Heather Lucier Stanley

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Although our priority had not yet become moving, I continued to sell items such as the liquor cabinet. Years ago – so long ago I do not remember the year – Alan and I stopped drinking hard liquor, except for the occasional margarita, martini, or once in a lifetime moment, such as trying Jameson in Ireland.

Neither of us had made it a goal to stop drinking hard liquor. The evolution from mixed drinks to wine and/or beer did not require much thought or effort. My body is very sensitive to alcohol and I do not like how I feel after having one mixed drink in an hour. One glass of wine in an hour does not have the same effect on me as long as I eat a high protein appetizer or meal first. Since finding out that I have a gluten intolerance, I have not had a beer. I have not tried gluten-free beer yet. Alan prefers wine or beer.

All the liquor in the liquor cabinet had barely been touched since circa 2005 when we had a martini party and bought all the vodka and alcoholic mixers for it. For example, for at least six years we had 4 or 5 half-full vodka bottles in our freezer. Eventually Alan and I gave most of the vodka to a few friends who we know like it. I thought, More freezer space! Win-Win!

The Raffle Off the Liquor party was a give away. No Cost. Free Liquor. To make the give away fair, each friend received a raffle ticket. 13 Friends showed up and there were at least 13 bottles of liquor. How Perfect! Everyone was a winner. Friends traded with other friends based on their liquor preferences. In addition, we raffled off bar gadgets and random interestingly packaged candy.

The Raffle Off The Liquor Party was a success! Shortly thereafter, I sold the liquor cabinet.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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When I was a child my parents put up a silver Christmas tree for at least a few years from what I can recall. I loved it!

Alan and I purchased our silver Christmas tree on sale in early December one year at The Home Depot. I think now, I am reliving the happy moments of my childhood.

The photo of Joey and I sitting by the Christmas tree is my favorite 2010 photo of us together. He is quite a photogenic dog because he has a relaxed and content demeanor. On the other hand, Phoebe is a ball of anxious energy. I think now, Phoebe and I may have had similar restless energy in the past, but I have learned how to be chill. I love to sit and be still. I do not need to be in contant motion any longer.

Since I have known Alan he has been chill like Joey. Now I think, could Phoebe just sit still more often like the rest of us? I know that is not possible because she has a dog brain, but a gal can dream!

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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On Christmas Day 2010 neither of us knew that it would be our last Christmas spent at our house on Taylorcrest because moving had not become our top priority yet.

For Christmas Day dinner our friends and neighbors Joelle and Dan and their two children Finn and Luke came over. Our friends Sheri and Elliott joined us later in the evening after attending an appetizer party.

Alan suggested making Raclette for Christmas dinner. He had learned about Raclette from his Aunt Andrea. Raclette is a fun idea for a small dinner party. Joelle, Dan, Finn and Luke came over first. Once Sheri and Elliott had arrived, they had the grill to themselves to prepare their food.

Raclette is an easy way to entertain for friends and family during the holidays!

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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Our friends Jodi and Rich rave about their experience at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille. We love a good steak!

Perry’s makes a mouth-watering filet mignon. Alan got the rib eye and enjoyed it. I recommend Perry’s for a special occasion, such as Christmas Eve.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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At the Wear Your Christmas Hat Party, I learned how to play Flip Cup. The team I joined, named Team Spanky, won the competition. The group also played Smash the Piñata. I do not remember the official title of this game, but it is a memory. As Alan and I have reflected on this particular party, we had a lot of fun!

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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Our friend Jade hosted a “Wear Your Christmas Hat Party.” New to town, we invited our friend Joe to join us to meet some new people and join in on the festivities. Alan and I went to Party Pig and purchased our hats shortly before the party. Joe brought his Detroit Lions Christmas hat from Michigan.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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For a few years Alan and I were wine club members at Stone House. Karen and Mike joined us for a wine tasting.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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Alan found out about the Black Star Co-op Grand Opening and we started inviting our friends. Kathleen, Synthia and Joe joined us this evening.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

Dining out Memories with Friends and Family. The Year of the Restaurant.

In alphabetical order by first dining companion listed. Not a comprehensive list. From memory.

Andy: Café Pacha

Daniel: Enoteca Vespaio

Debbie: Elevation Burger [Great Hills Trail], The Blanton Café, Tino’s Greek Café [Great Hills Trail]

Debbie, Keith: Sago (closed), Justine’s, Vivo, Fabi and Rosi, The Carillon, Roaring Fork [Downtown]

Elke: Zax’s

Elke, Oscar: McCormick and Schmick’s [The Domain], Taco Shack [Downtown], Whole Foods [Downtown], 24 Diner

Elke, Oscar, Minh: Jo’s [Second Street], Chez Zee

Ellie: Hyde Park Grill [Westgate]

Jodi, Mandy: Snack Bar

Jodi, Rich: Vivo, Max’s Wine Dive, Pirahna Killer Sushi, Macaroni Grill [Stassney], Romeo’s

Jodi, Rich, Cookie, Steve: Galaxy Café [Brodie Lane]

Joe: North by Northwest, J Black’s {New Year’s Day}, Cisco’s, Polish food cart, The Tavern, Papalote Taco House

Joy, Craig: Moonshine Grill, Haddington’s

Karen, Mike: Mandola’s [Hill Country Galleria]

Kathleen, Kim: La Condesa {for Kathleen’s 40th Birthday}

Kim: Leaf

Leah, Larry: Polvos, Uncle Billy’s Brew and Cue [Lake Travis]

Liz, Steve: Carmelo’s, Perla’s

Louri, Jim: Serranos [Symphony Square - Downtown] {for Louri’s new job opportunity}

Louri, Jim, Leilani, Ron: Huts

Minh: The Highball, Red’s Porch, Bess, Hank’s Garage, Botticelli’s, Takoba, Whip In, Torchy’s

Minh, Stacey: Din Ho

Minh, Will: Pappadeaux

Running Group: Doc’s [Downtown], Juan in a Million, El Sol y La Luna, Gourmand’s

Scott, Jen: Fogo de Chao

Sharlean, Pete: The Emerald Restaurant, Fino {on New Year’s Eve}, Hudson’s on the Bend, Braise, Uchiko, Zed’s, European-Bistro, Manuel’s [Jollyville] {for Shar’s 40th Birthday}

Sheri, Elliott: El Arbol (closed), Home Slice Pizza, Vespaio, The Woodland, Jack Allen’s, Enoteca Vespaio, Aquarelle (closed), Hank’s Garage

Sue Lynn, Cameron, Jessica: The Steeping Room

Terri, Sheri, Elliott: South Congress Cafe {for Terri’s Birthday}, The Woodland

Vicki, Brian, Megan: Garrido’s, Jo’s [ S. Congress], Guero’s, Opal Divine’s, Vivo

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.

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Alan and I moved to a new hood closer to downtown in September 2011. Part of the getting ready to move process was selling things so that we could downsize. At the time that we sold the pool table, we did not know where we would be moving, but we knew we would not be needing a pool table at our new pad.

I also did not anticipate a work out room at the new pad and started selling work out equipment once I was fairly certain we’d be moving. The prep work was in progress before we knew what the end result would be.

The pool table sold in early December.

This blog is part of the Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series. Alan and I started dating in November 1999. The Early November 2010 to Mid-November 2011 Heather and Alan Blog Series captures our 12th year together through photography and writing. Year 12 provided plenty of change and excitement.