Month: December 2011

And I know he watches me…

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It’s time for the obligatory “year in review” post. Sorry folks, I think a blogging license can be revoked without one and since WordPress is eagerly cheering me on towards my 15th post so I don’t have a choice.

This time last year we knew that the move to South Carolina was a definite possibility. We spoke about it in whispered tones and tried not to let it consume our thoughts. I don’t know that we were always successful but we handled the uncertainty the best way we knew how. I prayed for guidance and God’s will. We continued living our lives while Michael jumped through hoops and we waited, sometimes more patiently than others.

We would wait until the end of February to find out that Michael got the job. In the days to come,  I was concentrating on the logistics more than the emotions. I had to make sure he had clothes, household items, and other things necessary to sustaining life (Cleveland Stadium Mustard, his mac-n-cheese pot.) I came close to breaking down whenever I thought being without him so I just pushed those emotions down and packed his tubs.

We were separated from March 31 to October 27. We saw each other for something like 14 days during this time. At first, the days went by quickly. I was consumed by work, packing, and working out in preparation for my role as bridesmaid in a friend’s wedding. I even remember saying that I could get used to having so much time for myself.

The longer we were separated, the harder things got. In addition to missing my husband, I wasn’t able to make an announcement about my move at work until just before July 4. I spent a stupid amount of time keeping a secret that I was ready to share. I was sad, angry, stressed and needless to say, I wasn’t in control of my affairs the way I should have been. I learned my lesson.

I also learned that my husband and I can get through anything together – or apart. I felt lonely, anxious, sad and scared but I never felt unloved. I never doubted that he was there for me. I knew we could get through this and we did. It wasn’t always easy and it was not fun but we made it and I would tell you that our marriage is stronger because of it. I don’t recommend it if you can avoid it but I know that God used this experience to make us better.

I’m also thankful for the friends and family who got me through this time. You listed to me. You cheered me up. You drug me out of the house. I thank you for that.

While the move to South Carolina is the big news for 2011. It’s not the only thing that happened to us.

We hit Orlando for a little vacation in January. We visited the Disney parks and behaved like big kids. While Mickey and friends were awesome, they weren’t the best part of the trip. During our time in Orlando we were able to connect with my husband’s extended family. I had the best time with them.

In March, I visited Vegas with my mom and aunt. In addition to the Bellagio fountains, the gardens at the Flamingo and all the fun people watching on the strip, we also visited the Grand Canyon. It was a fun girls’ trip with memories that I will treasure forever.

I was able to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and niece in Dallas in late April. It was a great chance to see them and their new surroundings. It’s hard being so far away from them so I really treasure any time we can spend together. I was fortunate enough to be able to go back in November for my niece’s sixth birthday. I thank God for the crazy, funny, smart little person she’s become.

As part of my job, I was able to visit Switzerland in July and Greece in September. I am thankful for these experiences and good, safe journeys.

2011 had some scary and sad moments too. My grandfather spent a good part the year in the VA. He struggled with pneumonia and a host of illnesses, some certainly exacerbated by the “care” he received at the VA. In late February I drove to Tennessee to see him for what I feared might be the last time. It is still almost too painful to think of him in the bed groaning in misery as he wasn’t even allowed to have ice chips. It was a rough time. I remember stopping in the bathroom on my way out of the hospital. I couldn’t cry, I could barely catch my breath – the pain was just too much. I just prayed again for God’s will to be done and some comfort to come to all of us. There were still ups and downs and some bad scares but I am happy to say that he was able to come home in the summer after time in both the hospital and rehab. His body is weaker but he’s still sharp and witty – if a bit more inpatient and willful.

There was loss in 2011. We cried with friends and family. Our hearts ached for them. There was also hope and love. We saw healing miracles and the loving smiles on our friends’ faces when they said “I do.”

Through everything that happened I knew there was a plan for me. Even when I gave into worry and despair, it didn’t last for long. I knew my Heavenly Father was there for and with me. It’s with that knowledge that I made it through 2011. It’s the same knowledge I take into 2012 and I’m thankful for that.

Love and Happy New Year…

 

Nose Dive

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Last June I came to Greenville to see my sweet husband  and explore our new city. On my first full day here, we went for a lovely stroll downtown. It’s really a gorgeous place with the falls and lots of shops and restaurants to boot.

When lunchtime rolled around, Mr. McB suggested Nose Dive, (116 South Main Street, Greenville, SC). I was a little surprised that Mr. Pickypants would willingly eat at a “gastropub.” He’s a wonderful guy but not an adventurous eater. I was definitely game so before he could change his mind, we were making our way to a table.

Nose Dive has a very clean look. There is a lot of glass and metal decor. It is modern and maybe a bit industrial without being overly cold. Incidentally, I love the plates and serving pieces. It’s all very white or taupe but the shapes and sizes are just a bit funky.

Enough of the fluff, let’s get to the substance and there’s plenty of it at Nose Dive.

Carolina DipOn our first visit, Mr. McB ordered the Carolina Dip, a french dip made with pork instead of beef. It came with fries and a lovely au jus. He was very happy with his meal.

 

oxtail tacosI opted for the oxtail tacos. The plate (see the cool basket-style serving dish) came with a delicious guac, fresh jalapeno slices, fresh pico (simple, tasty), and cabbage. The oxtail was so flavorful and tender. My mouth is watering at the memory of this meal. Ordinarily I would put cheese on a taco but it wasn’t offered and I didn’t miss it one bit.

We topped the meal off with the Krispy Kreme creme brulee. If I remember correctly, there was a spoon fight over the final bite. Our bellies were already full so that says a lot.

We knew then that we would want to take guests to Nose Dive and finally had the opportunity to do that earlier this month when my parents came for a little visit. It wasn’t until we got to the restaurant that we realized that the menu had changed significantly since the summer. I assume that they use seasonal menus since the dishes offered seemed a bit more “wintry.”

While I had been dreaming of oxtail tacos, I was easily distracted by the Vietnamese Bahn Mi. This delicious cold sandwich was served on french bread and featured tasty, tender pork topped with pickled veggies and fresh jalapenos. The tastes came together to make a delicious and filling meal. The jalapenos added just the right amount of heat to compliment the tangy vegetables and slight sweetness of the pork.

My mom ordered the cassoulet. It was a hearty blend of beans, vegetables and smoky meat. It was a great dish for a cool, wet day.

Dad ordered the fish and chips. The portions were generous and the fish was not greasy. He compared the quality to Eamonn’s Dublin Chipper in Old Town Alexandria. If you’ve had the opportunity to eat at Eamonn’s you know what a compliment that is.

Mr. McB ordered a burger. It was a nice juicy patty with cheese and lots of delicious fries.

I’m sorry that I forgot to bring the camera but trust me when I say, it was delicious and all very appealing to the eye as well.

I think that Nose Dive may be my very favorite restaurant in Greenville. The food is tasty, inventive and plentiful. I highly recommend it and can’t wait to take new guests there.

 

Smoky Mountain Christmas, no not the movie

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Smoky Mountain ChristmasWith posts about Christmas in Asheville and the Upstate, I suppose we can consider this the third of my merry trifecta.

Earlier this month, my parents invited me to go along with them for a little getaway in the Smoky Mountains. Our little trip turned out to be a great time filled with old favorites and some fun new experiences.

We rolled into Sevierville/Pigeon Forge around lunch on Saturday and headed to The Partridge and The Pear Tree for lunch. This restaurant is part of The Incredible Christmas Place complex. Mom and I selected this place after viewing the menu online. We had high hopes but given the holiday theme, I was just a little afraid the food might suffer to bend to the kitschy theme.  Thankfully, I was wrong about that. The restaurant didn’t seem tacky at all. The decorators seemed to understand that you would have diners in December and July and they showed appropriate restraint. The food was tasty. The meal starts with a loaf of hot cranberry orange bread. YUMMM!! Mom had the blacked catfish. It was spicy and didn’t taste of fish – yeah, I wrote it but you don’t like fishy-fish either so quit snickering at me. Dad had a large salad with lots of veggies and the boxing day sandwich which is basically a leftover sandwich – turkey, cornbread dressing, and cranberry mayo. He enjoyed it but said that he might order something else the next time. I had the Cuban with ” ‘Tis the Season” fries. My sandwich was very flavorful and filling. I only ate half because I was in love with the fries. These are crispy white-and-sweet potato fries are seasoned with salt and cracked black pepper.  I hate sweet potato fries but these were awesome. We were very tempted by the cakes, including a five-layer sampler where each layer is a different flavor but we were good. I doubt the same restraint would be shown on a repeat visit.

Later that evening we walked off some of our dinner during a visit to The Old Mill in Pigeon Forge. We enjoyed window shopping, a cup of coffee from the ice cream parlor (no ice cream, we were angels that day really) and sampling in the Farm House Kitchen shop.

The next day we made the drive over to Gatlinburg for strolling around and the Trolley Ride of Lights. At my urging, we made a stop at Karmelkorn soon after arriving. Not only does Karmelkorn make wonderful popcorn, it also brings back lots of happy memories. Honestly, if someone could find a way to get me one of their popcorn “suckers” made from colored, sticky popcorn with sugar eyes and a red licorice smile, I might explode from happiness.

In an effort to keep me from inhaling my entire box of popcorn, we walked down to the Ole Smoky Candy Kitchen. This is the spot to get taffy in Gatlinburg, even the local bears prefer it. I have spent hours watching taffy production in Gatlinburg during my lifetime and I doubt I’ll ever grow tired of it. In addition to the husband’s taffy (cherry, vanilla, grape), we also picked up some yummy handmade sugar-free chocolates.

Our wondering landed us at All Sauced Up, a newer shop specializing in all kinds of sauces, jams, and gadgets. They have lots of samples. It’s definitely worth visiting.

We made a few other stops and then it was time to board our trolley to see the Christmas lights. The fare is $5 and seems well worth it for the amount of fun we had. We all sang carols and learned little tidbits about the festivities and the area. For instance, Gatlinburg switched to LED lights a few years ago and while the initial investment was steep, the city is saving a lot of money on electricity. The lighting features in Gatlinburg were designed by locals and are all trademarked so you won’t see them anywhere else. If you want to see the lights, make reservations for the trolley using the site above. Pigeon Forge also has lights but they do not run light tours on the weekends.

It was a great little trip and I’m thankful for the opportunity to go. I enjoyed being in a place with so many happy memories with the two people who are responsible for a lot of them.

 

The accidental Christmas parade or our new home for the holidays

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A friend asked if I felt that my brain cells were dying off during this period of unemployment. I answered with a polite “no,” realizing that this person doesn’t understand what a challenge it can be to get adjusted to a new town, rock the household stuff, and look for a job. I’ve also got a library card and an appetite for really thick historical non-fiction so, again I say “no, my brain is doing just fine.”

I must admit that my brain isn’t concerned about the actual calendar date like it was when I was working outside the home. I know what day it is, but the date – not so much. It’s for this reason that we wound up going to dinner in downtown Greenville on the same night as the Christmas parade. I was pretty sure that the parade was on December 3 (which it was) and that December 3 was a Friday (no, nope not at all.)

We drove down to the West End to eat at Smoke On the Water (more on this later) and quickly realized that the parade is indeed the same night. We found a parking spot, with just a little difficulty, and decided to make a full night of it.

First for dinner, Smoke On the Water, “a saucy Southern tavern,” specializes in burgers, smoked entrees, and barbecue.  The atmosphere is relaxed and modern-rustic. Our server was fast and helpful. Before our meals were served, we were treated to cornbread and brought a variety of bbq sauces. While Mr. McB found the sweet sauce to be his favorite, I went for the thin peppery sauce that was a bit like Tabasco. Neither of us were overly fond of the mustard-black pepper sauce but agreed that it was an interesting spin on the Carolina mustard sauce. I thought it could help clear the sinuses.

McB had the bbq chicken sandwich. He was pleased with the saucy, grilled breast that was topped with melted cheese. We were both quite pleased with his fries. I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m becoming a fry-thief and these were definitely worth taking.

I had the “home plate” which featured three side dishes of my choice. I selected the baked beans, squash casserole, and loaded potato cake. The baked beans were sweet and spicy; I’m almost positive that there were a few bits of jalapeno in the dish. The squash casserole was good but since it contained red peppers, something I wasn’t expecting, I had to pick around those pieces. For that reason alone, I probably wouldn’t order it again. I’ve saved the best for last with the loaded potato cake. The cake was made from mashed potatoes blended with something both creamy and tangy. It was then breaded with panko and deep-fried before being finished with a sour cream sauce and chives. That was a little lump of heaven. It melted in my mouth, my big smiling mouth.

Our meals were reasonable and we felt full but not miserable as we made our way from the restaurant and out to explore before the parade began. Our first stop was The Cook’s Station.  It’s a local, high-end culinary store. They have beautiful things including some dream kitchen setups and lots of nifty gadgets. We had lots of fun looking around. The husband made a mental note that if the bank account is drained, I may have blown it all there.

We continued to stroll around until we found a spot for parade viewing. The night was warm and we enjoyed the people watching before things got started. The parade itself was lots of fun. There were bands, floats, cute little kids, several Grinches, Storm Troopers, Santa and everything else you could expect from a Christmas parade.

After the show was over, we continued up to The Chocolate Moose for a treat. We were dismayed to see the mess that folks left behind on the street and sidewalks.  The pizza boxes, bottles, cups, napkins, and other rubbish were all contrary to the civic pride of the parade. Once inside the cupcake shop, we grabbed a seat and enjoyed delicious, rich cupcakes (black-and-white for him, black bottom for me) and fresh coffee that really hit the spot.

As we made our way toward the car, we made a quick stop at Ice on Main and the Christmas tree. Despite the fact that the ice wasn’t optimal for skating, everyone seemed to be having a good time including the guys in shorts.

Just this past Sunday, we decided to add another Upstate Christmas tradition to our holiday celebration and headed to see the Roper Mountain Lights. The fee is $10 per car and proceeds go to the Roper Mountain Science Center and several educational charities. They also offer a deal on three admissions for $21 which would be perfect if you are expecting company during the holiday season. In addition to the drive-through features, there is a walk-through Winter Wonderland where you can sit on Santa’s lap and roast marshmallows though not at the same time.

We enjoyed both parts of the attraction. After roasting (and eating) marshmallows, we saw the large boards that were decorated by various local schools. There was a lot of creativity and good use of recycled materials in many of these displays.

The drive-through features were quite nice as well. I thought the big caterpillar near the butterfly garden was especially cute. Our only complaint is that you don’t get a good view of the majestic star at the top of the mountain.

I hope to repeat both of these holiday traditions in 2012. I can’t wait to add new experiences to the repertoire too, as long as we still get to go to The Chocolate Moose that is.

 

 

 

Christmas in Asheville

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While I love the Upstate on its own merits, its proximity to Asheville, NC only adds to my affection. Asheville is one of the prettiest and most quirky cities in all of creation. It’s known for both Biltmore and bohemians – think of it as the oddly peaceful intersection of high-class and hippy.

When Mr. McB had to take a few vacation days in early December, it seemed like a great time to head north to visit Asheville. Biltmore was the big priority for the trip. We wanted to purchase annual passes and see the estate’s gorgeous Christmas decorations. After doing a little research, we added a stop at the Grove Park Inn to view the National Gingerbread House Competition, a large annual event hosted at the hotel.

Fearing that our hunger might cause us to assault a gingerbread man, we started the day with a big breakfast before hitting the road.

Despite the fog, the trip was smooth and easy. I will take this opportunity to remind everyone that you really should turn on your headlights (normal, no high-beams) when driving in the fog. The GPS gave us a little trouble but eventually we made it.

The Grove Park is lovely, but can be a little hard to navigate. Even with the pamphlet and map, it took us a little while to fully understand the layout and location of the many gingerbread creations. It was a minor bother as we both enjoyed tooling around the property and the staff were quite happy to allow you to do so.

The entries were all amazing in their own way. While the children’s categoryGingerbread WalMart didn’t have fancy and flawless techniques, the creativity and enthusiasm couldn’t be missed. Each creation represented a good deal of effort and thought and we enjoyed admiring them all.

On the day of our visit, the 2011 winner was in New York City as part of a GMA taping. A few visitors were upset by this but the Grove Park’s site clearly explains this possibility and the “substitute” was an amazing box of ornaments. Gingerbread competition entry

After we saw all the entries (or so we think, again the setup is a bit confusing), we hit the road for Biltmore. Our visit began at the ticket center where we purchased annual passes for just $29 more than the daily admission.  This was cheaper than the price advertised on the web – yippee! As someone who both worked at a membership organization and held memberships to cultural attractions, I was very impressed by the membership materials. Our cards have our photo so we never have to show a membership card and license. If we lose the card, we pay $2 – the hard cost to have it remade. Take note Columbus Zoo, members feel bad about losing their cards, you don’t have to make it worse by charging a big fee to make a new one. Biltmore EstateThe thing that impressed me most was the special toll-free number for pass-holder services. We even got a little magnet with the number. It was an easy way to make your valued customers feel appreciated.

We have been to Biltmore before but never at Christmas. I had some idea of what to expect but as soon as we turned the corner and saw the first magnificent tree in the billiard room, I knew the experience would far exceed my expectations. Each room had gorgeous holiday decorations. Photos are not allowed so alas, I cannot share the beauty of these trees. I can say that having a professional bow maker on staff would be a great benefit.

the "back yard" at BiltmoreWe spent a good deal of time on the breezeway. This is one of my favorite spots. On this day we relaxed in the large, comfortable chairs while watching a rafter of wild turkeys (yes, rafter – thanks Google!) strut around the edge of the massive lawn.

yummy ice cream treatsAfter another hour of enjoying the house, we remembered just how big it is and just how easy it is to go from mildly hungry to “low blood sugar – I’m going to pass out.” In an effort to avoid an accident and general grouchiness, we zoomed through the servants’ quarters and headed over to the former stables to grab a bite. We staved off hunger with a stop at the ice cream parlor and then hit the road in hopes of beating the rain and making the best use of our remaining daylight. We didn’t beat the rain but we made it home safely with many happy memories of the day. I suspect that Christmas in Asheville will become a regular part of our December routine.

Here’s the breakdown:
Grove Park InnGrove Park Inn
290 Macon Ave.  
Asheville, NC 28804
Admission to the National Gingerbread House Competition is free. The parking fee starts at $5 for up to three hours in the garage.
Tips
– Visit the website as viewing is limited to guests on certain days.
– The Grove Park Inn is a great place to explore even without the gingerbread. Take some time to look around.

entry lion at BiltmoreBiltmore Estate
1 Lodge Street
Asheville, NC 28803
Daily admission during the holiday season – $64-69 per person http://www.biltmore.com
AAA does offer discounted, advance purchase tickets.
Tips
– Eat before you get to Biltmore. I don’t care if you had breakfast an hour before you arrive, take a snack bar and break it out when you first roll into the main gates. By time you have parked you will have downed the sustenance you need to make it through the house tour.
– Buy a book about the house. The soft back copies are less than $20 and you won’t remember everything you saw if you don’t take the time to pick one up.
– Eat before you sample at the winery. The pours are generous and you’ve already walked off the snack bar so just go ahead and grab a bite before you enjoy the many wonderful vintages available at the estate.

The search continues…

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I did not get the job I interviewed for on Wednesday. I hesitate to write this in a public setting where all sorts of prospective employers can see this but, I felt relieved after getting the call. I didn’t have to say “no” to a perfectly good job or say “yes” to a position that I wasn’t thrilled about.

When we made this move, and when we knew I’d be coming to SC without a job, my husband told me that he wanted me to do whatever made me happy and I’m not sure that this job would have.

I love writing and communications, but I don’t want that to happen in a vacuum. I also enjoy working with the people and being part of the events that I help to market. Interacting with the people who benefit from the organization I’m pitching or who use the services I’m trying to “sell” inspires me to do better work. I crave that contact.

On the positive side, this interview helped me get back in the game. It also made me realize that I will be happiest if I can find a position that allows me to have some contact with those the I am communicating with. I continue the search with a bit more clarity.

 

Getting back out there

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As I mentioned before, I am seeking gainful employment. Thanks to my wonderful husband and his great job, I have the luxury of being selective about which jobs I apply for. I can’t tell you how thankful I am for that.

Today marked my first interview since settling into South Carolina. Interviewing when you don’t have to work is a completely different ballgame. I certainly worked to showcase myself in the best way possible but I wasn’t desperate to do so. It is said that an interview is a two-way street with potential employers working to impress as well. I really felt that today.

After the interview, I’m definitely interested in the job. It is a good match for my skills. My potential supervisor and coworker seem like great people and more importantly, they seem happy with their jobs. That is huge.

At the same time, I will understand if they select someone else. I am good  great at what I do, but there are some parts of the job that I haven’t done in years. I understand that another candidate might be better for those needs and if that’s the decision they arrive at, I’ll be OK. I will chalk it up to experience and a really nice conversation with some fun folks.

 

 

Point of no return

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The sentiments behind this post have been tugging at me for a while. When a friend lost her father to cancer just before Thanksgiving, I knew I needed to write it.

Before I get to the point, and it’s coming I promise, let me say that I am lucky. I have been blessed with an amazing family. We aren’t perfect. We can be nosy, overly critical, opinionated…we can be real annoyances at times. But, I wouldn’t trade my family and I’m pretty sure they feel the same about me, even when I am making them nuts.

There are a lot of other people in this world who aren’t that lucky. For them, the familial relationship is toxic, not warm and supporting. This isn’t caused by a minor argument or hurt feelings but by very real threats to a person’s mental, and sometimes physical, health. Their well-being depends on staying away from their relations. For these people, cutting ties with their family is the only decision but it is never an easy one and it’s certainly not something that they want to do. Some took decades of abuse before letting go; others could take this treatment for themselves but couldn’t see a spouse or child endure the same. No one wants to be in this situation. No matter how necessary the decision, it still comes with grief and a sense of loss.

These people I understand. I can’t really relate to their decision, but I get it.

What I don’t understand are people who willingly push their family members away for minor wrongs – whether real or perceived. Instead of trying to overcome their problems and forgive, they sit in judgment and use love like a weapon. They’re all too willing to turn their backs on a sibling, spouse, child, parent, or other relation often just because the other person made a life choice that they don’t like. I can’t tell you how thankful I am that God doesn’t treat us that way.

To these people I say, “build a bridge and get over it.” We’re humans – sometimes we get things wrong. Of course sometimes we just do things you don’t like and that’s not the same as being wrong. You can turn your back on your loved ones. You can treat them maliciously. You can withhold your love. You can’t possibly be surprised when that “offending” family member decides that he/she is tired of being hurt and stops giving you the opportunity to do so.

 

 

 

 

 

It’s time we learned.

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I’m currently reading Bloodlands a book that documents the atrocities committed by Hitler and Stalin in the countries between Germany and the former USSR. As a student of history, I knew these two committed numerous unspeakable acts but the heinous details and incomprehensible numbers of casualties still tear at my heart.

I try to tell myself that this couldn’t happen again. We’ve come too far; news travels too quickly – this would be reported and simply wouldn’t be tolerated. Something inside of me isn’t so sure. While technology has improved, I’m not sure that we’ve improved as human beings.

These men and their followers dehumanized those that they hated.  Mothers, fathers, daughters, brothers, uncles, cousins morphed into nameless, faceless groups of subhuman creatures that shared the same abhorrent religion, socioeconomic standing, race, or nationality. The Soviets referred to a group of Polish women and children as “former humans” and as such, it must have been easier to destroy them. We know, far too well, the kind of despicable propaganda that Hitler used to dehumanize the Jews, Gypsies, handicapped, and others he deemed unworthy.

Simply put, we have to stop hating whole classes of people if we want to prevent this kind of tragedy from happening again. As long as they are just _______ (FILL IN THE BLANK –Jews, Muslims, gays, Evangelicals, republicans, blacks, Asians, racists, the one percent…) it is easy to hate. Get enough people to hate a certain group and you’ve got a dark energy that grows stronger with each malicious act. Reason fades away; actions become more sinister.

It’s time we stopped hating people we don’t even know because of their religion, race, sexual preference, appearance, bank account or whatever else makes them different. It’s time that we learn to disagree with others in a rational and respectful way. It’s time we started to love our neighbor – even when it’s hard.