Daily Specials

I mentioned recently that The Tysons are (against our wills, for the record) operating a Cat Motel for all the wayward felines in the surrounding area.

I don't know who is sending out memos that we even like animals (I usually only like specific ones, i.e. Phoebe, Meg's dogs, my grandmother's cat, etc), but despite all the odds - the word is out.

Currently we are housing 2 kitties whose hobbies include: laying around in our garage, walking all over my car, rubbing up against my leg, intermittently being catapulted a couple feet in the air (consequence of the leg rubbing), and meowing 24/7.

The meowing is because they are hungry. Which I get. If there was ever an issue the cats and I might connect on - it would be the love of food.

For the first 3 weeks they inhabited our land, we did not feed them. While I did take pity on them and would occasionally say a nice word to them, I wasn't feeding them, and eventually Alan broke down and decided to take on the role of caretaker (he is famous for such).

The cats were happy.


The problem is now this. Alan is not good about remembering to buy cat food.

It's ok. He can act, he can cook. He's a good daddy, a hard worker, and a fair golfer. He doesn't have to be good at everything.

Cat food buying is a talent he does not really possess, and we really don't care. We love him anyway.

The cats?

They are not impressed.


Thankfully, Alan is nothing but creative when it comes to finding things to feed them when cat food is unavailable.

Possible Menu choices at our The Tyson's Cat B&B:

-Chunk light Tuna

-Milk, straight up

-Rice

-Leftover chicken/steak/pork chops

-Honey Combs cereal (Compliments of JT)

-Animal cookies (Tossed lovingly to them one day as I was cleaning out my car)

(Then it started getting really interesting)

-A jumbo can of clams - found in the back of the pantry from 2006

(Per Alan - aka the Clam Giver - they were "all over those clams like white on rice". This despite the fact that - per Alan again, of course - the clams would likely cause them to be "crappin' like a crippled goose.")

And that visual concludes our menu.

Well, actually...it did conclude it until last night when Alan added another entree.

I found out what exactly was added as I stood in the kitchen last night making my supper (the cats meowing loudly at the back door served as my soundtrack).

"Your cats are hungry," I observed aloud.

"Yeah, I don't have any cat food, but I did feed them earlier," he replied, his back to me as he went through the mail.

"Oh really? What did you feed them?"

Not turning around or skipping a beat, Alan informed me - "Chicken broth."

(Pause for 1 minute as my loud guffaw laughter rings out.)

"Daddy. You seriously fed them chicken broth??? Like went to the pantry, opened up a can, and poured it in their bowl?" (Just wanting to be clear on the story here).

By this time, Big Al was grinning ear to ear - he prides himself on his cat food creativity.

"Well," I continued accepting. "Did they take to it?"

Big Al looks at me - big smile on his face, head shaking slowly back and forth...

"Like ducks to a pond, Baby!"


Animal Control, we welcome you at any time.

Late Night Call

At about 10:40 on Sunday night my phone started ringing. I was in the other room and froze for a second. Since I got a new phone with a new and unfamiliar ring - I needed to perk my ears to make sure it was really ringing before I made the mad dash to answer it.

Such a dash would be considered unauthorized exercise, and in my world that is strictly prohibited.

My ring used to be "I Just Called to Say I Love You" by Stevie Wonder, which by the way, is the best ringtone ever.

I had that one for about 5 years, and you would be amazed at the number of people who just called...to say...they looooved me. Everyone of them, actually.

I have to say, it never got old.

Once I made it to my room I located the phone (hiding underneath the blanket - where else?), I looked to see who was calling.

I was excited to see that it was was none other than my BFF, Lindsay (more famously known as Linnie Marie). Love her.


I answered, and we chatted for a minute just like normal. Although I will say - I could hear a special kind of smile in her voice.

Turned out, I had heard right.

And while she was not calling to tell me she loved me, she was calling me to tell me that somebody who loved HER had just asked her a very important question.


"WHAAAATTTT????? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!" -Direct quote given by JT at the scene.

She of course said yes, and while I couldn't SEE the smile - I have no doubt it was the biggest it's ever been. And I have one to match because I am soooooo excited for my sweet friend and her FIANCE, Justin.

Congrats to the happy couple! I love ya'll!

Weekend, pls come back soon

Ok, so first of all, I think it's safe to say that the idea of "Cupcakes in a Jar" is going to revolutionize the Baby/Wedding/Engagement shower circuit in this country and possibly the world at large.

I can take no credit since, unfortunately, I did not come up with the idea (nor would I ever be that smart/creative), but I am glad I could share my experience and possibly inspire you all to make them for your next engagement.

You will not be sorry.

And the guests who get to consume them will be the LEAST sorry of you all.

As far as the weekend is concerned, we had a great one!

My cousin, Tara (who lives in California), and her dad (who is my dad's brother) came into town for the weekend. It was so good to have them!

They got in early afternoon on Friday, so as soon as I got off work, I hightailed it home. We all visited in the kitchen snacking on chips and dip and waiting for Big Al to make it home.

I didn't get any photographic evidence that any of this occurred, but after Daddy made it in, we all loaded up and went to eat at this new little Italian restaurant in town. It was really good and other than the fact that my father was talking at a volume so high you may have even heard it from the comfort of your living room - it was a very fun night.

Just kidding, Al. Love you.

Saturday we got up and just kind of piddled around. Tara and Ashley went to visit my grandmother who is now back home from the hospital, feisty as ever.

After they got back Al joined them and they went to weather the 150 degree heat at the GSU baseball game, and Deb and I went to enjoy it at wedding for a friend of mine.

Kasey was my bff growing up and she was getting married outside at the Botanical Gardens. It was a beautiful day!


Kasey had asked if I would give out programs which I thought was very sweet! Here is the little program/guest book table where I got to sit with my friend Lindsey and greet all the guests.


It was fun and Linds and I kept it lively by cracking jokes with wedding goers. Like when I asked the preacher (who was the pastor at FBC for about 30 years and actually married MY parents) if he'd "ever done one of these before".

It killed.

(Not really but I laughed).

Pretty soon it was time for the show.

I thought this was such a cute pic of Kasey and her dad, Clyde, about to walk down the aisle.


Ol' Clyde. I got some stories on ya, brotha. I obviously won't tell any of them, since you probably have many pictures of me ages birth-14 that I really don't want surfacing.

Here comes the bride!


The reception was also outside and it was just a beautiful setting. Mama and I didn't stay very long because we needed to get back to our guests - we knew they'd be home doing what all the Tysons do best...


...Standing in the kitchen talking about what we just ate, enjoying what we were eating right then, and preparing what we were going to eat later.

Here's what was for later. (Vegetarians need not look at the pic below).


That Daddy of mine knows how to grill a steak.

It was so fun catching up with Tara! She is so smart, down to earth, and hilarious. She works in the TV industry, so us Hollywood-lovers enjoyed hearing some of her tales of the rich and famous.


Debbie "E! News" Tyson especially loved it.

Pretty soon the meal was ready.


Steak, chicken, twice baked potatoes, and layered salad. Bless you, Big Al.

Excited about supper...


We ended the night by showing Tara all of Daddy's short films. I am pretty sure she snuck a couple in her bag to take back to Hollywood.

Except not. But we did get some REALLY good laughs out of them (per usual).

Sunday we all went to church then met up to eat. They went to FBC to hear Al in the choir and I went to Grace - a church, some might argue, draws a different, yet equally lovable crowd.

I took this picture as I was leaving and it cracks me up.


There are apparently a lot of people in our church that own motorcycles. So every now and then they will all get together after worship on Sunday and go on a ride. Then they get lunch together/fellowship. I think it is hilarious.

And btw, that is our pastor on his hog in the forefront. Leader of the pack in more ways than one.

I met up with the gang at McAlister's to eat.


Daddy, Ashley, and T.


Iris, JT, and Deb.


I realize that all our pictures are around some type of food table. The camera meets us where we are.

Sunday afternoon Tara and Ashley went to Savannah for a bit and I went out to the Hagan's to hang out.

We played some cards.


And ate some of this Carmel Corn goodness, prepared by Moesha.


Although I did do my part by taking on the important task of making sure none of the unpopped kernels made it into the bowl before she poured the carmel on.

Or as Marsha said, "Make sure none of the 'Old Maids' get into the bowl."

"Old Maids??" I asked since I had never heard them referred to as such.

"Yeah - the ones that never popped."

"I'm offended," I quickly responded as the resident Old Maid in the room.

It was a gorgeous evening, and Marsha made me come out and take pics of her plum tree.

(She also asked if I'd come out in the middle of the night and hold up the branches since there are SO many plum that they are liable to break at any moment.)


I respectfully declined. But they are pretty!


Phoebe "Plum Stealer" Hagan was out and about wreaking havoc as usual.


It was a great night ending a wonderful weekend!

The true purpose of Mason jars revealed

I spent some time in the kitchen Wednesday night baking with my friend The Oven. We don't hang out much, but we we do it is always interesting.

Sometimes, in fact, it can be disastrous.

Like the time in Athens when I tried to make my friend Karen's "cannot fail" blueberry pound cake for my first day at my internship.


"Kare, you were right! That WAS easy!"

5 mins later.


"Oops. Dropped it."

Second attempt (at midnight the same night).


"Oops. Cake didn't cook all the way through." (Subsequent failed idea: cake bites.)

(The staff enjoyed donuts from Kroger that morning.)

I share the story of the culinary tragedy mainly to say this: this post was not to brag about my cooking skills (ha) or anything else that might bring me glory.

I kept my camera clicking because I knew disaster might strike at any moment, and I could not risk that kind of blog material.

So....Wednesday afternoon I had an idea.

The idea was all in the name of southern hospitality, as I was wanting take a little house-warming present to my friends Josh and Kimberly who recently purchased a new home.

Earlier in the week my friend Caroline had mentioned the existence of a sweet treat called "Cupcakes in a Jar". Instantaneously intrigued, I looked them up on the Internet.

I saw them in all their cuteness (basically sticking cupcakes in a Mason jar and layering icing - can't go wrong). And while my appetite was peaked, I never really considered making them.

Re:


But as I sat at my desk on Wednesday racking my brain for house-warming gift ideas the words "Cupcakes in a Jar" came floating back to me.

Then my little brain started turning.

First of all, I LOVE Mason jars. Here in the south it is very common for these jars to be stocked in one's cabinet - to be used to hold all forms of liquid refreshment.

Diet Coke for example. Or sweet tea.

It does not get more southern than sweet tea in a Mason jar.

So that's when it came to me that the treasures of the cupcakes would be two-fold.

1. Cupcakes (enough said)

2. Josh and Kimberly would get some cute Mason jars to keep and use to entertain all of their many adoring guests in their adorable new home.

Perfect!

So to Walmart I went, list in hand.

Once I got home, I put the jars (which I bought at WM), tops, and lids in the dishwasher. Once they were good and clean I set them up to dry.



Then to the good part.


Cake, icing, and the mixer my parents got for their wedding 31 years ago.

(And be not deceived by the two beaters. Only one actually stays in.)

For the cake I used a regular old box cake. (No re-inventing the wheel happenin' in my kitchen).

Now on the issue of icing: I was going to make homemade icing since I didn't know exactly how much I would need - and because surely homemade icing is much better. I thought it would really take this dessert to a higher level (like that was possible).

Luckily, once I got to the cake aisle, I noticed they had pre-made icing in these JUMBO tubs (16oz) for only $1.32 a piece.

It was then I realized that while the idea of making homemade icing was indeed precious, perhaps I should take the road more traveled and let Duncan Hines make it for me.

(I felt really victorious afterwards - like I had recognized my limits and given myself a chance to succeed.)

Besides, once I got home I realized I had bigger fish to fry than icing.

Well, could have fried them - if we had remembered to by OIL.


You can't fry fish without oil and you can't make a cake without oil. (Well you can but the back of the box called for it, and I knew not following the recipe = dead man walking.)

Or in this case, a dead cook baking.

So up to the Country Store I rode for the above liquid treasure.

I was not too happy, but I tried to disregard my folly (as well as the convenience store inflation).


Capitalizing on my forgetfulness was not very nice, Mr. Country Store.

I regrouped by casting my gaze back on what really mattered.


I finally mixed it all up (oil and all) and then I spotted one of our old tea pitcher from our restaurant.


It had just come out of the dishwasher and it's like it was saying, "Use me. I am handy."


I know I did not come up with this idea probably, but I was so tickled with myself.

(I'm sure I being jacked up on post beater/bowl licking endorphins didn't hurt my enthusiasm.)

But as awesome as I thought I was in that moment, I soon became a backup dancer in the show that was: The Cupcake.


Oh they were so yummy looking. It took everything within me not to eat them all up right then.

This was even more of a victory because I was, at that time, experiencing a physiological need for chocolate.

All the readers of the female variety should be getting me right about now.

Seriously, let's take another look.


Perfect!

As far as the jar construction part - I did it a little differently than I had seen on several websites.

On every recipe I read, they used the smaller Mason jars (12oz - usually used for jams, etc) beecause the standard cupcake perfectly filled the bottom of the jar. But, I wanted to use the bigger, 16oz jars for the purposes of the gift.

Because of their size, when I dropped the cupcake in the bottom of the jar a lot of space was left around it, and that threatened to compromise the whole look of the treat.

No treats will be compromised on my watch!

So I improvised a little.

What I ended doing was cutting each cupcake (I made 24 total) in half.


(Pretend like that's on a cutting board.)

Then I placed 3 halves in the bottom - kind of just wedging them down there so that they would fill it up.


Perfection was not needed (nor could it have been found if it tried). I just stuck them in there and then piped icing on top (using the "ziplock bag with tip snipped off" method).

Icing covers a multitude of cupcake-cramming sins.

Then I wedged 3 more cupcake halves on top of that, followed by the final layer of icing on top.

This was the final product!


LOVE.

I made 6 jars, with a total of 3 cupcakes used in each jar (3 halves in each cupcake layer).

I also had EXACTLY enough icing. Like not a drop left.

Confession: I did eat 2 spoonfuls before starting which I don't recommend because I wasn't sure I was going to have enough there towards the end. Please be advised.

All the jars looked different. On the first couple I had a somewhat "heavy hand" on the icing - so those are for friends whose sweet tooth is a little more active.

And the last couple I made were a little more aesthetically beautiful because I had the hang of it more.


On the issue of leftovers:

Jars...


The jars came in a pack of 12 so the extra went into my cabinet. (Everyone wins in JT's kitchen). I later drank some tea out of one of them, then subsequently died and went to Heaven.

Cupcakes...


No direction needed.

Once all the jars were filled, it was time to package them up all pretty!

I got a cute basket from Walmart (which also turned into part of the gift!) and some weird straw stuff I found in the craft section.


Also, cute ribbon is always a nice touch.




A card of well-wishes for the new homeowners...


And the gift was complete!

For Meredith - May 1, 2010

It was the summer of 2002. I had just graduated from high school and was on my last official trip with my youth group. We went somewhere in the mountains of TN, and my BFF Kimberly and I spent the summer walking up a bunch of hills, sitting in a lot of rocking chairs, and almost dying via a a raft set afloat to raging waters (never again, I swore, never again).

Also part of the trip were some good God lessons, worship services, and small groups divided up by year in school. I was with a small group of recently graduated seniors from my class, and upon the first gathering we met our leader, a Mr. Davis Lee.


Davis was about the age of my dad - funny, deep, and, as he shared, the father of 3 daughters. His oldest daughter was around our age and then he had twin daughters (keep this in your pocket, it's important) who were in the early years of high school.

I loved Davis from the beginning and he was the reason that small group time would reign as my favorite part of that whole trip.

The trip ended, summer ended, and that Fall I started college at GSU. I transitioned pretty seamlessly from youth group to college ministry and pretty soon got into another small group Bible study - this time led by an extremely beautiful girl named Ashley Crosby.

She's kind of weird, but it's probably why we clicked.


Ash-a-lee (as I came to call her) was deeply hilarious and an extremely wonderful example to me of the type of Christian I wanted to be. We laughed many laughs and shared many amazing experiences together over the next 3 years, and she is one of the reasons college reigns as one of my favorite times in life.

Years passed and before I could blink it was the summer of 2005.

I was an upcoming senior in college, and I was excitedly awaiting for school to start back in the Fall because 2 of my best friends would be moving into our Merrywood House.




My other BFF Kara and I had graced the halls of the beloved Merrywood the year before and our peeps Linds and Brittany were joining us. We felt that them moving in would be the best way to give our senior year the optimal chance for Extreme Greatness and Perfection (it worked).


The only problem we faced was that we had 4 people slated to live in a house that had room for 5. We had one extra room to fill. We put many feelers out - one of which being my dear Ashley Crosby who, by then, had moved away and was getting married. Still, we searched high and low with no leads for a long time.

And then all of a sudden there was an exciting break in the case - my dear friend Alicia decided she was brave enough to take on the 4 of us. She wanted in on the Merrywood fortune, and we were so excited to add her to the mix!


Bless her heart for her willingness to subject herself to such a high level of crazy and weird.

Finally Merrywood 2005-2006 was complete. Or so we thought.

The day after Alicia signed on my phone rang. It was Ash-a-lee.

She had great news to share. She knew a little girl (an upcoming GSU freshman) who needed a place to live and was interested in our extra room at MW.

I told her we would have loved to have had her, but the room had been filled THE DAY BEFORE.

Collective awwwwww of sadness.

Before we ended the conversation I did share one last bit of info on our Merrywood House - assuming it would be quite the stretch, but I hated that we couldn't help this little freshman (who was a an amazing girl per Ashley).

"We do have an office in the house," I shared. "I mean, be aware it is NOT a bedroom sized office. It is really small but there would probably be enough room for a twin bed in there. We don't use it for anything. We actually call it a closet."

We laughed (such inviting description!), but Ash said she would relay the message and let us know.

A couple days later she called back.

The girl was in. She wanted to live in our closet.

And that is how we came to have our 6th roommate (you could pay the rent in quarters it was so cheap that year) and that is also how we that is how we came to know and love our dear little Meredith.


I had learned from Ashley a few things about Meredith before I met her. She was a great girl - mature in her faith, deep, funny. She was also a runner. She came from a great family and she was one of 3 girls. One of which was her twin sister.

Towards the end of that summer, Meredith and her family came to Statesboro to move her into the MW Closet.

This was who showed up. (Please note any familiar faces as you gaze upon this family.)


As I was shaking hand (probably hugging, actually) all the family members, I stopped at Mer's dad.

I know you, I thought as she introduced me to her dad. I just couldn't place him.

"I know you," I said as I shook his hand. (Awkward greeting, but we rolled with it.)

After a few minutes of discussion, we realized the connection.

He was Davis Lee. My small group leader from 4 years prior. The man who had made huge impact on me the summer after my senior year of high school.

And now here was his daughter, in the summer after HER senior year of high school moving into my house to become my roommate (and later one of my dearest friends).

He had been my favorite part of my last summer before I started college.

And his sweet daughter was about to become one of my favorite parts of my very last year before I graduated.

Isn't God fun!?

Mer fit in perfectly with our crazy bunch.


Pictured from left: (bottom) The tea, Bri, Mer, Alicia, Kara. (top) Linnie and JT.

Meredith brought a fun dynamic to our group. She was young (but very mature - more mature than some of her older roommates, one might contest) and she had crazy friends that packed into our house on a regular basis causing all manner of hilarity.

And of course we loved the little package deal she came with (her sister Laura). Two sweet girls for the price of one!


Their crew. Affectionately referred to as "The Little Ones".


Now here is where this story really gets fun. Pay attention to the guy to the left of Meredith in the picture above.

That's Danny.

We loved Danny, and Mer and I had many a conversation throughout that year (and the ones that followed) about this boy and their "relationship". Let's just say if Facebook had defined it, it would have been listed as "It's Complicated."

Not because of anything bad - more like God working (VERY evidently) in the hearts and lives of two very amazing people. Building their friendship and their feelings because one day, a few years down the line, it would be time for this.


And then (on May 1, 2010)....this.






I was honored to be at their beautiful wedding. I actually was running late and walked in about 2 minutes before she walked down the aisle - but I was so glad because I got a sneak peak (I heart behind-the-scenes action). She took my breath away!

I took my place in the back of the church and teared up as she walked down the aisle, while the church stood to sing "In Christ Alone" (fave), and as they announced these two sweet souls Husband & Wife.

It was precious in every way.

Then it was time to party!


I was BEYOND thrilled to get to spend my day celebrating Mer and Danny - especially because I got to do it alongside THIS girl. The lovely lady who intertwined us all.


She was there with her husband (who just so happens to be one of my favorite people) Bill and their adorable little man, Crosby.


We hung out in the balcony area playing with the babe, laughing, acting the fool, and watching all the action.




I only had eyes for one man that day.


Father of the Bride. So good to see Davis!


The Littles Ones - all grown up!


The beautiful bride. And to think - she used to live in a closet.


Ash preparing to send off the bride and groom (we threw lavender - so fun!) This just in - Ash is still a tad weird.


This also in - Crosby is still adorable.


Thank you, Lord, for the irreplaceable blessing of sweet friends and for always writing fun stories with our lives.

And thank you for the amazing ones You're are writing and will continue to write in the lives of Meredith and Danny! May they enjoy every part of this crazy path You have set them upon as a sweet, married couple.

"Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God." Ruth 1:16