Packing material

Dear South,

I think you should know when we moved we only packed our winter coats to create padding between our dishes and platters. We didn't actually think it would be cold enough to wear them. You have proved us wrong and I am let down. What happened to the heat? Don't you have a reputation for being warm? I'm told you'll remain like this  for the next several months. My original thought was isn't there any good time to be here? And then I remembered October. Guess I'll have to hold that in my memory, my nice cozy and warm memory.

Thankful for the coat,
Newbie

PS I'll be leaving you for a few days. Thankfully I know you are a hard core traditionalist and won't go changing in my absence. 

Christmas in Ttown

Remember what I said about 7s? What I love about being here during the holiday season is the amount of flair Tuscaloosa throws into it. They celebrate with such enthusiasm. There are trees everywhere, on top of the hospital (one of the tallest points in town), in front of the University and in every cafe, store and shop. 

They bring in a ice skating rink for the month, have downtown parades and gatherings and have a trail of trees members from the town can decorate. (see below). Perhaps they are compensating for the fact that today's high was 60 degrees. Not exactly Christmasie....

This one is my favorite. 

Christmas Makings part three

If you'll recall previous posts about Christmas decor.....

Then here is the finished product. Yet another use for that burlap and fabric from the church sale!

7 days out, Merry Christmas.

Strange behavior

Dear South,

It has been a few days since we last talked, okay since I last talked, but I felt like you were such a good listener so here are a few more points that leave me stumped.

Men down here (and maybe a few women) like to sport these on a regular basis.

I may be from up north but last I checked 60 degrees didn't warrant winter snow boots. When I was growing up we begrudgingly wore these boots to remove snow from our driveway. It was anything but cool. Did I miss the memo? I guess with most fashion trends they don't have to make sense to catch on.

While I've noticed an abundance of extra thick footwear, I have yet to observe any PDA. In fact I'm pretty sure my husband and I are the only ones who hold hands or steal a quick kiss in all of Tuscaloosa. I think my friends in Washington would agree with me that this is abnormal. Abnormal for us at least. While I was living in Africa this kind of behavior was normal but I'm not in Africa, at least I thought. Anyway where is the love?

Too much or too little?
Newbie

Sevens

Dear South,

Recently I listened to an Ennegram seminar and have decided you are a number 7. 7s love to have fun, they are the life of the party; sometimes to their own destruction and most often to the point of denial. We love to have a good time with you but wish you would expand your horizons....just a bit.

Styrofoam at the party, styrofoam at church, styrofoam at the restaurant. Please don't tell my friends from Washington, they'd shriek in shock at the thought of these environmentally unfriendly cups.

Recycle bin at work? Nope. Recycle bin at the housing complex? Nope. Again, how are we not recycling in 2013?

Toilet seat covers are no where to be found, not in the grocery store or the public places or the private ones. I think you do this on purpose but I am not quite accustomed to your ways. I still find myself searching and coming up empty.

Also, I'm guessing you don't have any salmon swimming in your waters because you still pronounce it
sal mon. Here's a tip, the L is silent.

Even with all that, you are growing on me. I find myself surprised by my love for you, though it doesn't take much to pass up Longview. Hope we can come to an understanding on the points above (mostly your understanding, not mine).

Much love and Christmas cheer,
Newbie

I saw the sign

Down the road from our house lies a creepy, old, would never stay there motel. 

There is nothing special or noteworthy about it except for its sign. It's Dan's favorite. And I have to admit it is a little cute- the sign that is, not Dan's admiration of it, though he is pretty cute- but I digress. 

The motel calls itself  'Moon Winx' and the best part its sign winks at you if you are lucky enough to pass it during the dark hours. Creepy or cute? You decide.

Christmas makings part two

Last month I scored several yards of green burlap and several yards of red fabric for $1 each at a church yard sale. Obviously these made it home with me and morphed their way into a craft. Several crafts in fact. Start practicing your surprised face now, you may be getting one for Christmas. Here is ours. It adds such joy and cheer to our fireplace. 

Christmas makings

Last year we found a killer tree stand at the Goodwill in Longview. It was red and sturdy and was a major bargain. We gave it away in the purge. We pawned (or tried to pawn) lots of goods off on our unsuspecting (maybe they did suspect) siblings; tree stand included. 

This year we started afresh so I am making a tree skirt. A million tutorials later I put one to action. My favorite tutorial, if you are looking for one, can be found here. 

Several pages of newspaper taped together. 17in circle

2 in for the circle around the tree 

And, voila! a custom tree skirt pattern. 

I'm not sure if you noticed in the photo above, but we have been experiencing a heat wave this week. Today was 80 degrees. After several weeks of temps in the 40s and 50s we welcomed the change but our coworkers have informed us that this is dangerous weather. Apparently unexpected warmth means tornado season. We were blissfully unaware. Now we are aware but we are still enjoying the warmth.

Look alike

Eastern Washington? Is that you? 

Nope, just the Florida panhandle. Could have fooled me. 

Even with this snow look alike which is really a good ol' southern cotton farm. 

Monday Craft Night

Christmas prep has begun! Actually, it began several weeks ago but today we decorated our newly bought tree, does that count as beginning? I think it does. Tonight's agenda, besides putting up the tree and lights, thanks Dan, was to make ornaments. 

Remember the 5th Grade? Yes, these are salt dough ornaments and yes my dear husband helped me paint them. 

On behalf of the Bama Nation we wish you happy Christmas prep. 

Road Trip

We started off our Thanksgiving Weekend with icy windows...brrrr. 

We spent the morning driving through the lovely Georgia

And into the beautiful and sunny Florida

I'm beginning to see the appeal. Thanksgiving weekend warm (70's) and sunny, yes it was lovely. 

Our favorite part was celebrating with these folks and....

Stopping in here on the way home. Alabama is without any Trader Joe's so we had to take full advantage. 

Hope you had an excellent Thanksgiving too!