2009 January 06

Traveling through the Cackalackies

On January 6, 2009, In Family, Food, Holidays, Photo Gallery, Travel, By LisaT

What might have been considered an inconvenient drive between Savannah, Georgia and Raeford, North Carolina was actually a well-needed, scenic road trip for Keegan and myself. He’s spent very little time in the south and I was more than happy to chauffeur him around in my mother’s SUV (thanks, Mommy).

A few pit stops along the way provided some opportunities for picture-taking, and we took a brief day trip to Raleigh, North Carolina, where we enjoyed some GIANT fresh oysters (love longer), sweet tea (be jittery longer) and hush puppies at the 42nd St. Oyster Bar in town. This is where we had a waiter who was the spitting image of my comedian friend Matt Baetz, only possessing a deeper voice bearing a strong southern accent.

Originally, the title of this post was going to be Traveling though the Carolinas. That is, until I was going to include a brief explanation that the term Carolinas refers to North and South Carolina and was double-checking my assertion on Wikipedia. And then I remembered this:

“Cackalacky” (also Cackalacka, Cackalack) is a slang or nickname form of Carolina, used in reference to North Carolina or South Carolina (e.g. North Cackalacky, South Cackalack), mostly in the Southern United States.[18]

Now that’s more like it.

Tagged with: Food • Holidays • North Carolina • South Carolina • Travel

North Carolina Christmas with the Smiths

On January 6, 2009, In Family, Holidays, Kids, By LisaT

My computer is moving slow after I’ve uploaded all the pictures taken over the holidays spent in the South, so it’s taking a while for me to process this all still. Since I only get to see my family a few times a year, I tend to go a little photo and video crazy when they’re around, so that I’ll be able to browse through the picture collections until the next time I’m able to fly back and see them again.

Guitar Hero was the entertainment of choice for the evening, with a seriously pregnant Nina (due the day these pictures were taken) thrashing through the songs while her guitar rested comfortably on the top of her big belly. Isabella received three babies on Christmas from Santa, the stork, or however you’d like to imagine that happens, and was every bit the proud mommy as she carried them around in a firm headlock. That is, until Oswald the Octopus came on the TV and they were promptly tossed aside.

She loved the classic wooden building blocks I got her, as well as the kitchen her parents got her. Her favorite items to prepare in the kitchen were microwaved grapes, ice cream cones baked in the oven and a chicken drumstick that alternated between storage in the freezer and in the refrigerator.

Also, I think I may have kick-started Taylor’s Twilight addiction.