Julia Blanca's Baptism

Julia Blanca Viego was baptized today at St. Bridget's Catholic Church in Richmond, Va. You were right, Gabriel, Carey does have 3 sisters and this one was so glad to have made it to Richmond despite the wind and rain. And Sarah even found the right church, after some trial and error.

We all enjoyed seeing little Julia look like a princess in her christening dress from 1884. Many a Thompson has been christened in that special, white gown and Julia looked truly lovely continuing the family tradition.


Here she is with auntie Sarah at the brunch Carey and Fernando hosted on Floyd.

Snowy Easter = Party Time

Ahh, the vibrant color possibilities of PAAS easter egg dye! I used to diss PAAS, said it was for wimps. Food coloring with vinegar was more my style. But this year Sarah and I wanted those wire dipper things, so we invested in a couple PAAS sets. These were the eggs we dyed. They were gorgeous, and they got more exciting the drunker we got. We figured since it was snowing, and neither of us could get south to Va, we may as well enjoy the holiday.

Here's our ham:





Here's Sarah making her famous key lime pie:





Egg portraits of 2 very important individuals:










And the grand finale?

the tastiest treat imaginable at Easter time:the BURGERMALLOW:

Happy Birthday to me!

Hi, it's me, Lucie. I'm Holly's cat and I was born in a barn in Mechanicsville, Va exactly 10 years ago today. I remember those early days, when I would pile on top of Roxy, Sugar and the other kittens and nap in the sunshine between feedings. Our mama was a fat, white cat - not unlike yours truly, though my weight is contolled these days.

Before coming to NYC a few years ago, I lived all over Virginia: Church Hill, the Fan, Ashland, Winchester, and Edinburg. I even did a stint in the Outer Banks, but I didn't like all that sand very much. I prefer the mountains to the beach - mountain air is simply better for my coat. But now I'm an uptown city kitty. I enjoy watching pigeons out the window, napping in the bed Barry made me and running laps up and down the hallway in out apartment. I recently overheard Holly's dad George asking "Does Lucie ever AGE?". I took it as a compliment, since I do consider myself quite youthful.

Josh Camp coined the following proclamation: "Hi, I'm Lucie. It's a pleasure to meet me." Please see below for my recent photoshoot in honor of my birthday:

A trip to Bennington

Shea and I made a quick jaunt up to Bennington, Vt to see Lali, Mike and Jake the dog. The Lynch family is preparing for the arrival of little boy Lynch who may or may not be named "Ta'Quon Forrest Javier Lynch, IV". Trips to the pediatrician will be made via snowmobile, dirtbike or other perfectly unsafe mode of transportation readily available in their garage. Mike is currently busy with his nose in the baby instruction manual we brought for him. So far he has reached the chapter on "initiating sleep mode".

Bennington's got character, alright. If you're up there in the near future, check out the "Bennington Collects" exhibit at the local museum. Highlights included Pez dispensers, juicers, and slide rulers (my favorite collection, hands down).



Lali looks great - here she is with Shea at the Battle of Bennington monument.




After a sizable feast at the local restaurant:







Jake!