Thursday, August 05, 2010

Sunday Dinner

I will say two things about the last week - it has been busy and it has been fun!

Last Friday I went to Galveston for the night with some girlfriends. We drove down in my Jeep Grand Cherokee and I was flooded with memories of driving my high school friends to the beach in my old Mustang convertible. This was much more fun, however, because we got to stay the night at the San Luis without any adult supervision and we had a blast! Heather, Debra/Deb, and Missy have posted great recaps, so I will keep this simple. Our little getaway was such a gift. I just kept saying, "I can't believe we're really doing this! I can't believe it worked out!"

The next morning at church, my dad said, "Are the kids coming over tonight?" in such a tone that I knew that indeed, the kids would be coming over tonight. Not that I was ready for them to leave me since I'd been gone for 24 hours, but I knew my parents were dying to have them. Who am I to argue?

England has been on our minds, perhaps because a few days from now will mark six years since we returned home from our little stint in Thornaby-on-Tees. It was only a 5 month deal but it marked us forever. One thing Curtis and I often reminisce about is the traditional Sunday dinner. There was an amazing family who always invited us to their home after church for a feast of roasted chicken, roast beef, roasted potatoes, peas, mushy peas (shudder!), carrots, and the all important Yorkshire pudding with gravy poured over it. We would practically sell our birthrights to have that meal again. I've known about a British pub here in Houston that serves the Sunday dinner. Pubs are not really our scene, so in all this time we just haven't gotten around to going there. It would be so convenient after church since it's close by, but it's not really a place I would take my kids. All that to say, England was in our thoughts and we had a random Sunday date night, so the Red Lion it was!

When we opened the front doors and stepped in, it totally felt like being in England again. There were some British people there and we enjoyed hearing their accents. We are big, dorky Baptists who were clearly there to eat and not to have a pint, so we ordered our Dr. Peppers that came with ice, giving the evening three strikes against authenticity. Oh well. We are who we are. Soon the waitress brought us two huge plates piled high with all the food we have so longed for. (The only thing missing was mushy peas.) Presiding over the plate in all its gravy and goodness was the Yorkshire pudding! Ahhhhh! At long last!

I did not want to intensify my feelings of Baptist American dorkiness, so I left my good camera at home. I did have my phone camera, from which I offer you these two very poor images.

A feast!



In no way does this picture adequately convey the sheer and utter glee that filled my heart. Curtis felt it too. We both had lumps in our throats, although Curtis Jones will never admit that. I'll never know if it was for the food or for the grand adventure we were reliving.



We left very happy and very full. Our next stop was at the cinema where we watched Inception. Y'all! This movie was so crazy! It made me very claustrophobic and I must admit I had to do some deep breathing to keep myself from running out in a panic.

The rest of the week has been a whirlwind. On Monday night I had bunco. On Tuesday night my Ruth Bible study group had our last meeting. And last night some girls from my Sunday school class got together to pray for our families. (It was awesome. You should definitely think of doing that with your friends.) It's been a great week! And I'm worn out! We have our last night of Metro tonight and that will put a cap on our very busy summer schedule. Curt's parents are coming to visit and he is preaching at our church in two weeks, but other than that we just get to chill a bit until September. I'm forcing myself into activity detox for the next week. And, bless his heart, I owe Curtis some free time in a big way.

28 comments:

C:M:W said...

love the new pic of you and AB, it is too cute! Also loved seeing you at Bunko. need to see you more, it makes my heart happy!

Missy said...

You have been SUPER busy. Enjoy your down time!!!

Amanda said...

My husband and I are beginning to day dream of far off, short-ish term adventures... would love to hear what took you all to England. :)

Lauren said...

I am with CMW, that picture of you and Annabeth is BEAUTIFUL!!!! And now all that talk of food has made me hungry.

So glad you were able to get away with the girls. Read the recap over on Heather's blog. So fun!!!! :)

debra parker said...

coke drinkers at the bar! :)

Amanda said...

Deb, yes! I think maybe we are cut from the same cloth.

Mrs. Jenk said...

Can you tell me who makes or where you bought the inner bumper fabric in AB's room? I love it!

annajenk@yahoo.com

Jennifer said...

I don't know if you have ever eaten at The Black Labrador on Montrose, but it is a really good English food and definately not a pub! One of my husband and mine's favorite place for a good date night!

Kirsten said...

Bless you, Amanda! I hope you enjoy a well-deserved break! :)

Kelly said...

So happy you got time with your friends!!! And yeay for a date night with Curt! I love you are a dorky Baptist. So am I! :-)

Kim said...

I know this post really isn't about Bunko - but what is it and how do you play? I know you love it and I am sure it is a blast. But I have NO idea what it is.

Thanks. And your week sounds like a blast.

Marla Taviano said...

What a fun post!

Spicy Magnolia said...

I have yet to try Bunko...gotta try it sometime! And I guess I didn't eat enough dinner because the pictures you posted are making my mouth water and my stomach growl. I'm so glad you had great girl time!

Skubaliscious said...

Is that big thing in the center the Yorkshire Pudding?? As a avid James Herriot fan, I've always wondered what it was like...

Tara G. said...

One of my favorite couples in the whole world met weekly with the same group (and I think they still do even though the kids are all grown and gone now)to pray for their families. My husband and I have wished so many times that somehow we could have that closeness, but military life doesn't always afford us that opportunity- it seems as soon as we break into a local circle and people (non-military) begin to include us, it's time to move again. Anyway, keep it up- it's wonderful- a luxurious blessing straight from God! Rejoicing with you!!

Marc and Charity said...

Ooh, so much I would love to say about this post! :) When there's not much choice, you go to pub's. My kids have been to a few in their short lives. And I do love a plate smothered in gravy :)

Sunni said...

What a fun evening! I'm curious about the Yorkshire Pudding. Going to do my research....

crowns429 said...

Thank you for the inspiration! I love the idea of a girls get away-whether the kids are babies, toddlers or teenagers. It's good for all Moms!

I hope you don't mind me asking, but I am looking for some recommendations for devotional books for myself. I'm overwhelmed when I see what is offered. Thanks for your time!

Amanda said...

Crowns429, I am really partial to my mom's devo books. My favorite is called Whispers of Hope. My next favorite is the David: 90 Days with a Heart Like His. There's also a great one called Jesus: 90 Days with the One and Only. I hope that helps!

Anonymous said...

I posted earlier as crowns 429 but couldn't leave my correct blog address. It is http://jmeg.typepad.com
I'll try signing in a different way this time-sorry for the confusion!

Anonymous said...

Just saw your response-thank you so much! Now you at least have my blog address so you know who you were responding to. Thanks again!

Bobbie said...

Love your new picture!!

Erica said...

It's amazing how a meal can bring back such a memory. And girls' overnights are simply a blessing.
I started WW this week...you inspired me! Thanks, girl!

Leah W said...

Amanda,
You don't know me, but I do read your blog. I am not one of those Moore-girls-stalkers and will never ride by your house (that's creepy) or accost you in the mall. However, it was through the LPM blog I found yours, and for the last couple of weeks I have been reading it from the beginning in order a little at a time. And here's why:

1. I think it is funny. It reads like a novel--something light you might take to the beach. It also reminds me of watching an entire season of a sitcom on DVD-some episodes more funny/serious than others, but watching the whole season really tells a story. Some posts find me wishing for this or that about your life, and others make me appreciate my own!! Just being honest :)

2. I identify with you. I am 31, wife of a full-time Baptist minister and mother of an infant son. I know what it's like to be a single parent on Sunday morning, trying to get myself and Little Man out the door in clean and cute clothes, which is no easy feat. In fact, at least for a while longer, LM gets dressed and in the carrier--then I get dressed! (And why is it that all the baby "church" clothes have buttons on the back?) I also have a wonderful Mom and Dad, a great younger sister who is also very smart and happens to also be married to a minister. And I am just now getting baby bangs, though my hair continues to fall out in seemingly huge piles. No one warned me about that. at. all.

3. I was curious about various milestones my little man may reach in the next few months. I realized that you did a very good job of chronicling Jackson's first months and years and thought it would be fun to see the progression. Of course every kid is different, but it is interesting to read your antics and prepare myself for what is to come. (Currently I am somewhere in late 2008 reading about potty training-fun times!!)

4. Your blog reminds me very much of what my friends, mom, and sister might say to me about the first few years if in fact they could remember all the details. And because you seem to have a lifestyle and background very similar to mine, I don't have to spend any time filtering out the parts that don't make sense to me. It honestly all makes sense. It's great that you could transform the last few years into written word. The future spouses will get a huge kick out of it.

5. I love to read and study human life. I am a counselor-my job is people. And I find you and your little family very interesting (and I promise, I have not once thought, "Man that girl could use some therapy." People always think that's what I think, but in reality, I rarely diagnose people with particular disorders without their knowledge :)) In fact, I just enjoy other people and their ups and downs.

I wanted to affirm you in your work as a mom, wife, and LPM staffer. Anyone who says this life is easy is a lier! And for me and my little family it will only get more difficult (and more fun). It's also not easy to put your flesh out there for the WWW to read (and possibly tear apart). You are brave.

I am glad I found your blog and have read your story. I will not live my life through you because my own is pretty exciting what with the newly discovered baby belly laughs happening daily at our house! Love that! I will not stalk you, but I may reference you on occasion. I will not look you up on facebook. I will continue to read books written by BM, and if you or your sister ever writes a book I would very likely read it too. If I make it to the Dallas area before I forget about it, I will also visit JD Chippery (after I lose my post-partum weight). I will pray for you and your family as often as God brings you to my mind. I have really enjoyed your blog.

Leah Williamson
Hattiesburg, MS

Oh, and I too have a furry baby that pre-dates even my relationship with my husband. He's a good dog and going through quite an adjustment himself these days.

Amanda said...

Leah, what a sweet comment. That made my day! Thanks for taking the time to write to me. I appreciate your encouragement. I had to laugh about the therapy thing. I have definitely had my seasons of needing some extra help! God bless you for what you do.

Lauren Delaine said...

Before my husband and I married, his mother (and family as a whole) informed me that I must first be able to cook roast beef, mashed potatoes and Yorkshire Pudding. I knew how to cook a delicious roast. Check. Mashed potatoes--homemade. Check. Never had I cooked Yorkshire pudding,though.

Of course I have since. A zillion times. And it is indeed delicious! I never understood why this bread, roll, thingy was called "pudding" but it's as yummy as pudding.

Kelli said...

Can you say delicious topped with a side of delicious washed down with a dr. Pepper?? :)

katiegfromtennessee said...

Summer has been busy lately for you, but fun!:) On sundays, my husband and I have made it a habit to go over to his parent's house for Sunday lunch. These people would put Cracker Barrell to shame, I'm not kiddin'. Great food, and if your not careful, and extra 20 pounds!:)

Bless you today:):)

katiegfromtennessee