference was held at the Georgia Congress Center right in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

This super tall building was my hotel, just blocks from the conference. I stayed at the Westin Peachtree Plaza. Incredible experience. I highly recommend it.

My first day there, I chose to eat at "Fire of Brazil" right across the street from our hotel. The concept is really quite cool - you get this incredible all-you-can eat bar, then these men come around to the table offering unlimited slices of meat. On the bar we enjoyed Chayote Salad, Fresh Carpaccio, Roasted Potatoes in heavy cream, Fresh Smoked Salmon, Black Beans and so much more. As for meat... we were in carnivore heaven. We sampled Picanha, Filet Mignon, Alcatra, Fraldinha, Beef Ribs, Cordeiro, Lombo, Costelo de Porco, Frango, and Linuiga. So incredibly mouth watering, it was also the last place we ate before leaving town.

The following day was a terrific day for eating also! I do believe my mind was blown as I rotated around the city! That's right, we ate at the famous, Sundial Restaurant atop of our hotel at the Westin. Incredible views, actually we were in the highest restaurant in the Western Hemisphere. (According to the folks at the Sundial.) It is a fresh spin on Atlanta dining, the restaurant features seasonal, contemporary American cuisine crafted by Executive Chef Jason Starnes, plus artfully-plated appetizers, imaginative entrees and dessert creations by Pastry Chef Khoi V. Nguyen.

It takes about one hour for the entire restaurant to rotate. We were blown away by the incredible views. Honestly, the views were not the only thing to blow us away, the food was out of this world. I went for the fried chicken breast, drizzled with a honey-thyme sauce, over a bed of mac & cheese. SG went for a blackened trout over cheese grits. And the sweet tea? Sweetened with vanilla bean, mint, and citrus. It was a culinary delight!

Another night we dropped in this little Latin Fusion restaurant. I wish I could remember the name, but.... well... what I do remember is this:

I love chorizo dip, and was thrilled to give this place a try. It was really good, and the mojito was out of this world. I liked the ambiance - we sat outside on the balcony overlooking the city. Just across the street was the Hard Rock Café (more proof the 80s and 90s did happen.)

I hate to admit it, but the service was TERRIBLE. Luckily, the food made up for it.

Another night, we headed to a fantastic little Middle Eastern spot called. "Anatolia Café & Hookah Lounge." We opted for the mixed grilled platter: chicken & lamb kebabs, kofte, lamb chops, adana, and ribeye. It was paired with basmati, falafel, and tahini.

Still on this culinary quest - we had to experience good, old-fashioned Southern Cooking. We were trying very hard to keeping it all very ethnic... but we had to take it back home, so we went to "Miss Pitty Pat's Porch." The story is told that when Scarlett visited Atlanta she always stayed with Aunt Pittypat. During those visits, Aunty Pitty would prepare only her best recipes. At Pittypat's Porch, the tradition continues... sweet tea, fried green tomatoes, then the Pittypat's sideboard, followed by traditional Southern entrees, created in a new Southern style, served with lots of vegetables and homemade breads.

Fried Green Tomatoes

Hoppin John & Collards

Buttermilk Southern Fried Chicken, Creamed Potatoes, and Slaw

Needless to say, we almost needed a wheel barrow to roll us out of there. The best part of our culinary experience? All of this was within walking distance of the hotel - within a 2 block radius.

Speaking of walking.... we just had to go down a few blocks to Olympic Park.

view from our room

Before we left Atlanta, we popped on over to the Georgia Aquarium, a place that has been on my list for quite sometime. I cannot believe it has taken me this long to go there. We had read that Atlanta had made this particular week - Museum week, and selected museums would be buy one get one free. We thought we would select one neither of us had visited, and was also expensive. Regular price would have been over $80 for the two of us...

So we walk up to the ticketing booth and I ask about the special. The guest services person asked if I had a coupon, of course I had not read about needing one, but I mentioned I was with the museum conference. Then she asked could she see my badge, and OF COURSE....I did not have it. But she walked around the corner, came back and handed me two tickets. I was getting ready to hand her $40o, when she just smiled and said... "Don't worry about it."

Soooo..... the adventure continues!

One of the Georgia Aquarium’s major goals is to be the leading facility for aquatic animal conservation and research.  On a global scale, the Georgia Aquarium supports, conducts and leads research on environmental and conservation issues.

We finally make it home, only to discover that SG's mom was rushed to the emergency room and was admitted to the hospital. So we rested up, did some laundry and powered down to Southwest Georgia. Luckily, she is on the mend and we were able to enjoy a wonderful weekend on the farm.

Heard of President Jimmy Carter? This is his hometown... and peanuts are what they are known for!

A nice fresh glass of Pinot Grigio while the sun sets

Nothing like a lowcountry boil in the South on a spring afternoon.

Blueberries are coming in!

Peanut Butter ice cream is amazing.

Celebrated SG's niece's 13th bday on the farm.

Though the week was hectic - it was wonderful. Folks often tease me about taking so many pics... but it allows me to go back and remember the good times, the moments just before I snap the photo...

Life is really good right now.

Sitting In The Tower

Surrounded by hotel shuttle info, Southern Living, and website updates

 “You can be the most beautiful person in the world and everybody sees light and rainbows when they look at you, but if you yourself don't know it, all of that doesn't even matter. Every second that you spend on doubting your worth, every moment that you use to criticize yourself; is a second of your life wasted, is a moment of your life thrown away. It's not like you have forever, so don't waste any of your seconds, don't throw even one of your moments away.” 
― C. JoyBell C.

I have not wasted one single second.
2015 has shaped up to be a glorious year. If I set aside the financial struggles (which, if we are perfectly honest with ourselves, we all have them to some degree,) life has truly made up for the cosmic cluster f*ck it shoved down my throat in 2014. 

With that being said, I have been extremely busy. So busy that I can't think of a sufficient word to describe how slightly overwhelmed I have felt. 

Luckily, this past weekend I was able to pull it together and sort out my thoughts. When this happens, I am able to write... again.

I thought the best thing I could do today, is share with you some of what I have been up to. In the world of "me" - there is never a dull moment. ;-)

I suppose we could start with Easter weekend. I went down to spend it with my S.G. This is Preston United Methodist Church. This is the church he grew up in. 

We had a relaxed Easter lunch down at the cabin, The entire family (and extended family) came down for a Potluck dinner Fishing, Paddle Boats, and tons of laughs. 

That weekend,S. G. took me out to eat for a nice steak dinner at The Station in Americus. Quiet, relaxed, and the food was pretty good.

We also went antiquing in a little town called Sasser.

I found the quirkiest items in one shop called "Alice & Jay"

In my evenings - a little Skype time with my S.G. & his girls always makes my night

I even got some Auttie Blossom time. Don't you just love the 8 year old attitude?

Finally made some time for my "Mean Girls" lunch date. 

Got another story published - this feature was in the 11th Hour. 

Bonding time.,

Then there was this event I threw.
Oh yeah...
Please watch the video...
I'm quite proud.. really..

Then....

Of course... I just had to attend the Just Tap'd Craft Beer Festival in Macon. 

The turn out was spectacular. Even with the rain!

This past Saturday, I attended Betsy Campbell & Gary Ballard's wedding. What a surprise - for her reception (and first dance,) Otis Redding III performed for them! (Yes, that's the son of THE Otis Redding.)

Sneaking a pic with the bride. To the right is Josephine, a dear friend and Station Manager of Georgia Public Broadcasting, 

Finally, I'm always harping on about how cool little Macon is... or how much it drives me crazy. Just like family, when it does something to make me proud, I like to show her off. Well... we're in the May 2015 issue of Southern Living.
And yes.. the people selected are awesome. All very involved in our community and good people.


Well... that's been my past couple of weeks. 
Nothing profound to share.
Just living life.

I have a busy week ahead - conducting three interviews for some stories I've been asked to write, Otis Redding Music Camp for the 11th Hour and The Amerson Water Park reopening and a spotlight on Hot Plate Group's new chef for Macon Magazine. 

Good stuff!

I am also participating in Bibb County's Relay for Life on Friday night. I'm on the Bibb County Executive Leadership Board for the American Cancer Society. I am looking forward to a very successful fundraiser.

THEN - GUESS WHO TURNS 9 THIS WEEK?

Auttie Blossom!

And finally - I am headed to the American Alliance of Museum's Annual Conference in Atlanta for a week. 

Busy Busy Busy.

What are YOU up to?

PS - Sitting in the Tower refers to my office. We call it the tower. Our house is large and the view from my office over looks Mulberry Street.