Rivalry Weekend - FSU vs UF

It was that time of year when the Seminoles played the Gators in Tallahassee.

We really had a good time planning for the tailgate (theme, food and fun) and were expecting the largest group this season, along with the Nauti Gators Ken & Victoria!

Each tailgate has a theme and usually we're poking fun at the visiting team, the Gators were no exception. Rick and Joanne did a great job procuring the food and coming up with some great names for the tailgate menu item! (See below for the menu.)

Happy Birthday, Rick!

A bonus was having the FSU Cowgirls stop by the tailgate for a photo opportunity.

We were expecting rain during the game, but not during the tailgate. Torrential downpours came and at one point we had probably 40 people under the three tents! Nonetheless, everyone ate, drank, had a good time and even got to watch some football.

We have really enjoyed the FSU football season and all that is involved with tailgating. Rick & Joanne have gotten into the festivities this year and are now "Certified Tailgate Professionals". :o)

Many of us went into the game soaking wet as we weren't going to let there be more of 'them' than 'us' in the stadium. We thought for certain the weather would 'even up' the game, and while it made many things challenging, the Seminoles didn't win.

Fun photos from Tailgating:

At least there is hope for a Bowl game...Go Noles!

Thanksgiving Weekend in Tallahassee

We had a great Thanksgiving in Tallahassee, which was a first for us. The week started with FSU Basketball and then several golf outings throughout the week along with a few eating opportunities.

The Astors invited us to join them for Thanksgiving dinner and as Frank says, 'It was the most sensible Thanksgiving dinner we've had." Everything was absolutely delicious and food was consumed in moderation, however wine consumption was a different story. :o)

Typical Thanksgiving Day pictures (ladies in the kitchen, men in front of the TV).

Unfortunately it rained most of the day on Friday and the DownTown GetDown was cancelled. But we did not let a little rain cancel our plans for dinner with all of the Astors. We had another great meal at 228. It was a very nice way to spend the evening as we had lots of things to do to get ready for THE BIG GAME on Saturday.

Homecoming weekend - Booster Bash and Tailgating

Since we won't mention the outcome of Saturday's game, we'll talk about the fun things!

Friday night was a fun Bash hosted by the Boosters. We had 2 tables with friends and enjoyed meeting new people, good food and lots of dancing.

Since it was a night game on Saturday, we prepared for dropping temperatures and getting dark while we were tailgating. The Seminoles played Boston College which gave us the perfect theme for a night game! We had a yummy tailgate with clam chowder, crab cakes, hot apple cider, lobster salad and Boston cream pie, just to mention a few tasty treats!

It was pretty chilly by the time we got into the game, but we were prepared with many layers, blankets and hand warmers.

Welcome to winter in Florida!

More than just football in Tallahassee

Since there were two home games back to back in Tallahassee, we decided to stay. What a treat to explore more of the city and spend time with friends.

The girls (Joanne, Lynne and Leann) took a road-trip to Thomasville, GA to do a little shopping. Joanne had a 'diamond-day' and found nearly everything she was looking for. Lynne was successful with a few purchases too!

That same evening, there was an FSU basketball game. We met Rick & Joanne for tapas before walking over to the game. We had a fun evening and the Noles won!

Weekend with Friends.

Our friends, Tom & Raquel came to Tallahassee for a football weekend. They were very thoughtful and brought a few treats. Too bad they had those orange pawprints on them. :)

On Friday, we took them on a tour of Tallahassee and then to a museum/nature preserve (Tallahassee Museum of History) not too far away. The weather was beautiful and we had a nice walk through boardwalk and animal habitats.

Albino squirrel on top of the fence.

Big fat gator!

Florida Panther

Yes, those are foxes sleeping in the tree!

Black bear napping.


Note to self....don't bother going to see the animals after lunch. They're napping!

That evening, we went to Downtown Get Down (a street party on Friday's before home games) where we met up with the rest of the Usual Suspects. It was great fun, especially since we had another two degrees of separation - Tom & Raquel know couple in Rock Hill who are friends with Rick & Joanne! I'm starting to think the world really does revolve around Rick! :)

Just showing a little brotherly love.

After a wonderful dinner that evening, we headed back to the apartment, but not before stopping at the Holley's to see Dan and Eddie who were in town to go fishing. It was great seeing so many friends in a short period of time.

Saturday morning came quickly and we had lots to do to get ready for the game. When our backs were turned, more of the orange pawprints appeared throughout the apartment! (On windows, mirrors, pictures, over our custom-designed stained-glass Seminole, anything FSU, everywhere!) Guess it was payback for the 4 itty bitty Seminole stickers I left for Daniel to find when we were in Portland.

After getting sidetracked with the stickers, we prepped the food, loaded the BDT, smooshed in and off we went! I think T&R were a little surprised with all the stuff we have/do for tailgating. I do have to admit, it is quite the operation, but we've gotten it down to a science and are quite the envy of those who pass by. It was a special treat for the Ruggeri guys to escape the man cave and join us for a visit.

While it didn't relate to Clemson, our theme was Italian as Ron & Lynne offered to make scrumptious Italian sausages (with red & yellow peppers of course). They even brought the toaster oven so we could melt cheese over the sandwiches. Now that's a classy tailgate! The rest of the spread was delicious! (Roasted veggies, hummus and crostini, olive-cheese platter, speared tortellini and in honor of Bobby Bowden's birthday - red velvet cupcakes with yellow cream cheese frosting.)

The game was touch and go, but in the end, FSU successfully tamed those Tigers! Go Noles!

Halloween in Atlanta

For the first time in a long time, Halloween was celebrated somewhere other than at home, handing out candy.

We were going to be in Atlanta for the FSU-GT game, found where the festivities were going to be held and put together our costumes. It never fails...especially when we are out of town, many people comment that Frank looks like Bobby Bowden. (And yes he does, especially when he's got on a straw hat and sunglasses.) So, what a perfect costume! Joanne and I decided we were going to be the FSU Cowgirls. All in all, we had a great time!

Random Cowgirl and Bowden pix.

Remember...we were in Atlanta, home of the Georgia Bulldogs.