♫ And All The Bells Were Ringing... ♫

I can't believe Dixie Carter passed. First Gray Rocks closes it's doors after 100 plus years and now Julia Sugarbaker is gone? It's too much. Too much I tell ya! Those Twinkies got all the good shelf life...



Although my family accuses me of being Suzanne, I do have more than a smidgeon of Julia in me. When my sister Mandy came home crying one day cuz Matt B had thrown at basketball at her head, I slammed down my homework, pronounced, "that's it!", and marched my tweenaged self over to the playground and within minutes was sitting on Matt's chest pummeling him with my fists. Not quite the eloquent Julia beat down, but a sisterly beat down just the same...



And, just so I leave y'all on a high note, my favorite Designing Women scene of all time followed by a few classic Julia/Suzanne bon mots...

[Boarding a plane]
Suzanne: Where are our seats?
Julia: I don't know. If history teaches us anything, mine will be next to a baby who smokes.

Suzanne: And I'll tell you something else. I am not eating octopus, walking around in my stocking feet, or takin' a bath with my neighbors no matter what those little people say.
Julia: It's always stimulating to travel with the international voice of racism.

Suzanne: I never use catalogs. I'd rather go in the store and see all the salespeople groveling and sucking up to you.
Julia: Pardon me, I never knew they were so solicitous at the K-Mart.

and one that would likely have my family pointing an accusatory finger in my direction...
Suzanne: I got pulled over this morning for having all the mirrors in the Mercedes turned so I could see myself.

Kindness of the too cute for words Kyndall from My Mother's Daughter for posting the video that led to a morning of YouTube hilarity over tea as I dug through the Designing Women archives...XXOO

Belgians and Daddy Rx

It just figures that my red velvet Belgian Shoes show up the week after I've packed up the winter duds for the season ANNND Babe's home on vacay. Au revoire my fine ruby slippers, til we meet again come fall...

Daddy's vacay may not be so good for Mama's relationship with the UPS and FedEx men but, it's certainly been a miracle drug for our little Boots...

Templeton's had a glorious week of convalescing and bird watching from his perch on the porch...

He still needs an occasional rescue from drowning in his water bowl but, we have all cherished this gift of more time...

Pilgie R.N. has been by his Tatsie's side round the clock and is sure to take home "Nurse of the Year" come award season...

I'm sure he'd gladly trade that award, just like Mummy'd trade her Belgians, for something else...

Kindness of everyone for all the caring words and prayers. I read every single one of them to Templeton and that, along with Daddy TLC and an occasional Skype with his beloved Emma, has gave us both some measure of peace last week...XXOO

Getting Your Prep On

Kirsten from Preppy Cards has graciously offered a 20% discount to my peeps in Preppyville on all orders now through April 30. Merci Kristin, merci...

I think I'll be signing myself up for some of those "aren'tIspecial" mailing labels...

And, that lil Gucci stiletto I've been lustily eying up on one thing 'tor another. As Babe mockingly says to me during sale time, "ya gotta spend money to save money!"...

And, to get you in that preppy spending frame of mind, a bit of entertainment I picked up over at Hopsy's place...

Kindness of Kirsten McCallum at Preppy Cards for such a generous overture. Sooo much easier to get the spending blessing from his Majesty with a discount attached...XXOO

Annnd They're Off!

A très rare weekend post appearance just for my District friends. I did some maaajor damage at this scene last year and will sorely miss having a repeat spending performance...

Kindness of Ethan at Sherman Pickey for still thinking of me all the way over here on this side of the shore...XXOO

Belt Slingin And Hermes Towel Throwin

Ole Maxminimus has been siiinging the blues ever since losing his shot to add another Wiley Brothers belt to his collection by winning my anniversary scavenger hunt...

Every time I swing by his neck 'o the woods he's got sooome pic up of himself sporting his lone belt and some hilariously slanderous call out to yours truly...

Ahhh yes...besides my lovingly bestowed moniker of "Allie von Summersverb" I now also answer to "Allie von Wearsmydamnbelt" and "Summer is a Scam"...

Suspicious of my "photo evidence" and Pilgie's ability to "pick without influence" he vowed vengeance...

First the evidence tampering rolled in which, he just may have gotten away with if the sunglasses weren't, as he says, "non-RayBan airport kiosk $8.99 disco aviators". I can take the name calling ADG but, that is just below the belt. Cheap shades? Moi?

Then came the taunts. Pic texts of Targaaay ersatz Hermes wannabe beach towels...

Followed by a right hook tease with this and a needling "does it matter which one?"...

That last one hurt a smidge, I'm not gonna lie, but I picked myself up by my needlepoint belt and marched right out and ordered my much lusted after gen-uuu-eye-n RayBan aviators. Pilgie must redeem his rep, that's my excuse story and I'm sticking with it...

Then another nod from the Universe in my favor with this inbox morsel courtesy of kind reader Lisa Musgrave. A sign of things to come my way? I see your stinkin Wiley Brothers Maxminusabelt and raise you a stack of Hermes beach towels!

And, in my final coup de grâce, I've given the belt slinging global exposure here and here. Just try getting that hoof pick through airport security in the U.K. and New Zealand NOW my preppy friend...

Kindness of Lisa Musgrave for subliminally knowing when a gal needed a lil Hermes pick me up and ADG for being sooo darn funny and giving me a good laugh every time I drop in...XXOO

Bill Blass Meat Loaf aka The Louie

I yanked Bill Blass's meat loaf recipe out of House Beautiful a couple decades ago and have been faithfully making it ever since...

It is now affectionately known, round these parts, as the "Louie" in honor of Templeton and George's good cyber friend, Louie "the Meat Loaf" DeVries (pictured above with his Chief of Staff Charlie DeVries)...

2 lbs ground sirloin
1/2 lb ground veal
1/2 ground pork
2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/3 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1 egg beaten with 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
pinch dried thyme
pinch dried marjoram
1 bottle Heinz chili sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In large mixing bowl gently combine ground sirloin, veal and pork; set aside.

In a medium sauté pan, melt butter over medium high heat. Add celery and onions and sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Add sautéed celery and onions and all remaining ingredients except chili sauce to meat mixture.

Combine well and form into a loaf, a la Louie. Place the Louie like loaf in a baking dish and top with chili sauce.

Bake 1 hour in a preheated 350° oven. Serves 6 and doesn't turn it's nose up at a good ketchup dousing.

Kindness of Louie and Charlie DeVries for their heartfelt concern for Templeton's failing kidneys. Tatsie feels your Massachusetts love all the way down here...XXOO

Monograms And Margaritas Interview

Below follows my recent interview with Paige from Monograms and Margaritas. Now there's a girl after my own drink order...

What’s your indulgence of choice?
Ohhh I have embarrassing laundry list of indulgences I'm afraid. One of my biggest weaknesses is saying "no" to myself and, conversely, one of my biggest strengths is my ability to run rough shod over anyone that tells me no. I'm a glutton for anything chocolate, 600 thread-count bed linens, too much sun, a great Savignon Blanc and more beautiful clothes and shoes than my closet can hold...

Who’s your preppy (or WASP) influence?
My stable of influences include beauties like C.Z. Guest, the Bouvier sisters, Babe Paley, little Edie Beale, India Hicks, Camilla Bradley, the late great Carolyn Bessette Kennedy and Gwyneth Paltrow. Although, Gwynnie seems to be working très hard to closet her prepness these days. You can run but ya can't hide the pink and green GP...

Materialistically, what can’t you live without?
Massages and art. I could give it allllll up and live like Olivia Walton on the Mountain but, John would have to swing for at least a weekly 90 minute massage and an occasional art purchase. That and nightly foot rubs and I could do the whole house coat existence...

What stores would you be lost without?
Ralph Lauren cuz it was my first love, Calypso for my inner Mrs. Roper goes to St. Barths, and Williams Sonoma for all it's order, shine and wannabe Julia Childs appeal...

Your day wouldn’t be complete if you hadn’t…
Groomed my cats, groomed myself, groomed the house, done my requisite workout and completed my mental to-do list. I am a toootal type A and can not rest my head on my pillow at night unless all "I's" have been dotted and all "T's" crossed. It's a curse and a blessing; I'll annoyingly whisk that knife into the dishwasher before you've finished with it buuut I can also tell you exactly what you wore on a certain day 15 years ago...

Who’s your artist of choice?
Cy Twombly, William de Kooning and Julian Schnabel are the guys I hope to one day collect but for now our Kevin Fitzgerald makes me quite happy. That and my Canforas which I consider art for my feet...

We find you boarding a plane, what’s its destination?
Well for the past two months it was back and forth to my parents home in Ixtapa, Mexico which was gloooriousss. I could easily get in the habit of a monthly jaunt somewhere fabulous. And, don't think that inclination hasn't been noticed by Babe...

The definition of a lady…
I think a lady is defined more by her spirit than her wardrobe. I'd rather be known for my kindness and generosity than my collection of Hermes beach towels. Although, I'm campaigning hard that one can juggle both...

Kindness of Monograms and Margaritas. Due to your fabulous taste in cocktails Paige I'm willing to waive my usual one expensive beach towel fee..XXOO