We got back today from the long-awaited hometown baby shower weekend. We were supposed to return yesterday, but the weather in Atlanta had other ideas, and after hours and hours of creeping delays, our flight was canceled. We waited an eternity to retrieve my checked bag (you'd think they had never canceled a flight before), then spent the night at the Westin by the airport. (We consoled ourselves by ordering burgers and fries via room service and watching "Baby Mama" on the on-demand entertainment system -- the burgers were good; the movie was not. OH, and we caught the last hour of the Miss Universe pageant, broadcasting live from Vietnam -- woo! -- which was enough to see Miss USA bite it in the evening gown competition. Sweet.)
ANYway, the weekend was great with lots of family time, including a nice visit with my Granddad, who flew in from Florida for the occasion (he's going on ninety-two, and I swear he hasn't aged since I was born and has more energy than I do). And the Old Skool Southern Shower, hosted by Allison and her mom, was every bit as fun and fabulous as I'd imagined it would be.
They'd set the table with fine silver and linen napkins and each dish was labeled with a notecard.
The food was INCREDIBLE, y'all. Allison and her mom had cooked, baked and prepped for days, and all that hard work sure did pay off. The menu included: Brie en croute with lingonberries; chicken salad on mini puff pastries; orange blossoms; Jordan almonds; shortbread cookies; Coca-Cola cake; and Tang dip with fresh fruit (I can't find a recipe online for this, but it's Tang, vanilla pudding, Cool Whip and pineapple juice -- I'd never had it before, but I can assure you, I will be making it in the future because it is unreal). Also, I had a corsage, which was very pretty (tiny pink roses) and is currently being pressed for inclusion in my scrapbook.
The guests were mostly friends of my mom's, and it was such a delight to have them all together in one room. There's a certain Steel Magnolias beauty parlor atmosphere to the proceedings when a bunch of our small-town Southern ladies get together, and it is extremely hilarious and awesome. You can be sure to hear some good gossip and at least once someone will say, "Bless her heart, she's doin' the best she can."
I got so many amazing gifts -- classic books and soft blankies and dolls and smocked dresses and more (I'll have to take pictures of everything as I unpack it later this week) -- and the piece de resistance was a GIANT canvas tote filled with gifts from Allison and her mom, all things that Allison found useful when they were in China to meet Maggie!
I wish there were something in this photo for scale, but rest assured, the bag is about the size of a ten-gallon drum. Its contents included Hyland's teething tablets, disposable bibs, a portable placemat with a tray that catches stray food, Huggies wipes, a little sponge with a soap bar inside, baby toothpaste, a soft cotton blankie, and scented diaper baggies, plus a couple of things for home like a basket that goes in the dishwasher and keeps sippy cup and bottle parts organized. Very ingenious.
For some reason, my Speedlite flash was not cooperating, but here's a slightly dusky shot of Allison and me, being all pleased with the successful party, Allison having gotten loads of compliments on her food, decor and adorable daughter, and me having just opened a massive pile of gifts:
And here's a multi-generational mother-daughter photo-op:
When I was growing up there, I never thought I'd say this, but I sure do love my hometown.
(More photos on Flickr).
I recently found your blog (maybe through All & Sundry?) and I enjoy your writing. I read one of your posts about the struggle with being partner and still having a life outside of work. I have the same struggle with teaching. It can take over your life! I can't wait to read how the rest of your adoption journey goes.
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 14, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Everything looks beautiful. And delicious.
Sorry about the weather; I stayed at that Westin when I took the bar. I still can't ride by it without getting a chill.
Posted by: Mandee | July 14, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Wow, the shower and food looked amazing.
Posted by: Suze | July 14, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Oooh, we had such a good time! Your pictures are way better than mine are. Perhaps I will just link over here. :)
Posted by: Allison | July 14, 2008 at 10:51 PM
You guys are all sorts of cute. I will say though that the Tang dip sounds kind of scary. Until you (or Allison) provides a recipe, I will just take your word.
Also, holy moly! I want to eat up Maggie with a spoon. Her green dress slays me dead.
Posted by: christine | July 15, 2008 at 07:02 PM
Found this via Google - is this similar to what you had? It looks delicious.
RE: Tang and Vanilla Pudding Fruit Dip
Post By Felecia Elliott (Guest Post) (06/27/2006)
Fruit Salad
(makes 6 to 8 servings)
Ingredients
1 (15-oz) can fruit cocktail, drained; save juice
1 (15-oz) can pineapple tidbits, drained; save juice
1 small box vanilla instant pudding
2 tablespoons tang powder
4 small or 3 large bananas
Directions
Put drained fruit in a medium size bowl that has a lid. Add the drained juice to the vanilla instant pudding and 2 tablespoons powder tang. Mix well, it will become thick. Pour over the drained fruit and refrigerate overnight or at least 5 hours. Add peeled, sliced bananas and stir. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Submitted By: Sandra Rosenbaum
Posted by: Tawny | July 16, 2008 at 09:23 AM
Oh, I LOOOOOVE Southern girl parties! :) They just do 'em better, I say! :) I chuckled at your Miss Universe comments - it seemed like everywhere we went in VN, here came the Miss Universe motorcade. I guess we had Miss Universe tastes! :) It was so funny to see over there, because they broadcast EVERY preliminary competition, and the people were nuts about it! We had to watch 5 hours of swimsuit competition in the Hanoi airport - yikes! Too many bikinis for my self-esteem!
Posted by: Paula | July 16, 2008 at 01:09 PM
Tawny -- That sounds very similar, but there wasn't any fruit cocktail in this one. I bet that recipe is good though. Tang makes everything delicious!
Posted by: Lawyerish | July 16, 2008 at 04:56 PM
There's nothing better than a gathering of fun women and good food. :)
Posted by: rachel | July 16, 2008 at 07:53 PM
That looks like sooo much fun from where I'm sitting (studying for the bar exam). And all that food looks so yummy!
Speaking of lawyerish things and photographs, I've been wondering - you've posted a lot more pictures of yourself recently. Is your law firm cool with you blogging, or do they not know about it, and are you worried about their reaction if they knew (know), or are you just less worried about getting found out and "dooced"? I'm just wondering now I'm about to enter the working world myself (if I can pass the bar.... ugh). :)
Posted by: Dinamyte | July 17, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Oh, it looks like so much fun!! Loving the silver & linens...so fancy :) Yummy food & friends make for a great party! Looks like you got some fun things to go through and put away while waiting for travel. Hope your pre-approval comes soon. Heather M.
Posted by: Heather M. | July 20, 2008 at 02:46 PM