2011: The Best of Screw Lucy (Giveaway)

The year started off the way any year should. We spent another birthday slicing into a gnocchi cake from M.A.D. crafted cakes along with a generous portion of cannoli. I can't tell you how close I came to keeping it all to myself. Our dear and faithful friends from The SCrew Crew came over to celebrate (and take my sweets....my precious...)

(I think Erik is holding a rodent of some sort...)

We got down and dirty at Fort Hill Bowling Alley every Senior Day with Karen Lisle (not a senior) and the Screw Grandmother. Freddie Smith, veteran bowler and bread maker (literally and figuratively) assisted us during a few games, until Screw Grandmother got an injury and had to call it quits. She now enjoys providing heating pads for under privileged dogs.

It pleased The Screw to venture out into the areas of town that don't usually accommodate her geographically. I found my first reward off Timberlake where I discovered, not another buffet, but a restaurant offering a lovely selection of Vietnamese Pho:

(Otani has now become Pho Saigon)

What a welcome addition to the generic Chinese and Japanese restaurants in town for Asian cuisine. Now if I could just get past those waxy, rice paper, egg rolls...

I got my vintage on at several class acts including The Shops at Ashcroft and From Shabby to Chic. I'll be pleased when I'm small enough to fit into vintage clothing.

I lived vicariously through a few Black Water Rollers, and did not live vicariously through native Altavista residents as I started a new job, only thankful that they offered nearby comforts such as the Dairy Freeze and Altavista Vineyards (although I didn't visit the vineyard during working hours...I really wanted to though).

 (They aren't rose colored. They're Rosé colored.)

Then there was more cake as we celebrated Screw Grandmother's (a.k.a. Mamasan) 86th birthday with--you guessed it--more cake. And guess who we went to? It's on a triple points square and it starts with M and ends with D:

(Yes this is a cake.)

Then of course, there was the Underground Supper Club. I visited my first--a Mardi Gras theme. Meeting new people, eating marvelous food, drinking. What more is there in life, really?

I got a makeover with Danielle from my Mary Kay rep (and bowling partner) Karen Lisle, walked the trails of Blackwater Creek, and on tough days, met my girlfriend Kim at Mi Patron for margaritas. I made it through a quarter of the menu. And said,"It was good." Then I rested...

(I don't think I'll ever achieve more than an Ivory 5)

(Lilly, accustomed to the heating pad...and lots of treats)

(spinach enchiladas)

...and then came Barrett's birthday, which meant, of course, time for more M.A.D. Crafted Cake:

Spring turned into Summer and we were happy to move Danielle and Charlie into their farm in Big Island. I stopped at Mitchells to get chicken and spent time inside, supporting others who don't mind smelly animals, heat, and bugs. We introduced Melissa and Eric to Hickory Hill and enjoyed another Underground Supper Club where I got to be me and eat with my hands. Pure bliss.

(As you can see, I also visited Brushy Mountain.)

(Trying to act all classy 'n whatev.)

(I tried to belch a lot so people would leave and I would have more.)

I was so happy to see my Facebook friends David and Bonny at the Peaks of Otter Wine Festival. Then I had my birthday at Robin Alexander. And guess what we did.

(The answer is C. Ate More Cake)

I never knew I could love leftovers so much until I visited Jimmy on the James. We all said a sad goodbye to Bill's Pastry, and realized that yes, Perky's really is worth waiting over an hour for. Of course, I had connections who knew better and made reservations.

(That's totally a swan.)

Summer faded into fall--my favorite. I got intimate with Forest, Virginia as I frequented Pints 'O Plenty and Aylors, and prepared for the Festival season.

(Garlic Festival 2011)

During Christmas time I appeared at a lot of Christmas parties and attended Tab O'Neal's new gallery opening, then got a great peppermint drink from Clam Diggers along with raw oysters. I also got to know the girls from 309 Winery.

All in all, a good year. But I look forward to even more this year as I enter new shops and restaurants and meet people, good and bad, who will really, really like me, call me names, and honk their horn at me so they can yell at me about the sticker on my car.

And at the end of the day, I'll sit back and have a glass of locally produced milk...

...and eat some cake.

If you would like to win a dozen cannoli from M.A.D. Crafted Cakes, it's simple! To be eligible you must live in the Lynchburg area:

1. Leave a comment on this post.

2. "LIKE" M.A.D. Crafted Cakes on Facebook.

3. "LIKE" your favorite cake from M.A.D. Crafted. 

That's it! A winner will be chosen at random by 9 p.m. January 7th. Good luck!