Grizz Growl Towel Bib - Naptime Craftime

One day last week I was feeling the itch to create. Before Charlie I would occasionally get my hands busy with some sort of creative endeavor. Whether gardening, sewing, arranging, cooking, pretty much anything. But it has been a while since I've done anything extra creative and it was starting to get to me. I wanted to paint! And I have no drawing or painting skills.

If you follow basketball you know it's playoff time. We love the Memphis Grizzlies and are excited for their playoff run this year. We have a stack of Growl Towels from previous years and I thought maybe I could do something with one of them.



I broke out my sewing basket and the sewing machine and got to work. First I cut off a strip of towel at the top and bottom to make straps. I sewed up the rough edges and then sewed the straps to the top of the towel.



Here Roux models it for me.



And here's Charlie putting it to use. It's a bit long horizontally for a traditional bib. He loves to have his hands up by his face during feeding time. But for something I whipped up in under an hour and got to enjoy some creative time, I think it's okay.

Weekend Report

We had a fun, action packed weekend. Seems like once spring hits the weekends get a little crazy until it becomes stifling hot. I love all the spring festivals and just being outdoors in general.

We kicked off the weekend with dinner and drinks at SOB. It has been a while since we've been there even though its one of our favorite places. They just launched their new spring menu and it is a good one. I was tempted by almost everything on the menu. In the end I settled on the snack plate which had fried deviled eggs and a salmon mousse. I also got the cream of grilled corn soup which was amazing. I'm making a mental note to making something similar as soon as corn comes in season.



After dinner we walked on down to the Forum for the Grizz game. Grizz are in the push for the playoffs and are on a roll. We won! I'm a little sad this was the last of our 11 game pack of tickets. Hopefully they'll make it to the playoffs and we can go to one or two more games.

Saturday morning I went to the CY Farmer's Market while Bryan got his run on. I love that each week it gets a little bit bigger as more stuff becomes available.



By noon it was time for the Overton Square Crawfish Festival. This is my favorite festival of the year because it's in our neighborhood. And also crawfish.



Bryan and I shared 3 trays throughout the day. We were able to share the experience with my parents, Bryan's parent's, Max, and Eric Butze.

Sunday morning we were feeling a bit sluggish on crawfish and took it slow. I went to a baby shower for Julie and Chad, while Bryan went to the baseball game with Mel. Afterwards we went to the Easter choir concert at Independent.



There was a reception afterwards and we snacked on some food, which meant I didn't even have to cook the entire weekend.

What did you do this past weekend?

Fat Tuesday, Super Grizz, Chalk Art, and Crawfish - a random update

Spring is nearly in the air in Memphis. We've had some warm, spring-like days and then we'll have some cold why-is-it-still-cold?!?! days. Bryan is sick of it. I'm tired of it, but am clinging to the promise of spring. And also not looking forward to those streamy hot days of summer. 

Here are a few random updates as of late:

On Fat Tuesday we all wore our beads. 

A couple weekends ago we went to a Grizzlies game. They were giving away Super Grizz masks and capes. 

Bryan was able to snag us some.

The other day, one of those spring like days, I was running through the park - yeah, I was really running! - and saw this event happening at the Brooks. I had Roux with me so I didn't venture closer. 

It was a chalk art event. Later in the afternoon Bryan and I went by while it was still daylight to see some of the art. 

There was some really good drawings. It's amazing what people can do with chalk! 

On Sundays during crawfish season Hog and Hominy is doing a crawfish boil in the Holding Pen (their back porch). I went with Mom and Dad last Sunday and we tore up some crawfish. They also threw in some shrimp, potatoes, and corn on the cob in several batches. 

I love Memphis in the spring time! 

Memphis on a Friday Night

After being in town for a full week we were ready to get out a little bit. I feel like I haven't done anything Memphis related in oh about three months - probably because between traveling and Christmas we haven't really. As part of our 11 game pack we had tickets to the Grizz/Clippers game. We decided to head downtown a little early to grab some food and music. 

First stop was BB Kings on Beale. While it's pretty tourist-y they do offer free music starting at 5 pm. 

We ordered a round of beers and their sausage and cheese plate (decent, but not the best). As the set progresses Will Tucker adds to his band. By the end of the night it's a rocking set, but it starts off pretty mellow. 

We stayed about an hour and then headed upstairs for more food. Bryan had never been to Itta Bena before and was blown away by how fancy it felt. The crowd was pretty light for 6 pm on a Friday, but we enjoyed the more mellow atmosphere and ordered a couple of appetizers to share along with a bowl of their She Crab Soup. Because you must must must get their crab soup. We definately want to go back for a full meal sometime. 

When the time came we traveled down Beale towards the Forum. We rarely walk to the Forum this way and it's fun to see the famous street sometimes... when it's not super crowded with drunk people. 

Needless to say it was an awesome game. This happened: 

The Grizz came out with a win and we had a great night. It felt wonderful to be back participating in Memphis. 

What fun things have you been doing in Memphis lately? 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Basketball season is finally here!!!!

Okay, so for those of you know don't know me, I'm not really a sports girl. I hate football, don't care for baseball, hockey, or golf. But I do love some basketball. Part of it is because I'm a Memphian and Memphis is a basketball town. First with our Tigers and now the Grizzlies.

Over the last few years Bryan and I have become increasingly loyal Grizzly fans. Last year we attended somewhere around 12 games and this year we decided to spring for the 11 game ticket pack. It was a big decision, but one I'm glad we made.

Friday was the regular season home opener. On Thursday Tony Allen, TA or Grindfather, gave away 500 tickets for those willing to stand in the rain to get them. One of the beauties of my current situation is that I have that flexibility. So stand in the rain I did.




So Friday we high tailed it to downtown at 6 when Bryan got off work at Breakaway. I was worried that with parking, security, and getting to our nosebleed seats we would miss the opening, which is my favorite part. We were amazed at how quickly and smoothly we were able to get in.

Bryan and I are kind of like George Costanza in that we refuse to pay to park downtown. I'm willing to cave sometimes when there are time constraints or high heels involved, but for the most part, never. Last year we found a great spot to park close to the stadium on the street for free. (No, I'm not telling where our spot is!) But it was already taken when we got down there. We were able to find a free on-street spot a little further away though without too much searching.

The security line to get in only took maybe five minutes. Last year we waited sometimes up to 20 minutes to get in. Maybe we were a little early for the rush that night, I'm not sure. But either way, I was impressed and even told the security guy so.



Our seats were not the best, but they were free! We were just happy to be there. I love the hype and excitement and opening night is always a fun.

The Grizz were down most of the game, but after an exciting last few minutes of the 4th quarter we went into overtime and beat the opposing team. Such a fun night!



My highlights include:
- Saying hi to our favorite beer pour-er, Larry
- Grizz Grannies and Grandpas
- Bongo Cam
- just being in the Grindhouse

Here's to many more fun nights and Grizz wins!

Woof That Trick

Lately I've become obsessed with the cutest named and looking NBA dog, Buckets. I mean, come on! Buckets is just a cute name in general, but for a dog who's dad is a professional basketball player? I die. 

So Buckets has become pretty famous, as well he should. We spotted him and his grandmother at the downtown farmers market this morning and Bryan insisted on pictures. 

Good luck to Bucket's dad, Quincy Pondexter and the other Grizzlies as they take on the Spurs for the western conference finals. 

All heart, grit and grind

Bryan bought us tickets to Game 4 against the Thunder. 

The Grizz managed to come back from 17 points down to win in overtime. 

It was a great time in the Grindhouse. 

The Floor

A couple weeks ago we went with Redeemer Memphis to a Grizzlies game. Two floor seats were available for grabs for a quarter. We were lucky enough to be drawn for the first quarter.





We arrived in time to catch some warming up.


And the intro video... which always makes me cry.


This is a really terrible photo, but it's Grizz with a few of the Grizzlies.


Unfortunately it was a really terrible first quarter and we swore we'd never sit there again because obviously it was all our fault.


But it was pretty cool to be that close for a few minutes.


I even wore my Grizz hat.