Leftovers

 

I haven’t exactly been the best at staying on top of some of my posting in the recent months, so we’re going to call this portion of the blog the “holiday leftovers” – which in no way diminishes their importance btw!  We all know that leftovers are buh-mazing.

Thanksgiving Visit with Jan:

Back during Thanksgiving I had my annual Jan Reynolds Ingersoll visit!!!  In fact, she even came to church to hear me sing that Sunday morning because I had a solo! (Read about the experience on her blog here).  And, if you know anything about a visit to see Jan then you know to expect a couple of things:

Blurry photo of the two of us / An action shot with some kind of weapon / Me, posing with a giant stuffed animal

     

And lest we forget – an appearance from our good friends Feral and Domesticated Cougar (this time in holiday attire!):

 

I AM WOMAN, HEAR ME ROAR!!!

 

Christmas Eve Shrimp Dinner with Will:

Before the two Christmas Eve services at my church I again had the pleasure of joining Will and his family for their annual shrimp dinner. I even got to catch up with my favorite misunderstood Christmas curmudgeons!  (This year I was doubly lucky because I also got to see them all again on my drive home from Crockett back to Houston after Christmas!)

 

 

 

Sid Becomes the Pied Piper Once Again:

When Hannah was visiting recently after Christmas, her dad, my uncle Sid, came over to the city for the day to help dress shop for Hannah’s junior voice recital in February.  In the car to dinner I showed him my clarinet I had taken from Crockett and he couldn’t wait to play it when we got back to my apartment later!  (Too bad the ol’ gem needs a bit of work to it).  At any rate… it was the first time he’d picked one up in years!

Proof for the grandparents!

 

Sugar and Spice… :

No good leftover meal is complete without a second (or third) helping of those holiday pies, cookies, cakes, random sugar packets you have lying around the house just begging to be finished before they spoil.  And by spoil I mean someone else eats them. Regular blog readers will know of my undying love for anything Speculoos, and this Christmas totes delivered!!  Mallory’s dad had traveled recently to the Netherlands and was kind enough to bring me back, in addition to the yearly Maersk butter cookies, a jar of the ONLY FOUND IN EUROPE crunchy spread! Not to leave Mallory high and dry on the Speculoos front—here she is with her giant cookie!

 

 

Mom managed to join the fray and somehow found me a whole CASE of the German equivalent of Speculoos.  What the WHAAAAAT!!!

And now… FOOD COMA!

 

Artist: No Doubt / Album: Everything in Time

Put on Your Sunday Clothes

 

This video has been floating around recently on several blogs I read and I thought it would be appropriate for a new edition of the now mostly defunct DANCE PARTY FRIDAY (it also happens to coordinate quite well with Jan’s weekly installments of Fashion Fabulous Friday). 

To celebrate the opening of the Westfield Stratford shopping center in Britain, a video of 100 years of fashion in East London in 100 seconds was put together in this lovely little package for your viewing pleasure. ENJOY!

 

Artist: Jerry Herman/ Album: Hello Dolly

Diamonds are Forever

 

I’m sure many of you heard today that Elizabeth Taylor passed away, and even Jan commented to me something along the lines of “I figure you have a blog post in the works!”  To be honest, I think I’ve only ever seen one movie she’s been in, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, but it’s one of my favorites and I usually end up watching it at least once a year.  So… looks like tonight will cover me for 2011.

“Why don’t you love me Brick?!  Oh BRIIIIIIIIIIIICK!!!!!!”

 

I believe the first time I saw the film was during high school (we had read Tennessee Williams’ original play in English class).  Yes… studio executives would only greenlight the project if blatant character cuts were made. And yes… it does kind of change the whole underlying meaning for the protagonists’ marital problems.  BUT, the performances of Miss Taylor, Paul Newman, Burle Ives, et al are quite fantastic and well worth seeing.

 

Artist: Shirley Bassey/ Album: Twenty of the Best

Ballad of a Well Known Gun

 

Last week I was thrilled to get a pleasant surprise of a text message from friend-of-the-blog, Jan:

Jan: What are you doing to night.

Me: (thinking maybe she knew someone in Houston who had an extra ticket to a show or something) Oh nothing!

Jan: I am in town and if I can swing it I’d love to see you if I can.  If you get an offer to go out take it, but I’ll do my best to see you!

What a treat!!! I have been accustomed to getting to see her during the holiday season, but it was certainly delightful to meet up so unexpectedly.  I also love that she assumed I’d rather see people who live in the same city as I as opposed to seeing her—buh-crazy!

The reason for their visit to Houston was that it served as the port of origin for their family cruise and it was decided it would be easier for me  to come to her father-in-law’s house for our visit.  I had been there once before when she and Jason were first married (I sang in the wedding).  Needless to say from the photos below, it’s not a house I quickly forgot.

There’s your giraffe, Jennifer!!!

 

Jason’s father (as well as Jason and the boys) are avid hunters and has a fantastic trophy room to prove it.  Kyle helped provide some dramatic re-enactments… at least I’m pretty sure it was Kyle and not Reed, his twin.  

Who’s laughing NOW, Mr. Hyena in the background?!?

 

And you know it wouldn’t be an animal post without a photo of our favorite animal, the cougar!:

 NOT AGAIN!!!!

 

 

Plus some good ol’ Jan action and a silly shot to boot!

 

There I am, “lookin’ all Kanye”

Artist: Elton John/ Album: Tumbleweed Connection

(Check out her post to see another picture of us!)

Think No More Lad; Laugh, Be Jolly

 

 

 

So what does one see when spending a Friday evening at the Kennedy Center.  Does one see Washington National Opera’s performance of Madama Butterfly with Ana Maria Martinez.  Nope… been there, done that in Houston. 

Does one see performers from the Manhattan School of Music as a part of the Conservatory Project (where, funnily enough, students from the University of Michigan performed just two nights prior).  Meh… one does not.

What one does does is attend probably the least Kennedy Center act that has been there since, I don’t know, when it opened 40 years ago in 1971.  That’s right baby, ginger-tongued comedienne Kathy Griffin was doing a two night stunt and you’d better believe my ass was in one of those plushy, velvety seats.

“That’s right, everybody… TAKE MY PICTURE!!!”

Practically the first thing she did when coming out was announce something like the following…

I feel it necessary to start off this evening by making an apology to the National Symphony Orchestra for dragging this beautiful concert hall into the mud. I mean, I’m not going to change my material or anything… 

My mother sent me an email today: “Now Kathleen, you MUST behave yourself. This isn’t some gritty comedy dive in Los Angeles—it’s the Kennedy Center for Christ’s sake!!!”

And, if you know anything about Miz Griffin, then you realize that’s about the last thing that I can quote here that is blog appropriate.  She spent over two hours riffing on her normal subjects (up to date coverage of the Charlie Sheen crazy), her newest Whitney run in at Clive Davis’ Grammy party, what those crazy Housewives across the country have been up to (“Why you all up in my Kool-Aid!?!”) and even infusing more political humor into the mix than normal.

I love that you guys here know who that pin-wheel eyed crazy Michele Bachmann is. Were I to talk about her in L.A. they’d just say… “Oh, is she that new chick on Gossip Girl?” To which many people in the audience probably went… what’s Gossip Girl?

She also spoke of being in Reno, Nevada the same time that La Palin was speaking at the Weatherby Awards (a big deal in the hunting world, apparently)  Why is that relevant, you might ask. Because our own, dear blog follower and frequent shout-out receiver, Jan, was in attendance!!

I did have to laugh when visiting the gift shop before the performance started.

Much like an appearance by me at the hunter’s ball, one of these is not like the other

 

Artist: Bryn Terfel/ Album: Silent Noon

A Real Gourmet Kitchen

 

One of my must sees for this trip was an exhibit at the American History Museum:

 

 

I immediately texted a picture to my mother:

Me: Julia Childs had nothin’ on Joyce!!!

Mom: Isn’t the turquoise something! That exhibit is so fun to see.

Me: Well… it’s certainly no avocado or harvest gold.

Now, I couldn’t help but think while watching some of the clips from her cooking show that someone should make a movie about her life.  I mean… honestly, why hasn’t that happened yet.  OMG, you know who would be PERFECT to play that role, right?

That was for you, Jan.  (Well, mostly for me… but I knew you’d love it)

 

And, while we’re on a Jan kick.  I realize that I’m not exactly singing with them like you have requested in the past, but this is the best and the closest I could manage.

Get it little Muppets!!!

 

The museum is also home to a fabulous collection of presidential and first lady ephemera, including inaugural gowns.

  

Michelle Obama  And… for those of you foaming at the mouth, I’ve also included Nancy Reagan

 

Yeah, those are okay I guess.  However, the BEST gown they had on display was a couple of floors up.

This is for you, Jeremy!!!!

 

The other exhibit I would have been remiss to miss is Stephen Colbert’s portrait, once on display in the National Portrait Gallery (next to the restrooms) and now a part of the permanent collection of the American History Museum.  But seriously… I wasn’t going to get out of this town without seeing it. 

Point/Counterpoint

The Colbert Report	Mon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c
Portrait Accepted - Brent Glass
www.colbertnation.com
Colbert Report Full Episodes Political Humor & Satire Blog Video Archive

And, finally, a picture of something many of you who read my blog with any consistency will feel I have lost:

“In 1884, the marble industry was born in Ohio when the first mass-produced marbles were made—creating a toy that many children could afford.”

Artist: Michael Giacchino/ Album: Ratatouille

The Christmas Song

 

It’s also the time of year when I pull out my Christmas playlist on iTunes.  I actually really really love Christmas music but working in retail has a tendency of sucking all the joy out of it.  Luckily, our sound system in the store has been a bit wonky for about 2 weeks and I really haven’t noticed the music!!!  Generally I just keep the playlist saved in my iTunes and update as necessary the following year if a new CD has come out (for instance, Pink Martini’s Joy to the World is buh-new). So here is my playlist for this year… because I know you can’t get anything done today until you find out what is in slot 4 of the General’s disc changer.

Plus, buy now and get THREE FREE NEW YEARS SONGS!!!

One song you will NEVER EVER see on a playlist of mine is “The Little Drummer Boy.”  I can’t staaaaaand all that incessant repitition.  I kinda wanna kick that adolescent percussionist right in his rum-pa-pum-ass.  Also, every time I heard the song “Bring a Torch Jeanette Isabella” I can’t help but think of my friend Nate who, upon hearing it one day, commented: “God, wouldn’t this make the best drinking song.  ‘BRING a TORCH jeaNETTE isaBELLa!’

I’m not a fancy enough blogger to figure out how to put my playlist here for you to listen to, so enjoy some of these clips I found on YouTube!

Not Baylor, btw

 

 

Get it, Lil’ Kim!

 

For Drew and Jan!!

For JAMIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE*breath*EEEE

 

Because it wouldn’t be a Roberts playlist without him!

Artist: Nat King Cole/ Album: The Christmas Song

Dammit, Janet (I Love You)

 

I got this text message yesterday while getting ready for my break at work:

“Are you okay? You’ve been awfully quiet on Blog & FB.”~ Jan

And, even though she might not admit it, I’m pretty sure she was subtly hinting that I have yet to post pictures from her visit to Texas (and me) from this past week. SHEESH!!! ;)

Last Sunday after my church service I met up with Lady Jan at the Memorial City Mall.  I thought I could locate her by finding where the screaming children were, but it turns out she had the day off from motherhood.  Or as Jan so aptly said to the waiter: “Um, we’ll just start a tab, por favor!”

And on the seventh day they DRANK!

 

After gorging on our state’s national food (Tex-Mex natch) we were on the hunt for three party dresses for Jan, one of which came with a preemptive apology:

“Now, I’m just letting you know up front that one of these is for when I meet Sarah Palin in a couple of months.”

“Oh no problem!!!,” was my response, but I had already begun formulating the most hideous outfit I could think of.  “Of COURSE you look good in that! Muffin tops are totally in this season!”

Ummm, I think that decapitated albino amputee-in-progress needs some help in the blouse section, miss

 

Jan and I in coordinating patterns, as well as what appears to be a muppet-fur vest to our left

 

Unfortunately Jan had to get away to go see 9-5: The Musical, but as we were walking out of Target the heavens parted and we saw these:

 

LOOK HOW HAPPY I AM!!!!!!!

 

Fear not, dear readers, for I did get to see Jan and her entire brood one last time.  Weldon, where her parents live and where she spent Thanksgiving, is basically on the way back from Crockett to Houston so I stopped by and said one last goodbye before she heads back to granola-y ole Colorado. Even though it usually only happens once every couple of years, I always look forward to my several hours of Jan time!!!!

JR, Kyle-or-Reed, JD, Reed-or-Kyle

 

It was also really great to see her parents, Margaret and John (I probably still call him Mr. Reynolds, as he was my counselor at Crockett Junior High a.k.a. one of the reasons I made it through Crockett Junior High). As an added bonus as I was leaving Margaret goes: “Oh JD before you leave I have something I know you’ll just love.  It’s this fabulous egg nog mix I found and the recipe starts with, and I know you’ll love it because you love Blue Bell, but it starts with a gallon of, well just so you know you don’t have to use a gallon, you could use less but I mean, it’s the holidays so you might as well… anyway, a gallon of Blue Bell Butter Pecan and then—“ “SOLD! You don’t have to go any further!” 

Oh, also I found out later that it was Jason, Jan’s husband’s, birthday.  So… HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!!!

Check out Jan’s blog for more about my Thanksgiving trip and why I am called ABC by one of her kids!

 

Artist: Richard O’Brien/ Album: The Rocky Horror Show

Music is the Victim

 

As I mentioned earlier this month, Christmas is already in full swing in the retail world and this past Sunday a group of us Pottery Barn crazies employees worked a 6pm-2am shift in order to partially put up the new holiday floor set.

This was one of my main contributions

 

                   

Lissa: “Where the heck did all these pillows come from?!”                     “Shhhhhh… don’t tell!”

 

Can’t see the Tori for the trees

 

                                   Lisa and Illiana                          WHERE THE HELL ARE MY REINDEER NAPKINS!

 

Mmmmm… 10:00 pizza break!!!

 

Pottery Barn: a hot bed of testosterone

 

                

                          Kirsten, our resident ginger.                     Seeing if blondes actually do have more fun

 

 

Santa, you made the pants too SHORT!

 

As often comes with doing these floor sets, one is able to see the new holiday products arriving in the store before the customer’s do.  Not to harken back to “Letter Gate 2010”, but I have a bit of a bone to pick with the Barn.  I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really that invested in the letter “I” being left off our shelves.  My last name is Roberts, therefore I’m not in any true danger of not being able to find anything with the letter “R”.  (Sorry, Jan.)  HOWEVER, as a musician I took take a bit of offense to our newest glitter candle:

   

Okay… SO. First of all, this isn’t music (unless Pottery Barn has gotten all John Cage on us). There’s no key signature or time signature, I have no idea why there is a rest in between staves, and I’m not exactly how two eighth notes equals two quarter notes. Not to mention the sharps, flats and naturals are about as slap-dashedly applied as a Real Housewives makeup.  I’m just gonna go ahead and file these under our “non-educational” product much like the re-released first episodes of Sesame Street come with this disclaimer:

"Welcome to Sesame Street Nostalgia. I am Bob, your host, and I want you to know that these early Sesame Street episodes are intended for grown-ups and may not meet the needs of today's pre-school child."

Yeah… because in the first episode you basically teach children it’s okay to follow a stranger who offers you cookies and milk to go into some bizarre neighborhood.  Anyway, Pottery Barn has a pretty strong tract record with the exception of one of our globes that unfortunately misspells the name of our neighbor to the south.

 

I LOVE “Tex-Max” food!!!

Artist: Scissor Sisters/ Album: Scissor Sisters