In the Big Apple

"I've always wanted to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade since I was a little girl" is what he's heard for quite some time, so he gave in, of course. Never any doubt, as the man's a push over. So, we're in NYC for the holiday week.

We've been wandering through the city, eating our share of thin crust pizza, searching out the perfect bagels (H and H shall some today), wondering if we could ever live here, and people watching.

Putting it away at John's

We also made it to the MoMA and the Met to take in a bit of art and test my high school and college art history memory. This has got to be the most crowded time in the city with the museums being packed. We wandered through a few galleries each day before bundling back up and hitting the streets.

With it being the holiday season we had to go to The Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall.


The audience was packed with children begging for $10 cotton candy. Yes, ten bucks for cotton candy. But they forgot all about it with Santa's appearance....


...and the Rockettes!


Of course the show was everything I hoped it would be with the perfect balance of cheesy entertainment and sappy nostalgia.


Radio City Music Hall has preserved its art deco decor of the 1930's (maybe some photos today if Charlie is able to walk!). But the shows were quite hip with current technology and even included 3-D film. I told you there was cheese!

We did balloon viewing the night before the parade. Streets where baracaded off between 3-10pm as the balloons were inflated and what seemed like every family in NY came to see.


We decided Jazzfest and Mardi Gras combined with two small children has got to be an easier feat than that....bundling children, getting on the train, walking up and down packed streets, hoisting kids up high enough to get a peek.


The morning of the parade we slept in, knowing we only had to walk out the door of the building and the parade would be less than 50 yards away. (Thank you, Mark, for the use of your apartment!) We also knew it was advised to be out there 3 hours in advance to secure a prime viewing location. I couldn't do it...it was too cold. And surprisingly, Charlie didn't get going at the crack of dawn to get me out there.


The crowd was thick....imagine Mardi Gras times fifty or Endymion times ten. All for two hours of viewing and waving. No beads, no beers, no bass drum thumping bands.

The kids in the crowd didn't
know what a Smurf was!

The man was disappointed once he saw the crowd that we hadn't done everything possible to get a prime spot, but eventually relaxed and took some photos over heads. We couldn't see anything but the balloons.


But it was perfect. We were bundled up, the sun came out, and after the parade we walked back to the apartment, smelling like the hot dog cart on the corner, and watched the parade on television, along with some football!


The adventure continues for a few more days...

He's sick

Charlie has been sick for the duration thus far in NYC. He arrived with a pretty severe cold which has been diminishing, but last night he was doubled over with pain, in the stomach and back, but refusing a trip to a NYC emergency room on Thanksgiving night.

He was up for most of the night, but is finally getting some sleep. Being the internet MD that I am, I have a strong suspicion it is a kidney stone.

Waiting to see what today brings.

It ain't just the dress

The triple threat is in effect...


Bosom, belly, and buttocks are taking over. The belly almost took out some stemware as I walked passed the table at dinner tonight. I don't even know my own girth.

28 weeks

This is what the third trimester is looking like...


Yes, that's right, we are in the third trimester!

And I am feeling much like the Thanksgiving Turkey today.


Looking at past belly pics might not allow you to see just how much I've we've grown because we are at a different venue for this photo shoot. But, believe me, I've "blossomed" as someone at work put it late last week. I am really feeling big. I also think I've been gaining some weight that isn't necessarily baby related, as exercise has been minimal and food intake high.

Each day I am thankful to still be able to work and exercise as much as I am able. But each movement is beginning to feel a bit more labored. My breathing is strained when I climb stairs and I'm moving s..l..o..w..l..y these days.

Um Ba-bay is making his presence known on my ribs along the left side. He danced there with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, completing high kicks on each beat. My bladder is also taking a beating all day long. Not easy to deal with as we amble through New York City this week.

This is it. We're in the home stretch. 85 more days and he'll be here.

Thankgiving

At 72nd and Central Park West,
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

We give thanks each day, really. There are many nights when we collapse into bed at the end of a long day and lie in the dark thinking through the many ways we could not ask for anything other than what we have at that very moment.

For this life, we are thankful.

A dab of what I am thankful for...

• A warm neck to put my cold hands on
• Cold dog noses poking under the covers, pushing us out of bed
• Banana bread baking in the oven
• Hands on the belly, both familiar and strange, feeling the wiggles
• Self portraits, and the patient husband posing
• That yummy grill smell in the neighborhood coming from our backyard
  
• "You look beautiful" as I pinch on my latest burst of back fat
• Sharing the Sunday paper over coffee without a peep
  
• Blog comments, emails, text messages, phone calls, letters, cards...support
• A "Boomba Belly"
• New wheels on the party wagon and a potty nearby
• Sunhats and sunglasses
• Love...unconditional love
  

I need them!

2 years ago Charlie gave me some swank black leather gloves for Christmas. I lost them the first time I wore them.

1 year ago I bought some cheap leather gloves. I also got a nice pair for Christmas from JD. Today, I have no recollection of losing either pair, but I cannot find them. They're lost.

Charlie says I'm not responsible enough for a another pair of leather gloves. Sigh.

But an email from Mark describes the current weather in NYC as "unforgiving for November."

He probably won't even notice the 4th pair I'll wear all week. Or maybe I'll end up with a 5th pair before leaving the city.

Popcorn, pregnancy, and boots don't mix

I love me some cute boots! Especially at perfect prices. My red pair purchased last year earned me an eyebrow raise from Charlie when he looked at the tags, but then the man was thanking me for saving him money when he saw how much the full price was when we shopped in Vail. This year not a peep when I purchased my newest pair of boots...Donald Pliner boots for 65% off retail! Saving him money with each and every purchase.


I love these boots and loved them from the moment I zipped them up in the store. Perfect to go with the one dress that fits for our dinner date, I thought.

And then the night before dinner I gorged on some popcorn at the Hornets' game. Some salty, salty popcorn.

I think you know where this story is headed.... My boots wouldn't zip up!!! Bloated! Retaining water! Salt was coming in between me and my boots. Determined not to have a "I have nothing to wear" meltdown intensified time 100 by hormones I pinched my calves in those zippers and did my best to ignore the bit of bloat hanging over the top.

And all is well. I still have a bit of a boot impression this morning, but I can live with that. I love those boots. No more popcorn for me. I have big plans for those boots next week.

Always a reason for a celebration

It's our anniversary....let's eat!

I had been there and he had been there but we had never been there together, so the reservation was made for Clancy's last night. Perfect choice!

At his first stop at our table our waiter began by reminiscing about the birth of his baby boy, 27 years ago. He recorded with a small tape recorder each sonogram and some other random appointments and then finally the birth of his boy, including the phone call to his parents. I like the sweet stories the belly evokes from people, especially since I've been feeling a bit whiny lately.

We feasted, and chatted, and people watched. A great date.

The 4th of forever

4 years ago at our reception

Happy Anniversary, Charlie. Four years ago today you purchased a lifelong, nonrefundable pass on the crazy train with Little Erin...and what a ride it has been so far, right? And word is, we're picking up a passenger, so scoot over. We're soon to be a trio.

Four years ago, after 1 week of marriage and 4 days without a shower,

coming to the end of the Inca Trail overlooking Machu Pichu,
our first married adventure

People like to tell me how our relationship will change and marriage won't be the same...the kid will come first, there will be no time for us, dates will be a thing of the past. And while I know it will never be the same, truth is every day is something new with you, babe or not. I married you and trust in that as we each changed and grew, I would continue to love you.

As much as I look forward to first steps and soft baby skin on my cheek, I am equally excited to see your face when your ipod is covered in peanut butter and you are called a "poo poo head." (He'll learn it from my Pop...not at our house, right?)

This morning, leaving for work,

on our porch

Such is the adventure. A life mantra for us. An adventure I can only imagine doing with you. Looking forward to forever. I love you.

Um Ba-bay Update

Today I went for my hospital preregistration and pre op appointments before meeting with Dr. M. Everyone had something to say about a pregnant woman wearing boots.

Said boots in the waiting room...


And if they only had one iota of an idea of what it is going to take to get them off tonight.

Signed a bunch of consents at the pre op appointment, watched a movie staring pregnant woman in brightly colored spandex obviously filmed in the 80s getting their anesthesia questions answered, and met with an anesthesiologist. That got my blood pressure going. Anesthesia makes me nervous and anesthesia pumped into a catheter hanging out of your back is a bit freaky. So now my fear of child birth may have been trumped but my fear of anesthesia. We'll see when it comes down to it how this will all shake out. But for now, I'm scared.

And I got the skinny on labor and delivery at my preregistration appointment:

• 30 days to add Um Ba-bay to our insurance
• 4 nights in hospital for cesarean
• 2 nights in the hospital for vaginal
• $100 per day copay for hospital stay with a max of $300
• 1 person allowed in operating room if a cesarean delivery
  
• 2 people allowed in delivery room if a vaginal delivery
  
• Delivery will happen on the 3rd floor
• Hospital stay will be in a private room with the boy on 6th floor
  

And then at 26 weeks 6 days I met with Dr. M.

Stats for the visit:

• Blood pressure: 110/70
• Fundal height: 27 cm
• Weight gain: +16 (I'm getting +12 at home, sans cute boots)
• FCS heart rate: 144

Dr. M didn't make me take the boots off, probably because he didn't want to be the one yanking on the boots. He did warn that every appointment from here on out I would have my feet in the stirrups for a cervix check so I should dress appropriately. And the appointments will be every two weeks after this next appointment which is 3 weeks away.

He gave me the news that my I can kiss goodbye the full nights of sleep because the "discomforts" of pregnancy are here for the duration, and then after that it's a whole new world. So, "rest and sleep whenever you can get it."

He thinks the boy is still breech but we won't worry until 34 weeks. And the darling is nestled in the left hand part of the uterus to get far away from the placenta on the right hand side. Kick counting should begin more formally for us in the next few weeks. The contractions are happening, will get stronger, and they'll hurt, but not something to fret over, especially since Dr. M's checking the cervix for any change very regularly now.

Next appointment: December 9th.

Double Take

Is Humpty Dumpty about to get dressed?

Some wide waisted, skinny legged leggings on our bed

Apparently so.


Bye bye, toes.

Lovin'

• Peanut butter and jelly lunches, packed before work
• Organized files
• Milkshakes at Hornets games
• Surprises in the mail
• Hand me downs
• Wrapped presents
• Stamped Christmas cards
• Heavenly hash
• Blankets on the bed
• Laughing until it hurts
• Clear sinuses
• Wool socks slipped over cold toes
  

Gulf Coast Adventure Race

Yesterday Charlie participated in an adventure race with Lee and Angie as team members. I would have liked to participate, but my lack of map reading skills would have surely got me a tongue lashing from my husband and other team mates, so just as well that the belly sidelined me this year.

The race covered nearly 23 miles through the city, 7 miles on foot, 12 miles by bike, and almost 4 miles paddling in the canoe.

It began in City Park, went through the Central Business District and French Quarter, and came back to the park. The route isn't revealed to racers until 30 minutes prior to start time.

Examining the map and course

Racers must make their way to various checkpoints and have "passports" stamped, but in addition to physically making it to checkpoints, there are challenges! Some challenges entail physical skills such as climbing a rock wall at Massey's and others are just silly like drinking a glass of orange juice sans hands at Lucy's Retired Surfer Bar, acquiring street car transfers, and taking a quiz at the Insectarium.

There were also prizes hidden along the way if you so cared to risk adding time and possibly sacrificing your ranking. Charlie, Lee, and Angie managed to snag a couple of gift certificates, one hidden at the Piazza d'Italia in the CBD and the other taped to the back of a stop sign in the French Quarter.

Team Hug

Time to finish for Team "And a Training Wheel" was 3 hours 45 minutes. Not bad. Not first, but certainly not last. (Results should be posted soon.) They're all hobbling around this morning, but already cooking up a plan for the first race of the series next year.

Amish Friendship Bread

I got the "starter" for this Amish Friendship Bread (really like a pound cake) from a student, along with the recipe that follows. It calls for instant pudding, so not sure how Amish this bread really is, but it's yummy!

The recipe also notes that if all "starter" is used or given away, you'll have to wait to be given another batch because only the Amish know how to create the starter. Luckily, in addition to getting vanilla pudding mix from the supermarket in the horse drawn carriages, the Amish are also revealing their secrets online, so the starter recipe is included.

With your "starter" follow the following steps:

• Days 1-5: Stir starter with a wooden spoon (do not use metal!) or mush it around if it is in a ziploc bag. Also, allow air from fermenting out of bag each day.
• Day 6: Add 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, 1 cup milk. Stir or mush.
• Days 7-9: Stir or mush.
• Day 10: Add 1.5 cup flour, 1.5 cup sugar and 1.5 cup milk. Stir. Take out 4 cups and place 1 cup each into three separate plastic containers. Give one cup and a copy of this recipe to three friends and keep a starter for yourself.
  

With the remaining batter, bake your loaf. (About 1 cup batter is considered to be what is needed to bake a loaf by following the recipe below.)

Ingredients:

• About 1 cup batter (remaining starter)
  
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup oil
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 cups flour
• 1 large box of instant vanilla pudding
• Any additional "mix ins" such as nuts, chips, raisins, etc.
  

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Grease two loaf pans.
3. Dust pans with sugar.
4. Mix above ingredients and pour evenly into pans.
5. Sprinkle top of each loaf with additional sugar.
6. Bake 1 hour.

To make the "starter":

Ingredients:

• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (110 degrees F/45 degrees C)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 3 cups white sugar, divided
• 3 cups milk

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water.
2. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. In a 2 quart container glass, plastic or ceramic container, combine 1 cup flour and 1 cup sugar.
4. Mix thoroughly or flour will lump when milk is added.
5. Slowly stir in 1 cup milk and dissolved yeast mixture.
6. Cover loosely and let stand until bubbly.
7. Consider this day 1 of the 10 day cycle and follow above directions.

26 Weeks

Are you bored yet with the biweekly updates and belly pics? Well, we're not. We are completely in awe of this each and every day and figure everyone else has just got to be as well. Not really, but I do like documenting things, and think I'll be happy to have these photos one day. Although I am not sure how much longer I'll be posting the bare white belly photos for the world to see!

Fussing at Charlie in this one

26 weeks...large and in charge is the theme at this milestone. I've been wanting to get things done and have no problem bossing dearest Charles about. And looking at the countdown ticker, we've got less than 100 days of pregnant woman bossing to go!

The Braxton Hicks contractions seem to be more frequent these days. I used to feel them mostly at the end of a long day, but now feel them off and on throughout the day. I hope this extended prelude means most of the work will be done when the boy is ready to come.


Um Babay's activity has slowed a bit from last week, which I worry over. I know he's probably fine but the constant full force pounding from inside is something reassuring and I'd never tire of. But he responds to chocolate and coffee just fine, so I have a brownie, lie on the couch, and calm myself down.

FCS also seems to be confined to the upper part of the uterus directly to the left of my belly button. There is never, ever movement anywhere else. I wonder if he is still breach with his feet tucked up by his head there. (Question noted on my list to bring with me to next week's appointment.)

Other than this bout of crud, I feel pretty good. Tired, but overall great. My only complaint is my back, which, I suppose is to be expected. After all it's as though I've got a Butterball turkey tucked in my pants. After a while the back has got to say "enough." I try not to whine, but hey, I'm pregnant and carrying Charlie's child so he's got to hear something. Sometimes I get the desired response, "Oh, sweetie, lie down. I know it is hard work being pregnant." And then I get "Well, for crying out loud. We've been waiting three years for this. You had to have some idea what this was going to be like." And inside I giggle because I knew after the 27th "Ohhh, my back..." it was bound to come out.

The third trimester is in sight... bring on the waddle.

Sick

Bah. I am never a good patient and usually avoid meds, but right now I'd really really like some NyQuil.

On the bed last night we spread out the contents of the medicine cabinet, read boxes, read 10-15 web pages, read through the 2 pergnancy books, only to decide it was best to just try to sleep it off, drug free.

Gave in and called the doctor this afternoon. The only things he'd approve are Ocean Mist nasal spray, Robitussin DM, and a humidifier. Any increase temperature and I'm to go in right away, and if the throat isn't better by Wednesday, he wants me in the office by that afternoon. Most important thing is to stay hydrated.

Phooey.

Weekend Stats

4: desserts baked
1: meal prepared
1: dinner out
2: mornings at the bakery
1: long walk in the park
1: stuffy nose
1: aching back
1: whiny wifey (see above 2)
3: sports teams we watched
1: victory (why do LSU and the Saints suck?)
75: Christmas cards ordered
0.75: room painted
3: hours listening to the high school marching band practice in the neighborhood
5: hours worked on that bathroom
0: percent chance that that bathroom will really be ready in February

Peanut Butter and and Chocolate Chip Rice Krispies Bars

This one's from O Magazine. Of course theirs look prettier with large chunks of toffee bar and somehow their chips didn't melt like mine did. They also rolled them into balls and individually wrapped each one to be placed in a basket of sweets for the holidays.

Ingredients:

• 2 chocolate covered toffee candy bars, pounded into pieces
• 2 cups Rice Krispies
  
• 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
• 16 regular size marshmallows (not idea how much this is, but I used about 2 cups mini marshmallows)
• 1/4 cup semi sweet mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Warm peanut butter in microwave for 45 seconds.
2. Add marshmallows and return to microwave for another 30 seconds.
3. Stir in with Rice Krispies.
4. Add chips and toffee.
5. Press into pan and cut into bars.
   

And what's with all the baking this weekend?!?

Well, I've got a grand plan of putting together baskets of baked goods for friends and neighbors. So these are test batches to see what will go in.

Those baskets probably won't materialize, but the test batches each get cut into individual servings, wrapped in wax paper or snack bags, and popped in the freezer, to be placed in Charlie's lunches over the next few weeks. I think he likes the home cooked goods better than the prepacked cookies, with the exception of the rice crispy teats. He tells me there's just something about the artificial sweeteners in those prepacked bars he just can't resist. Something tells me these won't go to waste....

Heavenly Hash

This one is from the newspaper.

Pretty good, but next time I'll have more chocolate to cover the marshmallows, maybe pouring it over the top after I've got the mixture pressed into a pan.

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 pecan pieces
• 1 10.5 ounce package miniature marshmallows
• 1 14 ounce can condensed milk
• 1 12 ounce package semisweet chocolate morsels
• 2 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Place nuts and marshmallows in the freezer in a bowl.
2. Line 13x9 pan with wax paper, with enough to hang over the edge.
3. Place condensed milk, chocolate, and butter in a saucepan, and heat just until melted. Do not get too hot.
   
4. Combine frozen nuts and marshmallows in a bowl and pour chocolate mixture over the top.
   
5. Mix quickly so marshmallows do not melt.
6. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
7. Chill for two hours or overnight.
8. Invert onto wax paper.
9. Peel off wax paper and cut into squares.
   

Frosted Marshmallow Brownies

Another treat from Baking Blonde. The frosting didn't get as firm as I hoped, so they need to served more like a cake rather than a brownie. Next time I'll play around with it a bit to get it firmer.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup butter
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 1/3 cup flour
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 3 TBS baking cocoa
• 3-4 cups mini marshmallows

Frosting Ingredients:

• 3/4 stick butter
• 6 TBS Milk
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup mini marshmallows or 4-6 large marshmallows
• 1/2 cup Chocolate chips (maybe up to 3/4 cup depending how chocolaty you want it)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Lightly grease a 9×13 pan with PAM
3. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar.
   
4. Add eggs and vanilla beat until fluffy.
5. In a small bowl combine flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa. Stir to combine.
   
6. Add the flour mixture to creamed mixture. spread in greased 9×13 pan.
7. Bake for 17-20 minutes.
   
8. Remove from oven and sprinkle with marshmallows, return to oven 2-3 minutes, or just until marshmallows are soft.
9. Remove from oven. Using a knife dipped in water spread the melted marshmallows evenly over bars.
   

Frosting Directions:

1. Combine ingredients (except marshmallows and chocolate chips) in medium saucepan and melt over medium low heat.
   
2. Stir constantly until combined.
   
3. Bring to a boil and boil for 1 minute.
4. Add marshmallows and chocolate chips
5. Stir until marshmallows and chips are melted.
6. Remove from heat.
   
7. Allow to cool and thicken slightly (can set in sink of cold water to speed up process).
   
8. Pour and spread over marshmallows on bars.
9. Allow to cool before cutting and serving.
   

Harvest

Today will be my very first lemon harvesting from my tired, sickly little tree that we've had for about 3 years.

I wish I could blame my recent absence from gardening, treating with pesticides, and time in the yard on its sorry state, but the truth is the thing looked like this the day I got it and despite many attempts to rid it of mold and black fly, it continues to look pitiful.

It's finally produced 13 mature Meyer lemons.


I suppose I haven't really researched enough about lemons because I really wasn't expecting a fall harvest. I'm not sure why not because I know we look to buy Louisiana citrus after the first cold snap and my great grandmother would tell me every year that she and her sisters would get citrus fruits and cotton Santa dolls in their stockings each Christmas.

Now I'm stumped on what to do with the 13 lemons. Lemonade or lemon ice box pie in November just don't sound right, even though it's still 80 degrees out. Squeezing them into a cocktail sounds mighty fine no matter the season, but that's off limits for a while.

But a lemon recipe will appear here soon. Not telling what it'll be.

"Eat! Eat whatever you want."

Mary, Dr. M's nurse, is so sweet. She takes good care of me and always expresses so much concern and excitement.

She called this morning. The glucose screen was normal.

"Eat up and eat well," she said.

Hope

Being that we go to so many sporting events, we have many, many opportunities to sing the National Anthem. And I usually sing and look around at others in the stands and I'm one of few. Do sports fans not know the words? The verses are flashing on the screen to help us sing along, but most remain silent. Even Marva Wright stumbled on her words as she sang the anthem at the Hornets game on Saturday. Sigh.

I'd also be willing to bet most school children in our area don't know the words. I know the kids at the schools I visit don't. As kids, we used to sing it each and every morning at school. It was part of morning assembly on the playground. Not many schools include the anthem in their daily routine. Just not important enough. What message does that send?

I never really thought much about it until I traveled to other countries and saw national pride, especially in Norwegians, including my family there. People sing the anthem, each and every word. Everyone flies the flag of Norway and Constitution Day there is quite the demonstration of pride.

Today around the city I felt a sense of pride in our country, an interest in voting, a desire to be counted. Good job, Barack Obama. You got our votes. Everyone feels they should play a role. We want to participate. May the momentum continue.

We Heart Hornets

Loving the Hornets

It was an exciting night with the Hornets beating Cleveland in the home opener. The team looks good and the crowd was excited.

I like our seats on the aisle so I get a good view of everyone walking by...I can check out what they're wearing, see who's with who, and get a good look at what they're eating and drinking! I am a little overstimulated at the basketball games as compared tot he football games because there is so much going on and I think I may talk a little too much for Charlie's liking.

The view from our seats

Charlie had some teenagers sitting next to him tonight who asked him to buy them daiquiris. He refused and blamed it on me! "She's a teacher and wouldn't go for that." Old man had to be cool and blame the wife.

Um Ba-bay must be responding to the noise in the stadium because he was very active. But I suppose it could have been the milkshake. Either way he moved all night especially when I was shouting and on my feet.

40 more home games left. Yippee!

Everbody's happy

Since fried food cures hangover and eating out is good for the economy and it was on my list of things to do we drove out to Manchac on Lake Maurepas this afternoon for a feast of fried catfish and Barq's root beer.

An even better reason to head to Middendorf's was they have worked hard post hurricane season to get a temporary location set up while they tear down and rebuild the original building. It's tough trying to do business outside of the levee system in south Louisiana, and we need to let them know we appreciate what they do and need for them to keep frying catfish.

He has such a soft loving look for that plate of catfish!

Middendorf's is *the* place to get fried catfish. You can choose to have thick or thin cut catfish, and no where has it as thin as Middendorf's. And Charlie loves his catfish thin and crispy.

Now we lie around, rub our bellies, and watch college football to make for an even better afternoon.