Summer is indeed here. If you are planning an outdoor party with some singing using your Playstation SingStar or your videoke machine, why not have an American Idol Party theme. To kick off the party, you can order an American Idol-themed cake.

American Idol Light-Up Cake Topper

You can use the cake topper as a prize to the best singer after of course polishing off the yummy cake!

The best thing about warmer weather in Birmingham is that Pepper Place Farmers Market opens. We go every Saturday we’re in town, and this weekend was no exception.

The market just opened for the season. Years ago we were just one of a few folks who headed out there every Saturday, but it’s since become hugely popular here. Which is a good thing for the farmers.

Today we bought a bunch of strawberries, because Truman would choose to eat strawberries over any other food on earth. We also bought tomatoes from one of the few vendors who had ripe ones to choose from. Then we went home and made Ina Garten’s Greek Gazpacho for dinner.

Our Publix didn’t have Sacramento tomatoes so V8 had to do (oh hush, Ina), and I did without the olives because I have an aversion. I also used panko instead of day-old bread just because I had it on hand. And I love panko. 

I plopped a generous hunk of nice goat cheese over the top, which was one thing my old recipe didn’t call for.It was to-die-for. Even Truman devoured it. Well, he mostly devoured the toasted bread crisps I served with it. Then we paired it with a nice bottle of Cotes du Rhone.

For dessert we had a generous serving of Adam Lambert performing with Rick’s childhood favorite band Kiss – DVR’d from Wednesday night’s awesome American Idol finale. Sigh…makes me wonder how the rest of the world is faring this Memorial Day weekend.

Photos, JWJourney

Every mother deserves some down time. Mine, this week, is at the beach with five of my old sorority sisters. I hate to admit how difficult it is for me to leave my family. But the minute the first friend arrives and we load up the car and head to the beach, I’m recovered.

Today I slept until 7:30 a.m., ate two cinnamon rolls, got a massage and read People magazine on the beach until my skin was scorched. I caught American Idol’s Adam Lambert’s version of U2’s One on my iPhone (heart) while poolside and sat in a hot tub drinking fru-fru festive drinks. Now, with wine in hand, our biggest decision is where to go for dinner. We have reservations at three different restaurants. Where should we go? Boraggo’s, Café 30-A or Onano?

photo, JWJourney

Two and a half American Idols are from my town – Reuben Studdard, Bo Bice (he’s the half), and Taylor Hicks. When our hometown favorites were lighting up the TV screen, I was a fan of the show. Since then I’ve given up the addiction. But I became curious about Adam Lambert, this season’s favorite, when I saw his picture spread halfway across the front page of the Sunday New York Times Style section.

Easter Gnome: gay or straight?

Rick fills me in. Lambert is that effeminate guy who did a smack-down incredible but controversial rendition of Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire a few weeks back. Because I hadn’t watched the show, I was not familiar with his music (Rick has to stay up on it since he has to discuss each week’s episode on his morning snow) so I turned over to YouTube. I love-loved Ring of Fire but Lambert’s version of Tears for Fears’ Mad World wrapped my inner child in a blanket of warm, softened butter. I want to wear that song like a Pashmina, it is so breathlessly beautiful.

And this insane fuss about “What if he is gay?” Who. Cares.

Which brings me to the Easter Gnome.

Rick’s folks came to town yesterday for Easter lunch and brought Truman a bag of goodies. In it was a gnome blowing a kiss that MIL suggested he could put in our garden. (I’m thinking a hawk might fly off with it in the next week or so if we’re lucky … or crafty.) As Truman pulls the gnome out of the gift bag, my sweet MIL whispers to me that she and FIL poured through the encyclopedias at their house to make sure that gnomes were not a sign of “gayness.” FIL apparently had the notion, and giving such a gift would crack their strong Southern Baptist foundation. I told her I had never heard of such, but even so, who cares? Not me.

Let’s say Truman some how sprouts up through our family tree and collects genes from among the branches of those who lived (or hid) the alternative lifestyle before us, then so be it. I will love him and accept him, always and forever. As long as he is happy, that’s all that should matter. 

(photo, JWJourney)

My kids and I are big fans of American Idol.  We try to watch it religiously!  Lately there’s been a lot of talk about how “harsh” this years American Idol is compared to previous years.

Personally, I don’t think there’s anything harsh.  In fact, I have to agree with this article on Fox - that if anything, the parents are harsh and/or disturbing.

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