Tasty Town: Georgia

Thanks to Wendy and Twist of Lime for organizing the Your Town Tasty Treat swap. She paired us with other bloggers and people all over the country to swap out regional treats. We were to spend no more than $20.00 on a gift box that should arrive by Valentine's Day. I received this fun box on V-day from Bridget who is from Atlanta but went to school in Savannah, Georgia. She sent a cute Christmas card with the 12 days of Georgia and a box full of southern treats.

This cookbook was my favorite part of the whole gift and is an absolute riot.

I went to Miss PittyPat's Porch in Atlanta during a conference once. Bad idea. Way too touristy but hilarious non-the-less. These cream scones look pretty easy and have to be good.

There were pralines, a fruit cake, pear preserves, shrimp dip, a sassy apron and pamphlets for Savannah. E. was a little upset there were no peach preserves. He's a purest.

We shared the pralines at a dinner party this weekend. So sweet and delicious.

She packed the Braswell's Preserves in a koozie. Brilliant.

I'll look forward to trying this dip when it gets a little bit warmer outside.

The fruit cake is still in the fridge.

The same week my wonderful godmother sent me a box of old photographs from when I was The Bug. It was the best Valentine I could have ever received!!! Momma has called me The Bug since I was bitty and Mac is The Boss. There are pictures of them, dad's parents and even Dana Buchman from way back in the day in Memphis.

This is a photo of our kitten Boo Rufus up a tree. I wasn't even in the picture yet. Absolutely so cute and so little. I had never seen a photo of him this young.

I love this one with me and my Granddaddy on his birthday getting a new golf bag. He was a scratch golfer.

I've never seen this one with me and my uncle Johnny either. He was so handsome even with that crazy stash! Not sure why the photos turned red.

It was such a great package of memories that I will cherish.

I sent Bridget this Tasty Town Treat box from Baltimore and had the best time at Eddie's getting all the treats.

Utz are from PA but the crab seasoning is so classically Baltimore.

Berger Cookies, of course.

Everyone needs a little Old Bay seasoning. I love to add it to french fries and of course my favorite Gertie's crab cake.

I haven't tried the Baltimore Coffee & Tea Co, Inc. yet but this packaging was so cute I had to send it too. I also sent her Michele's Granola. A very expensive addiction E. and I can't  seem to break. But it is just so good and made in Maryland. I even sent her fig preserves from Stone Hill Farm. I had a nice bottle return on my Trickling Springs milk jugs so really only went over by $3.00.

I was given these cookies the first week I lived here  as a welcome gift from my mother's best childhood friend. Can you believe she lives just two miles up the street from us in Roland Park? Peggy's mother set up Momma's mother and daddy! She has exquisite taste and I was hooked immediately. Otterbein's cookies are great gifts. I get a tin at work every Christmas from the Maryland Jockey Club. I hope they weren't just dust when they got to Bridget. They are buttery and very crispy.

And finally I had to add a small bag of Mouth Party Sea Salt Caramels. This may have put me a few dollars over budget but I couldn't resist.

Bridget thank you for your wonderful gift box. I've been enjoying the River Street Sweets Glazed Pecans this afternoon. Harriett, thank you with the biggest resounding thank you for the wonderful, old photos. They were the best surprise ever.

Macy's Day Parade Memories

My aunt and uncle lived on 2nd and 11th in the East Village for years. We lost John to cancer the summer of 2004. Ever since 1992 when I was taking a semester at American University I would spend Thanksgiving with John and Susan and later Lucy when she was born. This photo brings up more emotions and memories than I could ever, ever begin to explain. It's the view from their patio over looking St. Mark's church. I had so many great times on that patio and in their home. They even hosted my 30th birthday party!

Many Thanksgiving mornings would find us on the second floor of 41st Street to watch the Macy's Day Parade from a friend's office.

It was seriously the best view. Look at the people on the street. This same year Lucy was little, little and we tried to get up the stairs from the subway but there were magazines stacked in the way. It was like trying to walk on a waterfall of magazines. We were seriously frightened. There were so many people and we felt a little bit trapped hiking up the stairwell of slippery papers.

But we made it. This is my cousin Lucy. She's now a teenager! Susan and Lucy will be visiting Stone Hill this Thanksgiving. We are so excited and getting the house ready for them and our grandmother.

Kermy...I love you!!!

I am maybe the biggest band geek ever. Growing up going to every Michigan home football game sealed it. I loved watching our band and even though they were our opponents the University of Ohio script Ohio is my all time favorite half time moment. We have a friend who played for the "best damn band in the land." So I love a good parade with the bands, the pom pom girls, spirit dancers and the whole schabang. I'm a fan.

This was taken two years before Steve Irwin died. While digging through old photos, I forgot I had this shot. Rest in peace crocodile hunter.

Hall of Famer Joe Namath waving right at us for the picture! 

I love this photo of our friend with the reindeer in the background. She is designer Dana Buchman. It's Dana's office that we would visit every year. We had many a Thanksgiving with her family. She is from Memphis and has known my family for years. She dated my uncle John and they stayed great friends. Her husband's family started Farberware and OXO Good Grips. Sam Farber makes THE best apple pie. He created the Good Grip for his wife Besty who has arthritis. They are a wonderful family and welcomed us like family many years at their table.

Me, Dana, Annie Rose, and their cousin. Charlotte is on the cover of Dana's book. We had many a late night, apres turkey kareoke sing along. Her girls are all grown up now too and I feel old as hell!

Click the image to purchase Dana's book.

Dana's studio was in the old Perry Ellis building.

Her office had her signature zebra print as a wall to wall carpet with the most beautiful shade of purple suede chairs.

Welcome hallway with my favorite photo of Dana.

I will cherish these memories from New York forever. I only wish I had known E. when my Uncle Johnny was still living. They would have adored each other. John was an architect and his last project was the Baryshnikov Dance Foundation on 37th. I can't wait to attend a production there one day.

Santa always ends the parade...and then we would trudge back to the Lower East side through the throngs of folks and get ready to head to dinner at Tom and Dana's. Pure blissful memories.

Many thanks to the multiple years that Dana and Tom hosted me along with John, Susan and Lucy. I always felt like a lucky kid taking the train from DC visiting the big apple during this time of year. It was seriously the best blessing being with John and Susan all those many years for long weekend visits. I love that E. and I have been to Brooklyn in Susan and Lucy's new home. We love you guys and CAN NOT wait to see you next week.