Show and Tell it - Closer Faraway Friends

We had the pleasure of having some old friends from New Zealand, Michael and Iona, come visit with us over the weekend while they were in the U.S. for a few weeks.  They're a great couple we'd met many years ago while we were all living in England, as he and my husband were working together.  

- Photo from their anniversary this year -

The most important reason for their trip to America was for
Iona and her Can Survive, Wellington, New Zealand's breast cancer survivors dragon boat team, to participate in the 2014 (IBCPC)-International Breast Cancer Paddlers' Commission Dragon Boat Festival and competition in Sarasota, FL., at Nathan Benderson Park.  A three day event ending Oct 26th.  A race in which I am very happy to say, with many congratulations to her and her team, they placed third overall out of 101 teams and over 2500 participants. Following first place team Knot a Breast, from Ontario, Canada.  And second place team Pink Steel, from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania USA.  My immense pride and admiration for Iona.  Along with all the other breast cancer survivors who participated, who also set an example for everyone in true strength, positive attitude, and their competitive yet encouraging, and hopeful spirit.

Can Survive Dragon Boat Team from Wellington, New Zealand - 3rd place International Champions!

image source

* You can see the video of the finish by clicking on the link below *

The IBCPC Final

..._________...

Food,  Fun and Friends

A Reunion of Friends!
It was nice to spend the first afternoon after their arrival catching up with them while sharing in their good news of the race, along with other events and attractions they had been enjoying since, with photos and stories to tell.  Our weather had been perfect up until the night before with a big drop in the temperature, along with a wind that made it feel even colder.  We followed through with our plans and the evening was spent by sharing a nice dinner of steaks prepared on our grill, some good wine and more catching up through much conversation, reminiscing and good laughs.

After dinner we were given several gifts that our friends brought from New Zealand, along with interesting information and tales of each.  A couple favorites of mine were a set of glass coasters with photos of their native birds painted on them, along with a beautiful inlay of Pāua shell-(also known as abalone shell or "Sea Opal" in the U.S.)  And a wooden tablemat/hot pad carved from Rimu wood into a spiral representing the unfurling of a young fern frond and is a common element in the intricate carving of the Maori people of New Zealand.  It also has beautiful inlay of the Pāua shell.  The gifts were an unexpected treat I will treasure as a remembrance of our faraway friends, and of their visit with us.


Let there be Blues and BBQ!
We had a nice sunny day out at Lake Lanier Islands the following day.  A Blues and BBQ festival there was a perfect attraction since we knew we, and also they like both.  While enjoying the beautiful views, we also enjoyed tasty BBQ along with some live Blues performances.  As the Blues music filled the air so did the delicious smell of BBQ.

We all chose first to get our taste buds into some big meaty BBQ'd pork ribs.  It was a good choice to get started on.  Our New Zealand friends had never had, nor heard of Corn dogs, or Funnel cake!  I told them they simply must try both since they are true American festival/carnival cuisine.  We Americans are true foodie people and we do have many a different concoction, especially if it can be dipped into something and then fried.  It was thought that perhaps the corn dog was a vegetable, but I explained it was far from it, and would definitely not be considered a health food either.  But would surely be enjoyed non the less!  My definition of a funnel cake was that of pancake batter drizzled into a deep fryer, then served with a dusting of powdered sugar on top, and would not disappoint the sweet tooth!  That provoked a quick response of "Yum!", and a plan to certainly try it!  Our friends did enjoy both new foods, and the Brunswick stew they tried for the first time as well.  

The four of us were also joined by our youngest daughter and her guy for some of the time there too, as we all enjoyed the tastes and tunes together for a while.  As the sun was setting and the warmth noticeably disappearing, we made plans for after leaving the Blues and BBQ festival.  It was decided that we'd take them to a pub that we enjoy located in downtown Decatur, the Brick Store Pub.  We spent some time there having more delicious eats, along with drinks and tales while enjoying the good company of our friends and the atmosphere.  The last hours of the day were spent back at our home planning the next travel adventures for our friends while they're seeing more of our country, before they return to theirs.

A Friendly Farewell!
Our last morning together came too quickly.  We shared a simple coffee and sweet roll breakfast together before hugs, well wishes and good-byes were exchanged.  As we all planned to see each other again in the near future and it not be as long as it had before this time.  We had a great time with our great friends, and we will miss them greatly!              

..._________...

Photos from our day at the Blues and BBQ festival.

Roger Hurricane Wilson. One of the bands performing. 

The band also left the stage area and sat out in front, and played for a bit too!

Enjoying some good Blues music.

Time to enjoy delicious BBQ ribs and Blues!

Enjoying delicious BBQ ribs and Blues, and smiles!

More smiles from these two who also shared in the festival food and fun with us!

Just before planning our next tasty treats!

Her first Funnel cake!  That's a big Funnel cake and a big smile!

Part of the beautiful view of  Lake Lanier Islands from the festival.


We had a great visit with great food, great blues and great friends!



It was so nice to see our old friends!...