Birmingham, Lacrosse and a 16th Birthday

Sweet 16! James didn't want a cake, he didn't want a pie.....Marble Slab Ice Creamery would be fine he said. But he ended up with slices of his favourite Publix pastry - the Apple Flip - artfully arranged with 16 birthday candles...he was happy! We will take him for the ice cream when his Friend Seth from Atlanta is here next week.




Another weekend flew by. The Lacrosse team was playing in a large tournament up in Birmingham. The drive up there is close to 4 hours. While passing through Montgomery we were given a bit of an airshow - catching a practise display of acrobatics for a weekend airshow at Maxwell Air Force Base. Frank was very tempted to pull over on the motorway to watch. Coming home he did pull over, as we timed it just right to catch a bit of the "Tora, Tora" battle - this time in the daylight.

We had an hour or two free between games on the Saturday, so took a bit of a drive around downtown Birmingham, plenty of lovely old buildings and very little of the old industrial roots.

Parking at the tournament was very limited......they provided big yellow school buses to shuttle you from a nearby high school to the fields. I have been on a few of those buses over the years, but had never before noticed the little white box attached to the wall.....I will leave that for your imagination!!

In and Around Copenhagen

Last Spring we visited my old friend, Vibeke and her family in Denmark. Now that Spring is finally here again, this is a good time to catch up on a bit of what we did last Spring!

City scenes - reminded me of the cafe life of Paris.

The Peda Ox restaurant in red.....Vibeke took me there about 26 or 27 years ago, while we spent a Christmas at her mum & dads home. A husband each and a few children later we meet again in Denmark and enjoy another leisurely and delicious meal there. That's some of our group standing there. The inside walls are tiled - the food and tiles are a work of art!

The view from those cafe tables is the Helsingberg castle. (Another post)

Blankets and sheepskin for keeping warm on colder days


lovely seafood restaurants everywhere

Who could resist this little coffee stand? We couldn't!

Spring in Denmark ...a year later!

I think spring just might be the perfect time for travelling. The temperatures are mild, some days warm and others require a shawl or cardigan. We were able to enjoy some beautiful days made more special when nature puts on a show.

Here we visit a small village to buy a fresh salmon for a family meal - loved the contrast between the old thatched roofs perfectly trimmed and formal against the wild and free new spring growth. Every corner had a touch of colour at the beautiful Tivoli gardens in Copenhagen. And a bouquet on the table to welcome us to Denmark.

Order of The Polka Dots

Our invitations to a Mardi Gras Ball arrived.....


With the attached "rules"

All dressed and ready to go

No really we left the masks at home

First the parade

The Budweiser Clydesdales were there with their mascot. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales

Bead catching is an art....Cheryl has it down pat.

Her loot: Beads, Moonpies, cups, a teddy bear, a thong and crab included!

New accessories for the evening

The Ball began with the queen and her escort watching the arrival of all the Polka Dot girls and their escorts. (fresh from riding in the parade) Followed by the emblem, the Gypsy Queen who then danced around the ballroom greeting all the Polka Dots and guests. Finally the queen took her rounds and then the dancing began.

A Jester watching over the dance floor - there were three stages with a different band in each.

Some of the rooms - lots to eat and drink!

some of the other guests...a couple of sneaky photos!

And doing it all again the next night at the Order of the Inca Society parade and Ball