Alabama + Graffiti

- a lifestyle blog -

Fourth of July Recap

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What is better than a Fourth recap a week after the actual Fourth?   Absolutely nothing that’s what.
Our day started out with a quick run down at the trail — the weather was perfect!  After that we headed to the store to get some meat to smoke, because what else do you do on a national patriotic holiday?  We smoked chicken wings and big ole pork butt.  
After that, we blew up our gangsta blow-up pool and relaxed in it ..the whole damn day. After baking in the sun all day — we packed up a few drinks, our portable grill, our tailgate chairs and headed downtown to stake out a spot for the Thunder on the Mountain fireworks show over Vulcan.
Then onto the Blue Monkey for me to try scotch for the first time — it was flipping terrible.  Luckily, the lovely foreign bartender knew exactly what I should be drinking, and he made that for me.  Then at least I got to enjoy my post-firework beverage.

i loved this little kid and his sparkler.

It was definitely an awesome day.  Hope everyone had a great Fourth remembering exactly why we get to celebrate in freedom every year!

Memorial Day 2014

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Our Memorial Day consisted of laying out in the sun with our mini blow up pool.  I’m aware that we probably look like rednecks, but guess what?  
A fence is going up, so it won’t be as visible to the neighborhood as it once was.  Hot dogs were grilled, a pork butt was smoked, Ramen noodle salad was made and a double layer strawberry shortcake was baked. 
Stella went in the pool.  She hated it.  
But mostly, it was a day for giving thanks to our soldiers and remembering those who gave the ultimate sacrifice so we could enjoy all of the above.
this was before she was thrown in the pool.  where she obviously thought she was going to die.  have you ever seen a dog doggie paddle while not even in the water?  this dog is special!

Ramen noodle salad — see recipe below.

double layer strawberry shortcake.  yep, i’m aware of how ugly it is.
Ramen Noodle Salad
for the salad:
– 1 package shredded cabbage ( I just buy the bagged coleslaw stuff)
– 2 packs Ramen noodles
– 4 green onions, chopped.
for the dressing:
– 1 tsp salt
– 1 Tbsp sugar
– 1 cup oil
– 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
– 1 flavor packet from noodle package
Directions:  
– Mix ingredients and pour over salad.
So simple, yet so delicious.
Hope y’all had a great Memorial Day!

Easter 2014

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So while everyone did their Easter recaps yesterday, I was too busy getting strep throat.
Thank you New Orleans for that.  For some reason lately New Orleans has been rejecting me, and the strep is the last straw.  I think that Jazz Fest may be the end of NOLA for me until it decides to love me again.
I spent the weekend with Lindsey at her new place.  On Easter Sunday, we got up an super early to go and watch the fancy and short Easter parade.  If you are a kid, you hit jackpot at that parade especially if you dig stuffed animals.  
We had Easter dinner at Dat Dog (more on that later), and then I drove on home.  Where I promptly got sick.  Hooray.

Hope you had a great Easter!

St. Patty’s

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There are plenty of reasons why I don’t necessarily like St. Patrick’s Day.  My grandfather died on St. Patrick’s Day; I had one of the worst days of my life on St. Patrick’s Day.
While I do occasionally enjoy a green beer or a boiled potato; I would much rather just not celebrate the holiday at all.
But I did.  I went down to New Orleans.  Went to a few parades, where you give away kisses for fake flowers.  It was quite the spectacle.  I was also only a little shocked to find that out.  But then of course, having a garter put on your leg by an attractive Italian acting man?  I was totally okay with that.
And seeing as how Ms. Lindsey lives there now, you can pretty much guess I’ll be down there all the time.

I sure hope y’all had a great St. Patty’s Day!

Black Jacket Symphony does The Boss

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I’ll be as honest as possible; I did not know much about this symphony until the day I got to see them.
I honestly thought they were like a real orchestra type thing; you know, black tie, fancy champagne sipping type of folks.
So I was intrigued when I heard on BMR (Birmingham Mountain Radio…seriously, listen to them if you don’t already) that they were coming and doing Springsteen’s Born to Run on New Year’s Eve.
BRUUUUUUUUCE!!
So, um, where do I sign up?!  
The night as I’m getting ready to go, I look them up.  Find out that, indeed, they are not a symphony orchestra.  At.  All.  Stupid feelings aside, I put on my sparkly skirt, heels and sweater and head to show.
I get there early, not early enough to get a seat, but early enough to get front row.  As in, I could park myself there until the show started.  
And when it did?  I freaking rocked it out.  Tim Brantley played Bruce, and he did an amazing job.  Plus, he’s super pretty, so it was really fun to be that close.

Sorry for the blur on some of them; for some reason, I find it incredibly difficult to take pictures even though I’m in the front row. 
The one terrible moment during the show was when the drunk, overly plastic lady decided to shove her way to the front during Pink Cadillac.  I felt the need to say something to her, but didn’t want to ruin my New Year’s Eve with some crazy person.  That was the night I vowed to keep my elbows high at shows, like, why you running into my elbows, man? 
Fortunately for me, she left when that song was over.  
I will definitely go and see these guys when they bring their next show to the Ham.  Y’all should see if they’re coming near you too.