Carl & Lisa's visit and holiday weekend recap

My old friends Lisa and Carl arrived on Thurs around 1:00.  We met each other in elementary school and have maintained contact, on and off, over the years.  Within the last 10 years we've made sure to see each other at least once a year at Christmastime.  Last Christmas we decided Lisa would come from NYC and Carl would come from Northern VA and meet here in DE for a few days.

Since it was lunchtime I took them to a local favorite, Arena's.  The weather was nice so we sat at an outdoor table with an umbrella and ordered food and cocktails, because, well... cocktails! Roughly 3 hours later we returned home and sat out on the screened porch and continued talking.  I opened a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, a birthday gift that's been burning a hole in my pocket since receiving it.  Joe came home and gently teased us for being tipsy but we just laughed it off.  Literally.  

He went to his personal trainer appointment and we continued visiting on the porch.  Then the 3 of us went to Cafe Azafran for tapas and cocktails, and then onto the Blue Moon for karaoke.  Since it was the Thurs before a holiday weekend it was super crowded, and we got there late, so we could only put in 1 song.  We decided to turn "I Love the Nightlife" into a trio!

Karaoke selfie

It was really fun, and afterward 3 different people told us what a great job we did!  It was such a pretty night that after karaoke we sat on a bench in front of the Blue Moon and enjoyed the breeze and watched the 'boys' go by in their short shorts and tank tops.

Fri morning we had a continental breakfast and then continued drinking coffee on porch. 

Next we went for a walk through downtown and eventually to the beach, stopping at Dairy Queen.  We sat on a bench facing the water and ate our ice cream, then stopped for a beach cottage tour (a home my team has for sale) on the way back to the house.  Since the Dairy Queen had eliminated our desire for lunch we just had some snacks along with cosmos on the porch.  

Spouse joined us after he got home from work, and then a little later we walked to dinner at Gilligan's waterfront restaurant.  

We spent the rest of the night talking and listening to music on porch.  In fact, we spent the entire day outside!

Sat morning we had a continental breakfast again and then said goodbye to Lisa & Carl.  They were heading to NYC (where Lisa lives) so they could spend a few days in the city, then Carl would head home on Mon.  We had SO MUCH FUN together, and I feel really lucky to have such great friends.

After Carl & Lisa left I met up with a client who wanted to see 5 houses very close by, and then that evening we met Steven & Thad for dinner at Bethany Blues.  It was also mine & Spouse's 22nd anniversary.  But since we'd had Carl & Lisa visiting we really didn't make special anniversary plans, which was fine.  Its not like it was a milestone anniversary or anything.

Sun morning we met up with Steven & Thad and Carolyn & Derwin for breakfast since it was Carolyn's birthday.  

Carolyn and most of the gang

We went to a diner we'd never been to before and which was kind of like stepping back in time, but not in the cool 1950s way.  The food was good and cheap so that was nice. 

Back at home Spouse & I made 2 strawberry/blueberry pies. 

Spouse made the filling and I did the lattice top

Before baking

After baking

A little later we went to a BBQ at Joey & Glenn's house and took 1 of the pies.  That night Spouse & I just ordered a pizza and ate at home.

Mon (Memorial Day) I went on a listing appointment.  The client to whom I'd sold this home 5 years ago was about to go out of town for a week so he asked if I'd come take a look on Mon and advise him about selling.  When done Spouse & I had lunch with Steven & Thad, and then I caught up on some work emails while Spouse made enchilada casserole.  Steven & Thad came over for dinner & pie.  The weather had turned cooler so we ate indoors.

It was a VERY full and VERY fun 5 days!

Happy birthday Thad!

Today is our friend Thad's birthday.  But since its in the middle of the week, we celebrated it a few days early, over the weekend.

Spouse made chicken breasts stuffed with cream cheese and garlic, a roasted vegetable salad, and a mocha cake.

Its weird that the cake looks kinda pinkish in color.  It was actually brown!  Spouse made the icing with chocolate and coffee to get the yummy mocha flavor.

Derwin & Carolyn came too, along with Derwin's daughter Sydney and Carolyn & Derwin's daughter Quinn.  Thad is Quinn's godfather.

Since the weather was so nice we ate and spent the entire time on the screened porch.  I should have taken a picture of how nice it looked with the table clothes, coordinating dishes and glasses, and the beautiful red gladiolas Thad brought, but I didn't.

Birthday girl

On Sat we went to a 1-year old's birthday party.  Our friends Derwin & Carolyn's daughter Quinn's birthday was Sat the 15th and they had her outdoor party in their yard on Sat as well.  Our friend Thad went with us; Steven had to work.

There was good food, gourmet cupcakes, and a good time had by all.

Thad holding Quinn

Anne Marie & more, part 2

 I think I've finally recovered from my 'big weekend'.

To recap, I worked on Fri from 9am til 4:30pm, then went directly to Dos Locos without going home 1st.  I met up with dear Anne Marie and her husband Todd and we got a chance to chat a little before the others arrived.  Eventually the rest of the gang trickled in:  Steven & Thad, Joe P, Derwin & Carolyn, and finally Spouse.  (He was late because he had to let the dogs out and feed them.)

Anne Marie & Todd started off with a pitcher of passion fruit sangria. 

Anne Marie

 

Todd

Next came the chips with salsa, guacamole, and queso.  I could have made a meal of those!  Everyone ordered and our food came out quickly - one of the perks of going to dinner early.

Carolyn, Thad, Derwin

Joe P had a classic margarita which looks to be about the same size as his head.

Joe P

Shortly after finishing my quesadilla I had to run to the Blue Moon to prepare for my show, but the rest of the gang stayed behind and celebrated Todd's birthday.  The staff placed a giant sombrero on his head, sung 'happy birthday' and gave him a complimentary dessert.

Spouse on the left of birthday boy Todd

Then it was show time!  I performed my Elton John medley and was joined by Pamala Stanley who sang 2 duets with me.  It was a lot of fun!!

Me in my Elton John costume

Then shortly after 10pm we started the 2nd show, in which I performed as Neil Sedaka.

The crowd was very responsive to my Legends in both shows, and I was asked to pose with patrons for photos.  It was lots of fun!!  I got home at 12:30am, which made for a very long day.

Sat I did it all over again, minus the dinner with Anner Marie & Todd.  The show on Sat was reversed, so I did Neil Sedaka 1st at the 7pm show and Elton John at the 10pm show.  Again, the shows went great and were well-received.  I got home at 12:15am, completely exhausted.

Sun morning Spouse & I met Steven for breakfast at the Crystal restaurant.  Afterward we stopped at the grocery store for a few items, then went home where I relaxed with my doggies and Spouse made an apple crumb pie.

Homemade apple crumb pie

I literally didn't do anything productive all day - just rested from my big weekend.  That evening we had dinner at Steven & Thad's and took the pie as dessert.  We came home, watched "The Leftovers" and went to bed at 10pm.

Anne Marie & More

Its Fri and I've got another big weekend ahead.

As I type this I know that Anne Marie and her husband Todd have arrived in town for a weekend getaway.  Spouse & I will be meeting them and Steven & Thad and Joe P and Derwin & Carolyn for dinner at Dos Locos.  We are sure to have a fun time!

Afterward most of them will mosey on over to the Blue Moon to catch me in an extended LEGENDS show.  Although the summer LEGENDS series has ended, it is Jazz Fest this weekend so the Blue Moon decided to do a special "More Than Just Jazz" program for the weekend.  I'm doing a show at 7pm as Elton John and then another show as Neil Sedaka at 10pm.  Fortunately there will be time for me to visit a little more with Anne Marie & Todd between the shows.

Tomorrow I work at my day job as a realtor, then go back to the Blue Moon to do it all again; another 7pm show as Neil Sedaka and a 10pm show as Elton John.  I imagine I'll be exhausted by Sun.  Fortunately I'm off Sun so I can rest up.