A Wet Mardi Gras and a Gorgeous Sunset

Well, Mardi Gras was a complete WASH-OUT.  Alot of rain and some sleet.  I felt bad for the folks in the French Quarter and parade routes.

As for us, we ate Mexican food, drank margaritas and watched the parades on TV in the comfort of our own home. How times have changed!

For many years, we'd be right there in the belly of the beast.....along with my brother Ric and many times with his Ohio buddies.

Bogalusa party on Saturday, thrown by Richard and Jeff McM..... It was THE place to be on that Sat!  The parade passed right in front of Jeff's home.  They had live music, alot of food.  Fun, fun times!

Sunday, we'd wake up at Jeff's hung-over, then head to Madisonville, LA for the annual boat parade.

Monday and Tuesday were spent in the French Quarter.

We're getting too old for that shit!   LOL  (But it sure was fun back in the day!)

A Lovely Snowfall and an Annual Pitcher of Beer

I was hoping for a White Christmas, but settled for this a few days later:

These few pics were taken at The Train Stop Inn in Maineville, OH.  I love this joint!  It sits on the Little Miami River.  A neat "local" joint.  We've been stopping here for a pitcher of beer on the way to Jill's house on Christmas Eve for several years.

Christmas Eve Merriment- Adults

Valley Vineyards Steak Cookout

Rick took me to a really neat winery, Valley Vineyards.  On weekends, they have cookouts.  Steak or Salmon with a small buffet of side items as well as a dessert table.

It was really neat.  A very rustic place.  The 2nd oldest Winery in Ohio, next to Chalet Debonne in Madison.  (Amy, Wendy and I spent MANY evenings there.  What fond memories.....  Foggy, but fond!)

When you walk in the door, they send you directly to the lobby bar for an included wine tasting.

Once you pick your bottle, you go to your table.  (Rick had requested a table next to the fireplace).

Eventually, you pick out your own steak and cook it yourself.  They have both an indoor and an outdoor grill.

It was a neat evening.  I wasn't really crazy about the side dishes that they offered, but the desserts were out of this world. (When bro saw me grab 2 plates, he was surprised.  I told him that I was just getting started!)

We're thinking that this will be another annual tradition.

Abuelo's With Ric- Then Toot's With Amy and Jill

From what I understand, Abuelo's is a chain.  Unfortunately, they don't have locations down here.

It's a far step above normal Mexican joints. A GORGEOUS place with wonderful food.  On Wednesdays, they have a Prime Rib special that I simply adore.

Bro and I went here the first Wed. night that I was in town.  Yummy food and yummy margaritas.

Then, much to my delight, oldest and dearest best friend Amy made her annual trek down to Cincinnati from my home town of Newbury, Ohio.

Jill joined us for dinner at TOOT's  Dear Tony offered to watch her two little ones so she could have some fun with Aunts Nan and Amy.

It was a wonderful evening.

First Stop Overnight in Bowling Green, KY.... Then Brother Ric's for the Night in Cincinnati, OH

This trip was a WHIRLWIND.  We left on Thursday morning, drove a very pleasant 8 1/2 hours to Bowling Green for the night, sprung out of bed and headed to Cincinnati ... maybe a 4 hour drive.

Dom picked up KFC for Ric, he and I for lunch.  Had a pleasant visit, then the gang arrived.

My nieces Jill and Jennifer, Jill's husband Tony and their 2 kids Ryan and Brooke arrived.  Rick had pizzas delivered.  The beer flowed.  A great time was had by all!  (Although, Jenna's husband and both kids were sick and didn't make it)

Check out my Ryan's MOWHAWK!  Jilly home-schools the kids, thus no problem with his hairstyle.  Aunt Nan thinks it's HOT!

We woke up and headed to the Class Reunion on Saturday.  (Another 4 hours).