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Transformation Tuesday

This Transformation Tuesday post is not about a makeover or a new hair style.  It is totally about how my Tuesday evening was transformed into a completely different evening than I expected!

 As I was driving home from work Tuesday evening, my cell phone began to ring.  It was LB.  He had news to share.  Apparently he had been stalking StubHub all day anticipating a drop in price for concert tickets to see

James Taylor

& His All-Star Band

As luck would have it, LB managed to purchase two tickets to see James Taylor for twenty-nine dollars each.

I have to admit that once I was in the car with him, heading to the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena, I began to look forward to the event.

Upon arrival it was obvious that previous plans to have Bonnie Raitt join James Taylor had been changed.  Signs were posted every three feet “Bonnie Raitt will not be performing tonight”.  I had heard the announcement on the radio about a week prior, however I also heard a recorded announcement that had not been changed in conjunction with the change of plans.  I know I would have enjoyed hearing Bonnie Raitt as I am familiar with many of her songs.  James Taylor songs, not so much.

Although it was a nice concert and I enjoyed being there, I recognized only a few songs he performed: “Fire and Rain” and “Up on the Roof”.

We had pretty good seats.

At this point in my story I’ll interject a little known fact: I am not a James Taylor fan.  Apparently I missed the era of his popularity.  I was, however, happy to know that LB was very excited.  For that reason and others I was more than happy to accompany him to the concert.And I thoroughly enjoyed my evening with LB.

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

May Your Blessings Outnumber the Shamrocks that Grow

…And may trouble avoid you wherever you go.

That is an Irish Blessing that I can appreciate!

For several years LB and I have been “dressing up” in observance of

St. Patrick’s Day

I’m not sure what started this practice, but it has become a tradition for us.

With the closing of O ’Brothers Irish Pub, the Margaret Street/Five Points St. Patrick’s Day street party is no longer happening (sad face).  The annual St. Patrick’s Day party became a major event, filling not just the restaurant, but Margaret Street with thousands of people.  We’ve been hoping to find a similar event.

This year, I thought I may have found a suitable replacement when this ad appeared:

Hyperion Brewing Company and Crispy’s Springfield Gallery are presenting Historic Springfield’s inaugural St. Patrick’s Day Block Party.

From 3pm – 9pm: Main Street, between 7th and 8th, would be closed and filled with live music, food, beer, vendors and other fun activities (i.e. Mario Cart).  This event was FREE to attend!  Woo Hoo!

In addition to the live music and food vendors, there were sites (historic buildings) to be seen.

LB and I walked up and down the street checking everything out, while everyone was checking us out.  Once it became apparent that LB and I had been voted King and Queen of the Green, it was time to go.

Next stop

Culhane’s Irish Pub

I [typically] love Culhane’s, but for the St. Patrick’s Day BASH, it was much like a zoo.  And I promise I won’t say another negative thing after this…. there was a long line, a long wait, and a cover charge.

The Tent:

The positives:  although there were way too many crazy people for my taste, the DJ Vito was good, the band Briteside was good, and the Reuben Sandwich was good.

You can check out some other photos from the Culhane’s BASH here.

I’m not completely positive if it will be next March 17th, but we will definitely be dining at Culhane’s again.

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

The Million Dollar Quartet

In November 2016 LB and I enjoyed a trip to

Las Vegas

While we were there an advertisement for a show caught my eye:

We didn’t see The Million Dollar Quartet because LB had already purchased tickets to see

Human Nature Jukebox

at the Venetian

(which was a very good show).

A year and four months later there would be a one night only opportunity to see the Vegas show we had missed courtesy of the FSCJ Artist Series.

The Million Dollar Quartet

is a musical based on a happenstance quartet at Sun Records on December 4, 1956.

It was a day when Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Johnny Cash happened to be together at the Sun Record recording studio in Memphis, Tennessee.  More than 60 years later, the random Tuesday happening is being retold on stage in a very lively performance by talented musicians.

The show begins with the well-known performer Carl Perkins who is scheduled at the Sun Records recording studio to record what is hoped to be his comeback record.  Newcomer Jerry Lee Lewis (on piano), is also hoping for an opportunity to record.  While they are there, Johnny Cash stops by to talk to the record producer Sam Philips.  Next on the scene Elvis Presley drops in, accompanied by his girlfriend.   As the story goes, the four performers soon have a jam session going.

Several favorites were performed in the musical:

Blue Suede Shoes

was a topic of discussion as it was Carl Perkins’ first hit and handed off to Elvis Presley while Carl was recovering from an accident.

Folsom Prison Blues

is a favorite that assisted me in gaining a speeding ticket one morning while I was on my way to work.

Hound Dog

is one of the greatest songs of all time (according to Rolling Stone magazine) and had the audience on its feet.

Great Balls of Fire

is the final number as the Sun Record producer sees there is still hope for his small recording studio due to the sounds of newcomer/one of a kind Jerry Lee Lewis.

It was a goosebump moment when the cast attempted to recapture the moment the photo was taken:

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

Friday Favorites: Bee Gees Edition

I haven’t been this excited about Friday since last Friday!

Ready for a party!

There’s Night Fever in the air

Today my Friday Favorites post has a theme…

Friday Favorites:  Bee Gees Edition

Favorite # ONE

Stayin’ Alive: One Night of The Bee Gees at the Thrasher-Horne Center

Described as “the World’s #1 Tribute to the Bee Gees!  Stayin’ Alive is the quintessential tribute band to the Bee Gees, capturing the excitement of live performance and the tender subtleties of the human voice.” (source)

It was a last minute decision, but LB and I decided to check it out, then we convinced Mama to come along.

Favorite # TWO

Spending fun time with Mama

We found our seats and made our way toward them.  There was another couple already settled in the seats adjacent to ours.  I whispered to LB “let Mama go first” my thought was that she could have the seat next to the strangers because she never meets one.  Ironically, she knew the couple and it was a happy reunion for them all.

On the way home we had the pleasure of hearing about Mama’s old boyfriends, what became of them, and how God took care of her by bringing her together with my Daddy.

Amen.

Favorite # THREE

A Text Message

from my nephew Clay

Clay Loves music and will almost always say he is jealous when I tell him about a concert I’m attending.  Clay was very jealous about missing out on this particular concert since the Bee Gees are a favorite and [I’m assuming] because his Mema was going without him.  In an attempt to make him feel like he was a part of the event, Mama sent several video clips of the concert.  They were sent to our family group text.

This was Clay’s response:

And it truly made me LOL

The video texts did not do justice to the tribute band.  The band was actually pretty good.

Favorite # FOUR

An SNL excerpt that was played during a costume change.

Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake are hilarious!

Favorite # FIVE

My Psychedelic Concert Outfit

Because there has to be a bit of style in this mix!

 

 

and a BONUS…

Favorite # SIX

[obviously]

The Bee Gees

It’s Friday…. You should be dancin’

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

Tom & Betty’s

Tom and Betty’s

was once a favorite place for a weekend dinner and entertainment with LB.

 

The restaurant was in business for nearly fifty years when due to circumstances that were seemingly beyond their control, the owners Duane and Valerie Atkinson announced that Tom and Betty’s would be closing their current location.  The owners described Tom and Betty’s as “a local gathering place, offering great food and drink to generations of ‘Westsiders.’” (source)

I am among those Westsiders who remember the first Tom and Betty’s Restaurant at Park Street and Cassat Avenue.  The restaurant was then owned by Tom and Betty Fritsch who opened in 1971.  The location at Park and Cassat was destroyed in a fire in 1988 and then relocated to 4409 Roosevelt Blvd.  The Roosevelt Blvd. location closed in May 2017.

I thought I mentioned it in this blog last May but apparently I did not.

Last Friday

Tom and Betty’s new location opened in Orange Park.  LB was eager to check out the new place which is exactly what we did on Saturday night.  There was quite mass of former patrons standing outside as there was an hour wait to be seated plus additional waiting time to place an order.  The menu was limited, but those items were excellent choices.

The dining area was a bit small/crowded.

 The dance floor was also a bit small… and well lit.  I like the dance floor to be dark, so I’m not quite as visible to the public (smile).  Many other people have no fear of the spotlight as they graced the dance floor.

The band (the TOP SHELF Band) was energetic and entertaining.

I enjoyed seeing the signature automobile memorabilia including the back of a red corvette with its tail lights lit and the vintage Tom and Betty’s logo on the tag.

I can’t say enough good things about the

Wait Staff

The young ladies that waited on us were exceptionally attentive and courteous.

The chicken wings were superb.

It seems to me that the popularity of the restaurant was underestimated.  After the initial kinks are worked out, I’m sure this place will be a favorite once again.

Little Shop of Horrors

This past week, LB and I had the opportunity to see Little Shop of Horrors at Alhambra Theater & Dining.and as the name Alhambra Theater & Dining suggests, there was dining involved.

The Menu

offered several choices that I have not seen in the past.

LB chose the Jambalaya

I had the Chicken

and cake!

Little Shop of Horrors

is a Sci-Fi/horror/comedy/musical.

It is the story of a docile and hapless florist shop assistant (Seymour) who pines for his co-worker (Audrey, a.k.a. Audrey I), and loves interesting plants.  Seymour discovers a plant that is speculated to be from outer space.  He names the plant Audrey II, after his co-worker.  When the plant doesn’t thrive, Seymour discovers that it feeds only on human blood. Later in the show, Seymour feeds Audrey’s boyfriend, Orin, to the hungry plant.  At this point, he must come up with more bodies for the increasingly bloodthirsty plant.  Becoming suspicious of Seymour’s strange behavior, the owner of the shop, Mushnik, become victim number two.

The growing plant becomes an attraction generating a great deal of business for the previously struggling florist shop. In addition, Seymour is suddenly regarded as a hero while Audrey secretly longs to be with him and live happily ever after.  Instead of living her dream, Audrey falls prey to her carnivorous namesake.  Ultimately Seymour becomes the final victim in this production.

Hungry Feed Me GIF

Although she triumphs in the stage production, the 1986 movie Little Shop of Horrors ends with Audrey II’s defeat.

“The music swells. Seymour emerges from the dust and debris, adjusts his glasses, and whisks Audrey I to the common comforts of 1960s suburbia”

(source)

Our Alhambra experience ended with vines falling from the ceiling above the audience after a buyer has just taken cuttings of the enormous Audrey II for distribution to other florist shops.  The final number is performed by Audrey II’s victims (Orin, Mushnik, Audrey, and Seymour) dressed as cuttings from the Audrey II plant.

 

Not romantic… but still fun.

Believe it or not, I would recommend.

 

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

 

 

 

 

A Baby Shower for our Galentines

Galentine’s Day

is a pseudo-holiday that has gained widespread popularity since invented by Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler’s character on Parks and Recreation). 
Galentine’s Day is typically observed on February 13th and also the weekend prior to that day. 
The premise is “Ladies celebrating Ladies”.  More simply put, it is a day to celebrate non-romantic relationships with your best Gals.  According to Knope, Galentine’s Day, celebrates three important things: waffles, women, and Leslie’s wise words.
 (source)
One of the “wise words” of Leslie Knope was displayed in the décor at our Galentines themed event:Very nice.

 

 

There are many special Galentines in my life… and two more on the way.

My daughter-in-law Emily is expecting her second baby in March

and

my sister’s daughter-in-law Chynna is expecting her third baby in June.

What better reason to have a

GALENTINE’S DAY CELEBRATION

To help them prepare for the arrival of these baby girls and to commemorate Galentine’s Day… we had a baby shower!

Planned and hosted by my sister and my daughters

who demonstrated their dexterity in decor…

and their culinary cleverness.

There was the Mac & Cheese Bar

Shirley Temples

and an assortment of delectable treats.

However there were no waffles.  No frittatas.

 

 

The event took place at Mama’s house

So she asked for God’s blessings over the day, the event and the ladies who were gathered to celebrate.After lunch and a couple of girly games, it was time for presentsThere were onesies, tiny socks, lots of pampers and a couple of unexpected surprises for the “big” sisters.

Case in Point:

the Cinderella Cross-Body Bag

Modeled by my lovely sister Gina.

With all of the Disney enthusiasts in the family, it was agreed that the

Danielle Nicole Disney Cinderella Cross-body Bag

was the perfect accessory for a day at the Magic Kingdom.

Although it was suggested that the chain was much to long for Lydia and Thea to comfortably carry these bags, there will be no chain manipulation to better fit little girls.  After all, the mamas may want to borrow these little beauties.

I found this bag at Nordstrom and Amazon, both currently unavailable.

It was nice to be able to enjoy time with family and friends as we ready ourselves to welcome two new little ones.

Thank you MY Galentines Gina, Stephanie, Amanda and Mama, for hosting a lovely event.

You are clearly a group of poetic and noble land-mermaids.

 

 

Thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by my blog.

Kim

XO

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