Barbara Nell

A few evenings ago I found my husband in the kitchen mixing up some yummy, tropical cocktails for us after the kids were in bed. Besides being completely delicious (and one itty-bitty umbrella short of perfect), it instantly reminded me of my Grandmother. Liquor and your Grandmother you ask?? Well, it was only because I noticed that in his pile of ingredients were some of those tiny cans of Dole pineapple juice. She always had those little cans of juice at her house, and to a little girl, they seemed like such a special treat ♥ ♥ It got me thinking about her....

She was a southern girl gone west, and she is my "Grandy". Oh, she is decidedly southern in many ways; she loves her food fried - fried okra, fried fish, hush puppies, and a favorite was fried dove. She likes her melon salted and her crackers buttered. The family peach cobbler recipe is my great, great, Aunt Loby's and calls for "an eggs worth of butter". We have always been her "Fweethearts", she declared many things ... as in "Well, I declare..", and she often blesses our hearts, i.e., "Well, bless your heart". When she meets someone new she becomes infinitely more southern, the ya'll-s become thicker and she, more coquettish. She never receives company without full hair, make-up, and heels (and by company, I mean anyone). See, she isn't just a woman, she is a lady.

However, that being said, she is a lady of the finest sort; the kind full of moxie and a sweet streak of tomboy thrown in. She had a favorite walnut tree she climbed well into her college years, and a mother, Annie Mae, who was a very fine hunter and fisherman fisherwoman. She was school teacher, like her mother before her, and taught both here and abroad. She is mother to five children and raised them mostly on her own. Everything she did took determination and courage. Growing up, I remember her always with a song on her lips and a twinkle in her eye; you never knew what was coming but chances are it was probably going to be fun. She taught me songs that I still remember, and that nobody else my age knows (save for my sisters of course!) and that I fully intend on passing down. She's a perfect mix of refinement, and mischief. My Mother is like her in more ways than one (just don't tell her that!) and all of them are great. They are both strong, creative, brave, playful, and love whole heartedly ... And they are both truly an inspiration to me.

...In fact, I do declare that she will make a most perfect muse for a proper, southern party someday soon! Who wants to make the mint juleps?! XO-'83

Cat's Meow

Suffice it to say that fashion has never been my forte! So my fellow birds of the feather have to help me flock towards anything fashionable…

I admit that whenever I try to pick out any type of clothes or shoes, I have to pass it through my (learned the hard way) test; Would this likely be seen on any reasonable person over age 65? Sadly, more often than not the answer is yes. Great news – I now know that means back to the rack it goes! You see, the rest of our breed has fashion down. Sure it helps that one lives in California and the other is still part of the in-crowd, or at least this is what I tell myself. Truth is I think the fashion jean just skipped me and they each got an extra ½ dose. Don’t despair; they also got a fair dash of generosity and sense of obligation towards their kin. Not only have they shared their expertise but also their leftover clothes. Their hand-me-downs are probably a season behind for them but light years ahead for me. They also have a knack for organizing and purging a closet to boot! While doing a clothes inventory recently I discovered my closet is not so void of vogue these days. The sisterly help in purging my closet, equal to donations to my fashion fund has left me with almost entirely with a bequeathed boutique; hence fashion heaven for me!

Don’t forget the gifts... I am now hooked on fancy pants! Yes these are the ones that are not Levi or Wrangler brand and cost over $25.00. But boy can they start the day off right!! Add a great pair of shoes (oh how I love) and a donated top – viola. I love the feeling of leaving the house in a good outfit. Many a time I have received compliments on an outfit and had to confess that, out of the whole get-up, the only self purchased item was the undergarments!

So now I share with you a few tidbits learned along the way: Navy and black can be worn with jeans; shirts should go past your waist but your pants should not go above your belly button; flip flops and high heels are appropriate footwear for jeans; belts can be worn so high that it double as bosom support (ok, almost); its posh to spend an inordinate amount of money for new jeans that they have already worn out and ripped for you; and my favorite so far – jeans have whiskers and, properly placed, can enhance your figure. So thanks to advice from my fashionable feathers and picture message double checks they just might turn me into the Cat’s Meow yet! ~'79

What is making me happy today...

Aside from the obvious; waking up next to my husband (what a treat!) and good morning baby kisses (heaven!), these things are bringing sunshine into my life today...

My great friend Jennifer, whom my son calls G.G. (of course now we all do), makes the most delicious treats. Imagine my excitement when this yummy little bundle showed up! I confess, when paired with a cup of coffee it makes for my dream breakfast! Guilty pleasures...

Even more exciting than cookies (I know!) is a special little package I got I the mail the other day; a darling box of my very own business cards! See, there was this little idea that had been hatched to start up a boutique event styling business a while back. (I would call it "Bluebird Productions", more on the name inspiration later...) Timid as I am, I was having a hard time committing to putting myself out there in such a big way, and then out of the "blue" these lovelies arrived! My friend had commissioned them and sent them to me, I'm thinking it was just the kick in the fanny I needed.... Here goes nothing! I will keep you posted as to where this new adventure takes me! XO-'83

This is how I feel when I think about sisters....

I have always considered myself fabulously blessed to have sisters like I do. Each of them, in their own unique way, bring a bit more bliss to my life. They are my biggest fans, my unwaivering support, and my sounding board. They are like glitter and petit fours; they make my life a little more beautiful and certainly more delicious.... XO-'83

P.S. I don't care which of you is which, you may fight it out amongst yourselves.

The Three Birds

1979. 1983. 1989.  Insignificant to some? Probably… but not to me! You see these are the years that each of the three birds ‘hatched’.  No one could have guessed what these three lives would turn into.  At least I can say for sure that I would have never been able to guess, or even ask for, all the blessing and experiences I have had over the last 30 years.  Amongst the most pleasing to me is the relationship I have with my sisters.  Had you asked me when I was young and we were all growing up in the house together I would have told you we would always be sisters;  but friends – doubtful.  Sure we had fun and made some great memories but I believe it fair to also say we were also skilled warriors!  Time passed, things change, people moved, families grew and so did my heart for my sisters. Simply put, I love these chics!

You see, they inspire me.  They inspire me to be a better person. To seek adventure. To be more spontaneous. To be more giving and caring.  To be a better mother.  To be more humble.  To be more creative, try different things.  They push me to love deeper.  I say that is one of the greatest gifts; especially when I find that with each contact I love them more, differently, and deeper.  Sure sometimes I get caught in the competition trap again – if my sister can do it I should do it better.  Then I step back and realize what she is giving me is a gift; challenging me to be a better person, or, best of all, complimenting me – picking up where I leave off. 

Recently, I have thought back on a few of our latest adventures.  I giggle to myself when I reminisce as an outsider about how we all relate.  It seems trite to say but we are really like a well oiled machine. Without thought we finish each other’s sentences, say the same thing at the same time, function like an assembly line to get a task done or simply take enjoyment just basking in each others presence.  We know what simple little giggles really mean, have all the code words down, know exactly what the thingamagig she is trying to talk about is, and most of the time, even what they want to order at the restaurant! 

We now have kids that will grow up with each other and who have fantastic Aunties.  It brings me indescribable delight to think that the immeasurable legacy of our sisterhood might just continue through these little lives.  It also makes one of my biggest prayers that my children will find the same sibling bond in each other that I have been blessed with.  We have shared in so many things, good, bad, indifferent; from childhood into adulthood.  To think of all the wondrous life milestones we have shared is almost staggering.  We all think we ask too much of the other, but in reality the giver wouldn’t want it no other way; in fact I think they feel as if they haven’t given enough.   We have even endured the trying times together, and I do believe that we came out better and closer on the other side.  I have never felt alone during the hard times, in fact I find myself gravitating towards the comfort of my sisters. 

You see, the moral is, we make the perfect group.  I love the vantage point from the top of our little tree of sisterly love.  Mostly I love the warmth, comfort and joy from my fellow feathers!  So with this I resolve to love you both more this coming year and each to come.  And here’s to making more memories.  I so look forward to the roots the tree we perch atop to grow deeper and stronger.  I love you so…