Quick trip to the 'ville

We made a quick run down to the ‘ville for Seth’s team party, an event which had long been in the works. I, for one, was bummed we couldn’t stay longer. Unfortunately, if you have to work at all on Fridays and live anywhere north of Richmond, you’re a hostage to traffic until well after it would make sense to begin a 5-6 hour trip. So we drove down Saturday and back Sunday. It was a whistle-stop tour to say the least.

We did get to see Brian, and meet his wife Serafima and her daughter Eva, who are finally on U.S. soil after a long and arduous immigration battle. So that was really special. And Jenn was nice enough to bring “my” baby, the now-walking Magster, to meet us at a bar the afternoon we got in. And of course we squeezed in a beer or three with Jax and crew (although, post-party, it was my turn to skip our planned Sunday run.)

But mostly, we were just in town for the 3126 get-together. It was a really nice event, although I know it was tough for Seth. It was his team’s official goodbye to him. He did a bang-up job giving a thank you/ farewell speech, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house when he was finished and they handed him his plaques. I was really proud of him, as I know it kind of marked the end of an era for everyone, and emotions ran high.

But there was plenty of beer, and hunting stories to tell, and a good time was had by all.

And now it’s Monday, and I’m back at the grind and Seth is in a tree stand somewhere. It’s cold and miserable back here “up north.” I think it’s a soup-making night. Since I’m still getting used to the end of daylight savings time (two commutes in the dark!), I’m pulling out the big guns: http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052748703396604576088182976391222 Butternut squash and mascarpone, and it always makes me grateful for the immersion blender Michelle gave me a couple Christmases ago. The fall foliage was gorgeous on our (long) weekend drive, but I know what that means: winter is right around the corner, and soup season is here!

Photos of the week: 3126

 

And the whole 3126 family: