Pan What?

People have been talking about Pan Am with dubious anticipation: can it even touch the prowess of its obvious predecessor, Mad Men?

I don't even care to find out. No thank you. As a Mad Men latecomer, I'm knee-deep in Season 4, dreading the day when I, too, have to wait for March 2012. My love for Mad Men keeps me from yoga and sleep, and it's worth it. It's every bit as good as the amber-colored liquor and tight pencil skirts that it so glorifies. As far as I'm concerned, there's only room for one '60s Era Masterpiece in this town.

I'm busy with a new city, new job, and even planning a wedding, but the things that plague my mind are 1) WILL Peggy's blossoming feminism get her fired? 2) Will Joanie ever leave that skin-sewing jerk for Roger? 2) Can Don and Betty please be dysfunctional together forever?  3) Will Sally Draper lose her mind? And is Betty Draper going to MURDER someone?!

The rest of you might have been asking these questions a year ago...but not me. I waited, which wasn't such a bad idea -- because now the best part of my day is seasons 1-4, in marathon gratification. Thank you very much, Netflix.

Sept 23 = First Day of Fall

Friends,

My littlest brother is visiting for the week! Okay, he's way taller than I am now, but I stand by my nine years of seniority with unapologetic fervor. This weekend, we rode a tractor and picked a bushel of apples at Justus Orchard. It was so much fun! I had my hopes up for Hot Cider, but since the sun came out, I had Slushy Cider instead. I do not regret it.

Now I have just the excuse I need to revive last year's Apple Cake. I recommend you do the same. And if you need a few extras, take them from my refrigerator.

Packing Heat

via Pink Wallpaper Design

Last night, I unpacked my suitcase for the first time since the end of April! It felt great.

I am ecstatic about the chance to settle into a city that's friendly, interesting, and [unlike our Vermont home] clean. Yay!

Herbie's happy, although he trembled in terror at the sight of his new doggie neighbor. It's just a Chihuahua, but poor old Herb's nerves always get the best of him. 

Appropriately Labeled

Speakeasy

This weekend, I stepped back into the '20s in an Atlanta bar that mimics an old speakeasy: Prohibition. 

It is amazing. Read this article.

You can't get into Prohibition unless you know someone. Said VIP enters and if you're lucky, provides you with a phone number (It changes periodically, so don't get your hopes up). You step into a bright red telephone booth, dial secret number, and a mysterious door is opened for your entry. Waiting inside is a timeless mixture of cocktails, cigars, mahogany, amber, and leather. 

The cocktails - "prescriptions"- are made with old-fashioned techniques and historical recipes. Ice is chipped from a 300 pound block. And apparently they took a hint from Mad Men, because they make smoke so sexy. See below.

Perfectly spherical balls of ice make an amazing Scotch list all the more enticing. 

Rule number three reminds a gentleman to offer his seat to a lady. 

I was with the one and only Jennifer My Bones Hamilton. 

What a perfect night.

A cake pop a day...

You're in for a treat. This looks too good to be true, but... it's real. And what's more is that it's available in downtown Greenville. Where I will soon work. Every day. It's like the Starbucks Cake Pops, but a kazillion times better, both because it tastes like heaven and because it's from a shop called The Chocolate Moose. And who says you can't have cake for breakfast.