Thursday, June 2, 2022
This weekend, we all gathered in East Tennessee to celebrate the 102nd birthday of Virginia Norene Taylor Laws with lots of fun, laughter and of course, lots of good food. I was so anxious and excited to get to Elizabethton that Terry and I decided to drive up a day early. The weather was fine and we had an easy, uneventful drive. As soon as we arrived and were safely ensconced on Grandmother’s back porch, the heavens opened up and we were agog at the torrential downpour that we narrowly missed. Phyllis arrived shortly thereafter and after doing the happy dance and hugs galore, Grandmother, Phyllis and I retired to the kitchen table while Terry kicked back on the porch and relaxed.
Since we had such a big weekend ahead of us, we decided to keep dinner simple opting to go right down the street to Applebee’s. Grandmother and Terry went the meat-a-saurus route and ordered ribs while Phyllis and I both chose a cup of ooey-gooey French onion soup and splitting their Asian chicken salad. Terribly satisfying.
For dessert, we dug into a strawberry pie that Grandmother’s friend Jennie Chambers had dropped off this afternoon as well as slicing up a piece of pound cake I baked and brought along for the birthday weekend. Although our adrenaline was running high, we decided on an early night as the next few days were sure to be fun filled.
Friday, June 3, 2022
Happy birthday Grandmother Ginny!!!
We all slept in this morning slowly arising at our own pace then sat around the table nurturing cups of coffee and tea in anticipation of they day. While we were savoring the quiet and catching up, Jennie Chambers stopped by and dropped off even more treats: a chilled pineapple-peach salad as well as homemade bleu cheese dressing and a divine cheesecake.
There were many other deliveries today as well. Fealty-Roland Florist delivered a couple of the most exquisite arrangements. The first arrangement that arrived was from Patsy and Jennifer and it was an oval box with watercolor details filled with an array of flowers in shades of pink and white including roses and snapdragons, along with baby ferns and tiny bluebirds nested amongst the flora.
Later in the day, another gorgeous arrangement arrived in a large, pale blue serving bowl with a border of scripted verse filled with flowers in summery shades of yellow with lemon accents.
Gorgeous floral gifts from family and friends.
Once we had all pulled ourselves together, we made our way to City Market for lunch before the rest of the family began to arrive. City Market is closed on Saturday’s so we never get an opportunity to eat here so color me excited. Terry, Phyllis and I went for the juicy burgers and fries while Grandmother decided on a lighter lunch of chicken salad with a side of fresh fruit. Dining out with Grandmother is a surreal experience. She is so well known that you get that full movie star, paparazzi like experience. Many well wishers stopped by our table to extend their birthday greetings while the owner asked the diners to take a moment to honor and recognize Grandmother by singing “Happy Birthday”. As an added treat, they gifted her meal and presented her with a chocolate pie. What sweet, wonderful, amazing folks.
Heading out to City Market for lunch.
Grandmother being serenaded at City Market.
Back at home base, we encouraged Grandmother to get her feet up in her recliner and enjoy the calm before the storm. Conspiratorially, that allowed the birthday elves to do a little decorating. Phyllis and I were in the dining room searching for a tablecloth liner when I peered over Phyllis’ shoulder and there stood Roy. I was surprised because we had texted back and forth yesterday and he was still unsure when and/or if he would be coming up. He confirmed that Dad, Janice and Levi weren’t too far behind him and before you knew it, they were waltzing in the back door amidst a welcoming fanfare.
Phyllis, Roy, Janice and Terry visiting and catching up.
Since we had a little time before dinner, Phyllis and Roy surprised Dad with a few birthday gifts. Phyllis had a definite theme, the Elizabethton High School Cyclones. Now Dad has everything he needs to cheer on the team this fall including a t-shirt, a water bottle to stay hydrated after all that cheering and a cuddly teddy bear to hang onto during those tense extra points. And Roy gave Dad the ultimate dude gift, a case of Budweiser to enjoy during those dog days of summer.
That evening, the whole gaggle made our way over to the Black Olive for a big Italian feast with fried mushrooms as an appetizer to share and a cornucopia of pasta. The Black Olive staff even treated Grandmother to a piece of their luscious tiramisu as a birthday treat.
Dinner at the Black Olive.
Returning from dinner, a pot of daisies, doughnuts, hydrangeas and wildflowers awaited on the porch from neighbors and friends.
Phyllis is the consummate party planner and she had fashioned a picnic themed birthday party full of charm and whimsy. A summery, blue watering can filled with richly hued fuchsia flowers became the center piece set atop a canary yellow tablecloth with plates in blues and greens. Pink and white polka dotted napkins peeked out of cups, colorful mini-pails were filled with tiny chocolates and metal ants marched across the table. And the pièce de résistance was the white chocolate raspberry cake from Nothing Bundt Cake which was nothing short of heavenly.
Levi helps Grandmother Ginny blow out the candles.
After a rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” and the ceremonial blowing out of the candles, we gathered around the kitchen table for cake and the opening of gifts. Grandmother received the most delightful and thoughtful things and I’m thinking Levi must be a gift whisper because he hit a home run with all of her favorites: a long, gold necklace, a bumblebee brooch and a stretchy, coral bracelet. Dad and Janice also hit the mark with a summery, yellow purse and blouse, a patriotic pillow ready for the 4th of July, a women’s devotional and a soothing, lavender/chamomile sleep spray and balm. I know she will enjoy using the gift cards from Roy to treat herself to dinner and a movie and the Talbot’s cards from yours truly. Of course, Phyllis’ french fry birdhouse was a clear winner and was absolutely hysterical.
Saturday, June 4, 2022
A picture perfect day awaited us. It was sunny, warm and beautiful and we were all jazzed about going to Watauga Lake for a picnic lunch. Dad and Phyllis picked up all the food for our luncheon while Roy, Levi and I grabbed a cooler for Cokes and water, a picnic basket, quilts, folding chairs and all the things you need for dining al fresco including, paper plates, towels and napkins, plastic cutlery, tablecloth, salt and pepper, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and a garbage bag for cleanup. We also threw in an extra roll of toilet paper for the restroom, because well, you never know.
A smorgasbord awaited us and we were eager to tuck into crispy, Kentucky Fried Chicken, cole slaw, pickled eggs, sweet corn, mac and cheese, potato salad, Lay’s potato chips and deviled eggs. I can’t imagine a more picture perfect day for a picnic.
I was so thrilled that Molly Dycus was able to join us. I hadn’t seen her cute self in ages and it gave us all time to catch up on what was going on in her world. Today, in fact, was to be her first day of waitressing at a local marina. This was in addition to the two other jobs she was working this summer. Aww, youth.
It was lovely to be outside enjoying the beautiful scenery. Watagua Lake is breathtaking and it was so peaceful, feeling the early summer sun on your face while watching sailboats glide by.
Roy, Levi and I decided to walk down to the lake to stretch our legs and to check out the scenery. Fed by mountain streams and rivers, the lake is usually bracingly cold and today proved to be no different.
Levi had it on his mind that he should really jump in fully clothed. Janice reminded him he would have to air dry and would probably be uncomfortable, Roy supported his decision while I, like Switzerland, remained neutral. He finally texted his friends to help him decide saying that if received five “yeses” he would do it after which he called Josh to ask his thoughts and Josh told him to absolutely, take the plunge. With that, he leapt off the bank into the chilly depths of the lake. He may be a rebel but Levi was still nothing but practical removing his boots, socks, t-shirt, sunglasses, hat, iPhone and the knife he carries on his hip before jumping into the icy depths. He was so pleased with himself and will always remember this little bit of rebellion.
An hour or so after having stuffed ourselves with massive amounts of food, we found ourselves nibbling around the edges. Along with all the mandatory picnic essentials, we also brought along the mason jar of Jennie Chambers homemade bleu cheese dressing and a box of saltine crackers. Weird, right? I mean what kind of snack is this? Then I had this clear memory of being in Jennifer and Randall’s kitchen on West G Street as she announced to all gathered that she had picked up bleu cheese dressing and crackers from Ridgewood Barbecue which at the time I thought was just bizarre. How could this possibly be considered an appetizer? Well, color me unmystified. Hands to the heavens, this is one of the all time tastiest treats. Making gratifying yummy sounds, we slathered those crackers with luscious bleu cheese and devoured them like we hadn’t eaten in a coon’s age.
As the afternoon began to wane, we packed up and headed back to Grandmother Ginny’s house. Terry and I rode along with Roy and Levi and as we made our way down the mountain, we grooved and sang along to the 1970’s hit, “Come and Get Your Love” by the rock band, Redbone, really leaning into the chorus, “Hey (hey) what’s the matter with your head, yeah”.
I couldn’t imagine ever being hungry again yet later that evening, as we were wrapping up our fun-filled day, Terry announced that he didn’t know about anybody else, but he was going to grab a bite to eat. Before we knew it Roy, Levi and I were headed to Pal’s with a page full of orders: hamburgers, cheeseburgers, fries, onion rings and chocolate milk shakes. Oh boy was it good!!!
After a long day, Dad, Janice and Levi headed back to Gray to stay in the Airbnb they had reserved, Phyllis headed home and Roy and I tidied up, giving Grandmother birthday hugs and good night wishes before calling it a night as well.
Sunday, June 5, 2022
The weekend just flew by and before you knew it, we were preparing to head back to our respective homes. While Janice and Levi packed up at their Airbnb, Dad swung by for quick visit and a cup of coffee before heading down the road. Phyllis came up looking super cute in her bright, florally blouse and joined in the fun. We lingered as long as possible until church bells and the call of the road beckoned. What a wonderful weekend we had celebrating Grandmother Ginny!!
And a big thanks to Jill and Josh who let us borrow Levi for the weekend while they celebrated their 18th wedding anniversary. It was a blast having him along.
One last pic before church.
