Welcome 2009!!!

We had a rather low key New Years Eve, but so enjoyable. I began the evening having drinks with one of my best friends from high school, Jaime. She lives in L.A. now and is an aspiring actress and it was so great to catch up with her. It's funny how when you get together with someone who you haven't seen in a really long time and you had a really strong friendship...it seems like no time had passed at all Very cool! I got home and Brad and I cooked veal chops, brussell sprouts and mushroom risotto...yum yum! Had several drinks and was in bed before midnight. LOOSERS!!!

Since we've been married it seems as though our house is the place to convene on New Years Day for all of our buds who still "whoop it up" big on NYE. We're great with that, b/c we get to see everyone without having to get a babysitter and go out and it generally turns into a large party in its own right. People began arriving at around 1:00 to the smells of collard greens and hoppin' john coming from my kitchen and brined chicken and ribs coming from Brads grill. Henry loves it too b/c he gets loads of attention from the big boys and we have lots more eyes looking after him all day. South Carolina football (and I mean the state, not the school) was a disappointment in the bowl games, but I guess afer this season, what did you expect.

After the beer got flowing I had some requests to pleeeeaaasse put Henry is his "chinaman" outfit. Of course, I obliged. I mean, I love a costume and I love dressing my child up in one without him having a say! So, we all had some good laughs over that and even had Henry doing the classic "bow" like any good chinaman.

All in all, a great day was had by all! I sure do hope the collards bring us all tons of moolah (sure do need that in these crazy times) and hoppin' john brings some good luck (need that too!)
Here's wishing you health, happiness, and prosperity in 2009!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!